Politics

Screenshot: KFOX14

The FBI has arrested former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Juan Cano and his wife Nancy Cano for allegedly harboring an illegal alien with suspected ties to Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang known for trafficking, extortion, and violence.

The arrest comes just weeks after Cano resigned from his judicial post following a dramatic federal raid at his Doña Ana County residence, where agents apprehended Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an illegal immigrant now charged with unlawful firearm possession and gang affiliation.

The Gateway Pundit was one of the first outlets to report that longtime Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano — a Democrat and former police officer — abruptly resigned after federal agents arrested an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a residence he owns.

Judge Juan Cano

The bombshell resignation letter, dated March 3, came just days after federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations raided a property tied to Cano and his wife, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun charges, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Suspected Tren de Aragua member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez

The Venezuelan national, who is in the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to a ruthless transnational gang, was allegedly in possession of multiple firearms — including ones linked to disturbing images and videos on social media.

According to the press release:

HSI initiated an inquiry into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, an illegal alien from Venezuela suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with other illegal aliens in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had been in possession of firearms.

The investigators determined Ortega-Lopez had entered the United States illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings. Social media evidence showed Ortega-Lopez in possession of multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces.

Ortega-Lopez is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

Court filings show Ortega-Lopez had been living in a “casita” behind Judge Cano’s residence in Las Cruces after allegedly meeting Nancy Cano while doing handyman work.

Ortega-Lopez, who had unlawfully entered the United States by scaling a barbed-wire fence in Eagle Pass, Texas, was released on so-called “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding — a tragic consequence of Biden’s wide-open border disaster.

Once in New Mexico, prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez became acquainted with April Cano, the judge’s stepdaughter, who reportedly owned a cache of firearms and allowed the illegal alien to shoot and pose with the weapons — images that later surfaced on Facebook.

Source: U.S. District Court for New Mexico

Even more disturbing, Ortega-Lopez is pictured in one photo smiling alongside Judge Cano — a stunning image now submitted in federal court as part of the government’s detention case.

Source: U.S. District Court for New Mexico
Source: U.S. District Court for New Mexico

A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media reveals video footage that appears to show Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing casually, including a moment where Ortega-Lopez hands a long rifle to both Judge Cano and his wife, Nancy.

WATCH:

A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media shows him shooting at a local range and holding multiple firearms. The page also shows photos of what appears to be Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, including Ortega-Lopez passing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.

*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k

— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025

Agents recovered four firearms from the neighboring property owned by April Cano.

According to prosecutors, Ortega-Lopez admitted to having fired them. He now faces charges of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition — a federal offense that carries up to 15 years in prison.

On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a rare ruling, permanently banning Cano from ever holding judicial office again.

On Thursday, a viral video began circulating online showing the arrest of Judge Juan Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano.

More from KFOX14:

KFOX14/CBS4 were on the scene Thursday afternoon when the home of former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and a probable cause arrest warrant, and both were taken into custody.

A spokesperson for ICE confirmed that Nancy was taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations.

The raid comes after Cano had resigned in March following accusations that he and his wife, Nancy, had hosted Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, and an alleged TdA member.

Investigators believe Lopez was hired by Nancy to work on the home and then later offered their place for Lopez to stay.

Documents from the investigation indicate Lopez displayed clear indicators of association with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, including clothing, tattoos, voicemails, and text messages.

WATCH:

The post BREAKING: FBI Arrests Democrat New Mexico Judge and Wife for Harboring Illegal Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Their Home appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The Pentagon by David B. Gleason is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Pentagon will be resuming providing sex change treatments and surgeries for transgender servicemembers or transgender dependents of servicemembers.

The change was announced in a memo dated Monday, but first reported on by Politico on Thursday.

“Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may receive appropriate care for their diagnosis of [gender dysphoria], including mental health care and counseling and newly initiated or ongoing cross-sex hormone therapy,” the memo, signed by Stephen Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, read.

“Service members may also receive voice therapy and appropriate surgical procedures,” the memo continued.

