August 13, 2026

x02a3 Headlines

Cracker Barrel ays “Go Woke, Get Fired”

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

The CEO of Cracker Barrel that decided to redesign the franchise for modern audiences has been fired. As the CEO, Missy Masino implemented a “modern audiences” change to Cracker Barrel that was soon cancelled after major pushback from the public. Now, she has been officially fired as CEO, replaced by David Deno.

Cracker Barrel has a new CEO– www.americanthinker.com
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Hooray! After trying to remediate Julie Masino, including lessening her responsibilities, Cracker Barrel has announced a new CEO. Interestingly, the outgoing Julie will retain an advisory role until only October 9, which is not long at all (often, CEOs who step down to “spend more time with family” consult for longer periods, perhaps even transitioning to the board).

As I type, the stock is marginally down, but that’s because the incoming CEO, David Deno, will clean house. The cracked company needs to be resealed. A deep, purifying purge could be disruptive for short-term traders, but mandatory to roll out the splendidly refurbished old Barrel.

Missy Masino missed the mark. Her Woke focus on logos and store decors undermined the traditional appeal and charm of Southern comfort foods. Ruining such an established, highly-valued brand is unforgivable in and of itself, even if the menu retained its gastronomical delights.

It did not!  More like gastronomical frights, with service that slights.

In fact, the quality of food and service deteriorated while Julie obsessed about asserting her own unneeded and unwelcoming embellishments. Just look at this wannabee chicken and dumplings meal that degenerated into slop before hitting the table. Given a choice in side-by-side bowls, my old dog would probably have gone for his dry kibbles rather than that gunk — and he wasn’t a food snob.

Hospital Pays After Forcing Trans Ideology on Staff

pgnewser August 4, 2026 0

Valerie Kloosterman has won $410,000 from the University of Michigan Health-West because of a lawsuit against the hospital. Kloosterman sued after the hospital fired her in August 2021 for refusing to conform to the transgender ideology. She would not reject the gender binary.

Christian Physician Assistant Fired for Resisting Transgender Dogma Gets $410,000 Lawsuit Settlement– www.breitbart.com
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A Michigan physician assistant (PA) who alleged she was fired after refusing to comply with hospital transgender policies because of her religious beliefs is receiving a $410,000 settlement in her wrongful termination lawsuit.

Valerie Kloosterman sued University of Michigan Health-West (UMHW) filed suit in 2022 after she was fired in August 2021, alleging the 200-bed suburban Grand Rapids teaching hospital was requiring her to go against her conscience as a Christian.

“All I wanted to do was provide the best care possible to my patients without being forced to violate my Christian beliefs,” Kloosterman said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

She was represented in the lawsuit by First Liberty Institute, which documented that Kloosterman had “received positive performance reviews throughout her employment before raising faith-based objections to mandatory gender identity training,” the news outlet reported.

The legal advocacy nonprofit reported she was terminated after requesting a religious accommodation from finishing training that “required her to affirm statements about gender identity that were in violation of her Christian faith.”

No effort was made to accommodate her, according to the institute which takes on civil rights cases to “reclaim religious freedom in America.”

According to Fox Digital’s report:

The lawsuit says University of Michigan Health-West officials called her to a meeting, where they disparaged her religious beliefs, called her “evil” and a “liar,” told her she could not bring her Christian beliefs into the workplace, and accused her of contributing to suicides among individuals with gender dysphoria.

Federal Court Says No to Pritchard’s College-Subsidized Illegals

pgnewser July 28, 2026 0

A Federal District Court has ruled that the state of Illinois cannot offer in-state college tuition benefits to illegal aliens. Federal law explicitly prohibits states from providing college aid to illegal aliens. The ruling struck down a law passed by the Illinois legislature and signed into law by Progressive Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The Judge ruling in the case wrote, “Put simply,” he wrote, “U.S. citizens or nationals must be treated no worse than illegal aliens.” The state has 14 days

Court Strikes Down Illinois In-State Tuition Benefits for Illegal Aliens– legalinsurrection.com
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In a rebuke to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a federal district court has struck down Illinois laws providing in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens—a setback to the sanctuary-state governor’s broader immigration agenda.

The ruling also marks the latest win in the Trump administration’s campaign to end taxpayer-funded tuition benefits for illegal aliens, a fight Legal Insurrection has covered from the beginning.

Illinois’ laws allowed illegal aliens to qualify for reduced in-state tuition rates and for other benefits, including scholarships. Meanwhile, American citizens from other states were not offered these same reduced tuition rates or benefits.

