Day: April 10, 2025

Coast Guard Seizes Over $500M In ‘Cartel Cocaine’

FBI Director Kash Patel (C) speaks as US Attorney General Pam Bondi (2nd L) looks on during press conference on illicit narcotics, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 9, 2025. The law enforcement officers and the US Coast Guard highlighted the offload of over 48,400 pounds of illicit narcotics worth more than $509 million at Port Everglades, interdicted during drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Photo by Marco BELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
FBI Director Kash Patel (C) speaks as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (2nd L) looks on during a press conference on illicit narcotics at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 9, 2025. (Photo by MARCO BELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Blake Wolf
1:18 PM – Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a “major blow” to two Mexican drug cartels after the Coast Guard seized over $500 million in cocaine — amounting to over 45,000 pounds.

Bondi revealed that the seizure took place on Wednesday, after two Coast Guard cutters intercepted approximately $509 million dollars worth of cocaine from smuggling boats near Ecuador, Peru, and the Galápagos Islands.

“We have saved thousands and thousands of lives as a result of this incredible cooperation,” Bondi stated at Port Everglades in Florida, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel.

Bondi also revealed that the illicit drugs were tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa cartel, noting that 11 individuals were arrested in the operation.

She continued, stating that the Coast Guard utilized “drones, aircraft, and ships to interdict the traffickers” in the operation.

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) April 9, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel also spoke at the press conference. He issued a warning to other foreign drug cartels who continue their ongoing drug smuggling and drug trafficking operations.

“We are going to dismantle the ‘next-man-up’ theory that has been breeding these Mexican cartels for generations,” Patel asserted. “No more.”

The U.S. Coast Guard revealed that their efforts in finding the large stash took around eleven days, describing the process of locating the drug traffickers in the patrol area as “finding a needle in a haystack.”

The interagency effort led by the Coast Guard was also assisted by the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Over 130,073 pounds (59 metric tons) of narcotics have been seized since just February, according to U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Nathan Moore.

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Press Secy. Leavitt Hits Back At Nancy Pelosi Over Resurfaced 1996 Video Amid China Tariff Debate

(L) White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / (R) File photo dated 08 May 1996 shows US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, speaking during a Capitol Hill press conference. (Photo by J. DAVID AKE/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
5:40 PM – Tuesday, April 8, 2025

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt threw shade at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, highlighting previous comments that the liberal former Congresswoman has made about tariffs.

Leavitt cited Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) previous position on tariffs, notably the United States’ trade deficit with communist China, from nearly 30 years ago — arguing that she should be delighted with the Trump administration’s “retaliatory tariff” imposed on China.

In a recently resurfaced video from 1996, Pelosi stood on the House floor and explained her reasons for retaliating against China economically, including the fact that China imposed an average tariff of 35% on all goods imported from the United States and only allowed about 2% of US exports to cross the border into the country. In exchange, the United States had imposed only a 2% tariff on Chinese imports and permitted one-third of the items manufactured in China to be imported. As a result of that gap, 10,000,000 Chinese jobs were supported by imports from the United States, while only 170,000 American jobs were supported by Chinese trade. That, she added, was an untenable “status quo.”

“On this day, your member of Congress could have drawn a line and said to the President of the United States, ‘Do something about this U.S.-China trade relationship that is a job loser for the United States,’” she said at the time.

During the briefing, Leavitt referenced the clip and perked up, saying: “Nancy Pelosi said, ‘How far does China have to go? How much more oppression? How big is the trade deficit? How many jobs have to be lost for American workers? How much dangerous proliferation has to exist before members of this House of Representatives will say, ‘I will not endorse the status quo?’”

“Well, President Trump is finally answering her call,” Leavitt continued. “Nancy Pelosi can thank President Trump today for the 104% retaliatory tariff that will be going into effect on China.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee Appointed As U.S. Ambassador To Israel

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Huckabee, the former governor and presidential candidate, answered questions on Israel and its campaign against Hamas. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Huckabee, a former governor and presidential candidate, answered questions on Israel and its campaign against Hamas. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN Staff James Meyers
2:48 PM – Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The Senate on Wednesday announced that former Arkansas GOP Governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist pastor, will be President Donald Trump’s U.S. ambassador to Israel.

In a 53-46 vote, the Senate confirmed Huckabee, with Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) being the only Democrat to vote in favor of the nomination. No Republicans opposed Huckabee’s nomination.

Huckabee has been a known vocal supporter of Israel throughout his time in politics, as well as a defender of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, left-wing critics of Huckabee claim that he is “too strong” of a supporter of Israel to represent the United States. Additionally, Senate Democrats are reportedly alarmed by Huckabee’s nomination due to his vocal defense of his view that Israel has the right to annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip — which they fear “could jeopardize the possibility of a two-state solution” to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

On the other hand, supporters of the former governor argue that Huckabee is a great choice for Israel’s U.S. ambassador since he is extremely familiar with Israel and well-versed in the nation’s culture — as he has visited the Jewish State over 100 times.

Trump has not explicitly stated whether or not he supports Israeli annexation, saying earlier this year that he would make a decision within a few weeks. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. should take over and even “own” the Gaza Strip — while rebuilding the war-torn area.

