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Saturday, May 17, 2025

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10 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
World

Trump Promises Fair Tariff Adjustments for Trade Partners in Coming Weeks.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced that his administration will inform U.S. trade partners as to what tariff rates their exports will face in the next several weeks.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and leaders from the Middle East, the United Kingdom, China, and elsewhere.

📍 Where & When: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We have 150 countries that want to make a deal—but you’re not able to see that many countries. So at a certain point over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out essentially telling people—and we’ll be very fair—but we’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States,” Trump said.

⚠️ Impact: The administration plans to dictate trade terms to numerous countries in the coming weeks, impacting global trade dynamics and continuing its ‘America First’ agenda.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump announced that his Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, will inform around 150 nations within the next month regarding the U.S. tariff rate on their exports. The comments were made early Friday morning on May 16, as President Trump departed Abu Dhabi—the final leg of his Middle East tour in which he secured more than a trillion dollars in investments into the United States.

“We just reached a fantastic trade deal with the United Kingdom. And we have another big one that we reached with China. At the same time, we have 150 countries that want to make a deal—but you’re not able to see that many countries,” Trump said shortly before he departed from the Middle East. “So, at a certain point over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out essentially telling people—and we’ll be very fair—but we’ll be telling people what they’ll be paying to do business in the United States.”

Trump reiterated, “It’s not possible to meet the number of people who want to see us.”

Shortly after announcing a 10 percent global tariff and even higher country-specific reciprocal tariffs in early April, the Trump White House moved to pause the trade duties after most nations around the world scrambled to open talks for bilateral trade agreements. While the higher reciprocal tariffs were set aside for 90 days, the 10 percent global tariff has remained in place for nearly every country that engages in trade with the U.S.

Last week, President Trump finalized a significant bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom—a deal that had been sought by the United States ever since Great Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU). Under the terms of the agreement, the United States has been given unprecedented influence over the United Kingdom’s supply chains, with provisions regarding ownership structure and security guarantees appearing to be targeted at excluding Chinese suppliers.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the United States and China agreed to dramatically lower the trade barriers the two nations had erected against one another for 90 days. Under the agreement, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods dropped from 145 percent to 30 percent, while China reduced its levies from 125 percent to 10 percent. The move aims to de-escalate tensions from the ongoing trade dispute.

While the renewed possibility of higher tariff rates on U.S. trade partners is likely to stoke a new round of market volatility, recent hard data has clearly indicated that the tariffs have had little to no impact on inflation and, in fact, appear to be deflationary.

By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Health

4X Annual Jump in U.S. Measles Cases in 2025, Just 5 Months Into The Year.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Measles cases are rising in the United States, on course to reach their highest annual total since the 1990s.

👥 Who’s Involved: Communities in Texas and several other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Health and Human Services, and other state health departments.

📍 Where & When: Several U.S. states, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity.” — Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family.

⚠️ Impact: With three in every 1,000 children infected dying from the disease, the number of deaths could increase if case numbers are not brought under control.

IN FULL:

Measles cases in the United States are already almost four times last year’s figures, potentially approaching numbers not seen since the 1990s. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveal that Texas alone has seen 718 cases this year, while the number of cases has surpassed 1,000 across the country.

The Texas outbreak has been attributed to a specific area in the west of the state. It has been reported mainly in children who are either not vaccinated against the disease or have an unknown vaccination status. Two children have died from the disease: an eight-year-old girl and another school-aged child.

Texas Health and Human Services states that 93 of the 718 cases required those infected to be hospitalized over the course of the outbreak, but the current number hospitalized is likely much lower.

Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family, told the media that the Mennonite community was most affected by the outbreak initially. Still, cases have also spread to other communities.

“In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity… We fear the number of actual cases may be much higher than reported due to confusion and delays in the outbreak response,” Ramirez said.

Before the controversial MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine was released in 1963, the United States saw nearly 500,000 cases of measles per year. More recently, the last major outbreak took place in 1990, when over 27,000 cases were reported. The last flare-up occurred in 2019, with 1,274 cases.

Measles can be a serious disease for children and can kill those who have no other underlying symptoms. Three out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will likely die, while one in 1,000 can develop severe brain damage.

Image by Raed Mansour.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
NatSec

Comey Will Be Escorted to Secret Service Office for Interview About ’86 47′ Post.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey will be interviewed by Secret Service agents at their Washington Field Office over an Instagram post showing “86 47” written out in seashells, a code linked to calls for ousting or assassinating President Donald J. Trump, amid an ongoing investigation.

