The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the charging and extradition of terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” for helping orchestrate the Abbey Gate terror attacks which killed 13 US military service members. 

The August 26, 2021 attacks occurred during President Joe Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal debacle. 

As US servicemembers attempted to coordinate the evacuation of thousands of Afghani civilians, ISIS-K terrorist Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn suicide bomb, killing 13 U.S. military service members and approximately 160 civilians.

Attorney General Pam Bondi commended the DOJ and President Donald Trump’s leadership for Sharifullah’s extradition. 

“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic service members,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”

According to the DOJ, Sharifullah confessed to helping plan and execute the attack while being interviewed by US intelligence officers.

Sharifullah was also complicit in other high-profile ISIS-K terror attacks leading to hundreds of deaths. 

In the 2016 attack on Canada’s Kabul embassy, Sharifullah allegedly conducted surveillance to prepare a suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the attack area.

The ISIS-K terrorists responsible for the horrific March 2024 Moscow theatre attack were also reportedly instructed on how to use automatic machine guns by Sharifullah. 

Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Sharifullah’s extradition follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s expanded efforts to investigate and review the US’ tumultuous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Secretary Hegseth’s review, which he claimed would bring “full accountability” is expected to lead to the firing of military leadership who contributed to the withdrawal’s planning.  

The post Suspected Terrorist Who Killed 13 US Troops Extradited to US appeared first on The Floridian.

President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports while increasing current tariffs on Chinese goods by 10%.

The tariffs had been originally imposed last February but were paused by President Trump due to ongoing negotiations with the respective countries. 

Trump has repeatedly promised, both during his presidential campaign and first days in office, that he will use tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and other countries he feels are “out of line” with the US.

As justification for the tariffs, the Trump administration pointed to allegedly lackluster cooperation from China, Mexico, and Canada on curbing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. 

Last February, Trump paused incoming sanctions after Canada and Mexico agreed to increase immigration and drug trafficking enforcement. 

Mexico had pledged to supply 10,000 troops to the border in an attempt to curb the influx of drug trafficking (specifically fentanyl). 

Meanwhile, Canada promised to execute a $1.3 Billion Border plan including 10,000 personnel that will expand Canada’s border enforcement activities. 

Mexico and Canada’s initiatives, however, did not stop Trump from ultimately imposing tariffs, which Chinese, Mexican, and Canadian leaders have rejected.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Trump of wanting to destroy Canada’s economy to “make it easier to annex us."

"That is never going to happen,” assured Prime Minster Trudeau. “We will never be the 51st state.” 

Trump has previously quipped about Canada being exempt from tariffs if they were to become a US state. 

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick supported Trump’s tariffs, claiming they were being leveraged to incite Canadians and Mexicans to give American businesses better trading terms. 

“President Trump is getting deals done for the American people,” said Secretary Lutnick. “Both the Mexicans and the Canadians were on the phone with me all day today, trying to show that they’ll do better and the President is listening.” 

The post Trump Imposes Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, Warns of Further Action appeared first on The Floridian.

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Legislature kicked off the 2025 Legislative Session, but the talk of the town was First Lady Casey DeSantis’s probable 2026 gubernatorial run and a running Black List of Republican lawmakers that the DeSantis’s embrace.

From rumors of reality, Mrs. DeSantis is expected to announce her run for Governor in the coming weeks, and while the DeSantis’s enjoy widespread name identification, not all Republicans want to see a third DeSantis term.

The one Republican lawmaker that is at the very top of the DeSantis ‘Black List’ is State Senator Randy Fine, who recinded his endorsement of Gov. DeSantis during the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary race.

According to Sen. Fine, who walked out of the House chamber moments before DeSantis appeared to deliver his address,  a “black list” exists that extends further than just the Governor’s Mansion.

“Of course, there is a black list. It’s a blacklist that involves the Governor’s mansion, it involves events in your distric—there is absolutely a blacklist,” said Sen. Fine in an interview with The Floridian.

Fine contends that DeSantis claims that DeSantis did not invite him to a Hanukkah party at the Mansion in 2023.

“I am the only Jewish Republican,” said Fine. “Last year, he didn’t do one at all. I guess not running for office, you don’t have to do anything for Jews, but previous year he had a Hannukah party and he didn’t invite me.”

Fine concluded by opining about a potential Mrs. DeSantis gubernatorial run, saying that  Republican voters would not vote for a third DeSantis term in office.

“I don’t think there is a path. I don’t think Republican voters go for the nepotism thing, or the third term. We are the term limit party. I don’t think it sells,” he concluded.

