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Trump Hosts Christian Leaders for Easter Prayer Dinner

Trump
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump held a prayer dinner at the White House as part of a Holy Week event ahead of Easter Sunday.

“Nearly 2,000 years ago, during this sacred week, the living Son of God entered Jerusalem in triumph. Soon after, the Savior of man who brought truth and light into the world was betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified, nailed to the cross,” Trump told attendees. “For our sake, He gave up His life…three days later Christ-followers found the empty tomb. Jesus had defeated darkness and death and promised new life to all of humankind and that’s what we celebrate on Easter when we joyfully proclaim on Sunday: ‘He is Risen!'”

“This is really — I hope — going to be one of the great Easters ever, because we have something going that I don’t think this country has seen in 100 years. And as we gather with family and friends, we’ll not forget the true source of our joy and our strength: America has put our trust in God,” Trump added. “It will always be ‘In God We Trust.’ We will never change that.”

“With God’s help we can overcome every challenge, triumph over every evil, and restore the spirit of faith in the United States for generations to come,” he declared. “We have a very simple slogan: ‘Make America Great Again,’ and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Trump highlighted the significance of Easter in a Palm Sunday message on Truth Social, saying he and First Lady Melania Trump “join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ — the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.”

“Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins,” Trump added. “Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness — signaling that death does not have the final word.”

Harvard ‘Unfit’ to Have Taxpayer Dollars

Harvard
Harvard University (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ended $2.7 million in grants to Harvard University and threatened to revoke its ability to enroll foreign students.

Announcing the move in a news release, DHS said the university is “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars.”

Harvard must also provide records on foreign student visa holders’ activities by April 30 or face the immediate revocation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

“With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos—DHS won’t,” the department explained. “And if Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students.”

“Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security,” Noem said. “With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvard’s position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory. America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars.”

The canceled grants include a $800,303 Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention that “branded conservatives as far-right dissidents in a shockingly skewed study,” DHS said, as well as a $1,934,902 Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement grant that “funded Harvard’s public health propaganda.”

Harvard University announced this week that it will not comply with orders from the Trump administration to reform its campus policies.

“No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Harvard University President Alan Garber said.

President Trump has declared that Harvard “should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity” due to its activism.

Russia’s Shocking Offer: Boeing Jets for Ceasefire Deal

Boeing
Boeing 737 Max (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

In a recent development, Russia has proposed to the United States the use of its frozen assets to purchase Boeing aircraft, contingent upon the establishment of a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, an anonymous source from Moscow indicated that while this proposal is not a formal condition for ending hostilities, it could serve as a diplomatic avenue for de-escalation and renewed engagement between the two nations.​

The specifics of the negotiation process remain limited. When approached for comments, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated, “The U.S. will not discuss any economic commitments until a ceasefire has been reached.” Boeing declined to comment on the matter, and the Kremlin has not provided an immediate response to inquiries.​

This proposal emerges amidst ongoing discussions and efforts to find a resolution to the conflict, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy and economic considerations in wartime scenarios.

Grieving Mother Confronts White House: ‘Who Speaks for My Daughter?’

Paty Morin
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin—a Maryland woman brutally murdered in 2023 by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador—has publicly criticized Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for his recent trip to El Salvador. The senator’s visit aimed to advocate for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national deported from the U.S. despite a court order halting his removal.​

In an interview with Sean Hannity, Morin expressed her frustration, stating that Van Hollen and other Maryland Democrats failed to reach out to her family following her daughter’s death. She noted that the only Democrat who contacted her was Governor Wes Moore, and that was after she had spoken with former President Donald Trump.​

“I’m actually angry. I’m actually outraged, but I’m too sad at the moment to show anger at the same time. He did not call our family; he did not give condolences. There was no action from the Democratic Party in any way… In Maryland, none of the senators did anything to help search for the murderer of my daughter,” Morin shared.

Morin detailed the horrific nature of her daughter’s murder, describing severe injuries inflicted by the assailant, Victor Martinez-Hernandez, who was convicted earlier this week. Martinez-Hernandez had illegally entered the U.S. and was also wanted for another homicide in El Salvador.

Morin detailed the gruesome nature of her daughter’s death with the hopes of shedding light on the type of person Democrats are scrutinizing Trump for deporting, and likewise, they are going through great lengths to retrieve.

“Three-fourths of her brain was hemorrhaged. Three-fourths of her skull was bashed in. She had a six-inch square in the back of her head where the skull was shattered, the way that you would crush an eggshell. Her face was bashed in…The murderer dragged her 150 yards as blood gushed out of her head,” Morin shared.

