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State Department Vetting All Visas

U.S. Department of State website on computer screen (American Faith Media)

The Trump administration is reviewing the records of each individual holding a valid U.S. visa. The State Department told the Associated Press that all visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting.”

“We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,” the department told the outlet,” adding, “As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year.”

Indicators of ineligibility include visa overstays, criminal activity, public safety threats, potential terrorist activity, or supporting terrorist organizations.

The U.S. State Department has implemented sweeping crackdowns on visas for several groups, including Chinese students and foreign nationals engaged in censorship activities.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a May statement.

Discussing the previous censorship-related visa restrictions, Rubio said, “In some instances, foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against U.S. tech companies and U.S. citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so,” adding that it is “unacceptable” for foreign officials to threaten U.S. citizens or residents for posts made on American platforms on American soil.

U.S. Navy Sailor Busted After Spying for China

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U.S. Navy (Sung Jin Cho/Unsplash)

A U.S. Navy sailor has been convicted of selling military secrets to China, the Department of Justice announced. Jinchao Wei, a 25-year-old previously stationed at Naval Base San Diego, sold information to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000.

Wei was a machinist’s mate for the U.S.S. Essex and held a security clearance that allowed him access to sensitive defense information about the ship’s systems. In 2022, Wei was approached via social media by an individual claiming to be a naval enthusiast who was later discovered to be a member of Chinese intelligence.

“The defendant, who took an oath to protect our Nation and was entrusted with a security clearance as a petty officer in the United States Navy, sold out his country for $12,000,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. “He violated his oath, betrayed his uniform and fellow sailors, and turned his back on his adopted nation for money. This verdict serves as a warning to those who do not take seriously the solemn obligations of their positions of trust or their duty to this Nation. Do not be tempted by easy money because you will be prosecuted and sent to prison.”

Wei has been charged with six counts, the DOJ said, including “conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.”

Wei is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1.

Similarly, a former U.S. Army Sergeant pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver military information to Chin in June. The man, Joseph Daniel Schmidt, now faces up to ten years in prison.

FBI Whistleblowers Vindicated by Trump Admin

FBI
FBI (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau reached agreements with ten whistleblowers whom the Biden administration targeted.

“Breaking: agreements have been reached with 10 FBI Whistleblowers (and counsel) to include a combination of backpay, security clearance, and reinstatement,” Patel wrote. “We greatly appreciate [President Trump’s] commitment to transparency and accountability. Thank you to [Senator Chuck Grassley] for working with us to make this happen.”

In March, Senator Grassley demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Patel take action to reverse the history of retaliation against whistleblowers.

“My office has been told that, in many of these cases, the suspension of their security clearances resulted in immediate, indefinite suspensions without pay while the FBI improperly and intentionally delayed the process for these individuals to contest the adverse action,” he wrote at the time. “This tyrannical government conduct caused significant financial hardship. The retaliatory government action also placed them in the impossible situation to either resign their position without completing their legal challenge or continue challenging the suspension or revocation of their clearance while suspended without pay with no prospect of obtaining new employment.”

“The Biden administration’s political weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI has caused significant damage to these institutions and its employees, but you’re in the position to right the ship,” Grassley added. “Accordingly, I request that you personally review the adverse personnel matters for these individuals, which I will send under separate cover, and take all appropriate corrective actions, including restoring their security clearances and employment and firing or otherwise disciplining those who retaliated against them, if warranted.”

Court Tosses ‘Excessive’ Civil Penalty Against Trump

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(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

A New York appeals court tossed out a massive penalty against President Donald Trump, finding that the $355 million fine was “excessive.” With interest, the penalty increased to more than $500 million.

“While the injunctive relief ordered by the court is well crafted to curb defendants’ business culture, the court’s disgorgement order, which directs that defendants pay nearly half a billion dollars to the State of New York, is an excessive fine that violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” Judges Dianne T. Renwick and Peter H. Moulton wrote.

The civil fraud case against President Trump was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who alleged that Trump inflated his net worth.

Judge David Friedman condemned the lawsuit, writing, “Plainly, her ultimate goal was not ‘market hygiene’ … but political hygiene, ending with the derailment of President Trump’s political career and the destruction of his real estate business. The voters have obviously rendered a verdict on his political career. This bench today unanimously derails the effort to destroy his business.”

President Trump called the ruling “total victory.”

“I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State. Others were afraid to do business there. The amount, including Interest and Penalties, was over $550 Million Dollars,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It was a Political Witch Hunt, in a business sense, the likes of which no one has ever seen before. This was a Case of Election Interference by the City and State trying to show, illegally, that I did things that were wrong when, in fact, everything I did was absolutely CORRECT and, even, PERFECT.”

GOP Rep. Announces Run for Texas Attorney General

Chip Roy
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) announced that he is running for Texas attorney general.

