Boston Mayor Michelle Wu held a press conference where she announced that the federal government had sent her a letter threatening to cut off Boston’s federal funding if the city does not cooperate with ICE enforcement. The mayor responded by saying, “Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law.” This is ironic, given that she is openly refusing to follow immigration law.

Boston is officially a sanctuary city under the 2014 Trust Act, which prohibits city police and other departments from cooperating with ICE and federal agencies on civil immigration detainers. Under this law, Boston police cannot be deputized as ICE agents, ask individuals about their immigration status, or detain anyone solely on the basis of an ICE civil detainer request.

Police are also barred from sharing information with ICE, making arrests based on ICE warrants, or transferring people into ICE custody. Boston is one of 18 cities included on the Justice Department’s list of 35 “sanctuary” jurisdictions.

Beyond sanctuary city policies, Wu has taken additional steps that federal officials view as obstruction. She signed an executive order demanding that ICE provide information on who they are arresting in Boston and even told ICE Director Tom Homan “to take a time out.”

Wu said the city would file a formal appeal and “take legal steps if they continue to refuse transparency” regarding ICE arrests. She has accused ICE of using “secret police tactics,” describing their operations as people being “snatched off the street by secret police who are wearing masks.”

She criticized ICE agents for wearing masks, claiming that Boston police don’t hide their faces, while pointing out that a New England neo-Nazi gang does. But ICE agents conceal their identities because of widespread doxxing campaigns that threaten both their safety and their families. As for the neo-Nazi gang, the same group is known to eat barbecue, breathe air, and sleep in a bed, so clearly, anyone doing any of those things is a neo-Nazi.

Wu described people being “terrified for their lives and for their neighbors, folks getting snatched off the street by secret police.” But the only people who need to be afraid are those in the country illegally. And if they are afraid, all they have to do is self-deport.

The Trump self-deportation program has been highly successful: immigrants register, receive $1,000, and a plane ticket to their home country. Participation in CBP’s Home Self-Deportation program may even help preserve their ability to re-enter the United States legally in the future.

Federal officials have condemned Boston’s sanctuary policies as obstruction, arguing they endanger public safety by releasing illegal immigrant criminals before ICE can detain them. ICE Acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde directly challenged Mayor Wu’s stance, pointing to recent operations in Massachusetts that netted nearly 1,500 illegal immigrant offenders, including suspects charged with rape, assault, and kidnapping. She said ICE will continue enforcement regardless of local resistance, stressing that her officers are committed to keeping communities safe.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has announced a dramatic escalation in federal presence, saying on The Howie Carr Show that ICE will “flood the zone, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions.” He argued that “sanctuary does not mean safer streets, it means more criminal aliens out and about the neighborhood,” and promised a larger ICE presence in Boston. Lyons cited Operation Patriot, which produced more than 1,000 arrests, as a model for future actions.

The backlash has gone beyond ICE officials. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley called Wu’s statements “reckless and inflammatory,” while the White House described them as “disgusting” and dangerous. Representative Anna Paulina Luna went further, accusing Wu and other sanctuary city mayors of “harming the American people” and pledging to refer them to the Justice Department for investigation.

The Justice Department escalated its fight with sanctuary cities by issuing an ultimatum to Boston and 31 other jurisdictions. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent demand letters to 13 states, including Washington, as well as to 22 local governments from California to Rhode Island and from Boston to Seattle, accusing them of limiting police cooperation with ICE.

Major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia were also on the list. Washington’s governor openly rejected the directive, accusing the Trump administration of threatening state values.

The letters warned that city officials could face prosecution and loss of federal funds unless they assisted in carrying out mass deportations. Bondi instructed recipients to respond by August 19 with a plan confirming compliance and detailing steps to eliminate policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

On Fox News, Bondi made clear the consequences of defiance: “If they don’t comply with us, we’re going to work with other agencies to cut off their federal funding. We are going to send in law enforcement just like we did during the LA riots, just like we’re doing here in Washington, D.C. And if they’re not going to keep their citizens safe, Donald Trump will keep them safe.”

