Month: April 2026

US Army and Navy deploy the Bullfrog M2, turning million-dollar drone threats into $10 taxpayer victories under President Trump’s defense priorities.

Bullfrog M2 Deployment Strengthens US Military Edge

US Army and Navy forces now deploy the Bullfrog M2 autonomous system from Austin-based Allen Control Systems. This AI-driven counter-drone platform detects, tracks, identifies, and acquires targets up to 1500 meters using passive infrared and electro-optical sensors. Operators issue only the final fire command, enabling rapid response to swarms. The system mounts on trucks, ships, Abrams and Bradley tanks, or aircraft, targeting Group 1-3+ UAS up to 600kg. Deployment counters escalating threats from Eastern Europe and Middle East conflicts.

Taxpayer Savings Revolutionize Drone Defense Economics

Bullfrog achieves $10 per kill by firing standard ammunition from weapons like M2 .50 cal machine guns, M230 30mm chain guns, or M240 machine guns. This contrasts sharply with multimillion-dollar missile interceptors wasted on cheap drones. ACS President Steve Simoni highlighted this efficiency at an Axios event, critiquing prior US drone preparedness as a “D” grade. Taxpayers benefit directly as the Trump administration prioritizes fiscal responsibility in defense spending, reducing waste from past mismanagement.

Production Ramp-Up and Global Alliances Form

ACS triples its Austin facility to 5,295 square meters to meet demand, adding engineering jobs and planning tank integrations. US SOCOM purchased units in August 2025 for mobile boats and vehicles. By November 2025, sales reached South Korea and UAE for regional threats, with Romania launching coproduction and European offices. CEO Michael Wior emphasizes full autonomy, freeing operators for critical tasks. These moves bolster US-led alliances against drone proliferation.

No operational tests in Ukraine occurred, yet strong adoption signals real-world confidence. ACS leaders advocate layered defenses combining kinetics and lasers for comprehensive protection.

Impacts Echo Conservative Priorities on Security and Economy

Short-term, Bullfrog cuts reliance on costly systems, saving billions for taxpayers frustrated by inflation and overspending. Long-term, it shifts industry toward scalable AI defenses, boosting US exports and Austin jobs. Political alliances strengthen with NATO partners like Romania. While autonomy raises ethics discussions, its cost-effectiveness aligns with limited government and strong national security. US military ratings underscore gaps filled by American innovation.

ACS expansion supports ongoing R&D without disclosed production rates. Demand persists despite uncertainties in exact kill-cost audits, validated by consistent ammo-driven economics.

Sources:

ACS Bullfrog M2 Product Page

Axios: ACS Bullfrog Sales to South Korea, UAE, Romania

Defence UA: Bullfrog Production Ramps Up

CBS Austin: Allen Control Systems Builds AI-Powered Drone Killer

ACS Bullfrog M230 Product Page

As the two-week ceasefire in the Iran War entered its third day Friday, it remained unclear whether the Iranian delegation would head to Islamabad for scheduled talks with the United States. The uncertainty comes after Israel launched its largest bombing campaign yet against Lebanon. The 10-point plan to end the war, proposed by Iran and accepted by President Donald Trump Tuesday, included an end to all Israeli strikes against Lebanon.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Friday that the Islamabad talks would not proceed unless Washington halted Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that “any talks are conditional upon obtaining assurance of the U.S.’ fulfillment of its obligations regarding a ceasefire on all fronts.” Baqaei said the halt to fighting in Lebanon was “an integral part of the ceasefire understanding proposed by Pakistan” and that the composition of Iran’s delegation would only be announced once travel plans were finalized.

In a statement released by Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command said its forces remained fully combat-ready with their “finger on the trigger,” citing what it called repeated failures by the U.S. and Israel to honor their commitments.

Iran’s Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a Friday morning post on X that negotiations would not begin until there is “a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.”

The Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir told troops in southern Lebanon on Friday that the campaign had become the army’s “primary operational focus” and vowed to expand operations in Lebanon. “We are not in a ceasefire on the northern front,” he said, adding that Israel could return to striking Iran “at any moment, and with great intensity.”

