As wildfires ravage Southern California, homeowners in Pacific Palisades find themselves grappling with an unbearable reality: their homes are burning, and their insurance policies—once their safety net—were canceled just months ago by State Farm.

In a move justified by the company as a strategy to avoid “financial failure,” State Farm canceled over 72,000 homeowners’ policies statewide, with Pacific Palisades—a now-charred affluent neighborhood—bearing a significant brunt.

James Woods, a renowned actor and Pacific Palisades resident, summed up the community’s frustration on social media.

“Actually, one of the major insurance companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago,” he wrote.

Actually one of the major insurances companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago. https://t.co/JS03dsV9rF

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025

Another resident, watching her family home of 75 years succumb to flames, shared with ABC News.

“My parents are 90 years old. They lived in this house for 75 years and had the same insurance policy. Then State Farm decided to cancel it. They’re now left with nothing. Thank you, California insurance companies, for abandoning taxpaying residents who love this state. And they wonder why people are leaving California in droves.”

WATCH:

COUNTLESS reports of mass fire coverage cancellations by insurance companies just WEEKS before the Los Angeles fires

This woman BLASTED the California government for their mismanagement and explained the fire coverage on her childhood home was just cancelled after DECADES… pic.twitter.com/727iDcXItM

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 8, 2025

State Farm’s mass cancellations came on the heels of its March 2024 announcement to cease issuing new homeowners’ policies in California entirely, according to Newsweek.

State Farm announced in April 2024 that it would cancel a total of 72,000 policies in California, including 30,000 homes.

About 1,600 insured homes in Pacific Palisades lost coverage due to this decision.

State Farm announced in March 2024:

“State Farm General Insurance Company (“State Farm General”) is working to ensure its long-term sustainability in California. In doing so, State Farm General has had to make some difficult but necessary decisions that will impact a portion of our California policyholders as follows:

Non-renew approximately 30,000 homeowners, rental dwelling, and other property insurance policies (residential community association and business owners). (A rental dwelling policy insures rental home owners. Renters insurance is not affected.)

Withdraw from offering commercial apartment policies with the non-renewal of all of those approximately 42,000 policies. (A commercial apartment policy insures apartment owners. Renters insurance is not affected.)

These actions are California-specific and will occur on a rolling basis over the next year, beginning on July 3, 2024, for homeowners, rental dwelling, residential community association and business owners policies and on August 20, 2024, for commercial apartment policies. Combined, these policies represent just over 2% of State Farm General’s policy count in California.

This decision was not made lightly and only after careful analysis of State Farm General’s financial health, which continues to be impacted by inflation, catastrophe exposure, reinsurance costs, and the limitations of working within decades-old insurance regulations. State Farm General takes seriously our responsibility to maintain adequate claims-paying capacity for our customers and to comply with applicable financial solvency laws. It is necessary to take these actions now.

We also recognize the Insurance Commissioner’s proposed regulatory reforms, such as streamlining the rate application process, accounting for catastrophe modeling and reinsurance costs in rates, and addressing FAIR Plan vulnerabilities. We will continue to work constructively with the California Department of Insurance, the Governor’s Office, and policymakers to actively pursue these reforms in order to establish an environment in which insurance rates are better aligned with risk.

We will notify customers impacted by this decision in advance of their policy expiration to provide information on other coverage options. State Farm independent contractor agents licensed in California will continue to service policies not impacted by these decisions. State Farm General’s May 2023 decision regarding new applications remains unchanged. We will evaluate the need for any additional business actions as market conditions change.”

This corporate retreat, echoed by other private insurers, has forced countless homeowners into the state-run FAIR Plan—a last-resort insurance program that has seen its enrollment more than double since 2020.

Newsweek reported:

Several private insurers have cut coverage in at-risk areas across California in the past three years, leaving homeowners scrambling to find options for coverage. As a result, California’s FAIR Plan, which works as an insurer of last resort in the state, has more than doubled its policies between 2020 and 2024, reaching a total of 452,000, as reported by CapRadio.

