BREAKING: Supreme Court Blocks Trump From Deporting Venezuelan Gang Members Under Alien Enemies Act

The US Supreme Court on Friday blocked the Trump Administration from deporting dangerous Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.

CNBC reported:

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a request by Venezuelan nationals seeking an injunction against their removal from the United States under the Alien Enemies Act.

In an unsigned decision, the court said the Trump administration had not given the detainees enough time or adequate resources to challenge their deportations.

“Under these circumstances, notice roughly 24 hours before removal, devoid of information about how to exercise due process rights to contest that removal, surely does not pass muster,” the ruling said.

The post BREAKING: Supreme Court Blocks Trump From Deporting Venezuelan Gang Members Under Alien Enemies Act appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Department of Veterans Affairs Confirms It’s on Track to End Primate Testing BEFORE 2026 Deadline

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins has confirmed the department will end at least some of its primate testing before the deadline set by Congress.

In 2024, Congress enacted legislation to eliminate all tests on cats, dogs, and primates by 2026, but the VA is still conducting horrific spinal cord injuries on monkeys in San Diego.

Collins confirmed the efforts during a congressional hearing about the budget on Thursday.

WATCH:

Thank you @SecVetAffairs & @RepNancyMace!

Following years of work by WCW & Rep. Mace, Sec. Collins just confirmed the VA is on track to end primate testing before Congress’s 2026 deadline

The VA previously cut all dog & cat tests after a WCW campaign & action by Trump 45 pic.twitter.com/iJzD1gQI69

— White Coat Waste (@WhiteCoatWaste) May 15, 2025

The changes come after years of campaigning by the watchdog organization White Coat Waste, which seeks to end cruel and unnecessary taxpayer-funded animal research. Since 2016, the organization has worked to expose how the VA was giving puppies heart attacks, injecting monkeys with angel dust, crippling kittens, drilling into cat’s skulls, and much more.

The VA is eliminating all wasteful primate tests following years of WCW investigations & campaigns that prompted historic action by Congress & the 1st Trump Administration

Read more about how we did ithttps://t.co/cB0NPHDIhT

— White Coat Waste (@WhiteCoatWaste) May 15, 2025

President Donald Trump laid the groundwork for this during his first term by issuing a directive to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize reducing animal testing, aiming for a 30% reduction by 2025 and complete elimination by 2035. He also ended a nicotine addiction study on monkeys at the FDA and banned several dog experiments at the VA.

Joe Biden had upended the plan to phase out the testing, which WCW also revealed, but Trump’s new administration has worked even harder to end the outdated practice.

The new administration has already begun ending animal testing at both the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. It has also cancelled grants for many cruel research projects, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Though PETA keeps making the media rounds claiming victory for many of White Coat Waste’s wins, they remain the only animal advocacy organization to shut down any government primate lab in nearly a decade, any government dog testing labs in almost 20 years, and any government cat lab in the last 40 years.

The post Department of Veterans Affairs Confirms It’s on Track to End Primate Testing BEFORE 2026 Deadline appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

‘Donald Trump Has Some Pretty Good Political Instincts’: CNN’s Harry Enten on President Trump’s Rising Approval Ratings (Video)

CNN’s Senior Data Reporter, Harry Enten, had disappointing news for Democrats, and turncoat Republicans, who thought (hoped?) Trump’s approval numbers would be falling when, in fact, they are rising.

Harry Enten: I think it’s time for a bit of a reality check, right? Donald Trump’s approval rating, his net approval, seemed to be falling. He seemed to be adios amigos. People were writing his political obituary.

He is rising from the dead. Look at this. Hello. Trump’s net approval rating among voters. This is the Reuters Ipsos polling.

Look at this, in late April, he was eight points underwater. But look at where he was in the most recent poll among voters. He’s up seven points to a minus one point net favorability rating.

This is not the picture I think a lot I think a lot of people were thinking that we would be painting in late April. I think a lot of people expected his approval rate to keep dropping, but at least according to Reuters Ipsos, it’s in fact rising.

John Berman: Put this then in a larger perspective, Harry.

