White House Says Trump’s Iran Campaign Is Ahead of Schedule, Pushes ‘Save America Act’ at Press Briefing
At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt outlined President Trump’s upcoming schedule and delivered an extensive update on both foreign policy and domestic priorities.
She said President Trump will travel Wednesday to Ohio and Kentucky, where he will promote what the administration describes as economic victories and efforts to lower prices for working Americans. According to the White House, Trump will visit Thermo Fisher Scientific in Ohio and speak at Vers Logistics in Kentucky. On Thursday, the president and the First Lady are expected to host a Women’s History Month event in the East Room, and on Friday Trump is scheduled to sign several executive orders.
A major focus of the briefing was Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran. Leavitt said the operation is progressing faster than expected and described it as a major success so far. She claimed that more than 5,000 enemy targets have already been struck, while Iranian ballistic missile attacks have fallen by more than 90 percent and drone attacks by about 85 percent since the operation began. She also said the Iranian navy has been severely degraded, with more than 50 vessels destroyed, including what she described as a major drone carrier ship.
According to the White House, the administration’s objectives remain unchanged: destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, eliminate its missile-production infrastructure, weaken its regional proxies, and ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. Leavitt said Trump remains confident these goals can be achieved quickly and said the operation will end only when the president decides Iran no longer poses a credible threat to the United States and its allies.
On energy and oil markets, Leavitt acknowledged temporary disruptions tied to the conflict, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. She said the administration has offered political-risk insurance to tankers in the Gulf, temporarily waived certain oil-related sanctions, and is prepared to use the U.S. Navy to escort vessels if necessary. She argued that recent increases in oil and gas prices are temporary and predicted that energy prices could eventually fall below pre-conflict levels once the operation’s objectives are met.
Leavitt also shifted to domestic policy, urging Congress to pass what she called the “Save America Act,” which she described as one of the administration’s top legislative priorities. She said the bill would require voter ID, proof of citizenship to register to vote, restrictions on universal mail-in voting while preserving some absentee-ballot exceptions, a permanent ban on men competing in women’s sports, and a ban on gender-transition surgeries for minors. She framed the legislation as a common-sense measure to protect election integrity and called on both Republicans and Democrats to support it.
During the question-and-answer session, Leavitt rejected Democratic claims that the voting provisions would disenfranchise married women who changed their names. She said already registered voters would not be affected and argued that those who need to update documents can do so through existing state procedures.
She also addressed funding problems affecting the Department of Homeland Security, saying Trump wants agencies such as TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard fully funded and reopened. Speaking about federal workers and travelers affected by the disruption, she blamed Democrats in Congress and urged Americans to pressure lawmakers to restore funding.
On the military timeline, Leavitt said the original estimate for Operation Epic Fury was four to six weeks, but claimed U.S. forces are moving ahead of schedule. Asked whether “boots on the ground” remain possible, she said Trump does not rule out options as commander-in-chief, but declined to confirm any specific plans. She also avoided directly endorsing the idea of regime change in Iran, while suggesting it would obviously be better for the United States and its allies not to have a radical regime in power there.
Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. Navy has not yet escorted any tankers, despite an earlier social-media post from the energy secretary suggesting otherwise. She said that post was quickly deleted and referred further questions to the Department of Energy.
Asked about reports that around 150 U.S. service members have been injured, Leavitt said that figure sounded plausible but deferred precise casualty numbers to the Pentagon. She also declined to provide specifics on potential sanctions changes, including questions about Venezuela and Russia, saying discussions are ongoing.
Other topics raised during the briefing included Russia’s contacts with Iran, Pakistan’s possible role in the conflict, the status of an investigation into a strike on an Iranian school, Cuba’s economic crisis, the new “Shield of the Americas” coalition focused on countering cartels, homeland-security threat levels, and the recent attempted bombing in New York City. Leavitt described the New York attack as despicable and said the FBI, Justice Department, and Southern District of New York are pursuing charges.
