This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump has been waging a war of tariffs for weeks now.
He's trying to balance the international trade scene, where for years American companies have been subjected to high tariffs to get their products into foreign countries, while manufacturers in those countries essentially have an open door to American consumers.
Trump announced a long list of high tariffs for other countries, and as was his plan, they are now coming by the dozens to seek trade deals with America that would reduce those, possibly even reaching equality with those for U.S. producers.
One of the most belligerent respondents to Trump's campaign was China, which announced tariffs of more than 100% for American products when Trump did the same for Chinese goods.
But that standoff may be crumbling.
He believes there's now a "win" for Trump and China is now "caving" on the issue, as China apparently has been creating exemptions for its tariffs for some U.S. goods.
Trump has confirmed he's talked with China several times, but he wasn't ready to deliver details.
Chang concluded, "China is doing this, but it's not announcing it. It's just not imposing the tariffs on aviation products, industrial chemicals, and semiconductors. It's sort of like the Chinese way of doing it," Chang explained during an interview on Varney & Co.
Trump, responding to questions on the issue, said, "I don't want to comment on that, but I've spoken to him many times. I'll let you know at the appropriate time. Let's see if we can make a deal."
Fox noted that China said it was not negotiating with the U.S. on trade, but a later published report confirmed China's Ministry of Commerce taskforce was working on a list of items to be exempted from tariffs.
The report added, "Chang predicts the tariff back-and-forth between China and Trump's America 'can go on for a very long time.'" But he said Xi Jinping has put himself in a box.
"And I believe that if he comes to a deal with the U.S., he's got to explain that to the Chinese people. That's going to be very difficult for him. You can't say, 'Well, I'm now dealing with the U.S.,' because that would be undercutting everything that he has said to his own people for years," he said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The gang of violent Venezuelans known as Tren de Aragua actually is worse than that sounds, according to a new report.
Because the gang has now been linked to the Venezuelan government.
It is the Washington Stand that reported according to a Federal Bureau of Investigation study, "Venezuela's socialist president Nicolás Maduro and his deputies are using criminals from the Tren de Aragua (TdA) transnational gang as 'proxies' to 'destabilize' foreign nations, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and the U.S."
The report said, "The FBI anticipates that TdA members the Venezuelan government has sent to the U.S. will, within the next six to 18 months, begin targeting and killing other Venezuelan nationals who have been opponents or critics of Maduro's administration."
President Donald Trump has several times charged that the Venezuelan government is weaponizing criminals in dangerous gangs and sending foreign terrorists into the U.S.
"These findings should shock Americans but not the law enforcement community," a Trump administration official who was not identified, told Fox News.
"They reflect the sentiments of numerous other intelligence assessments across multiple agencies."
That official explained Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro "is a Marxist dictator who hijacked a once-prosperous Venezuela and brought in nothing but total economic collapse and gang takeover. He crumbled Caracas, now overrun with drugs and violence, and wants to do the same across the United States by sending his most violent and dangerous criminals into our communities."
The Trump administration has worked to utilize several laws to crack down on the illegal access to the United States by gang members and to deport those who have arrived.
The fact that the Venezuelan government is "aiding and abetting" the terror gang was confirmed, in the report, by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
An official in the ODNI assessed that the links between the terrorists and the government there mirror "the behavior of the Taliban in Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern failed states like Syria and Libya that have welcomed terrorists with open arms."
While a National Intelligence Council report accessed by the AP claimed there's no link, one expert suggested that was incorrect, based on "leakers."
The "propaganda media conveniently did not include [more accurate intelligence] because it gets in the way of their biased narrative and attempt to deceive the American people," the expert said.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard explained, "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence fully supports the assessment that the foreign terrorist organization, Tren De Aragua, is acting with the support of the Maduro Regime, and thus subject to arrest, detention, and removal as alien enemies of the United States."
The State Department earlier this year designated TdA as a foreign terror organization.
