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Customs Busts $400M Duty-Evasion Ring Tied to China and Global Network

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has dismantled a massive duty-evasion operation designed to circumvent President Trump’s tariffs, uncovering more than $400 million in unpaid trade duties — with that number expected to climb as investigations continue, FOX Business has learned.

The bust was carried out under the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA), a key enforcement tool used to detect and halt illegal transshipments, false origin claims, and other schemes intended to defraud the U.S. government.

“CBP’s EAPA program is a critical component of our trade enforcement efforts. We’re working tirelessly to prevent evasion and ensure a level playing field for U.S. companies,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “Our mission, under the leadership of President Trump, is to support economic fairness, protect domestic industry, and uphold the integrity of U.S. supply chains.”

A source said investigators deployed personnel to mattress factories in Taiwan and Indonesia — only to find no production taking place at all.

The investigation revealed that over half of the unpaid duties — roughly $250 million — came from a network of 23 Chinese shell companies. These companies repackaged goods to appear as though they originated from other Asian nations such as South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam, all in an effort to dodge U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD).

“Never before has CBP identified this many importers evading AD/CVD in a single consolidated EAPA investigation,” said Susan S. Thomas, acting Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Trade. “The revenue identified for collection exceeds $250 million, but this figure may increase as we uncover additional importers in the scheme.”

The operation has already triggered 89 additional cases flagged for suspicion of duty evasion, with CBP warning that monetary recovery will likely exceed $400 million once the full extent of the fraud is uncovered.

CBP says its crackdown sends a clear message: tariff evasion will not be tolerated, and those attempting to cheat U.S. trade laws will face aggressive enforcement.

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Trump Departs for Historic Alaska Meeting with Putin in Bid for Peace Deal

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President Donald Trump departed Washington, D.C., on Friday morning, heading to Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The talks are expected to address territorial disputes, sanctions, and the broader path toward a peace agreement involving both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Air Force One took off just after 8 a.m. ET, with Trump speaking briefly to reporters onboard. He emphasized that while his focus is on American interests, the mission is about preventing further bloodshed in Eastern Europe.

“Economically severe. Yes, it will be very severe. I’m not doing this for my health, okay,” Trump said. “I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country, but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives. Yeah, very severe.”

According to Trump, Russia will face significant economic repercussions if a deal is not reached. He also acknowledged that land swaps could form part of the negotiations but stressed that such decisions ultimately belong to Ukraine.

“[Territorial swaps will] be discussed, but I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they’ll make a proper decision,” he noted. “But I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table.”

While no concrete schedule for the Alaska talks has been released, the meeting’s location—halfway between Moscow and Washington—has been described as a symbolic midpoint for a potentially groundbreaking dialogue.

Trump reiterated his belief that Putin’s ambitions had been curtailed during his presidency.

“Look, Vladimir Putin wanted to take all of Ukraine. If I wasn’t president, he would, right now, be taking all of Ukraine, but he’s not going to do it,” Trump said.

Trump Task Force Cuts DC Gun Permit Wait Times from Months to Days

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The concealed carry permitting process and firearm registration process in the deep blue city have been slashed from months down to days via Trump’s Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which was established via an executive order in March to revitalize the nation’s capital. The working group’s work to clean up the city did not include changing local gun laws, but instead streamlines the city’s already established process, so law-abiding residents can more easily navigate the firearms system.  

“President Trump is not only stopping violent crime in Washington, D.C., he is also streamlining the permitting process for law-abiding residents who want the ability to protect themselves and their families,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. “The Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force has been working with local officials to eliminate longstanding obstacles and successfully reduced the average permit processing time from several months to just five days.”

Under the task force’s efforts, locals are able to book next-day appointments to register their firearms with the Metropolitan Police Department, while walk-in appointments are now available and advertised on the police department’s website.

Previously, applicants typically waited four months for a firearms registration appointment, a White House official told Fox Digital.

The concealed carry permit process also has been streamlined, Fox Digital learned. What used to take “several months” to obtain a concealed carry permit, has been cut down to 4.6 days, according to data compiled during the month of May by the task force, which the White House shared with Fox News Digital. (Read more from “Trump Task Force Cuts DC Gun Permit Wait Times from Months to Days” HERE)

Man Charged With Felony Assault for Throwing Subway Sandwich at Federal Agent

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A Washington, D.C., man has been charged with felony assault after allegedly striking a federal officer with a Subway sandwich during an incident earlier this week.

Prosecutors say 37-year-old Sean Charles Dunn threw the sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was among federal officers deployed by President Trump to the streets of D.C. The attack reportedly occurred Sunday night, when Dunn was heard shouting that the officers were “fascists” before hurling the sandwich, hitting the agent in the chest.

According to a criminal complaint, Dunn later admitted to police, “I did it. I threw a sandwich.” Video footage of the encounter was cited in the case.

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced the charges Wednesday, stating, “The police are not out there to get pushed around or beat up.”

President Trump began deploying federal personnel to address crime in D.C. on August 7, asserting federal control over the Metropolitan Police Department and activating the National Guard. According to the White House, hundreds of additional officers have made more than 100 arrests since their arrival, including suspects accused of gun crimes, drug offenses, and outstanding warrants.