The return to Biden-era transgender policies comes after a judge struck down Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s changes that prohibited coverage of sex change procedures and hormones, deeming it “unconstitutional.”

The judge also struck down the ban on transgender people serving in the military, which was part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump at the beginning of his presidency.

Politico reports:

Hegseth, in a Wednesday speech at the Army War College, celebrated the first 100 days of the Trump administration by telling the assembled officers that there is “no more social engineering … no more gender confusion, no more pronouns, no more excuses,” within the military.

Some officials saw the move as a capitulation by the administration, which was settling for a loss in court while continuing to wage a public relations war to keep transgender service members out of the military.

“They’ve scared all of the trans people off,” said one person close to the Pentagon familiar with the conversations, granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. “What’s to be gained by continuing to fight with the courts? It seems pretty easy to stop getting crazy with it. You won. You got what you wanted.”

The post Pentagon to Resume Providing Sex Change Treatments and Surgeries for Transgender Servicemembers and Their Dependents appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

O’Keefe Media Group Defense Department Branch Chief calls President Trump “illegitimate”

Nicolas Turza, the Department of Defense Branch Chief who was caught on undercover video calling President Trump “illegitimate” has resigned.

BREAKING: O’Keefe Media reporting Nicolas Turza, Branch Chief, has RESIGNED from his position at the Pentagon after we caught him on hidden camera saying he will ‘resist Trump, everything he does.’ https://t.co/VvFrkJjViO

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) April 24, 2025

The O’Keefe Media Group on Wednesday released undercover video of a Defense Department Branch Chief attacking President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Nicolas Turza, a Department of Defense Branch Chief, called President Trump “illegitimate” and vowed to “resist him, everything he does.”

Turza also attacked Hegseth and said the 44-year-old is “insanely young” and unfit to lead.

“The same guy who tried to overthrow an election is just, like, truly setting us down a path of dictatorship. He’s illegitimate. He’s terribly immoral, breaking every norm. We’re going to resist him. Everything he does,” Turza said about Trump.

“I’m a very patriotic person, and I’ve never been less patriotic,” he said to the OMG journalist.

Turza then attacked Pete Hegseth.

“Ultimately [Hegseth] is my boss. But this is insane. I actually know Pete Hegseth. And this is so crazy. Like, that’s not a good reflection on me. That’s a bad reflection on Trump. Like, nobody I know should be the Secretary of Defense,” Turza said.

He continued, “Like, he’s insanely young to be the part, like, and he wasn’t that high up in the military. He used to be in the DC National Guard.”

When asked about his opinion about Trump, Turza said, “The worst thing about him is his utter lack of moral principle… The second worst thing about him is how stupid he could be.”

James O’Keefe said Hegseth has never even heard of Nicolas Turza.

WATCH:

DRAINING THE DEEP STATE: DoD Branch Chief Calls President Trump “Illegitimate,” Vows to “Resist Him, Everything He Does,” Claims Pete Hegseth Is “Insanely Young” and Unfit to Lead: “Nobody I Know Should Be the Secretary of Defense”

“The same guy who tried to overthrow an… pic.twitter.com/rSU9Od5l6j

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) April 23, 2025

Hegseth has reportedly seen O’Keefe’s video on Turza.

NEW: Laura Loomer reporting Pete Hegspeth has SEEN today’s video of branch chief

Department of Defense officials are handling the situation…. https://t.co/6vp9duAdMa

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) April 23, 2025

The post BREAKING: Department of Defense Branch Chief Caught on Undercover Video Calling President Trump “Illegitimate” RESIGNS appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo has officially announced he is leaving the Democrat Party and registering as an independent.

Pizzo, long viewed as a moderate voice within Florida’s increasingly radical Democrat caucus, delivered a fiery rebuke of partisan politics in a statement confirming he had FedExed his change-of-party registration to Broward County’s Supervisor of Elections.

The paperwork is expected to be processed by 8:00 AM tomorrow.

“Our constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks,” Pizzo said on the Senate floor.

In his statement, Pizzo didn’t mince words about the current state of the Democrat Party.

