Category Archives: National

Venezuelan Earthquake Response

By David Arnett

Wednesday June 24, Venezuela experienced a pair of strong earthquakes off the northern coast, west of Caracas. The first shock was reported around magnitude 7.2, followed by a larger main event about 39 seconds later at roughly magnitude 7.5. These quakes have caused significant damage in several cities.

The United States is mobilizing immediate, life-saving resources as part of a rapid, government-wide response.  In the hours after the earthquakes, President Trump immediately authorized the U.S. government to commit significant financial assistance, deploy search and rescue efforts, and collaborate with the interim Venezuelan authorities to address the acute needs of the Venezuelan people the U.S. State Department said in a media release.

Venezuela
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ISIS Financial Networks Targeted

By Staff Report

Monday U.S. Department of State spokesman Tommy Pigott revealed that under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world by cutting off the financial lifelines from around the world that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities.

The terrorism designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders – exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.

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Congress Should Reject the CLARITY Act

By Trevor Dorsey, Sr. VP Prosperity Bank

America’s strength is more than our military power. It depends on economic leadership, energy security, strong law enforcement, and the ability to cut off hostile regimes from exploiting our systems to undermine our country.

That is why Congress should reject the CLARITY Act in its current form.

By creating broad exemptions and carve-outs for crypto special interests, the legislation would interfere with law enforcement and national security officials’ ability to identify who is moving money, where it is going, and whether it is tied to sanctioned actors. Without strong Know-Your- Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) standards, bad actors in Iran and North Korea can use crypto to fund terrorism, launder money for criminal activity, and undermine our critical defense tools.

The danger is not theoretical.

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CBP Seizes Over $10.1 million in Meth

By David Arnett

LAREDO, Texas: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the World Trade Bridge seized narcotics that totaled over $10,122,000 in street value. The likely intended course of travel north would have taken those drugs through if not to Oklahoma. Thank CBP for diligence in saving lives.

The seizure occurred on Monday, June 15, at the World Trade Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2013 D-13 Volvo big rig hauling a shipment manifested as “polypropylene” for secondary inspection. Following a canine and nonintrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered 1,100.79 pounds of suspected methamphetamine within the commodity. The narcotics have a street value of $10,122,012.

World Trade Bridge, Laredo, Texas
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Democratic Transition in Venezuela

By Staff Report

The United States welcomed a meeting last week between Jorge Rodriguez as President of the Venezuela National Assembly (AN) of 2026 and representative of the Venezuelan Interim Government, and 2015 Venezuelan National Assembly President Dinorah Figuera to discuss an agenda that will serve as the roadmap for a political dialogue on a democratic transition.   

The U.S. understands that this agenda includes key priorities such as rebuilding Venezuela’s democratic institutions, reestablishing durable guarantees for political participation, and securing essential civic freedoms for open political discourse. 

Map provided to help Dumocrats learn Geography
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