Morin had the opportunity to visit the White House on Wednesday and join White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during her press briefing to continue sharing her story with America and point out the double standard elected officials hold when it comes to “safety.”

She reiterated her message: “To have a senator from Maryland who didn’t even acknowledge, or barely acknowledge my daughter, and the brutal death that she endured… fly to El Salvador to bring back someone that’s not even an American citizen … I don’t understand this.”

Senator Van Hollen met with Salvadoran officials to discuss the case of Abrego Garcia, who is currently imprisoned in a high-security facility in El Salvador. Despite a U.S. court ruling against his deportation, the Trump administration proceeded with his removal, citing alleged gang affiliations, though no formal charges have been presented.​

The Salvadoran government has refused to release Abrego Garcia back to the U.S., stating he is a Salvadoran citizen. Even if released, U.S. officials have indicated he would be subject to removal again upon return.

GOP Headquarters Torched — Suspect Linked to Antifa Movement

Photo by Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash

Federal authorities have charged 40-year-old Jamison Wagner of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with arson in connection to two separate incidents: the firebombing of a Tesla dealership and an attack on the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters.​

According to the Department of Justice, Wagner allegedly set fire to two Tesla Model Y vehicles at a dealership in Bernalillo on February 9. Graffiti at the scene included phrases like “Die Elon” and “Tesla Nazi Inc.” On March 30, he is accused of igniting a fire at the GOP headquarters in Albuquerque, where “ICE=KKK” was spray-painted on the building.

Investigators linked Wagner to both incidents through surveillance footage, traffic camera data, and evidence recovered from his residence. A search of his home revealed eight suspected incendiary devices, spray paint, and a stencil matching the graffiti found at the GOP office.

Social media activity attributed to Wagner indicates support for Antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement. His profiles feature anti-conservative content and imagery associated with far-left groups including Antifa.

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the attacks, stating, “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”

Wagner faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. He is currently in custody awaiting a detention hearing.

Disney Movie Banned in Lebanon Due to Israeli Actress

Israel
Israel Flag (Johannes Schenk/Unsplash)

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has been officially banned in Lebanon due to the inclusion of Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen in the film.

The decision was enacted by Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, citing Gadot’s Israeli nationality and her prior service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the primary reasons for the ban. This aligns with Lebanon’s longstanding policy of boycotting Israeli products and media, which includes prohibiting films featuring Israeli actors.

Gadot, a prominent figure in Hollywood known for her role as Wonder Woman, has been a vocal supporter of Israel. Her military background and public statements have previously led to the banning of other films she starred in, such as Wonder Woman and Death on the Nile, in several Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon and Kuwait.

Gadot has since spoken out about the hate her community has received as of late, sharing that “this is a time when many of us in the Jewish community have had to find our voice and confront the hatred against us, even if it’s extremely uncomfortable. Even if speaking up wasn’t really your thing, none of us can ignore the explosion of Jew hatred around the world anymore.”

The ban of Snow White in Lebanon reflects the country’s adherence to its cultural and political policies regarding Israeli affiliations. While the film has been released in various international markets, its prohibition in Lebanon underscores the ongoing complexities at the intersection of entertainment and geopolitics in the region.​

As of now, Disney has not issued an official statement regarding the ban in Lebanon. The film continues to be available in other countries, contributing to the global discourse on the influence of political considerations on media distribution.

Betrayal from Within: FAA Contractor Busted Spying for Iran

Iran
Iranian flag (sina drakhshani/Unsplash)

A former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contractor has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting he spied for the Iranian government while employed in the U.S. Abouzar Rahmati, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Great Falls, Virginia, conspired with Iranian intelligence officials to collect and deliver sensitive information on American infrastructure, including airport surveillance systems and the solar energy sector.

Rahmati’s activities date back to at least December 2017, during which time he maintained secret communications with Iranian operatives. By securing a role with an FAA contractor, Rahmati gained access to restricted information critical to national security. This included data on the National Aerospace System, Airport Surveillance Radar systems, and proprietary FAA radio frequency data.

Court documents reveal Rahmati downloaded over 175 gigabytes of data. He stored the classified information on removable media devices and personally transported it to Iran in April 2022. There, he handed the materials to Iranian government officials, violating federal law by acting as an unregistered agent for a foreign government.

In addition to compromising aviation systems, Rahmati also provided Tehran with intelligence on the U.S. solar energy sector. These disclosures represent a severe breach of national trust and raise alarms about foreign infiltration of U.S. technological infrastructure.

Rahmati pleaded guilty to charges of acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General, and conspiracy to do the same. He is scheduled for sentencing on August 26, 2025, and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for acting as an unregistered foreign agent and up to five years for conspiracy.

