State Police Arrests of Anti-ICE Protesters at Illinois Facility Disprove Narrative on Trump Authoritarianism
On October 10th, over 50 anti-ICE demonstrators clashed with Illinois State Police troopers and Cook County Sheriff’s deputies outside the Broadview immigration processing center, shoving against concrete barricades and prompting arrests for resisting and obstruction, in an episode that pitted unruly crowds against local law enforcement rather than federal agents who remained inside the secured perimeter. The four detained—Mara R. Blumenstein, Emmett J. Matlock, Peter M. Reimer, and Daniel R. Toerpe—were dragged away in handcuffs after disrupting traffic and defying orders, highlighting once again the pattern of violent mobs that have repeatedly targeted ICE operations nationwide, from rock-throwing assaults on officers in Santa Ana to fireworks barrages during Los Angeles unrest earlier this year. With no National Guard troops on site following a federal judge’s restraining order against their deployment the previous day, the aggression from protesters exposed the falsehood in claims that such security measures provoke retaliatory violence, as these agitators showed their readiness to confront state authorities in the military’s absence, underscoring the need for firm enforcement to protect federal personnel and property.
Sources: The Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Post
DOJ Probes Funding Amid Escalating Antifa Attacks on ICE and Law Enforcement Families
The Department of Homeland Security has warned of intensifying threats from Antifa extremists against the families of federal law enforcement officers, exemplified by a threatening voicemail to the spouse of a Texas ICE agent that likened the family to Nazis and promised violent consequences, as detailed in an October 10th alert. This reflects a wider surge, with assaults on ICE and Customs and Border Protection personnel up 1,000 percent in recent months, including doxxing that exposes agents’ home addresses and encourages harassment. Border czar Tom Homan revealed on June 30th that the Justice Department is investigating the funding sources fueling these coordinated assaults in cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago’s Broadview suburb, where demonstrators employ uniform gear and tactics far beyond random protests. To counter this, President Trump signed an executive order on September 22nd designating Antifa a domestic terrorist group and tasking agencies with dismantling its violent networks that target government operations and free expression. At a White House roundtable, Secretary Kristi Noem drew parallels between Antifa’s methods and those of ISIS and MS-13, affirming the administration’s resolve to neutralize the danger so citizens can pursue daily lives secure from such internal strife. Law enforcement has responded with numerous arrests tied to Antifa actions, from ambushes at detention centers to riots at ICE sites, underscoring efforts to maintain order and shield those upholding immigration statutes against criminal threats.
Sources: The Epoch Times, US Dept of Homeland Security
Democrats Revive ‘Antifa Doesn’t Exist’ Claim Amid Group’s Rising Violence
As President Trump’s administration moves to formally designate Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization in his second term, Democrat figures and aligned media outlets have once again promoted the longstanding assertion that the far-left militant network lacks any real organizational structure, dismissing it as merely an idea or philosophy rather than a coordinated group responsible for past urban unrest. This narrative, which gained traction during the 2020 riots, portrays Antifa’s actions—such as assaults on journalists and clashes with law enforcement—as isolated incidents rather than part of a broader pattern, even as evidence mounts from arrests and federal investigations showing structured cells operating under its banner. Critics argue this denial serves to shield political allies from accountability while undermining efforts to address left-wing extremism, echoing earlier instances where officials like former Rep. Jerry Nadler labeled Antifa violence a “myth” despite documented destruction in cities like Portland. The resurgence comes as Trump vows to deploy resources against such groups, prompting fresh debates over the group’s elusive but persistent role in street-level agitation.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, The Daily Wire
Trump Secures Military Paychecks Amid Federal Shutdown Standoff
President Trump affirmed on October 11th, that his administration has pinpointed resources to guarantee U.S. service members receive their October 15th paychecks, even as the government shutdown persists beyond its October 1st start, by directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy all accessible funds in fulfillment of his Commander in Chief duties. This assurance, shared via social media, reflects a steadfast priority on compensating those safeguarding the nation, countering potential disruptions from Democrat-induced congressional gridlock that earlier saw a Democrat Senate measure for troop payments fall short. With federal workers furloughed and broader fiscal negotiations stalled, Trump’s order underscores the imperative of upholding military readiness and morale without interruption, placing service personnel above partisan wrangling.