Toward the end of the briefing, Leavitt highlighted new tax data, saying millions of Americans are already seeing benefits from Trump’s recently passed tax package. She said the average federal tax refund is now above $3,700 and pointed to millions of returns claiming new tax breaks, including deductions related to tips, overtime, seniors, and car-loan interest.
Overall, the White House used the briefing to present a message of confidence: that Trump’s Iran operation is advancing faster than planned, that temporary market disruptions are under control, and that Congress should urgently move on the administration’s domestic agenda, especially the Save America Act.
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a unanimous 9–0 decision in Urias-Orellana v. Bondi, a ruling that could make it significantly harder for asylum seekers to overturn denials in federal court. In an opinion written by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and released on March 4, 2026, the Court held that federal courts of appeals must apply the deferential “substantial evidence” standard when reviewing an immigration agency’s conclusion that an applicant’s experiences do not legally amount to persecution.
The case arose from an asylum claim filed by a family from El Salvador. An immigration judge found the lead petitioner’s testimony credible but still concluded that the evidence did not establish either past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution under U.S. asylum law. The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit also upheld that result. The Supreme Court then took the case to decide what standard appellate courts must use when reviewing that type of determination.
At the center of the dispute was a narrow but important legal question: when an immigration judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals conclude that a given set of facts does not rise to the level of “persecution,” should a federal appeals court review that conclusion deferentially, or should it reconsider the issue from scratch? The Supreme Court answered that question in favor of deference. It ruled that courts of appeals must review both the agency’s factual findings and its application of the Immigration and Nationality Act to those facts under the substantial-evidence standard, rather than conducting a fresh, independent review.
That standard matters because it gives immigration adjudicators a strong advantage once a case reaches federal appellate review. Under substantial-evidence review, an asylum applicant does not win simply by showing that another judge might have ruled differently. Instead, the applicant must show that the record compels the opposite conclusion — in other words, that any reasonable adjudicator would have been forced to find persecution. The Court said that this framework is grounded in the Immigration and Nationality Act and in prior Supreme Court precedent.
In practical terms, the ruling strengthens the hand of the immigration system in asylum disputes and narrows the room for successful appeals in federal court. It does not eliminate judicial review, and it does not mean asylum claims can no longer be challenged. But it does mean that once an immigration judge and the BIA have rejected a claim, federal appeals courts will have less freedom to second-guess that determination. That is why the ruling is already being viewed as a meaningful victory for the federal government in immigration litigation.
The legal question in Urias-Orellana was technical, but the political implications are easy to see. Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement are likely to view the ruling as a step toward faster and more predictable removal proceedings, especially in cases where asylum claims are denied at the agency level. Immigration advocates, by contrast, are likely to see it as another decision that raises the bar for vulnerable migrants seeking protection in the United States. That tension helps explain why a fairly technical administrative-law ruling is getting broader attention well beyond legal circles. This political reaction is an inference from the decision’s likely effects, rather than language used by the Court itself.
It is also important to be precise about what the Supreme Court did not do. The justices did not announce a wholesale shutdown of asylum claims, and they did not rule that all federal courts are cut out of immigration review. The decision specifically addressed the standard that federal courts of appeals must use when reviewing a BIA determination about whether undisputed facts amount to persecution. That makes the ruling significant, but narrower than some political commentators are portraying it.
For media audiences, the case offers two separate stories. One is the legal story: the Supreme Court unanimously clarified that asylum-related persecution determinations receive deferential review in the federal appellate system. The second is the political story: the ruling is likely to be used as evidence by supporters of tougher immigration enforcement that the courts are aligning more closely with executive enforcement priorities. Both stories are real, but they are not identical — and the difference matters.
