Poll Indicates Strong Voter Backing for Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Measures
A fresh Rasmussen Reports survey among likely U.S. voters demonstrates clear public alignment with President Trump’s approach to immigration, as 52% support deploying National Guard troops to shield ICE facilities from disruptive protests in cities such as Portland and Chicago, while 43% oppose the move. This follows a federal judge’s ruling against the deployments, yet the numbers highlight widespread frustration with local Democratic officials who have resisted federal efforts to maintain order. Further, 53% approve of the administration’s program targeting illegal immigrants for deportation—a core 2024 campaign pledge—with stark partisan divides showing 86% Republican support against 68% Democratic opposition. An even larger share, 56%, characterizes judicial blocks on these initiatives as a “legal insurrection” that flouts constitutional bounds, signaling deep unease with what many see as overreach by activist courts in thwarting executive authority on border security. These results, echoing earlier surveys where 53% viewed National Guard assistance in high-crime areas positively, point to enduring voter priority on enforcing laws amid rising urban unrest and unchecked migration.
Sources: Rasmussen Reports, Ballotpedia
DOGE Announces Termination of 108 Wasteful Federal Contracts Yielding $214 Billion in Savings to Date
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has revealed that over the past five days, federal agencies have terminated and descoped 108 unnecessary contracts with a total ceiling value of $5.8 billion, generating immediate savings of $397 million for taxpayers, as part of broader efforts to eliminate government waste and inefficiency. Among the canceled agreements are a $3.1 million State Department contract for developing a Tanzania national coordination office, a $46,500 lease for Voice of America office space, a $5.8 million Health and Human Services deal for leadership training, and a $44 million State Department services contract in Qatar, reflecting a continued push to redirect funds from non-essential expenditures. Since January 2025, DOGE’s initiatives have contributed to an estimated $214 billion in overall savings, including $61 billion from 13,440 contract terminations, underscoring the value of rigorous oversight in curbing federal overspending and returning resources to American families.
Sources: DOGE.gov, The Epoch Times
JPMorgan Chase Unveils $1.5 Trillion Plan to Bolster U.S. Industries Vital to National Security
JPMorgan Chase has committed to a comprehensive 10-year initiative totaling $1.5 trillion to facilitate, finance, and invest in sectors essential for American economic resilience and defense capabilities, including supply chain and advanced manufacturing, defense and aerospace, energy independence, and frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, amid ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for critical minerals and materials. As part of this effort, the bank plans to deploy up to $10 billion in direct equity and venture capital investments into U.S.-based companies across these areas, while expanding its workforce of specialists and forming an advisory council to guide strategic priorities. CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted the urgency of addressing regulatory hurdles and skill gaps in the workforce to accelerate domestic production in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and rare earths, underscoring that safeguarding the nation’s industrial base remains a cornerstone of long-term prosperity and security in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Sources: FOX Business, Reuters
Pentagon Advances $1 Billion Critical Minerals Stockpile to Bolster National Security
In a move underscoring America’s push for self-reliance in vital defense materials, the Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency has outlined plans to acquire up to $1 billion worth of critical minerals such as cobalt, antimony, tantalum, and scandium, aiming to expand the national stockpile and lessen dependence on China’s dominant supply chains that pose risks to U.S. military readiness and technological edge. This accelerated procurement, backed by the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocating $7.5 billion overall for such efforts, includes specific buys like $500 million in cobalt and $245 million in antimony from domestic producer U.S. Antimony Corporation, with volumes that could exceed current U.S. production levels and drive market prices higher for these strategic resources. The initiative comes amid Beijing’s fresh export curbs on rare earths, prompting President Trump’s pledge of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports to protect American interests, while rare earth stocks like MP Materials and USA Rare Earth have seen sharp gains as investors anticipate strengthened domestic supply chains. Such steps highlight a prudent strategy to safeguard against foreign vulnerabilities, though experts caution that rapid scaling may challenge global non-Chinese suppliers in the short term.