The post DeSantis Accused of Black Listing Republican Lawmakers From Governor's Mansion appeared first on The Floridian.

President Donald Trump’s annoyance with Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy has seemingly worsened after the two recently engaged in a heated debate over the Ukraine-Russia war.

President Zelenskyy reportedly stated the end of the Ukraine-Russia war is “still very, very far away,” inciting President Trump’s immediate rebukes.

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer,” said Trump.

Trump, who has repeatedly stated he intends to end the Russia-Ukraine war, claimed Zelenskyy’s attitude is misplaced and will frustrate a potential end to the war. 

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” continued Trump.

Zelenskyy was originally scheduled to sign an agreement with the US that would exchange continued US military support for rights over portions of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits. 

Trump and Zelenskyy sat down prior to signing the deal for what was supposed to be a brief press briefing but instead devolved into a row ending in the cancellation of the deal signing.

Trump blamed Zelenskyy for being unreasonable in negotiations and refusing to accept a ceasefire agreement that will end the war. 

Conversely, Zelenskyy questioned Trump’s administration strategy with Russia, asking Vice President JD “what kind of diplomacy” he was talking about when referring to the US’ seeming inability to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine in recent history. 

Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has responded to the Zelenskyy-Trump feud by focusing its messaging on supporting Trump’s unwavering commitment to obtaining peace in Ukraine. 

“Being a peacemaker is not a bad thing,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We should be applauding and supporting President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring about peace.”

Similarly, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expounded that “the President’s desire to end the bloodshed in Ukraine will not be deterred.”

The post Trump's Frustration With Zelenskyy Grows Following Oval Office Dispute appeared first on The Floridian.

Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart died Monday, according to a statement released by his family. He was 70.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart had been diagnosed with cancer. His brother, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, announced his passing on X.

"It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Defender of the silenced and pressed, author of the democracy requirement for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against the Cuban dictatorship, and the author of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)," the statement said. "Lincoln's legacy of achievements will endure for generations, and continues through the work of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) which he co-founded in 2003."

"Lincoln's profound love for the United States, and his relentless commitment to the cause of a free Cuba, guided him throughout his life and his 24 years in elected public service, including 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives," it added.

Diaz-Balart, a Republican since 1985, served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 21st Congressional District from 1993-2011. He also served in the Florida House for District 110 from 1986 to 1989 and in the Florida Senate for District 34 from 1989 to 1992.

A Cuban refugee, Diaz-Balart's start in politics came with the Florida Young Democrats and running an unsuccessful campaign for the Florida legislature with the party in 1982. His biography notes that Diaz-Balart began to identify with the Republican party under the Reagan administration.

Born in Havana in 1954, Diaz-Balart was a strong advocate for a free Cuba and the rights of Cuban exiles. His biggest career moment arguably came as the legislative author responsible for enshrining the United States' Cuban embargo policy into law instead of executive action.

NACRA, which Diaz-Balart also championed, gives immigration benefits and deportation protections to certain Nicaraguans, Cubans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans.

His father, Rafael Díaz-Balart, served as majority leader of the Cuban House of Representatives and, in 1955, opposed amnesty to Fidel Castro, his former brother-in-law, over his involvement in the 1953 Moncada Barracks attack.

Diaz-Balart's aunt, Mirta Díaz-Balart, was married to Fidel Castro from 1948 to 1955. Fidel Castro went on to seize power in Cuba in 1959 and rule the country for decades.

According to the statement, Diaz-Balart is survived by his wife, Cristina, of 48 years, and son Daniel. He also had two other brothers, Rafael Diaz-Balart, a banker, and Jose Diaz-Balart, who works as an anchor on MSNBC.

A public memorial mass will be announced at a later date.

The post Former Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart Dies at 70 appeared first on The Floridian.

President Donald Trump’s Treasury Department recently announced that it will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership information reporting rule (BOI). 

BOI rules, originally designed to combat illicit business transactions, fraud, and money laundering by requiring businesses to disclose their ownership’s identity, have faced criticism for being allegedly unconstitutional and burdensome for small businesses. 

Specifically, businesses have complained BOI rules’ ambiguity causes uncertainty over who qualifies as an owner, exposing businesses to an undue burden of fines, penalties, and potential prosecution if they make a mistake when disclosing required information. 

Moreover, the CTA’s overall constitutionality faced legal challenges as impacted businesses claimed the federal government does not have the authority to proscribe such economic regulations. 