WNBA Star Stands to For Women

pgnewser July 23, 2026 0

Sophie Cunningham is going viral for her multiple acts of defiance against wokeness in a women’s basketball league that embraces it. She plays for the Indiana Fever, which is also home of the league’s superstar, Caitlin Clark. When asked by reporters about her stance against men presenting as women playing in women’s sports, she unapologetically doubles down on her stance.

Sophie Cunningham Shuts Down Reporter Over Her Stance on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports– townhall.com
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Indiana Fever shooting guard and team enforcer Sophie Cunningham is making the rounds, first becoming a viral sensation with her pointing meme from a June 24 game against the Phoenix Mercury: she and DeWanna Bonner got into it in a tense fourth quarter filled with technical fouls and drama. Cunningham’s pointing and trolling of Bonner has become a fan favorite staple.

Yet, she has now angered progressive audiences by rightly claiming that transgenders shouldn’t be allowed to compete in women’s sports. The funny part is that this isn’t a controversial topic, since 70 percent of Americans agree. That side lost the plot, with faces of the movement appearing too unhinged, too moronic, too stupid, and prone to public collapses. This is America—people will disagree, and if you can’t handle that, you should do something else. Activism isn’t for you.

Cunningham was asked about her stance in a pre-game press conference, where she shut down a reporter trying to stir the pot. She struck a sensible tone, adding that she’s not political and everyone is deserving of love and respect, but there are the rights of biological women that must be protected. She’s not compromising on that position.

GOP Defends Transgenders in Military

pgnewser July 23, 2026 0

Four members of the Republican Party voted with Democrats to strike down an amendment in the defense authorization act. This amendment would permanently ban transgenders in the military. This would also have prevented biological males from using biological females’ private spaces. Right now, it is only Trump’s executive orders that sustain this standard in the U.S. military today.

Four House Republicans BLOCK attempt to codify Trump’s transgender military ban | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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The amendment to the NDAA sought to codify President Trump’s January 2025 executive order on the matter.

Four House Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday to defeat an amendment that would have written President Donald Trump‘s executive order barring transgender individuals from serving in the US military into federal law.

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., failed in a narrow 212-217 vote during House consideration of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass defense policy bill that sets priorities and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. The Republicans who voted against the amendment were Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Delegate James Moylan of Guam, and Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the Northern Mariana Islands. The measure was defeated after all Democrats opposed it.

Boebert’s amendment sought to codify President Trump’s January 2025 executive order, which states that “expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.” The order also directs the Department of Defense to prohibit biological males from using female-designated sleeping, changing, and bathing facilities, and vice versa.

While the executive order remains in effect, the vote comes as legal challenges to the administration’s transgender military policy continue to move through the courts. In June, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s policy requiring the separation of some currently serving transgender service members was likely motivated by unconstitutional animus. However, the court noted that the case did not address restrictions on future enlistments, which involve different legal considerations.

Virginia Looks to Legalize Statutory Rape

pgnewser July 23, 2026 0

Virginia’s “Reproductive Freedom Act” would decriminalize statutory rape by giving girls under 18 the legal “right” to consent. Josh Hetzler, one of the challenging attorneys to the bill, said “Among other wild consequences, it will eliminate statutory rape laws for consenting minors, since the amendment provides an unqualified ‘fundamental right to reproductive freedom’ to every ‘individual,’ without any limitation on age. This is wrong and extremely dangerous for Virginia.”

Virginia’s Abortion Amendment Would Strike Down Statutory Rape Laws– www.lifenews.com
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Virginia Democrats have supported a “Reproductive Freedom” constitutional amendment, but critics warn that it would vacate laws against statutory rape, and a lawsuit seeks to invalidate it.

“Virginia’s so-called reproductive freedom amendment goes far beyond the issue of abortion,” Josh Hetzler, executive director of the Founding Freedoms Law Center and an attorney for the nonprofits challenging the amendment, told the Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday.

“Among other wild consequences, it will eliminate statutory rape laws for consenting minors, since the amendment provides an unqualified ‘fundamental right to reproductive freedom’ to every ‘individual,’ without any limitation on age,” Hetzler warned. “This is wrong and extremely dangerous for Virginia.”

New Jersey Assault Rifle Ban Assaulted by Court

pgnewser July 22, 2026 0

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down New Jersey’s recent ban on “assault weapons.” This is the first time a Federal Appeals Court has directly ruled against any state’s “assault weapons” ban.

3rd Circuit strikes down New Jersey’s assault weapons ban on AR-15s – Michigan Lawyers Weekly
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EXCERPT:

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 17 ruled that New Jersey’s assault-weapons law barring possession of semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s and large capacity magazines containing more than 10 rounds of ammunition is unconstitutional.