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National Guard Takes to the Streets of DC in Support of Trump’s Crime Crackdown: ‘Reporting for Duty’

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National Guard troops began deploying to the streets of Washington, DC, Tuesday, one day after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at addressing crime concerns in the nation’s capital.

“DC National Guard reporting for duty,” the US Army posted on X, including photos of several military Humvees parked near the Washington Monument on the National Mall.

Guardsmen, activated under the president’s Title 32 authority, were even spotted posing for pictures with tourists on the first night of their deployment in the district.

Earlier, the White House indicated that the National Guard was expected to “begin being on the streets starting tonight,” according to the Washington Post, citing an anonymous official.

Only a small fraction of the 800 National Guard members expected to take part in the crime crackdown mission had been mobilized as of Tuesday afternoon, with more expected to deploy in the coming days, a Department of Defense official told the outlet. (Read more from “National Guard Takes to the Streets of DC in Support of Trump’s Crime Crackdown: ‘Reporting for Duty’” HERE)

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Trump Seizes Control of D.C. Police, Deploys National Guard in Crime Crackdown

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In a dramatic move aimed at curbing Washington, D.C.’s soaring crime rates, President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is taking direct federal control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and activating the National Guard to restore order in the nation’s capital.

Speaking at a packed White House press conference, Trump said he was invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, a rarely used authority that allows the president to assume control over the city’s police force. He called the day “Liberation Day” for residents of the capital.

“This is Liberation Day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump declared. “Under the authorities vested in me as the President of the United States, I’m placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control.”

The president said a new leadership team would be introduced soon, describing them as “very good people” who are “tough” and experienced in restoring public safety.

In addition, Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to assist in law enforcement operations, vowing they would be allowed to “do their job properly.”

Not a Partisan Issue

Trump stressed that the decision was not politically motivated, noting that crime affects everyone in the city — including journalists covering his administration.

“I understand a lot of you tend to be on the liberal side,” Trump told reporters, “but you don’t want to get mugged and raped and shot and killed. You want to be able to leave your apartment or house and feel safe.”

He compared Washington’s murder rate to some of the most dangerous cities in the world, saying it now exceeds that of Bogotá, Colombia, and Mexico City.

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, roving mobs, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people,” Trump said. “We’re not going to let it happen anymore — just like we didn’t let it happen at our southern border.”

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Latin American Leaders Push Back as Trump Orders U.S. Military Action Against Drug Cartels

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Leaders throughout Latin America have strongly opposed former President Donald Trump’s reported directive to use U.S. military forces against drug cartels operating in the region.

Trump’s order reportedly allows the Department of Defense to consider military operations—including drone strikes and naval actions—against cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Many of these groups are based in Mexico, while others operate in Latin America and Haiti. While the plan stops short of a ground invasion, it has alarmed governments concerned about sovereignty and regional stability.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum reassured her citizens, stating firmly, “There will be no invasion. That’s ruled out, absolutely ruled out.” She emphasized that U.S. federal agents already operating in Mexico do so under strict regulations and cooperation agreements, insisting that Mexico maintains control over its territory.

Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the plan, warning that bombing campaigns are not the answer and calling for dialogue and respect for national sovereignty. “National sovereignty exists, and I prefer to talk and coordinate than to impose,” Petro said.

The move has sparked debate about the balance between fighting transnational crime and respecting the independence of Latin American nations. Critics argue military intervention could worsen tensions and potentially destabilize the region.

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Explosive Whistleblower Claim: Did Bill Barr and Fani Willis Plot to Derail Trump’s Comeback?

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A shocking whistleblower has come forward with explosive allegations suggesting former Attorney General Bill Barr and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis collaborated to undermine President Donald Trump’s political resurgence.

Patrícia Lélis, a former journalist who worked at Howard Stirk Holdings, shared handwritten notes, emails, and photos with Project Veritas outlining secret meetings between Barr and others from 2021 to 2023. According to Lélis, these discussions focused on legal strategies targeting Trump, his supporters, and key figures involved in the January 6 protests.

Lélis claims that on September 13, 2021, Barr revealed plans to focus investigations on Trump’s closest allies, including Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, Enrique Tarrio, the Oath Keepers, and the Proud Boys. Further notes suggest Barr coordinated with DA Willis and special counsel Jack Smith on legal actions across Florida, Georgia, and New York.

A particularly damning note from February 27, 2023, alleges Barr advised Willis to pursue RICO charges against Trump—a notoriously difficult charge to defend. Indeed, in August 2023, Willis indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants on 41 counts, including Georgia’s RICO statute.

Lélis says she reported Barr’s conduct to the FBI but was later prosecuted by the Department of Justice. She has since been granted political asylum in a foreign country. Meanwhile, DOJ insiders reportedly worry about a potential cover-up and claim Barr has “put the entire FBI after this woman” to seize her documents.

Bill Barr currently serves as a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute and partner at the Torridon Group.

These allegations add fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding legal actions against Trump, raising questions about political motivations behind high-profile prosecutions.