President Trump criticized BOI rules as “outrageous and invasive” via a Truth Social post where he also promised further action to definitively eliminate BOI. 

“This Biden rule has been an absolute disaster for Small Businesses Nationwide,” said Trump.  “Furthermore, Treasury is now finalizing an Emergency Regulation to formally suspend this rule for American businesses. The economic menace of BOI reporting will soon be no more.”

The BOI rule enforcement suspension will be limited to companies registered in the US. 

Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent qualified the move as “common sense.”

“Today’s action is part of President Trump’s bold agenda to unleash American prosperity by reining in burdensome regulations, in particular for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy,” said Secretary Bessent. 

Trump has pledged to support American small businesses and has lobbied for Congress to pass measures such as enshrining the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and no taxes on tips. 

The TCJA mainly reduces personal income and corporate taxes among other regulatory tax reforms.

A recent study conducted on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Business found making the TCJA permanent would create 1 million jobs annually.

The post Trump Continues Pro-Small Business Approach, Guts BOI Rules appeared first on The Floridian.

Conservative lawmakers in Washington have condemned Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s latest threats and repressive tactics against Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. 

Machado recently reported Dictator Maduro sent undercover agents that attempted to break into her private residence in Caracas, Venezuela.

The agents, who arrived in a silver SUV without a license plate, allegedly threatened to arrest Machado’s neighbors as well as her home’s security guard. 

Shortly following Machado’s alerts, Republican lawmakers publicly criticized the agents’ threats and intimidation attempts. 

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL), two long-time Machado supporters and allies, excoriated Maduro for sending the agents. 

“Maduro and his thugs are so scared of losing power that they’re resorting to raiding Machado’s home and threatening her neighbors,” said Senator Scott. “This cruel behavior is a desperate attempt to distract from what the world already knows—he’s an illegitimate dictator whose days in power are numbered.”

Representative Salazar echoed Scott’s message and alluded to Maduro facing consequences for “playing with fire.”

“Only 24 hours have passed since the announcement to cancel Chevron's license in Venezuela & dictator Maduro has already sent his thugs to the house of Machado,” stated Salazar. “Her life is in danger like never before.”

Maduro’s threats against Machado occurred shortly after the latter supported President Donald Trump’s recent economic measures crippling Venezuela’s oil exports. 

President Trump canceled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses earlier this week. 

President Trump’s license cancellation effectively reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied on Venezuela during Trump’s first term. 

President Biden lifted such sanctions in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro that he would host free and fair elections. 

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

The post Lawmakers Denounce Maduro Threats Towards Machado appeared first on The Floridian.

The US Department of the Treasury has announced new sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong companies allegedly helping build Iranian military drones. 

The latest sanctions were described as part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure campaign on Iran.”

Six entities operating out of China and Hong Kong were sanctioned for reportedly supplying critical components of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), i.e., drones, to Iranian company Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra (PKGB) and its subsidiary Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis (NSMI).

According to the Treasury Department, PKGB and NSMI are major suppliers for Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programs.

“Iran continues to try to find new ways to procure the key components it needs to bolster its UAV weapons program through new front companies and third-country suppliers,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

President Trump previously issued executive orders during his first term and earlier this month to undermine Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programs. 

“Treasury remains committed to disrupting the schemes that enable Iran to send its deadly weapons abroad to its terrorist proxies and other destabilizing actors,” continued Secretary Bessent. 

US-Iran tensions have reached unprecedented levels, as the latter has increased hostile activity against the former and its allies since Hamas’ October 7th attacks.

Trump has repeatedly stated he will leverage US military, financial, and diplomatic strength to deter Iran from executing and financing its destabilizing agenda.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced a series of measures tightening sanctions on Iran’s illicit oil sales via its ‘Ghost Fleet.’

Iran has recently expanded efforts to circumvent US-imposed oil exports by covertly shipping Iranian oil through a network of foreign tankers colloquially referred to as Iran’s ‘Ghost Fleet.’

According to the Treasury Department, Iran has harnessed its illicit oil trade to generate billions of dollars that it subsequently funnels to its military and proxy groups.

Sanctions target oil brokers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong, tanker operators and managers in India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the head of Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company, and the Iranian Oil Terminals Company (IOTC).

The post US Sanctions Chinese and Hong Kong Companies Helping Build Iranian Drones appeared first on The Floridian.

As Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is erased out of Washington through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), new Florida International President (FIU) Jeanette Nuñez is vowing to continue to eradicate the practice in her new role at the school.

