President Donald Trump and his allies have come out in full force following Joe Kent’s resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday.

Kent announced his unexpected resignation in a letter to Trump, citing concerns about the United States’ military operation in Iran. Kent argued that Iran posed “no imminent threat” and that the United States was forced into the conflict on behalf of Israel, prompting backlash from the administration.

‘He had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack.’

“As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives,” Kent said in the letter.

Kent’s resignation sent shock waves through the already fracturing MAGA world. Despite the outpouring of support from anti-war commentators, Kent was met with firm disapproval from Trump.

RELATED: Joe Kent resigns from Trump admin, says Israel forced US into Iran conflict

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

“I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security,” Trump said in the Oval Office Tuesday. “Very weak on security. I didn’t know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realized that it’s a good thing that he’s out because he said that Iran was not a threat.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a much stronger statement, debunking many of Kent’s statements she said were false.

“As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first,” Leavitt said, pushing back on Kent’s claim that Iran didn’t pose an imminent threat. “This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors. President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum.”

RELATED: Trump’s hilarious response after intel reportedly tells him Iran’s new supreme leader might be gay

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Leavitt went on to list Iran’s offenses against the American people, citing its sponsorship of terrorism and nuclear ambitions. Leavitt also addressed Kent’s claim that Israel forced the United States’ hand in the conflict, calling the assertion “insulting and laughable.”

“And finally, the absurd allegation that President Trump made this decision based on the influence of others, even foreign countries, is both insulting and laughable,” Leavitt said. “President Trump has been remarkably consistent and has said for DECADES that Iran can NEVER possess a nuclear weapon.”

“As someone who actually witnesses President Trump’s decision-making process on a daily basis, I can attest to the fact that he is always looking to do what’s in the best interest of the United States of America — period. America First,” she concluded.

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A Florida man entered a plea at the beginning of the month following a particularly disturbing case involving monkeys investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

Francisco Javier Ravelo, 36, of Coral Gables, Florida, pleaded guilty on March 2 to distributing videos depicting the torture of monkeys. Ravelo was charged in October 2025.

‘It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse.’

The Department of Justice’s press release, citing court documents, explains that Ravelo, a U.S. citizen, “created some and administered some online chat groups dedicated to the distribution and discussion of sexual and violent videos depicting monkeys being mutilated and burned, including baby and adult monkeys.”

The DOJ said Ravelo personally distributed “more than 40 of these obscene crush videos.”

RELATED: ‘Staged armed robberies’: 11 Indian nationals catch visa fraud charge amid conspiracy allegations

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

U.S. law defines “animal crushing” as “actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”

“In his first term, President Donald J. Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law to end animal crushing,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “If you are involved in this sadistic activity, we will prosecute you.”

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said: “Deliberate cruelty to animals is one of the clearest red flags. It reflects a willingness to dominate, torture, and inflict suffering without remorse. The defendant didn’t merely view this material. He created and administered online groups devoted to it and distributed dozens of obscene animal torture videos. That conduct fuels a market built on brutality.”

HSI New Orleans, HSI Pensacola, the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division investigated the case that led to Ravelo’s guilty plea, according to an ICE press release.

Ravelo faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

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Approximately 200,000 foreign truck drivers will no longer be able to renew their commercial driver’s licenses following the Department of Transportation’s final rule that took effect on Monday.

The DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the final rule, “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses,” in February to prevent “unqualified foreign drivers” from operating big rigs and buses on American roadways.

‘Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first.’

A press release from the FMCSA noted that in 2025, non-domiciled drivers caused 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths.

The announcement followed a nationwide audit that found “systemic non-compliance” in the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs in several states.

The final rule’s key provisions include limiting non-domiciled CDLs to foreign nationals with H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas. It also terminated Employment Authorization Documents as acceptable proof of eligibility. Additionally, it required state licensing agencies to verify the eligibility of foreign nationals through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.

RELATED: Foreigners want to drive a big rig? They’ll need more than work authorization papers, Duffy says.

Sean Duffy. Photographer: Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Therefore, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status holders, and those relying solely on work authorization documents are no longer eligible to obtain a CDL.

Foreign nationals who no longer meet these qualifications may continue to drive as long as their current license remains valid. However, they will not be able to renew their licenses once they expire.

RELATED: ‘Imminent hazard’: Trump administration shuts licensing loophole after illegal alien trucker allegedly causes fatal crash

Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Washington Post estimated that the final rule, which took effect on Monday, will impact about 200,000 CDL holders.

“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems — wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated during February’s announcement of the final rule. “Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on.”

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In a major upset, a Republican has finally made an inroad in what was once considered a safe Democratic county in Virginia.

Democratic candidate Muhammad “Sef” Casim lost a special election for a vacant seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to Republican Jeannie LaCroix following a precipitous loss of support from his own party.

