International Business Times UK
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22 stories credited to International Business Times UK
Latest story Apr 21, 2026 · on ChamberLight since Apr 2026
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Scores for International Business Times UK
Originality
2 of those 22 carry an unconfirmed copying flag, which is not evidence either way.
22 stories · updated Sep 24, 2026
Writing quality 69 of 100: the average rating of 20 stories, each rated on its own (separate from credibility). How it is measured
Scores last checked Sep 25, 2026.
Stories ChamberLight collected, by month
Stories credited to International Business Times UK, by publication date. ChamberLight collects articles that mention the officials it tracks, so this shows its own coverage of this source, not how much the source publishes.
- Stories from International Business Times UK
- Shaded: ChamberLight collected no stories, or almost none, from any outlet (a gap in its collection, not in the outlet’s publishing)
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| Month | Stories | All outlets |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | 1 | 148 |
| April 2026 | 21 | 4,538 |
| May 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| June 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| July 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| August 2026 | 0 | 1 (collection gap) |
| September 2026 | 0 | 1,320 |
Top topics
Share of this source’s stories tagged with each topic. A story can carry several topics, so the shares do not add up to 100%.
- Ethics/Corruption22
100% of 22 stories · 58% across all outlets
- Defense/Military15
68% of 22 stories · 25% across all outlets
- Foreign Policy8
36% of 22 stories · 29% across all outlets
- Criminal Justice5
23% of 22 stories · 19% across all outlets
- Budget/Spending4
18% of 22 stories · 31% across all outlets
- Technology/Privacy4
18% of 22 stories · 10% across all outlets
- Immigration3
14% of 22 stories · 13% across all outlets
- Infrastructure2
9% of 22 stories · 8% across all outlets
The thin mark on each bar is the topic’s share across all outlets.
Who they cover
Party of the officials these stories are mainly about, across all 21 officials named. A story counts once for each official it is mainly about, so the split is over 36 story–official pairs, from 22 stories.
- Republican72% · 26 pairs
- Democrat22% · 8 pairs
- Party not recorded6% · 2 pairs
Most covered
Stories mainly about each official, and their share of the source’s 22 stories.
- 1Donald TrumpR8 stories · 36%
- 2Kristi NoemR3 stories · 14%
- 3Markwayne MullinR3 stories · 14%
- 4Tim BurchettR3 stories · 14%
- 5Eric SwalwellD2 stories · 9%
- 6John ThuneR2 stories · 9%
- 7Charles SchumerD1 story · 5%
- 8Debbie Wasserman SchultzD1 story · 5%
- 9Eric BurlisonR1 story · 5%
- 10Ilhan OmarD1 story · 5%
+ 11 other officials (11 story–official pairs)
Article tone
ChamberLight’s article analysis assigns each story a tone toward the official it covers. It describes the coverage of that official, not International Business Times UK’s stance, and reader votes do not change it. 22 stories.
- Good Look
- 2 (9%)
- Mixed
- 11 (50%)
- Informational
- 1 (5%)
- Bad Look
- 8 (36%)
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Articles served from ibtimes.co.uk
36
Is Donald Trump Showing Signs of Cognitive Decline? POTUS Claims Iran 'Surrender' as Tehran Dismisses It as 'Fantasy'
Donald Trump has delivered a series of confused and contradictory statements in Washington about the fragile ceasefire with Iran and upcoming peace talks in Pakistan, prompting fresh questions over whether the 79 year old president is showing signs of cognitive decline as Tehran dismisses his claims of an Iranian 'surrender' as fantasy. The US and Iran are in fragile talks over a two week ceasefire, with Pakistan expected to host the next round and Vice President J.D. Vance set to play a central role. Against that already volatile backdrop, Trump has offered shifting accounts of who is travelling, what has been agreed and how close the two sides are to a deal, fuelling fresh scrutiny of his judgement even as any claim of cognitive decline remains medically unproven and politically charged. Trump's 'Table Of Surrender' And Confusion Over Iran And Pakistan In an interview with the New York Post on Monday 20 April, Trump said Vance was already on his way to Pakistan to lead the US delegation. Within hours, US officials clarified that the team, which reportedly also includes Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, had not yet left Washington and was only expected to depart soon. The confusion did not begin there. In an earlier ABC News interview, Trump had suggested Vance would not head the next round of talks at all, despite repeated signals from senior officials that the vice president would make the trip. Asked about the apparent change, Trump told ABC it was 'only because of security', suggesting threat assessments had altered the plan. Soon after, he returned to the Post and said Vance was travelling to Islamabad after all, alongside Kushner and Witkoff. For anyone trying to follow who was actually leading US diplomacy, it was a bewildering sequence. For critics, it was another example of a president struggling to keep his own account straight. Hindustan Times/YouTube The substance of the talks has been no clearer. On Truth Social, Trump claimed that 'almost all various points of past contention' with Iran had been resolved, including what would amount to an extraordinary concession from Tehran, the handover of its enriched uranium. Iran's Foreign Ministry flatly denied that version of events. Spokespeople said there were 'no plans' for the next round of negotiations and called Trump's claims 'false and baseless', with some officials reportedly dismissing his rhetoric as 'table of surrender' fantasy. In Tehran's telling, there has been no such breakthrough. At the same time, the US has accused Iran of repeatedly breaching the two week ceasefire by attacking commercial shipping. Trump has said the truce is likely to expire on Wednesday evening and insists it is 'highly unlikely' he will extend it without what he describes as a definitive deal. Yet even as he talks up the chances of an agreement, he has made clear that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place until a final settlement is reached. Iran, for its part, says that blockade, along with the recent US seizure of an Iranian flagged cargo vessel, already amounts to a breach of the ceasefire terms. Health Rumours, War Rhetoric And A White House Accused Of 'Unbridled Chaos' Layered over the policy confusion is a growing argument about Trump's state of mind. Some observers and lawmakers are now openly discussing possible cognitive decline, with a number of voices again raising the 25th Amendment, the constitutional mechanism for removing a president deemed unable to carry out the duties of office. The backdrop is hardly calming. During the standoff, Trump renewed threats to 'decimate' Iranian infrastructure, from power plants to bridges, if the Strait of Hormuz was not 'completely and safely' reopened by the ceasefire deadline. Over Easter, he launched a profane tirade about destroying Iran that former allies reportedly described as 'insanity' and 'unhinged'. A recent poll cited in the report found that 51 per cent of Americans now believe Trump's mental sharpness has deteriorated. That perception has been driven not only by his Iran comments, but also by an earlier sex remark on stage that reportedly left a live audience silent and by his habit of lurching from triumphalism to grievance within a single interview. Inside the administration, there are signs of strain. On Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN that petrol prices were unlikely to fall below $3 a gallon before 2027, offering a sober assessment of the economic consequences of conflict in the Gulf. 🚨🇺🇸 U.S. Energy Secretary Wright says that gas prices might not go below $3 a gallon until 2027, but believes that once the conflict ends prices across the board will go down pic.twitter.com/xXV4H3g9BJ — The Saviour (@TheSaviour) April 20, 2026 By Monday, Trump had dismissed Wright as 'totally wrong' and claimed fuel prices would fall 'as soon as' the war ends, even while insisting he faced 'no pressure' to strike a deal. The Guardian meanwhile painted a picture of 'unbridled chaos' over the Pakistan talks, with rival camps, late reversals and a White House unable to hold a consistent message. Trump's public response has followed a familiar pattern. He says the US is 'winning by a lot', blames any confusion on 'Fake News', and dismisses concerns over his health as partisan attacks. 👀🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump: I’m winning a War, BY A LOT, things are going very well, our Military has been amazing." "The enemy is confused." "They are losing $500 Million Dollars a day, an unsustainable number, even in the short run." pic.twitter.com/FkM0kbsvhF — MoloMonitor 🇮🇹 (@MoloWarMonitor) April 20, 2026 But the unease is no longer confined to Democrats. Some Republicans, including South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace, have voiced frustration after closed door briefings, saying they still lack clear answers on whether 'boots on the ground' in the region are genuinely off the table. At the same time, House Democrats are pursuing a separate route on presidential capacity. Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin has introduced a bill to establish a Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office, a body that could, in theory, play a role if the 25th Amendment were ever invoked. There is no public medical proof that Trump is in cognitive decline. But as his version of events drifts further from Iran's and his own messaging becomes harder to follow, the bigger question is no longer just about optics, but whether allies, lawmakers and voters still trust him to steer a crisis without deepening it.