"That's something that's been an ongoing focus for the university even before I got here. Of course, given all that we are seeing at the federal level as well, we're going to continue to root out any instances where we are discriminating against students based on race or ethnicity," Nuñez said to The Floridan's Javier Manjarres

"We want to make sure our kids are getting a great education and when they're taking classes, whether it's calculus or engineering, that they're learning those very important concepts to be able to provide for meaningful employment post-graduation because we're also measured on that" Nunez added.

Nuñez, who was Lt. Governor of Florida until a couple ago, also praised her former boss, Gov. Ron DeSantis, for a state-based DOGE initiative to audit universities and eliminate state boards and commissions the state considers to be obsolete.

"I welcome everything the governor is talking about in terms of DOGE. I think we have a responsibility to take over the reins now at this institution. It's a massive university and they've done great things," Nunez said.

While Elon Musk's DOGE has been a topic of discussion during the first 100 days of the Trump administration, Ron DeSantis' Florida DOGE idea has seemingly been in the works for quite some time.

"We are dogeing the Florida university system and the reason is because there's been a massive increase in funding, which I've supported [that] the legislature provided," DeSantis told Manjarres. "I think it's good and I think they've done a lot of good things with it, but I also know that nationally if you go back 30 years the number one growth has been administrative staff  and I think that that's something that we need to make sure isn't getting out of hand here."

As governor, DeSantis has spearheaded efforts to remove DEI from Florida schools.

"We're the first state in the country to eliminate DEI and I think people now realize that was discriminatory and that's not the way you go about doing this stuff. So DEI offices closed at the University of Florida, but then where do those employees go?" DeSantis added. "Are they burrowing into other parts and then doing it by another name or are you eliminating it not just superficially?  What we are going to do the universities I think it's really important."

Last September, FIU was ranked in the top 50 for best public Universities in the United States. The school also placed in the top 100 for best schools overall in the country.

Founded in 1972, FIU ranked inside the top 50 for the first time in school history. The school jumped 18 spots from 2023 among public universities and 26 spots overall.

"The investments have been well utilized because you look at our results and how we've improved in rankings, how we continue to grow in our research expenditures. "The fact we are a preeminent institution, one of only four out of the state university system in our young history because we are the youngest to ever achieve it," Nuñez added. "I think we have a great story to tell, and if there's room for improvements I welcome them and I'll champion them."

The post New FIU President Jeanette Nunez Vows to Continue Effort to Stomp Out DEI, Antisemitism appeared first on The Floridian.

Venezuelan Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado commended President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector by revoking oil export licenses. 

Machado made her comments during an interview with Donald Trump Jr where she discussed Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s repressive regime. 

President Trump cancelled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses, effectively reimposing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied during Trump’s first term. 

Trump cited concerns regarding immigration enforcement and Dictator Maduro’s failure to permit free and fair elections as justifying the revocations.

“This is a huge step, and it sends a clear, firm message that Maduro is in huge trouble, and President Trump is with the Venezuelan people, with security, with freedom, with prosperity and peace for the whole region,” said Machado. 

President Biden had granted the oil export licenses in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Maduro he would host free and fair elections. 

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Machado from participating in the same despite winning a landslide primary elections victory.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

Instead of Biden’s conciliatory approach, Trump’s cabinet and close allies, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have lobbied for a hardline strategy to Venezuela with the ultimate goal of a democratic transition rather than negotiating with Maduro to help the US economy.  

“I send my gratitude to President Trump,” continued Machado. “This is the correct thing to do, its the right thing to do, the right moment to do it, and I am sure that this will have consequences in the very short term and I am very sure that the Venezuelan people feel right now secured that we are not alone.”

The post Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Hails 'Huge Step' Trump Venezuelan Oil Sanctions appeared first on The Floridian.

Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses. 

President Trump’s license cancellation effectively reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied on Venezuela during Trump’s first term. 

Such sanctions were lifted by President Biden in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro he would host free and fair elections. 

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

“We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022, and also having to do with Electoral conditions within Venezuela, which have not been met by the Maduro regime,” stated Trump. 

Trump’s cabinet and close allies, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have lobbied for a hardline approach to Venezuela with the ultimate goal of a democratic transition rather than negotiating with Maduro to help the US economy.  

Trump had also alluded shortly after his November election victory that he would seek to end Venezuelan exports of oil to the US. 

“We have more energy than anybody else. We're going to use it. We don't have to buy energy from Venezuela when we have 50 times more than they do. It's just insane what we're doing,” said Trump. 

