Tuesday, November 25, 2025
No menu items!
Newsletter
type here...
Home Blog

Trump Redraws Gulf Map, Reopens California Waters in Major Energy Revival

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Redraws Gulf Map, Reopens California Waters in Major Energy Revival

Key Takeaways

  • Aggressive Energy Expansion: The Trump administration proposes up to 34 offshore lease sales from 2026 to 2031, including the first California leases since 1984 and newly defined areas in the Gulf.
  • Industry Applauds Certainty: Energy groups praised the long-term leasing schedule as a major step toward boosting investment, strengthening supply chains, and restoring U.S. energy dominance.
  • Democrats Push Back: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and environmental groups condemned the plan, while Trump doubled down on the need for strong domestic production.

The Trump administration is taking a bold swing at American energy dominance, unveiling a sweeping proposal Thursday to open new offshore drilling opportunities — including long-untapped areas off the coast of California and sections of the Gulf previously considered off limits. The plan marks a dramatic departure from the Biden administration’s three-lease roadmap and signals Trump’s intent to revive U.S. oil and gas production with the urgency of a country that understands energy security is national security.

Under the proposal, the administration would hold six lease auctions off California’s coast, where no new sales have occurred since 1984. Trump’s Interior Department also moved to redefine a portion of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico as the “South-Central Gulf of America,” opening it to drilling and sparking predictable pearl-clutching from Democrats and even some Florida Republicans. Beach tourism may be king, but so is affordable energy.

The full plan includes as many as 34 offshore lease sales between 2026 and 2031: 21 in Alaska, six in California, and seven in the Gulf. Energy industry leaders applauded the announcement, saying long-term leasing certainty will unleash investment, strengthen supply chains, and keep the U.S. competitive. Erik Milito of the National Ocean Industries Association praised the Interior Department for “fixing a leasing program that was wholly insufficient,” while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the proposal “ambitious” and essential for restoring production momentum.

Naturally, Democratic officials raced to condemn the plan. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking from the climate-themed COP30 summit — where fossil fuels are treated like a swear word — said the proposal is “dead on arrival.” Environmental groups warned of hypothetical oil spills and economic ruin, the same talking points they’ve used for decades.

But Trump has made his position unmistakable: America cannot lead the world by restricting its own energy. “Drill, baby drill” isn’t a slogan; it’s an economic strategy. And this proposal sends a clear message that the days of energy scarcity by political choice are over.

Trump Slams Democrats as “Traitors” After Video Urges Troops to Defy Orders

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Slams Democrats as “Traitors” After Video Urges Troops to Defy Orders

Key Takeaways

  • Explosive Political Clash: President Trump blasted six Democrat lawmakers for releasing a video telling service members they can refuse unlawful orders, calling their actions “seditious behavior.”
  • Democrats Push Back: The lawmakers defended their video as a reminder of established military law, accusing Trump of escalating tension and targeting political opponents.
  • Possible DOJ Probe: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated the Justice Department may investigate whether the lawmakers encouraged insubordination within the military.

President Donald Trump is once again shaking Washington’s political establishment to its core. This time, he’s firing back at a group of Democratic lawmakers who released a video urging military personnel to refuse unlawful orders. The six Democrats, all with military or intelligence backgrounds, told active service members, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”

Trump called the message dangerous and accused the lawmakers of undermining the chain of command at a time when America faces serious national security challenges. On Truth Social, he blasted the group as “TRAITORS,” adding, “LOCK THEM UP???” and later, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” The president’s comments drew cheers from supporters at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum and predictable outrage from the left.

The Democrats involved — including Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Elissa Slotkin — claimed Trump’s reaction was “telling,” insisting they were simply restating established military law. They framed the fight as a moral crusade, saying, “Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence.”