Trump's Contradicting Claims on JD Vance, Iran War Plans Spark Concerns After He Was Removed from White House Meeting
Donald Trump's contradictory statements about Vice President JD Vance's travel plans and the Iran war have raised questions about coordination inside the White House. Trump was also reportedly removed from an Iran war briefing after an hours-long meltdown, according to a White House leak first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The developments come as an NBC News poll found Trump's approval rating has fallen to 37 per cent, the lowest of his second term. Trump's Contradictory Claims on JD Vance Earlier this week, Trump made conflicting statements about Vance's whereabouts and travel plans amid the ongoing Iran war negotiations, creating confusion among officials and reporters covering the story. This past weekend, Trump told ABC News's Jon Karl that Vance would not be travelling to Pakistan for the second round of Iran peace talks, citing security concerns. 'It's solely a security issue,' Trump said. 'JD's fantastic.' However, approximately 90 minutes later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Vance would, in fact, be travelling to Pakistan alongside envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The reversal left reporters and officials uncertain about the administration's position as recently as Sunday morning. Trump Contradicts His Energy Secretary Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN's 'State of the Union' on Sunday that Americans might not see gas prices fall below $3 (£2.35) per gallon until 2027, even with a potential opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump publicly rejected Wright's assessment in a phone interview with The Hill, saying: 'No, I think he's wrong on that. Totally wrong,' claiming prices would fall as soon as the war ended. Situation Room Removal According to a White House leak reported by The Wall Street Journal, senior aides removed Trump from the Situation Room during a critical rescue operation for two downed American airmen, citing his disruptive behaviour during what officials described as an hours-long meltdown. Aides chose instead to brief him separately at key intervals, allowing national security and military leadership to manage the operation directly. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against the reports, insisting Trump 'remained a steady leader our country needs.' The second airman was successfully rescued late on Saturday. 'Completely lost it': Trump removed from his own White House meeting after emotional breakdown — then insiders leak what really happened behind closed doors and it's worse than anyone thoughthttps://t.co/653P5JTxUk — Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) April 20, 2026 Falling Approval Ratings Trump's approval rating has fallen to 37 per cent, the lowest of his second term, according to an NBC News poll conducted by SurveyMonkey and published on 19 April 2026. The survey found 80 per cent of Gen Z voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with young Republicans contributing significantly to the decline. ." It is clearest sign yet that the man running the country and managing an active war is operating under profound personal instability." Yikes!!... 😳😬 Lunatic Trump is the guy with his finger on nuclear button, threatening to erase an entire civilization (Iran) . pic.twitter.com/9WEsBXTuD8 — Country boy 🇨🇦 (@NS_CanadaStrong) April 20, 2026 The contradictory messaging has drawn concern from within Trump's own party. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina said after a House Armed Services Committee briefing that the gap between the administration's public statements and its actual military objectives was 'deeply concerning,' adding: 'The longer this war persists, the quicker it will lose support from Congress and the American populace.' By allowing Trump to prevail and continue in his role as President the GOP has signed its own political death warrant... RIP...nah, go to hell...that said, even hell may reject anyone associated with the Trump administration — HUMPHRYS OKANE (@HumphrysOkane) April 20, 2026 Trump's recent mixed messages have highlighted growing chaos around the war as his administration attempts to negotiate a way out. On Truth Social, Trump dismissed criticism, accusing what he called the 'Anti-America Fake News Media' of rooting for Iran to win. Trump has not clarified the contradictions in his statements about Vance's travel. The White House has not responded to questions about the Situation Room removal. A second round of Iran negotiations has not been scheduled following Iran's rejection of further talks.
Donald Trump Assassination Plot: General Claims 20k Iranian Sleeper Agents Are Active To Target POTUS
Donald Trump assassination plot fears have intensified in Florida after a retired US general claimed that up to 20,000 Iranian 'sleeper agents' are operating inside the United States and are ready to target the former president, following a March security scare near Palm Beach International Airport. The news came after a bizarre and still only partially explained incident on the night Air Force One was due to depart Florida for Washington with Trump on board. According to accounts from military and intelligence figures cited by US media, a drone and a civilian aircraft were both reported in restricted airspace near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, prompting the Air Force to scramble F-16 fighter jets and deploy flares. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop, but has not publicly clarified what it believes happened. General's Claim Of 20,000 Iranian Sleeper Agents Retired Army General Paul Vallely has been the most outspoken figure linking the Palm Beach scare to a broader Donald Trump assassination plot allegedly driven by Iran. In remarks reported in the original coverage, Vallely insisted 'there is no doubt' that hostile actors were probing for a way to hit the former president, claiming Trump has had a 'bull's-eye on his back' since what is described as the start of a war with Iran in February. Another unnamed foreign affairs expert, said to have close ties to the Trump camp, echoed that claim and argued Tehran is seeking 'payback' for Trump's decision to 'take out the ayatollah' in the early days of that conflict. That characterisation is theirs, not independently verified, and no official US government statement in the material provided confirms a formal state of war. US President Donald Trump's white working-class voters who formed the backbone of his coalition have, for the first time, registered a net negative view of his presidency. Gage Skidmore/WikiMedia Commons Both sources allege that Iran has turned to deniable methods rather than conventional military confrontation, focusing on assassination plots and drone operations controlled by operatives embedded across the United States. It is within this narrative that the striking number of 20,000 'sleeper agents' appears, supposedly activated between 2021 and early 2025. Security experts quoted say those individuals are believed to have entered during the administration of former President Joe Biden, and that as many as 18,000 are now 'unaccounted for.' No underlying immigration or law-enforcement data are provided to substantiate those figures, and readers are left reliant on the assertions of unnamed experts and political critics. Nothing in the available documents confirms the 20,000 number, so it should be treated with considerable caution. Biden Clone Theory Surfaces in Epstein Files Release Joe Biden Instagram Account Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, did not endorse that specific figure but described the reported numbers as 'deeply concerning,' giving at least some political weight to the alarm being expressed on the American right. Palm Beach Scare Fuels Talk Of A Donald Trump Assassination Plot The Palm Beach incident that has triggered this latest round of claims began when an unidentified drone was reported in the no-fly zone around Mar-a-Lago, only a few miles from Palm Beach International. Helicopters were sent to investigate. Shortly afterwards, F‑16s were scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft that had also strayed into restricted airspace. The pilot of the plane eventually communicated with authorities and was escorted away. The drone, however, effectively vanished from the public record. Officials have not said who was operating it, what type it was or where it went. When pressed for an explanation of the ground stop, the FAA 'mysteriously declined' to comment, according to the intelligence source cited. That vacuum has been filled instead by speculation. 'The fact that the fate or identity of the drone has not been made public is a clear sign it represented a real danger,' the unnamed intelligence expert claimed. Again, that is interpretation rather than evidence. The same source argued that drone-based threats have become a 'frontline focus' for US security agencies since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran. They pointed to reported plans at the Pentagon to deploy anti‑drone laser systems at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington DC, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth are said to reside while in the capital. There is no corroborating documentation in the material provided confirming that these specific officeholders hold those posts, or that the laser defences are already operational. The source suggested that if McNair is receiving such systems, 'it's already in place for the president' and might even explain why the Palm Beach drone disappeared, though that is conjecture rather than a documented fact. Drone Threats, Military Alerts And Past Plots The Palm Beach episode sits within a broader pattern of anxiety about drones and base security. Several domestic military installations reportedly raised their force-protection level to 'Charlie' in March, a status that signals concern about a possible or imminent attack. McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, which hosts US Central Command, were both put on that higher footing. On 9 March, according to the original reporting, large numbers of 'unauthorised drones' were seen above Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to nuclear-capable B‑52 bombers, forcing a lockdown on the facility. Even earlier, in February, ABC News was said to have reported an unverified FBI warning of a possible Iranian plot to hit California using drones. The wording is important. Unverified means the bureau had not confirmed that the threat was real, and there is nothing here to indicate that any such attack materialised. The idea of Iranian operatives targeting senior US figures is not entirely hypothetical. Asif Merchant, also named as Asif Raza Merchant, was previously convicted as an Iranian assassin. Then-assistant attorney general for national security John A. Eisenberg said Merchant had entered the US intending to carry out acts of terror and 'to facilitate the assassination of US government officials, including President Trump.' General Vallely argues that Palm Beach shows the system is now catching such operatives in real time. 'These guys were here and they were definitely trying to assassinate him,' he said of the airport scare, praising 'a lot of good people at Homeland Security.' No agency has publicly confirmed that assessment. There has been no official declaration that the Florida drone incident formed part of an organised Donald Trump assassination plot, nor any authoritative accounting for the supposed army of sleeper agents.