Most insurers who have limited their offer in the state mentioned the rising wildfire risk as well as the state’s regulations as the main reasons behind their decision. Unable to increase their premiums to a level that will match their growing risk, companies have decided instead to cut coverage.

This has triggered an ongoing property insurance sector crisis in the Golden State as homeowners are finding it increasingly harder to find coverage at a time when they so desperately need it.

The post State Farm Canceled Hundreds of Pacific Palisades Homeowners’ Policies Before Devastating Wildfire Strikes appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The ESPN host and political commentator Stephen A. Smith has slammed the decision to sentence Donald Trump on the bogus hush money case on which he was convicted last year.

On Monday, New York Judge Juan Merchan declined a motion to delay Trump’s sentencing, meaning he will be sentenced on Friday just 10 days before he is inaugurated for the second time.

Trump responded to Merchan by slamming him as a “radical partisan” who is leading an “illegitimate political attack” against his administration.

Smith appears to agree with this view, as he explained:

What I have to say about them. You might be surprised with what I have to say about this. This is the kind of stuff that just validates assertions about stuff being politicized.

Maybe not specifically with Trump, but the suspicion definitely is there. What is the purpose of this? Is he going to jail? Are you going to jail? You think you’re fine?

We got to sit up there and go through all the pomp and circumstance when you know you’re not going to do anything. He was certified today as the next president of the United States of America.

Come January 21st, he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America. But you want to have, you want to, you, you want to sentence him. You’re Juan Merchan. Who is he? The State Supreme Court Justice in New York.

You want to sentence him next Friday. And by the way, what is this sentencing about? Because we got to be real about it. We just got to be real about it.

34 felony counts sounds, sounds very, very damaging. It’s a hush money case. Essentially the case against Donald Trump is that he is alleged to have engaged in relations with a former porn star and he made efforts involving finances to keep Her mouth shut.

That’s what all of this is about? Do you know what some people said to me when they were talking about this?

They said, can you please tell me what’s the difference between this and somebody signing an NDA? I don’t know the answer to these questions. I’m just telling you what people’s thought process is.

Watch the clip below:

STEPHEN A. SMITH UNLEASHES ON JUDGE MERCHAN.

Beautiful stuff, voices are raised, as they should be.pic.twitter.com/0Tqe1kXqSg

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 8, 2025

In a recent interview with Fox News host Mark Levin, Smith said that he had grown disillusioned with the Democratic Party and regretted voting for Kamala Harris.

“I voted Democrat, and I got to tell you something right now: I don’t like the fact that I did,” he said at the time. “I don’t like what I’m seeing.”

Stephen A. Smith Says He Regrets Voting For Kamala Harris: ‘I Don’t Like What I’m Seeing’ (VIDEO)

The post Stephen A. Smith Torches Judge Merchan’s Decision to Sentence Trump: ‘What is the Purposes of This?’ (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Federal Reserve officials during a December meeting sounded the alarm on inflation over Trump’s policies related to tariffs and immigration.

Joe Biden’s tax-and-spend policies utterly destroyed the US economy but the Federal Reserve is concerned about Trump.

When Trump was in office for his first term, inflation was consistently around 1.2%.

“Almost all participants judged that upside risks to the inflation outlook had increased,” the minutes of the FOMC’s meeting said. “As reasons for this judgment, participants cited recent stronger-than-expected readings on inflation and the likely effects of potential changes in trade and immigration policy.”

CNBC reported:

Federal Reserve officials at their December meeting expressed concern about inflation and the impact that President-elect Donald Trump’s policies could have, indicating that they would be moving more slowly on interest rate cuts because of the uncertainty, minutes released Wednesday showed.

Without calling out Trump by name, the meeting summary featured at least four mentions about the effect that changes in immigration and trade policy could have on the U.S. economy.

