U.S. Maintains Neutral Stance as El Salvador Removes Presidential Term Limits

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The United States has taken a non-interventionist approach to recent sweeping constitutional reforms in El Salvador, which include eliminating presidential term limits and the country’s runoff voting system. The move has drawn polarized reactions across the political spectrum, but the U.S. State Department emphasized the nation’s right to self-govern.

In a statement to Spain’s EFE news agency, the U.S. government affirmed that it would not interfere in El Salvador’s internal decisions, underscoring the democratic nature of the country’s legislature and its authority to amend the constitution.

“The legislative assembly of El Salvador was elected democratically to promote the interests and policies of its electors,” the statement read. “The decision to make constitutional changes is theirs. It is up to them to decide how to govern their country.”

This response followed a controversial vote by El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly last week that formally removed presidential term limits—a provision that had existed in some form since 1841. The reforms also abolished the two-round presidential runoff system, meaning future presidential elections will be decided by simple majority in a single vote.

President Nayib Bukele, who first took office in 2019, was reelected in 2024 with a resounding 85% of the vote. He sidestepped existing term limit restrictions by resigning from the presidency prior to running, technically making him a non-incumbent candidate. The election was certified by the Organization of American States (OAS) as legitimate, with observers noting no irregularities.

Bukele’s approval ratings have soared largely due to his uncompromising crackdown on organized crime, especially gang violence that had long plagued Salvadoran communities. Supporters credit him with restoring order to daily life, while critics warn that his popularity is allowing him to consolidate power in ways that could erode democratic safeguards over time.

The State Department’s statement pushed back against comparisons between El Salvador and authoritarian regimes in the region, asserting that the Salvadoran process was rooted in constitutional authority.

“We reject the comparison of the legislative process of El Salvador, based on democracy and constitutionally sound, to illegitimate dictatorial regimes in other parts of our region,” it stated.

The Trump administration’s stance mirrors its broader foreign policy philosophy of prioritizing national sovereignty and discouraging intervention in the domestic affairs of allied nations.

President Bukele addressed criticism from international observers and media outlets with a sharp rebuke, accusing critics of holding his country to a double standard.

“90% of developed countries allow the indefinite reelection of their head of government, and no one bats an eye,” Bukele said in a widely circulated social media post. “But when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly it’s the end of democracy.”

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Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Semiconductors Made Outside the U.S. in Potential Blow to Domestic Businesses

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President Trump announced plans Wednesday for a 100% tariff on “all chips and semiconductors” — insisting that there would be an orderly economic transition despite potential major impacts on US businesses.

“We’ll be putting a tariff, approximately 100%, on chips and semiconductors,” Trump said at an Oval Office event with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who arrived to announce plans for $600 billion in new investments in the US.

Trump said he would exempt companies that have plans to transition their manufacturing to the US — a hint that the world’s largest chip manufacturer, Taiwan’s TSMC, which is building massive manufacturing plants in Arizona, would be spared.

“If you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge, even though you’re building and you’re not producing yet in terms of the big numbers of jobs and all of the things that you’re building. If you’re building there will be no charge,” Trump said.

“So 100% tariff on all chips and semiconductors coming into the United States. But if you’ve made a commitment to build, or if you’re in the process of building, as many are, there is no tariff.” (Read more from “Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Semiconductors Made Outside the U.S. in Potential Blow to Domestic Businesses” HERE)

Bill Clinton Subpoenaed Over Epstein Ties as House Investigation Expands

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Former President Bill Clinton’s long-rumored ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein are once again in the spotlight, as the House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas to both Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about their alleged connections to Epstein and his network.

The renewed congressional interest stems from years of reporting, flight logs, and witness accounts linking Clinton to Epstein’s social circle. Central to this scrutiny is Clinton’s participation in a 2002 trip to Africa aboard Epstein’s now-infamous private jet — a plane later dubbed the “Lolita Express.” The journey, which was intended to promote Clinton’s AIDS relief initiative, also included actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker. However, it’s the company on board — including Epstein’s young female staff — that has fueled speculation for years.

Actor Kevin Spacey later expressed concern about the presence of young women on those flights, telling British media in 2023 that he believed Epstein placed the former president “at risk.”

A photo from that trip, widely circulated in later years, shows Clinton receiving a shoulder massage from a 22-year-old massage therapist reportedly employed by Epstein. While the image raised eyebrows, Clinton has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes or participation in any wrongdoing.

Despite public denials, Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly visited the White House 17 times during Clinton’s presidency. Epstein also made at least one known visit to Clinton’s Harlem office in 2002 and donated to both Bill and Hillary Clinton’s political campaigns.