The ruling marked the first time a federal appeals court had found that a state’s assault weapons ban violated the Second Amendment.

That issue is already in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed last month to review rulings that had upheld similar bans adopted in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut against powerful semiautomatic rifles. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.

Trump Admin Looking to Denaturalize Fraud

pgnewser July 22, 2026 0

The Trump administration announced efforts to root out U.S. citizenship naturalization fraud. The White House intends on conducting the “largest denaturalization effort ever.” The White House posted on X, “When you commit fraud during the naturalization process, you forfeit the right to keep your U.S. citizenship…”

US Launches ‘Largest Denaturalization Effort Ever’– gellerreport.com
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The strategy is to use fraudulent information or incomplete information that was used in the immigration process to secure legal status as grounds for deportation….

From the Justice Department: The Department of Justice announced today that it filed denaturalization actions in various U.S. district courts against 10 individuals accused of serious offenses—including sexual abuse of a child, health care and wire fraud, immigration fraud, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. The complaints were filed over the last 30 days. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation (Justice).

Judge Pauses Paramount-Warner Deal for Two Weeks

pgnewser July 22, 2026 0

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the Northern District of California has put a two-week hold on the DOJ-approved Paramount-Warner merger. The deal is being held up by a California lawsuit seeking to prevent it from happening. The judge was nominated by former President Joe Biden.

Calif. Federal Judge Pauses Paramount-WBD Merger – tctechnology.com
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A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order pausing the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery as she considers a ruling on a preliminary Injunction in an antitrust case filed by 12 attorneys general.

The July 20 ruling by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the Northern District of California pauses the deal for 14 days while she considers a preliminary injunction, which would block the merger for the duration of the litigation and impose substantial costs on Paramount.

“My office and attorneys general nationwide have secured an emergency order blocking the unlawful merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading a coalition of states seeking to block the deal on antitrust grounds. “This is a critical first win in our case to ensure this megamerger never sees the light of day. …With our lawsuit, we’re fighting for a free and fair market and a thriving film and television industry that serves creatives and audiences alike.”

As previously reported, the case argues that the deal, the largest in Hollywood history, would combine two of Hollywood’s five major film distributors and two of the five major owners of basic cable channels, “inflicting substantial harm on movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences nationwide.”

The deal has been approved by the Justice Department and Paramount had been hoping to close it as early as July 22.

Houthis Announce Plans to Shut Down Red Sea

pgnewser July 22, 2026 0

Following Iran’s provocation, the Houthis of Yemen have pledged they will shut the Red Sea down. The hope is that shutting down two major shipping lanes, the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, will cripple the global economy.

Iran-Backed Houthi Terrorists Announce Blockade of the Red Sea– gellerreport.com
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The Houthis is another Islamic terror arm of Tehran. They must be confronted accordingly. Iran’s terror regime is a scourge upon humanity, and its reign must be brought to an end.

Washington Times: The Houthis, a Yemen-based rebel faction backed by Iran, announced a new blockade of the Red Sea on Monday, potentially opening a new front in the U.S.-Iran war even as Pakistani and Qatari mediators work to broker a ceasefire. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group would immediately impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, which borders the Red Sea. Houthi-affiliated media confirmed the blockade would take effect immediately, saying it was in response to what the group called Saudi Arabia’s illegal “blockade on Yemenis for over 10 years.”

Antifa Goes to Prison

pgnewser June 24, 2026 3

Eight Antifa street fighters have been sentenced to a combined 450 years in prison for assaulting an ICE facility. The ringleader of the Democrat-inspired, and potentially funded, insurrectionist attack, Benjamin Song, was sentenced to 100 years. Seven more Antifa street fighters will be sentenced on July 1, 2026.

Headlines from progressive content marketing outlets such as the NY Times and the Washington Post refer to the insurgents as “protestors” with “alleged ties to Antifa.”

Eight Antifa Terrorists Sentenced to Nearly Half a CENTURY in Prison for Texas ICE Facility Attack– wltreport.com
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It’s not a good day for Antifa!

On Tuesday, members of an Antifa cell that carried out a terror plot against an ICE facility in North Texas on July 4th of last year were brought to justice.

Eight of these Antifa terrorists were sentenced to a combined 450 years in prison.

That’s nearly half a century behind bars — where they belong!

Check out some of their mugshots here:

As you may remember, a law enforcement officer was shot and injured while responding to the attack after the Antifa terror group’s leader, Benjamin Song, opened fire at him.

Out of all the terrorists, Song got the most severe sentence — of 100 years behind bars!

