This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

PALM BEACH, Florida – U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is now revealing what he calls "riduclous" requests by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky before the fiery exchange Friday with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Appearing on "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel, Lutnick said: "Forty-five minutes before the meltdown, the fact was Zelensky never stopped asking for, you know, 'I will give no concessions, they've got to leave my land, I want reparations of $300 billion, and I want the United States to give me security guarantees,' while they're at war with Russia.

"And that's why the president called it World War III. You're gambling with World War III.

"We're not gonna give you security guarantees while you're at war with Russia. It's just ridiculous. His requests were ridiculous. They were not reasonable. The president let it go for a while.

"Our president is there to make peace, as he said, end the death. And Zelensky was not there to make peace.

"He was there to strike some make-believe bargain that he had in his mind. And eventually that just ran its course, and Donald Trump said I can't take this nonsense anymore, and made it crystal clear he's the peacemaker, and if Zelensky's not interested in peace, then he should go home and think about it."

Lutnick noted it was extremely disappointing, as ceremonial signing desks and an elaborate lunch had been prepared with the expectation of a rare earth mineral deal being signed, but Zelensky blew the deal.

"This was designed to be beautiful, but instead we had lunch by ourselves," he added.

Later in the program, former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, who is now CEO of Trump Media, told Bartiromo he expects Zelensky or a representative of Ukraine to come back and sign a deal with America.

"Either him or somebody else," Nunes said, "but they're going to have to end the war and they're gonna have to build economic ties with the West."

On another issue, Lutnick previewed the tariffs Trump is expected to slap on Mexico and Canada this Tuesday as both countries have been complicit in moving Chinese-made fentanyl into the U.S.

"The fentanyl continues to come into this country and continues to murder our people," the Commerce secretary explained. "And the ingredients are made in China they're sent to Mexico and Canada and then they come and attack our country and that's got to end.

"There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we're gonna leave that for the president and his team to negotiate. … But China's got to stop making these ingredients.

"Remember, in 2019, the Chinese told President Trump at that time that they would put the death penalty on anybody who made fentanyl. And today, they're giving the maximum subsidy they possibly can to the people making those ingredients.

"So the Chinese need to stop this murder of Americans and Donald Trump is the only president who protects the American people."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

There were strident words in the Oval Office Friday when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The upshot was that Zelensky got scolded for his entitled attitude toward the United States, which has sent his country hundreds of billions of dollars to fight a war with Russia, even has the U.S. is working with him, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on a way to end the bloodshed.

Essentially, Zelensky was spanked.

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., praised the White House.

"President Trump and Vice President Vance will put America First every single time," she said. "Putting Zelensky in his place while he disrespects the U.S. in the Oval Office is exactly what American leadership should look like."

Substack author Nick Adams joined Greene's endorsement, with, "Someday, when I'm old and gray and someone walks up to me on the tennis court or golf course and says, 'Mr. Adams, what is it like when a strong leader stands up for his country for the whole world to see?', I will point him to the video of President Trump and Vice President Vance giving Ukraine's President Zelensky the stern talk that he should have received many years and billions of dollars ago."

He said, "The terrible tragedy of the Ukraine war is that billions of dollars have not just been wasted, but they have been spent on a war of attrition that has done nothing but kill young men whose futures now lie in pools of blood in the World War One style trenches of Ukraine. President Trump invited Zelensky to the White House to talk peace, but instead Zelensky came to grandstand. He wants money, he wants power, but he self-evidently did not want peace."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

WASHINGTON – United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House today, and praised President Donald Trump's leadership in the campaign to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Starmer thanked Trump, "…for changing the conversation to bring about the possibility that now we can have a peace deal."

He continued, "Now we want to work with you to make sure that peace deal is enduring, that it lasts […] and we'll work with you to make sure that absolutely happens."

Answering reporters' questions, Trump reiterated that the deal will not include allowing Ukraine to join NATO. He believes it would land the two Eastern European countries back at square one.