In a March 10, 2026 White House article, the Trump administration presented a running list of major U.S. investment announcements made during President Trump’s second term, arguing that his economic agenda is driving a surge in domestic manufacturing, technology, energy, and pharmaceutical expansion. The list includes massive commitments from companies such as Apple, Meta, NVIDIA, Amazon, TSMC, Google, Hyundai, Eli Lilly, and many others, with projects tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductor production, data centers, drug manufacturing, steel, energy, and logistics. The article also cites large investment pledges from foreign governments including the UAE, Qatar, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Bahrain, framing the overall wave of commitments as evidence of renewed confidence in the U.S. economy and a broader push to bring production, jobs, and strategic industries back to America.
TRUMP EFFECT: A Running List of New U.S. Investment in President Trump’s Second Term
Since President Donald J. Trump took office, his unwavering commitment to revitalizing American industry has spurred trillions of dollars of investments in U.S. manufacturing, production, and innovation — and the list only continues to grow.
Here is a non-comprehensive running list of new U.S.-based investments in President Trump’s second term:
Appleannounced a $600 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and workforce training as it brings additional components of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing back to the U.S. — along with an American manufacturing program to incentivize its suppliers to make their products in the U.S.
Meta announced a $600 billion investment by 2028 to support AI technology, infrastructure, and workforce expansion in the U.S.
Project Stargate, led by Japan-based Softbank and U.S.-based OpenAI and Oracle, announced a $500 billion private investment in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure.
NVIDIA, a global chipmaking giant, announced it will invest $500 billion in U.S.-based AI infrastructure over the next four years amid its pledge to manufacture AI supercomputers entirely in the U.S. for the first time.
Amazonannounced it invested $340 billion in the U.S. last year and will invest an additional $20 billion to expand its cloud computing infrastructure in Pennsylvania, creating at least 1,250 new high-skilled jobs, $10 billion to build new data centers in North Carolina, and another $4 billion in small towns across America, creating more than 100,000 new jobs and driving opportunities across the country.
AT&Tannounced a $250 billion investment to build our wireless network and data infrastructure across the country.
Micron Technology, the sole U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced memory chips, announced a $200 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing and production of advanced memory chips — including construction of a second chip fabrication facility in Boise, Idaho, and modernizing its Manassas, Virginia, facility.
IBM announced a $150 billion investment over the next five years in its U.S.-based growth and manufacturing operations.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
Johnson & Johnsonannounced a $55 billion investment over the next four years in manufacturing, research and development, and technology — including a $2 billion dedicated manufacturing facility at the FUJIFILM site in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
AstraZenecaannounced a $50 billion investment for medicines manufacturing and research in the U.S.
Anthropic announced a $50 billion investment in American AI infrastructure, including new data centers in Texas and New York.
Roche, a Swiss drug and diagnostics company, announced a $50 billion investment in U.S.-based manufacturing and research and development, which is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs and more than 12,000 jobs including construction.
Bristol Myers Squibbannounced a $40 billion investment over the next five years in its research, development, technology, and U.S.-based manufacturing operations.
GSK announced a $30 billion investment in U.S.-based research and development and manufacturing.
Eli Lilly and Companyannounced a $27 billion investment to more than double its domestic manufacturing capacity.
Hyundaiannounced a $26 billion U.S.-based investment — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs.
Vantage Data Centersannounced a $25 billion investment to build a mega-scale 1.4GW data center campus in Shackelford County, Texas — which will employ more than 5,000 people across construction and ongoing operations.
United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partnersannounced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
Googleannounced a $25 billion investment in data center and AI infrastructure.
Blackstoneannounced a $25 billion investment in digital and energy infrastructure across Pennsylvania.
Novartis, a Swiss drugmaker, announced a $23 billion investment to build or expand ten manufacturing facilities across the U.S., which will create 4,000 new jobs.
John Deereannounced plans to invest $20 billion over the next decade in American expansion, production, and manufacturing — including onshoring manufacturing of its excavator.
United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Propertiesannounced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
Sanofiannounced it will invest at least $20 billion over the next five years in manufacturing and research and development.