Trump Wants His Name on Penn Station — Secret Meeting With MSG Boss James Dolan Revealed
Donald Trump aims to leave a lasting mark on New York City by attaching his name to a transit hub. The President recently held an undisclosed discussion with James Dolan, chief executive of Madison Square Garden, regarding renovations planned for Penn Station. The dialogue focused on the infrastructure project and Trump's desire to have the 34th Street hub permanently renamed in his honour. This proposal surfaces amid debates over the station's modernisation, which has been stalled by logistical hurdles for several years. Why Local Officials Are Resisting the Renaming Local leaders have previously dismissed suggestions of renaming the transit centre after the President. When questioned in March about dedicating Moynihan Train Hall to Trump, Governor Kathy Hochul rejected the idea, stating it would happen 'over my dead body.' She maintained a similar stance the previous year when she responded with a resounding 'Hell no,' regarding the prospect. However, Hochul joked that if the President contributed £5.6 billion ($7 billion) for the overhaul, her response might be 'Who knows?' Relocating Madison Square Garden Complicates the Renaming The redesign of the Amtrak-owned facility has been a topic of contention, primarily due to the footprint of the famed arena directly above it. Officials are reviewing proposals from three finalists vying for 'master developer,' with a final decision expected in May. According to a Politico report, one strategy 'proposes relocating Madison Square Garden from its current location atop the station to an adjacent spot in midtown Manhattan — a move that would require the agreement of James Dolan.' The arena's ownership historically opposed displacement. During remarks in 2023, Dolan expressed clear defiance toward relocation concepts. He stated firmly at the time, 'No. I'm not gonna move Madison Square Garden. It's in a good place right now.' How Federal Involvement Could Shift Garden Boundaries Negotiation dynamics are changing with the Trump Administration actively involving itself in infrastructure planning. In April 2025, the US Department of Transportation announced its intention to weigh in on development strategies. Federal involvement could provide leverage to soften Dolan's stance on moving his venue. Gothamist reported in March that Trump and a 'delegation of politically connected Trump supporters floated the plan during a closed-door Oval Office meeting in September.' The publication noted the President 'said he'd take a plan to rebuild Penn Station and relocate Madison Square Garden seriously if the arena's influential owner is willing to play ball, according to sources familiar with the talks.' President Donald Trump had a secret meeting with MSG owner James Dolan about fraught Penn Station make-over planshttps://t.co/b7BzjLb7mK — BREAKING NEWZ Alert (@MustReadNewz) April 16, 2026 Previous Attempts to Secure Naming Rights Failed This is not the first time the administration attempted to leverage federal transport funds to secure naming rights. NBC News indicated officials approached Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer with a unique proposition involving rail infrastructure. The administration asked Schumer to support renaming Penn Station and Dulles airport after Trump in exchange for releasing funds for a separate tunnel project. Schumer rejected the offer, though Trump later released the funding. Representatives for Dolan have not provided official comments regarding recent talks. Meanwhile, the White House has maintained a careful distance from confirming specific details of the renaming requests. Spokesman Davis Ingle addressed the situation, claiming, 'President Trump is focused on saving our country – not garnering recognition.' He added, 'While we don't comment on private meetings that may or may not have happened, President Trump undoubtedly supports a strong and revitalized Penn Station that can better serve New York and New Yorkers.'
Why Are Protesters Throwing Sex Toys at ICE Agents? Inside 'Operation Dildo Blitz'
A series of anti-immigration protests across the US has taken an unexpected and deliberately provocative turn, with demonstrators throwing sex toys at federal agents. What organisers have dubbed 'Operation Dildo Blitz' is designed to ridicule authority while forcing attention onto immigration enforcement. F*** ICE With Dildos The most visible flashpoints unfolded outside federal facilities in cities including Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where crowds gathered to protest the actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On Saturday, in downtown Los Angeles, police said a crowd of 200 to 300 people blocked streets and a freeway on-ramp before the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly. Officers reported that instead of conventional projectiles, protesters hurled sex toys at vehicles and personnel. The objects were also waved, pressed against barriers, and used as props in chants aimed at mocking federal agents. Five people were arrested for failing to disperse, no injuries were recorded, though the protest was confrontational enough to prompt a sustained police presence after the streets were cleared. 'Operation Dildo Blitz' is not limited to LA and is not a separate incident. In Minneapolis, protesters threw a mix of objects, including bottles, chunks of ice, and sex toys at officers and vehicles. According to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was struck in the head, and a squad car's windscreen was damaged. Authorities declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and arrested 42 people who did not comply with dispersal orders. Demonstrators gathered outside the Whipple Federal Building on 7 February, marking one month since the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, by an ICE agent identified as Jonathan Ross. Dozens of sex toys were left hanging from fences or scattered across the site. Some protesters used them as visual props, attaching them to clothing or waving them directly at law enforcement. @brutamerica Protesters across the United States are getting creative with their demonstrations against ICE... #ICE #Immigration #Protest #Demonstration ♬ original sound - Brut. 'Operation Dildo Blitz' And The Politics Of Mockery The protests have since been loosely grouped under the label 'Operation Dildo Blitz,' a name circulating widely on social media rather than through any formal organising body. Events tied to a broader 'National F ICE Day' on 11 April saw similar tactics deployed in multiple locations, including Broadview, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon. Organisers and participants appear less interested in confrontation in the traditional sense and more focused on undermining the authority of federal agents through spectacle. The use of sex toys, distributed in large quantities at some events, turns the protest into something closer to performance. Accordingly, that strategy is not accidental. Images of officers clearing brightly coloured objects from fences or roadways are more likely to circulate than standard scenes of placards and chants. Law enforcement agencies have emphasised property damage and safety concerns, particularly where objects were thrown at moving vehicles or personnel. A Movement Shaped By Anger And Optics The backdrop to these protests is a hardening stance on immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose policies have drawn sustained opposition. Demonstrators argue that detention practices and deportations demand urgent attention, and that conventional protest methods no longer cut through. Immigration enforcement has shifted sharply towards mass operations backed by emergency powers and expanded authority for ICE. Programmes such as Operation Metro Surge have driven large-scale raids across major cities, resulting in thousands of arrests but also controversy over the detention of legal residents and even US citizens. New rules, including nationwide expedited removal and mandatory registration schemes, have widened the government's reach. Courts have begun pushing back on some measures, exposing legal strain beneath an aggressive enforcement strategy. Markwayne Mullin has been sworn in as the new head of US homeland security, stepping into a role defined by political turbulence and mounting operational strain. His appointment signals continuity on border policy, but with an attempt to steady an agency shaken by controversy. On 24 March 2026, Markwayne Mullin took office as the ninth Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem following her reassignment by Trump. A former Republican senator from Oklahoma and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Mullin becomes the first tribal citizen to hold a cabinet post in nearly two decades. His background is unconventional, spanning business ownership and an undefeated mixed martial arts career. Noem's exit followed sustained criticism, including scrutiny over the deaths of two US citizens during an immigration operation in Minneapolis, backlash over a $220 million advertising campaign, and reports of veteran deportations. Her new role as Special Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas' reframes, rather than resolves, that record. Mullin has pledged a more measured approach. He told lawmakers federal agents should seek warrants before entering private property, while still backing the administration's aggressive deportation agenda. His immediate task is stabilising the Department of Homeland Security, which has faced a funding impasse leaving staff unpaid, and restoring credibility to an agency under pressure.
Donald Trump Aides Admit to Creating 'Ghost Job' to Keep Kristi Noem Out of the Senate—Is She a Liability?