Announcing his plans on X, Roy wrote, “Texas has a long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities.” He added he is “running for Attorney General to carry on that legacy… unafraid to fight, unafraid to win, and unafraid to defend Texas at every turn.”

“Open border politicians have flooded our streets, hospitals, jails, and schools with illegal immigrants and dangerous fentanyl, empowering cartels while endangering Texans and the immigrants they use as political pawns,” Roy said in a video, adding, “Faceless corporations and the Chinese Communist Party have gobbled up more and more Texas land, while their allies and media and academia poison our culture with woke anti-American propaganda. No more,” he said. “Today, we draw a line in the sand.”

Roy’s announcement comes as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a bid for Senator.

Speaking to Laura Ingraham in April, Paxton said, “We have another great U.S. senator, Ted Cruz, and it’s time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Donald Trump in the areas that he’s focused on in a very significant way. And that’s what I plan on doing.”

In July, the congressman issued a statement after supporting President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“Today, after a long day-and-night working hard to secure key wins from the administration to end the damaging Green New Scam subsidies, lock in substantial additional reductions in spending, and further assurances on how Medicaid will go to vulnerable Americans and not illegal aliens – I voted to support the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Roy said at the time.

U.S. Manufacturing PMI Soars to 3-Year High

Welder Skills in the Metal Fabrication Industry. African American Welder working in a metal manufacturing facility to build structures, equipment, and engineering components. Credit: Nitat Termmee/Getty Images.

U.S. manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in over three years this August, marking a major rebound for the sector and fueling the strongest overall business activity of 2025, according to new data from S&P Global. The flash manufacturing PMI rose sharply to 53.3, up from 49.8 in July — its highest reading since May 2022.

The surge was driven by increased output and new orders, pushing work backlogs to levels not seen since mid-2022. The data also showed the sharpest uptick in factory hiring in more than two years, signaling renewed employer confidence and demand.

S&P Global’s broader composite index, which includes both manufacturing and services, ticked up to 55.4 from 55.1, reflecting the eighth consecutive month of private-sector expansion. The report suggests the economy is growing at a 2.5% annualized rate in the third quarter — a noticeable acceleration compared to earlier in the year.

The service sector also posted strong gains, with new business growth reaching its highest level of 2025. Employers across industries reported continued staffing growth as they worked to meet rising demand.

Inflation, however, is showing signs of re-acceleration. Companies cited higher input costs, many tied to tariffs, and raised prices accordingly. The index tracking selling prices reached its highest point in three years, driven largely by service providers.

In anticipation of potential disruptions, manufacturers also built up inventories. Finished goods stockpiles reached their highest level since tracking began in 2007. Companies attributed the build-up to trade-policy uncertainty and lingering supply-chain risks.

The data paints a picture of a revitalized manufacturing sector helping to drive broader economic momentum — but one that is also facing renewed inflationary pressure and policy-driven uncertainty.

AI Hiring Scams and Deepfakes Trigger Interview Crackdown

artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (Naeblys/Getty Images)

The rise of AI-powered cheats and deepfake scammers is pushing companies to abandon virtual hiring practices and return to traditional face-to-face interviews. With remote work and online interviews becoming common in recent years, many employers are now reversing course due to growing concerns over fraud and deception.

One major issue involves job applicants using off-screen AI tools to feed them answers during virtual interviews, especially in technical roles. This manipulation undermines the integrity of the hiring process, prompting recruiters to question the validity of remote evaluations. But the threat doesn’t stop there.

A more serious danger has emerged with scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate applicants. These bad actors pose as job seekers with the intent to gain employment and later steal sensitive data or commit financial theft. Companies now see this as a national security risk.

One high-profile case involved KnowBe4, a leading cybersecurity firm. Last year, the company discovered it had been infiltrated by a North Korean operative who used deepfake tech to secure a remote software engineering position. The spy passed multiple video interviews using a stolen identity and an AI-generated image, evading detection until malware was discovered on company-issued equipment.

In light of these incidents, employers are shifting back to in-person interviews. This traditional approach allows for a more accurate assessment of an applicant’s identity, behavior, and communication skills. Physical interviews also help recruiters evaluate nonverbal cues like body language, eye contact, and spontaneous responses — traits that AI tools and deepfakes can’t easily replicate.

The shift signals a growing awareness that speed and convenience in hiring cannot come at the cost of national security or company integrity. As AI-enabled deception evolves, so must the methods for verifying the people trusted with access to sensitive systems and information.

DC Police Accused of Hiding Homicide Data

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Police (Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

A veteran D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant has alleged in a lawsuit that the department systematically misclassified homicides as accidents or unknown causes to artificially lower the city’s crime statistics. Carlos Bundy, a 28-year MPD officer and former member of the homicide unit, claims this manipulation of crime data poses serious risks to public safety and trust.

Bundy filed the suit against MPD and the District of Columbia in 2021. According to court records, the case is scheduled for mediation in 2026. Bundy asserts that while working in both the homicide unit and later the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, he repeatedly witnessed deliberate efforts by superiors to misreport violent deaths.

