President Donald Trump floated the United States taking control of Cuba after the communist country’s Coast Guard killed four individuals on a boat registered in the state of Florida on Wednesday.
&#8220;The Cuban government is talking with us, and they&#8217;re in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money, they have no anything right now, but they’re talking with us, and maybe we&#8217;ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” the president told reporters Friday, adding that the island nation is in “big trouble.”
“You know, we have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and they’re very happy with what’s going on,” he continued.
The boat had Americans on board, according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/us-americans-cuba-boat-shooting-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a>. The Cuban government claims that the “violating speedboat” was in “territorial waters.”
“When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel,” the Ministry of the Interior stated.
“In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region,” the statement added, noting that there will be investigations into the incident.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez posted to X on Thursday that the country “does not attack, nor threaten.”
“We have stated this on repeated occasions and we reaffirm it today: Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability,” he added.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that the U.S. has “every reason to want our own information.”
“We don’t make decisions in the United States on the basis of what the Cuban authorities are saying,” he added.
The recent incident and the comments from the president come as the country, which is just 90 miles south of Florida, is facing an ongoing energy crisis, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-26/trump-looks-to-leverage-cuba-s-energy-crisis-to-gain-influence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a> reported.
The Trump administration has not wavered in flexing the American military’s muscle in the Western Hemisphere, most recently with the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in January to face narco-terrorism charges in the United States.

TOPSHOT-CUBA-MAY DAY-DEMO

Trump Suggests ‘Friendly Takeover Of Cuba’ After Boat Incident

Cuba

Foreign Policy

Global Politics

State Department

Trump Administration

World

Some Department of Homeland Security employees, including Transportation Security Administration agents, will receive only partial paychecks this week as the department&#8217;s funding lapse continues.
The standoff between the White House and congressional Democrats shows little sign of resolution. At issue are proposed restrictions on federal immigration enforcement tactics, which Democrats are seeking in exchange for restoring funding.
“Democrats have submitted a laundry list of demands in order for the government to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) said on the Senate floor Thursday.
&#8220;260,000 people in all working without pay. It&#8217;s the Democrats that shut down the Department of Homeland Security, or at least refused to pay them. They’re still working, but they’re not getting paid because of the Democrats,” Barrasso said, adding that “Republicans have offered fair terms for a deal.”
Few details on any compromise have been made public, despite counteroffers exchanged as recently as Thursday, a White House official confirmed on background on Friday.
&#8220;Yesterday, the White House made another serious counteroffer. Democrats need to make a move to end the shutdown before more Americans are harmed by a lack of funding for critical services like disaster relief,&#8221; the official stated.
Since TSA agents are considered essential government employees, many will continue working without full pay. A similar shutdown last fall led to high absenteeism among screeners.
Democrats have pushed for major reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, including an end to masking and the use of judicial warrants. Despite the demands, ICE is already primarily funded through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that Trump signed in July.
“The American people know that ICE needs to be reined in,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said during a press conference earlier this month, accusing Republicans of refusing to compromise.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) criticized the Trump administration over a pause in Global Entry services, calling it a &#8220;bullying tactic.&#8221;
“The Trump administration is choosing to inflict pain on the public instead of adopting common sense ICE reforms,&#8221; he added in the statement.
Other DHS agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA, are also affected. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that &#8220;significant portions&#8221; of FEMA staff were placed on administrative leave.
&#8220;The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250,&#8221; Noem posted on X. &#8220;This Democrat shutdown directly impacts DHS’s ability to keep Americans safe at these events and our national security.&#8221;
The partial shutdown began on February 14, after DHS was separated from a broader government spending package following escalating tensions over immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.

Spending Bill – Government Shutdown – Debt Ceiling

Funding Fight Turns Ugly — Who Is Getting Shorted?