Since Trump’s November election victory, he has signaled plans for aggressive, punitive tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada as well as the other U.S. trading partners. In addition, he intends to pursue more deregulation and mass deportations.

However, the extent of what Trump’s actions will be and specifically how they will be directed creates a band of ambiguity about what is ahead, which Federal Open Market Committee members said would require caution.

Last month the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points or 0.25% – as the Dow tanked by more than 1,100 points.

The December rate cut came after the Fed slashed rates 25 basis points in November and 50 basis points in September.

The benchmark rate is now between 4.25% to 4.50%

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters last month that he will not resign his position if Trump asks him to step down.

Reporter: “If [President-elect Trump] asked you to leave, would you go?”

Fed Chair Jerome Powell: “No.”

Reporter: “Do you think that legally you’re not required to leave?”

Powell: “No.” pic.twitter.com/OoSDgvkZ8j

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) November 7, 2024

The post Federal Reserve Officials Sound Inflation Warning… Over Trump’s Policies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

J6 political prisoner Phillip Crawford Jr. was arrested as a result of his actions to step in to stop police from beating Victoria White in the head.  Crawford himself was beaten in the head by police at least 32 times for trying to help a vulnerable woman.

Phillip recently wrote to The Gateway Pundit readers to share his important story.

My name is Phillip Crawford Jr. but I go by my nickname “Bunky.” On Jan 6, 2021, I traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the Trump Rally. I was there to show my support because I figured I owed it to Trump to be present for all that he had endured by being attacked constantly throughout his whole term. It’s sad to see that so many people in our country love their Jobs more than their country.

For months, we had watched as these best-described – communists – weakened our Nation. So, I went to say thank you to Trump. After the rally, the group I was with left DC by train. Once we made it to our vehicle at the airport, we heard that there was a huge turnout at the Capitol. We contemplated if we should head home or return. We were undecided, so we flipped a coin and the result was to go to the Capitol. We got back on the train and headed back to DC.

I arrived at the Capitol at 3:30 pm. I didn’t see any barricades or restricted area signs. I even asked an officer which way was the Capitol he pointed and said stay straight. I now know that 28 undercover MPD (Metro Police Department) officers on Team 6 were illegally positioned undercover amongst the Trump supporters and I also know, from videos, that these officers lead people into the areas they said were restricted.

Undercover officers can be seen removing barricades and signs. What I saw at the capitol was very disappointing and shocking. I witnessed MPD officers using excessive force everywhere. I saw elderly women and men who were not doing anything illegal getting pushed down steps. A man was pushed off a 25 ft wall by an officer. People were just standing there singing God Bless America and were getting hit by rubber bullets and flash grenades.

***Please help Bunky here.***

As I was peacefully strolling around, taking it all in, I was hit in the face with pepper spray at the hands of an officer. When I made eye contact with him, he shrugged his arms out, flexing to me like what are you going to do about it? As a result of this incident, I can be seen yelling on video, “Let’s just charge up in that mother f*&^” but that was just my way of saying that we don’t have to take this.Of course, the DOJ has misconstrued that video as me trying to “rally troops” to attack the officers at the Capitol.

After 20 minutes, I noticed a commotion at the west tunnel and when I made my way closer I could hear a man yelling “Please don’t beat her, you’re going to kill her.” I stood on a handrail 2 seconds after he yelled that to get a better look.

I could see officers beating a woman (Victoria White) in her head with a baton and punching her. I was not going to stand by and allow a woman to be beaten (possibly to death as was Rosanne Boyland) so I made my way through the crowd to the entrance of the left side of the West Tunnel to do my best to free her of the assault she was trapped in.

My ONLY focus was to get her to a safer place. I had no intent of assaulting officers and I never hit any officers. I did pull on the leg of an officer after he beat me on the head. I, myself, received 32 blows to the head and a thrown baton to the head. Along with officers striking me in the knee which tore my meniscus. All at the hands of MPD officers acting with excessive force.