All of those charged so far are now going to spend decades in prison.

Seven additional Antifa terrorists involved in the attack on the ICE facility will be sentenced on July 1st.

A DOJ press release provided a breakdown of the sentences and charges each individual is facing:

Today, the Justice Department announced that eight North Texas Antifa Cell operatives were sentenced for their roles in rioting, using weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, obstruction, and the attempted murder of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025. This is the first sentencing of defendants affiliated with Antifa following President Donald J. Trump’s executive order designating the group as a Domestic Terrorist Organization in September 2025.

Benjamin Hanil Song, who was convicted of the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. Together, the Prairieland terrorists received a combined sentence of 450 years in prison:

  • Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison;
  • Cameron Arnold was sentenced to 50 years in prison;
  • Savanna Batten was sentenced to 50 years in prison;
  • Zachary Evetts was sentenced to 50 years in prison;
  • Bradford Morris was sentenced to 50 years in prison;
  • Elizabeth Soto was sentenced to 50 years in prison; and
  • Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Kashmir Protestors Killed by Security Forces

pgnewser June 9, 2026 1

Pakistan’s security forces opened fire on protestors in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The protesters represented the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who had been outlawed by the Pakistani government. The government accused the organization of intentionally causing upheaval.

Over 30 Dead, 200 Injured As Security Forces Open Fire On Protesters In PoK– www.ndtv.com
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Over 30 people have been killed and around 200 others have been injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)– a prominent civil society alliance that has spearheaded protests over economic and political grievances in the region.

The JAAC was outlawed last week by authorities, citing concerns over public order and security. Clashes broke out in the city of Rawalakot on Sunday after tensions flared over the death of a trader, who was allegedly shot during a confrontation with law enforcers on Friday night.

Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan, the top civilian official in Rawalakot, told news agency Reuters JAAC supporters had gathered outside a hospital mortuary where the trader’s body was taken after his death in firing by police.

Trump’s Europe Retreat Appears to be Reversing

pgnewser June 5, 2026 2

After President Trump had signaled the U.S. might scale back its military presence in Europe, he is now signaling both continued troop rotations AND increases in nuclear weapons deployment.

US discussing additional deployments of nukes in Europe – FT – World

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LONDON, June 2. /TASS/. The United States is considering deploying additional nuclear weapons in European countries to reassure their allies in the reliability of its security guarantees, the Financial Times reported, citing sources.

According to them, Washington has signaled readiness to deploy its dual-capable aircraft (DCA) in additional European NATO countries. The talks may not lead to any changes in nuclear-sharing agreements, as the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to show commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella to its NATO allies amid widespread concern in Europe over US moves to remove military assistance from the continent, the British newspaper said.

U.S. Claims Somalia Sovereign Over Somaliland

pgnewser June 4, 2026 2

President Trump has decided to not recognize the sovereignty of the state of Somaliland. The administration went further in a report from the State Department claiming the U.S. recognizes Somalia as having sovereignty over Somaliland. The report also claims the U.S. is open to cooperating with Somaliland on security issues.

US reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty, explores Somaliland cooperation – Somalia Today

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The United States has reaffirmed its recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty while outlining possible areas for expanded cooperation with Somaliland in security, diplomacy and trade, according to a State Department report submitted to Congress.

The two-page report says Washington recognises “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes the region of Somaliland”.

It also says the United States maintains a “positive, constructive relationship” with Somaliland and continues to explore “additional opportunities for engagement” with authorities in Hargeisa.

The report does not signal a move towards recognising Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has sought international recognition for more than three decades.

Somalia rejects Somaliland’s claim to statehood and says the territory remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The document, titled Potential Areas for Improved United States Engagement with Somaliland, was prepared under the 2026 State Department appropriations law.

States Move to Prevent More Worship Service Takeovers

pgnewser May 26, 2026 2

A handful of states have passed or are attempting to pass legislation to protect worship services from political protestors. The move comes after local authorities failed to move decisively when anti-ICE protestors raided a Minneapolis church in the middle of their service to protest the pastor’s connection to ICE.

States Toughen Penalties for Disrupting Religious Services › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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States across the country are beginning to impose tougher criminal penalties on protesters who disrupt church services and other religious gatherings following a high-profile demonstration inside a Minnesota church earlier this year.

At least four states have approved new laws this year aimed at protecting worship services from disruptions, while similar legislation has been introduced in several other states and in Congress.

Supporters of the measures say the laws are needed as churches and synagogues remain on heightened alert following years of violence and politically charged confrontations targeting religious institutions. They say existing trespassing laws are insufficient to deter increasingly aggressive protests.