He painted a picture of a party consumed by special interests, consultants, and political posturing.

“We are entrusted to be guided by our conscience, and while I suppose it’s easier in theory than it is in application, even my worst detractors have no valid claim that I can be bullied, that I can be bought, or even borrowed for a special interest.”

“I am my father’s son, even in his death. I am my mother’s son, while she is still alive.”

“I will not miss another one of her birthdays, and I will return to who I was when I became a young man—independent: independent in thought, in my passion, and in my conscience, not consultants,” he concluded.

WATCH:

#BREAKING: A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE JUST OCCURRED IN FLORIDA AS THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER LEAVES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY…

Ho-lee SHLIT.

Jason Pizzo is the Florida Senate Democratic Minority Leader.

He said constituents are so fed up with “political hacks” and he is switching… pic.twitter.com/UcPdc1hoWO

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 24, 2025

The post Florida Senate Democrat Leader DITCHES Party, Goes Independent — Says Voters Are Fed Up with ‘Political Hacks’ (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Credit: DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza

Another day, another Deep State leak.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was hit with another round of leaks on Thursday after several top aides have been fired for leaking.

The attacks against Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal began last month after Jeffrey Goldberg, the anti-Trump editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, claimed he was accidentally added to a secure Signal group chat where top Trump administration officials discussed sensitive military operations against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

The Biden Administration installed Signal on government-issued computers, but use of the app only became a scandal during the Trump Administration.

According to a leak to the Washington Post on Wednesday night, Pete Hegseth installed Signal on his desktop at the Pentagon as a way to circumvent ‘the lack of cellphone service’ in the Pentagon.

Hegseth’s spox Sean Parnell hit back and told WaPo the Defense Secretary “has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”

On Thursday, a leak to the Associated Press expanded on the Pentagon computer leak to WaPo.

The AP reported that Hegseth used an unsecured internet line that ‘bypassed Pentagon’s security protocols’ so he can use Signal at his office.

The AP reported:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press.

The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseth’s use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance.

Known as a “dirty” internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the user’s information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’s secured connections maintain.

Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’s a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked.

The latest leak comes as it was reported that Hegseth’s Chief of Staff Joe Kasper will leave his position at the Pentagon after three other Hegseth aides were fired last week.

The post BREAKING: Pete Hegseth Hit With Another Round of Leaks as Top Aides Exit Pentagon appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

She’s baaack.

Although quickly discarded by the Biden Administration during her bizarre, short-lived role as “disinformation czar” Nina Jankowicz,’ the Mary Poppins of disinformation,’ is back and taking her “hate America” tour on the road.

Sporting an affected new accent, Jankowicz testified before the European Parliament earlier this week at a hearing about Russian hybrid threats. She used the opportunity to trash America and the Trump administration, urging Europeans to “stand against another autocracy, the United States of America.”

“I would like to call upon you to stand firm against another autocracy, the United States of America.”

“The Trump administration is undoubtedly preparing a pressure campaign to force EU institutions to roll back regulation like the DSA [Digital Services Act], to end support for Ukraine, to stop holding Russia to account.”

“Do not capitulate. Hold the line.”

“Doing so is the clearest signal the European Union could send to Russia and other adversaries that it will not stop fighting to preserve democracy at home and around the world.”

Jankowicz also accused tech elites of enabling global instability and alleges that President Trump has aligned himself with them to “consolidate power.”

Watch:

Remember overgrown theater kid & Censorship Czar Nina Jankowicz

Now she’s performing anti-American agit-prop at the EU calling on them to stand against the Autocracy in the US

If ever anyone should get a heaping mug of STFU pic.twitter.com/6z2TArfTB8

— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) April 22, 2025

Jonathan Turley notes:

Many are disgruntled Democrats after the election or “disinformation experts” left without positions or grants after the start of the Trump administration. Unemployed censors now roam the Earth like rōnin, or masterless disgraced samurai. They are finding opportunities in Europe where free speech in a virtual free fall.’