Two and a half years later, on July 12, 2023, I was arrested before they had a warrant. Atlanta Magistrate Judge Chris Bly signed the conditions of my release form on July 11th – one day before I was even arrested and before a bond hearing was even held. I was placed on strict house arrest for 5 months with a GPS ankle monitor. I was under the constraints of the ankle monitor for 15 months when Chief Judge Boasberg finally ordered it be removed because it was causing great pain/sores to my ankle and was not serving any beneficial purpose to the DOJ.

I have felt alone for the past 15 months feeling as if no one would help me. I tried to help an innocent civilian get free of the excessive force that was being used on her by using LESS force than the deadly force displayed on her by the MPD.

I have had my rights violated and I made complaints – of which all were ignored. I was assigned two Democrat public defenders who wouldn’t listen to anything I was saying. For 14 months, I did little but argue with the attorneys demanding I plea self-defense of others. I had two lawyers who had the DOJs better interest rather than fighting for mine.

As a result of my being illegally put on house arrest 5 months before I was indicted, I’ve lost my business, my truck, heavy equipment, trailers, guns (they seized all of my guns on July 12, 2023), my savings…everything. My right to due process was violated like no other. I was charged with 11 counts in a complaint filed in DC. My public defenders ignored me from day one. It took 8 months before they even watched any of the videos with me. They didn’t give any of my character letters to the prosecution during my plea bargaining.

I was forced into an open plea that I thought wouldn’t be accepted by the District Judge as meeting the elements of the charges. Because I made it clear, at every moment, that I would never agree that those officers were lawfully performing their duties. Nor did I ever intentionally assault any of them. The prosecution also agreed, but the Judge accepted it.

I felt helpless, and my attorneys weren’t showing me any videos. They told me I didn’t have a case and if I chose to go to trial, I would have to find another lawyer. Out of disgust, I told them, “Fine, I’ll plead guilty to everything since no one will listen to me, and there is no way to get a fair trial.” I told them from day one that I wanted to plead defense of others. They insisted I couldn’t do that.

***Please help Bunky here.***

Immediately after my plea, they finally gave me the discovery evidence. After reviewing the videos in the discovery, I immediately demanded to withdraw my plea. By reviewing those videos and others I found online, I was made aware that I had proof of everything I was claiming. The prosecution only showed short clips of me and omitted the times of the officers beating me. I wrote the Judge three times to explain that I wished to withdraw my plea. My public defenders withdrew as my counsel and I was assigned an attorney (Carmen Hernandez). She seems to be ok at this moment. I am waiting for her to complete her review of the discovery and get back to me. I plan to fight my civil violations but because of the DOJ controlling my every move and scaring away any kind of help my life has been ruined through all of this.

I have three straight-A children and a loving wife, so I must have been doing something right. They had no right to put me on an ankle monitor on house arrest for 5 months. There was no debating that I was not a threat to the public or a flight risk. They just slapped it on me. I had not been late on any of my bills in 15 years. Now, since July 12, 2023, I haven’t been able to pay any of them.

I want those responsible to be held accountable for their communist acts. This is something usually only seen in China or Russia. In my plea, I never said that I “assaulted” the officers (only made “physical contact” by falling into them) nor would I ever agree that the officers were acting lawfully when performing their duties. I have watched Trump fight for this country that I would lay my life down for. I always try to do the right things. That also goes for that day – I know I did the right thing by trying to save Victoria White. Crimes were done by authority figures that day and they must pay.

I am writing this as an effort to salvage my life. And bring awareness that I will not allow them to sweep Jan 6th under the table with only Pardons. There has to be more reparations made to every American they used that day. Every Jan 6th person charged are Americans that the weaponized DOJ used that day to gain political points. My family needs me to be present in their lives.