Sources: ZeroHedge, Mining.com
DHS Awards $4.5 Billion in Contracts for Smart Wall Expansion Along Southwest Border
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the awarding of roughly $4.5 billion across 10 construction contracts in September 2025 to erect more than 230 miles of barriers and nearly 400 miles of supporting technology along the U.S.-Mexico border, representing the initial projects financed through President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted in July. This “Smart Wall” system integrates steel fencing, water barriers, patrol routes, illumination, surveillance cameras, and sophisticated sensors to equip agents with practical means to curb illegal crossings, with builds planned across Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, including key segments in Yuma, El Centro, and the Rio Grande Valley. To streamline the work and sidestep regulatory delays, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem granted waivers for about nine miles near San Diego and 30 miles in New Mexico’s El Paso sector. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott noted that prior administrations discussed security without action, stating, “The Smart Wall means more miles of barriers, more technology, and more capability for our agents on the ground. This is how you take control of the border.” These efforts reflect a commitment to restoring order at the frontier, building on redirected funds from stalled prior-year appropriations and aiming for full completion by the close of Trump’s term in 2029.
Sources: The Center Square, The Hill
Senior U.S. Prosecutor Removed Amid Leadership Changes in Virginia Federal Office
In the Eastern District of Virginia, a key federal prosecutorial hub, senior Justice Department attorney Maggie Cleary has been ousted from her position following the recent appointment of Lindsey Halligan, a close Trump associate, as U.S. Attorney, marking yet another personnel shift in an office experiencing significant turnover over politically charged cases. Cleary, who served briefly as interim leader last month and had opposed pursuing indictments against former FBI Director James Comey for alleged false testimony and obstruction, was reportedly sidelined as Halligan, lacking prior prosecutorial experience, asserted control by personally handling high-profile proceedings and reassigning staff perceived as resistant to the administration’s priorities, including charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. This development, part of a broader wave of resignations and dismissals—including those of career prosecutors Michael Ben’Ary, Maya Song, and Comey’s son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr.—highlights tensions between veteran staff and new leadership intent on aligning the office with directives to address past perceived injustices without undue delay from internal dissent. While Cleary’s future at the department remains unclear and she declined comment, these changes underscore the administration’s focus on ensuring prosecutorial efforts proceed in line with its vision for accountability.
Sources: NewsMax, The Raw Story
Democrat-Induced Government Shutdown Persists Over Dispute on Affordable Care Act Subsidies
As the U.S. government shutdown enters its second week, the impasse between Republicans and Democrats hinges on the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end, with Vice President JD Vance highlighting pervasive waste and fraud in these subsidies that inflate costs for taxpayers while benefiting the insurance industry unduly. Republicans, controlling Congress, advocate reopening the government through a clean funding bill before addressing policy riders, viewing Democrat insistence on immediate subsidy renewal as a partisan maneuver that overlooks fiscal discipline and enables improper payouts, including to non-citizens ineligible under current rules. Democrats counter that failure to extend the credits would spike premiums for over 24 million enrollees by an average of $1,000 annually, exacerbating hardships amid broader economic pressures from the shutdown’s furloughs and layoffs of thousands of federal workers. Vance has signaled willingness for post-reopening talks on reforms to curb inefficiencies, emphasizing that such measures could lower costs and improve access for deserving Americans without sustaining systemic abuses.
Sources: The Epoch Times, Reuters
IRS Audit Uncovers Persistent Call Disconnections and Service Shortfalls for Taxpayers
A recent evaluation by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has exposed ongoing challenges in the Internal Revenue Service’s telephone assistance, where 15 percent of monitored calls—roughly 128 out of 831 reviewed from the peak 2024 tax filing months—were abruptly dropped or disconnected, often leaving taxpayers without resolution to their inquiries and fostering perceptions of bureaucratic indifference that burden ordinary citizens seeking straightforward guidance on their obligations. While the IRS managed courteous interactions in 94 percent of sampled conversations across key lines like individual account inquiries and practitioner priority services, auditors pinpointed unprofessional conduct in 11 percent of cases, including 51 instances of rushed or interruptive responses, 24 prolonged holds stretching up to 80 minutes, and 15 episodes marred by distracting office noise such as yelling or equipment malfunctions, all of which compound the frustrations of Americans already navigating a complex tax code without adequate support from an agency funded by their contributions. In response to these findings, IRS officials committed to enhanced annual training for representatives by early 2026, acknowledging the need to uphold taxpayer rights to prompt and respectful service, though the lack of a reliable system to track disconnection causes raises questions about deeper systemic fixes required to restore public trust in federal operations.