Harry Enten: Yeah, okay. This is just one poll, right? But Let’s take a look across an aggregate of polls. What are we seeing here? I want to compare both to where Donald Trump is now versus where he was in late April, as well as where he was at this point in term number one.

What you see is that minus six points, he is a little bit worse off than he is in the Ipsos/Reuters polling, but he is considerably better than he was in late April when he was nine points underwater. And more than that, look at this; he’s nearly 10 points better than he was back in May 16th of 2017 in his first term.

We see as Donald Trump is not just doing better than he was doing in late April of 2025. He’s doing considerably better than he was doing at this point in term number one, about 10 points better than he was doing at this point in term number one.

John Berman: In a vacuum, minus six isn’t good, but in Trumpian terms, against himself, it’s actually a pretty good position for to be in politically compared to himself.

Harry Enten: Exactly right. This is considerably higher than he has traditionally been.

John Berman: The big question here is why, Harry. Why did it bottom out? Why might it be rising?

Harry Enten: Okay, why? Well, take a look at the chance of a recession. It’s actually falling. The chance of a recession is falling. In late April, it was 60% according to J. P. Morgan. Look at where it is now. It’s less than 50%. How about Goldman Sachs? You see the same thing, 45%, now falling to 35%.

The bottom line is it is the economy, the economy, the economy. As the chance of a recession has fallen, as the trade wars have collapsed a little bit, at least with China, Trump trying to make a deal, we do see that I do think that the voters are responding to this, and therefore, we’re seeing Trump’s approval rating going up.

John Berman: The tariffs were really hurting him, and he backed off. It may be helping him politically now.

Harry Enten: Sometimes Donald Trump has some pretty good political instincts.

Watch:

Time for a reality check… I think some folks thought Trump’s approval rating would keep falling, but it’s rising.

Ipsos has his net approval going from -8 pts to -1 pt with voters. Aggregate has him up higher than late April too & much higher than at this point in term 1. pic.twitter.com/uP0xYvnnnZ

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) May 16, 2025

The post ‘Donald Trump Has Some Pretty Good Political Instincts’: CNN’s Harry Enten on President Trump’s Rising Approval Ratings (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

SHOCKING DISCOVERY: Human Remains Found Just a ‘Stone’s Throw’ from Taylor Swift’s Lavish Beachside Mansion

Human remains were discovered just a ‘stone’s throw’ from pop megastar Taylor Swift’s sprawling oceanfront compound, according to the New York Post.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Westerly Police responded to a call about possible human remains in the elite Watch Hill neighborhood—a gated oceanside enclave known for its multimillion-dollar mansions, celebrity residents, and ironclad privacy.

“Upon arrival, officers located what appeared to be a human leg bone,” Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella told The Post.

The grim find was recovered and transferred to the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office for further analysis. So far, the identity of the remains is unknown.

#BREAKING Westerly Police confirm human remains were discovered near Everett Avenue in Watch Hill.

They were found less than a mile away from the Ocean House. Police say it is not suspicious. @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/xwQqjUqPfb

— Leanna Faulk (@leannaafaulk) May 14, 2025

More from The Post:

“It was probably a couple football fields away from Taylor Swift’s house and the Ocean House,” Taylor Day, a local resident who was driving by just as authorities descended on the scene, told NBC10.

“I would definitely disagree with that,” Day said. “I think finding a leg is very suspicious.”

“I saw three police cars—one undercover—two looked like Westerly town police officers, and there was a medical examiner pulling in behind me,” Day added as she described the scene.

“It kind of alarmed me, and it was just something very out of the ordinary for Westerly.”

Swift wrote “Last Great American Dynasty” about the history of her 11,000-square-foot mansion, nicknamed “Holiday House” — and about local residents grumbling over her purchase of the $17.75 million property.

Meanwhile, Trump took a swipe at the Democrat pop icon on Truth Social, writing:

“Has anyone noticed that, since I said “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,” she’s no longer “HOT?”” he wrote.