Congress

Government Shutdown

homeland security

Immigration

Travel

President Donald Trump is headed to Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday to tout the administration’s energy policies as a heated Republican Senate primary unfolds in the Lone Star State.
GOP candidates Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt are all expected to attend Trump&#8217;s event. The president has declined to publicly endorse, saying earlier this month that he supports &#8220;all three.&#8221;
When The Daily Wire asked whether Trump plans to back a candidate during the trip, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president “looks forward to returning to the great State of Texas this week to discuss the economy and tout his ‘Drill Baby Drill’ agenda.”
The Republican primary is Tuesday, with a runoff expected on May 26 if no candidate secures a majority. The eventual GOP nominee will face either Rep. Jasmine Crockett or state Sen. James Talarico, who are competing in a closely watched Democratic primary.
Many polls show Paxton leading, though a runoff could shift the dynamics depending on which candidate advances. Paxton is backed by Turning Point Action, while Cornyn, the incumbent, has the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
With just days remaining before the initial vote, each candidate has emphasized alignment with Trump&#8217;s agenda.
NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez, backing Cornyn, said that “no one has worked harder than John Cornyn and President Trump to reinvigorate our economy and lower costs for families, workers, and small businesses.”
The Hunt campaign said it is “an honor to welcome the President back to the Lone Star State,” adding that Hunt has “stood with President Trump from the very beginning.”
Trump’s visit comes after Energy Secretary Chris Wright <a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-approves-export-expansion-corpus-christi-lng">approved</a> a plan allowing more American natural gas to be shipped overseas from a large export site in Corpus Christi.
With the primary just days away, the contest is wide open as Trump, at least for now, remains neutral.

President Trump Tours Devastation In Texas After Deadly Flash Flooding

Trump Heads To Texas Days Before Heated GOP Primary As Senate Rivals Await His Backing

2026 election

campaigns

Senate

Texas

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has introduced legislation that would impose a tax on income earned by American athletes who compete in international sporting events on behalf of foreign governments.
The proposal, titled the &#8220;Officially Limiting Yearly Money Procured by Individuals Concerning Sportsmanship Act,” or OLYMPICS Act, would apply to athletes who represent what the law defines as &#8220;foreign entities of concern.&#8221; Those countries include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Although the legislation would not apply retroactively, Ogles cited freestyle skier Eileen Gu as the inspiration for the proposal, <a href="https://www.outkick.com/sports/exclusive-rep-andy-ogles-bill-targets-eileen-gu-tax-olympics-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OutKick</a> reported. Gu, an American-born athlete, won a gold medal and two silver medals while competing for China at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Her decision to represent China drew criticism in the United States. She also represented the communist government at the 2022 Beijing Games. Gu was raised in the United States by her mother, who immigrated from China.
“Any American who works with a foreign adversary has not only betrayed our country, but must be stripped of all benefits from doing so. That is why I am ensuring that the IRS takes every dollar earned by athletes like Eileen Gu,” Ogles told the outlet.
He added that the bill would impose an excise tax on athletes who compete internationally for &#8220;a foreign country of concern.&#8221;
&#8220;Being American is a privilege, and anyone who openly mocks that privilege on the world stage must be punished,” the congressman continued.
China awards prize money to Olympic medalists, but it’s unclear how much they earn, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/16/2026-winter-olympics-medal-bonus-payouts-by-country-athletes-milano-cortina.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNBC</a>.
Vice President JD Vance said last week on Fox News that “someone who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that makes this country a great place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America.”

Freestyle Skiing – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Day 14

GOP Rep Cites Eileen Gu In Push To Tax Athletes Competing For ‘Foreign Entities Of Concern’

GOP Rep Cites Eileen Gu In Push To Tax Athletes Competing For 'Foreign Entities Of Concern'