The House Oversight Committee’s subpoena letter to Hillary Clinton referenced what it called a potentially “close relationship” between the Clintons and both Epstein and Maxwell. Hillary has been requested to give sworn testimony in early October; Bill’s deposition is scheduled for just days later.

According to publicly available flight logs, Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet at least 26 times — occasionally without the presence of his Secret Service detail, which was a breach of standard protocol for former presidents. One of Clinton’s former aides, Doug Band, claimed he tried to keep Epstein at arm’s length but that the former president continued to engage socially with him, including a reported 2003 visit to Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean. Clinton has denied ever setting foot on the island.

That denial has been challenged by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most well-known accusers, who claimed in a fictionalized memoir — filed as evidence in legal proceedings — that she saw Clinton dining on the island with two young women. Clinton has never been charged with any crime in connection to Epstein and has denied all accusations of impropriety.

Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained a network of elite connections around the world. Among the revelations discovered in his New York townhouse after his death was a large painting of Clinton in a blue dress, similar to the one worn by Monica Lewinsky during Clinton’s White House scandal — a bizarre detail that further fueled conspiracy theories about Epstein’s relationships with political power players.

Clinton’s spokesperson has maintained that the former president had cut ties with Epstein long before his first arrest in 2007 and reiterated in 2019 that he “knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes.”However, questions about the nature of Clinton’s ties to Epstein continue to mount. Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s trafficking operation, is believed to have provided a list of over 100 names to federal authorities — possibly shedding new light on the scope of Epstein’s reach. Maxwell had also attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in 2010, years after the public first began questioning her relationship with Epstein.

The upcoming House hearings are expected to feature high-profile testimony, beginning with former Attorney General William Barr on August 18. Whether the Clintons’ depositions will provide clarity or deepen the controversy remains to be seen.

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UN Warns of “Classroom a Day” Death Toll as Gaza Children Face War, Starvation, and Aid Blockades

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The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached devastating new heights, with the United Nations reporting that an average of 28 children are dying every day due to ongoing bombardment, severe malnutrition, and restricted access to aid. That figure — the equivalent of a full classroom — highlights what the UN has called an unfolding catastrophe for an entire generation.

In a stark warning shared Tuesday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) described the daily toll as “death by bombardments, death by malnutrition and starvation, and death by lack of aid and vital services.”

According to UNICEF and other aid agencies, children in Gaza are in desperate need of food, clean water, medical care, and protection. “More than anything,” the agency said, “they need a ceasefire, NOW.”

Since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, following a surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel, the reported death toll in Gaza has surpassed 60,000 people, with more than 150,000 wounded, according to data from local health authorities.

The blockade and bombardment have led to 188 starvation-related deaths, including 94 children, amid what UN officials have described as a “man-made famine.”

For surviving children, the crisis has robbed them of any sense of normalcy or safety.

Since March 2, Israeli authorities have closed border crossings into Gaza, allowing only 86 trucks of aid per day, which accounts for just 14% of the minimum 600 trucks needed daily to meet basic needs, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.

International pressure has pushed Israel to announce limited “humanitarian pauses” and conduct airdrop operations, but residents say the efforts have made little difference. On the ground, desperate civilians reportedly fight over scattered rations, with images showing crushed food tins and chaotic crowds at drop zones.

While the humanitarian community warns of starvation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those claims, stating: “There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza. We enable humanitarian aid throughout the duration of the war.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump openly disagreed with Netanyahu’s assessment, citing recent images of emaciated children. “Those children look very hungry,” he said last week.

Israel continues to assert that Hamas is interfering with aid distribution, allegedly diverting supplies for its own use. However, the United Nations has pushed back, stating there is no evidence of systematic looting and that when aid is permitted to flow at adequate levels, diversion largely ceases.

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Fort Stewart Soldiers Hailed as Heroes After Halting Base Shooting

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A mass shooting at Georgia’s Fort Stewart military installation was brought to a swift end on Wednesday thanks to the courageous actions of several soldiers who tackled the suspected gunman moments after he opened fire.

The alleged shooter, identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford, reportedly used a personal handgun in the attack, which left five fellow soldiers wounded — three of whom required surgery. All injured personnel are currently in stable condition and are expected to recover.

Brigadier General John Lubas, speaking to reporters during a press briefing, credited the rapid response of servicemembers who witnessed the shooting.

“Soldiers who witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the shooter so he could be brought into custody,” Lubas stated. “Their actions prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome.”

The shooting occurred at Radford’s workplace within the base and involved his coworkers, according to Lubas. Authorities have not yet released a motive, though Radford is being interviewed by Army investigators.

Radford, who serves as an Automated Logistics Sergeant with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had no known combat deployments or disciplinary history prior to the incident. Officials are investigating how he managed to bring a firearm into a secured area.