"I could be very nice and say, 'Oh, well, we'll work on it.' Look, it's not going to happen," Trump said. "That was one of the primary reasons it started."

The president also affirmed that the U.S. will remain a "backstop" to Ukrainian security, while saying he trusts that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not break any agreement.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In an apparent effort to help the homeless population in Oregon, Democratic leaders of the state legislature have introduced a bill that would reduce the legal severity of theft in the Beaver State – but only if the thief shoplifts a "basic need item," with examples of things "unhoused" people tend to use.

House Bill 2640 in effect legalizes the stealing of things like food, water, and health care supplies, along with items like tarps and tents.

Though the bill has no House member's named attached to it, the introductory language in the legislation notes that it was filed on behalf of the Oregon Criminal Defense Association.

The theft of an item worth less than $100, currently a Class C misdemeanor, would become a Class A "violation," but, again, only if the stolen property is "a basic need item."

Text of HB 2640 explains:

"As used in this section, 'basic need item' means food, water, clothing, health care or medical supplies, shelter including but not limited to tarps and tents, reproductive care items including but not limited to condoms and menstrual products, child care items including but not limited to diapers and formula or sanitation items including but not limited to soap, disinfectant and toilet tissues."

The group Oregon Citizens Lobby opposes the bill, stating, "A Class A violation in Oregon is the equivalent to a traffic violation. This enables criminals to commit crimes without serious consequences, putting Oregonians at a greater risk. It appears the lawyers introducing this bill think these crimes aren't worth their time, but don't stop to realize that stopping lessor crimes with consequences has a significant impact on their case load of major crimes."

In addition to making theft less of an offense, HB 2640 changes the definition of the crime of aggravated harassment to legalize spitting on a law enforcement officer, as long as there is no risk of spreading a communicable disease.

The change in statute describes one who "intentionally propels saliva at the public safety officer, and the saliva comes into physical contact with the public safety officer and creates a risk of spreading communicable disease to the officer, while the [public safety] officer is acting in the course of official duty or as a result of the [public safety] officer's official duties." The italics indicate the language proposed to be added to state law.

The Oregon Firearms Federation decried the bill, noting that it "essentially legalizes trespassing, driving while suspended, refusing to show up in court after arrest, refusing to register as a sex offender, spitting on police, and theft of food, tents, clothing, condoms and other things."

A public committee hearing on the bill is scheduled for Feb. 26.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

When President Donald Trump took office he worked immediately, through executive orders, to reopen America's energy resources for exploration, development and production. Even exports.

It was in direct conflict with Joe Biden's agenda to shut down oil, gas, coal and more, and rely instead on unreliable wind and solar power.

But now Democrats in Congress are trying to scheme a way to backtrack into Biden's agenda again.

And Trump is warning them their ideologies will cost voters trillions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

A report from Fox News cites attempts by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to simply overturn Trump's declaration of an energy emergency, which accompanied his executive orders.

"Tim Kaine wants to impoverish Americans. President Donald Trump's executive order brings America into the future and unleashes prosperity. Senator [Tim] Kaine wants to cost the economy trillions and risk losing nearly a million jobs," deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox.

Kaine has been joined by Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., the Democrats' top member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, in a proposal for a resolution to end Trump's emergency declaration.

But the move would cost 869,000 American jobs, the White House revealed in a document Fox obtained.

"The White House emphasized that ending the emergency would usher back in the Biden administration's policies. The document stressed that under those policies, during Biden's first two years, families spent an additional average of $10,000 in energy costs, citing a study published by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity," the report said.

Estimates are that under Trump's administration, the growth in the liquefied natural gas industry is projected to generate half a million jobs annually and boost the U.S. GDP by $1.3 trillion through 2040.

Kaine and Heinrich said, in a statement, that Trump's plan to expand access to natural resources somehow will decrease "the supply of American-made energy when demand is high."

They claimed that's the fastest way to raise prices, "and that's exactly what President Trump's sham energy emergency will do."

They also attacked his agenda to eliminate funding for costly and unreliable wind projects, electric vehicle campaigns and such.