Trump has said, "TdA is closely aligned with, and indeed has infiltrated, the Maduro regime, including its military and law enforcement apparatus. Venezuelan national and local authorities have ceded ever-greater control over their territories to transnational criminal organizations, including TdA. The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States, and which poses a substantial danger to the United States."
In just the past few days, several dozen TdA members and leaders have been charged under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Most of those defendants are in custody.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Already, a former judge in New Mexico and his wife have been arrested for housing an alleged member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua terror organization, and a Wisconsin judge has been charged for helping an illegal alien escape from federal agents who arrived at the courthouse during his hearing to take him into custody.
That's probably not the end of actions against activist judges who use their judicial powers to thwart the president's border security agenda, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi
"No one's above the laws in this country," she said. "And if you are destroying evidence, if you're obstructing justice, when you have victims sitting in a courtroom of domestic violence and you're escorting a criminal defendant out a back door, it will not be tolerated, and it is a crime in the United States of America. Doesn't matter who you are, you're going to be prosecuted."
The latest arrest was of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who was taken into custody by the FBI for allegedly hiding a previously deported illegal immigrant in her jury room in order to stop him from being arrested by ICE.
Fox News reported Dugan was charged with obstruction.
In an interview on "American Reports," Bondi explained how the Trump administration will handle judges who obstruct and block federal efforts to secure the border and remove illegal aliens.
"We are going to prosecute you, and we are prosecuting you. I found out about this the day it happened," she said.
"We could not believe, actually, that a judge really did that. We looked into the facts in great depth… You cannot obstruct a criminal case. And really, shame on her. It was a domestic violence case of all cases, and she's protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime."
Dugan is accused of protecting illegal alien Eduardo Flores-Ruiz after his criminal court hearing before Dugan just days ago.
"Dugan demanded that the (federal) officers proceed to the chief judge's office and – after his hearing ended – escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area where agents were waiting in order to help him avoid arrest, per the complaint," the report said.
Bondi pointed out that Flores-Ruiz fled on foot, creating a threat to the public.
"We're sending a very strong message today," she said. "If you are harboring a fugitive, we don't care who you are. If you're helping hide one, if you are giving a TDA member guns, anyone who is illegally in this country, we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you."
The earlier arrests were of ex-New Mexico Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano.
They allegedly harbored a suspected Tren de Aragua terror group member, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A county judge in Milwaukee has been arrested by the FBI and now is facing two felony charges, including obstruction, for allegedly concealing an illegal alien sought by federal authorities for deportation and helping him escape federal agents, who were waiting at the court to arrest him.
It is Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan who now finds herself on the wrong side of the courtroom desk.
The 65-year-old appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries in the federal courthouse, but made no public comments. Her lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, however, claimed Dugan "wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety."
FBI chief Kash Patel said in a statement that was posted online, deleted, then reposted, "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest. Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot, and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public."
A report at Fox News said Dugan allegedly hid the illegal alien "in her jury room in order to stop that person from being arrested by ICE."
The report explained that when Dugan found out that the federal agents were intending to make an arrest, she "demanded that the officers proceed to the chief judge's office. At that point, they say the judge left and that the undocumented individual's hearing concluded and that he had quickly left the building."
The situation developed on April 18 when the illegal was in for a court hearing.
Earlier, Dugan claimed that local reports about her behavior were not accurate.
Fox reported that state Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican, charged, "In all my years of Milwaukee politics and public safety issues, working with cops, district attorneys, and judges, I have never seen a more irresponsible act by an officer of the court, let alone a judge, if true.
"This borders on obstruction of justice, and I hope the FBI continues a thorough investigation and, if warranted, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."
The report said Dugan has worked with legal aid organizations over the course of her career.
The Washington Examiner said the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A California dad's account of getting billed more for his daughter's medically needed ambulance ride because he has insurance has gone viral, with millions watching and hearing his stunning report.
It's because of a new state law that requires a "discount" for uninsured people, but in his case, the process billed a man four times as much because he has insurance. His insurance paid only a portion.