👥 Who’s Involved: James Comey, U.S. Secret Service, President Donald J. Trump, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with the interview scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated.

⚠️ Impact: Comey’s reckless post heightens the risk of an assassination attempt against Trump, who survived two attempts on his life in 2024.

IN FULL:

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey faces a Secret Service interview at their Washington Field Office on May 16, 2025, over an Instagram post showing “86 47” spelled out in seashells. To ’86’ someone is mob slang for killing them, while ’47’ references Trump as the 47th President.

Comey is attempting to downplay the post, claiming he merely found the seashells and that he had no idea the term ’86’ was associated with violence. However, many observers, including President Trump himself, do not believe this, citing Comey’s background in law enforcement.

Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024—one at a Pennsylvania rally, where a sniper’s bullet grazed his ear, and another killed a supporter, and one at a Florida golf course, where a pro-Ukraine activist was caught lying in wait for him in a bush.

“The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem previously labeled Comey’s post a call for Trump’s assassination, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively involved in the probe. A law enforcement source indicated Comey will be pressed on whether he intended to incite violence or inspire others, with the U.S. Attorney in Washington potentially deciding on charges.

CNN analyst and former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow called the situation “disappointing and alarming,” noting, “It’s actually a very serious situation that warrants a real investigation.” He slammed Comey’s ignorance defense, saying, “The director should have known better,” especially given Trump’s recent brushes with would-be assassins.

Image by Paul Morigi Photography.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: U.S. Loses AAA Credit Rating Because of Jerome Powell’s Reckless Behavior.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Moody’s ratings agency has downgraded United States debt for the first time, from “Aaa” to “Aa1,” citing continued government deficits and increasing interest costs. The move is likely to place even greater pressure on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to finally slash interest rates.

👥 Who’s Involved: Moody’s, U.S. bond markets, the Federal Reserve, and Jerome Powell.

📍 Where & When: The United States on Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Successive U.S. administrations and Congress have failed to agree on measures to reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs,” Moody’s said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The downgrade may finally force Powell and the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, while the downgrade will likely fuel even more bond market volatility in the short term.

IN FULL:

The Moody’s ratings agency has downgraded United States debt for the first time, knocking the country out of its elite “Aaa” prime rating to “Aa1,” which the agency considers to be “high grade.” According to Moody’s, the decision, which was announced late Friday, May 16 at 4:45 PM—well after markets had closed—was based on increased U.S. deficits and growing interest costs.

“Successive U.S. administrations and Congress have failed to agree on measures to reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs,” the agency said in a statement explaining the decision to downgrade American government debt. The move is likely to further roil U.S. Treasury bond markets, which have seen high volatility following President Donald J. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announcements.

However, the likely culprit for the downgrade is the intransigence of the Federal Reserve in the face of growing calls for the central bank to lower U.S. interest rates. Despite growing indicators that inflation has subsided entirely, and that the country may be facing a far more concerning deflationary threat, Fed chairman Jerome Powell and the central bank’s Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) have thus far refused to cut rates since its last reduction, which occurred shortly before the 2024 presidential election.

The National Pulse previously reported that April’s Producer Price Index (PPI), along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), shows significant signs of deflation in the American economy, suggesting low levels of liquidity and collapsing consumer demand. However, Powell and the FOMC continue to insist that they believe the Trump tariffs—which reduced the deficit in April—could restart inflation, something not backed by the economic impact of past tariffs or the current economic hard data.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Why Is Mexico’s Govt Lobbying Against Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill?’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: House Republicans proposed a five percent tax on remittances sent out of the U.S. by non-U.S. citizens, sparking opposition from Mexico. In response, Mexican government officials are lobbying House Republicans in the U.S. to drop the provision from President Donald J. Trump’s budget bill.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. House Republicans, Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and President Trump.

📍 Where & When: U.S., ongoing discussions as of May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote in a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could generate $1 billion in tax revenue by 2026, but faces resistance from Mexican government officials, as remittances from the United States comprise a significant portion of the country’s revenue.

IN FULL:

The foreign remittance tax provision in President Donald J. Trump‘s budget plan, currently working its way through the House of Representatives, has become the target of a lobbying campaign by the Mexican government, which seeks to remove it from the legislation. Under the plan being pushed by President Trump and his allies in Congress, cash remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens to family members abroad would be subject to a five percent tax.