Donald Trump aides created a new diplomatic-sounding role for Kristi Noem in Washington in early March 2026 to keep her out of a Senate race in South Dakota, according to multiple administration sources cited by investigative outlet PunchUp. The post, 'Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas', was unveiled at Trump's resort in Florida just weeks before a filing deadline that would have allowed Noem to challenge Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican already endorsed by Donald Trump. Donald Trump Allies Admit 'Ghost Job' Was Meant To Box Out Kristi Noem According to PunchUp, the White House's solution was to invent something new for Kristi Noem to do. One administration source told the outlet the envoy title 'was made up to keep her busy', adding that senior figures had come to see her as such a political liability they needed to 'put her out to the glue factory'. In their telling, the Shield of the Americas role kept Noem technically on the government payroll and out of domestic politics, while denying her any meaningful power. The same sources said some Trump aides feared Noem still had enough support in South Dakota to pose a 'genuine threat' to Senator Rounds, 71, if she chose to run. CNN reported that officials in the West Wing had privately wondered for some time whether she might mount a Senate challenge. Kristi Noem cannot enter a race against sitting Senator Mike Rounds, who already has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Rounds is seen here delivering remarks at a press conference at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on April 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. USDA/Flickr Why Kristi 'Leaned' Into the Job Instead of returning to South Dakota, Kristi Noem leaned into the new job. The same source reported that she 'felt she had no choice but to show her willingness to toe the president's line'. By the week of 20 March she was midway through a five‑nation tour of Latin America, photographed at government buildings in Ecuador's capital on 25 March, six days before the primary filing window closed. Trump had signed a proclamation launching the Shield of the Americas programme on 7 March at his Trump National Doral Miami resort. The event, described by sources as hastily assembled, brought together leaders from 12 nations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared alongside Trump and Kristi Noem, with the presidents of Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador and Bolivia also present. Notably, the region's three biggest players — Mexico, Brazil and Colombia — did not attend, according to the same report. A 'Symbolic' Role Kristi Noem Tried To Turn Into Something Real The White House provided no public detail about the envoy role's chain of command, budget or staffing. Behind the scenes, PunchUp's sources say, officials began to panic as it became obvious Noem was treating the position as far more than window dressing. 'They didn't expect her to take it so seriously,' one administration source said. By 25 March, the US State Department had clarified that Noem would report not to Rubio, the Secretary of State, but to his deputy, Chris Landau. One source told PunchUp that 'Landau has now nuked the whole thing', a characterisation the outlet said was backed up by one of Noem's close allies. Noem did not arrive alone. An administration official told Politico she brought ten loyalists into the Shield of the Americas operation. Within weeks, three of them — former deputy chief of staff Troup Hemenway, Josh King and Octavian Miller — were placed on paid leave and then dismissed. A source quoted by the New York Post linked those sackings to their ties with Corey Lewandowski, 52, Noem's chief aide and widely described in US media as her rumoured lover. 'They didn't want any people that would be tentacles for Lewandowski,' the source said. Photographs from the trip showed Lewandowski seated beside Kristi Noem as she met Guyana's president in her new capacity. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota in October 2025.DHSgov/Wikimedia Commons Behind the formal moves lay a harsher assessment. PunchUp reported that, in the words of one insider, 'there is no job' for the envoy's staff — and possibly not for Noem herself. Last week, the Daily Mail quoted sources saying Kristi Noem's time as special envoy was likely to be short‑lived. 'This post was intended as a soft landing so it didn't look like Noem was immediately being fired,' one source said. 'But no one really thinks she should have this job. The State Department was not happy to have her here, and the understanding is that she's not going to be here for much longer.' At the time of writing, none of the central claims about the creation and purpose of Kristi Noem's envoy role has been confirmed on the record by US officials. Kristi Noem, 54, had just been abruptly removed as head of the Department of Homeland Security on 5 March, becoming the first Cabinet secretary fired in Trump's second term. Trump announced on Truth Social that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin would take over the powerful department on 31 March. That left a narrow, 26‑day window in which Noem, a former South Dakota governor with a strong base at home, could have gathered the 2,171 signatures needed to enter the state's Republican Senate primary by 5 p.m. on 31 March.
Donald Trump Aides Admit to Creating 'Ghost Job' to Keep Kristi Noem Out of the Senate—Is She a Liability?
Donald Trump aides created a new diplomatic-sounding role for Kristi Noem in Washington in early March 2026 to keep her out of a Senate race in South Dakota, according to multiple administration sources cited by investigative outlet PunchUp. The post, 'Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas', was unveiled at Trump's resort in Florida just weeks before a filing deadline that would have allowed Noem to challenge Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican already endorsed by Donald Trump. Donald Trump Allies Admit 'Ghost Job' Was Meant To Box Out Kristi Noem According to PunchUp, the White House's solution was to invent something new for Kristi Noem to do. One administration source told the outlet the envoy title 'was made up to keep her busy', adding that senior figures had come to see her as such a political liability they needed to 'put her out to the glue factory'. In their telling, the Shield of the Americas role kept Noem technically on the government payroll and out of domestic politics, while denying her any meaningful power. The same sources said some Trump aides feared Noem still had enough support in South Dakota to pose a 'genuine threat' to Senator Rounds, 71, if she chose to run. CNN reported that officials in the West Wing had privately wondered for some time whether she might mount a Senate challenge. Kristi Noem cannot enter a race against sitting Senator Mike Rounds, who already has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Rounds is seen here delivering remarks at a press conference at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on April 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. USDA/Flickr Why Kristi 'Leaned' Into the Job Instead of returning to South Dakota, Kristi Noem leaned into the new job. The same source reported that she 'felt she had no choice but to show her willingness to toe the president's line'. By the week of 20 March she was midway through a five‑nation tour of Latin America, photographed at government buildings in Ecuador's capital on 25 March, six days before the primary filing window closed. Trump had signed a proclamation launching the Shield of the Americas programme on 7 March at his Trump National Doral Miami resort. The event, described by sources as hastily assembled, brought together leaders from 12 nations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared alongside Trump and Kristi Noem, with the presidents of Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador and Bolivia also present. Notably, the region's three biggest players — Mexico, Brazil and Colombia — did not attend, according to the same report. A 'Symbolic' Role Kristi Noem Tried To Turn Into Something Real The White House provided no public detail about the envoy role's chain of command, budget or staffing. Behind the scenes, PunchUp's sources say, officials began to panic as it became obvious Noem was treating the position as far more than window dressing. 'They didn't expect her to take it so seriously,' one administration source said. By 25 March, the US State Department had clarified that Noem would report not to Rubio, the Secretary of State, but to his deputy, Chris Landau. One source told PunchUp that 'Landau has now nuked the whole thing', a characterisation the outlet said was backed up by one of Noem's close allies. Noem did not arrive alone. An administration official told Politico she brought ten loyalists into the Shield of the Americas operation. Within weeks, three of them — former deputy chief of staff Troup Hemenway, Josh King and Octavian Miller — were placed on paid leave and then dismissed. A source quoted by the New York Post linked those sackings to their ties with Corey Lewandowski, 52, Noem's chief aide and widely described in US media as her rumoured lover. 'They didn't want any people that would be tentacles for Lewandowski,' the source said. Photographs from the trip showed Lewandowski seated beside Kristi Noem as she met Guyana's president in her new capacity. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota in October 2025.DHSgov/Wikimedia Commons Behind the formal moves lay a harsher assessment. PunchUp reported that, in the words of one insider, 'there is no job' for the envoy's staff — and possibly not for Noem herself. Last week, the Daily Mail quoted sources saying Kristi Noem's time as special envoy was likely to be short‑lived. 'This post was intended as a soft landing so it didn't look like Noem was immediately being fired,' one source said. 'But no one really thinks she should have this job. The State Department was not happy to have her here, and the understanding is that she's not going to be here for much longer.' At the time of writing, none of the central claims about the creation and purpose of Kristi Noem's envoy role has been confirmed on the record by US officials. Kristi Noem, 54, had just been abruptly removed as head of the Department of Homeland Security on 5 March, becoming the first Cabinet secretary fired in Trump's second term. Trump announced on Truth Social that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin would take over the powerful department on 31 March. That left a narrow, 26‑day window in which Noem, a former South Dakota governor with a strong base at home, could have gathered the 2,171 signatures needed to enter the state's Republican Senate primary by 5 p.m. on 31 March.
Full List of 10 US Nuclear Scientists Who Have Mysteriously Vanished or Died Since 2023 as White House Launches Probe
The White House has confirmed it will look into a disturbing pattern of deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 American scientists linked to nuclear weapons, advanced space research, and classified government programmes since 2023. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the cases during a briefing on Wednesday after Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy pressed her on whether the Trump administration was investigating. 'I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it. I will certainly do that, and we'll get you an answer,' Leavitt said. 'If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government and its administration would deem worth looking into.' FBI Involvement Requested Representative Eric Burlison, a Missouri Republican, has already requested Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) involvement in what he calls a 'deeply concerning' pattern. 'The disappearance of multiple scientists and military personnel with ties to advanced research is deeply concerning,' Burlison wrote on X in late March. 'I've already requested FBI involvement, and we will keep pressing for answers.' The disappearance of multiple scientists and military personnel with ties to advanced research is deeply concerning. I’ve already requested FBI involvement, and we will keep pressing for answers. pic.twitter.com/bBxZSzxWj0 — Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) March 30, 2026 Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican on the House Oversight Committee investigating unidentified aerial phenomena, said the number of incidents warrants scrutiny. 'There have been several others throughout the country that have disappeared under suspicious circumstances,' Burchett told reporters. 'I think we ought to be paying attention to it.' A Pattern Too Alarming to Ignore The cases span institutions central to US national security, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Four of the 10 individuals vanished on foot from their homes, leaving behind cars, wallets, phones, and keys in an almost identical fashion. The Full List of 10 Scientists Here is the complete list of individuals tied to America's most sensitive research programmes who have either died or vanished since 2023. Steven Garcia, 48 Government contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus in Albuquerque. Last seen 28 August 2025, walking from his home carrying a handgun. Has not been seen since. William 'Neil' McCasland, 68 Retired US Air Force Major General and former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Vanished 27 February 2026 after walking away from his Albuquerque home carrying only a .38-calibre revolver. Anthony Chavez, 79 Former Los Alamos National Laboratory employee. Reported missing on 8 May 2025 after leaving home on foot, abandoning his car, wallet, and keys. Melissa Casias, 54 Administrative worker at Los Alamos National Laboratory with top security clearance. Vanished on 26 June 2025 after leaving home on foot. Her phones were later found factory-reset. Monica Reza, 60 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director of Materials Processing. Disappeared on 22 June 2025 while hiking in Angeles National Forest. Nuno Loureiro, 47 Director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Shot at his Brookline, Massachusetts home on 15 December 2025 and died the following morning. His work in nuclear fusion was considered groundbreaking. Carl Grillmair, 67 Caltech astrophysicist who worked on NASA's NEOWISE and NEO Surveyor missions. Shot to death on his front porch in Llano, California, on 16 February 2026. Michael David Hicks, 59 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory research scientist. Died 30 July 2023 with no cause of death disclosed. Worked on NASA's DART Project and Deep Space 1 Mission. Frank Maiwald, 61 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory principal researcher. Died 4 July 2024 in Los Angeles. No autopsy was conducted, and no cause of death was released. Jason Thomas, 45 Pharmaceutical researcher at Novartis testing cancer treatments. Found dead in a Massachusetts lake on 17 March 2026 after disappearing three months earlier. National Security Concerns Mount Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told Daily Mail that espionage or targeted abductions 'cannot be ruled out' given the individuals' access to classified information. Authorities continue to investigate each case independently, but no conclusive evidence has emerged to confirm a coordinated pattern.
