USTA Orders Broadcasters to Muzzle Crowd Reactions to Trump At US Open

September 8, 2025

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has quietly directed broadcasters to suppress on-camera crowd reactions—cheers, boos, or protests—in response to President Trump’s attendance at the 2025 US Open men’s final. The memo emphasized that Trump will appear only during the national anthem, and broadcasters are asked not to show any disruptions tied to his presence.

USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre downplayed the move, stating that the organization routinely asks networks to omit “off-court disruptions.” Yet, the memo’s timing—coming ahead of a politically charged moment in a blue state—reflects heightened sensitivity to potential backlash.

Critics argue the decision undermines transparency and audience authenticity. The Guardian called the memo “cowardly, hypocritical and un-American,” asserting that it compromises the tournament’s reputation for openness and democratic energy.

New York is a Democratic stronghold where President Trump’s approval ratings have lingered around 40%—far short of majority support. The directive aims to control optics in a media environment quick to amplify political theater—even during a tennis match.

Still, broadcasters like ESPN reportedly intend to cover the match as usual, acknowledging Trump’s attendance while focusing on play.

Hezbollah and Iran Use Venezuela’s Cartels to Funnel Cocaine Cash

September 8, 2025

Hezbollah and Iran are using Venezuela’s narco-state to fund terrorism through cocaine trafficking and money laundering, according to U.S. officials and former DEA agents. Venezuelan cartels, including the Cartel of the Suns and Tren de Aragua, are working with Hezbollah to move cocaine and launder profits through the Middle East.

Hezbollah does not traffic drugs directly. Instead, it provides international laundering networks that enable cartels to clean drug money. Hezbollah takes a cut, using the profits to finance operations across Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. A former DEA official described this as a “narco-terrorist model,” where Islamic extremists and socialist regimes exploit organized crime for financial gain.

The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, plays a direct role. Military officers and port authorities under Maduro’s regime allow cocaine to flow through state infrastructure. Hezbollah helps launder the revenue using connections across the Middle East and in Latin America’s Lebanese diaspora communities.

One recent U.S. operation targeted a Venezuelan vessel suspected of trafficking drugs. The ship was believed to be linked to Hezbollah and Iranian proxy operations. Experts called it a rare but important strike against the group’s revenue pipeline.

U.S. intelligence has tracked Hezbollah’s Latin American operations for over a decade. Under “Project Cassandra,” the DEA exposed how Hezbollah built global money laundering networks through South American drug cartels. Hezbollah funneled profits through West Africa and Europe to fuel its terror campaigns.

The group’s influence in the Tri-Border Area—where Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina meet—remains strong. It uses businesses, mosques, and charities to move funds under the radar. These operations continue to grow as Hezbollah deepens ties with criminal groups and corrupt governments in the Western Hemisphere.

Iran backs this strategy through military and political support to Venezuela. Tehran has expanded cooperation with Maduro’s regime, including military advisors, air routes, and joint economic ventures. The partnership enables both countries to resist U.S. sanctions while jointly destabilizing the region.

Analysts warn that unless disrupted, this alliance poses a growing threat to U.S. national security. By targeting drug profits and money laundering channels, the U.S. can undercut both Hezbollah’s global reach and Iran’s influence in Latin America.

New UK Home Secretary Threatens U.S.–UK Intelligence Ties

September 8, 2025

London England — London (Sabrina Mazzeo/Unsplash)

Shabana Mahmood’s appointment as Britain’s Home Secretary raises concerns that U.S.–UK intelligence sharing could suffer under her leadership.

Political commentator Nile Gardiner warned that Mahmood’s history of support for pro‑Palestinian causes, including the BDS movement, has set off “alarm bells” in Washington over the continued reliability of Five Eyes intelligence cooperation.

Mahmood brings a strong political identity to her new role. Born in Birmingham to parents of Pakistani descent, she has publicly supported Palestinian rights and promoted BDS tactics in the past. These positions may raise questions among U.S. officials about her impartiality on issues involving Israel, counterterrorism, and national security.