The post SHOCKING DISCOVERY: Human Remains Found Just a ‘Stone’s Throw’ from Taylor Swift’s Lavish Beachside Mansion appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Pope Leo XIV: A Family Is ‘A Stable Union Between a Man and a Woman’, the Unborn and Elderly ‘Enjoy Dignity as God’s Creatures’

The American Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leon XIV.

Leo XIV defended the traditional family, unborn babies and the elderly – and that’s great.

After American Cardinal Robert Prevost, who made most of his ecclesiastical career as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, was chosen to sit in St. Peter’s throne as Leo XIV, a question has reverberated across the world: is the new Pope woke?

Seasoned conservative figures like Steve Bannon perceived the new Pope’s election as a liberal ‘coup’ to continue Pope Francis campaign to destroy the church – Bannon even equated it to the 2020 election steal.

Prevost’s brother, on the other hand, has repeatedly stated that Robert is not ‘woke’, and that Leo XIV will thread an unifying path.

Whatever the truth may be, it seems clear that today, the Pope scored one for the good guys.

Associated Press reported:

“Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman,” and that the unborn and elderly enjoy dignity as God’s creatures, articulating clear Catholic teaching on marriage and abortion at the start of his pontificate.

Leo, the first American pope, also called for reviving multilateral diplomacy and promoting dialogue between religions in the search for peace, in his first meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps. The audience was private, but the Vatican released Leo’s prepared text and that of the dean of the diplomatic corps.”

Strong affirmation from Pope Leo XIV this morning on the centrality of the traditional family. pic.twitter.com/JOnX3S0TaP

— Michael Kelly ن (@MichaelPTKelly) May 16, 2025

In the same speech, the pontiff rejected LGBT ideology, denounced abortion and euthanasia – that’s a great start.

Leo XIV’s first words: ‘Peace be with you’.

“The encounter is one of the protocol requirements after a conclave, allowing a new pope to greet representatives of world governments ahead of his formal installation Mass this Sunday. The Holy See is a sovereign state under international law, has diplomatic relations with over 180 countries and enjoys observer status at the United Nations.”

Leo has made peace a priority of his pontificate, right from his very first words ‘Peace be with you all’.

“In his remarks, he said the search for peace was one of the pillars of the papacy. He insisted that peace isn’t just the absence of conflict but a ‘gift’ that requires work, from an end to the production of weapons to choosing words carefully. ‘For words too, not only weapons, can wound and even kill’.”

Pope Leo the XIV is the REALEST Pope ever pic.twitter.com/5RYjZ1lKN2

— Trad West (@trad_west_) May 16, 2025

Read more:

Pope Leo’s MAGA-Supporting Brother Insists He Isn’t Woke — Pope Will Likely ‘Govern ‘Down the Middle’ (VIDEO)

The post Pope Leo XIV: A Family Is ‘A Stable Union Between a Man and a Woman’, the Unborn and Elderly ‘Enjoy Dignity as God’s Creatures’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Russia, Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Exchange

Russia and Ukraine’s direct talks Friday in Istanbul yielded an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners with the other. 

The negotiations lasted for an hour and forty minutes, and were mediated by the Turks. The negotiators of the two countries reportedly discussed a potential ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and a meeting between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Most of the talks were inconclusive. The Ukrainians favor a ceasefire before substantive peace negotiations, while the Russians favor a ceasefire as part of peace negotiations. Russia currently has momentum on the battlefield, and a ceasefire could be used by Ukraine to rearm before resuming hostilities.

The two countries also remained intractable on territorial negotiations. Both claimed that their respective constitutions require them to control the whole of the four contested oblasts in the Donbas, in addition to Crimea, which Russia reabsorbed in 2014.

The meeting represented the first time since 2022 that Russian and Ukrainian diplomats have engaged in direct negotiations. The two countries last engaged in direct negotiations in Istanbul in the days following the start of Russia’s “Special Military Operation,” in late February 2022. According to reports, by April of that year, the two countries had come to an agreement on a tentative deal to end the war. Then–Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom reportedly convinced Zelensky to break off all talks with Russia and continue the war. 

The post Russia, Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Exchange appeared first on The American Conservative.