Full List of 10 US Nuclear Scientists Who Have Mysteriously Vanished or Died Since 2023 as White House Launches Probe
The White House has confirmed it will look into a disturbing pattern of deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 American scientists linked to nuclear weapons, advanced space research, and classified government programmes since 2023. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the cases during a briefing on Wednesday after Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy pressed her on whether the Trump administration was investigating. 'I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it. I will certainly do that, and we'll get you an answer,' Leavitt said. 'If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government and its administration would deem worth looking into.' FBI Involvement Requested Representative Eric Burlison, a Missouri Republican, has already requested Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) involvement in what he calls a 'deeply concerning' pattern. 'The disappearance of multiple scientists and military personnel with ties to advanced research is deeply concerning,' Burlison wrote on X in late March. 'I've already requested FBI involvement, and we will keep pressing for answers.' The disappearance of multiple scientists and military personnel with ties to advanced research is deeply concerning. I’ve already requested FBI involvement, and we will keep pressing for answers. pic.twitter.com/bBxZSzxWj0 — Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) March 30, 2026 Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican on the House Oversight Committee investigating unidentified aerial phenomena, said the number of incidents warrants scrutiny. 'There have been several others throughout the country that have disappeared under suspicious circumstances,' Burchett told reporters. 'I think we ought to be paying attention to it.' A Pattern Too Alarming to Ignore The cases span institutions central to US national security, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Four of the 10 individuals vanished on foot from their homes, leaving behind cars, wallets, phones, and keys in an almost identical fashion. The Full List of 10 Scientists Here is the complete list of individuals tied to America's most sensitive research programmes who have either died or vanished since 2023. Steven Garcia, 48 Government contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus in Albuquerque. Last seen 28 August 2025, walking from his home carrying a handgun. Has not been seen since. William 'Neil' McCasland, 68 Retired US Air Force Major General and former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Vanished 27 February 2026 after walking away from his Albuquerque home carrying only a .38-calibre revolver. Anthony Chavez, 79 Former Los Alamos National Laboratory employee. Reported missing on 8 May 2025 after leaving home on foot, abandoning his car, wallet, and keys. Melissa Casias, 54 Administrative worker at Los Alamos National Laboratory with top security clearance. Vanished on 26 June 2025 after leaving home on foot. Her phones were later found factory-reset. Monica Reza, 60 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director of Materials Processing. Disappeared on 22 June 2025 while hiking in Angeles National Forest. Nuno Loureiro, 47 Director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Shot at his Brookline, Massachusetts home on 15 December 2025 and died the following morning. His work in nuclear fusion was considered groundbreaking. Carl Grillmair, 67 Caltech astrophysicist who worked on NASA's NEOWISE and NEO Surveyor missions. Shot to death on his front porch in Llano, California, on 16 February 2026. Michael David Hicks, 59 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory research scientist. Died 30 July 2023 with no cause of death disclosed. Worked on NASA's DART Project and Deep Space 1 Mission. Frank Maiwald, 61 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory principal researcher. Died 4 July 2024 in Los Angeles. No autopsy was conducted, and no cause of death was released. Jason Thomas, 45 Pharmaceutical researcher at Novartis testing cancer treatments. Found dead in a Massachusetts lake on 17 March 2026 after disappearing three months earlier. National Security Concerns Mount Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told Daily Mail that espionage or targeted abductions 'cannot be ruled out' given the individuals' access to classified information. Authorities continue to investigate each case independently, but no conclusive evidence has emerged to confirm a coordinated pattern.
US Congressman Declares Aliens Exist After Briefings With Admirals, Claims Pilots Are Silenced for Craft Sightings
A US congressman has declared that aliens exist after receiving classified briefings with admirals and has claimed that pilots are being silenced for reporting sightings of unusual craft. Republican Tim Burchett of Tennessee made the assertion during recent media interviews, citing a high-ranking naval official who told him the phenomena were real. Related Articles Trump Teases UFO File Dump as Tic Tac Sightings and Secret Pentagon Footage Fuels Frenzy Donald Trump Named 'Only One Who Can Reveal Truth' as Congressman Claims Vast UFO Cover-up Inside US System US Lawmaker Demands 40 Secret UFO Videos as Lake Huron 'Shootdowns' Mystery Resurfaces 'You're Gonna See Some Weird F*King S*T': Congress Demands the Release of 46 Secret UFO Videos From Dept of War JD Vance Joins UFO Discourse: 'I Don't Think They're Aliens. I Think They're Demons,' He Says in New Podcast
Know Any Scandals Involving US Lawmakers? TMZ Will Reportedly Pay For Exclusive Tips
TMZ is reportedly willing to pay for exclusive tips involving scandals linked to US lawmakers, according to multiple accounts of the outlet's reporting practices. However, there is no publicly stated blanket policy confirming fixed payments for political information. The celebrity news site, known for breaking high-profile stories across entertainment and politics, is said to reward certain verified exclusives on a case-by-case basis when material is considered valuable and publishable. As TSA officers are selling their blood to keep a roof over their heads, members of Congress are packing their bags for a 2-week vacation, and WE WANT THE PICS! Our DMs are OPEN. See them on vacay? Send us the pics... we'll take it from there! https://t.co/N6VQV3HSGE pic.twitter.com/1unGXiNWkS — TMZ (@TMZ) March 27, 2026 TMZ Pay for Exclusive Tips on One Condition In some cases, TMZ has been known to pay for photos, videos, or verified documentation that leads to major exclusives. In others, contributors provide material without direct payment, often in exchange for anonymity or the prospect of future cooperation with the newsroom. The approach has long been associated with what media critics describe as a form of 'chequebook journalism,' although the company itself does not present its operation in those terms. Instead, it has positioned itself as a fast-moving digital newsroom prioritising speed, verification, and exclusivity over traditional reporting structures. Reporting on US lawmakers comes with extra legal and ethical rules. News organisations have to be very careful about where the information comes from, whether it can be checked, and whether it could unfairly harm someone's reputation. Because of this, any idea of paying for political tips is usually handled carefully, rather than through open or fixed offers. TMZ mainly works by chasing exclusive stories that can be quickly confirmed and published. That means any tip—including those involving politicians—is first checked for how reliable it is before deciding whether it is used or paid for. Information that comes with strong proof, like photos, videos, or documents, is more likely to be valuable than vague or unverified claims. The outlet has often been criticised by media experts who say its style can encourage the fast spread of sensitive information. At the same time, supporters argue that TMZ has a strong record of breaking real stories before traditional news outlets, especially in celebrity and legal news. TMZ Continues To Track US Lawmakers Recently, TMZ has publicly encouraged members of the public to submit photos of US lawmakers while they are on vacation, suggesting it will pursue publication of any material sent in. In a post shared on its official X account, the outlet wrote that while TSA officers were 'selling their blood to keep a roof over their heads,' members of Congress were 'packing their bags for a 2-week vacation.' 'WE WANT THE PICS!,' TMZ says, directing users to send material via direct messages. 'Our DMs are OPEN. See them on vacay? Send us the pics... we'll take it from there!' Almost immediately, people started sending pictures and videos of lawmakers under the post. Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was seen using a TSA escort to move through airport security lines more quickly. The post criticised the situation, arguing that members of Congress benefit from privileges while airport delays continue. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also mentioned as leaving town with a private escort while legislative priorities, including the SAVE America Act, were still pending. US Senator Jon Husted was also seen traveling back to Columbus, Ohio, with the post suggesting he may have been attending a fundraising event. TMZ is officially in D.C. — and our team is quickly learning exactly what it's like to be a Senator. 💼🤔 pic.twitter.com/2jHxIRdllF — TMZ (@TMZ) April 13, 2026 As of 14 April, TMZ has been increasingly focused on tracking US politicians, particularly members of Congress, as part their political coverage. The outlet has also established a dedicated team in Washington, D.C., specifically assigned to monitor and report on developments involving lawmakers. As TMZ has indicated, members of the public are encouraged to send in any tips or supporting evidence they may have, depending on the verifiability of the information provided.