Sources: NewsMax, The New York Post
EPA Faces Workforce Reductions as Government Shutdown Persists
The Environmental Protection Agency has initiated a reduction in force affecting employees in its Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division, part of broader federal layoffs on the tenth day of the government shutdown orchestrated by congressional Democrats’ refusal to fund essential operations, according to agency officials who stress these measures ensure alignment with fiscal realities and presidential priorities amid limited appropriations. Union leaders, including those from the American Federation of Government Employees, decry the moves as an overreach that undermines public health safeguards, prompting lawsuits to halt the process, while the White House attributes the necessity to Democratic intransigence that could be resolved swiftly by reopening the government. Reports indicate 20 to 30 EPA staff received intent notices, contributing to over 4,000 total federal positions cut across agencies like Interior and Health and Human Services, reflecting ongoing efforts to streamline a bureaucracy strained by prior separations of more than 700 EPA personnel since January. This development underscores the human cost of partisan gridlock, where essential environmental oversight hangs in the balance without compromise.
Sources: The Hill, FOX Business
Protester Chase NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Out of Park with Chants of “Antisemite!”
In a tense exchange at Foley Square in downtown Manhattan on October 10th, Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced sharp criticism from irate protesters who pursued him across the park, repeatedly calling him an “antisemite” and pressing him to publicly reject Hezbollah and Sharia law, as captured in circulating video footage from the rally supporting indicted Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges. Security personnel quickly intervened, escorting Mamdani to his vehicle amid the shouts, while the protesters shoved back against one guard in the scuffle, highlighting ongoing tensions in the race where Mamdani’s past reluctance to condemn certain anti-Israel slogans has drawn scrutiny from those wary of rising divisions in a city with deep Jewish roots and a history of safeguarding traditional alliances. Mamdani, who has previously defended phrases like “globalize the intifada” as calls for Palestinian rights akin to historical uprisings against oppression, offered no immediate response during the incident, fueling discussions about leadership that prioritizes unity over ideological divides in New York’s diverse communities.
Sources: The New York Post, YouTube
California Awards Over $53 Million in Contracts to Firms Tied to Newsom Donors
A review of public records reveals that since California Governor Gavin Newsom assumed office in 2019, state agencies have directed more than $53 million in contracts to companies owned or led by his major campaign contributors, spanning initiatives in wildfire management, public health, emergency services, and clean energy projects. Notable instances include $24.6 million in health benefits to Health Net, part of Centene Corporation—which donated over $273,000 through its executives—and $15.5 million to Reach Air Medical Services after its $62,000 contribution, alongside similar awards to donors like Sierra Pacific Industries for $9 million in forest protection work. While Newsom’s administration insists these selections stem from competitive bidding and independent oversight, observers point to a recurring dynamic where political support correlates with government favors, including substantial tax incentives and board appointments, potentially straining taxpayer resources and public confidence in fair governance. This pattern, detailed in recent analyses, prompts calls for stricter transparency to ensure state dealings prioritize merit over connections.
Sources: Americans for Public Trust, The Washington Examiner
Trump Administration Strikes MFN Drug Pricing Pact with AstraZeneca
President Trump announced a landmark agreement with AstraZeneca to enforce most-favored-nation pricing on its pharmaceuticals, guaranteeing that Medicaid patients and other Americans pay no more than the lowest rates the company charges in comparable foreign markets, a move designed to curb the heavy financial load U.S. consumers have long shouldered in funding global drug innovation. This pact, building on a prior deal with Pfizer, commits the British firm to channeling $50 billion into American research, manufacturing, and job creation over the coming years, including a new Virginia facility that will generate 3,600 positions and onshore production of critical medicines for chronic illnesses like asthma and COPD. By mandating the return of overseas profits to discount U.S. sales through the forthcoming TrumpRx platform, the administration seeks to rectify decades of imbalance where other nations benefit from American ingenuity at cut-rate prices, ultimately easing taxpayer burdens while preserving the incentives for pharmaceutical advancement that keep the U.S. at the forefront of medical progress.
