Category: National Security

NSA Detected Foreign Call About Trump Associate Gabbard Blocked

Last spring, the National Security Agency detected a phone call between two foreign intelligence operatives discussing a person close to Donald Trump. Rather than following standard protocol to distribute the intelligence report, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivered a paper copy directly to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and subsequently instructed the NSA to transmit the classified details to her office instead of publishing the report.

On April 17, a whistleblower contacted the inspector general alleging that Gabbard blocked the classified intelligence from routine distribution. The whistleblower filed a formal complaint on May 21 detailing Gabbard’s actions. The NSA does not monitor individuals without justification, and the person discussed in the call is not understood to be an administration official or special government employee, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The intelligence community inspector general dismissed the complaint after a 14-day review on June 6, stating the office “could not determine if the allegations appear credible.” The watchdog’s independence may be compromised after Gabbard assigned one of her top advisers, Dennis Kirk—a co-author of Project 2025 and a first Trump administration official—to work in the inspector general’s office on May 9, two weeks after the whistleblower’s initial contact.

For eight months, the complaint remained classified and withheld from congressional intelligence committees, violating the law requiring agencies to relay whistleblower complaints to Congress within 21 days. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner stated the months-long delay reflected an effort to “bury the complaint.” Members of the “gang of eight” received a heavily redacted version on Tuesday night, with much of the complaint withheld under claims of executive privilege—a move Gabbard’s attorney said flags presidential involvement in the underlying intelligence concerns.

Gabbard’s office denied all allegations, stating “every single action taken by DNI Gabbard was fully within her legal and statutory authority.” House Oversight Committee Democrat Stephen Lynch warned that Kirk’s appointment raised “troubling questions about the independence” of the intelligence community inspector general’s office, compromising the agency’s ability to serve as an independent watchdog against weaponization of intelligence for political purposes.

(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/07/nsa-foreign-intelligence-trump-whistleblower)

New START Treaty Expires, Ending Nuclear Arms Control

The New START treaty between the United States and Russia expired on February 6, 2026, eliminating the only binding cap on deployed nuclear warheads—set at 1,550 per side. The expiration marks the first time in over 50 years that no strategic arms control limits exist between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, each possessing roughly 5,250 warheads. Without the treaty’s verification mechanisms, data-sharing protocols, and dialogue channels, American and Russian officials lost transparency into each other’s arsenals and intentions, creating a low-trust environment vulnerable to miscalculation.

President Trump dismissed urgency around negotiating a replacement, stating in January that if the treaty “expires, it expires” and claiming he would pursue “a better agreement” involving China. However, Beijing has refused to participate in nuclear disarmament talks, arguing it is “neither fair nor reasonable” given the vast disparity between its 600 warheads and those of the U.S. and Russia. A Trump administration official told NBC News the door remained open to talks with both nations, but no formal negotiations or counter-proposals have materialized.

Trump’s pattern of weaponizing federal authority against officials who resist his demands reflects broader disregard for institutional independence. Former Soviet negotiator Nikolai Sokov warned the world has reverted to early Cold War mentality, where uncertainty and acceptance of conflict were high. Without predictability mechanisms, China is expanding its arsenal by roughly 100 warheads annually and is projected to possess over 1,000 by 2030—a buildup experts attribute partly to the absence of verification checks and transparency.

Former President Obama stated the expiration would “pointlessly wipe out decades of diplomacy and could spark another arms race that makes the world less safe.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a “grave moment” for international peace and security. Russia suspended the treaty in early 2023 over U.S. support for Ukraine but offered in September to voluntarily abide by its limits for one additional year—an offer Trump called “a good idea” but to which Washington provided no official response.

Experts warn that without a replacement agreement within five to seven years, an unrestricted nuclear arms race focusing on accuracy, sophistication, and interceptor-resistant designs rather than warhead quantity becomes likely. Sokov cautioned that “the sooner we start talking, the better the chance that we will be able to, once again, start regulating the nuclear arms race before it becomes irreversible.”

(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/nuclear-arms-race-start-treaty-expires-russia-china-trump-putin-xi-rcna257012)

Trump Claims States Are Federal Agents in Elections

President Trump declared on Tuesday that states function as “agents for the federal government in elections,” advancing his push to federalize election administration. During an Oval Office signing ceremony, Trump told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that the federal government should take over elections from states he deemed incapable of running them honestly, specifically naming Atlanta and other Democratic-led cities as sites of “horrible corruption.” Trump’s assertion contradicts the Constitution, which assigns election administration to state and local officials with limited federal involvement.

