WAR DRAGON! Hegseth Wraps Panama Trip With Fresh Agreements, Troop Morale Boosts, and Some Hazard Signs.

2 months ago 6

PANAMA CITY, Panama—U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrapped up his tour of Panama on Wednesday, inking two critical Memoranda of Understanding with officials of the central American nation determined to get more support, investment, and protection from the United States in exchange for renewed Sino-skepticism.

The trip, which saw precisely 47 staffers work the 3-day itinerary, included much in the way of high-level diplomatic negotiations, with a hefty dose of troop morale boosting in the region.

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Hegseth went out of his way aboard the USS Chosin, a guided missile cruiser that arrived in the city just days ago, to honor and reward servicemen and women–a trait that has already become a hallmark of his tenure at the Pentagon.

At the CENTSEC conference Wednesday morning, Hegseth delivered the overarching message of his trip: “We do not seek war with China, and war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form. But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China’s threats in this hemisphere.”

Hegseth doesn’t mince words about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), taking almost every opportunity to warn over and stare down their efforts in the Western hemisphere–a task for which the Biden government showed little regard.

“China-based companies are capturing land [and] critical infrastructure in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications,” he said, warning that “China’s military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere.”

“They operate military facilities and ground stations to extend their reach into space. They exploit natural resources and land to fuel China’s global military ambitions. China’s factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people,” he observed, adding, “Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain.”

But while his most significant ire was directed at the CCP, his greatest joy appeared to be speaking with U.S. servicemen and women. Hegseth himself served more than two decades ago, and routinely draws upon his personal experiences and concerns to connect with those on active duty.

He gets it, he tells them. He’s been there, he says. The thing you need most is for your leaders to have your back, and for the apparatus around you to work, he reassures.

He speaks often, as during his confirmation hearing, of refusing to put American soldiers in a “fair fight” but rather to equip them to first deter, and then–if that fails–to ruthlessly destroy the enemy. It’s a line that gets uninformed members nodding in approval every single time.

Yet, there were some things Hegseth was a little more coy about, like during a press conference held alongside Panamanian security minister Abrego on Wednesday afternoon. Asked by The National Pulse if there had been any discussions about Panama refusing to recognize Taiwan since 2017, both men just completely ignored the question.

.@RaheemKassam asks @SecDef @PeteHegseth about China accusing the U.S. of “blackmail” for wanting to take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence: pic.twitter.com/MhdhYLUlc0

— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) April 9, 2025

You can’t necessarily hold it against them, but it does reveal a newness to their efforts. A more seasoned political actor would have had no problem parlaying the question into one they wanted to answer or using it to their advantage. Simply ignoring the question entirely makes it seem like they were caught off guard, and perhaps too embarrassed to say, “No, we didn’t discuss Taiwan.”

There can be no greater snub to China–as Hegseth was clearly in town to elicit–than recognition of Taiwanese independence.

But between his diplomacy movements and his ‘troop touches’ in locations like the old Fort Sherman, where so many of America’s grittiest warfighters learned their chops the extremely hard way, Hegseth appears to be settling into his role well. His staff appears upbeat and engaged. The only pitfalls that loom are the overwhelming number of career Department of Defense staffers who will likely attempt to stymie Hegseth’s America-First agenda at the Pentagon.

To combat that, Hegseth will need his own “WAR DRAGON!” mantra inside his office, as he freely chanted on the deck of the USS Chosin on Wednesday afternoon in sweltering temperatures and unGodly humidity.

He may not seek new wars overseas, but in time, he will almost certainly attract one from within the Pentagon’s ranks if he doesn’t move quickly to limit the powers of the forever-staffers who loathe the MAGA movement.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now screen the social media histories of visa applicants to determine any support or interaction with terrorist organizations, particularly focusing on anti-Semitic terrorism.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and visa applicants, particularly students and those seeking permanent residency. Leftist groups on college campuses are also reacting.

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📍 Where & When: The new screening measures are effective immediately across the United States.

💬 Key Quote: “There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

⚠️ Impact: Hundreds of student visas have been revoked, prompting legal challenges and protests from leftist groups.

IN FULL:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new framework for screening social media accounts of immigrants applying for specific visas and residency permissions. This move, effective immediately, is intended to identify applicants who support or engage with terrorist organizations connected to anti-Semitic activities. The new USCIS measures result from an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump, tasking the agency with enhancing scrutiny of foreign nationals aiming to enter the United States.

USCIS’s decision aligns with the Trump administration’s effort to bar those who share views consistent with organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and others linked to anti-Semitic violence from obtaining entry into the U.S., especially on student visas. Under this new guidance, applicants for lawful permanent residency and student visas will undergo additional layers of examination.