‘I want to make clear that the foolishness of my actions during my college days did not translate then, and most definitely does not indicate now, any prejudice or hatred I hold towards the Black community.’

On March 10, LaCroix received 1,694 (43.73%) of the votes compared to Casim’s 1,436 (37.07%). Democrat Pamela Montgomery, a write-in candidate who launched her campaign barely one week before the election, drew from Casim’s votes, though how many is unclear, according to WJLA.

Casim faced calls from his own party to back out of the race after past social media posts, which he described as “offensive to the Black community,” resurfaced during his campaign.

RELATED: ‘So pathetic’: Virginia governor nailed with backlash over response to possible terror attack at Old Dominion

Chair at-Large Deshundra Jeffersonpwcva.gov

Prince William County Republican County Chairman Jacob Alderman called for the immediate withdrawal of support for Casim, posting screenshots of many of Casim’s past posts and reposts, which he described as “a disturbing pattern of racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American views.”

The posts, which come from X, all appear to be from over a decade ago, with many of them dated between 2012 and 2015.

Posts include Casim allegedly writing or reposting other accounts saying: “Never call a tiger ‘tigga.’ Only tigers can call themselves ‘tigga’”; “This girl’s fav match going on, No dangerous Hindu male”; “the person below is a dirty slut”; and “Heading ot [sic] VCU in the morning with my N***a.”

Casim wrote an apology on Facebook on February 28: “Nobody’s history is perfect and I am no exception. 14 years ago I had made social media posts that were disrespectful and posted a reference to my friend using a term that is quite frankly, offensive to the Black community. There is no excuse for this and I deeply apologize. I want to make clear that the foolishness of my actions during my college days did not translate then, and most definitely does not indicate now, any prejudice or hatred I hold towards the Black community.”

Potomac Local reported that several Democratic elected officials called on Casim to step away from the race over the “racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic” remarks.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair Deshundra Jefferson issued a separate statement on March 2 criticizing Casim’s past remarks — and his apology. “I am deeply disgusted by the past comments Sufiyan Casim made — as well as his lack of responsibility and accountability. No apology should start with the words, ‘Nobody’s history is perfect and I am no exception,’ as it dismisses the pain that one’s words have caused,” Jefferson stated.

LaCroix will assume the role of Woodbridge District supervisor following the election upset, which was triggered after former Supervisor Margaret Franklin won election to the Virginia House of Delegates 23rd District in January.

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As Hollywood continues to embrace diversity mandates — which couldn’t have been more clear at the 96th Academy Awards — the film industry is sending the wrong message about merit and inspiration.

“The Academy Awards came up with new criteria for how to win or be eligible to even win the Best Picture nominee,” Whitlock says, noting that potential winners had to meet DEI requirements.

“At least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors submitted for Oscar consideration is from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group in a specific country or territory of production,” read some of the Representation and Inclusion Standards of the Academy Awards.

“At least 30% of all actors not submitted for Oscar consideration are from at least two underrepresented groups which may include women, racial or ethnic group, LGBTQ+, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing,” reads another guideline.

“This is all programming. This is all brainwashing. This is all a reflection of unreality,” Whitlock says, before playing a clip of Michael B. Jordan, who won the award for Best Actor.

“I stand here because of the people that came before me. Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith. And to be amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys,” Jordan said.

He then added, “I just want to say thank you for everybody in this room that has something to do with my success.”

“You know, he rattles off this group of black actors,” Whitlock comments, pointing out that when it was his dream to be a great sportswriter, he didn’t choose his heroes based on skin color.

“What — you’re telling me that in 2026, the only people that can inspire black kids are other black people? I just — I don’t get this. This is so limiting,” he continues. “White people get to be inspired by any and everybody. There’s a white kid, right now, today, that’s sitting around saying, ‘Hey, I want to be like LeBron James.’”

“They get access to be inspired by whatever human being is on the planet. Their options for inspiration are limitless. We’re telling black kids, subtly and straightforwardly, that the only people that can inspire you are other black people,” he adds.

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Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) says her deceased security guard who faked his identity was a committed employee who respected others.

Diamon Mazairre Robinson was living for years under the alias “Mike King” and had served on Crockett’s security team “for years,” according to Crockett’s team. Robinson was shot and killed by Dallas SWAT last Wednesday after a standoff in the parking garage of a children’s hospital.

‘What we’re now learning about his past doesn’t fit the person we came to know as Mike King.’

Robinson is seen on police dashcam video fleeing law enforcement before refusing to come out of his car in the parking garage. Detectives negotiated with Robinson for more than an hour before he came out of his car.