Venture Global LNG announced an $18 billion investment at its liquefied natural gas facility in Louisiana.
Woodside Energy Group announced a $17.5 billion investment for a new liquefied natural gas facility in Louisiana.
GlobalFoundariesannounced a $16 billion investment to boost its U.S.-based chip production, including expanding existing plants in New York and Vermont.
FirstEnergy Corp.announced a $15 billion investment in infrastructure enhancements.
Nippon Steel announced it will invest $14 billion in U.S. Steel’s operations, including a $4 billion new steel mill.
Stellantis announced a $13 billion investment in the U.S. — the largest single investment in the company’s history — to expand its U.S.-based production by over 50%.
Gilead Sciencesannounced an $11 billion boost to its planned U.S.-based manufacturing investment.
AbbVieannounced a $10 billion investment over the next ten years to support volume growth and add four new manufacturing plants to its network — including a $195 million investment to expand its U.S.-based drug production capacity.
JPMorganChase announced a $10 billion investment to help U.S.-based companies enhance growth and accelerate strategic manufacturing.
Merck & Co.announced it will invest a total of $9 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility — including in a new state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing plant in Delaware, which will create at least 500 new jobs.
PPLannounced a $6.8 billion investment to expand grid capacity and modernize transmission.
CoreWeave, Inc., announced a $6 billion investment in data center expansion.
Westinghouseannounced a $6 billion investment to build ten large nuclear reactors in the U.S.
Clariosannounced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
Belgium-based drugmaker UCBannounced a $5 billion investment in a new U.S.-based factory.
Fordannounced it will invest $5 billion across its Kentucky and Michigan manufacturing plants to deliver a new midsize truck and advanced batteries.
Pratt Industriesannounced a $5 billion investment to create 5,000 new manufacturing jobs in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
South Korea-based Hanwha Groupannounced a $5 billion infrastructure investment at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard to boost local shipbuilding.
GlobalWafers, a Taiwanese silicon wafer manufacturer, announced a $4 billion investment in its U.S.-based production.
General Motorsannounced it will invest $4 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing as it shifts more vehicle production from Mexico to the U.S., including in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee — including an $888 million investment at its propulsion plant in Tonawanda, New York. The company also announced it will move production of its Buick Envision SUV from China to the U.S.
Mitsubishiannounced a $3.9 billion investment in energy.
Shintech announced it will invest $3.4 billion to expand production capacity at its existing Louisiana polyvinyl chloride facility.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a leader in biotechnology, announced a $3 billion agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to produce drugs at its North Carolina manufacturing facility.
Kraft Heinzannounced a $3 billion investment to upgrade its U.S. factories — its largest investment in its plants in decades.
GE Appliancesannounced a $3 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing, onshoring 1,000 jobs and expanding its plants across five states.
NorthMark Strategies, a multi-strategy investment firm, announced a $2.8 billion investment to build a supercomputing facility in South Carolina.
Thermo Fisher Scientificannounced it will invest an additional $2 billion over the next four years to enhance and expand its U.S. manufacturing operations and strengthen its innovation efforts.
Amkor Technology announced a $2 billion investment in a new advanced semiconductor packaging and test facility in Arizona — adding 2,000 new jobs.
Biogenannounced a $2 billion investment in North Carolina-based manufacturing.
Mars, Inc., announced a $2 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing operations.
GE Aerospaceannounced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing last year, creating 5,000 new jobs — then announced another $1 billion investment this year, benefiting sites across 30 communities in 17 states and creating an additional 5,000 new jobs.
Kimberly-Clarkannounced a $2 billion investment to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations, including a new advanced manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, an expansion of its Beech Island, South Carolina, facility, and other upgrades to its supply chain network.
Chobani, a Greek yogurt giant, announced $1.7 billion to expand its U.S. operations, including $1.2 billion to build its third U.S. dairy processing plant in New York, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs, and $500 million to expand its Idaho manufacturing plant.