“People should go to church to be able to sit in peace, worship as they please, without having to worry about people coming in and harassing them,” Mark Harris said after co-sponsoring legislation in Idaho. “I think the thing that happened in Minnesota was kind of a shock to some of us, that churches would be used as a place to berate people.”

Iran has 4 Months Left, Washington Post Claims

pgnewser May 11, 2026 2

A Washington Post report claiming one CIA analysis gave Iran 4 months to withstand the blockade on its country. A senior intelligence official called those claims false. The unnamed official also claimed the blockade “is inflicting real, compounding damage, severing trade, crushing revenue, and aceleating systemic economic collapse.”

CIA report claims Iran can outlast US port blockade for 4 more months– www.news24.com
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Efforts to end the war between the US and Iran appeared to stall as the two sides traded fire in the Gulf on Friday, while a US intelligence analysis concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months.

A CIA assessment indicated that Iran would not ‌suffer severe economic pressure from a US blockade of Iranian ports for about another four months, according to a US official familiar with the matter, suggesting that US leverage over Tehran remains limited as the two sides seek to end a conflict that has been unpopular with US voters.

The Washington Post first reported the assessment.

A senior intelligence official called the “claims” about the CIA analysis “false”, saying the blockade “is inflicting real, compounding damage – severing trade, crushing revenue, and accelerating systemic economic collapse”.

Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago, and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack on Friday.

Virginia’s Gerrymander Champion Raided by FBI

pgnewser May 7, 2026 1

The woman behind the Virginia special election to effectively eliminate 4 GOP U.S. House seats is now under FBI investigation. Virginia’s State Senator L. Louise Lucas saw her offices raided, along with other businesses connected to her.

So far, only anonymous sources are cited as claiming this is connected to a corruption investigation directly linked to her. She is considered the main driver of the Virginia gerrymander election plan that is currently under legal scrutiny.

FBI Raids Office of Lawmaker Who Led Virginia Redistricting – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com
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Louise Lucas’ office was swarmed on Wednesday by a heavily armed FBI squad using an armored vehicle.Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP

On Wednesday, FBI agents reportedly raided the office and business of state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, the Virginia legislator and prominent leader of the state’s recent redistricting effort that won Democrats four more likely seats in the House of Representatives.

The senator’s office and cannabis dispensary, located on the same block, were swarmed by armed agents, decked out in camouflage tactical gear, with an armored vehicle on the scene, as they handcuffed and detained several men who were inside the dispensary. Agents carried out several boxes from the senator’s office. And, of course, MAGA’s favorite network, Fox News, was there to break the story.

Local ABC affiliate WSET cited undisclosed sources in claiming that the raid was part of an ongoing bribery and corruption investigation against Lucas initiated under the Biden administration, but several Virginia legislators have expressed skepticism about the political motivations behind the raid.

“I am deeply concerned by today’s FBI raid,” said state legislator Don Scott, the speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates, in a statement. “Given the politicization of this administration—an FBI led by Kash Patel and a Justice Department run by President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney—I think people should take this with a grain of salt and allow the facts to come out before jumping to conclusions.”

Scott added, “At this point, we simply do not know what this ultimately means. Right now, there is far more theatrics and speculation than actual information available to the public.”

America’s Europe Troop Cuts Begin

pgnewser May 5, 2026 1

President Donald Trump announced a 5,000 troop cut in Germany, adding more is to come. He said, “We’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000.”

Trump Announces Deeper U.S. Troop Cuts in Germany as Tensions With Allies Grow › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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President Donald Trump said the United States will reduce its military presence in Germany beyond an already announced withdrawal, indicating a broader shift in U.S. defense posture in Europe.

Speaking to reporters Saturday evening, Trump said the planned reduction of roughly 5,000 troops is only the beginning. “We’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” he said.

The Pentagon confirmed Friday that thousands of U.S. personnel will be pulled from bases in Germany over the next year. The move revisits a policy first pursued during Trump’s earlier term, when his administration proposed withdrawing about 9,500 troops before the plan was halted by Joe Biden after he took office.

The United States currently maintains about 36,000 troops in Germany and approximately 80,000 across Europe, making it one of the largest overseas deployments of American forces.

The decision comes amid rising friction between Washington and European allies over defense commitments and strategy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly criticized the White House’s handling of the Iran conflict, saying the United States had been “humiliated,” a remark that drew attention in Washington.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the U.S. bears an unfair share of the financial burden for Europe’s defense, particularly in Germany, while also pointing to Berlin’s economic ties with countries such as Russia and China.