But the political context is impossible to ignore. Their video comes as the Trump administration has taken aggressive action against suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean, actions Democrats claim lack transparency. Slotkin also pointed to troop deployments in U.S. cities, accusing the administration of suppressing debate.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News the DOJ may investigate the lawmakers for encouraging military insubordination, calling their behavior “abhorrent.” White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller went further, labeling the comments “plainly, directly” insurrectionist and saying the lawmakers should “resign in disgrace.”

The irony, of course, isn’t lost on anyone: Democrats who once tried to use “insurrection” charges to sideline Trump now face accusations of stoking defiance within the armed forces. And with Trump’s Justice Department already targeting political corruption — indicting former FBI Director James Comey and New York AG Letitia James — it’s clear the administration is no longer giving Washington’s power brokers a free pass.

In classic Trump fashion, he’s making sure the message is unmistakable: America’s military answers to the Constitution — not partisan grandstanding — and no lawmaker is above accountability.

CDC Quietly Rewrites Vaccine–Autism Guidance in Stunning Reversal

Keely Compson
-
0
CDC Quietly Rewrites Vaccine–Autism Guidance in Stunning Reversal

Key Takeaways

  • CDC Reverses Longtime Messaging: The agency now says “vaccines do not cause autism” is not an evidence-based claim, admitting that past statements overstated scientific certainty.
  • HHS Launches New Autism Investigation: Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is overseeing a comprehensive review into biological mechanisms and potential causal links, promising future updates based on “gold-standard science.”
  • Data Quality Act Forced the Rewrite: The CDC states the update was required by law because federal agencies must provide information that is accurate, objective, and not misleading to the public.

In a move sending shockwaves through the medical establishment, the CDC has quietly rewritten its “Autism and Vaccines” webpage. The update states plainly: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”

For an agency that spent decades insisting the science was “settled,” this is a stunning reversal. The CDC now admits that studies supporting a possible link “have been ignored by health authorities” and that a full-scale investigation is underway at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The shift comes under the watch of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has argued for years that federal agencies dismissed legitimate scientific questions in the name of protecting vaccine uptake. Now, with the Biden-era messaging machine gone and President Trump demanding federal transparency across the board, HHS appears to be reevaluating long-held public health narratives.

According to the CDC’s updated site, the revisions were legally required under the Data Quality Act, which obligates federal agencies to ensure the information they present is evidence-based. The CDC acknowledged that the statement “Vaccines do not cause autism” was not supported by conclusive science — yet was still promoted to avoid hesitancy.

HHS has now launched what it calls a “comprehensive assessment” into autism’s causes, specifically including “plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links.” The agency says future updates will include only “gold-standard science” produced through this review.

For millions of parents who felt dismissed, silenced, or censored for even asking questions, the update is nothing short of vindication — and a sign that under President Trump, federal health agencies are finally being forced to confront inconvenient truths rather than bury them.

Trump Unleashes on Fed Chair Powell, Slams Rate Strategy

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Unleashes on Fed Chair Powell, Slams Rate Strategy

Key Takeaways

  • Trump Slams Powell’s Leadership: The president criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell as “grossly incompetent,” arguing that high interest rates are holding back economic growth.
  • Push for Faster Rate Cuts: Trump wants aggressive rate reductions to stimulate investment and strengthen the U.S. economy, while the Fed remains divided and cautious.
  • Fed Spending Under Fire: Trump mocked the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation, comparing it to his own projects at a fraction of the cost.

President Donald Trump didn’t hold back Wednesday when he took the stage at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C. In classic Trump fashion, he tore into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling him “grossly incompetent” and joking that he’d love to “fire his ass.” The audience laughed, but the frustration behind Trump’s remarks was very real.

“[Powell’s] got some real mental problems. There’s something wrong with him,” Trump said, pointing straight at the Fed’s refusal to cut interest rates at the speed he wants. Trump reminded the crowd that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the one keeping Powell in the chair — for now.

According to Trump, Bessent keeps pleading, “Sir, don’t fire him. Sir, please don’t fire him. He’s got three months to go.” Powell’s term ends in May 2026, but Trump made it clear he isn’t exactly counting down the days with excitement.