It is the Gateway Pundit that said it was "the latest example of how backward and broken California's Democrat-run healthcare system has become.
It is Robby Witt who went to TikTok with his story.
He initially was billed $600 for the ride. Then, when he informed officials he had insurance, his bill was jacked up to $2,342, of which is insurance paid less than $1,100, leaving the rest for him.
"This is not satire. This is the state of healthcare in America—a lifesaving ambulance ride for my daughter. The state of California is penalizing citizens who have insurance," he said.
He explained to the operator he got the bill for $600, then provided insurance information, and was billed more than double.
The first showed the state-mandated discount, he is told.
"Can I go back to the discount without the insurance?" he asks.
No, he is told. "Since you're insured, you're not eligible for the discount."
How about canceling the insurance?
Not good enough, because that would have had to have been done before the service was needed, he's told.
"You're only eligible for the discount if you're uninsured," he is told.
He's told, "This is just a new law that started in 2024—AB 716. The law is that you receive a discount if you're uninsured. When we first send an invoice to the patient, we bill them as if they're uninsured. If you're insured, unfortunately, you're not eligible for the discount."
The Gateway Pundit noted Witt was interviewed by Fox:
"Your whole life, you've been told, right? Like, you want to buy health insurance so that if something – God forbid – happens, then you will get a lower rate than if you didn't have the insurance. Like, that's what we've all been told our whole lives. And then the exact opposite happened. My real problem, I guess, is that it's based off of insurance and why this bill wasn't written based off of income… So in fact, you could have a higher-income family than me who decides to say, you know what? We're not going to buy insurance. And now, all of a sudden, their ambulance bills are going to be cheaper, even though they're higher income."
He noted, "Sometimes when they go to legislate these things, I don't know if they ran out of IQ points to get it done, but it just doesn't make sense to me that you would offer discounts based on whether someone's insured and not based off of their W-2 income."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A former New Mexico judge and his wife, accused of harboring an alleged Tren de Aragua terror organization member who was in the United States illegally, have now been arrested.
A report at the Post Millennial said the investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations initially targeted Nancy Cano, but then also involved the former judge, who has been barred from the court system by the New Mexico state Supreme Court.
"Initially, we came back here to arrest his wife, and as we started conducting our interviews and started looking at evidence, we subsequently arrested Mr. Cano as well," explained Jason T. Stevens, special agent.
The former judge, Joel Cano, was in the courts in Dona Ana County before his abrupt resignation.
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the two are accused of conspiracy and evidence tampering. Tren de Aragua is a violent Venezuelan gang that has been designated as a foreign terror group.
The report explained, "Cano rented out property to Cristhian Oretega-Lopez, an alleged gang member, at his wife's behest last year. They met Ortega-Lopez when he was hired by the couple to do homework for them, the criminal complaint reads."
Prosecutors also charged that Cano's daughter had firearms in the home and let Ortega-Lopez pose with them, and fire them.
Ortega-Lopez, who admitted to entering the United States illegally in 2023, was arrested, and the firearms were seized weeks ago.
Stevens explained several others were living at the residence at the time, and all three, "we believe, are alleged members of that (Tren de Aragua). Obviously, we continue just to focus on the totality of the investigation instead of just zeroing out on them."
ICE stated, "On April 24, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and probable cause arrest at a residence in the 1200 block of North Reymond Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations special agents working with federal law enforcement partners took Nancy Cano into custody as part of an ongoing HSI-led criminal investigation."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Alan Schoenfeld is the lawyer hired by school officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, to defend their agenda to select explicit sex books and force children as young as three or four years old to study them.
And he got triggered when a Supreme Court justice, Neal Gorsuch, expressed observations that would be typical, given the material at hand.
Schoenfeld interrupted and objected, multiple times, when Gorsuch was explaining his perception of the book, "Pride Puppy," which formerly was used in the district but apparently now isn't.
The fracas arose during this week's oral arguments in a lawsuit brought by Muslim, Christian and Jewish parents against the district's decision to force that indoctrination on children, and refuse parents their rights to opt their kids out of such offensive material.