The death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon rose above 300 as rescue workers continued pulling bodies from the rubble, the Health Ministry said Thursday, with more than 1,150 wounded. 

Boarding Air Force II on Friday morning for negotiations in Islamabad, Vice President J.D. Vance said that he expects the talks with Iran “to be positive.” 

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith,” Vance said, “we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner will lead the U.S. negotiating team in Pakistan. A Gulf diplomat with knowledge of February’s talks to reach a nuclear deal told the Guardian, “We regarded Witkoff and Kushner as Israeli assets that dragged a president into a war he wants to get out of.”

In a Thursday evening Truth Social post, Trump warned Iran against charging fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, writing that “they better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump had previously floated the idea of a “joint venture,” between Iran and the United States to collect tolls in the strait. Under the 10-point plan, which Trump agreed to on Tuesday, Iran would retain control over the Strait of Hormuz along with Oman. 

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains extremely limited. MarineTraffic reported on Thursday that a Gabon-flagged tanker, the MSG, became the first non-Iranian vessel to carry oil through the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire began. Only nine vessels total transited Wednesday and Thursday combined, against a prewar daily average of more than 135, per S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said in an interview with ITV News Thursday that all vessels must now coordinate with Tehran to be guided along safe routes due to mines Iran deployed throughout the strait during the war. “We have to be very careful for the safety and security of tankers and vessels,” he said, adding that mines “take time to be removed” and that only Iranian authorities hold maps of the obstacles.

The post Ceasefire Day 3: U.S. Negotiation Team Travels to Islamabad for Talks appeared first on The American Conservative.

Senate Republicans are advancing a plan to fully fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term through budget reconciliation, a move that would require only a simple majority of 50 Republican votes plus Vice President JD Vance.

This means funding for the agencies will become immune to Democrat filibusters or shutdown threats.

The announcement came Thursday from Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, who confirmed he and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham will meet with President Trump at the White House on Friday to finalize the framework.

Barrasso told Fox News, “I’ll be at the White House with Lindsey Graham…we’re going to be talking with the president specifically about funding ICE, Immigration Custom Enforcement, funding the Department of Homeland Security’s Border Patrol, and doing it not just for this year, but through the entire time that President Trump is still in the White House, and doing it with Republican votes alone.”

WATCH:

BREAKING: Senate Republicans are moving to fully fund ICE and CBP for the REST OF TRUMP’S TERM as president with a simple majority vote, 50 votes + JD Vance

Making it IMMUNE from Democrat tricks.

MAJORITY WHIP JOHN BARRASSO: “I’ll be at the White House with Lindsey… pic.twitter.com/oPEQynA1i6

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 10, 2026

The plan uses the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain fiscal measures to pass with 51 votes in the Senate (or 50 plus the vice president) and bypass the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

Republicans aim to narrowly target funding for immigration enforcement agencies, as there are ongoing disputes over the broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding package.

The move follows weeks of deadlock over DHS appropriations from Democrats.

A partial DHS shutdown has dragged on for nearly two months, with Democrats refusing to support full funding for ICE and CBP without concessions on immigration policy.

WATCH: Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso Exposes Democrat Caught on Tape Saying, ‘The People We Care Most About Are the Undocumented’

Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrat attempts to fund most of DHS while excluding or limiting enforcement operations.

Barrasso emphasized that Democrats “aren’t interested in funding national security,” forcing Republicans to “go it alone” through reconciliation.

The plan would secure long-term funding for deportations, border security, and interior enforcement, which are all priorities of the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda.

Barrasso did not specify a timeline for a floor vote, but GOP leaders will likely move quickly after the White House meeting.

The Gateway Pundit will continue tracking developments from the Senate Budget Committee and the White House.

The post MUST WATCH: Senate Republicans Move to Lock in Full ICE and CBP Funding for Trump’s Entire Term by Bypassing Democrats Entirely appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation to Pakistan this weekend for crucial peace negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The talks in Islamabad represent a pivotal moment for Vance, who has previously advocated for keeping America out of foreign wars.