Wu is running for reelection and is banking on support from both the courts and the people of Boston as she ramps up opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. She is positioning herself as the vanguard against immigration enforcement, a curious platform for anyone to run on, especially since illegal immigrants can’t vote… or at least, they aren’t supposed to.

The post Mayor Wu Says “Boston Follows the Law,” but Not Immigration Law appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

In a huge blow to Letitia James and Biden’s prosecutors, a New York Appeals Court threw out the massive civil fraud penalty against President Trump on Thursday.

The AP reported:

An appeals court has thrown out the massive civil fraud penalty against President Donald Trump, ruling Thursday in New York state’s lawsuit accusing him of exaggerating his wealth.

The decision came seven months after the Republican returned to the White House. A panel of five judges in New York’s mid-level Appellate Division said the verdict, which stood to cost Trump more than $515 million and rock his real estate empire, was “excessive.”

After finding that Trump engaged in fraud by flagrantly padding financial statements that went to lenders and insurers, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered him last year to pay $355 million in penalties. With interest, the sum has topped $515 million.

Marxist New York Attorney General Letitia James sought $370 million in ‘damages’ when there is no victim in this fraud case and she also sought to ban Trump and his sons from operating any businesses in New York. She accused Trump of inflating his assets and defrauding lenders and insurance companies.

Last year Judge Engoron ordered Trump to pay more than a $355 million fine and barred Trump “from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York for a period of three years.”

Engoron claimed Trump and each of the defendants “participated in aiding and abetting the conspiracy to commit insurance fraud by their individual acts in falsifying business records and valuations, causing materially fraudulent SFCs to be intentionally submitted to insurance companies.”

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in fines.

Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg was ordered to pay $1 million.

The $355 million judgment PLUS daily interest swelled to more than $500 million.

Letitia James even took the initial step to seize President Trump’s assets after he was unable to secure a bond or pay the outrageous judgement.

BREAKING…

The post BREAKING: In Huge Blow to Letitia James, New York Appeals Courts Throws Out $515+ Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

President Trump called for the release of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters on Thursday amid her ongoing persecution for exposing Democrats’ election fraud in the state of Colorado. 

“If she is not released, I am going to take harsh measures!!!” Trump said in an apparent warning shot to Democrat Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold.

Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison last October after she was accused of breaching the Mesa County election systems and leaking Dominion voting machine passwords.

But Peters contends that her office had the Dominion machine passwords, which is what Maricopa County successfully argued when they were subpoenaed for Dominion passwords during the Arizona Election audit in 2021.

The Soros-funded Colorado Secretary of State is behind the politically motivated accusations.

Judge Matthew Barrett, the trial judge in the Colorado state court, didn’t simply punish her for her conduct. He explicitly cited her ongoing political speech as justification for denying her bond and keeping her in prison.

Peters’ legal team has appealed her case to the Federal court, challenging the First Amendment violations and asking them to decide whether Tina Peters is being unlawfully imprisoned for her political speech, the Gateway Pundit reported.

“She did nothing wrong, except catching the Democrats cheat in the Election. She is an old woman, and very sick,” the President said.

Full statement below:

FREE TINA PETERS, a brave and innocent Patriot who has been tortured by Crooked Colorado politicians, including the big Mail-In Ballot supporting the governor of the State. Let Tina Peters out of jail, RIGHT NOW. She did nothing wrong, except catching the Democrats cheat in the Election. She is an old woman, and very sick. If she is not released, I am going to take harsh measures!!!

It is unclear what harsh measures the President plans to take against the state of Colorado.

Trump has recently called for the discontinuation of “Highly Inaccurate, Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES, which cost Ten Times more than accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper,” saying that he is going to lead the movement to restore election integrity and stop mail-in voting.

This is a developing story.