Historically, intelligence sharing between the United States and the United Kingdom has been a defining feature of the “Special Relationship.” This collaboration operates under the Five Eyes framework—an enduring, multilateral pact between the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand built on decades of trust.

Despite growing unease, both sides have maintained that the alliance remains solid. Earlier in 2025, authorities affirmed that security ties with the U.S. are stronger than ever and that intelligence sharing remains intact.

As Home Secretary, Mahmood will oversee immigration, national security, and internal affairs—areas deeply intertwined with intelligence cooperation. Her political pedigree and past advocacy may prompt deeper scrutiny from U.S. counterparts concerned about alignment of interests.

Emory University Scraps DEI Office After Trump Administration Crackdown

September 8, 2025

Woke-Mark-Poprocki-CreativeGetty-via-Canva-Pro — (Mark Poprocki Creative/Getty via Canva Pro)

Emory University is shutting down its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office and ending related programming in response to directives issued by President Trump’s Department of Education. The move follows a federal crackdown on DEI initiatives at institutions receiving federal funding.

In a message sent to the campus on September 3, Interim President Leah Ward Sears confirmed the dismantling of Emory’s DEI infrastructure. She cited recent federal guidance and executive orders that prohibit public and federally supported institutions from continuing race-based programs and diversity offices. Sears stated the university would provide transitional support to affected staff but offered no plans to reinstate the DEI office under a different structure.

The now-defunct office included Emory’s Division of Campus Life DEI office and other equity-focused programs. These offices had promoted training sessions, workshops, and hiring practices based on race and gender ideology. Their closure marks a major reversal at one of Georgia’s largest and most influential private universities.

The Georgia NAACP responded by requesting a formal meeting with university leaders, demanding answers by September 30. The group criticized the decision, arguing that the absence of DEI offices would harm “marginalized” students and staff. Emory’s leadership has not yet responded publicly to the NAACP’s request.

Despite the closure, Sears maintained that Emory would continue to promote “fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all,” though she did not explain how those goals would be met without DEI structures. Critics note that removing race-based programming does not prevent universities from enforcing equal treatment under existing civil rights laws.

The decision places Emory alongside other institutions that have recently shut down DEI programs, including the University of Michigan. These actions come after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-based admissions and President Trump’s subsequent executive orders barring taxpayer-funded DEI practices.

Observers expect additional universities to follow suit as enforcement of the new federal guidelines expands. Legal experts warn that institutions choosing to ignore the mandates could risk federal funding and legal consequences.

D.C. Grand Juries Revolt Against Trump-Era Prosecutions

September 8, 2025

national guard dc — (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Grand juries in deep-blue cities are rejecting indictments in cases brought by President Trump’s Department of Justice, signaling a growing refusal to hold left-wing activists accountable. In Washington, D.C., jurors have refused to indict multiple individuals arrested during Trump’s federal law enforcement crackdown, even in repeat cases.

Since early August, at least seven federal cases in D.C. have failed to secure indictments. These include three separate attempts to indict Sidney Reid, accused of assaulting an FBI agent. In each instance, jurors declined. Prosecutors ultimately reduced the charges to a misdemeanor. Another case involved Sean Charles Dunn, a former DOJ paralegal who threw a sandwich at a federal agent. The grand jury again refused to indict.

Judge Zia Faruqui, appointed to oversee many of these cases, has openly criticized the administration’s law-and-order strategy. Faruqui accused U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro of pursuing excessive charges and unnecessarily detaining defendants. His courtroom comments accused prosecutors of engaging in “oppression” and pushing for “felony cases that don’t need to be felony cases.”

Pirro, in response, blamed the failure to indict on D.C.’s political climate. She described the grand jurors as “elitist” and accused them of disregarding public safety. Her office highlighted several incidents where charges involved threats to law enforcement or the president himself, including Nathalie Rose Jones and Edward Alexander Dana, both accused of threatening President Trump. Neither case resulted in an indictment.

The cases reflect a wider pattern in left-leaning jurisdictions. Prosecutors charged Alvin Summers with assaulting a Park Police officer, but the grand jury declined to indict. Each refusal signals growing resistance from jurors unwilling to support federal crackdowns against protesters and agitators aligned with progressive movements.