Trump believes high interest rates are doing unnecessary damage at a time when the economy needs momentum. The Fed has trimmed rates twice — once in September and again in October — bringing the federal funds rate down to 3.75 to 4 percent. But Trump wants more aggressive cuts to fuel growth, strengthen investment, and keep America’s economy leading the world.

Fed officials, meanwhile, are divided. Some worry about inflation, others fear a softening labor market, and no one seems eager to move quickly. A December cut is far from guaranteed.

Trump also mocked the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. “I’m building a ballroom that’s going to cost a tiny fraction of that,” he said. “And it’s bigger than the whole thing put together.”

For Trump, the message was unmistakable: America needs pro-growth monetary policy, not bureaucratic dithering — and the Fed is running out of excuses.

Nvidia CEO Says Zero China Sales Threaten U.S. AI Edge

Keely Compson
-
0
Nvidia CEO Says Zero China Sales Threaten U.S. AI Edge

Key Takeaways

  • Nvidia Shut Out of China: Jensen Huang says export restrictions leave the company with “zero” China sales for at least two quarters, cutting off access to a $50 billion AI chip market.
  • Competing Visions for U.S. Leadership: Huang argues America must reenter the Chinese market to stay globally competitive, while President Trump insists advanced U.S. chips cannot fall into Beijing’s hands.
  • National Security Takes Priority: Trump reaffirmed that the most powerful AI chips will remain U.S.-only, underscoring his strategy to protect American technological dominance over China.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is sounding the alarm on U.S.–China trade tensions, warning that America’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence could take a hit if Washington keeps the door slammed shut on the world’s second-largest economy. In an interview on FOX Business Network’s “The Claman Countdown,” Huang didn’t dance around it: the U.S. needs access to the Chinese market if it wants to stay at the top of the global tech race.

“It is clear that we really need America to go back into the Chinese market to be able to compete there,” Huang said. “It’s good for the American people. It’s good for the American tech stack.”

China’s AI chip market is worth about $50 billion today and could balloon to $200 billion by the end of the decade. But because of U.S. export restrictions, Nvidia is locked out entirely. “I’m forecasting China’s sales to be zero. It’s zero for the next quarter, zero for the quarter after that,” Huang said. For a company that reinvests heavily in R&D, that revenue loss stings.

Huang argues that allowing U.S. firms to participate in China’s tech ecosystem would help both sides innovate faster. But the decision ultimately lies with the White House — and President Trump has been crystal clear: America’s most advanced AI chips stay in America.

“The most advanced, we will not let anybody have them other than the United States,” Trump said in a recent “60 Minutes” interview. It’s a national security stance rooted in keeping America ahead, not helping Beijing accelerate its military-tech complex.

Huang may want market access, but Trump’s priority is maintaining U.S. dominance in the technologies that shape global power. And for now, the two visions aren’t aligned — leaving Nvidia preparing for more quarters of zero sales to China.

Trump Signs Epstein Files Transparency Act, Ordering Full DOJ Release

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Signs Epstein Files Transparency Act, Ordering Full DOJ Release

Key Takeaways

  • Historic Transparency Move: President Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, directing the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein-related documents in a public, searchable format.
  • Massive Bipartisan Vote: The bill passed the House 427 to 1 and cleared the Senate unanimously after Trump reversed his earlier opposition and urged Republicans to support it.
  • Redactions to Protect Victims: The law allows the DOJ to redact victims’ identities and temporarily withhold information tied to active investigations, ensuring protections without blocking transparency.

President Trump has officially signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law, ordering the Department of Justice to pull back the curtain on every unclassified document tied to Jeffrey Epstein. For a scandal that has hovered over Washington for years, this marks the first real step toward full transparency and accountability. And yes, it’s a major reversal for the president, who until just days ago had pushed back against releasing the files.