The post “FREE TINA PETERS” – Trump Calls for Release of “Tortured” Former County Election Clerk: “If She is Not Released, I am Going to Take Harsh Measures!!!” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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President Trump is committed to securing our prescription drug supply chain, threatening tariffs of up to 250% to force manufacturing back to the U.S.

At the same time, President Trump is ordering his Health and Human Services (HHS) to begin to stockpile critical drugs to protect against potential drug shortages and drug price increases:

“President Trump on Wednesday ordered his health officials to secure a six-month supply of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients for drugs the administration determines are critical for national health and security.

The government has already directed millions of dollars toward developing domestic sources for key ingredients used in treatments for asthma, diabetes and anxiety.

The ASPR would obtain a six-month supply of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, to be placed in a strategic reserve, with a preference for domestically manufactured products.”

The Trump White House made it clear why this stockpiling of prescription drug medications was necessary:

A White House fact sheet states that only about 10% of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients for U.S. prescription drugs are manufactured domestically, leaving the country vulnerable to foreign supply chain disruptions.

AVOID SHORTAGES STOCK UP ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS!

President Trump isn’t the only person who should be stockpiling prescription drugs. Every single American should be doing the same thing.

Stockpiling prescription drugs is nothing new, indeed Dr. Jim Thorp, one of the nation’s leading critics of the corrupting influence of big pharma, has been advocating stockpiling for several years.

“I’ve strongly recommended “stock piling” critical medications including antibiotics since the turn of the century. This has been an incredible investment as many friends, family and patients have benefited.  Now, in the summer of 2025, this recommendation is even more crucial.” – Dr. Jim Thorp

That’s why thousands of Americans are taking action today — stocking up on critical medical supplies before prices rise and products disappear from pharmacy shelves.

At The Wellness Company, we’re actively bolstering our inventory to meet the needs of our customers. But demand is spiking fast. If you want to protect your access to critical medications, now is the time to act.

Start with our best-seller:

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• Oseltamivir 75 mg (generic Tamiflu) – 10 tablets

• Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg -20 tablets

• Ivermectin 12mg – 25 tablets

• Azithromycin (generic Z-Pak) 250 mg – 12 tablets

• Budesonide 0.5 mg/2 mL – 5 vials (plus nebulizer included)

• 1 Medication Guidebook written by the Chief Medical Board for safe use.

You already have Tylenol and Nyquil – why not medications that could actually save your life?

The Wellness Company’s Contagion Emergency Kits are the gold standard when it comes to medical preparedness.

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Click here to order the Wellness Company’s Contagion Kit today.

Note: The information provided on this website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or used as a substitute for professional healthcare guidance. It is your responsibility to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines regarding the purchase, possession, and use of prescription medications.

The post President Trump Orders Stockpiling of Critical Medications – Here’s One Way to Get What You Need appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

On August 20, 2025, Marcus Lemonis, Executive Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, announced that the company would not open or operate retail stores in California. “This decision isn’t about politics — it’s about reality,” he said.

Lemonis argued that California has become one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky states for businesses. He cited high taxes, mandatory wages many employers cannot sustain, endless fees, and regulations that stifle growth. Even the state’s budget surpluses, he said, are built “on the backs of ordinary citizens” who already pay too much, while businesses are “squeezed until they break.”

Crime was another factor in his decision. In interviews, including on “The Big Money Show,” Lemonis pointed to years of rampant shoplifting and weak law enforcement, which left retailers “ravaged of their merchandise on a consistent basis.” Although voters reinstated felony penalties for shoplifting in 2024, he argued that the broader climate of lax enforcement, overregulation, and high costs still makes California unsustainable for brick-and-mortar operations.

As part of its reemergence after a 2022 bankruptcy, the company plans to open physical stores in nearly every state but California. Lemonis called the move a stand for common sense and sustainable business, stressing it was not political but practical, meant to protect customers, employees, and shareholders from a system that raises costs and stifles growth.