“There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” said Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, the parent agency of USCIS. Notably, the Trump administration has stated that the new policy has resulted in the cancellation of numerous student visas, drawing protests from leftist groups on college campuses.

Several foreign students who’ve had their visas and permanent residency status revoked are attempting to challenge the action in court. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and “pro-Hamas” activist, successfully obtained an order from U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman last month, preventing—for now—his deportation from the United States.

Likewise, Momodou Taal, a former student of Cornell University and a dual national of the United Kingdom and the Gambia, attempted to challenge his deportation after his visa was canceled due to social media posts urging the “destruction” of the U.S. However, Taal ultimately self-deported after a federal judge denied his request for an order barring his removal from the country.

Image by SWinxy.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Trump has overseen a historic Wall Street surge, with the Dow jumping 2,962.86 points and the S&P up nearly 10 percent as he continues to steer his America First tariff strategy.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald J. Trump, U.S. markets, China, 75 negotiating countries, Wall Street traders.

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📍 Where & When: U.S. markets, late Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!” — President Trump, April 7.

⚠️ Impact: Record 30 billion shares traded, markets soar after tariff relief, but China’s U.S. debt dump and 4.5 percent Treasury yield spike signal a brewing economic showdown.

U.S. markets surged late Wednesday following an announcement by President Donald J. Trump that he would ease tariff measures against most of America’s trading partners as the White House begins bilateral negotiations with around 75 countries—except for China, which saw tariff rates on its goods increase to 125 percent.

The Dow Jones closed at 40,608.45, a gain of 2,962.86 points on the day—the single largest daily point gain in history. Meanwhile, the S&P 500, which saw significant volatility over the past week, saw nearly a 10 percent gain, closing at 5,456.90.

An estimated 30 billion shares were traded on Wednesday, marking the heaviest—by volume—trading day in Wall Street’s history. The surge in trading almost entirely came after President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would pause his reciprocal tariffs—although not sector-specific tariffs on products such as steel—on all foreign nations, except China, with only the 10 percent global tariff remaining in effect while his White House begins negotiations with a number of countries on a new, more equitable trade system accounting for the interests of the United States.

The prospect of a long-term trade war between the United States and most nations worldwide rattled markets following President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement on April 2. However, it appears the most concerning development for the Trump White House occurred Tuesday evening as the 10 Year Treasury Bond yield rate began to increase to over 4.5 percent, signifying that either foreign governments or institutional investors were moving to dump U.S. debt. By early Wednesday morning, it became apparent that China was selling off the U.S. Treasuries as it was forced to defend its currency from the tariff effects by purposefully devaluing it.

On April 7, President Trump urged people fretting over the short-term reaction to tariffs to stay the course, writing, “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A 26-year-old Afghan, Fayaz Khan (a.k.a. Mada Pasa), faces charges for threatening to kill Reform Party leader Nigel Farage after menacing online videos surfaced last year.

👥 Who’s Involved: Fayaz Khan, Nigel Farage, Metropolitan Police.

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📍 Where & When: Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London, Friday, April 11, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Fayaz Khan, of no fixed address, was charged on Tuesday, April 8 via postal charge requisition with threats to kill and sending a menacing communication.” – Metropolitan Police spokesman.

⚠️ Impact: Khan’s court date marks a reckoning for threats against Farage, while spotlighting border security issues.

IN FULL:

An Afghan migrant who targeted Reform Party leader Nigel Farage with death threats in viral online videos is set to face justice. Fayaz Khan, a 26-year-old also known as Mada Pasa, was charged with threats to kill and sending a menacing communication, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. He’s due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 11, after a months-long probe sparked by his social media activity.

Khan, of no fixed address, appeared on the radar last year, posting dozens of clips flaunting his migration journey across Europe—culminating in a video in which he appeared to threaten Farage’s life. The Metropolitan Police arrested Khan on November 1, 2024, after the video triggered a report of malicious communications. He initially received bail.

“A man has been charged in relation to threats made against an MP. Fayaz Khan, of no fixed address, was charged on Tuesday, 8 April via postal charge requisition with threats to kill and sending a menacing communication. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 11 April,” the Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement.

“The charge follows an arrest made on Friday, 1 November in relation to a report of threatening communications and threats to kill towards an MP linked to a video posted on social media. The man was bailed pending further enquiries and subsequently charged as above.”

Farage, elected to Parliament for the first time last year and now leading national polls, has previously been targeted by activists throwing milkshakes and other missiles, but those responsible have never faced serious legal consequences.

