Tuesday, January 27, 2026
No menu items!
Newsletter
type here...
Home Blog Page 33

Trump Slaps 35% Tariff on Canada Over Drug, Crime Failures

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Slaps 35% Tariff on Canada Over Drug, Crime Failures

Key Takeaways:

  • Tariff Increase Hits Friday: Trump raised tariffs on Canadian imports from 25% to 35%, citing Ottawa’s failure to curb trafficking and criminal activity.
  • Deadline Ignored: Canada missed Trump’s Friday trade deal deadline, triggering automatic penalty tariffs.
  • Accountability First: Trump’s move underscores his America First approach—no more trade perks for countries that ignore security threats.

President Donald Trump isn’t playing around when it comes to national security and fair trade. On Thursday night, the White House announced that tariffs on Canadian imports will rise to 35% from 25%, effective Friday, after Canada failed to meet Trump’s deadline to crack down on drug trafficking and cross-border crime.

“Canada had failed to do more to arrest, seize, traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs,” the White House said in a no-nonsense statement.

Trump had warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for weeks: either clean up the mess or face the consequences. With no deal by the deadline, the higher tariff kicked in.

Notably, Canada was absent from Trump’s updated tariff list for other trading partners, whose new rates will go into effect August 7. The message is crystal clear: America is done giving passes to weak border enforcement and soft-on-crime neighbors.

While globalists whine about economic “cooperation,” Trump is delivering results—protecting American workers, securing the border, and holding even our closest allies accountable. If Canada wants access to the world’s largest consumer market, it better start acting like a reliable partner—not a liability.

Harris Skips Governor Bid – Setting Sights on 2028 Rematch?

Keely Compson
-
0
Harris Skips Governor Bid – Setting Sights on 2028 Rematch?

Key Takeaways:

  • No California Run: Kamala Harris is opting out of the California governor’s race, signaling serious interest in a 2028 presidential rematch.
  • Crowded Field Ahead: Despite her 2024 nomination, Harris faces stiff competition from Buttigieg, AOC, Newsom, and others—some of whom are already testing the waters.
  • Mixed Reception: While allies tout her momentum and VP credentials, critics argue the party needs fresh faces and stronger messaging to win in 2028.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is passing on a California gubernatorial run in 2026—possibly keeping her powder dry for a much bigger prize: the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

The decision all but confirms what political insiders already suspected—Harris wants another shot at the White House, even after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024. But despite her former title and high name ID, Democratic operatives are making one thing clear: this nomination is anything but guaranteed.

“We live in a world where I don’t think anybody getting into a race is going to stop anybody else,” said veteran Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Translation: the floodgates are open.

With no incumbent in 2028, Democrats are gearing up for a free-for-all. Early polling shows a fractured field, with Harris leading in one poll but lagging behind Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Gavin Newsom in another. Also circling: Cory Booker, Gretchen Whitmer, Tim Walz, and Josh Shapiro.

While Harris enters as the last nominee, some Democrats are ready to move on. “It’s a mistake,” said one top donor. “We can’t turn the page and have the same people run again.” Others warn Harris’s underwhelming record as VP could become a liability, especially with party moderates and independents.

Still, her allies argue she came within striking distance in 2024—despite having just 107 days to run a national campaign after Biden’s surprise exit. And let’s face it: the Democratic path still runs through Black women and the South, where Harris holds strong support.

Whether she’s a shoo-in or a long shot remains to be seen. But with the party still searching for a clear message—and a fresh face to deliver it—Harris will have to prove she’s more than just next in line.

Because in 2028, Democrats don’t just need a nominee—they need a rescue plan.

Slim Down, Price Up? Trump Admin Tests Medicaid Coverage for Obesity Drugs

Keely Compson
-
0
Slim Down, Price Up? Trump Admin Tests Medicaid Coverage for Obesity Drugs

Key Takeaways:

  • 5-Year Pilot Program: Starting as early as 2026, Medicaid and Medicare may opt to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, expanding access beyond diabetes-related conditions.
  • Big Costs, Big Market: The drugs run up to $7,000 per year, with analysts projecting the weight-loss drug market could exceed $150 billion by 2030.
  • Internal Tensions: While CMS head Mehmet Oz supports the plan, Health Secretary RFK Jr. has raised red flags about high costs and the risk of sidelining healthier lifestyle solutions.

In a bold—and expensive—move, the Trump administration is teeing up a pilot program to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for weight management. The goal? Address America’s obesity crisis head-on with modern science—but without pretending there’s no bill coming due.

The Washington Post reports that the five-year pilot would allow states and Medicare Part D plans to opt in to covering GLP-1 drugs, originally designed for diabetes, now repurposed to help melt pounds by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion.

The price tag? Between $5,000 and $7,000 per patient annually. That’s no small chunk of change, especially for government-run insurance programs already bloated with spending.