Defense Health Agency Must Not be Allowed to Thwart an Honest Investigation Into COVID-19 Shot Injuries, Say Those Who Witnessed the Devasting Effects Firsthand

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Howitzer photo by 2nd Lt. Jamie Douglas)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s efforts to restore the military are appreciated, but those injured by the COVID-19 shot are feeling abandoned.

After being forced to take two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 shot to remain in the Army in 2021, Karolina Stancik, now 25 years old, has suffered three heart attacks, a stroke, an emergency pacemaker surgery, neurological maladies, the contemplation of suicide, and other adverse events. In October 2023, it was determined that her debilitating heart injury did, in fact, occur “In Line of Duty” and was linked to the shot.

Retired Navy Medical Service Corps officer Lt. Ted Macie told The Gateway Pundit he is not surprised.

As the whistleblower who exposed a significant rise in incidents of myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, ovarian dysfunction, and more across the Department of Defense (DoD) following former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s now-rescinded 2021 COVID-19 shot mandate, he said, “I know others who were injured from the shot, and I know people who died from it—and the latter can’t even claim to be vax injured because they’re no longer here to do so.”

On the heels of Defense Secretary Hegseth determining that the shot was “unlawful as implemented,” TGP spoke to Stancik. She wants Hegseth to acknowledge “someone’s unlawful actions caused injury … severe injury … and even death.”

The former member of the Army National Guard questions “what will be done about the unlawful actions that caused grave injury, destroyed lives, and even led to death in some cases?”

What support is there for people like her? And what consequences will there be for those who unlawfully implemented the shot?

She admitted that not every person who supported the shot mandate knew it was unlawful, but after the advice of countless service members facing separation informed them, many willfully violated the law.

The author of this article has reviewed dozens of Religious Accommodation Requests that also spelled out the illegalities of the COVID-19 shot mandate to their chain of command.

For example, service members, including Stancik, expected but did not receive informed consent, nor were they ever offered a “vaccine” approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

Rather, they were subjected to an experimental shot approved for emergency use only and were told they “might have some cold symptoms” as a result.

So, as one example, what about the military leaders that knowingly violated the law after being fully informed about 10 U.S.C. § 1107a at the start of the mandate? “We have to start with proper investigations to find out who they were,” Stancik pleaded. “My patient rights, my human rights, were violated at minimum.”

And if SecDef Hegseth genuinely believes the mandate was “unlawful as implemented,” she said, “a crime has been committed and there must be Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) action taken against those who broke the law.”

There must be a penalty for their actions, even some that might lead to courts-martial.

“Despite the fact they broke the law,” Stancik said, “we cannot violate their rights and deny due process in return. We must act lawfully to correct this.”

For her, it is imperative for people to understand “a lot of our lives have been completely destroyed by what people claimed for a few years to be lawful.”

If this is truly no longer the case, injured service members are waiting in the background for SecDef Hegseth to publicly address the issue of the physical harms the mandate caused.

“At the end of the day, there’s so many people who lost their jobs, kicked out of the military,” Stancik shared. “But it’s not just the people who lost their jobs; there are injured service members who are being ignored,” she lamented.

Going public with her story for the first time, The Gateway Pundit also had the opportunity to speak to Lieutenant Colonel Lynnette Pfaff, an Army Reserve officer of 27 years.

She received her first Pfizer dose in March 2022 and the second in June 2022, experiencing no symptoms over the following year. But on April 3, 2023, while driving to a birthday party with her twins in the backseat, LTC Pfaff lost control of the left side of her body.

“It was a stroke, a brain bleed on the right, affecting the left side of my body,” she explained.

“I was able to come to a complete stop, but the rest is blur.” Having passed oncoming traffic before parking, she attributes the avoidance of an accident to God and is incredibly thankful her children remained safe.

LTC Pfaff had zero risk factors for stroke. She was 42 at the time, and in “incredible shape,” participating in CrossFit training and more at least four times per week.

Today, she faces multiple challenges. “I struggle to walk. I have gait abnormalities, the loss of proprioception on my left side, weakness throughout the entire left side of my body, and I’m unbalanced,” she shared.