Georgia Confederate Memorial Sparks Renewed Debate Over Historical Interpretation
In Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park, home to the world’s largest Confederate monument carved into a granite dome depicting leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson, a $14 million state-funded redesign of the on-site museum has ignited fresh controversy by aiming to incorporate exhibits on slavery’s role in the Civil War, the site’s Ku Klux Klan history, and the Civil Rights Movement, prompting the Sons of Confederate Veterans to file a lawsuit claiming it violates state law mandating the park as a tribute to Southern soldiers’ valor and sacrifice. Supporters of the changes, including the park’s first Black board chairman, Reverend Abraham Mosley, argue that such context fosters inclusivity and acknowledges the monument’s ties to racism without altering the carving itself, reflecting a broader effort to balance heritage with unflinching historical truth in a state where Republican leaders have approved the project amid national tensions over public memory. Critics from heritage groups decry the revisions as an overreach that dishonors the memory of those who fought for states’ rights and family, insisting the focus should remain on the courage displayed during a divisive conflict rather than amplifying narratives of division, while ongoing visitor critiques highlight the need for deeper acknowledgment of enslaved lives overlooked in the park’s current presentation. As the legal challenge unfolds in DeKalb County court, with no immediate plans to remove the monument, the dispute underscores enduring questions about preserving tradition while confronting uncomfortable legacies in American public spaces.
Georgia Man with TDS Faces Felony Charges After Vandalizing Trump Banner, Exchanging Gunfire in NC
A 39-year-old Atlanta resident, Benjamin Michael Campbell, has been arrested and extradited to Swain County, North Carolina, following an altercation on September 6th, outside the Paddle Inn Rafting Company in Bryson City, where he allegedly tore down a pro-Trump banner displayed on private property belonging to owner Mark Thomas. Surveillance footage captured Campbell exiting a Jeep, crossing the road to remove the banner—described in reports as a longstanding sign honoring Thomas’s late mother—before Thomas responded by firing two warning shots into the air from his porch with a rifle to deter the trespass. As Campbell drove away, he reportedly fired several rounds toward Thomas and the business through his vehicle’s sunroof, prompting deputies to arrive at the scene amid reports of gunfire, though the suspect had already fled. Authorities in Cobb County, Georgia, executed search warrants on two residences and Campbell’s vehicle on September 30, leading to his capture on felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, discharging a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear, and willful and wanton injury to personal property; he is currently held on a $70,000 secured bond as the investigation continues. This incident underscores the tensions surrounding political expressions on private land, where property owners exercise their rights amid rising confrontations.
Four Dead, Over a Dozen Injured in Late-Night Shooting Following Mississippi Homecoming Celebration
A tragic shooting unfolded in the predominantly Black small Delta town of Leland, Mississippi, late Friday night, claiming the lives of four individuals and leaving at least 12 others wounded during a community gathering tied to Leland High School’s homecoming football game against Charleston High School. The gunfire erupted around midnight on the town’s main street, where residents and alumni had convened to celebrate school spirit in an area typically quiet with a population under 4,000, turning what should have been a joyful occasion into a scene of chaos as emergency responders from multiple counties rushed to aid the victims, four of whom were airlifted to hospitals in critical condition. Local authorities, including the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, reported no arrests as of Saturday morning, with a manhunt underway for the unidentified gunman, while Mayor John Lee affirmed that justice would prevail amid the ongoing probe into this senseless act of violence that has deeply shaken the tight-knit community. State Sen. Derrick Simmons decried the proliferation of guns fueling such incidents, calling on witnesses to assist investigators in restoring order and safety to the streets.