Know Any Scandals Involving US Lawmakers? TMZ Will Reportedly Pay For Exclusive Tips
TMZ is reportedly willing to pay for exclusive tips involving scandals linked to US lawmakers, according to multiple accounts of the outlet's reporting practices. However, there is no publicly stated blanket policy confirming fixed payments for political information. The celebrity news site, known for breaking high-profile stories across entertainment and politics, is said to reward certain verified exclusives on a case-by-case basis when material is considered valuable and publishable. As TSA officers are selling their blood to keep a roof over their heads, members of Congress are packing their bags for a 2-week vacation, and WE WANT THE PICS! Our DMs are OPEN. See them on vacay? Send us the pics... we'll take it from there! https://t.co/N6VQV3HSGE pic.twitter.com/1unGXiNWkS — TMZ (@TMZ) March 27, 2026 TMZ Pay for Exclusive Tips on One Condition In some cases, TMZ has been known to pay for photos, videos, or verified documentation that leads to major exclusives. In others, contributors provide material without direct payment, often in exchange for anonymity or the prospect of future cooperation with the newsroom. The approach has long been associated with what media critics describe as a form of 'chequebook journalism,' although the company itself does not present its operation in those terms. Instead, it has positioned itself as a fast-moving digital newsroom prioritising speed, verification, and exclusivity over traditional reporting structures. Reporting on US lawmakers comes with extra legal and ethical rules. News organisations have to be very careful about where the information comes from, whether it can be checked, and whether it could unfairly harm someone's reputation. Because of this, any idea of paying for political tips is usually handled carefully, rather than through open or fixed offers. TMZ mainly works by chasing exclusive stories that can be quickly confirmed and published. That means any tip—including those involving politicians—is first checked for how reliable it is before deciding whether it is used or paid for. Information that comes with strong proof, like photos, videos, or documents, is more likely to be valuable than vague or unverified claims. The outlet has often been criticised by media experts who say its style can encourage the fast spread of sensitive information. At the same time, supporters argue that TMZ has a strong record of breaking real stories before traditional news outlets, especially in celebrity and legal news. TMZ Continues To Track US Lawmakers Recently, TMZ has publicly encouraged members of the public to submit photos of US lawmakers while they are on vacation, suggesting it will pursue publication of any material sent in. In a post shared on its official X account, the outlet wrote that while TSA officers were 'selling their blood to keep a roof over their heads,' members of Congress were 'packing their bags for a 2-week vacation.' 'WE WANT THE PICS!,' TMZ says, directing users to send material via direct messages. 'Our DMs are OPEN. See them on vacay? Send us the pics... we'll take it from there!' Almost immediately, people started sending pictures and videos of lawmakers under the post. Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was seen using a TSA escort to move through airport security lines more quickly. The post criticised the situation, arguing that members of Congress benefit from privileges while airport delays continue. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also mentioned as leaving town with a private escort while legislative priorities, including the SAVE America Act, were still pending. US Senator Jon Husted was also seen traveling back to Columbus, Ohio, with the post suggesting he may have been attending a fundraising event. TMZ is officially in D.C. — and our team is quickly learning exactly what it's like to be a Senator. 💼🤔 pic.twitter.com/2jHxIRdllF — TMZ (@TMZ) April 13, 2026 As of 14 April, TMZ has been increasingly focused on tracking US politicians, particularly members of Congress, as part their political coverage. The outlet has also established a dedicated team in Washington, D.C., specifically assigned to monitor and report on developments involving lawmakers. As TMZ has indicated, members of the public are encouraged to send in any tips or supporting evidence they may have, depending on the verifiability of the information provided.
'Senators Have the Power to Stop This' — Chelsea Manning Among Over 100 Arrested at NYC Anti-Arms Sale Protest
Political whistleblower Chelsea Manning and actress Hari Nef were among more than 100 people arrested on 13 April during a demonstration outside the New York offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Related Articles Senate Rejects Effort to Halt Trump's Iran Strikes 47-53 — Fetterman Joins GOP as Costs Reach $11 Billion Brian McGinnis Injury Update: Iraq Vet's Mother Reacts To Senator Breaking Son's Arm Brian McGinnis Health Update: Marine's Broken Arm Worries Supporters as Senate Candidate Vows to Keep Campaigning US Marine Veteran Dragged by Senator Tim Sheehy Shouted 'No One Wants to Fight for Israel' Before Police intervened
'Senators Have the Power to Stop This' — Chelsea Manning Among Over 100 Arrested at NYC Anti-Arms Sale Protest
Political whistleblower Chelsea Manning and actress Hari Nef were among more than 100 people arrested on 13 April during a demonstration outside the New York offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Related Articles Senate Rejects Effort to Halt Trump's Iran Strikes 47-53 — Fetterman Joins GOP as Costs Reach $11 Billion Brian McGinnis Injury Update: Iraq Vet's Mother Reacts To Senator Breaking Son's Arm Brian McGinnis Health Update: Marine's Broken Arm Worries Supporters as Senate Candidate Vows to Keep Campaigning US Marine Veteran Dragged by Senator Tim Sheehy Shouted 'No One Wants to Fight for Israel' Before Police intervened
Secret UFO Files? Tim Burchett Urges Donald Trump to 'Peel Back Layers,' Warns Public Would 'Come Unglued'
Donald Trump has been urged to use a future spell in the White House to 'peel back the layers' on secret US government UFO files, with Republican Congressman Tim Burchett warning that full disclosure could be so shocking that 'this country would've come unglued.' The Tennessee lawmaker said on US television that Trump is, in his view, the only politician disruptive enough to declassify what Washington knows about unidentified aerial phenomena. UFOs and their rebranded cousin UAPs have shifted from sci‑fi fringe material to a recurring political topic in the US. Former presidents have been quizzed about aliens, the Pentagon has acknowledged investigating unexplained sightings, and Congressional hearings have tried, with mixed success, to prise information from wary officials. Into that fog of half‑answers steps Burchett, a conservative firebrand who has made government transparency on UFOs one of his signature causes. Albert Antony/Unsplash Speaking on Fox News' The Big Weekend Show, Burchett said he has personally pressed Trump to order a sweeping declassification of UFO records if he returns to the Oval Office. 'Just tell the American public,' he said. 'It's like I told President Trump, peel back the layers of that onion, let America decide if we can handle it. I think we can handle it.' Burchett says his urgency comes not from internet rumours, but from highly classified briefings he has already received in Congress. Those sessions, he suggested, left him rattled. 'I have some ideas about what it is, I've been briefed on some things and, yeah, they're pretty wild,' he said. 'And I think America needs to know that stuff and we need to know what the heck we're spending the money on to study.' Tim Burchett's Pitch To Donald Trump On UFO Secrecy In Burchett's telling, the UFO debate is less about 'little green men' and 'dadgum flying saucers' and more about who controls information and how public money is used. The Congressman has repeatedly argued that intelligence and defence agencies are tying themselves in knots over the issue, with one arm of government denying any concern about UAPs while another quietly investigates them. He has been openly scornful of those so‑called 'alphabet agencies,' accusing them of hiding behind classification stamps and inconsistent briefings. The lack of a coherent narrative from officials has allowed Burchett to frame himself as a straight‑talking sceptic of the security establishment, even as he leans into some of its most mysterious subject matter. When he took his message to Stephen A. Smith's Straight Shooter podcast, Burchett cast Trump as the only figure likely to smash that wall of secrecy. 'If anybody will do it, if anybody's a disruptor, it's Donald J. Trump, and he will disrupt with this,' he said. He added that he had been in touch with people at the White House 'just about that,' and hinted, without providing evidence, that 'hopefully some things will be coming out soon.' Nothing in Burchett's public comments so far has been accompanied by documentary proof, independently verifiable details of the briefings he cites, or specific examples of the alleged cover‑up. Until and unless that material appears, his more dramatic claims remain unconfirmed. Donald Trump, UFO Files And A Nervous Public If the Congressman is right about the contents of those files, though, he believes the shock would be profound. Earlier this month, he told conservative channel Newsmax that Americans would be rattled by what he has heard behind closed doors. 'This country would've come unglued if they had heard all that I heard,' he said. 'They would demand answers.' That suggestion of a public on the verge of panic has become part of the modern UFO script, even as former officials edge closer to acknowledging that at least some incidents defy easy explanation. Former president Barack Obama once appeared to nod towards that ambiguity, telling an interviewer that there were objects in the sky that behaved in ways military experts could not fully account for. He later rowed back on those remarks, but not before Trump accused him of flirting with 'classified information.' Trump himself has oscillated between mockery and tantalising hints. As president, he occasionally teased that he knew 'interesting' things about Roswell, the New Mexico town synonymous with UFO lore, before quickly changing the subject. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump has promised to push the Pentagon and other federal agencies to release what they hold on 'unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)' and 'unidentified flying objects (UFOs).' The wording was vague, and he did not set out any timetable or legal route for doing so, but for campaign supporters keen on disclosure, it was a clear nod.