Trump framed federal takeover as necessary to ensure honest elections, stating that if states “can’t count the votes legally and honestly, then somebody else should take over.” When pressed by Collins on constitutional constraints, Trump dismissed them, declaring states “can administer the election, but they have to do it honestly.” This demand for federal control extends Trump’s pattern of weaponizing federal authority against election officials, mirroring his sustained efforts to delegitimize the 2020 election and intimidate state administrators into compliance with his directives.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later reframed Trump’s “nationalize the voting” language as advocacy for the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. However, noncitizens are already barred from voting in federal elections, making the legislation redundant. The move represents Trump’s broader strategy to impose new voting restrictions ahead of midterm elections under the guise of election security.

The statement follows an FBI seizure last week of election materials from Fulton County, Georgia, in connection with alleged voter fraud claims that have been repeatedly debunked. Legal experts, including UCLA law professor Rick Hasen, characterized such federal intervention as a dramatic escalation in federal control over state-run election infrastructure and warned of further interference in 2026 elections. Trump’s repeated false claims of election fraud and his push for federal dominance over election administration establish the groundwork for authoritarian control over voting mechanisms.

Trump’s assertion that states are federal agents in elections directly contradicts established constitutional law and democratic practice. His pattern of attacking election officials who refuse his demands, combined with federal actions targeting state election materials, demonstrates his intent to consolidate power over election administration and establish federal override of state election systems, dismantling the institutional safeguards that protect democratic elections from executive manipulation.

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/politics/trump-nationalize-elections-states?Date=20260204&Profile=CNN+Politics&utm_content=1770166729&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAPxrotleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe_TP6JxjJ8F0XeylqLLR_PnMmKiHjepIwMfFSOkoZjpuKIlcOuE0eA99g3Kc_aem_XKBW8wXEdeRvaH0xj02M9A)

Trump Demands Jail for Noem Critics, Attacks Protest ‘Scam’

President Donald Trump defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday via Truth Social, attacking protesters and Democrats as “Radical Left Lunatics” and “Insurrectionists” while demanding they be imprisoned. Trump claimed Noem is being targeted “because she is a woman” and credited her with fixing “the Border disaster” he inherited, asserting the murder rate reached a 125-year low under his administration.

Trump characterized protests in Minnesota and major cities as a “SCAM” designed to obscure what he labeled “CRIMINAL ACTS of theft and insurrection” by Democrats. He accused Democrats of “stealing Billions of Dollars from Minnesota, and other Cities and States” and instructed Republicans not to be “pushed around” by what he termed aggressive protest manipulation.

The president reiterated his campaign platform of “Strong Borders, and Law and Order” and separately praised Border Czar Tom Homan, whom Trump appointed this week to oversee the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota. The operation has deployed approximately 2,100 federal agents to the Minneapolis area in what officials characterize as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted.

Trump’s remarks come amid DOJ investigations into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over allegations they conspired to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through public statements. Trump’s invocation of imprisonment for political opponents and protesters aligns with his broader pattern of weaponizing federal authority against critics.

The late-night posts demonstrate Trump’s willingness to criminalize dissent and attribute federal policy failures to Democratic sabotage while absolving his administration of responsibility for enforcement outcomes.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-ice-protest/)

DOJ Investigates Walz, Frey Over ICE Criticism Allegations

The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey regarding allegations they conspired to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through public statements. Federal prosecutors are examining whether their criticism of the deployment of nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to the region violates 18 U.S.C. § 372, a statute that criminalizes conspiracies to obstruct federal officers through force, intimidation, or threats, according to CBS News sources.

The investigation follows an ICE agent’s fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good, which triggered local protests and confrontations between demonstrators and federal law enforcement. Walz and Frey have publicly stated that the federal operation fuels instability rather than enhancing public safety, with Frey warning the situation was “not sustainable,” while both leaders repeatedly called for peaceful demonstrations.

Public criticism of federal policy typically receives constitutional protection unless prosecutors demonstrate coordination or direct incitement to physically obstruct law enforcement. CBS News noted that the rare statute under review requires evidence of conspiracy to use force, intimidation, or threats—a high legal threshold that distinguishes criminal obstruction from protected speech.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Walz and Frey on social media of “encouraging impeding and assault against our law enforcement,” characterizing their statements as federal felonies. Noem’s public allegation preceded the DOJ inquiry by one day, linking criticism of the federal operation to an incident in which an ICE agent fired a weapon after being attacked by three individuals with snow shovels and broom handles.