China

Olympics

Sports

Taxes

The SAVE America Act continues to face hurdles toward passage in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune cautioned against a “talking filibuster” strategy to get the legislation to the president’s desk, according to <a href="https://punchbowl.news/article/senate/thune-talking-filibuster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Punchbowl News</a>.
The legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, as well as a valid ID shown at the ballot box. Legislation in the Senate typically needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and advance to final passage. There is even some Republican pushback on the proposal, including from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
On Fox News&#8217; “America’s Newsroom” on Wednesday, Thune said that the Republicans will get &#8220;the Democrats on the record&#8221; for the proposal, calling it a &#8220;losing proposition&#8221; for Democrats to go against it, but noted that he would like to see an end to the Department of Homeland Security&#8217;s funding lapse first.
In reference to the talking filibuster, he told reporters on Thursday that &#8220;you&#8217;ve got to have pretty much unanimous support for tabling all amendments. And we&#8217;ve looked at, gamed it out what the first week would look like under a scenario like that, and you&#8217;d be voting on 30 amendments, and I think you&#8217;d probably only have two of the 94 speeches.&#8221;
A source familiar with the process argued that lowering the threshold to 51 votes risks giving Democrats more power, including on issues where a small number of Republicans might cross over, like a three-year extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies.
“So the question is, is it a good use of time, and what is the probability of success? And I&#8217;m all for doing things if there&#8217;s a pathway to winning in the end, but I think everybody needs to answer the question, you know, show me, what&#8217;s your picture of victory at the end?” the majority leader added.
The SAVE America Act, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), passed the House earlier this month, and Trump explicitly asked that the bill be passed during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
“And perhaps most importantly, I’m asking you to approve the SAVE America Act, to stop illegal aliens and others who are unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections,” the president said.
“All voters must show voter ID. All voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote,” he later added.
Many conservatives in the chamber are strongly pushing for the Senate to pass the bill with the talking filibuster.
“We know there will ‘be a vote.’ But this is guaranteed failure theater at a 60 vote threshold without forcing a real (talking) filibuster…,” Roy posted to X.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who is also a major proponent of the bill, wants to see it brought up for a vote even though Congress and the White House are still hammering out a Department of Homeland Security funding deal.
“If the Senate isn’t going to remain focused on Homeland Security funding—something I struggle to understand because DHS is nearly two weeks into a shutdown—we should proceed to the SAVE America Act,” Lee posted. “There will be time later to consider other bills. Those who elected us want us to pass the SAVE America Act now!”
Meanwhile, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) suggested that they should try to get some Democrats on board with the legislation in order to hit the 60-vote threshold.
“We should be locked in on trying to get eight or nine Democrats to vote yes on the SAVE Act,” the Republican said, according to <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/02/26/2026/republican-floats-working-with-democrats-on-voter-id-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Semafor</a>. “That’s the most plausible route to success.”
Most Democrats have been extremely opposed to the proposals outlined in the legislation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer equating it to “Jim Crow 2.0.”
During a Senate floor speech earlier this month, Schumer said that “millions of American citizens—millions—don’t have access to the paperwork that SAVE would require and would be in danger of getting shut out of our democracy.”
“For example, if you’re one of the 50% of Americans who doesn’t have a passport, or if you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who can’t quickly access your birth certificate, the SAVE Act could, in effect, take away your right to vote,” the New York senator added.

President Trump Presents The Mexican Border Defense Medal At The White House

Trump Demanded Proof Of Citizenship At The Booth — Now The GOP-Led Senate Faces A Choice

SAVE America Act Faces Uphill Battle In The Senate

Elections

Voting

A Republican campaign memo obtained by The Daily Wire argues that President Donald Trump’s State of the Union reinforced what the party sees as the top two midterm issues: the economy and immigration.
The memo, circulated on Wednesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, urges GOP Senate campaigns to emphasize that Republicans are “delivering on the Trump economic agenda.”
“Following President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU), the political environment is defined by two simple realities: the economy remains the top issue for voters and Republicans hold a measurable advantage on it, as well as on immigration, border security, and national security,” the memo states.
It adds that the data shows Trump is “aligned with public priorities&#8221; and that &#8220;voters increasingly trust Republicans to handle the issues they care about most.”
The memo cites January polling data from <a href="https://law.marquette.edu/assets/community/poll/MLSPSC30/MLSPSC30Toplines_NationalIssues.html#trump-immigration-4-cat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marquette Law School</a> showing that voters rank the economy, immigration, and healthcare as their top three issues. In the January 21-28 survey, Republicans held a three-point advantage over Democrats on the economy and led on tax policy, crime, and immigration.
A Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-early-look-2026-midterms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> conducted January 23-26 found Republicans with a 15-point lead on border security, a 12-point advantage on national security, and a five-point edge on immigration. The same survey showed Democrats leading on taxes, healthcare, and transgender issues. By contrast, the Marquette poll found Republicans holding a nine-point advantage on taxes.
The NRSC focuses on defending Republican incumbents and flipping competitive seats as the party seeks to maintain and possibly expand its 53-47 Senate majority. The Cook Political Report currently ranks Senate races in Georgia, North Carolina, Maine, and Michigan as toss-ups, with additional closely watched contests underway in New Hampshire, Alaska, and Ohio.
Trump’s address focused heavily on affordability and immigration, themes Republicans argue resonate as Americans file their taxes and as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in Congress.
“Last year, I urged this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history and our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully,” the president said.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, slammed the president’s address in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have enacted a toxic and historically unpopular agenda that has made life harder and more expensive for families nationwide,” Gillibrand said.
She added that Republicans “gutted Americans’ health care, raised costs, and handed out a massive tax giveaway to billionaires,&#8221; arguing that voters would vote for Democrats &#8220;to bring down costs, protect health care, and win back the Senate majority.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democratic response to Trump&#8217;s SOTU address, emphasizing affordability and criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Spanberger also pointed to her recent electoral victory, even as Republicans in Virginia have slammed a wave of new tax proposals advanced by the Democrats in the General Assembly.