Mangione Defense Seeks Dismissal of Federal Death Penalty Charge in UnitedHealthcare CEO Slaying
In a recent court filing, attorneys for Luigi Mangione, the Ivy League-educated suspect accused of the premeditated execution-style murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel last December, have moved to dismiss key federal charges, including the sole count that exposes him to capital punishment under federal law. The defense contends that the charge of murder through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence fails to meet legal standards, as alleged prior stalking does not qualify as such an offense, and they also seek to suppress Mangione’s post-arrest statements and evidence from a warrantless search of his backpack, which contained the alleged murder weapon and writings outlining his grievances against the insurance industry. Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal indictments amid parallel prosecutions in New York and Pennsylvania, faces a system designed to deliver accountability for such a calculated act that shocked the nation and raised questions about corporate accountability, though his team argues prosecutorial overreach and public statements by Attorney General Pam Bondi—directing the pursuit of the death penalty—have tainted the process. With oral arguments set for December before a federal judge in Manhattan, the outcome could narrow the path to justice in this high-profile case, underscoring the tensions between constitutional protections and the imperative to address violent crimes against business leaders.
Sources: The Daily Mail, ABC News
British Billionaire Pauses U.S. Philanthropy Amid Scrutiny of Foreign Ties
British hedge fund magnate Christopher Hohn’s Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) has halted grants to American nonprofits, redirecting its support to international partners due to ambiguities in U.S. regulations on foreign contributions to domestic groups. This move follows a September report by the watchdog organization Americans for Public Trust, which detailed how CIFF directed more than $553 million over a decade to U.S.-based entities advancing expansive climate agendas, anti-fossil fuel campaigns, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs—efforts the group described as efforts to reshape American policy from abroad. The foundation, endowed with $6 billion largely from Hohn’s investment firm, emphasized its focus on global child welfare and climate work outside the U.S., but the disclosures have spotlighted potential risks of external influence, including CIFF’s partnerships with Chinese state-affiliated bodies that could indirectly shape energy debates here at home. Such revelations highlight the value of rigorous oversight to ensure charitable dollars align with national priorities rather than imported ideologies.
Sources: FOX Business, The Financial Times
DON’T MISS THIS WEEK’S FEATURED COMMENTARY:
Sorry, Brandon, The Supremacy Clause Gives President Trump Purview To Crush Chaos in All Blue Cities
The federal government’s purview? Total and absolute. The Supremacy Clause subsumes Chicago’s Loop, L.A.’s sprawl, and Portland’s bridges under national sovereignty; no city ordinance or gubernatorial fiat can eclipse immigration law or the duty to quell insurrections. These hotspots aren’t sovereign enclaves—they’re American soil, where uprisings against federal agents trigger Insurrection Act invocation.…
Read and listen to more at UndergroundUSA.com
Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Floods and Landslides in Central Mexico
Persistent heavy downpours from the remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond have unleashed severe flooding and landslides across central and southeastern Mexico, resulting in at least 37 confirmed deaths and leaving communities grappling with widespread destruction. The states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, and Querétaro bore the brunt, with 22 lives lost in Hidalgo where power failures darkened 150 communities, nine fatalities in Puebla alongside damage to over 16,000 homes, and five deaths in Veracruz that isolated 42 localities amid blocked roads and swollen streams. Additional impacts include outages affecting more than 320,000 residents nationwide and the evacuation of hundreds, as rivers burst banks and debris choked highways, straining local resources in these family-centered regions. In response, President Claudia Sheinbaum mobilized thousands of soldiers and naval units for search-and-rescue operations, road clearances, and aid distribution, reflecting a commitment to rebuilding stability for those whose homes and livelihoods have been upended by nature’s fury.
Pentagon Launches Counter-Narcotics Task Force to Target Drug Cartels in Latin America
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a new joint counter-narcotics task force under U.S. Southern Command to intensify efforts against drug trafficking organizations operating in Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, emphasizing a firm commitment to safeguarding American communities from illicit substances. The initiative, directed by President Trump, will synchronize military operations including maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, and interdictions to disrupt cartel networks more effectively, building on recent U.S. actions that have sunk suspected drug-laden vessels in the region. Hegseth conveyed a straightforward warning to traffickers on social media, underscoring that any attempts to bring drugs to U.S. shores will face immediate halt, while military leaders highlighted enhanced coordination with partner nations to dismantle these threats at their source. This development reflects a renewed focus on border security and public health through robust defense measures.