A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment on the investigation to CBS News. Trump has previously amplified unfounded conspiracy theories targeting Walz, establishing a pattern of using federal agencies to pursue political opponents.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/doj-reportedly-investigating-tim-walz-and-jacob-frey-over-alleged-conspiracy-to-impede-federal-agents/)

Trump Admin Posts Echo White Supremacist Rhetoric

The Trump administration is deploying recruitment campaigns and official posts across federal departments that incorporate imagery, slogans, and rhetoric linked to white supremacist and extremist movements, according to PBS reporting and analysis by Cynthia Miller-Idriss of American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation Lab. An ICE recruitment advertisement features the phrase “We will have our home again,” a direct reference to a white supremacist anthem favored by the Proud Boys, while the Department of Labor distributed messaging stating “One homeland, one people, one heritage” alongside heroic depictions of white men. Administration posts also invoke “Trust the plan,” the QAnon conspiracy theory slogan tied to the January 6 Capitol attack, which posits a global cabal of pedophiles and deep state actors that Trump is fighting.

Extremist symbols have surfaced across multiple federal agencies, including the “An Appeal to Heaven” flag, which was carried by January 6 rioters and adopted by evangelical Christian nationalist groups and neo-Nazi organizations. Miller-Idriss identified this pattern as part of a propaganda campaign to reposition ICE operations as serving the public interest while employing dog whistles and explicit racist and conspiratorial messaging. The administration is simultaneously rewriting January 6 history on a newly published website, blaming Democrats for security failures and justifying pardons for over 1,500 defendants involved in the insurrection.

President Trump stated in a New York Times interview that the civil rights movement “hurt a lot of people” and constituted “reverse discrimination” against whites denied college admission or jobs. Billionaire Elon Musk endorsed this framing by endorsing a post claiming “If white men become a minority, we will be slaughtered. White solidarity is the only way to survive”—the Great Replacement Theory, a white nationalist conspiracy falsely asserting intentional replacement of the white population. Miller-Idriss connected this conspiracy theory to terrorist attacks in Pittsburgh, El Paso, Buffalo, Christchurch, and Oslo, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Miller-Idriss characterized the shift as a “turning point in the propaganda campaign,” driven by ICE’s 57 percent disapproval rating and public awareness of agency abuses circulated through cell phone video. She identified Trump’s statements as an “unedited version” of a longstanding belief system that white men are losing ground, now openly expressed without prior hedging. The administration simultaneously withdrew U.S. support from extremism prevention organizations, cementing its alignment with extremist ideological frameworks.

Miller-Idriss noted that undemocratic leaders employ confusion and propaganda simultaneously to undermine journalism, expertise, and shared truth, citing Hannah Arendt’s analysis of Nazi propaganda: once people stop knowing what is true and false, “it’s very easy for them to stop knowing what’s right and wrong.” The administration’s strategy combines coordinated messaging across departments with high-profile policy actions including ICE deployments, foreign intervention, and territorial threats, designed to normalize extremist rhetoric while obscuring its authoritarian implications through saturation messaging.

(Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-administration-posts-echo-rhetoric-linked-to-extremist-groups?fbclid=IwdGRleAPSxIFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegXa-oSnnonxrbxD0HIm8ZOScqBnslIjqqgO-WisqCCJBydQdzzodouEcCt0_aem_45dHLtlY5pgg0gPw_BA6LA)

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Iran Trading Nations

President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all nations conducting business with Iran, declaring the measure “final and conclusive” via Truth Social without providing legal justification or implementation details. The White House offered no official documentation of the policy, declined to clarify its legal authority, and did not respond to requests for comment regarding scope or enforcement mechanisms.

Iran’s major trading partners—including China, Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India—would face the tariffs under Trump’s declaration. China’s embassy immediately rejected the measure, stating it opposes “indiscriminate imposition of tariffs” and warning it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests, noting that “tariff wars and trade wars have no winners.”

The announcement coincides with Iran’s largest anti-government demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, driven by economic collapse and calls for systemic change. The U.S.-based rights group HRANA documented 599 deaths—510 protesters and 89 security personnel—since protests began on December 28, with Iran experiencing its gravest challenge to clerical rule in decades.

Trump has threatened military action against Iran while claiming to maintain diplomatic channels with opposition figures and Tehran’s leadership. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated diplomacy remains “the first option,” though Trump authorized U.S. military airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June and supported Israeli military strikes on Iran in 2025.