Image by Owain.davies.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: On Wednesday, before President Donald J. Trump announced he would be reducing tariffs on countries that have not “retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States,” the European Union (EU) approved an estimated $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs against a number of American exports.

👥 Who’s Involved: The European Union, the European Commission, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

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📍 Where & When: Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, April 9.

💬 Key Quote: “The EU considers U.S. tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial,” the European Commission said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The EU retaliatory trade measures were to be imposed in three phases from April 15, impacting a number of American goods, including soybeans, motorcycles, orange juice, meat, tobacco, steel, and aluminum. Their fate is unclear now that President Trump has announced he will drop reciprocal tariffs—but not tariffs specific to certain tariffs, such as steel—to 10 percent for everyone but China for 90 days while trade negotiations are conducted.

IN FULL:

The European Union (EU) has cleared the way to impose an estimated $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response to steel and aluminum tariffs enacted by U.S. President Donald J. Trump last month. The European Commission—the EU’s unelected, quasi-executive body—announced the decision on Wednesday, noting that 26 of its 27 member states approved the trade measures. Viktor Orbán’s Hungary was the only EU country to oppose the tariff package.

“The EU considers U.S. tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial,” The European Commission said in a statement.

The EU tariffs on U.S. goods are to be enacted in three phases, the first of which will take effect next week. Additional tariff measures will be imposed in May, and the final phase will be imposed in December. As of the time of publication, this timeline does not appear to have been changed as a result of President Trump’s pause.

The EU’s retaliatory measure consisted mainly of a 25 percent trade duty on American goods such as soybeans, motorcycles, orange juice, meat, tobacco, steel, and aluminum. However, the list of products hit with the trade levy could grow, if the EU moves forward with retaliatory measures next week in response to President Trump’s 25 percent tariff on European automobiles and the now paused 20 percent reciprocal tariff on all EU goods. It is unclear, now that Trump has paused the reciprocal tariffs, whether the Europeans will move forward with additional retaliatory measures.

Following the EU’s approval of the retaliatory measures, President Trump announced he would reduce U.S. reciprocal tariffs on countries that have not imposed any new import duties on America to a universal 10 percent tariff for 90 days, while they negotiate bilateral trade agreements with the White House. China was the one named exception by Trump, and will instead face a 125 percent tariff for imposing retaliatory levies on the U.S.

Notably, sector-specific U.S. tariffs on products, including steel, aluminum, and automobiles, appear unaffected by this pause.

Today, EU countries backed our proposal to impose trade countermeasures on the United States, in response to unjustified steel and aluminium tariffs.

Duties will apply from 15 April.

They can be lifted at any time, should a fair and balanced negotiated solution be found.

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) April 9, 2025

Image: European Union 2017 – European Parliament.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: London has dropped out of the world’s top five richest cities due to an exodus of millionaires.

👥 Who’s Involved: New World Wealth and Henley & Partners, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Mayor Sadiq Khan.

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📍 Where & When: London, England, over the last decade.

💬 Key Quote: Andrew Amoils of New World Wealth stated, “Capital gains tax and estate duty rates [IHT] in the UK are among the highest in the world, which deters wealthy business owners and retirees from living there.”

⚠️ Impact: London lost 11,300 millionaires last year, including two billionaires. The multicultural city’s financial standing has diminished, and it remains the fourth most expensive globally for living costs.

IN FULL:

A recent report reveals that London, England, is no longer among the top five wealthiest cities globally following a significant outflow of millionaires. The study by New World Wealth for advisory firm Henley & Partners indicates that London, led by Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan of the Labour Party, lost 11,300 millionaires and two billionaires over the past year alone.

The report, which defines wealth as liquid investable assets such as stocks and bonds, shows London’s current count at roughly 215,700 millionaires. Hikes in local and national taxes and the declining value of the British pound have been cited as key reasons for the city’s reduced allure to the affluent.

A notable change in British tax policy under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s far-left Labour government, particularly the abolition of the non-domiciled tax status, is exacerbating the exodus. Wealthy individuals who have resided in the United Kingdom for over four years are now subject to British tax on worldwide income and potentially a 40 percent inheritance tax. As such, many are relocating to more tax-friendly locales, including Portugal, Greece, and Italy, where they can minimize or avoid equivalent taxes.

Andrew Amoils from New World Wealth stated, “Capital gains tax and estate duty rates [IHT] in the UK are among the highest in the world, which deters wealthy business owners and retirees from living there.” He noted that the retreat of multi-millionaires, individuals whose financial ventures shaped many companies in London’s FTSE 100, presents a wider economic risk.