In a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leaders, Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Richard Neal (D-MA), Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, urged the U.S. lawmakers to reconsider the tax measure. “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote, claiming the provision will have unintended consequences such as increased use of unregulated financial channels.

Mexico is the third-largest recipient of remittances among nations worldwide. In 2024, the country received an estimated $64.745 billion in remittances, with most of the money sourced through transfers from the United States. The country’s heavy reliance on payment transfers from the U.S. as a source of revenue has even prompted Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to weigh in on the issue, declaring it “arbitrary and unjust” and calling it “a measure that is unacceptable.”

The Joint Committee on Taxation released estimates that the tax could generate $1 billion in revenue by 2026, rising to $3 billion by 2034. During his first term in office, President Trump pushed for a remittance tax to recoup costs for his border wall with Mexico.

As part of the Mexican government’s push against the tax provision, Barragán has met with U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Maria Salazar (R-FL). Salazar stated she is still evaluating the proposal.

Image via Mexico City Government.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Media
News

Nearly 600 Voice of America Staffers Laid Off.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nearly 600 Voice of America (VOA) employees, primarily contractors, were fired as part of a Trump administration overhaul of the agency.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA employees, and senior adviser Kari Lake.

📍 Where & When: The firings were announced this week, with the employees’ last day set for May 30.

💬 Key Quote: Kari Lake stated, “I don’t have editorial control over the content of VOA and OCB programming, but I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs.”

⚠️ Impact: The dismissals represent one-third of VOA’s workforce and coincide with a shift toward using One America News Network for news-feed services.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has terminated nearly 600 employees at Voice of America (VOA) as part of a broader effort to reform the agency. The affected individuals, many of whom are contractors, were informed this week that their employment will end on May 30.

The dismissals account for approximately one-third of the agency’s workforce. Employees were instructed to return VOA property, including badges and credentials, by the same date. The move comes amid a restructuring of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.

This wave of firings follows an announcement by USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake that One America News Network (OANN) will now provide news-feed services to the agency’s outlets. Lake emphasized her role in ensuring credible and reliable options for the agency’s reporting, stating, “I don’t have editorial control over the content of VOA and OCB programming, but I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs.”

The restructuring efforts have faced legal challenges. Last month, a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle VOA and its affiliated services. Despite this, the administration appears committed to reshaping the agency’s operations and partnerships.

VOA has been a source of controversy in the past. In 2020, the news outlet was accused of parroting propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuts to the USAGM have also affected other broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration in March, arguing President Trump violated the Constitution by withholding Congress-approved funding.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News

Nine Armed Fugitives on the Loose After Jailbreak.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with two apprehended and nine still at large.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Susan Hutson, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

📍 Where & When: The escape occurred Friday morning at the Orleans Justice Center, less than three miles from the French Quarter.

💬 Key Quote: Sheriff Susan Hutson described the situation as “very serious and unacceptable,” while Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated it’s “more than likely” the escapees had assistance.

⚠️ Impact: The public has been urged to remain vigilant as the escapees are considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are conducting a full-scale search.

IN FULL:

Authorities in New Orleans are conducting a “full-scale search operation” after eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday morning, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Two of the escapees, including Kendell Myles, have been apprehended, but nine others remain at large.

Sheriff Susan Hutson revealed the inmates were discovered missing during a routine headcount at 8:30 AM. She urged the public to stay alert, warning that the escapees should be considered armed and dangerous. “We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance, and physical security measures,” Hutson stated.

The escaped inmates have charges ranging from drug possession to murder, according to reports. Concerningly, the escape appears to have been a relatively simple matter of cutting through drywall and escaping through a space accommodating ventilation and piping behind a jail wall.


The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to locate the fugitives. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick suggested that the escapees likely received outside assistance and have since changed out of their jail uniforms. “We don’t want panic, but we do want people to be mindful,” Kirkpatrick noted.

The Orleans Justice Center, where the incident took place, is less than three miles from the French Quarter, a popular tourist destination. One of the fugitives, Kendell Myles, was apprehended on Royal Street, a busy and popular avenue in the French Quarter.

Sheriff Hutson emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it “very serious and unacceptable,” and vowed accountability for anyone who aided in the escape.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Politics

Democratic Lawmakers Propose Trillions in Reparations for Black Americans.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A group of House Democrats reintroduced a resolution advocating for federal reparations for descendants of slaves and other black Americans.