She also has short-term memory loss and struggles with fatigue.

“So many things I used to enjoy, I likely will not enjoy anymore,” LTC Pfaff admitted. “I’m often angry about it, wanting my old body back, but I try not to focus on what I lost.”

Though her body seems “irreparably damaged,” she keeps fighting to improve her mental and physical strength.

“What was done to me was criminal,” she lamented. And while she fights for her health and well-being, like Stancik, she hopes Defense Secretary Hegseth will investigate those who knowingly broke the law by enforcing and implementing the 2021 COVID-19 shot mandate.

If a military leader knowingly violated the law, she agreed, there should be UCMJ action. “I know it doesn’t apply to everyone, but those who were fully informed and did it anyway should be held accountable, and justice needs to be served.”

One day when she retires, she questions whether she’ll be able to receive disability pay from the Department of Veterans Affairs for injuries she attributes to the COVID-19 shot. Does VA

VA Secretary Doug Collins have “full authority” to recognize the once-mandated, unlawful COVID-19 shot as a Toxic Exposure Risk Activity? A public statement or official memorandum on the topic is long overdue.

While efforts to reinstate service members booted over the shot mandate continue to grow, Stancik asked, “who’s responsible for taking care of the injured service member and making all the wrongs right?”

In the fall of 2023, the author conducted a survey that reached 229 participants who represented all branches of the military, including enlisted and officer ranks. Service members were able to anonymously express their views about the COVID-19 shot mandate.

The Gateway Pundit previously published the results:

“…almost 73 percent of the participants said they were also coerced into receiving the shot.”
“…only two of the 30 individuals who admitted taking the shot wanted to be vaccinated.”
“Approximately 95 percent of the survey’s participants faced reprisal for not receiving the COVID-19 injection, including verbal threats of punitive legal action, loss of promotion, and exclusion from career-enhancing schools.”
“Only seven of the survey’s 229 participants were informed by qualified medical personnel of known risks, like myocarditis and more, associated with the injection.”
“Ninety-three percent of the survey’s 229 participants said they know service members who were injured by the COVID-19 injection. “
“Twenty of the 30 participants who admitted being “vaccinated” also revealed they were injured by the shot.”

According to a series of eight interim reports obtained by the author, it is also interesting to note that herd immunity was very likely established prior to the shot’s rollout.

It begs the question: Did these service members really have to suffer their injuries? A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated December 18, 2024, to learn more about seroprevalence rate and the presence of neutralizing antibodies in service members remains unanswered.

To help right the wrongs of those who enforced the mandate, President Donald Trump once said, “Yeah … there would be accountability, is right. We’ll fire their asses.” Who’s been fired over the “unlawful as implemented” mandate?

Despite the injustices she’s witnessed personally, Stancik has let go of the anger she once felt. “We need people’s hearts to be changed, and I hope this change will help stories like mine have a bigger impact. Without hearts changing, we will continue to see this happen on a grander scale.”

She wonders if the stories of injured service members are reaching the desk of SecDef Hegseth. “While he fights for the people who got kicked out, I pray that soon he’ll also step and stand up for those us who were injured and lost everything.”

The Defense Health Agency (DHA), which falls under the DoD, “needs to look into the data, but they refuse to do it,” according to Macie.

“They have everybody’s shot record, the lot number [of the ‘vaccine’] attached to it, and other details that can be compared to data within the Defense Medical Surveillance System.”

He also pointed out, “A huge tell would also be the med board process,” which he argued, “would very likely show an increase” in 2021 and after.

A thorough, transparent investigation would help answer everyone’s question about the safety and efficacy of the shot, but DHA and others deliberately refuse to share the information tens of thousands of service members and veterans want to know.

For this reason, Macie said, “A prompt from SecDef Hegseth appears necessary, if he really want to get down to the very last detail of how the shot affected the U.S. military.”

“No one is really investigating, and for that, I’m extremely disappointed and angry people are essentially getting away with murder,” he lamented.