Oklo announced a $1.68 billion investment to build a fuel recycling facility in Tennessee.
Corning announced it is expanding its Michigan manufacturing facility investment to $1.5 billion, adding 400 new high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs for a total of 1,500 new jobs.
Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced a $1.3 billion investment to build a new fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
MP Materials Corp. announced a $1.25 billion investment to build a new rare earth magnet manufacturing facility in Texas.
First Solarannounced the inauguration of its $1.1 billion high-tech manufacturing facility in Louisiana, which projected to directly employ over 800 people.
Carrierannounced an additional $1 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing, innovation, and workforce expansion, which is expected to create 4,000 new jobs.
Cencora announced a $1 billion investment to strengthen its U.S. distribution network.
Siemens Energy announced a $1 billion investment to scale up U.S.-based production of grid and gas turbine equipment and expand its apprenticeship and training programs.
Hikma Pharmaceuticalsannounced a $1 billion investment to expand its U.S.-based manufacturing and research capabilities.
Vaxcyte announced a $1 billion American manufacturing investment.
Anduril Industriesannounced a $1 billion investment for a new autonomous weapons system facility in Ohio.
Live Nation Entertainmentannounced a $1 billion investment to build 18 new live music venues across the U.S.
Hitachiannounced a $1 billion investment in American energy infrastructure, including a new $457 billion power transformer facility in Virginia.
Williams Internationalannounced a $1 billion investment for a new high-volume aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing facility in Okaloosa County, Florida.
Amgenannounced a $900 million investment in its Ohio-based manufacturing operation.
Merck Animal Healthannounced an $895 million investment to expand their manufacturing operations in Kansas.
U.S. Forged Rings announced an $875 million investment in a new North Carolina production facility.
ElementUSA announced an $850 million investment to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in Louisiana.
Schneider Electricannounced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
LS Cable & System announced a $689 investment to expand its presence and strengthen U.S. energy infrastructure.
GE Vernovaannounced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
Abbott Laboratoriesannounced a $500 million investment in its Illinois and Texas facilities.
AIP Management, a European infrastructure investor, announced a $500 million investment to solar developer Silicon Ranch.
Jabilannounced a $500 million investment in manufacturing and AI data center infrastructure across the southeastern U.S.
Avio announced a $500 million investment in a new Virginia-based manufacturing facility.
JCB announced a $500 million investment to double the size of its Texas manufacturing facility.
Swire Coca-Cola, USA announced a $475 investment in a new Colorado-based manufacturing facility.
Wistron Corp, a Taiwanese electronics and AI server manufacturer, announced a $455 million investment to establish its new U.S.-based subsidiary.
London-based Diageoannounced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
Silver Lake announced a $400 million investment in a digital infrastructure platform.
Legoannounced a $366 million investment to build a new distribution center in Prince George County, Virginia.
The Bel Groupannounced a $350 million investment to expand its U.S.-based production, including at its South Dakota, Idaho, and Wisconsin facilities — which will create 250 new jobs.
Dublin-based Eaton Corporationannounced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
Anheuser-Buschannounced a $300 million investment in its manufacturing facilities across the country.
Whirlpool Corporationannounced a $300 million investment in its U.S. laundry manufacturing facilities.
Scout Motors announced a $300 million investment to build a new Supplier Park in South Carolina.
Germany-based Siemensannounced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
Samsung Biologics announced a $280 million investment to build a new Maryland production facility.
Clasen Quality Chocolateannounced a $230 million investment to build a new production facility in Virginia, which will create 250 new jobs.
Hadrian, a defense manufacturing startup, announced a $200 million investment to build a large-scale manufacturing and software hub in Mesa, Arizona.
Pratt & Whitney announced a $200 million investment to expand its Georgia-based operations.
Fiserv, Inc., a financial technology provider, announced a $175 million investment to open a new strategic fintech hub in Kansas, which is expected to create 2,000 new high-paying jobs.