The idea was first floated by the outgoing Biden administration, but now Team Trump is seriously considering it—with implementation possible as soon as April 2026 for Medicaid and January 2027 for Medicare.

Insurance typically covers these drugs only when tied to related conditions like diabetes or heart disease. The Trump pilot would expand access purely for weight loss, a significant policy shift that could open the floodgates—and the federal wallet.

Drugmakers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are watching closely. Analysts expect the weight-loss drug market could top $150 billion by 2030. Not surprisingly, Lilly’s stock got a boost after the news broke.

But not everyone in the administration is sold. CMS Director Mehmet Oz reportedly supports the plan, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced concerns, criticizing the high cost and warning that pills aren’t a replacement for healthy living.

The free market loves innovation—but fiscal conservatives have questions. Is this smart preventative care or a billion-dollar Band-Aid? Time will tell whether Trump’s approach blends results with responsibility—or becomes another entitlement in disguise.

Oh Frap! Starbies Ditches ‘Mobile-Order-Only’ Option

Keely Compson
-
0
Oh Frap! Starbies Ditches ‘Mobile-Order-Only’ Option

Key Takeaways:

  • Grab-and-Go Gets the Boot: Starbucks will close or convert all 80–90 pickup-only locations by 2026, calling the model “overly transactional.”
  • Culture Over Convenience: CEO Brian Niccol is reviving the brand with in-store seating, mugs, condiment bars, and free refills to keep customers engaged and spending.
  • Profit-Driven Overhaul: With job cuts, menu simplification, and a renewed push for office culture, Starbucks is trimming the fat and doubling down on efficiency and connection.

After chasing digital convenience and losing its soul in the process, Starbucks is finally pulling the plug on its grab-and-go-only stores. CEO Brian Niccol announced this week that the coffee giant will close or convert its 80 to 90 mobile-order-only locations by fiscal 2026, calling the model “overly transactional” and devoid of the “warmth and human connection that defines our brand.”

Translation: People want coffee, not a vending machine experience.

Since stepping in last fall, Niccol has been on a mission to resuscitate the Starbucks brand through his “Back to Starbucks” strategy. That means more than just a caffeine jolt—it’s about profitability, culture, and reminding customers why they ever lingered in a Starbucks with their laptops in the first place.

“The goal is to improve and transform the foundations of our North American business,” Niccol said, touting upgrades to the mobile app and restoring little things like the condiment bar, ceramic mugs, and free refills—small gestures that once made Starbucks feel like more than just a pit stop.

But make no mistake: this is also about cutting waste and boosting margins. Earlier this year, Starbucks eliminated 1,100 support roles, froze hundreds more open positions, and told employees to get back to the office four days a week to rebuild an “in-office culture.”

He’s also simplifying the bloated menu, slashing underperforming drinks to reduce wait times and foster actual innovation. And for customers frustrated by confusing pricing, the company is rolling out greater transparency on the app.

Despite union pressures and slumping foot traffic, Niccol is betting that a more grounded, human-first Starbucks—with real mugs, real seats, and real conversations—will bring customers and profits back in the door.

Because at the end of the day, digital is fine—but you can’t build loyalty (or espresso sales) without a little face-to-face connection.

Trade Talks on Thin Ice as Canada Sides with Anti-Israel Bloc at U.N.

Keely Compson
-
0
Trade Talks on Thin Ice as Canada Sides with Anti-Israel Bloc at U.N.

Key Takeaways:

  • Economic Leverage in Play: Trump warned Canada that recognizing Palestinian statehood will make a U.S.-Canada trade deal “very hard,” signaling that economic pressure is on the table.
  • Rewarding Terror Concerns: Canada’s move comes despite Hamas holding 50 Israeli hostages and the Palestinian Authority’s authoritarian record, which Trump calls a “reward for Hamas.”
  • Trade Talks at Risk: With an August 1 tariff deadline looming, Canada’s decision to side with the anti-Israel bloc could jeopardize billions in cross-border trade.

President Donald Trump is sending a blunt message to America’s northern neighbor: back a Palestinian state at the United Nations and watch your trade perks disappear.

Late Wednesday, Trump took to Truth Social to call out Canadian Premier Mark Carney after Ottawa announced it would join France and the United Kingdom in recognizing Palestinian statehood. “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” Trump wrote.

The move comes as Hamas continues to hold 50 Israeli hostages—20 of them alive—while rockets still rain on Israel. Palestinians have no defined borders, and the so-called “moderate” Palestinian Authority is widely seen as a corrupt dictatorship. Trump and pro-Israel voices have long argued that granting statehood now would reward terrorism. Families of Israeli hostages agree, saying recognition before their loved ones are freed only incentivizes more violence.