Venezuelan government officials criticized the oil export restriction, claiming that “in reality the US is self-inflicting damage to its people and businesses.”

Florida Republicans Maria Elvira-Salazar, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Carlos Gimenez released a joint statement commending Trump’s license revocation. 

“When it comes to defending the cause of freedom in illegitimate regimes like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, there is no greater ally than President Donald J. Trump,” reads the statement. 

“President Trump is keeping his promise. The days of appeasing regimes that are hostile to the United States, coddling dictators, and sidelining our national security interests are over,“ continued the Florida lawmakers.

The post Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses From Maduro appeared first on The Floridian.

During a recent Fox News interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently expressed his belief that, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the US’ foreign policy towards Venezuela and Dictator Nicolas Maduro will be stricter than in previous years. 

Secretary Rubio’s interview follows his efforts to broker an agreement where Venezuela agreed to accept deported Venezuelan illegal immigrants from the US as well as release six American hostages. 

Rubio rejected critic’s arguments that negotiating with the Venezuelan regime legitimized its autocratic rule, stating that Venezuela has a legal obligation to accept its repatriated nationals. 

“Remember, Venezuela stopped taking migration flights, deportations, because they wanted to blackmail Joe Biden,” said Rubio.

Conversely, Rubio assured “President Trump is not going to be blackmailed.”

Trump’s cabinet and close allies, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have lobbied for a hardline approach to Venezuela with the ultimate goal of a democratic transition rather than negotiating with Maduro.

Shortly after Rubio’s statements, Trump announced the revocation of Venezuelan oil export licenses due to Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to host free and fair elections and cooperate in illegal immigrant deportation flights. 

“We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022, and also having to do with Electoral conditions within Venezuela, which have not been met by the Maduro regime,” stated Trump. 

President Biden granted the licenses as part of the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro he would host free and fair elections.

The licenses effectively lifted sanctions imposed by Trump on Venezuela during his first presidency. 

Yet, despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

Consequently, Trump ordered the sanctions relief enjoyed by Venezuela in the form of oil licenses to end as of March 1st. 

The post Rubio Forecasts Trump Will Not Be 'Blackmailed' by Maduro appeared first on The Floridian.

In a recent exposé, the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association (WMYCA), a nonprofit organization led by Kirk Menendez, has come under scrutiny. The WMYCA, originally founded in 1944, has allegedly been plagued by disturbing financial mismanagement under Menendez’s leadership.

Per the publication, and despite being a respected community institution, the nonprofit lost its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 2020, Menendez continued to present it as a charitable organization.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records reveal the WMYCA’s absence from the 501(c)(3) registry, indicating that it was no longer qualified for tax-exempt status after failing to meet filing requirements.

Further complicating matters, the WMYCA’s substantial assets, estimated at over $113,000 in 2016, is alleged to disappear without explanation. This raises questions about the organization's financial oversight, especially considering that Menendez installed his wife and daughter as financial officers after the departure of the previous treasurer.

The alleged lack of transparency surrounding these changes could be seen as deeply troubling, suggesting a disregard for both ethical practices and community trust.

Additionally, according to the report, Menendez appears to have personal financial troubles, including multiple mortgages on his properties and a pending lawsuit for unpaid debt, have fueled concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

These issues have raised the question of whether Menendez’s potential financial desperation influenced his actions as president of the WMYCA, potentially leading to the mishandling of its funds and the deterioration of its nonprofit status.

The timing of these issues aligns with Menendez’s transition from government service to leadership at the WMYCA. His previous tenure in Miami City government, which ended in 2016, was marked by similar allegations of mismanagement. The recent revelations about the WMYCA raise broader concerns about Menendez’s competence and his ability to handle public office responsibly.

In light of these findings, the community deserves answers. The former nonprofit leader, now a candidate for mayor, has yet to publicly address the situation.

We have reached out to Commissioner Menendez several times for a statement regarding the WMYCA's financial records and his stewardship of the organization via email and telephone, but have not received a response back.

The post Coral Gables' Kirk Menendez's Financial Management Skills Questioned appeared first on The Floridian.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced expanded visa restrictions for members of the Cuban government participating in the ‘exploitation’ of medical workers. 

Secretary Rubio’s visa restrictions announcement follows reports that the Communist Cuban regime is profiting off the forced labor of Cuban doctors. 

“Cuba continues to profit from the forced labor of its workers and the regime’s abusive and coercive labor practices are well documented,” claimed Rubio. “Cuba’s labor export programs, which include the medical missions, enrich the Cuban regime, and in the case of Cuba’s overseas medical missions, deprive ordinary Cubans of the medical care they desperately need in their home country.”