Republican Lawmakers Work To Pass Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” On Capitol Hill

Republicans Say Trump’s SOTU Just Changed The Midterm Math

2026 Midterms

Politics

polling

Republicans

Tuesday night’s State of the Union comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces a funding lapse tied to disputes over federal immigration enforcement tactics. The standoff is already spilling into the chamber, with some Democrats choosing to skip President Trump’s address and others bringing guests connected to the immigration debate.
One example includes Rep. Seth Moulton’s (D-MA) guest, Marcelo Gomes da Silva. Moulton’s office said in a press release that Gomes da Silva was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for having an expired student visa he did not know about. Moulton said that “his story captures what’s broken in our immigration system right now,” whereas DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has said, “Marcelo Gomes da Silva is still an illegal alien and subject to removal proceedings.”
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) invited Caroline Dias Gonçalves as a guest, saying she was briefly arrested by ICE last year, even though she’s considered part of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). However, DHS stated that Gonçalves&#8217; “visa expired over a decade ago. President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.”
“Today, some Democrats in Congress are planning to bring illegal aliens as guests to the State of the Union. Once again, they are putting illegal aliens above the safety of American citizens,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a Tuesday statement to The Daily Wire.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/friendly-fire?utm_campaign=dwplus&amp;utm_content=20260224_sotu_aa_desktop&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-1391">Watch the State of the Union with The Daily Wire! Live coverage from the nation&#8217;s capital begins at 7:45 ET.</a>
“Yesterday alone, our officers arrested pedophiles, rapists, and violent criminals from our communities. President Trump and Secretary Noem have made it abundantly clear: if you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and you will NEVER return,” Bis added.
DHS also highlighted illegal immigrant arrests made on Monday, including Cuban national Jorge Luis Gómez-Gallardo, who had a prior conviction for “carnal knowledge of a child 13-14 years old without force” in Virginia.
Guyanese national Parsam Chettana was arrested in Schenectady, New York, and has been convicted of rape. Mexican national Agustine Hernandez-Almaraz was convicted of “criminal sexual assault”; Omar Gómez-Hinojosa of Mexico also had an assault conviction; and El Salvadoran national Isidro Arcenio Alvarado has a “naturalization fraud” conviction in North Carolina.
On Monday at the White House, Trump proclaimed it National Angel Family Day to “remember and honor the thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly drugs they bring across our borders.”
One of the Democrats voicing their opposition ahead of Tuesday’s remarks from the president is Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), who is facing federal felony charges for allegedly interfering with authorities during a clash outside an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, last May. McIver’s “prebuttal” underscored her criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.
“America can handle dissent. We should welcome it. The conversation makes us stronger. But Donald Trump doesn’t care about America; he cares only about himself, his money, his power. It is time to decide: Is democracy worth defending? Is it worth the risk? Is it worth a very real sacrifice?” she said.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Holds News Conference

Why DHS Says Democrats’ SOTU Guest Picks Put ‘Americans Last’

Department of Homeland Security

State of the Union

U.S.