Paris Baguetteannounced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
Philipsannounced a $150 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and research facilities.
Siemens Healthineersannounced a $150 million investment to expand production, including relocating manufacturing operations for its Varian company from Mexico to California.
JBS USAannounced a $135 million investment for a new sausage production facility in Perry, Iowa.
TS Conductor announced a $134 million investment to build an advanced conductor manufacturing facility in South Carolina, which will create nearly 500 new jobs.
Switzerland-based ABBannounced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announcedplans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
ALUKO Group announced an $107 million investment in a new Tennessee aluminum manufacturing facility.
Hotpack, a Dubai-based maker of food packaging materials and related products, announced a $100 million investment to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey.
Charms, LLC, a subsidiary of candymaker Tootsie Roll Industries, announced a $97.7 million investment to expand its production plant and distribution center in Tennessee.
Toyota Motor announced plans to invest $10 billion more than previously expected in the U.S. over the next decade, including a $912 million investment in manufacturing plants across five southern states and an $88 million investment to boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia factory.
Taiwan-based iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp. announced an $85 million investment to establish a new U.S. subsidiary and production facility.
China-based Kingsunannounced an $80 billion investment to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in North Carolina.
Rolls-Royceannounced a $75 million investment to expand its South Carolina manufacturing facility.
Arm Inc. announced a $71 million investment to expand its Texas campus and build a new semiconductor lab.
Hanwha Oceanannounced a $70 million investment to expand its Philadelphia shipyard.
Hydrite Chemical Co. announced a $63 million investment to expand its manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
Germany-based Butting Group announced a $61 million investment to build its first U.S.-based stainless steel pipe manufacturing facility in Alabama.
Century Aluminum announced it will invest $50 million to revive its South Carolina manufacturing plant for the first time in a decade, bringing its production back to 2015 peak levels.
Canada-based Silver Hills Bakeryannounced a $48.5 million investment to revive the former Kellogg’s facility in Tennessee.
AeroVironment, a defense contractor, announced a $42.3 million investment to build a new manufacturing facility in Utah.
Paris-based Saint-Gobainannounced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
DMG MORI announced a $40.5 million investment to expand its Illinois manufacturing operation.
Hoffman & Hoffman announced a $40 million investment to expand its North Carolina manufacturing campus.
Georg Utz Inc. announced a $40 million investment to construct a new manufacturing facility in South Carolina.
Echodyne announced a $40 million investment in a new manufacturing facility.
India-based Syngene Internationalannounced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
Germany-based KettenWulf announced a $34 million investment in to expand its U.S.-based manufacturing operation.
The GE Aerospace Foundationannounced a $30 million workforce skills training program to prepare the next generation of its U.S.-based workforce.
Valbruna Slater Stainlessannounced a $28 million investment in its stainless steel and nickel alloys bars manufacturing plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Nortian Foodtechannounced a $22.2 million investment in a Missouri manufacturing facility.
J.M. Smucker Co. announced a $20.5 million investment to expand its manufacturing plant in Topeka, Kansas.
Cyclic Materials, a Canadian advanced recycling company for rare earth elements, announced a $20 million investment in its first U.S.-based commercial facility, located in Mesa, Arizona.
Guardian Bikesannounced a $19 million investment to build the first U.S.-based large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in Indiana.
Preciball USA announced a $17.6 million investment for a new production facility in Georgia.
Amsterdam-based AMG Critical Mineralsannounced a $15 million investment to build a chrome manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
Midwest Equipment Manufacturing, Inc.announced a $15 million investment to expand its Kentucky factory.
Il Pastaio announced a $12.5 million investment to open its first U.S.-based pasta manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
Bad Boy Mowers Co. announced a $10.5 million investment to build a new tractor facility in Alabama.
NOVONIX Limited, an Australia-based battery technology company, announced a $4.6 million investment to build a synthetic graphite manufacturing facility in Tennessee.