Rubio’s new visa restrictions limit the legal travel capacity  current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be involved in or responsible for Cuba’s overseas medical missions. 

More than 40,000 Cuban doctors are reportedly spread throughout the world in diverse 'medical missions.' 

However, myriad concerns have been raised regarding the process by which such doctors are paid, with critics and some former doctors alleging their wages are withheld by the Cuban government and then funneled into the regime’s military. 

Former U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs Otto Reich explained Cuba’s foreign doctor missions as a nefarious and lucrative source of revenue for the Cuban government. 

“Under the guise of a ‘voluntary, humanitarian, internationalist program,’ Cuba generates between $8 billion and $11 billion every year from the forced labor of doctors and medical workers exported to foreign countries,” claimed Reich. 

According to Reich, the doctors are closely watched by Cuban intelligence, have 80-90% of their salary diverted to the Cuban government, and are forced to use their services as leverage for political purposes, such as withholding treatment from patients opposing the Cuban regime. 

Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL), the daughter of Cuban exiles, commended Rubio for his expansion of visa restrictions. 

“Secretary Rubio sent Havana a clear message,” stated Representative Salazar. “Those who traffic people and exploit that labor are equally complicit in the regime’s brutal repression of rights and freedom. You are NOT welcome in the United States!”

The post Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated With Forced Labor Exports appeared first on The Floridian.

President Donald Trump’s Treasury Department, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has announced a series of measures tightening sanctions on Iran’s illicit oil sales via its ‘Ghost Fleet.’

Iran has recently expanded efforts to circumvent US-imposed oil exports by covertly shipping Iranian oil through a network of foreign tankers colloquially referred to as Iran’s  ‘Ghost Fleet.’

The latest measures come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed a number of sanctions on the Ghost Fleet earlier this February. 

According to the Treasury Department, Iran has harnessed its illicit oil trade to generate billions of dollars that it subsequently funnels to its military and proxy groups.

“Iran continues to rely on a shadowy network of vessels, shippers, and brokers to facilitate its oil sales and fund its destabilizing activities,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “The United States will use all our available tools to target all aspects of Iran’s oil supply chain, and anyone who deals in Iranian oil exposes themselves to significant sanctions risk.”

Secretary Bessent explained the latest sanctions are designed to deprive Iran of revenue from its petroleum and petrochemical sectors and are part of President Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy on Iran and its proxies.

Sanctions target oil brokers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong, tanker operators and managers in India and People’s Republic of China (PRC), the head of Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company, and the Iranian Oil Terminals Company (IOTC).

The US previously sanctioned Iran’s oil sector in 2018 to dissuade the country from financing terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, cartel activity, and perfidious nuclear development.

However, Iran has managed to skirt such sanctions through its ‘Ghost Fleet,’ prompting initial sanctions from President Joe Biden and the State Department’s actions earlier this February. 

One report from the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) nonprofit outlines the extent of the ‘Ghost Fleet’ scheme, which includes nearly 200 Panamanian vessels.

Secretary Rubio previously led congressional efforts to combat the ghost fleet. 

Then-Senator Rubio and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) communicated Iran’s illegal operation to Panamanian authorities, which began to investigate and remove suspected ships from Panamanian ports.

US-Iran tensions have reached unprecedented levels, as the latter has increased hostile activity against the former and its allies since Hamas’ October 7th attacks.

The post Trump Treasury Department Constricts Iran's 'Ghost Fleet' appeared first on The Floridian.

It's Official: Trump-Endorsed Byron Donalds Announces Run for Florida Governor

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds announced his campaign for governor Tuesday night, prompted by President Donald Trump urging him to run last week...READ MORE

Byron Donalds-I arrived in the Sunshine State at 17 years old on a Greyhound bus, with a trunk full of clothes and a dream.

Now is the time to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country.

Tonight, I am proud to announce my candidacy to be the next governor of Florida.

Erika Donalds-My husband @ByronDonalds

is the American dream personified.

Faith in God, grit, kindness, character & a heart of service brought him to this moment in history.

He was instrumental in Trump’s victory. Now he will faithfully steward Florida’s future.

I couldn’t be more proud.

Sen. Jason Pizzo-Not sure where the time went, but I’m sure of this - tonight, I said goodbye to a tough, brave and loyal young man, who will give the @USMC

his very best. He’s one of the few, and I’m one of the very proud. I love you, Jack.