Sources: Tax Notes, The Washington Times
Illinois Professor Arrested with Loaded Handgun at Anti-ICE Protest Amid Suspected Antifa Connections
Federal authorities arrested Elias Cepeda, an English professor at Northeastern Illinois University, on September 26th outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, where he was found carrying a loaded handgun along with multiple magazines of ammunition during a heated anti-ICE demonstration that saw protesters attempting to block access to the site. Cepeda, who also works as a journalist and has volunteered with community defense groups, faces uncertain charges following the incident, which occurred amid President Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz targeting illegal immigration enforcement, and comes shortly after a separate grand jury declined to indict two other protesters accused of assaulting agents at the same location while armed. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted Cepeda’s history of social media rhetoric that compared ICE officers to Nazis and advocated for violence against law enforcement, including posts suggesting moral justification for extreme actions against federal agents, underscoring ongoing concerns about agitators escalating tensions at such protests. While Cepeda holds a legal concealed carry permit and his family maintains he posed no threat, officials stressed that swift intervention prevented potential harm to officers, reflecting the administration’s commitment to safeguarding those upholding the rule of law against extremist elements.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The New York Post
San Francisco DA Breaks with the Toxic-Left; Raises Alarms Over Pretrial Releases Fueling Repeat Drug Offenses
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has expressed deep frustration with the city’s pretrial release policies for repeat drug offenders, stating that these practices create an endless loop of crime that erodes community trust and burdens law enforcement, as offenders cycle through streets, stores, and courtrooms without meaningful consequences. At a recent community forum in Golden Gate Park, Jenkins underscored that society must confront those who repeatedly flout the law, particularly amid the deadly toll of fentanyl and methamphetamine in areas like the Tenderloin, where open-air markets persist despite arrests. Her office’s recent push to detain eight suspects in a major felony drug trafficking case largely failed, with most released on conditions like stay-away orders or ankle monitors, exacerbating a backlog of over 1,150 unresolved narcotics charges where hundreds evade court appearances. Rooted in California’s 2018 Mental Health Diversion Act, which prioritizes treatment over incarceration for addiction-related offenses, the system aims for rehabilitation but often falls short in ensuring accountability, leaving residents vulnerable to ongoing threats from unaddressed recidivism. While the public defender’s office defends these releases as upholding innocence until proven guilty and attributes missed hearings to practical barriers like work or childcare, Jenkins advocates for firmer measures to safeguard public safety and break the pattern of leniency that enables harm.
Sources: The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Examiner
NYC Mayoral Hopeful Zohran Mamdani Joins Gaza 5K Run to Support Aid Group Tied to Terror Concerns
New York City Democrat mayoral nominee, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, took part in the annual NYC Gaza 5K event in Prospect Park on October 12th, marking his third appearance to generate funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflicts. In a social media post, Mamdani encouraged donations, stating the organization delivers critical aid and services, an action that drew scrutiny given UNRWA’s documented connections to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, including the involvement of at least nine staff members and reports of hostages held in its facilities. The U.S. halted funding to UNRWA in January 2024 following these revelations, with a recent State Department assessment deeming the agency irredeemably compromised and in need of abolition, while the Trump administration has pressed for the return of unspent American funds and withdrawn from its operations, reflecting broader international doubts about its integrity. As Mamdani advances in the race against competitors like Andrew Cuomo, this episode underscores persistent questions about affiliations in New York politics, particularly those intersecting with foreign policy sensitivities.
Nor’easter Prompts Emergency Declarations Across New York Region
A potent nor’easter battered the Northeast on October 13th, prompting New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County to address threats of heavy rain, damaging winds, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages that have already affected tens of thousands of residents. The storm’s gusts reached tropical storm force, leading to flooded streets in areas like Freeport, New York, and the cancellation of the city’s longstanding Columbus Day Parade, underscoring the disruptions to everyday community life and travel along the I-95 corridor. Officials in New Jersey activated a statewide emergency across all 21 counties, while preparations in Delaware included National Guard deployment and evacuation advisories for vulnerable coastal spots, highlighting the coordinated efforts to safeguard families and infrastructure amid rising tides and saturated soils that heighten risks of fallen trees and hazardous road conditions. As the system lingers into Tuesday with additional rainfall expected, local authorities urge caution to prevent further hardships for those in low-lying neighborhoods, emphasizing the value of personal readiness in such unpredictable weather events that test the resilience of American communities.