London, a hyper-diverse city where only around a third of the population are White British and around 40 percent of the population are foreign-born, is also suffering reputational damage as a result of endemic crime and anti-social behavior.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump administration says it will continue to collaborate with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to deport and house dangerous illegal immigrants in his country’s CECOT super prison. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Tuesday that thousands more illegal immigrants may soon be sent to the facility.

👥 Who’s Involved: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Supreme Court justices, and the Trump administration.

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📍 Where & When: Phoenix, Arizona, on a Tuesday morning, following a federal immigration raid.

💬 Key Quote: “You’ll see us continuing to partner with El Salvador. CECOT has the capacity for 40,000 individuals, and [El Salvador President Nayib Bukele] has said they’ll take as many as we want to send,” said Kristi Noem.

⚠️ Impact: The Supreme Court earlier this week ended a lower court’s pause on deportations to El Salvador, potentially leading to increased use of the Central American country’s prisons for criminal migrants.

IN FULL:

In the wake of a federal immigration enforcement operation on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is eyeing the relocation of substantial numbers of illegal immigrant criminal gang members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested, following the raid, that the CECOT facility can hold thousands more dangerous illegal immigrants and that the Trump administration is looking to ramp up expulsions under the Alien Enemies Act.

“You’ll see us continuing to partner with El Salvador. CECOT has the capacity for 40,000 individuals, and [El Salvador President Nayib Bukele] has said they’ll take as many as we want to send,” Noem said, adding: “There’s 14,000 there now.”

In addition, the DHS Secretary revealed that Bukele intends to build a second prison facility next to CECOT, which could be used to hold even more members of violent, illegal immigrant gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13.

President Donald J. Trump’s administration has used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for expedited expulsions of illegal immigrants found to be members of Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other violent criminal groups. Last month, a far-left U.S. District Court Judge temporarily halted the removals, prompting the Trump White House to file an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court. On Monday, the high court lifted the lower court’s restraining order, allowing Alien Enemies Act expulsions to resume.

Addressing the Supreme Court’s ruling and continued Democrat lawfare efforts against the Trump administration’s push to deport violent and dangerous illegal immigrants, Noem said: “We’re going to continue using that act in order to return people from these terrorist organizations to face consequences and be removed from our country.”

Meanwhile, the DHS Secretary also warned illegal immigrants that the Trump administration, later this week, will begin enforcing provisions of the Alien Registration Act of 1940. Under this law, foreign nationals who reside in the United States for more than 30 days must register with the federal government. Those failing to register will face severe financial penalties.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, Texas Republicans, and Donald J. Trump supporters.

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📍 Where & When: Announcement made in Texas this week.

💬 Key Quote: Paxton declared, “It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” in his announcement.

⚠️ Impact: The primary could strengthen the America First movement in the Senate, displacing the Bush-type Cornyn in favor of one of President Trump’s strongest supporters.

IN FULL:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has confirmed his intent to challenge U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in an upcoming Republican primary. The announcement signals a potentially contentious race for one of Texas’s Senate seats—which Cornyn has held since 2002.

Paxton, who has held his current office since 2015, argues that the state requires a change in leadership. “I’m announcing that I’m running for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn, who apparently is running again for his fifth term, which would put him there three decades. It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” he told Laura Ingraham.

Cornyn’s team is attempting to portray him as an ally to President Donald J. Trump while personally attacking Paxton and branding him a “fraud.” However, Paxton’s record as a Trump supporter is solid, while Cornyn previously argued against the America First leader standing for reelection in 2024 and lobbied Congress not to oppose the lawfare campaign against him.

“John Cornyn condemned the House GOP for investigating Soros-backed DA Alvin Bragg’s political persecution of President Trump,” Paxton recalled in March, contending that the incumbent “was always desperate for the bogus witch hunt to succeed.”

An early poll conducted by Texas Public Opinion Research shows Paxton leading Cornyn by a ten-point margin. Another poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates found Paxton leading by an even larger margin of 53 to 28 percent, rising to 70 percent to just 14 percent on an “informed ballot.”

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President Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will now impose a total tariff of 125 percent on Chinese imports, after raising the total trade duty to 104 percent less than 12 hours earlier. In addition, Trump signaled that he would reduce the tariffs imposed on countries that have not moved to retaliate against the U.S. for a 90-day period, as each engages in bilateral talks with the White House.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, in response to China raising retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.

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Notably, the increasing tariff rate on Chinese goods appears to be forcing the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) into a series of emergency devaluations of the Chinese yuan, leading to increasing concerns for the Chinese economy.

The President continued: “Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the [United States Trade Representative], to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately.”