Trump-Endorsed Byron Donalds Announces Run for Florida Governor—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo

Rep. Lauren Melo Thanks Passidomo for SD 28 Endorsement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—House Republican Lauren Melo (R-Naples) thanked former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo after she endorsed Melo for her Senate District 28 on Saturday.

Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Requiring E-Verify for all Private Employers—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) filed a bill on Monday that would require all private employers in Florida to use E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of potential new hires, thus ensuring that only legal U.S. citizens can work in the country.

Dunn Introduces Bill Empowering Vehicle Owners with Crucial Data Access—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) is introducing legislation to allow vehicle owners access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.

Scott Reintroduces Bill to Fight Online Fentanyl Sales—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Franklin Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Protecting Good Samaritans Using Defibrillators—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) have reintroduced the bipartisan Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which establishes nationwide standards for legally protecting the usage of defibrillators outside of hospitals during cardiac emergencies.

Nikki Fried: DeSantis Needs to 'Shut His Damn Mouth' on Florida DOGE—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried didn't mince words on Monday after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a state version of Elon...

Congressional Republican Lawmakers Continue Praise of Musks' DOGE—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—With Democrats up in arms over the aggressive and transparent nature of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in support of President...

Trump Pushes To End Ukraine War in Ukraine-Centric G7 Summit—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump joined heads of state in a recent Group of Seven summit that primarily focused on the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vlodymyr...

Fabian Basabe Calls Out Miami Beach Pride Over Exclusion—By The Floridian's Daniel Molina—As Miami Beach Pride prepares to return from March 27^th to April 6^th, 2025, past controversies surrounding political participation in the event have resurfaced. State...

Kristi Noem Celebrates Low Illegal Apprehensions at U.S. Border—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared Monday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered just 200 aliens at the southern border...

Ramaswamy to Run For Ohio Governor—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy recently announced his candidacy for Ohio’s governorship. Ramaswamy's announcement comes as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s term nears...

Cammack Reintroduces Bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Act—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Kat Cammack is reintroducing the bipartisan Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act...

Cruz Praises Attorney General Pam Bondi for Performance so far—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich—Senator Ted Cruz recently praised U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi for her work just weeks after taking the oath of office as the head of the Department of Justice...

DeSantis Takes on 'Bedwetting' Media Over Sympathy for Workers Fired by DOGE—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday excoriated "legacy media" for sympathizing with the scores of federal workers fired by a new department in Donald...

Trump Congratulates Conservatives For Victory in Germany, Germans Call For 'Independence' From US —By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump has congratulated Germany’s center-right party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), for their recent electoral victory in Germany’s parliamentary elections.

Byron Donalds Responds to Ron DeSantis's 2026 Gubernatorial Dig Against him —By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—WASHINGTON—Hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared to dismiss President Donald Trump’s 2026 gubernatorial endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds...

Waltz Says Trump 'Expects to Get This Deal Done' as Russia-Ukraine War Reaches 3rd Anniversary —By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich

Senate Leader Jason Pizzo Maligns Anti-Illegal Immigration Bill on MSNBC —By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Cartels Designated As Foreign Terror Organizations Could Face US Military Action—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump recently designated sundry drug cartels operating in Mexico as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

Cammack Introduces Bipartisan Bill Improving Public Safety Communications—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) is introducing bipartisan legislation to improve public safety communications for first responders, which she said is "critical."

Kobe Bryant to be Honored in National Garden of American Heroes—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Castor Introduces Bill to Expand Access to SBA Loans After Hurricanes—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) has introduced legislation expanding access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, making rebuilding efforts cheaper.

Scott, GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to End the Death Tax—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

'No Thanks': Rep. Angie Nixon Brushes Off Bryon Donalds' Potential run at Florida Governor—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—House Democratic Rep. Angela "Angie" Nixon (D-Jacksonville) didn't appear thrilled after Florida Congressman Byron Donalds asserted that he would keep "Florida Great" after President Donald Trump endorsed his potential run for governor.

Cherfilus McCormick Argues Against Removal of TPS Status for Haitians—By The Floridian's Jackson Bakich

Rep. Juan Porras Praises Trump's Endorsement of Byron Donalds, Jabs at DeSantis—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines

Descovich: Senate Will 'Have a Hard Time' Rejecting Her After DeSantis Reappointment—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday reappointed Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich to the state ethics commission months after Republican...

Trump Endorses Byron Donalds For Florida Governor—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—President Donald Trump has endorsed Representative Byron Donalds for Florida Governor. Through a post on Truth Social, President Trump lauded Representative...