Sources: The New York Post, FOX Weather
DON’T MISS THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMMENTARY:
How Democrats & The Toxic-Left's Chaos Is Pushing For Civil War 2.0
In the chaotic hangover from Joe Biden’s treasonous term, the Democrat Party has morphed into a massive, self-serving bureaucratic monster, barreling headfirst toward what appears to be a bid for Civil War 2.0…They’ve built a huge racket, a tangled web of cash schemes propping up their whole operation—from fake-woke charities to attack-dog lawyers. They’ve ditched any real policies or values, surviving on stolen taxpayer cash, shady donor slush funds, and protesters paid to gum up ICE operations…
Read and listen to more at UndergroundUSA.com
Trump, Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish Officials Sign Peace Agreement in Egypt
President Trump joined international leaders in Egypt to sign a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that concludes two years of intense conflict in Gaza, following Hamas’s handover of the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, assault. This pact, part of a broader 20-point framework brokered by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, facilitates Israel’s troop pullback from Gaza positions, the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees, and the immediate influx of humanitarian aid to support rebuilding in the war-torn territory that has left over 67,000 Palestinians dead and nearly all residents displaced. Trump described the development as a fulfillment of long-held hopes for regional stability, with scenes of joyful family reunions in Tel Aviv underscoring the human cost of the strife and the relief brought by this resolution, even as efforts continue to recover the remains of 28 hostages killed in captivity. The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh drew participation from figures including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, signaling broad international backing for steps toward lasting peace amid lingering questions over Gaza’s governance and Hamas’s role.
Sources: The Post Millennial, FOX News
Last Israeli Hostages Return Home Amid Ceasefire Progress and Trump’s Diplomatic Push
On October 13th, Israel experienced a moment of profound relief as Hamas fulfilled its commitment under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire to release the remaining 20 living hostages captured during the savage October 7, 2023, assault, enabling tearful family reunions that highlighted the human toll of prolonged captivity and the value of steadfast alliances in securing their freedom. In return, Israel freed approximately 1,966 Palestinian detainees, including individuals convicted of attacks against civilians, with the exchanges facilitated by the Red Cross and marking the initial phase of a deal that includes partial IDF withdrawals from Gaza while maintaining strategic positions to deter future threats. President Trump touched down in Israel to widespread acclaim, delivering a Knesset address that praised the agreement as a testament to resolute American leadership and a step toward regional stability, before proceeding to a summit in Egypt with Arab leaders to map out Gaza’s reconstruction and governance without Hamas influence. While families expressed frustration over the limited return of just four bodies from the 28 presumed dead hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s unyielding commitment to eliminating terrorist capabilities, reminding the nation that enduring peace requires more than exchanges—it demands unwavering vigilance against those who initiated the violence.
Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Reuters
Gaza Influencer ‘Mr. FAFO’ Killed by “Mostly Peaceful” Palestinian Clan
Saleh al-Jafarawi, the young social media personality dubbed “Mr. FAFO” for his series of viral videos promoting Hamas narratives through staged depictions of Israeli aggression—including roles as a wounded civilian, fighter, and reporter—met a violent end in Gaza City’s Sabra district during intensified skirmishes between Hamas security units and the rival Doghmush clan, mere days after Israeli forces pulled back from much of the area under a fragile ceasefire. Palestinian outlets confirmed his death by gunshot wounds, with circulating footage showing his body amid signs of possible torture, as the broader conflict has already taken at least two dozen lives, including high-ranking Hamas members, and prompted fresh waves of civilian flight from the northern neighborhoods. This episode highlights the mounting internal frictions in Gaza, where Hamas’s bid to consolidate power faces pushback from armed local factions, a development that echoes long-standing concerns over the sustainability of the group’s dominance without external pressures. Al-Jafarawi’s passing, marked by eulogies from pro-Palestinian activists abroad and ironic commentary from Israeli voices, serves as a stark reminder of the perils within the territory’s fractured alliances.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, The Times of Israel
Germany’s Knife Attacks Highlight Refugee Integration Challenges
A recent surge in knife-related violence across Germany, exemplified by the brutal August stabbing of American student John Rudat on a Dresden tram as he intervened to protect women from harassment by Syrian men, has intensified scrutiny over the nation’s decade-long efforts to integrate refugees following the 2015 border openings. Federal police data reveals a 17% rise in such incidents during the first half of 2025 compared to the prior year, with non-German suspects—particularly from Syria and Afghanistan—overrepresented at 37% despite comprising just 15% of the population, underscoring persistent cultural and security strains from mass migration. Officials, including those from the U.S. Embassy, have condemned these attacks and called for swift justice, while conservative voices like AfD lawmakers argue that inadequate border controls and deportation measures continue to import instability, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable in public spaces like train stations where most crimes occur. As Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushes for tougher policies, including new deportation facilities and limits on family reunifications, the incidents serve as a stark reminder that true societal cohesion demands rigorous assimilation standards and enforcement of laws to safeguard communities.