The district does allow opt-outs for other objectionable subjects, but refused to allow parents the same rights in this situation.
Hear the confrontation:
A report at Fox News explained Gorsuch was asking Schoenfeld about the book "that tells the story of a family celebrating Pride Day when their dog gets lost."
It leads readers to hunt for and identify items starting with the letters of the alphabet, incorporating words promoting the LGBT agenda.
Responding to Gorsuch's question, Schoenfeld confirmed "Pride Puppy" was used for pre-kindergartners, but no longer is.
"That's the one where they're supposed to look for the leather and things – and bondage – things like that," Gorsuch said.
Schoenfeld, clearly upset, interrupted. "It's not bondage. It's a woman in a leather…"
Gorsuch brought up another logical observation: "Sex worker?"
"No. That's not correct. No," said Schoenfeld.
Gorsuch said, "Gosh, I read it…drag queen?"
Schoenfeld said the leather reference actually is to a leather jacket, but confirmed, "one of the words is drag queen."
A lawyer for the plaintiff parents said the school is violating the First Amendment by denying parental requests to opt their children out of indoctrination subjects that 'contradict their religious beliefs."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A plan being pushed by lawmakers in Washington state actually would allow "infanticide," according to a new report from a legal team that has announced its campaign to oppose the move.
The lawyers at the American Center for Law and Justice say they have written Gov. Bob Ferguson to urge him to veto Senate Bill 5093.
That piece, called "An Act Relating to Dignity in Pregnancy Loss," actually would strip legal protections from newborns and victims of abuse and trafficking, they explained.
The ACLJ explains the problem. "At the heart of our concern is the bill's repeal of Washington statute § 9.02.050, which criminalizes the concealment of a child's birth. This law plays a vital role in protecting both mothers and infants from abuse, violence, and exploitation. Its removal opens the door for infanticide to be carried out without fear of legal consequence, very relevant in cases involving trafficking, coercion, or domestic abuse."
The organization continued. "By decriminalizing the concealment of the remains of a child who was born alive and then died, it legalizes infanticide."
Then, too, it cancels a coroner's jurisdiction "to investigate the death of an infant after a botched abortion. Specifically, the bill strikes a key phrase from current law, removing the ability of the coroner to investigate 'where death results from a known or suspected abortion.' This dangerous bill effectively legalizes infanticide," the report said.
The proposal would conflict with state law that already exists, specifically multiple criminal statutes, "including those concerning murder, manslaughter, and unlawful disposal of remains."
Under state law now, the report said, "Infants born alive during abortion procedures must be given the same medical care as premature babies. SB5093, however, effectively legalizes disposing of the remains of a baby who was born alive after a botched abortion and removes the ability to investigate a 'suspected abortion,' thereby making it nearly impossible to enforce, creating a disturbing and unconstitutional disparity in equal protection under the law."
In fact, the ACLJ documented, supporters have stated specifically what they are demanding: To block "investigations of certain abortions."
The plan deserves a veto because it only offers "legal ambiguity" and "a weakening of law enforcement investigating authority," will would cancel legal protections now helping infants who are born alive.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The Democrat party has decided, apparently, that going pottymouth, cursing, swearing, being crude and vulgar, is an excellent strategy to win back voters they've lost.
Even leftist publications are noting the development.
"S*** talking is Democrats' new strategy," charged CNN. And PBS, noted for its far-left agenda, stated, "What the #$@! Democrats are swearing more. Here's why…."
The Washington Examiner cited Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who long has claimed, wildly, that he saw evidence of Trump campaign collusion with Russia in 2016 when investigators have confirmed it didn't exist, as among those who have let their language turn dirty.
"I'm a good Democrat. So my view, of course, is when they go low, we go high, he can go f*** himself," Schiff said on a television show.
That report described the Democrats' language as increasingly turning to a "jarring choice of words" with "increasing profanity."