<div>A new digital ad in the Nebraska Senate race is bringing revelations from the Epstein files to the campaign trail.</div>
Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released an ad pointing out Independent Dan Osborn’s canceled fundraiser with high-level Democratic strategist Dana Chasin, whose name was referenced in an email in the files for allegedly moving children on a plane for Jeffrey Epstein. Chasin has strongly denied any allegations, according to Politico.
&#8220;Even after that information was public, Osborn continued to raise money with Chasin until he got caught,” the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UFJFn0Te1Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ad</a> states.
Although the fundraiser was scrapped, the ActBlue link to donate with Chasin’s name on it as part of the host committee was still up until Monday morning. After The Daily Wire reached out to the Osborn campaign about the active <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/021026dc?refcode=invite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ActBlue link</a> with Chasin’s name mentioned, it was taken down.
<div id="attachment_1048505" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1048505" class="size-medium wp-image-1048505" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-300x298.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the ActBlue link for Dan Osborn's cancelled fundraiser with Dana Chasin as of Monday morning." width="300" height="298" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-300x298.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-579x576.jpg 579w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-768x764.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928.jpg 1393w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />A screenshot of the ActBlue link for Dan Osborn&#8217;s canceled fundraiser with Dana Chasin as of Monday morning.</div>
Chasin, who’s part of the Rockefeller family, told <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/10/congress/dan-osborn-dana-chasin-fundraiser-00775138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> that he’s “never owned or rented a prop plane, or any plane for that matter.”
“I stand with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and their pursuit of justice and accountability,” he added.
The Osborn campaign said on background that the claims made against the candidate in the ad are “categorically false,” and underscored that the fundraiser was canceled after they were made aware of Chasin’s alleged Epstein ties.
In terms of donations, the campaign said that Chasin did not donate to Osborn&#8217;s 2026 race and that the campaign gave $3,300 to an anti-human trafficking charity to serve as an equal counteraction to Chasin’s 2024 donation.
“Pete Ricketts is a member of the Epstein Class, and has spent his time in the Senate doing everything he can to protect them, including voting against the release of the Epstein files,” an Osborn spokesperson said in a statement. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the Senate with unanimous consent in November, but many Senate Republicans received pushback in September for scrapping a Democrat-backed amendment to a defense bill that would have triggered the release of the files, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schumer-epstein-senate-vote-rcna230389" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>.
“Dan Osborn was notified that an attendee of an event was cited in the files and immediately upon knowing, canceled the event,” the spokesperson continued. “Pete Ricketts is lying because he’s scared of Dan Osborn, and the working people’s movement to take down the Epstein class.”
The Cook Political Report currently ranks the Senate race as “Solid Republican.” Osborn ran against Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) in the 2024 election, garnering 46.5% of the vote compared with just over 53% for the Republican.
“Dan Osborn built his brand on moral outrage over Epstein. But when a wealthy Democrat donor named in the Epstein files offered to host a fundraiser, that outrage disappeared fast. Fake Dan Osborn chose campaign cash over the values he pretends to stand for,&#8221; Will Coup, Ricketts for Senate communications director, said in a statement to The Daily Wire.
The ad serves as another example of how the release of the Epstein files has created a global political shakeup, including the arrests of former Prince Andrew and former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson in the United Kingdom.

Dan Osborn Nebraska Senate Candidate

Epstein Accusations Against Dem Strategist Trigger Campaign Chaos

Dan Osborn

Epstein Files

Jeffrey Epstein

Nebraska

Pete Ricketts

U.S. Senate

It was not uncommon for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to hand out pamphlets offering federal assistance for municipal infrastructure projects to bolster local communities across the nation.
The problem? The money didn&#8217;t always exist.
Some of the advertised services were not covered by an approved federal budget and amounted to empty promises, according to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle.
This is just one of the many issues detailed by Telle&#8217;s &#8220;Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” <a href="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4411097/assistant-secretary-of-the-army-for-civil-works-announces-building-infrastructu/">initiative</a> at a Pentagon roundtable discussion last week. He’s hoping to bring more efficiency to the department known most recently for its work in Southern California after the 2025 wildfires.
The 27 different initiatives aim to rein in bureaucratic bloat within the department. One of those initiatives is “consistency in communication of the president’s budget,” which would avoid more pamphlet mishaps by making it clear what the federal government can and cannot cover.
“Their mode has been out there to market to see ‘Hey, bring us more work. Bring us more work,’ instead of focusing on delivering the things that are nationally strategic,” Telle told The Daily Wire.
Other key initiatives outlined include scrapping “inactive projects,” improving prioritization, and ending contracts not considered beneficial.
In another example, he cited a Port Everglades project in South Florida with a price tag of $3.2 billion. In reality, it should have only cost $600 million to “deepen and widen” the key commerce hub.
“It’s because of all the processes and all the environmental concerns, all the, you know, lack of leadership to say ‘Hey, let’s be reasonable.’ Yes, we need to mitigate the environment, but it doesn’t need to cause a project to be 5X [the cost],” he said. “I mean, our competitors around the globe are not paying 5X for a port based on these types of concerns.”
It’s no secret that the Trump administration has been aiming to cut contracts and other efforts it has deemed unnecessary, most notably through the Department of Government Efficiency. Last April, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the War Department would scrap $5.1 billion in contracts.
&#8220;We need this money to spend on better health care for our warfighters and their families, instead of $500 an hour business process consultant,&#8221; Hegseth said at the time. &#8220;That&#8217;s a lot of consulting.&#8221;
The month prior, he had announced $580 million in cuts.
As for the engineering corps, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that “continuous Army transformation is about rapidly delivering war winning capabilities to the Army today, not years in the future. But that’s not all; we’re also transforming at home, too.”