Stanick and LTC Pfaff give God all the glory, attributing their strength and resilience to their faith. Along with many other injured service members, the two interviewees are hoping SecDef Hegseth will be their voice and right the wrongs made against them.

Macie would like to discuss “how utilize data available to the Pentagon to draw a conclusive picture of whether or not the shot caused damage to the force.”

Each interviewee has something to share, and it is hoped the Secretary of Defense will lend his ear.

The post Defense Health Agency Must Not be Allowed to Thwart an Honest Investigation Into COVID-19 Shot Injuries, Say Those Who Witnessed the Devasting Effects Firsthand appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Beautiful: President Trump Sends Special Surprise Birthday Message to 104-year-old WWII Veteran After Viral Party Invite (Video)

World War II veteran Denver Moore just turned 104 years old and he invited a special guest to celebrate his birthday.

In TikTok video that went viral with over almost 900,000 views, Mr. Moore invited President Donald to help his celebrate the big day.

Moore, a longtime supporter of the president shared, “President Trump, my name is Denver Moore and I’m gonna be 104 in May, and I’m inviting you to my birthday party, the 17th here in Canal Fulton,” he shared in the viral video.

“I’m living in a rest home called Danbury and I got to vote for you again, and I hope I can vote for you some more.”

Watch:

Dear @POTUS,

Denver Moore is a WWII Veteran and he turns 104 on May 17th. He would love for you to attend his birthday party. Please get this out!!! pic.twitter.com/buGbwTOtZb

— NukeTaco (@TacoforFive1) May 2, 2025

President Trump responded with a message for Mr. Moore to help make his birthday special.

“Hi, Denver!” Trump shared in a video message.

“I want to wish you a very happy 104th birthday from your all-time favorite president. That’s me, Donald Trump.”

“And I’m sorry we weren’t able to get to your party. I would love to get to your party, but I’m working on Russia, Ukraine, China, and all sorts of other places, and I know you want us to do well.”

“But I want just to thank you for your incredible service to our nation and for your support for making America great again. A very, very special man you are, and happy birthday,” he added.

Watch:

Mr. Moore, who lives in Massillon, Ohio, reacted to the message with News 5 Cleveland.

Watch:

A local World War II veteran received a message from President Trump on his 104th birthday.@WhiteHouse @RepMichaelRulli @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/zjiI3Buen9

— News 5 Cleveland (@WEWS) May 15, 2025

Birthday cards can be sent to Denver Moore, resident of Danbury Senior Living, PO Box 2631, North Canton OH 44720.

The post Beautiful: President Trump Sends Special Surprise Birthday Message to 104-year-old WWII Veteran After Viral Party Invite (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

NATCA Sabotages Secretary Duffy’s Plan to Fix Air Traffic Control Crisis — Woke Union Votes to Punish Veteran Controllers Who Agree to Stay on the Job

Credit: Sean Duffy / X

In yet another stunning example of how radicalized labor unions are placing politics and ideology over public safety, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has voted to undermine Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s urgent efforts to address America’s catastrophic air traffic controller staffing shortage.

Instead of supporting Duffy’s common-sense plan to incentivize experienced FAA air traffic controllers to delay retirement — a move aimed at preventing dangerous understaffing at the nation’s busiest airports — NATCA has chosen to go scorched-earth against its own veteran members.

During its recent Biennial Convention, NATCA, the woke, social justice-obsessed union that never misses a chance to virtue signal with “NATCA Pride” and “Diversity” campaigns, approved a toxic amendment punishing any air traffic controller who accepts a waiver to work past the mandatory retirement age of 56, according to the New York Post.

“Secretary Duffy recently allowed controllers to work beyond the statutory age of 56 in an attempt to stabilize the air traffic control staffing issues,” one reader told The Gateway Pundit. “NATCA… chose to strip seniority controllers of their 25-30 years of seniority in order to dissuade them from continuing to work.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been laser-focused on fixing the dire staffing issues plaguing the FAA, unveiled a plan offering veteran controllers up to 20% salary bonuses to stay in their roles past the arbitrary retirement age.

“They’re fantastic, they’re great at their jobs, they get to an eligible point of retirement and they take that retirement,” Duffy told reporters.