“We’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty,” Lubas said, adding that base leadership remains confident in the installation’s overall security measures.

A potential DUI charge from May has surfaced during the investigation, though Lubas noted that this information only came to light during post-incident background checks and was not previously known to Radford’s chain of command.

Radford is currently in pre-trial confinement, and the case has been referred to the Office of Special Trial Counsel, which is expected to determine formal charges in the coming days.

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Former DOGE Staffer “Big Balls” Beaten Bloody in DC Carjacking Attempt by Juvenile Mob

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A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer was left bloodied and concussed after a brutal attempted carjacking by a group of 10 juveniles early Sunday in one of the busiest areas of the nation’s capital, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software specialist known by former colleagues as “Big Balls” — a nickname born from his bold LinkedIn tagline — was reportedly out with a female companion near downtown D.C. when the group of teens approached their parked car and made comments about stealing it.

Sensing danger, Coristine pushed his companion into the vehicle and confronted the group alone, according to a police report obtained by The New York Post.

“The gang tried to open the closed doors and slammed [Coristine] against the car extremely loudly while attacking him,” a source told reporters. His companion dialed 911 from inside the car as he was being beaten.

Police officers on patrol in the 1400 block of Swann Street NW — a well-trafficked area near Dupont Circle, about a mile north of the White House — witnessed the attack in progress and immediately intervened. The mob scattered, but two suspects — a 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female from Hyattsville, Maryland — were caught and later identified by Coristine as his assailants. Both were charged with unarmed carjacking.

Coristine, who had his iPhone 16 stolen during the attack, sustained a broken nose, black eye, and concussion, and was treated at the scene by DC Fire and EMS personnel. He is reportedly recovering, according to a source close to the family.

The image of Coristine’s battered face quickly gained national attention after former President Donald Trump shared it Tuesday on Truth Social, calling the attack “disgraceful” and blaming local leadership for the spike in urban crime.

“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote, threatening a federal takeover of the District if city officials “continue to fail to protect citizens and visitors.”

Marko Elez, a former DOGE colleague of Coristine’s, claimed he took the now-viral photo shortly after the attack and praised Coristine’s bravery.

“My friend Big Balls … is a hero,” Elez wrote. “He protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by 8 thugs near Dupont Circle. Violence like this in the heart of DC is completely unacceptable.”

Elon Musk, who previously led DOGE before resigning in May, also weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), denouncing the attack — though he did not name Coristine directly.

Coristine left DOGE in June 2025, shortly after Musk’s exit. He had become a standout among the agency’s younger staffers, with his bold approach to government tech reform and larger-than-life personality.

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Sicko Arrested for Trading Child Porn with Ousted Republican

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An Oklahoma man was arrested for allegedly swapping child pornography with disgraced South Carolina state Rep. Robert “RJ” May over a month after the former lawmaker was booked.

Christian Soto, who has a lengthy criminal record including threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, was arrested in connection with the FBI’s probe into May’s online exchanges of more than 220 graphic files of child pornography.

Now, Soto faces additional federal charges including receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and prohibited possession of ammunition.

May (R-Lexington), a 38-year-old father of two, was arrested at his home in June after authorities found he used the online handle “joebidennnn69” to trade explicit content of young children and toddlers engaging in sex acts over five days last spring.

The three-term representative allegedly requested content of “bad moms” from Soto, who operated under the more stereotypical degenerate handle “randomcouplehere,” according to court documents obtained by KOCO. (Read more from “Sicko Arrested for Trading Child Porn with Ousted Republican” HERE)

Vance to Meet With FBI, DOJ Officials Over Epstein Strategy, Possible Maxwell Interview Release

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Vice President JD Vance is expected to meet with senior officials from the Department of Justice and the FBI to determine the administration’s next steps in handling the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — including whether to release the administration’s July interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, multiple sources confirm.

The high-stakes meeting will take place at the vice president’s residence and is expected to include Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to CNN and a source familiar with the planning who spoke to the Daily Caller.

The central topic of discussion will be how to craft a unified and credible response to mounting public and political pressure surrounding the Epstein case. During a two-day interview in July, Blanche reportedly questioned Maxwell about nearly 100 individuals allegedly tied to Epstein’s operations — a move many believed would lead to long-awaited transparency. However, expectations were dampened after a leaked memo, published by Axios, claimed that the investigation had concluded and no formal “client list” would be released.

Vice President Vance’s scheduled meeting comes amid growing frustration among the president’s base, many of whom feel misled after years of speculation surrounding Epstein’s network and the individuals allegedly involved. Former President Trump has recently attempted to downplay the investigation, calling the public narrative a “hoax.”