U.S. Deploys 200 Troops to Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring
In a move to bolster the fragile truce following President Trump’s brokered deal between Israel and Hamas, the United States has committed approximately 200 troops to Israel, where they will establish a civil-military coordination center alongside personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates to oversee ceasefire compliance, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and support the shift toward civilian governance in Gaza without any American forces entering the territory itself. Led by Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command, the team—comprising experts in logistics, engineering, and security—will integrate with multinational partners to monitor for violations, deconflict operations with the Israeli Defense Forces, and ensure secure transitions in postwar reconstruction efforts, with initial arrivals already underway and the center expected to be operational within weeks. This deployment aligns with the first phase of the agreement, which includes hostage releases and Israeli withdrawals from parts of Gaza, reflecting a pragmatic approach to stabilizing the region after nearly two years of conflict while prioritizing American interests in countering terrorism and promoting orderly aid distribution.
Sources: The Times of Israel, Breitbart
Trump Slaps 100% Tariff on Chinese Goods in Response to Beijing’s Export Restrictions
President Trump has directed the imposition of a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective November 1st, layering it atop existing duties as a firm counter to Beijing’s aggressive new export controls on rare earth elements and virtually every product in its production chain, a move the administration views as a calculated bid to dominate global supply lines and undermine fair trade practices that have long disadvantaged American workers and industries. This escalation, announced via Truth Social, also includes U.S. export restrictions on critical software to safeguard national security interests, reflecting a commitment to restoring balance in economic relations where China has exploited its monopolies on essential minerals used in everything from semiconductors to electric vehicles. Trump described China’s actions as an “extraordinarily aggressive position” and a “moral disgrace,” unprecedented in international commerce, prompting swift retaliation to protect U.S. leverage and encourage domestic innovation over reliance on adversarial suppliers. While markets reacted with volatility, this step underscores a priority on American sovereignty in trade, potentially paving the way for stronger bilateral negotiations or further measures if Beijing persists in its hostile posture.
Sources: The Post Millennial, CNBC
Belgian Police Thwart Jihadist Drone Plot Against Prime Minister
Belgian authorities arrested three young men in Antwerp on October 9th, for their alleged involvement in a jihadist-inspired scheme to deploy a drone laden with explosives against Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other politicians, a development that serves as a stark reminder of the enduring risks posed by radical ideologies to national stability and governance. Searches of residences near the prime minister’s home uncovered an improvised explosive device in assembly, steel pellets, and a 3D printer intended for weapon components, allowing law enforcement to neutralize the threat before it could materialize and disrupt public order. This episode, echoing prior attempts on De Wever’s life and Belgium’s history of jihadist violence such as the 2016 Brussels attacks, reinforces the importance of steadfast security protocols and international cooperation to safeguard democratic processes against such encroachments.
Trump Questions Spain’s NATO Membership Over Refusal to Boost Defense Contributions
In a pointed exchange during an Oval Office meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on October 9th, President Trump highlighted the longstanding inequities in NATO’s burden-sharing arrangement by singling out Spain as the sole holdout against the alliance’s newly elevated 5% GDP defense spending target agreed upon at the June 2025 summit in The Hague, suggesting that the nation might warrant expulsion to enforce accountability among members. Trump, who has consistently advocated for allies to shoulder a fairer portion of collective security costs given America’s outsized fiscal commitment since the early 2000s, remarked that Spain’s decision to maintain spending around 2%—despite its economic stability—lacks justification and undermines the pact’s integrity, echoing sentiments from his administration that prioritize reciprocal obligations over indefinite U.S. subsidization. Spanish officials, including Defense Minister Margarita Robles, countered by reaffirming Madrid’s steadfast alliance loyalty and contributions in personnel and capabilities, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously justified the exemption as a sovereign choice aligned with national priorities, though NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte clarified no formal opt-outs exist. This episode underscores ongoing tensions within the transatlantic partnership, particularly as threats from Russia persist, prompting calls for a 2029 spending review to address persistent laggards and ensure the alliance’s sustainability without eroding American goodwill.