But after a weekend of intense pressure, Trump made his position clear in a Truth Social post, urging House Republicans to pass the bill and declaring it was time to “move on” from the political tug-of-war. The GOP fell in line, joining Democrats in a rare show of unity. The final vote: 427 to 1, with Rep. Clay Higgins standing alone in opposition. Hours later, the Senate passed the bill unanimously, sending it straight to the Resolute Desk.

Now the ball is in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s court. She has 30 days to make public a massive trove of unclassified documents, communications, and investigative materials from the DOJ, FBI, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. And she must do it in a searchable, downloadable format that Americans can comb through for themselves.

The biggest uncertainty is how much the public will actually see. The legislation allows redactions to protect victims’ identities and personal information. It also gives the DOJ limited authority to withhold material tied to ongoing investigations, though those redactions must be narrow and temporary.

Still, the law promises unprecedented transparency. For years, both parties have talked about exposing the truth. Now President Trump has put the federal government on the clock to finally do it.

Florida Democrat Indicted for Allegedly Stealing $5M in FEMA Funds

Keely Compson
-
0
Florida Democrat Indicted for Allegedly Stealing $5M in FEMA Funds

Key Takeaways

  • Major Corruption Allegations: Federal prosecutors say Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother stole a $5 million FEMA overpayment, routing it through multiple accounts to hide where the money came from.
  • Campaign Finance Scheme Exposed: DOJ claims portions of the stolen funds were funneled into her 2021 campaign using straw donors arranged by a staffer, with multiple co-conspirators now facing serious prison time.
  • Growing Ethical Scrutiny: The congresswoman was already under investigation for potential ethics violations, and conservative watchdogs had flagged the FEMA overpayment case months before the indictment.

A Florida Democrat is in hot water after a federal grand jury handed down an indictment accusing Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of stealing $5 million in FEMA funds and funneling part of it into her own political campaign. The Justice Department revealed the charges Wednesday, marking one of the most stunning cases of alleged public corruption to surface in years.

Prosecutors say the trouble began in July 2021, when Cherfilus-McCormick’s health care company — where she served as CEO — received an accidental $5 million overpayment tied to a FEMA staffing contract for COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead of returning the taxpayers’ money, the government alleges she and her brother, Edwin, “conspired to steal” it, moving the cash through a maze of accounts to “disguise” its origin.

Attorney General Pam Bondi did not hold back. “Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” she said. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.”

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces more than 50 years in prison, though her status as a first-time offender could lead to a lighter sentence. Her brother could get up to 35 years. The congresswoman and her tax preparer, David Spencer, also face charges for allegedly conspiring to file a false federal tax return. Meanwhile, a staffer, Nadege Leblanc, is accused of orchestrating straw donations using friends and relatives to make FEMA money look like legitimate campaign cash.

Florida authorities had already sued the congresswoman’s company last year over the same overpayment, but the case quietly settled in mediation. Conservative watchdog groups had been sounding alarms for months, and the Office of Congressional Ethics recently found she may have violated House rules by seeking earmarks for a for-profit entity.

Once again, transparency and accountability are doing the job Washington too often refuses to do: exposing corruption where it counts.

Data Shows Home Values Slipping, but Long-Term Equity Still Strong

Keely Compson
-
0
Data Shows Home Values Slipping, but Long-Term Equity Still Strong

Key Takeaways

  • Market Correction, Not Crisis: Zillow reports 53 percent of homes lost value this year, but researchers say this is a normal cooling period after years of runaway appreciation.
  • Long-Term Equity Remains Strong: Despite short-term dips, median home values have climbed 67 percent since purchase, with some metros seeing gains above 100 percent.
  • Few Selling at a Loss: Only 4.1 percent of homes sold below their previous sale price in October, far lower than pre-pandemic levels, showing homeowners still have solid financial buffers.

More than half of American homes lost value over the past year, according to new research from Zillow, but despite the headlines, this isn’t the second coming of 2008. It’s what a cooling, post-pandemic housing market looks like when the sugar high of ultra-cheap money finally fades and supply starts catching up with demand.