According to the White House, over 75 countries have now asked to engage in bilateral talks, with only China, the European Union (EU), and Canada having threatened any significant relation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking Wednesday afternoon, emphasized that the pause is necessary because of the number of nations entering talks, and the fact that President Trump wants to be a part of each negotiation.

READ:

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA).

👥 Who’s Involved: The ACLU, the Trump administration, two Venezuelan migrants, and the Supreme Court.

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📍 Where & When: The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in New York after a related Supreme Court decision on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “The AEA has only ever been a power invoked in time of war… It cannot be used here against nationals of a country—Venezuela—with whom the United States is not at war,” the ACLU claims.

⚠️ Impact: The lawsuit challenges the use of presidential powers to deport designated “alien enemies,” potentially affecting over 130 illegals already removed from the U.S.

IN FULL:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) initiated a new lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday, seeking to halt the deportation of two Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the litigation follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday that lifted a restraining order issued by Judge James Boasberg that prevented President Donald J. Trump from using the act to remove members of Tren de Aragua from the country. In addition, the Supreme Court determined that future challenges to deportation under the act must be filed with the lower court in the jurisdiction in which the migrant was detained.

In the filing, which asks U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein to block the deportation of two Venezuelan illegal immigrants, the ACLU argues that the Alien Enemies Act has historically only been deployed during wartime and not against foreign nationals from countries with which the United States is at peace. “The AEA has only ever been a power invoked in time of war, and plainly only applies to warlike actions: it cannot be used here against nationals of a country—Venezuela—with whom the United States is not at war, which is not invading the United States, and which has not launched a predatory incursion into the United States,” the filing contends.

Additionally, the ACLU accuses the Trump administration of violating the Supreme Court’s Monday ruling, which requires federal officials to provide those detained under the Alien Enemies Act with notice before they are deported. “Respondents seek to move Petitioners in secret, without due process, to a prison in El Salvador known for dire conditions, torture, and other forms of physical abuse—possibly for life,” the filing states, adding: “This has already borne out for over 130 individuals on March 15 who have lost all contact with their attorneys, family, and the world.”

The Trump White House has utilized the Alien Enemies Act to expedite the expulsion of illegal immigrants shown to be affiliated with violent criminal organizations and gangs like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and El Salvador’s MS-13. Those detained and deported under the law are sent to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

Previously, Judge Hellerstein—presiding over the case—twice rejected President Trump’s attempts last year to move Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s so-called hush money prosecution against him to federal court.

Image by Billy Wilson.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledges U.S.-Central America teamwork to counter Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence, secure the Panama Canal, and tackle shared threats like cartels and illegal immigration.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pete Hegseth, Central American leaders at CENTSEC, President Donald J. Trump, Panama’s government, and the CCP.

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📍 Where & When: Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), Panama, April 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We do not seek war with China, and war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form. But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China’s threats in this hemisphere.” — Pete Hegseth.

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. will ramp up its military and diplomatic push to reclaim Panama Canal influence, deploying the USNS Comfort and reviving the Cold War-era Jungle School, signaling a bold stand against China’s regional encroachments.

IN FULL:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) in Panama that the U.S. will work together with Central America to beat back the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the region and address “shared threats.”

After first noting the Trump administration’s collaboration with Central American governments on combatting cartels and illegal immigration, Hegseth said, “[W]e have to recognize the threat that China poses to our countries, to our people, and to peace in this region.”

“China-based companies are capturing land [and] critical infrastructure in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications,” he continued, warning that “China’s military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere.”

“We do not seek war with China, and war with China is certainly not inevitable. We do not seek it in any form. But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China’s threats in this hemisphere,” he stressed.

In particular, he emphasized President Donald J. Trump’s determination that the Panama Canal, formerly controlled by the U.S., and its adjacent areas “cannot and will not be controlled by China.” He said the Trump administration is now “working closely with our partners in Panama to secure the canal and advance our mutual security interests” and that the American and Panamanian governments “together are taking it back from Chinese influence.”

Beyond Panama, Hegseth vowed the Trump administration would “work with every country here in this room to address our shared threats” and was “directing the United States Naval Ship Comfort,” a hospital ship, to deploy to Panama and the wider region later in 2025, alongside an expansion of military training, exchanges, and joint exercises.

The National Pulse previously reported that this will include reestablishing the famous Jungle School in Panama, which closed in 1999.

“We’re going to increase cooperation to deter threats, to seek opportunities to bolster our shared defense. That’s what CENTSEC, Panama 2025, is all about. Friends standing shoulder to shoulder with friends,” Hegseth said.

The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam has been on the ground with Hegseth in Panama, covering the landmark trip in person.

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