Secret UFO Files? Tim Burchett Urges Donald Trump to 'Peel Back Layers,' Warns Public Would 'Come Unglued'
Donald Trump has been urged to use a future spell in the White House to 'peel back the layers' on secret US government UFO files, with Republican Congressman Tim Burchett warning that full disclosure could be so shocking that 'this country would've come unglued.' The Tennessee lawmaker said on US television that Trump is, in his view, the only politician disruptive enough to declassify what Washington knows about unidentified aerial phenomena. UFOs and their rebranded cousin UAPs have shifted from sci‑fi fringe material to a recurring political topic in the US. Former presidents have been quizzed about aliens, the Pentagon has acknowledged investigating unexplained sightings, and Congressional hearings have tried, with mixed success, to prise information from wary officials. Into that fog of half‑answers steps Burchett, a conservative firebrand who has made government transparency on UFOs one of his signature causes. Albert Antony/Unsplash Speaking on Fox News' The Big Weekend Show, Burchett said he has personally pressed Trump to order a sweeping declassification of UFO records if he returns to the Oval Office. 'Just tell the American public,' he said. 'It's like I told President Trump, peel back the layers of that onion, let America decide if we can handle it. I think we can handle it.' Burchett says his urgency comes not from internet rumours, but from highly classified briefings he has already received in Congress. Those sessions, he suggested, left him rattled. 'I have some ideas about what it is, I've been briefed on some things and, yeah, they're pretty wild,' he said. 'And I think America needs to know that stuff and we need to know what the heck we're spending the money on to study.' Tim Burchett's Pitch To Donald Trump On UFO Secrecy In Burchett's telling, the UFO debate is less about 'little green men' and 'dadgum flying saucers' and more about who controls information and how public money is used. The Congressman has repeatedly argued that intelligence and defence agencies are tying themselves in knots over the issue, with one arm of government denying any concern about UAPs while another quietly investigates them. He has been openly scornful of those so‑called 'alphabet agencies,' accusing them of hiding behind classification stamps and inconsistent briefings. The lack of a coherent narrative from officials has allowed Burchett to frame himself as a straight‑talking sceptic of the security establishment, even as he leans into some of its most mysterious subject matter. When he took his message to Stephen A. Smith's Straight Shooter podcast, Burchett cast Trump as the only figure likely to smash that wall of secrecy. 'If anybody will do it, if anybody's a disruptor, it's Donald J. Trump, and he will disrupt with this,' he said. He added that he had been in touch with people at the White House 'just about that,' and hinted, without providing evidence, that 'hopefully some things will be coming out soon.' Nothing in Burchett's public comments so far has been accompanied by documentary proof, independently verifiable details of the briefings he cites, or specific examples of the alleged cover‑up. Until and unless that material appears, his more dramatic claims remain unconfirmed. Donald Trump, UFO Files And A Nervous Public If the Congressman is right about the contents of those files, though, he believes the shock would be profound. Earlier this month, he told conservative channel Newsmax that Americans would be rattled by what he has heard behind closed doors. 'This country would've come unglued if they had heard all that I heard,' he said. 'They would demand answers.' That suggestion of a public on the verge of panic has become part of the modern UFO script, even as former officials edge closer to acknowledging that at least some incidents defy easy explanation. Former president Barack Obama once appeared to nod towards that ambiguity, telling an interviewer that there were objects in the sky that behaved in ways military experts could not fully account for. He later rowed back on those remarks, but not before Trump accused him of flirting with 'classified information.' Trump himself has oscillated between mockery and tantalising hints. As president, he occasionally teased that he knew 'interesting' things about Roswell, the New Mexico town synonymous with UFO lore, before quickly changing the subject. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump has promised to push the Pentagon and other federal agencies to release what they hold on 'unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)' and 'unidentified flying objects (UFOs).' The wording was vague, and he did not set out any timetable or legal route for doing so, but for campaign supporters keen on disclosure, it was a clear nod.
Who Are Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell? Two Congressmen Resign Same Night Over Explosive Sexual Misconduct Scandals
A Republican and a Democrat resigned from Congress within an hour of each other on Monday night, marking an extraordinary bipartisan reckoning over workplace sexual misconduct in the US House of Representatives. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced he would 'file my retirement from office' when Congress reconvenes on Tuesday, April 14, while Eric Swalwell of California said he planned to resign his seat. Both lawmakers faced bipartisan expulsion votes set for this week before announcing their departures, and both were under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. A Former Prosecutor and a Navy Veteran Swalwell, 45, is a seven-term lawmaker who was first elected in 2012 after defeating a 40-year incumbent. The former Alameda County deputy district attorney represents California's 14th Congressional District east of San Francisco. He served as an impeachment manager in Donald Trump's second Senate trial and had been a leading candidate in California's gubernatorial race until the allegations surfaced last week. pic.twitter.com/JbKgSORgu4 — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026 Gonzales, also 45, is a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer who served 20 years as a cryptologist with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. First elected in 2020, he represents Texas' 23rd Congressional District, a sprawling border region stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. A father of six, he sits on the Appropriations and Homeland Security committees. There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas. — Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 13, 2026 Parallel Scandals Bring Down Two Careers Gonzales had been under scrutiny since admitting last month to an affair with a former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation in March into whether he 'engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office' and 'discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favours or privileges.' A second former campaign staffer also accused the Texas lawmaker of sending sexually explicit messages and pressuring her for nude photos during his 2020 campaign. Swalwell faced allegations from at least four women detailing experiences ranging from unwanted sexual advances to rape. A former staffer accused the California Democrat of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation into his conduct. Bipartisan Push for Expulsion The simultaneous resignations came as lawmakers from both parties were preparing to bring expulsion resolutions against the two congressmen this week. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida had announced plans to introduce a resolution to expel Swalwell, while Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico said she would bring an expulsion resolution against Gonzales. 'We have successfully drained part of the swamp this week with the resignation of two very corrupt members of Congress,' Luna wrote on X following the announcements. We have successfully drained part of the swamp this week with the resignation of two very corrupt members of Congress. Thank you for your attention to this matter. — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 13, 2026 Swalwell's downfall was particularly swift. He had been a leading candidate in California's gubernatorial race until Sunday, when he suspended his campaign after prominent allies abandoned him. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who had chaired Swalwell's 2020 presidential campaign, said the congressman was 'no longer fit' to serve. I support the ethics committee’s investigation and believe Eric Swalwell is no longer fit to be a Member of Congress. He should be expelled from Congress. I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric… — Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 13, 2026 Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the resignation 'the right thing to do.' The Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced on Saturday it was investigating one of the sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, which allegedly occurred in New York in 2024. What Happens Next Both resignations will trigger special elections. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom must call a special election within 14 days of the vacancy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has discretion over when to set an election date. The dual departures maintain the current partisan balance in the narrowly divided House. House rules prohibit members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with their employees.
