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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued subpoenas to California state government officials, seeking records related to alleged misuse of federal funds to benefit illegal immigrants through the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
👥 Who’s Involved: DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Los Angeles, California, Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) administration, and the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC).
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📍 Where & When: Subpoenas were issued in Los Angeles, California, on Monday, with records sought dating back to 2021.
💬 Key Quote: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits. If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”
⚠️ Impact: The investigation could expose alleged misuse of billions in federal taxpayer dollars and could lead to further scrutiny of California’s financial practices and immigration policies.
IN FULL:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued subpoenas to California state government officials over allegations of federal funds being improperly allocated to illegal immigrants through the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). The subpoenas, filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Los Angeles, demand records dating back to 2021, including applicants’ names, birth dates, immigration status, and other program-related documents.
California’s CAPI program provides monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for federal Supplemental Security Income. However, the White House believes that the program has been extended to illegal immigrants who are barred from accessing federal social security benefits.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blasted California’s state leadership, accusing them of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens. “Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” she said in a statement. “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”
The investigation follows a report from the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), which revealed that California may be using federal reimbursements to fund state programs benefiting illegal immigrants. EPIC alleged that nearly $4 billion in federal taxpayer dollars are being funneled to healthcare and other initiatives for illegal immigrants through Medicaid provider taxes. The report describes the process as a “money laundering scheme,” with California projected to receive over $19 billion in federal funds from April 2023 to December 2026 without contributing state funds.
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has yet to publicly respond to DHS’s allegations. However, a spokesman for California’s Department of Healthcare Services claims EPIC’s allegations are “misleading.”
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is using a series of cross-country rallies with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to consolidate support among progressive Democrats ahead of a potential primary challenge against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), or even a possible 2028 presidential run. The New York Congresswoman raised nearly $10 million in campaign cash during the first quarter of 2025.
👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chuck Schumer, President Donald J. Trump, Democratic voters.
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📍 Where & When: Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders kicked off their Fighting Oligarchy Tour in February with recent rallies in Colorado, California, and Arizona.
💬 Key Quote: “We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez argued at a recent rally in Tempe, Arizona. “I want you to look at every level of office around and support Democrats who fight, because those are the ones who can actually win against Republicans.”
⚠️ Impact: The Fighting Oligarchy Tour has positioned Ocasio-Cortez, a radical progressive, as a leading anti-Trump voice in the Democratic Party, fueling speculation she may soon launch a primary challenge to Sen. Schumer or launch a 2028 presidential bid.
IN FULL:
Disaffected Democrats and political progressives are rallying around the far-left populist message espoused by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), fueling increasing speculation that the 35-year-old New York Democrat may mount a primary challenge to 74-year-old Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) or even launch a 2028 presidential bid. Since late February, Ocasio-Cortez—often referred to as AOC—has been holding large rallies across the country with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, resulting in the progressive Congresswoman raising nearly $10 million in the first quarter of 2025.
In March, a Fighting Oligarchy Tour rally in Denver, Colorado, featuring AOC and Sanders, drew a reported 34,000 attendees—eclipsing the crowds drawn during Sen. Sanders’s previous two presidential campaigns and dwarfing all other Democratic Party events that month. Subsequently, an April rally in Los Angeles, California, drew an estimated 36,000 people. The rallies often feature calls for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to primary Sen. Chuck Schumer. AOC and progressive Democrats contend he was too quick to cave to President Trump and Congressional Republicans on a government funding bill.
“We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez argued at a recent rally in Tempe, Arizona. “I want you to look at every level of office around and support Democrats who fight, because those are the ones who can actually win against Republicans.”
While AOC’s cross-country tour and rallies with Sanders have energized the Democratic Party’s far-left progressive faction, more moderate party leaders worry that the New York Congresswoman’s radical message will alienate independent voters. However, absent any other standard bearers stepping forward and gaining traction, Ocasio-Cortez, with the backing of Sanders, appears to be quickly consolidating her position as one of the Democratic Party’s most vocal anti-Trump leaders.
Despite not having ruled out a potential 2028 bid for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, AOC is believed to be best positioned to challenge Schumer for his Senate seat. Several House Democrats have encouraged their progressive colleague to mount a primary campaign, with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) stating, “I’ve already said it: Senate looks good.”
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The U.S. and China agreed to suspend most tariffs for 90 days following high-stakes weekend trade negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend.
The details: The agreement will see both nations slash their tariffs from 125 percent to 10 percent during the three-month reprieve. A separate 20 percent tariff on China for its role in the fentanyl trade will remain in place.
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- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday the talks led to “substantial progress,” and U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer added that the differences were “not as large as maybe thought.”
- China echoed the optimism, calling the pending joint statement “good news for the world.”
Markets react: U.S. stock futures surged, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ rising more than three percent. The dollar and bonds also jumped.
Trump reacts: President Trump struck an optimistic tone on Sunday, writing:
- “A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner. We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!”
What happens next? Talks will continue, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
These terms go into effect on Wednesday.
Peace is in the air: Over the weekend, President Trump also announced that India and Pakistan agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following negotiations mediated by the United States.
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The U.S. and China agreed to suspend most tariffs for 90 days following high-stakes weekend trade negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend. show more
English (US) ·