Following her interview with federal officials, Maxwell — who is currently serving a 20-year sentence — was quietly transferred from a federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas. Meanwhile, her legal team continues to push for privacy, filing a motion earlier this week to keep grand jury transcripts sealed in the Southern District of New York.

Public pressure has continued to mount for transparency, with one official telling the Caller, “You can arrest all the drug leaders and cartel leaders, but people want closure on this case, and the attorney general must find a better way to reconcile that.”

As the administration weighs whether to release the Maxwell interview — or potentially other sealed materials — the outcome of Vance’s meeting could signal a turning point in one of the most secretive and politically charged investigations in recent history.

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DOJ Requests DNI Documents Following Gabbard Criminal Referral on Russiagate Conspiracy

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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sent the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) a request for a treasure trove of documents related to the ongoing federal investigation into the Obama administration’s Russiagate operation, The Federalist has learned. According to a letter to ODNI senior adviser Paul McNamara, which was obtained by The Federalist, the DOJ has requested from ODNI a wide array of documents about the Obama administration’s 2016 and 2017 attempts to frame then-President-elect Donald Trump as an agent of Russia who stole the 2016 election from Hillary Clinton.

The request comes on the heels of the declassification and public release of records from late 2016 and 2017 which show how top intelligence and law enforcement officials — including former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former DNI James Clapper — conspired to fabricate a narrative that Russia meddled in the 2016 election in order to elect Trump. The declassified records showed that top intelligence experts objected to the narrative, highlighted myriad issues with the so-called intelligence used to support false claims about Trump, and even told Brennan that he was misrepresenting facts and ignoring counter-evidence as part of a push to attack Trump, cripple his transition, and even hijack his presidency.

Fox News reported on Monday that the DOJ had authorized the empaneling of a federal grand jury to investigate whether Comey, Brennan, or other top Obama administration officials committed any crimes as part of their operation to use the nation’s top intelligence and law enforcement agencies to smear Trump.

The DOJ letter from a federal prosecutor, which was sent in response to a request from Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard for the DOJ to investigate any potential criminal wrongdoing related to the production of the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that claimed without evidence that Russia sought to elect Trump in 2016, asks for 12 different categories of documents related to Gabbard’s criminal referral.

“Pursuant to the authority and director of the United States Attorney General, I have been assigned responsibility for investigating this criminal referral,” the letter states. (Read more from “DOJ Requests DNI Documents Following Gabbard Criminal Referral on Russiagate Conspiracy” HERE)

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Clinton Subpoenas Shock D.C. as House Expands Epstein Files Probe

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In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing congressional probe into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, House Republicans have issued sweeping subpoenas to former federal officials — including Bill and Hillary Clinton — demanding testimony and records tied to Epstein’s long history of sex trafficking and alleged government cover-ups.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), announced Tuesday that it is seeking sworn depositions from more than a dozen high-profile figures, including former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, as well as six former U.S. Attorneys General. The Department of Justice has also been ordered to produce unredacted records — dubbed the “Epstein Files” — by August 19.

The move comes just days after the DOJ interviewed Epstein’s notorious accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison. According to her legal team, Maxwell answered questions about “100 different people” and has been subpoenaed again to appear before Congress, potentially signaling a shift in strategy as her appeal heads to the Supreme Court.

“The facts and circumstances surrounding both Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell’s cases have received immense public interest and scrutiny,” Comer wrote in his letters, emphasizing the need for full transparency into the federal handling of Epstein’s prosecution and connections.

Among the most notable names on the subpoena list are:

Former President Bill Clinton, who flew aboard Epstein’s private jet at least 26 times.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, scheduled to testify on October 9.

Former FBI Directors James Comey (Oct. 7) and Robert Mueller (Sept. 2).

Former AGs Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Alberto Gonzales, and current AG Merrick Garland.

Clinton representatives have not commented on the subpoena. Legal experts note that former presidents may claim executive privilege, though such claims often face limitations in congressional investigations.

The broader investigation intensified after the July 6 release of a DOJ-FBI memo stating no “client list” was found, despite public assurances from Attorney General Pam Bondi that thousands of pages of Epstein-related material were under review. Former Epstein associate Maxwell was questioned again later that month.

President Trump has called for full disclosure of the Epstein records, asserting on Truth Social that the American people “have a right to know.” He also criticized the DOJ for “overpromising and under-delivering” on its handling of the case.

Trump’s political rivals have long attempted to tie him to Epstein due to a past social acquaintance. However, Trump says he cut ties with Epstein in the mid-2000s and has consistently supported full public release of any credible records.

As pressure mounts, observers are questioning whether Maxwell will begin cooperating more fully in exchange for clemency — and whether the Clintons or others will actually appear before Congress as scheduled.