👥 Who’s Involved: Led by Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), supported by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ), and others.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C.; resolution reintroduced this week.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re owed repair, we’re owed restitution, and we’re owed justice,” said Rep. Summer Lee.

⚠️ Impact: The resolution calls for trillions of dollars in reparations and aims to address racial wealth gaps, health disparities, and “environmental racism.”

IN FULL:

House Democrats, led by Representative Summer Lee (D-PA), have reintroduced a resolution calling for federal reparations for descendants of slaves and other black Americans, proposing trillions of dollars in payments. First introduced by former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) in 2023, the “Reparations Now Resolution” seeks to address what its supporters describe as historical injustices and systemic inequities.

“We’re here to say that there’s no more waiting, no more watering down, no more putting justice on layaway,” Rep. Lee said after reintroducing the measure in the House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Democrat argued that the United States had benefited from “stolen labor, stolen land, and stolen lives” over the last 400 years and declared that black Americans are owed “repair, restitution, and justice.”

The resolution also includes proposals to address the racial wealth gap, improve black maternal health outcomes, enhance education funding, and combat what proponents call “environmental racism.” Lee framed these measures as part of a broader moral obligation, saying, “This is a moment in time where societies are shaped [and] new societies are built. We should be the ones who are shaping it.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) echoed Lee’s sentiments during a press event, describing the current state of the U.S. as “anti-Blackness on steroids.” She further asserted, “The antidote to anti-Blackness is to be pro-Black, and we will do it unapologetically.” Pressley also called for immediate action, stating, “The U.S. government owes us a debt, and we need reparations now.”

The push for reparations was also discussed earlier this week during a congressional briefing titled, “We Can’t Wait: Advancing Reparative Justice in Our Lifetime.” Participants included Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Lee, and Pressley. The briefing highlighted the “Reparations Now Resolution” and Booker and Pressley’s separate initiative, the “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.”

Image by Mark Dixon.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Politics

The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Stalls in Committee Vote.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The House Budget Committee voted down the House budget reconciliation bill, legislation referred to by President Donald J. Trump as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

👥 Who’s Involved: The House Budget Committee, Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), along with the committee’s Democrat members.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House Budget Committee, Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Chairman Arrington said after the reconciliation bill failed in his committee.

⚠️ Impact: The rejection marks a significant hurdle for Republican House leaders seeking to meet their July 4 deadline for final passage through both legislative chambers.

IN FULL:

On Friday, the House Budget Committee voted down President Donald J. Trump’s proposed budget reconciliation bill, delivering a notable blow to Republican congressional leaders aiming for its final approval by Independence Day. The vote ended 16-21, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition to the legislation. The Republican lawmakers voting no were Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).

“Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) told members after the failed vote.

The multitrillion-dollar proposal, which makes the 2017 tax cuts implemented during Trump’s first term in office permanent, has been a point of contention among GOP lawmakers. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have demanded steep cuts to Medicaid, a move that risks voter backlash ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—and provides an avenue for Democrats to potentially regain a modicum of political momentum. Meanwhile, a group of more moderate Republicans from Democrat-controlled states has balked at what they say is too small of an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

While the failed committee vote marks a setback for the reconciliation bill’s passage, House leaders remained firm that they’ll be able to move the legislation forward and on to the Senate by Memorial Day. Additionally, President Trump, who returned to the United States after concluding his Middle East tour on Friday, is likely to become increasingly involved in ramping up pressure on House Republicans to pass the budget plan.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
Politics

Here’s How the FCC Just Advanced Trump’s America First Agenda in New Verizon Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will allow Verizon’s purchase of Frontier, a regional telecom company, to move forward, with the former agreeing to enact a series of reforms in alignment with President Donald J. Trump’s pro-worker, America First agenda.

👥 Who’s Involved: Verizon, Frontier, the FCC, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, tower climbers, and telecom workers.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The agreement between NATE, Verizon, and the FCC is massive news. As a 36-year tower contractor and employer of over 200 tower technicians, this brings fairness back to our relationship. We can’t thank Chairman Carr enough for looking out for Main Street while still being fair to Wall Street. We hope T-Mobile and AT&T will follow Verizon’s lead,” said Craig Snyder, a tower climber and one of the negotiators for his industry in the Verizon acquisition deal, in comments to The National Pulse.

⚠️ Impact: Verizon’s acquisition approval comes with a commitment to ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs and agreeing to a new set of pro-worker conditions with the tower climber and telecom worker industries.