Until now, Trump had avoided directly retaliating against Western allies who’ve flirted with recognizing a Palestinian state mid-war. But his post signals a harder line: America’s economic leverage is on the table. Canada is currently locked in “intense” trade talks with the U.S. ahead of an August 1 tariff deadline. Carney’s move could jeopardize billions in cross-border trade by injecting politics into negotiations.

For Trump, the message is simple: America First includes Israel first on security. If allies want access to the world’s largest free market, they shouldn’t bankroll terror with symbolic U.N. votes. Canada’s left-wing government may be playing to its activist base, but the economic fallout could be steep if trade talks freeze over appeasing Hamas.

As Trump has said before, peace comes through strength—not concessions to terrorists. And when America speaks with its economic might, even close allies like Canada will have to listen.

DHS Launches Self-Deportation Ads: ‘Leave Now or Be Removed’

Keely Compson
-
0
DHS Launches Self-Deportation Ads: ‘Leave Now or Be Removed’

Key Takeaways:

  • Self-Deportation Push: Trump’s DHS is running a nationwide ad campaign offering illegal aliens free flights and up to $1,000 to voluntarily leave the U.S. via the CBP Home app.
  • Tough Enforcement: Those who refuse face fines, detention, and permanent bans, as DHS vows to track down and deport remaining violators.
  • Efficient and Lawful: Voluntary departures save taxpayer dollars, reinforce America’s rule of law, and keep the door open for legal immigration done right.

The Trump administration is taking border security to the airwaves—and straight to illegal aliens’ smartphones.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, is rolling out a nationwide ad campaign encouraging illegal aliens to self-deport through the agency’s CBP Home mobile app. The campaign offers an unusual incentive: a free flight home, up to $1,000 in financial assistance, and the chance to return to the U.S. legally in the future.

“If you’re an illegal alien living in the United States, this runway is your future because one way or another, you’re getting on a plane home—but how you get there is up to you,” Noem says in the ad. “You can make it easy… by downloading the CBP Home app and safely self-deporting… Or, your trip home will be hard. We will find you, you will be fined thousands of dollars, detained, and forcefully removed from our country.”

WATCH:

Under President Trump’s “law and order” immigration approach, DHS has issued nearly 10,000 fines to illegal aliens and is leveraging financial pressure to encourage voluntary departures—a move that’s far cheaper than taxpayer-funded deportation flights.

DHS says that tens of thousands of illegal aliens have already used the CBP Home app to self-deport over the last six months. The ads, which will run nationwide and internationally in multiple languages, hammer home Trump’s core message: America welcomes immigrants—but only those who follow the law.

“The CBP Home App gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally and live the American dream,” Noem said. “If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.”

The campaign signals that under Trump’s leadership, the era of catch-and-release is over—and illegal aliens face a simple choice: leave voluntarily, or face the full weight of U.S. law.

Judge Blocks Congress from Cutting Planned Parenthood Funding

Keely Compson
-
0
Judge Blocks Congress from Cutting Planned Parenthood Funding

Key Takeaways:

  • Taxpayer Dollars Protected—for Planned Parenthood: Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction blocking Congress’s defunding measure, forcing Medicaid to continue reimbursing the abortion giant.
  • Planned Parenthood’s Business Booms: The organization performed 402,230 abortions in 2023-24 and received $792.2 million in taxpayer funding, nearly $100 million more than the previous year.
  • Legal Battle Far from Over: The case could eventually reach the Supreme Court, which recently upheld South Carolina’s right to block Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding.

A federal judge has stepped in to protect Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer pipeline—at least for now.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee, blocked a key provision of the Big, Beautiful Bill that defunded Planned Parenthood of Medicaid dollars, granting the abortion giant a preliminary injunction. Her expanded order forces continued Medicaid reimbursements to all Planned Parenthood clinics while the lawsuit proceeds.

Talwani claimed that blocking Medicaid funds would “threaten an increase in unintended pregnancies” and “undiagnosed and untreated STIs,” arguing that patients would suffer “adverse health consequences where care is disrupted or unavailable.”

The Biden-aligned position is clear: Planned Parenthood must keep its government gravy train—even though the Hyde Amendment already prohibits federal funding of elective abortions. Talwani emphasized her ruling wasn’t ordering the government to fund abortions directly but simply blocked Congress from excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.

Planned Parenthood argued in court that losing Medicaid funds would have “devastating effects,” claiming nearly 200 clinics could close. HHS countered that Planned Parenthood “has no right to taxpayer money” and Congress has the authority to determine where public funds go.

The timing is striking. Planned Parenthood’s own annual report shows record-high abortions—402,230 in 2023-24—and a surge in taxpayer funding to $792.2 million, nearly $100 million more than the prior year.

Pro-life advocates argue that no taxpayer should be forced to indirectly support an industry ending hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Congress used the reconciliation process to bypass a Senate filibuster, reflecting growing public sentiment against subsidizing abortion providers.