Federal law enforcement under President Trump’s leadership sought to restore order in cities experiencing heightened violence and civil unrest. The DOJ’s strategy prioritized strong prosecution of threats to law enforcement and public officials. Grand juries rejecting indictments in politically sympathetic jurisdictions pose a direct challenge to that strategy.

Critics view the trend as a breakdown of equal justice under law, where political bias shields activists from accountability. D.C.’s pattern of failed prosecutions stands in contrast to other jurisdictions where similar conduct would likely result in indictments and convictions.

Princeton Forces RAs Into DEI Indoctrination—With Microaggressions and ‘Four I’s’ Lessons

September 8, 2025

Princeton University (1) — Princeton University (Joshua Jen/Unsplash)

Princeton University continues forcing resident assistants to attend diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training that includes “microaggressions” and the “Four I’s of Oppression.” This mandate reinforces ideological conformity amid growing criticism of campus indoctrination.

Princeton student dorm leaders remain compelled to sit through mandatory DEI sessions ahead of the fall semester. The training included definitions of “microaggressions” and “internalized oppression,” as well as the so‑called “Four I’s of Oppression”—ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized oppression. A clip from the training insisted, “Every system of oppression comes from the idea that one group is somehow better than another”.

Another session taught RAs how to “facilitate inclusive conversations,” using staged scenarios. One scenario involved a group of males refusing to allow a “trans man” to join an off‑campus trip, stating, “our group is only for guys… we do a bunch of guy stuff that wouldn’t be fun unless you’re a guy”.

Jes Norman, a DEI program coordinator at Princeton, led part of the training, stating pronouns “they, them, or xe, xir,” and identifying as “black, queer, non‑binary,” and “neurodivergent”.

Princeton’s spokesperson characterized these two sessions as part of a broader week of preparation for Residential College Advisors (RCAs), covering dining services, emergency preparedness, student discipline, and more.

One conservative student described the experience as “indoctrination,” saying conservatives on campus often “go along with this indoctrination” out of fear of retaliation

Thomas Massie, Epstein Likely Had CIA Ties

September 7, 2025

Mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein, July 25 2013 (State of Florida; Public domainWikimedia Commons) — State of Florida; Public domain/Wikimedia Commons

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) suggested that Jeffrey Epstein may have had ties to U.S. intelligence agencies during an appearance on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, claiming the public would be “shocked” if the full truth were revealed.

Host George Stephanopoulos pressed Massie about recent comments by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who appeared to suggest former President Donald Trump had acted as an informant to the FBI in connection with Epstein.

“I don’t know if the speaker misspoke when he said that Donald Trump was an informant,” Massie responded. “The lawyers for the victim said that Donald Trump had been helpful in 2009 in their case by giving them information. But being an informant implies some formal connection and ongoing relationship with the FBI. I don’t know what that’s all about. I think the speaker needs to clarify that. And if it’s a hoax, why was Donald Trump an informant to a hoax?”

When asked why he thought Trump and others might resist releasing more Epstein-related documents, Massie said powerful political and financial interests are likely at stake.

“I think it’s going to be embarrassing to some of the billionaires, some of the donors who are politically connected to his campaign,” he said. “I also think Democrats are going to be implicated in this, Democrat donors. When you get to the billionaire level, a lot of these folks give to both parties anyway.”

Massie then pointed to what he sees as potentially deeper connections.

“There are probably intelligence ties to our CIA, maybe to other foreign intelligence, and the American people would be shocked, I think, to know that our intelligence agency was working with a pedophile who was running a sex trafficking ring,” he argued. “So these are the reasons, I think, that they are resisting this. But we can’t avoid justice just to avoid embarrassment for some very powerful men.”

Wes Moore Calls Trump National Guard Post a ‘Threat’

September 7, 2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore blasted President Donald Trump’s social media remarks about the National Guard on Sunday, calling them both a “threat” and “embarrassing.”

During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker asked Moore about Trump’s latest post aimed at Chicago, in which the president wrote:

“I love the smell of deportations in the morning and Chicago about to find out why it is called the Department of War.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had already labeled the message a threat, and Welker asked Moore if he agreed.