California customers will be served exclusively through BedBathandBeyond.com. While they can still buy the company’s products, the state will miss out on jobs, rent, equipment, and materials purchases. It will collect mainly sales taxes, with reduced income, business, or other related taxes. In effect, California has shot itself in the foot.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office hit back with a reply on X, writing, “After their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed, Bath & Beyond no longer existed. We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again as they try to open a 2nd store.”

Other retailers are following suit. Target, for example, closed more than half a dozen California locations in 2023, including three in the Bay Area, citing theft and threats to employees. California led the nation with over 50,000 reported shoplifting cases in 2024, a 12% increase from the previous year, and shoplifting rose 28% statewide from 2019 to 2023. In fact, 2023 saw the highest level of reported shoplifting since 1998.

The passage of Proposition 47 a decade ago, which downgraded certain thefts to misdemeanors, coincided with a surge in chronic offenders. The share of theft offenders who reoffended four or more times increased by 12 percentage points, while theft convictions among repeat offenders rose 14 points. Two years after Prop 47, the clearance rate for property crime fell by 3%, dropping further to just 7% in 2022, meaning offenders today are about half as likely to be apprehended as in 2014. Although voters reinstated felony penalties for shoplifting in 2024, retailers say the broader problem persists.

The retail industry has borne the brunt. Nationwide, theft cost businesses $112.1 billion, with 88% of retailers reporting shoplifters had become more aggressive. Among companies tracking organized retail crime (ORC), incidents surged 57% between 2022 and 2023, with ORC alone costing an average of $703,320 per $1 billion in sales. California saw a 69% increase in store closures from 2023 to 2024, with more than 7,100 closures projected by November, up from 5,548 the year before.

At the same time, California employers face some of the highest labor costs in the country. The statewide minimum wage rose to $16.50 per hour in 2025, more than double the federal level, while fast food workers are paid $20 an hour. Some cities impose even higher rates, such as Mountain View at $19.20 and El Cerrito at $18.34.

These rising costs coincide with a steep decline in labor participation among less-educated Californians: down 14.6% for those without a high school diploma and 10.4% for high school graduates without college since 2003.

Other costs add to the burden. Cyber insurance premiums jumped as much as 100% in 2023, though increases eased to 5.6% in 2024. Management liability coverage rose nearly 19% in 2023, followed by another 8% in 2024. Inflation continues to push claims costs higher, directly impacting premiums.

To cope, retailers are spending heavily on security, averaging $700 million annually on loss-prevention strategies. In 2023, three-quarters of retailers increased uniformed security officers in stores, and nearly 60% planned to add more in 2024.

It isn’t only retailers taking a stand. Several major corporations have issued similar statements or moved operations in response to California’s business climate. After 145 years in the state, Chevron announced it was relocating to Texas.

CEO Mike Wirth explained, “We believe California has a number of policies that raise costs, that hurt consumers, that discourage investment and ultimately… that’s not good for the economy in California and for consumers.” As early as 2019, Wirth had warned that the state’s policies had become “pretty restrictive on a lot of business fronts, not just the environment.”

Elon Musk has also criticized California for driving a corporate exodus, comparing the state to a once-successful sports team that has grown complacent: “You have a forest of redwoods and the little trees can’t grow.” In July, he said a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on school notification policies was “the final straw” after years of measures that, in his view, attacked both families and companies.

Other high-profile companies that have relocated include Tesla, McKesson, Charles Schwab, CBRE, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Palantir, AECOM, FICO, SpaceX, and Oracle. A Hoover Institution report found that 74 corporate headquarters left California in the first half of 2021 alone, many citing affordability concerns.

Jim Wunderman, president of the Bay Area Council, called the departures “an embarrassment for California,” blaming “misguided policies that make it incredibly difficult to do business here.” He urged lawmakers to confront a “reckoning,” pointing to housing shortages, rising energy costs, and constant regulation.

The post Killing the Golden Goose: Beyond Bed and Bath, Businesses are Shunning California appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.