Bundy’s lawsuit cites specific cases, including a 2019 homicide involving a suspect who struck a man with a brick. Despite autopsy findings, motive, surveillance footage, and cell phone data placing the suspect at the scene, MPD labeled the death an “accident.” The suspect was never charged. In a 2020 case, a man beaten to death was classified as having died from “undetermined” causes, despite an autopsy declaring homicide as the cause of death. Similarly, a 2021 case involving a deceased woman with “obvious foul play signs” was marked as a “death of unknown cause.”

“These mischaracteristics are dangerous,” the lawsuit states, emphasizing that residents and businesses rely on accurate crime data when making decisions about where to live or operate. Bundy also claimed that his repeated internal disclosures of the misclassifications were ignored.

The revelations come as President Donald Trump has federalized the D.C. police force and deployed National Guard troops to restore order in the nation’s capital. The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into allegations that the city’s crime data was deliberately altered. In May, a top MPD commander was placed on leave over accusations of falsifying official crime reports.

Secretary of Justice John Ratcliffe warned of further federal oversight if cities attempt to conceal rising crime. “Falsifying data to mislead the public and dodge accountability is unacceptable in a constitutional republic,” he said during a press briefing.

Skyline CDL Fraud Scandal Tied to Deadly Crash

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Sander Yigin/Unsplash

A massive bribery and fraud scheme tied to commercial driver’s licenses in Washington has drawn national outrage after a deadly Florida crash involving an illegal immigrant with a fraudulently obtained CDL. The scandal centers around Skyline CDL School and a now-terminated state examiner who allegedly falsified tests in exchange for cash.

Investigators revealed that Skyline CDL School, operating in both Washington and Oregon, funneled envelopes stuffed with $520 to $530 in bribes to independent tester Jason Hodson. In return, Hodson entered passing test scores for hundreds of unqualified students — many of whom never took the exam. Between April 2023 and September 2024, Hodson recorded 877 exams, 822 of which were from Skyline. When retested, 80% failed.

The Washington Department of Licensing revoked 110 licenses and shut down Skyline’s operations in March 2024. However, the school’s Oregon branch in Hillsboro remains open. A whistleblower tipped off state officials, supplying photos of cash payments, falsified records, and incriminating messages.

Among the most serious allegations, Skyline:

  • Hired instructors lacking licenses and English proficiency.
  • Falsified training hours and documentation.
  • Directed students to Hodson from across the state.
  • Ignored federal CDL standards, especially English language requirements.

Public concern spiked after the revelation that Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant and Skyline student, was granted a CDL in Washington in 2023 despite failing English tests. Singh has since been charged with vehicular manslaughter after making an illegal U-turn in Florida that killed three people.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned Washington and other states for violating federal law. “States MUST FOLLOW THE RULES,” Duffy said. “If they had, this driver would NEVER have been behind the wheel and three precious lives would still be with us.” Duffy warned that states issuing licenses to illegal immigrants or unqualified drivers could lose federal transportation funding.

Duffy also announced a nationwide audit of commercial driver licensing and promised tougher enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Skyline CDL case has reignited concerns over “CDL mills” — low-cost training programs that flood the roads with unqualified drivers. Washington and Oregon collectively hold more than 280,000 active CDLs, prompting fears of further gaps in oversight.

Skyline faces ongoing investigations in Oregon, where regulators fined the school for concealing its license revocation in Washington. Further action is expected as pressure mounts to clean up the CDL system nationwide.

Republicans Shut Down as California Court OKs New Maps

California
California Capitol (John Feng/Unsplash)

The California Supreme Court rejected a Republican effort to challenge the legality of Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) redistricting plan.

According to the court, it is permissible for Democrats to avoid a 30-day minimum for new legislative proposals, as the lawmakers seek to change the contents of bills introduced in February. “Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under California Constitution article IV, section 8,” a brief read.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is not the end of this fight. Although the Court denied our petition, it did not explain the reason for its ruling. This means Governor Newsom and the Democrats’ plan to gut the voter-created Citizens Redistricting Commission, silence public input, and stick taxpayers with a $200+ million bill will proceed,” Senator Tony Strickland, Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, Assemblyman Tri Ta and Assemblywoman Kathryn Sanchez said in a statement on the court’s decision. “Polls show most Democrats, Republicans, and independents want to keep the commission, not give politicians the power to rig maps. We will continue to challenge this unconstitutional power grab in the courts and at the ballot box. Californians deserve fair, transparent elections, not secret backroom deals to protect politicians.”

In announcing the lawsuit, Ta stated that “California’s Constitution requires bills to be in print for 30 days, but that safeguard was ignored. By bypassing this provision, Sacramento has effectively shut voters out of engaging in their own legislative process.”

The new map shifts five of California’s Republican House seats to favor Democrats, CBS News reported.

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