Who Are Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell? Two Congressmen Resign Same Night Over Explosive Sexual Misconduct Scandals
A Republican and a Democrat resigned from Congress within an hour of each other on Monday night, marking an extraordinary bipartisan reckoning over workplace sexual misconduct in the US House of Representatives. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced he would 'file my retirement from office' when Congress reconvenes on Tuesday, April 14, while Eric Swalwell of California said he planned to resign his seat. Both lawmakers faced bipartisan expulsion votes set for this week before announcing their departures, and both were under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. A Former Prosecutor and a Navy Veteran Swalwell, 45, is a seven-term lawmaker who was first elected in 2012 after defeating a 40-year incumbent. The former Alameda County deputy district attorney represents California's 14th Congressional District east of San Francisco. He served as an impeachment manager in Donald Trump's second Senate trial and had been a leading candidate in California's gubernatorial race until the allegations surfaced last week. pic.twitter.com/JbKgSORgu4 — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026 Gonzales, also 45, is a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer who served 20 years as a cryptologist with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. First elected in 2020, he represents Texas' 23rd Congressional District, a sprawling border region stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. A father of six, he sits on the Appropriations and Homeland Security committees. There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas. — Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 13, 2026 Parallel Scandals Bring Down Two Careers Gonzales had been under scrutiny since admitting last month to an affair with a former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation in March into whether he 'engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office' and 'discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favours or privileges.' A second former campaign staffer also accused the Texas lawmaker of sending sexually explicit messages and pressuring her for nude photos during his 2020 campaign. Swalwell faced allegations from at least four women detailing experiences ranging from unwanted sexual advances to rape. A former staffer accused the California Democrat of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation into his conduct. Bipartisan Push for Expulsion The simultaneous resignations came as lawmakers from both parties were preparing to bring expulsion resolutions against the two congressmen this week. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida had announced plans to introduce a resolution to expel Swalwell, while Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico said she would bring an expulsion resolution against Gonzales. 'We have successfully drained part of the swamp this week with the resignation of two very corrupt members of Congress,' Luna wrote on X following the announcements. We have successfully drained part of the swamp this week with the resignation of two very corrupt members of Congress. Thank you for your attention to this matter. — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 13, 2026 Swalwell's downfall was particularly swift. He had been a leading candidate in California's gubernatorial race until Sunday, when he suspended his campaign after prominent allies abandoned him. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who had chaired Swalwell's 2020 presidential campaign, said the congressman was 'no longer fit' to serve. I support the ethics committee’s investigation and believe Eric Swalwell is no longer fit to be a Member of Congress. He should be expelled from Congress. I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric… — Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 13, 2026 Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the resignation 'the right thing to do.' The Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced on Saturday it was investigating one of the sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, which allegedly occurred in New York in 2024. What Happens Next Both resignations will trigger special elections. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom must call a special election within 14 days of the vacancy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has discretion over when to set an election date. The dual departures maintain the current partisan balance in the narrowly divided House. House rules prohibit members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with their employees.
Eric Swalwell Ends Governor Run: Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Violating Immigration Laws to Keep Brazilian Nanny in US
Democratic representative from California Eric Swalwell, who was once the projected frontrunner in the race to become the next Governor of California, has officially suspended his campaign. The announcement comes after the weekend of intense scandals involving multiple sexual misconduct, including rape, and a federal investigation into the illegal employment of their Brazilian nanny – violating immigration laws. Swalwell Suspends His Governor Run Amid Allegations On Sunday, 12 April, Rep Swalwell announced that he is officially suspending his campaign for California governor after several women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct. On top of it, he is also under investigation for violating immigration laws. In a statement he shared on X, the Democratic congressman wrote: 'I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign.' I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s. — Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026 Sexual Misconduct Allegations Over the weekend, the Democratic representative faced serious allegations after the San Francisco Chronicle published a 'bombshell' report on Friday, 10 April, detailing accusations from a former staff member. She alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice—once in 2019 and again in 2024—while she was too intoxicated to consent That evening, CNN also released an exclusive report about three additional women who came forward, accusing the congressman of sending unsolicited nude photographs and explicit messages. The sexual misconduct allegations have shifted from political gossip to a criminal matter as the Manhattan District Attorney's office has confirmed it is opening an investigation into the claims. According to a report by The Guardian, these accusations have prompted even his closest allies to distance themselves. Senator Adam Schiff, a long-time supporter, rescinded his endorsement over the weekend, describing the situation as untenable for a public servant seeking the state's highest office. Violations of Immigration Law Aside from the sexual allegations Swalwell is facing, a fresh probe by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is also underway. Federal authorities are investigating whether Swalwell and his wife, Brittany Watts Swalwell, violated immigration laws by employing a Brazilian nanny, Amanda Barbosa, 33, without legal work authorisation, The Guardian reported. The complaint alleges that Barbosa's J-1 visa expired in December 2022, yet she remained a live-in nanny for the family through 2023 and 2024. The Post reported that Barbosa received approximately £35,000 ($47,000) in campaign funds in 2022. He also allegedly began the process of sponsoring her for a green card. Swalwell Denies the Allegations Swalwell remains defiant regarding the veracity of the claims, calling it 'flat false.' In a video statement, the representative apologised to his family for 'mistakes in judgment.' A post shared by instagram The congressman characterised the sexual misconduct and immigration allegations as a coordinated political hit. This is after the allegations came on the 'eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California,' he said. 'These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have,' Swalwell said. He maintained that his twenty-year record as a prosecutor and congressman would eventually clear his name, even as he retreats from the 2026 race. Swalwell's attorney has threatened to sue one of his accusers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Congress Expulsion Looms On top of the allegations, his withdrawal from his bid for the governor's seat and, now, his seat in the House of Representatives are in jeopardy as momentum for a vote on expulsion is building. Representative Anna Paulina Luna has indicated she will force a vote as early as midweek. Fellow Democrats have also turned. Representative Ro Khanna told the media that the alleged behaviour was 'sick and disgusting' and that 'there need to be consequences.' Representatives Byron Donalds, Pramila Jayapal, Eugene Vindman of Virginia, and Jared Huffman also share the same sentiments.
Who Will Win the Election 2028? White House Warns Staff Against Betting on Platforms Like Polymarket
The White House has issued a stark directive to administration officials, warning them against using privileged government information to place wagers on election 2028 odds. In a move designed to preserve the integrity of the executive branch, an internal memo circulated on 24 March 2026 informed staff that exploiting non-public data for financial gain on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi is a violation of federal ethics guidelines. The warning comes as these prediction markets, once a niche corner of the internet, have transformed into a multibillion-dollar industry that tracks everything from diplomatic breakthroughs to the next occupant of the Oval Office. Government ethics officials are reportedly concerned that the real-time nature of these platforms creates an unprecedented opportunity for insider trading by government officials. With more than $44bn in estimated trades currently flowing through these ecosystems, the line between public service and private profit has become dangerously blurred. White House spokesman Davis Ingle addressed the reports, telling the BBC that while there is no evidence of widespread misconduct, the administration must remain 'guided solely by the best interest of the American people.' A day earlier, President Donald Trump had announced a five-day pause on a threatened strike targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. That kind of decision, taken behind closed doors and revealed selectively, is precisely the sort of information that could move markets if known in advance. Ingle rejected any suggestion that officials had acted improperly. 'Any implication that Administration officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible reporting,' he told the BBC. Prediction Markets Drift Into Political Territory What makes this moment notable is how prediction markets have shifted from niche curiosity to something approaching mainstream financial infrastructure. More than $44bn (£33bn) in trades have flowed through these platforms, according to available estimates, with bets covering everything from interest rate decisions to local election outcomes. Politics, inevitably, has become part of that ecosystem. Users can stake money on whether a candidate will win, whether legislation will pass, or even whether a conflict will escalate. The line between informed speculation and unfair advantage is thin at the best of times. When those with access to confidential government deliberations enter the picture, that line starts to dissolve. Polymarket, in particular, has faced scrutiny in recent months. In January, an anonymous trader reportedly made nearly half a million dollars by correctly betting on the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro shortly before it was publicly confirmed. The account, identified only by a string of blockchain characters, has not been linked to any individual. There is no proof that the trader had insider information. Yet the episode unsettled regulators and lawmakers for an obvious reason. It illustrated how easily sensitive developments can be monetised if information leaks, whether intentionally or not. Lawmakers Push For Oversight Concern is no longer confined to internal emails. On Capitol Hill, pressure is building for a more formal response. US Congressman Ritchie Torres, a Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, has called on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to investigate what he described as 'suspicious' trading activity linked to prediction markets. The CFTC already oversees derivatives trading, placing these platforms within its orbit, though regulation remains patchy. At the same time, some Democrats are pushing further. Proposed legislation introduced in March would ban outright betting on events tied to war or military action. The argument is stark. Markets that allow participants to profit from conflict risk create perverse incentives, or at the very least, the perception of them. US Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey framed it more sharply. 'Corruption and exploitation are thriving right now within the gaps and loopholes of prediction markets,' he said. 'This manipulation leaves the select few winning big, at the expense of working Americans.' A System Struggling To Keep Pace Prediction markets operate at the intersection of finance, technology and public policy, yet oversight has not caught up with that complexity. For the White House, the immediate concern is reputational as much as legal. Even the perception that officials might profit from inside knowledge risks eroding trust in government decisions, particularly when those decisions involve national security or economic policy. The warning to staff is a reminder that, inside government, access itself can become a liability. In a system where information moves markets, knowing too much carries its own risks.