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PULSE POINTS:
❓ What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is directing his administration to work to advance U.S. leadership in extracting seabed mineral resources and related technologies. The Executive Order aims to increase American access to critical rare earth minerals.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and other relevant government officials and agencies.
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📍 Where & When: The order was issued from the White House on the evening of April 24, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control,” the Executive Order states.
⚠️ Impact: The order aims to expedite the U.S.’s development and processing of seabed minerals, with consequences for national security, economic strength, and dependence on foreign mineral supplies.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday that prioritizes strengthening the U.S. position in global seabed mineral exploration and technology. This move is part of a broader agenda being pushed by the Trump administration to ensure American access to critical rare earth minerals while circumventing current supply chains that are overly reliant on resources extracted from China.
“The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control,” Trump states in the directive, adding: “Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources. These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals.”
The executive order mandates rapid development of domestic technology for seabed mineral extraction, focusing on essential resources for defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors. This initiative aims to reduce America’s reliance on foreign mineral supplies, particularly in light of growing geopolitical tensions and economic competition.
President Trump is tasking key governmental agencies and leaders, including the Secretaries of Commerce, State, Interior, and Energy, with expediting the processes related to exploration permits and data collection concerning seabed minerals. This collaboration is designed to ensure efficiency while maintaining compliance with environmental and transparency standards.
While the Executive Order’s primary focus is on American domestic rare earth mineral access, the directive includes some provisions emphasizing the need for strategic engagement with international partners. The Trump White House contends that the U.S. can counter China’s expanding influence in this sector by fostering alliances and offering support for seabed exploration. The order also envisions creating a robust domestic supply chain for minerals crucial to industrial development and military readiness.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A former New Mexico magistrate judge and his wife were arrested after allegedly harboring members of Venezuela’s violent Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
👥 Who’s Involved: Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, his wife Nancy Cano, and Venezuelan illegal immigrant and Tren de Aragua member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.
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📍 Where & When: Las Cruces, New Mexico; arrests occurred late on Thursday, April 24.
💬 Key Quote: “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
⚠️ Impact: Both Canos are held without bond; Joel Cano has been barred from judicial office, and hearings are ongoing for the gang suspect.
IN FULL:
Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody late Thursday in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and face charges related to allegations that the couple harbored illegal immigrant members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Joel Cano is being charged with evidence tampering, while his wife, Nancy, is being charged with conspiracy to tamper stemming from their relationship with a Venezuelan illegal immigrant and accused member of Tren de Aragua, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.
Ortega-Lopez, detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week, is accused of possessing firearms illegally and having links to the dangerous Venezuelan criminal gang. Tren de Aragua, designated as a terrorist organization by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, is known for violent activities in Venezuela. He was found living on the Canos’ property, which triggered the law enforcement actions against the couple, including an extensive ICE raid and search on their home on Thursday.
“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post late Thursday on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
Before his judgeship commenced in 2010, Joel Cano served for over two decades in the police force. However, Cano was forced to resign from the bench following ICE’s arrest of Ortega-Lopez during a search on February 28. Notably, Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. at the infamous Eagle Pass, Texas border crossing in December of 2023 during the illegal immigration crisis under former President Joe Biden. The Biden government subsequently released the Venezuelan illegal immigrant and alleged Tren de Aragua member due to overcrowding at a detention center.
Ortega-Lopez’s online presence showed him and others with firearms in a shooting range. It is illegal in the United States for illegal immigrants to own or possess a firearm or ammunition unless the weapon is for immediate export. The Venezuelan illegal immigrant is slated for a court appearance on April 30, with federal prosecutors deeming him a flight risk.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has also permanently banned Joel Cano from holding judicial office. It remains uncertain if the Canos will face further charges related to harboring illegal immigrants or supporting a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
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