DeSantis Closes Out Legislative Battle, Vetoes Controversial TRUMP Act—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday vetoed the TRUMP Act, a divisive illegal immigration bill, officially slamming the door on the month-long tumult within the...

Reps. Berny Jacques, Chase Tramont Look to Safeguard State Election System—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Florida Reps. Berny Jacques and Chase Tramont filed a bill Thursday that would safeguard the integrity of the state's electoral system while...

Cory Mills and Alleged Victim Categorically Deny Any Physical Assault Took Place—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Florida Rep. Cory Mills has categorically denied he did anything wrong after Washington Metropolitan Police officers responded to his residence...

The Juice is squeezed by Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, and Michael Costeines

The post JUICE🍊—2.26.2025—It's Official: Byron Donalds Announces Run for Governor—Melo, Fried, Jacques —Much More.. appeared first on The Floridian.

President Donald Trump joined heads of state in a recent Group of Seven (G7) summit that primarily focused on the war in Ukraine. 

Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy was invited to join the summit and did so alongside traditional members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the US.

The G7 meeting was called by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the Ukraine-Russia war amidst escalating tensions between Ukraine and the US. 

Late last week, President Trump and President Zelenskyy exchanged public attacks after the former spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and sent a US delegation to meet with Russian diplomats – which alarmed Ukraine supporters.

After Trump suggested Ukraine could be partially responsible for the war, Zelenskyy claimed Trump was living in Russian “disinformation space," to which Trump responded scathingly, calling Zelenskyy a dictator and directly blaming Ukraine for starting the war against Russia. 

During the G7 meeting, Trump underscored the importance of ending the war and how the US is “helping Ukraine like nobody’s ever helped Ukraine before.”

“If I didn’t become president Ukraine would still be at a level where nobody would even be thinking about peace,” said Trump. “My function is to get them out of the war, let them live.”

Zelenskyy similarly advocated for peace, adding that reaching peace requires “security guarantees for Ukraine and real ways to ensure an end to this Russian aggression and prevent any new one.”

Trump further warned that, if unsolved, the conflict could metastasize into World War Three unless a peace deal was reached given the involvement of numerous countries in the war. 

Moreover, Trump spoke about his desire to close the US-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal.

“This deal, which is an “Economic Partnership,” will ensure the American people recoup the Tens of Billions of Dollars and Military Equipment sent to Ukraine, while also helping Ukraine’s economy grow as this Brutal and Savage War comes to an end,” explained Trump. 

Simultaneously, Trump described his goal of reinstalling economic cooperation between the US and Russia. 

Such a goal emerged from the recent US-Russia summit in Saudi Arabia, where the US delegation discussed creating a mechanism designed to “normalize” the US-Russia relationship, end the conflict in Ukraine, and cooperate in future economic endeavors.

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President Donald Trump has congratulated Germany’s center-right party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), for their recent electoral victory in Germany’s parliamentary elections. 

Germany’s elections were held at the order of the former President Olaf Scholz from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) after his governmental coalition began to break down. 

President Trump called the CDU’s victory a “great day for Germany" via his Truth social platform. 

“MUCH LIKE THE USA, THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY GOT TIRED OF THE NO COMMON SENSE AGENDA, ESPECIALLY ON ENERGY AND IMMIGRATION, THAT HAS PREVAILED FOR SO MANY YEARS,” wrote Trump.  

Germany’s conservative party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), came in at close second and even surpassed the SPD. 

AfD has experienced a recent surge in popularity given Germany’s immigration, economic, and energy security problems. 

Together, the two right-wing parties make up more than half of the German bundestag, i.e., parliament. 

Germany’s democratic system enables parties to combine their votes in order to reach the required 315 seat-majority to rule.  

However, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out a potential coalition with AfD and is opting instead to coalesce with SPD, whose ideology is deeply progressive.

Moreover, Merz has sought to distance himself from the US and criticized Trump’s administration for “election interference” by supporting AfD during the election. 

Merz reportedly claimed that his priority once he gains control of parliament is to "strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the US step by step".

A CDU-SPD coalition would prevent AfD from forming part of Germany’s government, and the latter has criticized the former by underscoring how the CDU and SPD’s electoral performance are historically underwhelming.

“The CDU achieved the second worst result in the history of the Federal Republic, the SPD the worst result since the Reichstag elections of 1887 in the German Empire - at that time it was still called the Socialist Workers' Party,” reads a post election AfD statement. 

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