Sources: The European Conservative, The Washington Times
RSF Drone Assault Kills Dozens in Besieged Sudanese City of El Fasher
In the latest grim chapter of Sudan’s protracted civil war, Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries unleashed a drone and artillery barrage on a displacement shelter in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher late on October 10th, claiming the lives of at least 53 civilians, including 14 children and 15 women, while wounding 21 others—predominantly Christians amid a siege that has trapped hundreds of thousands in dire humanitarian straits. The assault targeted the al-Arqam Home refuge at Omdurman Islamic University, a haven for families fleeing the violence that has engulfed the region since clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF in April 2023, displacing over 14 million and sparking famine conditions that underscore the urgent need for restored order and accountability. Local aid groups, including the Sudan Doctors’ Network and El Fasher Resistance Committee, decried the strike as a deliberate massacre violating international norms, with death toll estimates reaching as high as 60 in the rubble-strewn aftermath, as the United Nations warns of escalating atrocities in what remains the military’s last foothold in Darfur. This incident, occurring against a backdrop of blocked aid and rampant disease, highlights the profound human cost of unchecked factional strife and the imperative for decisive international pressure to halt the cycle of devastation that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Sources: The Detroit News, Al Jazeera
China Cracks Down on Underground Christian Leaders as U.S. Calls for Release
Chinese authorities have detained around 30 leaders from the prominent unregistered Zion Church network, including founder Pastor Jin Mingri, in coordinated raids across multiple provinces over the weekend, marking one of the most sweeping actions against independent Christian groups in decades under Xi Jinping’s rule that demands religious loyalty to the Communist Party. The arrests, potentially tied to charges of spreading religious content online, target a church that has grown to thousands of members despite past shutdowns and surveillance, reflecting Beijing’s ongoing efforts to curb faiths outside state control. In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking for the Trump administration, condemned the detentions as evidence of the Chinese Communist Party’s antagonism toward believers who resist interference in their worship, urging immediate freedom for the leaders and protection for all house churches. Church advocates, including those from U.S.-based groups, warn this could signal broader persecution, yet express hope that such pressures might spark renewed spiritual resilience among China’s faithful.
Sources: US State Dept, BBC News
U.S.-China Trade Frictions Show Signs of Cooling Before Key Summit
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that communications with Beijing have resumed following a brief flare-up over export controls on critical minerals, paving the way for working-level discussions this week and keeping President Trump’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea on track, while underscoring America’s resolve to safeguard its supply chains from unreliable foreign dependencies. Bessent characterized China’s recent moves as a potential misstep by lower-level officials rather than a directive from Xi, noting that such tactics rarely yield advantages against firm U.S. leadership, and affirmed confidence in a swift de-escalation to avoid the economic disruptions of renewed tariffs that could burden global markets. This shift comes after Trump initially warned of 100% duties and software export curbs in response to Beijing’s restrictions, only to signal openness to resolution via social media, emphasizing mutual interest in averting downturns and highlighting ongoing U.S. efforts to onshore processing of rare earths through investments like the Mountain Pass mine. The developments reflect a pragmatic approach to managing longstanding frictions, with Bessent stressing that Washington holds significant tools, from financial sanctions to ally coordination, to ensure fair trade practices without unnecessary escalation.
Sources: The Epoch Times, Yahoo Finance