With the recent confirmation, Huckabee’s upcoming arrival in Israel coincides with one of the most turbulent periods, as both sides have reached an impasse in efforts to reinstate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This visit also comes at a critical moment — as Israel seeks to negotiate the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack.

Last month, the Jewish State restarted military operations against the Islamist terrorist group, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire agreements.

Nonetheless, the presence of a U.S. ambassador in Israel will be regarded as a pivotal step, especially as Trump prepares to take on high-stakes negotiations with Iran on Saturday regarding its nuclear program.

Senator James E. Risch (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke in favor of Huckabee’s confirmation on Friday.

“I have no doubt Gov. Huckabee is that person, and he will work alongside President Trump, Secretary of [State Marco] Rubio, and our friends in Israel to bring peace to a turbulent region and ensure both American and Israeli hostages are brought home from the clutches of Hamas,” he said.

Israel is considered the United States’ closest ally and largest single trading partner. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited Trump at the White House twice since he took back the presidency.

Daniel Driscoll to Be Named New ATF Acting Director

Ammoland Inc. Posted on  by 
ATF Police Raid IMG ATFHQ Instagram
ATF Police Raid IMG ATFHQ Instagram

According to sources, a new Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will start on Monday. Daniel Driscoll will take the reins of the ATF from Acting Director Kash Patel, who will continue as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Mr. Driscoll is currently serving as the Secretary of the Army after being confirmed on February 25, 2025. He was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Mr. Driscoll used the post-9/11 GI Bill to attend the University of North Carolina, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He would then serve in the United States Army for three and a half years as a lieutenant, first as an armor officer, then as a cavalry scout platoon leader with the 10th Mountain Division. He would see combat while deployed in Iraq.

After Driscoll’s time in the Army, he attended Yale Law School and received a Juris Doctor. During his time at Yale, he would become friends with Vice President JD Vance. While at Yale, Driscoll interned for Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski and the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. In 2020, he would run for the Republican nomination to represent North Carolina’s 11th congressional district. He would be unsuccessful in his election attempt.

Driscoll’s public record on gun rights is limited. When he ran for Congress, he ran on a conservative platform, including protecting the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. With the Justice Department’s (DOJ) new Second Amendment Task Force announcement, Driscoll could see a significant role. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) saw the appointment to the position as a positive step to curtail the ATF’s overreach.

“President Trump’s decision to appoint Acting Director Driscoll is indicative of his resolve to bring reform to the ATF and protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and the industry that makes it possible to exercise those rights,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “NSSF is deeply appreciative of FBI Director Kash Patel’s service in leading the ATF as Acting Director for nearly two months in his interim role and the recognition, along with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, that the ATF was "weaponized" by the previous administration to carry out a radical gun control agenda. The firearm industry is confident that President Trump’s appointment of Acting Director Driscoll to lead the ATF will return the Bureau to its proper role as a law enforcement agency laser focused on combating violent crime and illegal firearms trafficking, and to act as a non-partisan regulator of the firearm industry.”

The ATF has faced growing criticism over its actions against gun owners and the gun industry. The appointment of Kash Patel as acting director and Robert Leider as chief counsel has given hope to the gun community that the ATF will curtail some of its infringements. Both gentlemen have a record of being pro-gun. Some changes have already been taking place, including repealing zero-tolerance policies and reviewing rules put into place under the last administration.

It is believed that Mr. Driscoll will keep reforming the Bureau and help implement President Donald Trump’s executive orders on Second Amendment issues. Kash Patel will remain the head of the FBI. There is no timeline for a permanent ATF director.

About John Crump

Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

John Crump

Texas AG Defends Investigation into Muslim City Development

A planned development called EPIC City has caught the attention of the Texas government. Some officials have alleged that the city, being developed in connection with the East Plano Islamic Center in an area east of Dallas, Texas, will enforce Sharia Law over state and federal laws (something the development denies). Glenn speaks with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who’s one of many Texas officials investigating EPIC Cities. Paxton argues that similar communities in Europe have turned into “no-go zones” for local officials. Paxton also addressed what actions he might take against EPIC City and whether there’s a conflict of interest between him and EPIC City’s attorney. Additionally, Paxton discusses his Senate run against Texas Senator John Cornyn and why the Republican establishment has promised to oppose him.

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: Don’t Be A ‘PANICAN’ Over Trump’s Tariffs, Wall Street

President Trump remains resolute in his tariff strategy, imposing a 125% tariff on China today and posting “Don't be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!)” on his Truth Social account. So, is the recent Wall Street drop rooted in facts—or fueled by fear and manipulation? Victor Davis Hanson breaks down the numbers, the history, and the media narrative behind the current economic anxiety on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ First term, Donald Trump, was he an enemy of Wall Street? Is there a better alternative? Did he crash the market? No. The market grew 65% under Donald Trump. “ If it’s not based on data points and it’s not based on what you could infer from his first term and it’s not based on his agenda in other areas or the world scene, what is it based on? It’s based on panic. It really is. “Part of it is fed by left-wing street theater and media hysterics, which they feel will help their counterparts, their soul mates in Europe, so they can put pressure on Donald Trump.”