"Senate Democrats are yet again attempting to block President Trump's efforts to secure cheaper, more reliable energy—just when America needs it most," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the committee chairman, charged.

"Their message to families is clear: pay more, expect less. Luckily, President Trump is committed to unleashing American energy and rescuing the country from the energy crisis that they have perpetuated. Senate Republicans won't let Democrats delay and obstruct any longer and will ensure the President has the tools necessary to deliver the results the American people expect."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Video has emerged of a woman not only admitting she hasn't paid taxes in eight years, but also openly calling for the assassination of Elon Musk, President Donald Trump's head of DOGE, the Department of Governmental Efficiency.

The profanity-filled message, originally posted by LibsofTikTok, shows the woman making a beheading gesture, saying: "Elon Musk, we need to X him. And by X, I mean formerly known as assassination."

At one point the woman taunts federal law enforcement, stating: "You don't have enough people to investigate me at this point. I haven't filed my taxes in like eight years. And yet, no one's come for me.

"So I'm gonna f***ing say it. Let's assassinate some mother******s."

Elon Musk became aware of the video, and posted: "Death threat and admission of multiple counts of tax fraud @EagleEdMartin."

Musk's tag to Ed Martin sent the clip to U.S. Attorney Ed Martin in the District of Columbia, who reposted the clip along with the message: "Duly noted. Thx for letting us know. We'll put you in the system. Talk soon, M'am. #NoOneIsAboveTheLaw."

Some online reaction includes:

"Why openly admit to a crime while committing one at the same time?"

"Are you guys actually gonna arrest these people though? … Can we pick up the pace here?"

"She is so stupid she thinks if she simply gestures &whispers that she can get away with calling for m@rder? 8 years no filed taxes? You got a Big surprise headed your way! Not to mention all of the accrued interest you will have to pay since you readily acknowledge no compliance. Good luck in jail."

"Make Insane Asylums Great Again."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In the midst of Black History Month, MSNBC is canceling its prime-time political show hosted by black anchorwoman Joy Reid, news to which some conservatives are cheering.

The unabashedly left-leaning network axed "The ReidOut" as part of a major shakeup by the cable broadcaster. Reid has been at MSNBC since 2016, and anchored the 7 p.m. slot since 2020.

"Joy Reid, aka the race lady at MSNBC, just had her show cancelled because it was unwatchable," said Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA.

"Good riddance to the most vitriolic, lowbrow, and unhinged race hustler ever allowed on national television."

Best-selling author Matt Walsh said: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Joy Reid's MSNBC show. It was a great resource for right wing podcasters looking for a clip to play and make fun of. I can't tell you how many slow news days Joy helped me through. I hope she finds somewhere else to spout her inane bullsh**.

"Joy Reid was one of the most toxic people in the media," said Charles Gasparino, a Fox Business senior correspondent and author of "Go Woke Go Broke; The Inside Story of the Radicalization of Corporate America." "Good riddance."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A new executive order from President Donald Trump, among the latest in his long list of dozens of actions he's taken to protect America from illegal aliens and the transgender ideology and to cut government waste and fraud, puts a bull's-eye on the taxpayer money being used to "incentivize or support" illegal immigration.

The idea is to make certain "taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens," said the order, which also cited statistics from the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

That group said American taxpayers are being forced to pay at least $182 billion a year to cover the expenses of 20 million illegal aliens and their children, including more than $66 billion in federal expenses and $115 billion paid by states and local governments.

Further, the Center for Immigration Studies reported 1 million illegal aliens could cost American taxpayers $3 billion a year through welfare programs to which they are not supposed to have access under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

But illegal aliens who are granted parole become "qualified aliens," allowing access to various benefits.

Further, the Congressional Budget Office reported federal and state taxpayers handed over more than $16.2 billion to give Medicaid-funded emergency services to illegal aliens.

A report from the Washington Examiner said the order directs all federal agencies and departments to identify benefits funded by taxpayers that illegal immigrants get and "take corrective action."