“Why don’t we try to incentivize those really well-experienced air traffic controllers? Let’s incentivize them to stay. Let’s get them to stay on. Not only do we have that experience, but they can also help train up those younger, newer controllers coming into their family.”

But NATCA saw things differently. The union’s newly passed amendment, slated to take effect October 1, states that any bargaining unit employee working under an age waiver will see their seniority reset to the day the waiver becomes effective.

 According to NATCA, allowing waivers “puts early retirement at risk by showing the Agency and Congress that mandatory retirement is unnecessary.”

According to a Reddit post:

“Beginning October 1, 2025, any bargaining unit employee who is working under an exemption as prescribed by the Secretary in 5 USC 8335(a) or 5 USC 58425(a) will have their seniority set to the day the waiver becomes effective.

Rationale: Each waiver puts early retirement at risk by showing the Agency and Congress that mandatory retirement is unnecessary.

Now that nearly all NATCA members were born after 1970 (with an MRA of 57), we expect requests for waivers to increase.

With every waiver granted, the argument that controllers are subject to greater mental and physical risks throughout their employment is weakened.

It is crucial that we secure this fundamental privilege for the future of our union and ourselves. Passing this amendment will send the message that safeguarding our pay, protections, and pension is our highest priority. We cannot ensure the safest airspace in the world when we waive the rules that protect it.

Waivers do nothing to benefit NATCA. The negative consequences of these waivers may result in the loss of our FERS (SSA) supplement and early retirement.

The long-term impact of each waiver undermines our position that early retirement is crucial for our membership and the country.

Early retirement is a privilege that we earn by working one of the most stressful jobs in history. NATCA cannot afford to risk this privilege; do not waive our right to early retirement.”

A union representative told The Post, “NATCA is fully committed to working with Secretary Duffy, the Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure the national airspace system is staffed with the best and brightest air traffic controllers.”

“We continue to support Secretary Duffy’s plan to supercharge staffing and modernize the air traffic control system. NATCA remains in alignment with Secretary Duffy’s plan and the department’s priorities.”

A Department of Transportation spokesperson said, “The secretary is disappointed in the decision to unfairly penalize experienced controllers. It’s critical that we retain the best and brightest because America needs more controllers — not less. We would hope that NATCA will work with us on behalf of the American people.”

The post NATCA Sabotages Secretary Duffy’s Plan to Fix Air Traffic Control Crisis — Woke Union Votes to Punish Veteran Controllers Who Agree to Stay on the Job appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Former FBI Director Comey Appears to Threaten Trump

James Comey, the former director of the FBI, is under investigation for a since-deleted Instagram post that some observers say could be interpreted as a death threat against President Donald Trump. 

Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that Comey is being investigated both by the DHS and Secret Service.

The since-deleted post contained an image of sea-shells arranged to form the numbers “8647.” The number “86” is slang meaning “to get rid of” or “to kill.” 

Comey has stated that he did not intend the message as a threat or political message. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” Comey commented after taking the original post down.

The post’s removal did not stop criticism, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s call for Comey’s imprisonment in a Thursday appearance on Fox News.

Some in the Trump administration, most notably the White House’s deputy chief of staff, Taylor Budowich, have connected Comey’s potential threat against Trump to the president’s recent speech in Riyadh condemning nation-building and advocating peace in the Middle East.

It’s worth noting this assassination threat follows President Trump historic Saudi speech where he declared the demise of the neocons and nation builders.

American leadership has been restored and peace is on the horizon. This has left the Deep State desperate and… https://t.co/YJpPyBxu4A

— Taylor Budowich (@Taylor47) May 15, 2025

Comey has historically been very supportive of Republican proponents of nation-building, giving money both to John McCain’s ultra-hawkish 2008 presidential campaign and to Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign before being appointed FBI director by President Barack Obama in 2013. Comey also served as U.S attorney in Manhattan and as deputy attorney general under the neoconservative George W. Bush administration.

The post Former FBI Director Comey Appears to Threaten Trump appeared first on The American Conservative.