As Robinson reached for a handgun, law enforcement can be heard hearing yelling, “Don’t do it!” However, he still pulled the pistol, and officers fired when the pistol appeared to be raised. Robinson was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Despite Robinson having lived for years under a fake identity, with multiple weapons charges and stolen government plates, Rep. Crockett still came to his defense in a press release.

“As a former public defender, I’ve always believed people are more than the worst thing they’ve ever done. I believe in redemption. The man we knew showed up with respect, care, and commitment to protecting others,” Crockett wrote in an X post, while sharing an official statement.

RELATED: Jasmine Crockett claims she was ‘targeted’ and cheated out of the Senate by Republicans

After Crockett’s team explained it had “followed all protocols” and were approved to use the security “vendor,” the press release said, “This situation reiterates the need for Capitol Police to provide security for members of Congress, especially under this administration’s new normal of inciting attacks on those who dare speak out.”

Robinson was then described as someone who used legal “loopholes without malice,” with Crockett’s team saying they were “unable to locate any violent offenses” in his criminal history.

Dallas Police Deputy Chief William Griffith told reporters on Monday that Robinson pretended to work for nonexistent federal agencies. This included the “special dignitary police.”

“That agency does not exist within the federal government,” Griffith said. “So that’s who he portrayed to be. … So there was no actual federal agency that he worked for that existed.”

Authorities also revealed that Robinson had posed as a federal officer for the fake agency, produced identification cards for it, and had two active felony warrants from 2017 for theft. Additionally, he had a parole violation, two vehicles with stolen government plates, and multiple stolen firearms, one of which was the gun he pulled during the police standoff.

RELATED: SWAT team kills Jasmine Crockett’s fugitive security guard after suspect pulls gun on police

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

“He’s very good at hiding his true identity,” Griffith added, noting it took one to two weeks of investigative work to determine who Robinson was.

Still Crockett’s team — referring to Robinson as Mike King — said there was “never any reason to suspect he wasn’t who he held himself out to be.”

“He never endangered our team, worked diligently, coordinated with local enforcement, and maintained positive relationships throughout the community,” the press release went on. “What we’re now learning about his past doesn’t fit the person we came to know as Mike King.”

Neither Crockett nor her team responded to Blaze News’ request for comments.

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The U.S. under President Donald Trump has decapitated both the Venezuelan and Iranian regimes. Trump confirmed on Monday that he now has his sights set on another country.

When asked whether the “next” country up was Cuba and whether the approach taken will “look like Iran or Venezuela,” Trump said, “Can’t tell you that. I can tell you that they’re talking to us. It’s a failed nation. They have no money. They have no oil. They have no nothing. They have nice land. They have nice landscape, you know. It’s a beautiful island. I think they have great people.”

‘They’re a very weakened nation.’

After extolling the entrepreneurial spirit of the Cuban people and noting that many expatriates would love to visit the communist-controlled island, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “All my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba. ‘When will the United States do it?'”

Trump said he believes he will have “the honor of taking Cuba. … That’s a big honor.”

When asked to clarify what such a takeover might look like, the president said, “Free it, take it — I think I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation.”

Cuba’s electrical grid completely collapsed on Monday. The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines noted in social media posts on Tuesday that efforts were still under way to restore electric systems around the country.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that the impact of the American-imposed oil blockade, which has been in effect for months, “is tremendous.”

RELATED: Cubans torch communist headquarters in protest of blackouts and food shortages

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel at an “anti-imperialist” protest in front of the U.S. embassy in Havana.

Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 29, accusing the Cuban government of “extraordinary actions that harm and threaten the United States” and signaling that any nation that directly or indirectly sells oil to Cuba will have its exports to the U.S. slapped with additional tariffs.

In addition to prompting Mexico to suspend energy shipments to Cuba and cutting off the flow of Venezuelan oil to Havana, the U.S. has reportedly seized shipments bound for the island and intercepted vessels searching for fuel in the Caribbean Sea.

Cuba’s energy crisis and worsening food shortage have exacerbated internal tensions and prompted protests. On Friday, for instance, protesters reportedly burned and ransacked a local communist party building — an incident Díaz-Canel suggested was the result of “distress” caused by the U.S. blockade.

U.S. and Cuban officials have been negotiating over the the fate of the island, four sources said to be familiar with the talks told the New York Times. The U.S. has reportedly signaled to the Cubans that the Trump administration might be satisfied with Díaz-Canel and some regime elders faithful to the murderous ideals of Fidel Castro getting the boot and the Cuban people figuring out the next steps.

“Direct conversations with the United States are about finding, through dialogue, solutions to the differences that exist between the two countries,” Lianys Torres Rivera, Cuba’s chief of mission to the U.S., told Politico. “The conversations are not about Cuba’s internal affairs — our constitutional system, our political model, our social and socialist economy which we Cubans have built.”

On Sunday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba,” adding that “people have been waiting 50 years” for possible action on the Cuban front.

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