Eligibility verification also will be stepped up to block benefits being distributed to those in the nation illegally.

The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee reported earlier that illegal aliens have drained some $450 billion from public funds over the past four or five years, and FEMA has delivered more than $1 billion to illegals over the say time period.

"My administration will uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans," Trump said.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

An organization of Catholic bishops that for years has taken American taxpayer money and provided services and benefits to "refugees" now has filed a lawsuit against President Trump for cutting off that money spigot.

It is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that sued over Trump's agenda to cut spending, eliminate waste and fraud, and even target any criminal activities in spending plans for the federal government.

The lawsuit in Washington names the State Department, the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump's spending reductions are part of his agenda, on which he campaigned and for which voters voted, to protect the United States first rather than funding efforts "that facilitate unchecked migration," according to the Gateway Pundit.

The bishops claim the freeze on funding, which deprives the organization of huge amounts of tax money, violates congressional appropriations and the Refugee Act of 1980.

The organization claims it for 80 years as helped "refugees" entering the United States to locate housing, learn English and find employment, and that its work is "an expression of charity taken in fulfillment of Christ's commandment to serve those in need, regardless of their race, creed, or color."

It charges that Congress has, in fact, "recognized" the need for refugee help and that is "essential to this country's interests."

The case talks about those qualified to apply for refugee status and how they are "screened,"

But then it insists that its work providing "domestic assistance" is a huge part of the overall U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, with Congress making it the "policy of the United States" to use taxpayer money for "resettlement."

The report said, "The USCCB's lawsuit hinges on the claim that the suspension of federal funds for refugee resettlement leaves thousands of refugees in limbo. But what these bishops fail to acknowledge is the utter disaster that Joe Biden's reckless immigration policies have created."

Under Biden's open borders practices, millions of illegal aliens entered the U.S. to become part of the population that often depends on public assistance for housing, food, and more.

The report said, "Under his administration, the southern border became a lawless free-for-all, allowing millions of unvetted illegal immigrants to flood into American communities, overwhelming law enforcement, hospitals, and schools. Trump's decision to pause this funding is a necessary step to clean up Biden's mess and reassess where taxpayer dollars are actually going. Instead of prioritizing illegal migrants, Trump's administration is focused on helping struggling American families, veterans, and homeless citizens—a fact that the liberal media and activist organizations conveniently ignore."

Trump has, in fact, ordered a halt to the entry of refugees and suspended taxpayer funding, until "a determination was made that resuming the program aligned with U.S. interests."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Despite the purported end-of-an-era for vaccine mandates, the COVID-19 shot requirement is still enforced at the Veterans Health Administration.

On May 9, 2023, former president Joe Biden issued Executive Order 14099 – "Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers." His order revoked a previous executive order dated Sept. 9, 2021, which once required COVID-19 injections for federal employees.

However, months before Biden's 2021 federal worker mandate, the Department of Veterans Affairs had already instituted its own COVID-19 vaccine requirement for frontline healthcare workers. On July 26, 2021, VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced that all Veterans Health Administration employees providing direct patient care – such as physicians, nurses, and dentists – would be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This was formalized in VHA Directive 1193 on Aug. 13, 2021, and made the VA the first federal agency to mandate COVID-19 vaccination. This mandate for healthcare workers operated independently from Biden's later federal employee order.

Following the federal mandate, on Oct. 4, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued VA Notice 22-01 "to inform employees of the recent requirement to certify COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof of vaccination or request an exception within the established timeframes or face disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Department."

Despite Biden's 2023 rescission of the requirement, VA Notice 24-11 reveals the COVID-19 shot requirement "remains in effect" for the Veterans Health Administration or VHA.

The notice references VHA Directive 1193.01, which took effect on Jan. 27, 2022, and continues to require COVID-19 vaccination for all VHA healthcare personnel. This directive is not a holdover from Biden's federal worker mandate, but rather a continuation of the VA's independent healthcare worker requirement that began in July 2021.