Strange, the report noted, for "a party that has long touted itself as the adult in the room in comparison to the freewheeling Trump and his MAGA acolytes."
The report noted Democrat lawmakers and organizations alike are lobbing "X-rated comments against Trump," but it remains "unclear how it could translate to winning back key constituents who defected from the party during the 2024 election."
Jacob Neiheisel, a communications expert at the University of Buffalo, told the publication, "I don't think it works necessarily, but I think they're in a tough spot. I think that there is a cadre in the Democratic Party from good primary voters up through good donors who wants to do something, anything, and they're struggling.
"They're really struggling with what a response looks like. And when you don't have any of the levers of power, there's not a lot you can do."
Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Democrat who was on Kamala Harris' losing presidential team in 2024, claimed he could "kick most of their a**," referencing Trump supporters. Joe Biden had made a similar claim about President Donald Trump earlier.
Sen. Tina Smith, also a Minnesota Democrats, has used epithets like "d***" and "a******" to describe those in the Trump administration.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., went straight into the muck when she told a reporter her message to Trump appointee Elon Musk would be to "f*** ***."
Fox News explained the ideology being pursued by Democrats is what is called, now, "#darkwoke."
Beyond just gutter language, that also includes, the report said, "sharing jokes and memes that wish for the suffering of Trump supporters."
"Though the term is largely an online phenomenon, some members of the Democratic Party are beginning to see some benefits to the 'crass' and 'rude' attitude," the report said.
Bhavik Lathia, communications consultant for Democrats in Wisconsin, said, "Republicans have essentially put Democrats in a respectability prison. There is an extreme imbalance in strategy that allows Republicans to say stuff that really grabs voters' attention, where we're stuck saying boring pablum. I see this as a strategic shift within Democratic messaging — I'm a big fan of 'dark woke.'"
The report cited the fact many Democrats now are "injecting profanity into their vocabulary in response to MAGA and in an attempt at 'authenticity.'"
One orchestrated example was a series of videos from Democrats who all were reciting the same mantra: "S*** That Ain't True."
In the report, Caleb Brock, working for leftist Rep. Ro Khanna of California, claimed it was a response.
Young staffers, he claimed, "grew up seeing extremely vile content overflowing from right-wing spaces into regular spaces."
Democrats now are fighting back, he said, "by any means necessary."
The Tampa Free Press charged, "Democrats thinks swearing like drunken sailors will help," and The Hill said, "F-bombs away: Why lawmakers are cursing now more."
The New York Post cited the "Democrats' foul-mouthed strategy," and The Hill, in another analysis, warned that the Democrats now have gone further, even to "embrace hate speech."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
An American woman in an American city trying to purchase American food from an American restaurant has been denied service.
For speaking English.
Alexandria Montgomery kept trying, explaining, "Don't tell me you can't take my order because you don't speak English."
To no avail.
She posted her video online, and columnist Todd Starnes opined, "It seems to me that anyone who moves to America and refuses to learn our language should be deported. Without a common language we can't have a sovereign nation nor can we order the delicious Cheesy Gordita Crunch."
The situation developed at a Taco Bell drive-through in Hialeah, Florida.
"Nobody here speaks English? Nobody in the back speaks English? So you can't take my order," Montgomery said.
The workers clearly understood much of what Montgomery said, but they responded in Spanish, and shaking their heads no.
"She doesn't want to help me because she don't speak English. But you know the menu. You work here, so you would know what I'm talking about if I say I want number six on the menu. You understand what I'm saying? Like, you just don't completely shut me out cuz you don't speak English, that's not fair," Montgomery told them.
The corporation later apologized and offered a gift card. The situation "does not meet our customer experience expectations."
She told a local reporter, "I understand everyone in Miami doesn't speak English, and that's fine, but if she was willing to work with me, I think the outcome would've been different."
Social media commenters suggested ICE will be investigating, and "This is wrong on every level."
"Devastating managerial miscalculation. Hired and scheduled too many people who don't speak English. Oops!" said another.