LGM Pharmaannounced a $6 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in Rosenberg, Texas.
That doesn’t even include the U.S. investments pledged by foreign countries:
United Arab Emirates committed to investing $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade.
Qatar committed to generating $1.2 trillion in an economic exchange between the two countries.
Japan announced a $1 trillion investment in the U.S.
Saudi Arabia committed investing $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.
South Korea committed to a $450 billion investment in U.S. energy products.
t’s a highly partisan commentary video by Benny Johnson about the March 7 protest outside Gracie Mansion and the later arrest of two men accused of throwing improvised explosive devices there. In the clip, Johnson argues that Mayor Zohran Mamdani focused too much on condemning the anti-Muslim protest as “white supremacy” and not enough on condemning the alleged ISIS-inspired attackers. That framing is based on a real mayoral statement and press conference, but the video is presented as polemic, not neutral reporting.
The underlying event itself is real. Federal prosecutors say Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, traveled from Pennsylvania and allegedly threw homemade bombs containing explosive material and shrapnel at an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion. The DOJ says they were inspired by ISIS and charged them with terrorism-related offenses, including attempting to provide material support to ISIS and using a weapon of mass destruction. Reuters likewise reports the devices contained TATP and that no one was injured because police intervened quickly.
What Benny is reacting to is also real: in the mayor’s March 8 statement, Mamdani said, “white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism,” and then said the attempted use of an explosive device was “criminal” and “reprehensible.” In the March 9 press conference, Mamdani again called the protest “rooted in white supremacy,” but he also explicitly said the two men “are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism” and that the devices were IEDs made to “injure, maim or worse.”
So the video’s basic message is: “Mamdani blamed white supremacy / Islamophobia instead of clearly focusing on Islamist terrorism.” That is an interpretation, not a full description. A more accurate summary would be: Mamdani condemned both the anti-Muslim protest and the bomb attack, though critics argue his first public reaction emphasized the protest’s bigotry more than the attackers’ ISIS link. Later that same day, after charges were announced, he called it a “heinous act of terrorism” and said the suspects had proclaimed allegiance to ISIS.
A few things in Benny’s clip are rhetoric rather than established fact. Calling the rally simply a “peaceful protest” leaves out that Reuters described it as a far-right anti-Muslim demonstration with provocative anti-Muslim symbols, and there were also counterprotesters and other arrests. Also, the video uses insult-heavy language and repeatedly misspeaks Mamdani’s name, which tells you the goal is persuasion and outrage, not balance.
So, in plain English: the video says Mamdani responded to an alleged ISIS-inspired bomb attack by talking about white supremacy and Islamophobia, and Benny uses that to argue the mayor is morally and politically unfit. The incident is real; the video’s presentation is aggressively slanted. If you want, I can also give you a clean neutral summary for an article or a fact-check version point by point.
New York City officials say what began as a deeply divisive anti-Muslim protest on the Upper East Side nearly ended in bloodshed after two men allegedly hurled improvised explosive devices toward the crowd in what investigators are now treating as ISIS-inspired terrorism.
Speaking publicly after the incident, Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the rally — organized under the banner “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” — as a “vile protest rooted in white supremacy,” while also insisting that even hateful demonstrations remain protected under the Constitution so long as they remain peaceful.
But peace ended the moment explosives entered the scene.
According to city officials, two suspects — Amir Balot and Ibrahim Caillumi, both from Pennsylvania — traveled to New York and are accused of throwing two devices toward the protest area. The NYPD says the devices were not smoke bombs, not hoaxes, but real improvised explosive devices capable of causing serious injury or death.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said one of the devices contained TATP — triacetone triperoxide, a highly unstable homemade explosive notorious for its use in terror attacks around the world. Investigators later found a third suspicious device inside a vehicle linked to the suspects on East End Avenue, triggering evacuations of nearby residential buildings. That third device ultimately tested negative for explosive material, but the message from law enforcement was unmistakable: the threat was real, and the consequences could have been catastrophic.