Testing Vance’s Diplomatic Credentials

The vice president faces the monumental challenge of bringing together two nations that have been adversaries for nearly five decades. This diplomatic mission carries significant weight for Vance’s political future, particularly if he pursues a presidential run in 2028. The negotiations will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that remains unclear whether it has fully reopened even after the ceasefire took effect. The strategic importance of this shipping lane cannot be overstated for global oil markets and international trade.

Ceasefire Shows Signs of Strain

The two-day-old ceasefire is already facing serious pressure. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has stated it will not participate in Saturday’s overall talks unless Lebanon is included in the ceasefire agreement. Israel maintains that its offensive against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon is not part of the current deal. Under pressure from President Trump and other international leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to enter into direct talks with Lebanon. These separate negotiations will take place at the ambassador level.

What This Means for America

The success or failure of these negotiations could determine whether the United States maintains a military presence in the region or finally brings American forces home. The talks also test whether the Trump administration’s approach to Middle East diplomacy can succeed where previous administrations have failed. For Vance, this represents an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the world stage while staying true to his America First principles. The outcome will likely shape both regional stability and domestic political calculations heading into the next election cycle.

A man threw a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home on Friday morning.

The suspect was taken into custody.

Nobody was hurt.

NBC News reported:

San Francisco police early Friday arrested a person who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman’s home and made threats outside the AI giant’s San Francisco headquarters, the company said in a statement.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt,” OpenAI said.

“We deeply appreciate how quickly SFPD responded and the support from the city in helping keep our employees safe. The individual is in custody, and we’re assisting law enforcement with their investigation,” the company added.

Altman has not publicly addressed the arrest.

In a separate statement, the San Francisco Police Department said officers responded to a home in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco around 4:12 a.m. PT Friday “regarding a fire investigation.”

The officers learned that an unknown man had thrown “an incendiary destructive device at a home, causing a fire to an exterior gate,” police said. The suspect fled on foot, and his description was broadcast to all officers.

DEVELOPING…

The post DEVELOPING: Suspect Throws Molotov Cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Home appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

From a landslide victory to an absolute rejection by voters.

Failing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remains one of the western world’s least popular ‘leaders’, despite his efforts to paint himself as a relevant and world-respected head of state.

And his poll numbers continue to sink, as we learn today that almost two-thirds of Brits want Starmer to resign immediately.

If that was not enough, a similar percentage of voters also want a general election now, according to a new poll.

The British people want Starmer out.

We are the only party that can beat Labour and give them what they want. pic.twitter.com/K452GqGV0C

— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) April 10, 2026

The Telegraph reported:

“Fewer than one in five think the Prime Minister should stay on, while almost half of those who voted Labour at the 2024 general election want him to go.

Sir Keir is likely to come under increased pressure to step down if Labour fares badly in next month’s local elections, and there is a growing belief within the party that it cannot win the next general election with him as leader.”

Keir Starmer has been ridiculed by just about everyone today.

He looks weak, out of depth, irrelevant, clueless and most importantly, finished.

How much longer will his own MPs tolerate their awful polling, the humiliation at home and on the world stage?

He needs to go. pic.twitter.com/fJ2kc7K68D

— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) April 8, 2026

The poll by JL Partners shows a majority of voters, in every region and age group, wanting the Prime Minister to be replaced.

“Asked ‘should Keir Starmer stay or go?’, 64 per cent of people said he should go and 18 per cent said he should stay. Of those who voted Labour in 2024, 46 per cent said they wanted him to go now.

[…] While Labour has attempted to rebrand the Prime Minister as a world statesman at a time of global conflict in an attempt to stem a wipe-out at the polls on May 7, the results are set to be brutal.”

