PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Border Czar Tom Homan revealed that only nine illegal migrants were released into the U.S. during President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days, a sharp contrast to 184,000 under former President Joe Biden, as illegal border encounters dropped 95 percent.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Border Czar Tom Homan, the White House, and U.S. Border Patrol officials.
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📍 Where & When: U.S.-Mexico border, with Homan’s announcement made on April 29, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: Homan declared, “What’s happening on the border, he did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn’t—or wouldn’t—do in four years.”
⚠️ Impact: Trump’s border policies have drastically reduced illegal crossings and gotaways, bolstering national security and showing his campaign promises on immigration enforcement are being fulfilled.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has delivered on his promise to secure the U.S. border, with Border Czar Tom Homan revealing the relevant figures on April 29, 2025. In Trump’s first 100 days, only nine illegal migrants were released into the country, a stark contrast to the 184,000 released during the same period under then-President Joe Biden last year.
The White House reports a 99.99 percent decrease in “gotaways”—unlawful entrants not turned back, which the administration labeled “the top threat to public safety.” Homan praised Trump’s impact, declaring, “President Trump is a game changer,” and adding, “What’s happening on the border, he did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn’t—or wouldn’t—do in four years.”
Under Biden, Border Patrol saw up to 15,000 migrants crossing daily. “You know what the number was yesterday? 178 … 178 across 2,000 miles of border,” Homan remarked. The White House has reported a 95 percent drop in illegal border encounters, with only 11,000 crossings last month—the lowest on record, surpassing February’s previous low.
Homan clarified that the nine migrants released had valid reasons: four were material witnesses in criminal investigations, four were in “extreme medical distress,” and one was released on humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has deported approximately 139,000 people since Trump’s return. Homan estimates over 20 million illegal migrants remain in the U.S., but his agency is prioritizing the 700,000 accused or convicted of crimes, noting, “That’s who we’re looking for now, that’s [what we’re] prioritizing, them and national security threats.”
The White House hailed the results, stating, “President Trump has ushered in the most secure border in modern American history,” adding that the America First leader “has made good on the promises he made on the campaign trail to usher in an unprecedented era of homeland security.”
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Walmart has announced new programs, including “Grow with US” and the 2025 Open Call, to expand support for American-made products and American small businesses, as President Donald J. Trump pursues a policy of supporting American producers through tariffs on foreign goods.
👥 Who’s Involved: Walmart U.S., led by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey, alongside U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on April 29, 2025, with Open Call events starting May 1 in Orlando, Florida, and the main event on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
💬 Key Quote: John Furner stated, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.”
⚠️ Impact: Walmart’s initiatives showcase the success of Trump’s tariffs in encouraging domestic production, fostering job growth and economic resilience.
IN FULL:
Walmart is supporting American-made products with the launch of new programs aimed at supporting American small businesses, underscoring the success of President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies. On April 29, 2025, the retail giant shared its plans to expand initiatives like the “Grow with US” program and the 2025 Open Call, designed to help American entrepreneurs thrive. This strategic shift highlights how Trump’s tariffs are driving companies to prioritize domestic production, protecting both businesses and consumers from global trade disruptions.
The “Grow with US” program offers a four-step framework to provide U.S. small businesses with training, mentorship, and resources to grow alongside Walmart. John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, emphasized the benefits, stating, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.” Furner also noted that over 60 percent of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers last year were small businesses, with the company anticipating thousands more will utilize its free resources in the coming years.
CFO John David Rainey recently revealed that more than two-thirds of products in Walmart U.S. stores are already domestically sourced, adding, “The third that we import comes from all over the world, but China and Mexico are the most significant.” Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent duty on imports and much higher rates on Chinese goods, are likely to incentivize a further shift in favor of American products, bolstering economic independence.
The 2025 Open Call, with applications opening June 24, will allow U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses to pitch shelf-ready products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The main event, set for October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, follows several Road to Open Call events during Small Business Month in May, starting with Orlando on May 1, followed by Kansas City on May 9, Baltimore on May 13, and Austin on May 21, with additional events in Columbus on June 18 and Atlanta on June 24. Furner highlighted that participants at these pop-up events could “potentially score a fast pass to our main event in Bentonville,” offering a direct path to getting products on Walmart’s shelves.
Tech companies including Nvidia and IBM have already announced major investments in the U.S. since President Trump implemented his tariff policy, suggesting that, despite market grumblings, his overall strategy is working.
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