Pete Hegseth

Empty Promises To Billion-Dollar Blowouts — A Federal Cleanup Begins At The Pentagon

Major Efficiency Effort Aims To Cut Bloat For Army Engineers: 'Transforming At Home'

Army

Army Corps of Engineers

Pentagon

A new poll conducted in five battleground states finds majority support for requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, a key provision of the SAVE America Act.
The survey, commissioned by Heritage Action, polled Republican, Democrat, and independent voters in Alaska, Georgia, Maine, Ohio, and North Carolina. The legislation passed the House with widespread Republican support and one Democrat voting in favor, and now faces a tougher path in the Senate, where it must clear the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Sixty-nine percent of likely voters in Alaska and Georgia support “requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections,” along with 71% in Ohio, 68% in North Carolina, and 65% in Maine, according to the poll.
When respondents were told the SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship and a “valid ID” to vote in federal elections, support remained above 60% in all five states: 67% in North Carolina, 65% in Georgia, 64% in Alaska, 63% in Maine, and 62% in Ohio.
Opposition was highest in Maine at 26%. In each of the five states, 16% or fewer respondents said they were unsure or had no opinion.
The poll also found strong opposition to noncitizen voting. Seventy-seven percent of Alaskans, 73% of Mainers, 71% of North Carolinians, 69% of Ohioans, and 67% of Georgians said they oppose allowing noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections.
The survey included 11 questions related to the SAVE America Act and election administration policies. After being presented with additional information about the legislation, a majority of those polled said they would “be more likely to support re-election of your U.S. Senators if they voted in favor of the SAVE America Act.”
Stefani Buhajla, senior director of communications and marketing at Heritage Action, argued that the poll shows broad support for the legislation.
“The electorate is not divided,&#8221; she said. &#8220;More than 70 percent of likely voters oppose non-citizen voting.&#8221;
She added that voters were more likely to reward senators for supporting the bill than to punish them for backing it, and urged opponents to block the measure &#8220;in full public view&#8221; rather than resort to procedural maneuvers.
Each of the five states features a competitive Senate race in November. The Cook Political Report ranks the races in Georgia, Maine, and North Carolina as toss-ups, while Alaska and Ohio’s contests as &#8220;Lean Republican.&#8221;
Many Democrats have opposed the SAVE America Act, arguing that requiring documentary proof of citizenship could make it more difficult for some eligible Americans to vote.
“The SAVE America Act would radically upend voter registration nationwide by requiring Americans to present documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, in person for every new registration or update. Driver’s licenses, including REAL IDs, and military or tribal IDs alone would not suffice,” a group of Democrat attorneys general, including New York Attorney General Leticia James, wrote in a <a href="https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Documents/pdfs/AG%20Letter%20-%20SAVE%20America%20Act.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> last week to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“This legislation shifts the burden of verifying eligibility away from government systems and onto individual citizens, forcing millions to prove their right to vote before being allowed to participate in our democracy,” the attorneys general wrote, adding that “instances of noncitizen voting are exceedingly rare and have never been shown to affect election outcomes.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks, with Rep. Chip Roy in the background