It was not surprising, therefore, that Nina Jankowicz, the former head of Biden’s infamous Disinformation Governance Board, appeared this week before the European Parliament. She called upon the 27 EU countries to fight against the United States, which she called a world threat.

How the “Mary Poppins of disinformation” came to alight upon the European Union is little surprise. Appealing before one of the most anti-free speech bodies in the world. The “New World Order with European Values” notably does not include robust protections for free speech.

I have been a long critic of Jankowicz. After the Biden Administration reluctantly disbanded her board, she later moved to join a European group as a foreign agent to continue her work to block views that she considers disinformation.

The former head of Biden’s infamous Disinformation Governance Board, was “back with a vengeance.” Nina Jankowitz called upon the European Union to call upon those 27 countries to fight against the United States, which she called a global threat… https://t.co/Cu6Ofi9c4m

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) April 23, 2025

Never forget that in early April, Jankowicz defended the letter from 51 ‘spys who lied‘ suggesting that the very real Hunter Biden laptop was nothing more than “Russian disinformation.”

Thankfully, during her testimony to the European Parliament,  she did not break out in a cringy song.

Reminder that Nina Jankowicz is the show tune singing devil.

Our pressure took down @wiczipedia. We can win. Never let up. https://t.co/t3T6QbCLV8 pic.twitter.com/uw7AvDtIfE

— goomba (@o____principe) May 23, 2024

The post She’s Baaack: The ‘Mary Poppins of Disinformation’ Nina Jankowicz Takes Her Hate America Tour to Europe (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

After decades of being a forgotten relic of U.S. history, Panama and its canal are front and center as President Donald Trump defines a new era of America First involvement in the world.

At his joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump said, “Just today, a large American company announced they are buying both ports around the Panama Canal and lots of other things having to do with the Panama Canal and a couple of other canals.

“The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others, but others could use it. But it was built at tremendous cost of American blood and treasure.

“Thirty-eight thousand workers died building the Panama Canal. They died of malaria. They died of snake bites and mosquitoes. Not a nice place to work.

“They paid them very highly to go there, knowing there was a 25 percent chance that they would die. The most expensive project, also, that was ever built in our country’s history, if you bring it up to modern-day costs.”

Trump’s closing remarks on the topic explained this administration’s future plans.

All viewpoints are personal and do not reflect the viewpoints of any organization.

This article first appeared in Epoch Times and was reprinted with permission, with minor editorial adjustments for clarity and formatting.

The post Panama Port Deal Drama Reveals the New Great Game of Ports and Chokepoints appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Trump 2028 merchandise is available at the Trump Store

Eric Trump, the son of President Trump, showcased new Trump merchandise on Thursday, signaling that a third presidential run in 2028 is already in the works.  

President Trump has hinted numerous times recently that he is weighing his options for a 2028 presidential run.

The President even quipped that he’d “love” to face Barack Obama in 2028 during a recent Executive Order signing in the Oval Office last month.

WATCH: President Trump Says He’d “Love” to Run Against Obama for Third Term – “That Would be a Good One”

In another instance, President Trump told reporters that several “methods” could be used to make him President for a third term. “I’m not joking,” he added.

War Room host and Trump advisor Steve Bannon told News Nation’s Chris Cuomo last month that he is a “firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028.”” I’ve already endorsed President Trump,” he continued, doubling down on his comments at CPAC in February.

GOP lawmakers are currently weighing the option of amending the 22nd Amendment, which limits the presidency to two terms, to allow President Trump to seek a third term.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, the Third Term Project, spearheaded by Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) who introduced a resolution in January 2025, is pushing for a constitutional amendment to permit a president to be elected up to three times, provided their prior terms were non-consecutive, a condition tailored to Trump as the only living ex-president with non-consecutive terms.

They argue that a third Trump term would “reverse the nation’s decay and restore America to greatness.”

Eric Trump is seemingly setting the stage already.

In response to an X post featuring a photo of Eric Trump wearing the new “Trump 2028” hat and claiming that Trump “will not run again,” Eric replied with the hashtag “NeverSayNever.”