NIGEL FARAGE: Starmer is our worst ever PM who believes in nothing except saving his own skin. That’s why you must vote to get him out https://t.co/J9oAqUnR7s

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) April 9, 2026

These two need to go. NOW pic.twitter.com/QV2BBkVn4o

— Essex Patriot (@EssexgoonerMr) April 6, 2026

Read more: Failing British PM Starmer Attacks Trump and Putin, Tries to Avoid Blame for His Own Energy Fiasco – PLUS: Scandal Erupts as It’s Revealed He Was ON A HOLIDAY as Iran War Escalated

The post Two-Thirds of UK Citizens Want Failing PM Starmer To Resign NOW, and For Britain To Hold General Elections Right Away: POLL appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

In a desperate effort to drive a wedge between Catholics and the Trump administration, the fake news circulated a story implying that the Department of War (DOW) threatened the Vatican.

According to the initial report in The Free Press and amplified by outlets such as The Daily Beast, Catholic blogs, and social media, the incident allegedly occurred during a closed-door meeting on January 22, 2026, at the Pentagon.

The report claims that Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby (a Catholic and a Trump administration official) and colleagues supposedly summoned the then-Vatican apostolic nuncio/ambassador to the U.S., Cardinal Christophe Pierre, and delivered a “bitter lecture.”

One official reportedly invoked the Avignon Papacy (a 14th-century historical episode where French kings exerted military/political control over the Pope), which some interpreted as a veiled threat of force or pressure against the Holy See.

The Vatican, however, formally debunked the story.

CruxNow reports:

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni flatly denied the report in a statement Friday, saying that “As confirmed by His Eminence Christophe Pierre…his meeting with Mr. Elbridge Andrew Colby was part of the papal representative’s regular mission and provided the opportunity for an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.”

“The narrative offered by some media outlets about this meeting is completely untrue,” Bruni said.

The Vatican nunciature in Washington had previously distributed a statement to the press also denying the portrayal of the meeting, confirming the Jan. 22 meeting at the Pentagon to discuss “current affairs,” but characterizing the interaction as “routine.”

“The Apostolic Nunciature is grateful for the opportunities to meet and dialogue with government officials and others in Washington to discuss areas of mutual concern,” the nunciature said.

“As confirmed by His Excellency Christophe Pierre, former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, his meeting with Mr. Elbridge Andrew Colby was part of the Pontifical Representative’s regular mission and provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The narrative presented by certain media outlets regarding this meeting does not correspond to the truth at all.”

VATICAN CITY—Holy See issues statement to accredited press on fake news reports claiming U.S. “threatened” the Vatican:

“As confirmed by His Excellency Christophe Pierre, former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, his meeting with Mr. Elbridge Andrew Colby was part of the… https://t.co/jfA6zHeLtm pic.twitter.com/UKa5UPvIzb

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) April 10, 2026

The DOW noted, “Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby @USWPColby had a substantive, respectful, and professional meeting with Cardinal Pierre, the then-Papal Nuncio, and his team on January 22, 2026. During the cordial meeting, they discussed a range of topics, including issues of morality in foreign policy, the logic of the U.S. National Security Strategy, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and other topics.”

“Cardinal Pierre expressed his appreciation for the outreach and both sides looked forward to continued open and respectful dialogue.”

“In light of grossly false and distorted recent reporting, the Department of War repeats its statement: Recent reporting of the meeting is highly exaggerated and distorted. The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion.”

“We have nothing but the highest regard and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See.”

Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby @USWPColby had a substantive, respectful, and professional meeting with Cardinal Pierre, the then-Papal Nuncio, and his team on January 22, 2026. During the cordial meeting, they discussed a range of topics, including issues of… pic.twitter.com/McI0sB2wKC

— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) April 9, 2026

United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, added, “I was pleased to speak today with His Eminence, Cardinal Christophe Pierre.”

“As expected, he confirmed that recent media characterizations of his meeting with Undersecretary Colby are ‘fabrications’ that were ‘just invented.’”

“Given the intelligence and seriousness of Mr. Colby, I was likewise not suprised when His Eminence acknowledged there were no threats of any kind in the meeting.”

“’It was a frank and cordial meeting that took place two months ago.’”