“I call it a threat. I would call it embarrassing and performative,” Moore responded.

The Maryland governor then mocked the idea that National Guard deployments under Trump had curbed crime, arguing that their work had focused on minor tasks rather than law enforcement.

“When people talk about how we watched a decrease because of the National Guard, let’s be clear,” Moore said. “The National Guard is responsible during this occupation for 744 cubic yards of mulch spread, 886 bags of trash collected, 270 feet of fence painted. You know what we don’t have stats on? How many guns has the National Guard seized? How many drug busts has the National Guard done?”

Welker countered by pointing out that crime in Washington, D.C., has dropped under the Guard’s presence. Moore pushed back, noting that Baltimore has seen similar decreases in crime without calling in federal forces.

“If you look at the crime numbers in Baltimore, they’re down the same percentage,” Moore said. “And we did not have to ask citizen soldiers to give up their lives or ask the American people to pay well over a million dollars a day to have fences painted.”

Pro-Palestinian Protests Force Israeli Cycling Team to Strip Name at Vuelta a España

September 7, 2025

An Israeli professional cycling team was forced to alter its identity during one of Europe’s top races after pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly disrupted stages of the Vuelta a España. Israel–Premier Tech riders removed “Israel” from their jerseys following demonstrations that blocked race routes and threatened athlete safety. Spanish officials have even voiced support for banning the team from competition altogether.

The disruption began during Stage 11 in Bilbao when protesters waving Palestinian flags breached the racecourse near the finish line. Organizers were forced to halt the stage three kilometers early with no winner declared. Similar protests resurfaced during Stage 13 at the Angliru climb, one of the race’s most famous and grueling segments, causing further delays and security concerns.

In response, Israel–Premier Tech updated its uniforms to a minimalist design that concealed the full team name. The move was made out of concern for rider safety after demonstrations specifically targeted the team for its ties to Israel. Team representatives stressed that the riders simply want to race without political interference.

The protests drew political backing in Spain. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares compared the situation to past international sporting bans on Russia and publicly supported removing Israel–Premier Tech from the Vuelta. While the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has final authority, the statement reflected growing pressure against the Israeli team.

Critics argue that allowing demonstrators to dictate terms in international sport undermines fair competition and creates a dangerous precedent. Sporting events are intended to unite people across borders, yet athletes are increasingly drawn into political disputes beyond their control.

The targeting of Israeli athletes in Spain highlights how anti-Israel activism has moved into the sporting world, blurring the line between protest and intimidation. At the Vuelta, the cost was not only disruption to competition, but also the erasure of a team’s identity on one of cycling’s biggest stages.

Israel Kills Hamas Terrorist Who Bragged About Murdering 10 Jews

September 7, 2025

Israel has eliminated Mahmoud Afana, the Hamas terrorist who infamously called his parents to boast about murdering ten Jews during the October 7, 2023 massacre. The strike took place Thursday in Deir al-Balah, according to Israeli media reports citing Palestinian sources.

Afana infiltrated Kibbutz Mefalsim during the attacks and, using a murdered Israeli woman’s cell phone, called his family to revel in his crimes. “Open your WhatsApp and look at all the killed [Israelis]. Look at how many I killed with my own hands, your son killed Jews!” Afana was heard bragging in the recording.

At the time, his father responded with pride while his mother expressed concern for his safety. Afana later returned to Gaza, where Israeli forces eventually tracked him down.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Afana’s elimination in remarks to his Cabinet on Sunday, stressing that it sent a clear warning to all those involved in the October 7 massacre.

“We are eliminating Nukhba terrorists who played a significant role in the October 7 massacre, including the accursed terrorist who called his parents and took pride in having personally murdered 10 Israelis,” Netanyahu said.

He added: “Now we called the family and informed it that this terrorist has been eliminated. It is a clear message that we will reach them all.”

The October 7 attack saw Hamas-led terrorists massacre over 1,200 people in southern Israel, abducting hundreds more into Gaza. Israel has vowed to continue hunting down all perpetrators and commanders tied to the atrocity.