What Battleground Voters Really Think About Election Integrity

SAVE America Act

Americans are being asked by the State Department to remain sheltered in place in parts of Mexico due to civil unrest following the successful killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday.
Cervantes was killed by the Mexican army with “complementary information” provided by the United States, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chaos-erupts-in-mexico-after-cartel-boss-el-mencho-killed-by-special-forces?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Chaos+Erupts+In+Mexico+After+Cartel+Boss+%E2%80%98El+Mencho%E2%80%99+Killed+By+Special+Forces" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
The State Department’s travel alert specifically notes that Americans in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Baja California, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo State “should shelter in place until further notice.” The states contain major tourism hubs such as Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Cancún, as well as Playa del Carmen and Tulum, among other major cities.
“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, U.S. citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs posted to X on Sunday afternoon.
“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic &amp; int’l flights canceled in both Guadalajara &amp; Puerto Vallarta. Taxis/ride shares are suspended in Puerto Vallarta. Seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels,” the post added.
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, posted that &#8220;the Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens&#8221; and to &#8220;keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being.&#8221;
She is encouraging Americans in Mexico to join the Smart Traveler Enrollment program, monitor the department&#8217;s social media and to contact the phone numbers listed on the <a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/security-alert-update-ongoing-security-operations-u-s-mission-mexico-february-22-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">security alert</a> if needed.
The security alert also recommends that Americans stay away from crowds and “areas around law enforcement activity,” check local news, and “be aware” of their environment.
The alert also noted that employees at the American consulate in Tijuana are having to shelter in place, and those who work at the consulate in Monterrey are being asked to stay in the region. The Daily Wire reported that cartel members throughout the country were setting fire to buses and even blocking roads.
Southwest Airlines issued a travel alert for Puerto Vallarta, and American and United Airlines issued alerts for Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Some airlines are offering options for rebooking if someone’s flight is affected by the situation. In 2024, an estimated 870,000 American &#8220;residents&#8221; traveled to Puerto Vallarta and a million visiting Guadalajara, as Mexico was considered the &#8220;largest outbound market&#8221; for Americans leaving the U.S., according to the <a href="https://www.trade.gov/feature-article/us-outbound-travelers-characteristics-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Trade Administration</a>.

Marco Rubio

Americans Asked To ‘Shelter In Place’ As Cartel-Related Violence Spills Into Mexican Tourist Hubs

Americans Asked To 'Shelter In Place' Amid Unrest In Mexico's Tourist Hubs

Cartels

Drugs

Mexico

Immigration is emerging as a central issue in Georgia&#8217;s competitive Senate race as the second anniversary of Laken Riley&#8217;s murder approaches. Riley, a nursing student, was killed in Athens, Georgia, by an illegal immigrant in a case that sparked national debate over border security.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee released a digital ad on Friday, shared with The Daily Wire, targeting Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) over his immigration record. The spot accuses Ossoff of voting &#8220;in lockstep with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,&#8221; arguing their policies flooded our borders &#8220;with dangerous criminal illegals.”
&#8220;Jon Ossoff voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris&#8217; open borders policies every step of the way, and the consequences have been deadly for victims like Laken Riley. Ossoff fights for criminal illegals and Georgians pay the price,&#8221; NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia said.
The ad also highlights comments Ossoff made in 2020 during a virtual event, saying, &#8220;I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s the role of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.”
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Jon Ossoff Fights for Criminal Illegals" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQsH1SJTb8k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ossoff ultimately voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act along with some other Democrats. However, Republicans criticized him earlier in the legislative process, arguing that he and other Democrats opposed the proposal when it was previously tied to broader spending negotiations in March 2024, according to <a href="https://www.wccsradio.com/2026/01/29/vulnerable-dems-support-for-alex-pretti-collides-with-laken-riley-act-anniversary/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WCCS.</a> The bill later passed with bipartisan support in January 2025.
In January, Puglia said Ossoff “refused to champion the Laken Riley Act and only flip-flopped on the life-saving legislation when it was politically expedient for him.”
The Senate fight comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces a funding lapse amid disagreements between Republicans and Democrats on federal immigration enforcement tactics. While ICE, which falls under DHS, is still largely funded under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Donald Trump last year, the broader standoff has affected other DHS agencies, including FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard.
“When federal police are wearing masks, that’s a real bad sign,” Ossoff said <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTeAySsjXiM/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently</a> on the campaign trail. Democrats have called for ending the use of face coverings by federal immigration authorities during enforcement operations.
The Cook Political Report currently ranks the Georgia Senate race as a toss-up, placing it among the most competitive contests in the country alongside Maine, North Carolina, and Michigan.
On the Republican side, Reps. Mike Collins, Buddy Carter, and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley are competing in the Senate primary. Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp backs Dooley, while Trump has yet to endorse a candidate.
The Daily Wire reached out to the Ossoff campaign for comment.
Trump visited Georgia on Thursday amid heightened political activity, including a special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a once-staunch ally of the president who had a falling-out with him late last year.

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Cameron Arcand