Trump’s tariff authority faces legal scrutiny as the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to overturn broad sections of his existing tariffs. Iran exported goods to 147 trading partners in 2022 according to World Bank data, suggesting the tariff threat would disrupt extensive global commerce networks.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iran-tariffs-china-trade-b2899268.html)

FEMA Chief Karen Evans Cuts Funding, Targets Muslim Groups

Karen Evans, the new FEMA chief, previously served as a senior adviser tasked with tightening spending controls at the agency. Known as the “terminator,” she has gained a reputation for slashing grants, contracts, and staff, often prioritizing budget alignment with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) agenda over community needs. Critics have described Evans’ oversight as excessively rigid, hampering the agency’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively.

Evans has been accused of orchestrating the removal of numerous FEMA staff members, including seasoned emergency management experts, thus enabling DHS to consolidate power over the agency. Her approach reportedly involves significant delays in fund approvals and fostering a toxic work environment marked by conflict with personnel. This management style raises questions about the agency’s capability to handle disaster response adequately.

Moreover, she has been linked to controversial efforts to strip funding from Muslim organizations deemed problematic by the DHS. Initial proposals suggested broadly banning these groups from receiving security grants, driven by concerns over their perceived connections to terrorism. Although a blanket ban was ultimately not implemented, many Muslim groups were still disqualified from receiving federal assistance under her influence.

Evans’ lack of experience in emergency management, coupled with her DHS loyalty, has led to skepticism regarding her capacity to lead FEMA effectively during significant crises. The agency’s future remains uncertain, particularly with ongoing debates about its oversight and operational structure in relation to DHS.

Amid criticisms of delayed funding and response efforts, many within and outside FEMA view Evans as a figurehead, executing the directives of DHS leadership rather than serving as an independent decision-maker for disaster relief efforts. With growing calls from lawmakers for FEMA to operate independently, Evans’ role may be pivotal in shaping future agency dynamics.

Marco Rubio Confirms Leaked Ukraine Peace Plan Not Trump’s

U.S. Senators, including Mike Rounds and Angus King, reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed them that the leaked 28-point peace plan for Ukraine is not a proposal from President Donald Trump but rather a “wish list” from Russia. Rounds clarified that the document was delivered to a U.S. representative, emphasizing that it did not originate from lawmakers but was leaked to the press.

At the Halifax International Security Forum, Rounds noted that the plan allows for the opportunity for both sides to respond but is not a recommendation from the U.S. government. King echoed this sentiment, asserting that the proposal represents Russian interests and not the formal position of the U.S. administration.

In response, Rubio defended the plan’s credibility via social media, claiming it was authoritatively drafted in consultation with the U.S. and based on input from both Russia and Ukraine. However, recent reports from Axios indicated that the Trump administration has secretly collaborated with Russia to create this peace framework.

The plan reportedly entails significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, including substantial reductions in military strength. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated hesitations about the proposal, and Trump’s comments to reporters suggested a lack of strong backing for the deal, implying it was not a final offer.

This incident underscores ongoing tensions and skepticism regarding Trump’s influence in shaping foreign policy, particularly in relation to Russia’s intentions in the Ukraine conflict, reflecting fears of authoritarian governance under his administration.

Hegseth Launches Southern Spear Against Narco-Terrorists

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled “Southern Spear,” a military operation aimed at dismantling “narco-terrorists” throughout the Western Hemisphere. This initiative exemplifies the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on drug trafficking while claiming to safeguard American security. According to Hegseth, the mission is under the Joint Task Force Southern Spear and U.S. Southern Command (Southcom), emphasizing the need to protect the homeland from drug-related harms.

At a Thursday evening announcement, Hegseth stated that the Western Hemisphere is essentially America’s neighborhood, advocating for intervention to remove narco-terrorists from the region. The Pentagon’s response, merely redirecting inquiries back to Hegseth’s social media, highlights a concerning level of detachment from the gravity of U.S. military actions in such a volatile context.

This announcement follows military briefings earlier in the week, where top leaders, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine, discussed potential military strategies for the region, including possible land strikes against Venezuela. Such aggressive posturing raises fears of further escalation in U.S. involvement in Latin America, especially as Trump’s administration intensifies its military influence in a manner reminiscent of historical imperial interventions.

Since launching its counternarcotics campaign in September, the U.S. military has reportedly killed downwards of 80 individuals, claiming to target illegal drug operations. However, when discussing these strikes, it is crucial to query the moral ramifications and the extent to which these actions genuinely address the root causes of drug trafficking.

The recent deployment of military assets, including the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, underscores the administration’s prioritization of a heavy-handed approach over diplomatic solutions. These developments continue to reflect a troubling trend of militarization under Trump’s leadership, reinforcing concerns regarding the long-term implications for both U.S. foreign policy and regional stability, particularly in relation to leaders like Nicolás Maduro, described as illegitimate.

1 2 3 … 10