IN FULL:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is allowing telecom giant Verizon to acquire Frontier, a regional communications company, with the aim of expanding its fiber Internet service. Notably, Verizon’s acquisition was contingent on a series of policy and labor practice changes, in alignment with President Donald J. Trump’s pro-worker America First agenda, imposed by the FCC through its regulatory authority.

“By approving this deal, the FCC ensures that Americans will benefit from a series of good and common-sense wins. The transaction will unleash billions of dollars in new infrastructure builds in communities across the country—including rural America,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement announcing the acquisition approval. “This investment will accelerate the transition away from old, copper line networks to modern, high-speed ones. And it delivers for America’s tower and telecom crews who do the hard, often gritty work needed to build high-speed networks.”

One of the biggest concessions being made by Verizon is the company’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs. In a letter to Chairman Carr on May 15, the telecom company acknowledged that it “recognizes some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination.” Verizon goes on to announce that it “is changing its HR structure and will no longer have a team or any individual roles focused on DEI.” The move comes after Chairman Carr informed a number of telecom and Internet technology companies that the FCC would halt license approvals and authorizations for those that maintain discriminatory DEI programs.

The FCC also highlights that the deal represents a win for American workers. Verizon, as part of the approval, is committing to rework its agreements with NATE, the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, and remove the costly burdens its policies have placed on tower climbers. These new provisions include taking into account considerations in pricing when it comes to site conditions, the adoption of regional pricing for tower climbers and telecom workers’ labor, 30-day payment terms with fair indemnity clauses, and limits on Verizon’s use of 1099 outside contractors, which have been used to undercut worker wages.

Craig Snyder, a tower climber and negotiator for his industry in the Verizon acquisition deal, told The National Pulse: “The agreement between NATE, Verizon, and the FCC is massive news. As a 36-year tower contractor and employer of over 200 tower technicians, this brings fairness back to our relationship. We can’t thank Chairman Carr enough for looking out for Main Street while still being fair to Wall Street. We hope T-Mobile and AT&T will follow Verizon’s lead.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
Politics

D.C. Journalist Turned Democrat House Candidate Criticized for Concealing Lavish Lifestyle.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Hanna Trudo, a Democrat and former journalist, is facing scrutiny over her luxurious lifestyle after announcing plans to run for Congress in New Hampshire.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hanna Trudo, the Ruthless podcast hosts Josh Holmes, “Comfortably Smug,” Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook.

📍 Where & When: New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “As a New Hampshire girl who grew up working class, I’m demanding more from our Democrats,” Hanna Trudo wrote in a post on social media in May, despite her membership of an exclusive millionaire dating website and other social media posts where when advertised the sale of her Ferrari sportscar.

⚠️ Impact: Trudo’s campaign aspirations are overshadowed by questions about her authenticity and background, suggesting her claims of representing working-class interests are merely a political ploy.

IN FULL:

Hanna Trudo, a Democrat and former journalist for outlets including The Daily Beast and POLITICO, has encountered early challenges in her potential congressional campaign after details of her lifestyle surfaced online. Trudo, who recently moved back to her home state of New Hampshire, is exploring a run for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

In a memo shared earlier this month, Trudo described herself as a “New Hampshire girl who grew up working class,” raised by a single mother who worked as a school reading aide. She highlighted her frustrations with Democrats in Washington, D.C., claiming they have failed the working class and arguing her journalism experience equips her to serve effectively.

However, Trudo’s background has come under scrutiny, particularly from the Ruthless podcast, hosted by political operatives Josh Holmes, “Comfortably Smug,” Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook. After publicly offering to appear on the show to discuss her campaign, Trudo reportedly stopped responding to producers’ outreach.

The podcast team then began investigating her background, uncovering a profile on Luxy, an exclusive dating platform for individuals with verified incomes exceeding $200,000. The profile, featuring Trudo’s name and photo, described her as a “senior political correspondent” who splits her time between Washington, D.C., New York City, and Miami.

Additionally, Trudo had posted an image of a Ferrari on social media, offering it for sale. Some of her social media posts were later deleted after these details were publicized. The Ruthless hosts have expressed their intention to continue scrutinizing Trudo’s campaign, with co-host John Ashbrook stating their team has uncovered “a lot more” about her background.

The revelations regarding Trudo’s background and lifestyle could raise concerns among voters regarding whether she is sincerely interested in working-class issues or just another Washington, D.C., elite political operative who relishes access to power and privilege.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
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