“Threat of Avignon?”

“’None.’”

I was pleased to speak today with His Eminence, Cardinal Christophe Pierre. As expected, he confirmed that recent media characterizations of his meeting with Undersecretary Colby are “fabrications” that were “just invented.” Given the intelligence and seriousness of Mr. Colby, I… https://t.co/R2ogLy2HAf

— Ambassador Brian Burch (@BrianBurchUSA) April 9, 2026

The post “Completely Untrue”: Holy See Rejects Fake News Story of Pentagon Threat to Vatican appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The post EXCLUSIVE: War for Fusion – From Iran’s Front Lines to a Boston Scientist’s Murder appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The NYPD sergeant who killed a fleeing drug suspect by hurling a cooler at him will spend years in prison, infuriating police advocates.

Back in August 2023, a motorcycle-riding drug suspect named Eric Duprey died after a New York Police Department (NYPD) sergeant tossed a cooler he grabbed from a local family’s sidewalk table at him, knocking him off his bike. Duprey was fleeing a Bronx buy-and-bust drug sting at the time.

Following the incident, the NYPD announced that Sgt. Erik Duran, an NYPD Bronx narcotics veteran who joined the force in 2010, was suspended without pay just hours after the lethal afternoon encounter.

Duran was charged with second-degree manslaughter in January 2024.

Now, he will pay a heavy price while hardened criminals continue to walk the New York City streets. The New York Post reported that on Thursday, radical Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell handed Duran a sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison.

The sentence came despite Duran, a married father of three, pleading with the judge to show mercy and apologizing to Duprey’s family.

“Your honor, I am asking for a chance to be there with my kids. I am asking for a chance, just one,” Duran said.

But Mitchell, who was appointed to the bench by far-left then-mayor Bill De Blasio in 2015, ignored his plea.

While Mitchell had the option of giving Duran no time in prison, he claimed that a 3 to 9-year sentence would serve as a “general deterrent” to other police officers.

“The distinction is that the deceased will no longer be seen again by his family,” he added.

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong released a blistering statement obtained by the New York Post following the verdict.

“Today will be forever remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of our profession,” Vallelong said.

“It wasn’t only Sgt. Duran, a great cop, who was on trial. Every law enforcement officer who makes a split-second decision in the performance of their duties to protect the public was also on trial,” he added.

“This has now sent a very chilling message to every cop in the nation.”

Below is the video of the incident involving Duran and Duprey. Judge for yourself whether the NYPD officer’s actions were justified.

WATCH:

BREAKING: NYPD Police Officer Who Threw Cooler at Fleeing Man Charged With Manslaughter.

Erik Duran, 36, a police sergeant, was part of drug-sting operation in the Bronx when he tried to stop a suspect, Duprey.

The officers were attempting to arrest the suspect during an… pic.twitter.com/rPr4VJS2pN

— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) January 23, 2024

The post NYPD Sergeant Who Killed Fleeing Drug Suspect by Throwing a Water Cooler Sentenced to Up to 9 YEARS in Prison By Far-Left Judge appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The Minnesota Freedom Caucus announced that impeachment hearings for Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will take place next week.

Dustin Grage from Townhall reported:

BREAKING: The Minnesota Freedom Caucus announces that impeachment hearings for Tim Walz and Keith Ellison will take place next week.pic.twitter.com/KPjYud2y0C

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) April 10, 2026

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday April 15th, at 10:15 AM in the State Capitol.

Articles of impeachment were filed against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for “corrupt” conduct in office back in January 12, 2026.

The resolution accuses Walz of violating his constitutional oath by engaging in corrupt conduct and failing to faithfully execute state laws.

Heritage reported that Federal prosecutors estimate that fraud in Minnesota-administered social services programs (mostly Medicaid and related aid) since 2018 could total $9 billion or more—roughly half or more of the $18 billion billed across 14 “high-risk” programs.

The post Minnesota Freedom Caucus Announces Impeachment Hearings for Tim Walz and Keith Ellison Will Take Place Next Week appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.