On Jan 10, 2025, I am scheduled to appear before Chief Judge Boasberg in DC for sentencing for crimes I am not guilty of. At times I think about not even going to this crazy clown court. Although, other than being away from my family, it can’t be much worse than the struggles I already face every day now. More than likely I will go because my children play an important role in my decision making. I can do this with faith with prayer of getting that pardon.  No Jan 6er deserves to get overlooked and forgotten. We all have suffered from the brutality and injustice of a weaponized government that day.

I have had to navigate through a lot of life-altering obstacles the past two years. Financially and emotionally drained to say the least. I have gone from wanting to go anger one week to praying for God to give me peace and understanding the next. Then the next week it is back to anger….an unchanging cycle that would lead to me being on my knees asking God for peace and for change.

Then would come the next day which I would be reading and in desperate search again for anyone that could help or even just listen, only to get the door slammed in my face. Most days I would try to come up with a better new way of trying to get my attorneys to listen to me only to fail once again. Every day I would have to become my own lawyer by studying and trying to cram a typical full-time 3-year law degree into a fast 5 months of home self-taught education. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful. This left me more confused than it helped but I couldn’t change my unwavering desire to search for relief and some way to help.

***Please help Bunky here.***

I constantly was in need of some sort of comfort that progress was happening but then I would wake up early with only 2 hours of sleep to find nothing has changed and no one is listening. So that has been my life. Besides fighting from falling into a depression, which I’ve kept from taking hold due to my young children. I had to look strong and in control for them but I know that there were more than a couple days that they saw how broken I was…now that hurts. The icing on the cake though is feeling that I have been purposely ignored by the rest of most Jan 6ers. This might not really be true but it sure seems that way. I can’t figure out why I feel like I’m being ignored. For what? Loving this country. Trying to help a woman who I thought was about to get killed. I’ve lost everything but I would do the same thing again if I could go back. I wouldn’t change anything. I have never had my voice truly heard throughout my legal case by the court or my lawyers.

You know, I wouldn’t change one action I did that day. Call it vain, but I believe I should be recognized for not being a person who did nothing. Not a person who stood and watched Victoria White getting beat to death because of political reasoning but rather a person who did just actions because it was the right thing to do. There isn’t even a speck of doubt in my heart and soul that thinks I did wrong.

In order to get to Trump’s 88 felony charges, they had to charge all of us first.

I really want to be exonerated of these politically overcharged charges but also want compensation for what they put me and my family through.

In order to accomplish this, I need support by ensuring I am included in the class action suit. This would give me a better chance of picking up the pieces of what’s left in my life. This, I will tell anyone at any time, is that my heart does seek God’s will and my heart is well with Him. God has never ever left me or shut me out. For this as well as all others, I praise His holy name.I have always prayed that Gods will be done in my life. Though I have come short many times, my trust in Him has never faded.

Thank you for your time
God bless America!

***Please help Bunky here.***

The post J6 Political Prison “Bunky” Crawford Received 32 Blows to the Head Trying Help Stop Police Beating Victoria White, Now He Needs Our Help appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Southern California is on fire. It is as bad as I have ever seen. The high winds have grounded the fixed wing aircraft that are the most critical to battle these fires. But leading up to the fires is a total leadership failure from the local, county and state levels. There are reports fire hydrants in Los Angeles County are not working. The local water department is being accused of failing to fill the reservoir to supply the necessary water needed to fight the fires.

Adding to the challenges, Los Angeles fired dozens of fire fighters for not taking the COVID-19 experimental shot. This on top of Mayor Karen Bass cutting 20-million dollars from the LAFD budget. LAFD seems to be more focused on diversity, equity and inclusion than it is being on prepared to fight fires. We have the audio from the self described LGBTQ Chief that proves this point.

Plus there is new information about the Vegas Cyber Truck Bomber. Former Green Beret Matt Tardio has been in touch with many members of the Green Beret community he has inside information about the suspect. Matt Tardio is our guest.

The post No Water, Cancelled Insurance, DEI Focus, and Fired Firefighters… The Liberal Inferno! (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.