Zillow found that roughly 53 percent of U.S. homes have dipped in value since last year, the highest share since 2012, when the country was clawing its way out of the Great Recession. Senior economic researcher Treh Manhertz said “homeowners may feel rattled,” but stressed that this is a normal correction, not a crisis. Prices soared for six straight years, far beyond fundamentals, and what we’re seeing now is gravity doing its job.

On average, homes fell 9.7 percent from their peak — higher than the 3.6 percent drawdown in spring 2022, but still miles away from the 27 percent plunge seen in early 2012. And despite the dip, only a small fraction of homes are selling below their last purchase price. In October, that number was 4.1 percent, up from 2.4 percent a year ago, but well below the 11.2 percent pre-pandemic level.

What matters most: equity. Americans who bought their homes eight and a half years ago have seen median values rise 67 percent. In supply-starved metros, appreciation has been even more dramatic. Buffalo saw a staggering 108 percent gain. San Jose clocked in at 97 percent, Providence at 95 percent, Columbus at 90 percent, and San Diego at 88 percent.

That kind of long-run growth doesn’t point to collapse. It signals stabilization… and in many areas, stubbornly strong demand fueled by Americans who stay in their homes longer and continue to build wealth the old-fashioned way.

House Overwhelmingly Votes to Release Epstein Files

Keely Compson
-
0
House Overwhelmingly Votes to Release Epstein Files

Key Takeaways

  • House Overrides Leadership: Despite months of internal resistance, the House voted 427 to 1 to compel the DOJ to release unclassified Epstein files, with both parties uniting to force transparency.
  • Trump Reverses Course: After previously opposing the legislation, President Trump backed the measure once it became clear Republicans would overwhelmingly support it, saying “it’s time to move on.”
  • Survivors Lead the Charge: Epstein’s accusers gathered at the Capitol, celebrating the vote and pushing back against claims the bill fails to protect victims, arguing the legislation includes strong safeguards.

The House delivered a political thunderclap Tuesday with a 427 to 1 vote directing the Department of Justice to release long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, ending months of infighting, finger-pointing, and high-stakes maneuvering between Republicans, Democrats, and even the Trump camp. The lone “no” vote came from Rep. Clay Higgins, but the real story is how a bill that GOP leaders tried to stall for months suddenly sailed through with near-unanimous support.

President Trump, after resisting the proposal, reversed course over the weekend once it became clear Republicans were breaking ranks. Writing on Truth Social, he declared “it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics.” With the wind shifting, Speaker Mike Johnson voted in favor of the measure, citing “maximum transparency,” even as he warned the bill needs safeguards to protect victims and prevent innocent people from being dragged into guilt-by-association scandals.

Survivors of Epstein’s abuse gathered at the Capitol and erupted in applause when the vote closed — a rare moment of unity in Washington. But getting there meant bypassing GOP leadership entirely. Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna triggered a discharge petition, forcing the House to take the vote. Republicans Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, and Marjorie Taylor Greene signed on despite pressure from Trump allies to reverse course.

Greene, who stood with Epstein’s accusers Tuesday morning, described the internal rift bluntly: the issue had “ripped MAGA apart.”

The bill orders the release of unclassified DOJ records relating to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and others connected to the trafficking network. It also allows redactions to protect victims and prevent the release of child sexual abuse material, though some Republicans argue the language needs tightening. Johnson urged the Senate to “do what we have not been allowed to do” and strengthen those protections.

Democrats accuse GOP leaders of stalling for months to shield political interests, not victims. They say Trump’s last-minute reversal was a recognition that Republicans were facing a landslide defeat.

The Senate now takes up the measure, and Trump says he will sign it if it reaches his desk — a move that would finally inject full transparency into a scandal that has haunted Washington for years.

123...149Page 1 of 149

Links

Stay connected

Newsletter Signup

- Advertisement -

© America First News | All rights reserved.