The Department of Justice continues to investigate the scope of Rahmati’s espionage activities and potential accomplices. His case underscores the ongoing threat posed by hostile foreign powers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. government and critical industries.

Trump Holds the Line as Japan Pushes to Ease Tariffs

Japan flag
Japanese flag (Fumiaki Hayashi/Unsplash)

President Donald Trump met with a Japanese trade delegation in Washington, D.C., on April 16, marking a pivotal moment in escalating trade tensions between the United States and Japan. Despite describing the discussions as “big progress,” no concrete agreements or tariff rollbacks were announced. The talks spotlight the administration’s continued push for tougher trade terms while protecting American manufacturing.

The meeting included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick alongside top Japanese officials. Key issues revolved around tariffs imposed on Japanese imports, including a 10% baseline tariff and a 25% levy on cars, auto parts, steel, and aluminum. President Trump previously paused further tariff increases for 90 days, temporarily halting a proposed across-the-board 24% tariff on Japanese goods.

Japan, which maintains an average import tariff rate of just 1.9%, has expressed strong objections to the U.S. tariffs. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan’s significant economic footprint in the U.S., highlighting billions in direct investments and the creation of American jobs. Tokyo’s concern centers on the economic damage the tariffs could cause to Japan’s export-driven economy. Already, the Nikkei 225 stock index has experienced notable declines, and Japanese economists warn of a potential GDP contraction if tariffs persist.

Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has shown no signs of backing down. Officials reaffirmed the president’s commitment to renegotiating trade deals in ways that prioritize American industries and reduce foreign trade imbalances.

Japan’s visit follows similar pressure faced by the European Union, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni scheduled to meet President Trump later this month. The administration’s aggressive tariff strategy is part of a broader initiative to reset global trade dynamics in America’s favor.

No timeline was given for final resolutions, and the administration has left open the possibility of reinstating or expanding tariffs should negotiations stall.

Locked and Loaded IRS? Republicans Say Enough Is Enough

IRS guns
Handgun (seeetz/Unsplash)

On April 16, Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) introduced the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act,” aiming to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from purchasing, receiving, or storing firearms and ammunition. The bill also mandates the transfer of existing IRS firearms and ammunition to the General Services Administration for auction, with proceeds directed toward deficit reduction.

The IRS website clearly states that its mission is “to provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and to enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.”

Rep. Moore, supported by co-sponsors Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Mary Miller (R-IL), and Clay Higgins (R-LA), argues that despite its mission, the IRS has been “weaponized” against American citizens.

The bill also proposes transferring the IRS Criminal Investigation Division to the Department of Justice, maintaining it as a distinct entity within the Criminal Division.

This legislative effort follows concerns over the IRS’s procurement of law enforcement equipment. Between 2006 and 2023, the agency reportedly spent $35.2 million on firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear.

In a press release, Moore asserted, “Arming these agents does not make the American public safer. My legislation, the Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act, would disarm these agents, auction off their guns to Federal Firearms License Owners, and sell their ammunition to the public. The only thing IRS agents should be armed with are calculators.”

The bill’s introduction aligns with broader Republican initiatives to reassess the IRS’s role and resources, including previous proposals to reallocate IRS agents to border enforcement duties.

UK Court Shocks Nation: Trans Women Not Legally ‘Women’

trans
Transgender via Canva Pro

The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act 2010 refers exclusively to biological sex, thereby excluding transgender women—even those with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs)—from this classification.

The case originated from a legal challenge by the advocacy group For Women Scotland against the Scottish government’s 2018 Gender Representation on Public Boards Act. This legislation aimed to ensure that 50% of public board members were women, including transgender women with GRCs in the count. For Women Scotland contended that this interpretation diluted sex-based protections intended for biological women.

The five-judge panel determined that interpreting “sex” to include gender reassignment status would render the Equality Act incoherent. They emphasized that while transgender individuals retain protections against discrimination under the characteristic of “gender reassignment,” certain sex-based rights and spaces—such as women-only shelters, hospital wards, and sports categories—can lawfully exclude transgender women.

Women’s rights groups and gender-critical activists celebrated the decision as a reaffirmation of biological definitions and protections. Author J.K. Rowling, a supporter of For Women Scotland, praised the ruling, stating it protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.

Conversely, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations expressed deep concern. Stonewall described the ruling as “incredibly worrying” for the transgender community, warning it could lead to increased discrimination and exclusion from essential services.

The ruling has significant implications for public institutions and organizations across the UK. Entities such as hospitals, prisons, and sports bodies are now expected to review and potentially revise their policies to align with the clarified legal definitions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has indicated it will update its guidance accordingly.