A wonderful compliment! #NeverSayNever https://t.co/oJ9aGkLXWM

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) April 24, 2025

The second Trump son also posted a screenshot of the “Trump 2028” t-shirt design with subtext that reads, “(Rewrite the Rules)”

https://t.co/9ANjNT4QGt pic.twitter.com/6y5nDVVMI1

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) April 24, 2025

Trump 2028 merch is available here!

The post JUST IN: Eric Trump Showcases New “Trump 2028” Merchandise Signaling Third Term is in The Works – “Never Say Never” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth/Image: Video screenshot

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Chief of Staff Joe Kasper will leave his position at the Pentagon after three other Hegseth aides were fired last week.

Last week it was reported that Joe Kasper was going to take another job at the Defense Department amid a shakeup at the Pentagon after a probe into leaks.

According to Politico, Kasper will work as a special government employee.

Politico reported:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial chief of staff, who played a central role in a power struggle that gripped the Pentagon, will exit the agency today.

Joe Kasper was originally expected to transition to another role within the Defense Department, but is now planning to go back to government relations and consulting, he said in an interview.

He will continue to support and advise the Pentagon, he said, but as a special government employee. This will limit him to performing temporary jobs for just 130 days a year.

Last week an advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was put on leave and then ultimately fired for leaking.

Dan Caldwell, who was also a part of the Mike Waltz Houthi Signal chat group, was escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday for “an unauthorized disclosure,” according to Reuters.

Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg, were also placed on leave and escorted out of the Pentagon.

Joe Kasper reportedly had a “deep vendetta” against the the three aides who were fired last week, Fox News reported.

Kasper spearheaded the probe into the leaks to reporters.

“This is not about interpersonal conflict,” a Pentagon official told Fox News. “There is evidence of leaking. This is about unauthorized disclosures, up to and including classified information.”

The post BREAKING: Hegseth Chief of Staff Joe Kasper OUT at Pentagon appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Photo Courtesy of The Times of India

President Trump responded Thursday to Russian aggression in the Ukrainian Capital, saying he is “not happy” and telling Vladimir Putin the move was “not necessary, and very bad timing,” as he seeks to broker a peace deal and end the war. 

Per Epoch Times, at least nine were killed and more than 70 were injured Thursday in a missile strike on Kyiv, the largest since 2024, the Ukrainian government says.

President Trump demanded on Truth Social, “Vladimir, STOP!” and called for both countries to get a peace deal solidified:

I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!

The President met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Thursday at the White House to discuss the war and trade between Norway and the US.

Trump reiterated his concerns, telling reporters he “wasn’t happy.” He continued, “We’re in the midst of talking peace, and missiles were fired, and I was not happy with it. That’s what I meant and that’s what I said.”

This comes after President Trump on Wednesday signaled that Russia may be ready for peace and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal. “I think we have a deal with both,” he said. “I hope they do it.”

JUST IN: Trump Says “I Think We Have a Deal with Russia” on Peace with Ukraine – “I Think we Have a Deal with Both. I Hope They Do it”

As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump slammed Zelensky in a call for peace just hours earlier on Wednesday in response to Zelensky’s demands for the territory of Crimea on Tuesday.

Zelensky declared on Tuesday that Ukraine will not recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea, a statement that President Trump slammed as “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama” on Wednesday morning.

The President also addressed Crimea on Thursday during his meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. He again credited Obama for the loss, adding that reclaiming the territory would be “very difficult” and likely unfeasible.

WATCH:

Trump: When you say Crimea, that was handed over during a President named Barack Hussein Obama. That had nothing to do with me, Crimea. That was 11 years ago with Obama, and they made a decision. There wasn’t a bullet fired, there was no fighting, there was no anything, they just handed it over. Now, they say, ‘Well, can you get it back?’ I think that’s going to be a very difficult thing to do. That was given by Barack Obama when he was President, not by Donald Trump.

The Gateway Pundit will continue to provide updates on the war in Ukraine. 

The post President Trump Tells Putin to Stop Strikes on Kyiv – “Let’s Get The Peace Deal DONE!” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.