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Trump Reportedly Relocates Obama Portrait

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President Donald Trump has reportedly moved the official White House portrait of Barack Obama to an area that is generally off-limits to visitors, according to a Sunday CNN report. The painting now hangs at the top of the Grand Staircase, alongside portraits of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, making it far less visible to the public during White House tours.

This is the second relocation of Obama’s portrait under Trump’s direction. In April, it was moved to make room for a photograph depicting the immediate aftermath of the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The portrait’s latest move comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Obama administration’s handling of intelligence during the 2016 election. On July 18, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents and a memo accusing Obama’s national security team of “manufacturing and politicizing” intelligence in what she described as a “years-long coup” against Trump after his victory over Hillary Clinton.

Gabbard followed up days later by announcing she had referred Obama to the Justice Department for potential criminal charges related to the so-called “Russiagate” probe. She alleged that the former president played a central role in shaping the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump—a claim heavily questioned in the years since.

Special Counsel John Durham’s May 2023 report concluded that the FBI failed to corroborate allegations from the discredited Steele Dossier, which was nonetheless used to obtain surveillance warrants against members of Trump’s campaign, including Carter Page. Former FBI analyst Brian Auten testified in 2022 that the bureau offered dossier author Christopher Steele $1 million to verify its contents, but Steele was unable to do so.

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Trump Issues Ultimatum to Putin as Russian Drones Breach NATO Airspace; Putin Agrees to Meet in Alaska

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Eastern Europe is once again on edge as Russian drones—some armed with explosives—have breached NATO airspace, triggering security concerns and drawing a pointed warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump has demanded a resolution to the escalating tensions, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin until Friday to make “meaningful progress” in peace negotiations or face sweeping sanctions targeting Russia’s war economy.

The warning comes as NATO allies in Eastern Europe grow increasingly uneasy over a string of drone incursions and missile strikes brushing up against alliance borders.

In recent days, an explosive-laden drone believed to have originated from Belarus entered Lithuanian airspace, traveling over 100 kilometers before crashing inside a military training zone near the capital, Vilnius. The drone was carrying approximately two kilograms of explosives and came within one kilometer of the Lithuanian president’s residence.

Another drone incident occurred earlier in July, when an unidentified aircraft crashed near the Šumskas border crossing, prompting the evacuation of government officials. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė called the latest breach “unprecedented and alarming,” urging NATO to take the situation seriously and increase regional air defense cooperation.

“This is not merely about Lithuanian airspace—this is NATO territory,” Šakalienė warned. “We need a collective response that reflects the seriousness of the threat.”

Meanwhile, a separate Russian missile strike hit a Ukrainian gas depot just half a mile from Romania’s border, again raising questions about NATO’s preparedness. Although Romania’s air force scrambled F‑16s to patrol the skies, no drone crossed into Romanian airspace during the incident—an outcome Romanian officials attribute to new legislation passed in May that allows for immediate interception or destruction of unauthorized drones.

Romania’s swift response stood in stark contrast to NATO’s broader posture, which has remained muted despite multiple airspace breaches over the past year.

Experts say the incidents reflect a shift in Russia’s military strategy—away from conventional warfare and toward so-called “hybrid” tactics that blend psychological warfare, cyberattacks, and ambiguous military provocations.

“This is the future battlefield,” said Eitvydas Bajarūnas, former Lithuanian ambassador. “It’s not about tanks rolling across borders, it’s about uncertainty, pressure, and the erosion of public confidence in security guarantees.”

Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, has repeatedly warned that Russia is testing the limits of NATO’s unity, using drone incursions and disinformation to gauge how the alliance might respond to more serious provocations. “Russia doesn’t believe NATO will act on Article 5 unless directly challenged,” Kahl said earlier this summer, referencing the alliance’s foundational principle of collective defense.

Amid growing anxiety in Europe, Donald Trump has taken a more confrontational approach. Speaking during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said Putin’s military adventurism was being fueled by high energy prices and vowed to collapse Russia’s oil-dependent economy if necessary.

“Putin will stop killing people if you get energy down another $10 a barrel,” Trump said. “He’s going to have no choice because his economy stinks.”

Trump warned that unless peace talks show tangible progress by the end of the week, he would push for aggressive sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector—measures that could cut into the Kremlin’s ability to fund its ongoing war in Ukraine.

While Trump’s ultimatum may place renewed pressure on Moscow, some analysts worry it may also expose cracks in NATO’s deterrence strategy.

Andrew D’Anieri, a regional security expert with the Atlantic Council, noted that repeated incursions without any firm NATO response risk undermining the credibility of the alliance’s collective defense commitments.

“The concerning part is not just the drone flights,” D’Anieri said. “It’s the silence that follows.”

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Putin-Trump Meeting to Occur in Alaska on 8/15/25

By Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet next week in Alaska to discuss an end to the three-year Russian war on Ukraine in the first in-person session between the two world leaders since Trump returned to the White House in January.

“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,” Trump wrote on Aug. 8 in a post on Truth Social. “Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The announcement comes on the same day a Trump-imposed deadline on Putin to end the war in Ukraine expires. Talks have been floated for months and were initially supposed to include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Trump facilitating the negotiations. (Read more from this story HERE)

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