While Talwani’s ruling is temporary, it’s another example of activist judges overriding the will of Congress and the voters who sent pro-life majorities to Washington.

The case—Planned Parenthood Federation of America v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—could eventually reach the Supreme Court, which just last month upheld South Carolina’s right to cut off Medicaid funds to the organization.

For now, taxpayers are still footing the bill for the nation’s largest abortion business—proof that the fight over who controls America’s purse strings is far from over.

NY Dem Demands Nationwide AR-15 Ban, Admits He Doesn’t Know Guns

Keely Compson
-
0
NY Dem Demands Nationwide AR-15 Ban, Admits He Doesn’t Know Guns

Key Takeaways:

  • Ban First, Facts Later: NY Assemblyman Alex Bores called for a nationwide AR-15-style weapons ban while dismissing the details of firearm classifications as “ticky-tacky.”
  • Confusing the Facts: Bores admitted the firearm in question was technically a pistol, but argued it “looked” like an assault rifle—proof critics say politicians don’t understand the weapons they’re regulating.
  • Gun Rights Under Fire: Rather than focus on criminals or enforce existing laws, Democrats like Bores are doubling down on nationwide restrictions that target lawful gun owners.

On Tuesday’s broadcast of CNN News Central, New York Assemblyman Alex Bores (D) called for a nationwide ban on AR-15-style firearms, saying Americans shouldn’t get caught up in the “ticky-tacky aspects” of gun classifications.

“It is finally time for us to have a nationwide ban on assault weapons, on these AR-15-style weapons,” Bores said. “No one should have a magazine that can shoot 30 rounds. No one should have such a high-powered and maneuverable weapon and be able to walk around city streets or drive it into our state.”

The problem? Even Bores admitted he wasn’t clear on what he was trying to ban. When pressed by co-host Brianna Keilar, he conceded that the weapon at issue was “technically… a pistol,” not an AR-15 rifle. He acknowledged that the firearm lacked rifling and was classified as a pistol, but insisted it still “looked” like an assault rifle. His takeaway: the details don’t matter, the ban does.

WATCH:

Gun rights advocates argue this is exactly the problem with blanket gun bans: politicians trying to legislate away constitutional rights without understanding the hardware they’re regulating. Millions of law-abiding Americans own AR-15s and similar semi-automatic firearms for sport, self-defense, and home protection.

New York already bans many of these firearms, but as Bores complained, “There’s nothing we can do if other states are going to keep selling it.” Translation: Albany wants Washington to impose its gun restrictions on the rest of America.

The push for sweeping gun bans—without acknowledging the complexity of firearm classifications or the reality of lawful gun ownership—reflects the left’s ongoing tension with the Second Amendment. Rather than targeting criminals or enforcing existing laws, politicians like Bores aim to chip away at the rights of responsible citizens under the banner of “safety.”

As history and markets both show, Americans are unlikely to give up liberty—especially the kind that comes with their own security—just because a lawmaker shrugs off the “ticky-tacky” details.

Helping Kim’s Regime: Arizonan Sentenced in North Korean Job Plot

AFN
-
0
Helping Kim’s Regime: Arizonan Sentenced in North Korean Job Plot

Why it matters:
An Arizona woman’s prison sentence for facilitating North Korean access to American jobs underscores the critical need for robust identity verification and cybersecurity measures in the digital economy. This case highlights vulnerabilities that could threaten both national security and the integrity of American businesses.

Key Takeaways:
– Christina Marie Chapman was sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, having helped North Koreans secure remote IT jobs at 309 U.S. companies.
– The scheme generated over $17 million, impacting 68 individuals whose identities were stolen, and involved shipments of laptops to locations near North Korea.
– Chapman will forfeit $284,556 and pay a judgment of $176,850, in addition to three years of supervised release after her prison term.

The Big Picture:
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats posed by foreign adversaries infiltrating American businesses through deceptive practices. As the global economy increasingly relies on remote work and digital transactions, the importance of stringent identity verification processes cannot be overstated. Companies must prioritize cybersecurity and due diligence to protect themselves from similar schemes that could undermine their operations and national security.

Moreover, this incident illustrates the broader implications of unchecked foreign influence in the American workforce. As U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro aptly noted, “North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within.” This sentiment resonates with the need for vigilance among corporations, emphasizing that the responsibility to safeguard against such threats lies not only with government agencies but also with private enterprises.

What They’re Saying:
“The call is coming from inside the house. If this happened to these big banks, to these Fortune 500, brand-name, quintessential American companies, it can or is happening at your company,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Go Deeper:
Original source: The Center Square

1...323334...149Page 33 of 149

Links

Stay connected

Newsletter Signup

- Advertisement -

© America First News | All rights reserved.