The NYPD says the case is being prosecuted in federal court in Manhattan, and officials declined to disclose additional details ahead of the criminal complaint being unsealed. Still, Tisch made one point crystal clear: this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism, not random street disorder.
The mayor, who noted that he and his wife were not home at the time, used the moment to draw a hard line between free speech and political violence. Mamdani said he found the protest “appalling,” but defended the right of even those he strongly opposes to demonstrate peacefully. At the same time, he warned that New York City will not tolerate violence from either protesters or counterprotesters.
That distinction matters. Officials said many counterprotesters responded peacefully, presenting what the mayor described as a more inclusive vision of the city. But others, authorities allege, crossed into criminal extremism.
What prevented the situation from spiraling further, city leaders said, was the immediate response of NYPD officers already on scene. Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navaro were singled out for running toward the danger as the devices were lit and thrown in a crowded protest setting. Officials credited them and other responding officers with preventing what could have become one of the most serious terrorism incidents in New York in years.
Tisch stressed just how grave the episode was. The last time an IED aimed at people was deployed in New York City, she noted, was the 2017 Port Authority bombing. This time, once again, the city escaped mass casualties — not because the threat was minor, but because police moved fast and the devices failed to produce the devastation they were apparently designed to cause.
The broader context is impossible to ignore. The commissioner said New York has remained on a heightened state of alert since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, and counterterror resources remain deployed citywide, including bomb squad assets, K-9 units, aviation support, and heavy weapons teams. At the same time, officials said they have no evidence so far directly linking this case to events overseas.
The political implications are also stark. A protest denounced as anti-Muslim and white supremacist was met not just by ideological confrontation, but by alleged terror violence from men authorities say came from out of state. In a city already strained by global tensions, religious polarization, and security fears, the incident exposed how fast New York’s streets can become a battlefield for imported extremism, domestic hatred, and retaliatory violence all at once.
For now, city officials are urging patience as the federal prosecution moves forward. But the facts already known are alarming enough: an openly anti-Muslim demonstration, explosive devices thrown into a crowded protest, a homemade terror compound identified by investigators, and a third suspicious device recovered from a vehicle in a residential area of Manhattan.
New York avoided a massacre. That is the headline beneath all the politics.
Several people were taken into custody after suspicious devices were thrown during a clash between anti-Islam demonstrators and counterprotesters near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
During an anti-Islam demonstration outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, suspicious devices were thrown, one of which reportedly began to smoke. NYPD detained several individuals, and the incident near the mayor’s home quickly sparked renewed debate over public safety, political violence, and how city leaders respond to extremist confrontations in New York.
A video commentary now circulating online focuses on the chaotic protest scene outside Gracie Mansion, where an anti-Islam demonstration was met by a much larger counterprotest. According to the footage and news clips cited in the video, tensions escalated rapidly as shouting, physical confrontations, pepper spray, and the throwing of suspicious devices turned the area into a major police emergency.
The central claim of the video is that this was not just another disorderly protest, but a potentially deadly act of political violence. The commentator highlights police descriptions of the devices, the emergency response by NYPD, and the fact that the incident unfolded outside the residence of New York City’s mayor. The video argues that the use of a smoking device during a politically charged street confrontation should be treated as a far more serious threat than a routine protest-related arrest.
A major focus of the commentary is the political response that followed. The author criticizes Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that City Hall strongly condemned the anti-Islam protest and its organizer, but was less direct in publicly characterizing those accused of throwing the devices toward demonstrators and police. That criticism becomes the core of the video’s message: not only what happened outside Gracie Mansion, but how officials chose to frame it afterward.
The video ultimately goes beyond straight news coverage and turns into a broader argument about free speech, public safety, and political double standards in New York City. From the commentator’s perspective, even a highly controversial protest should not be met with violent retaliation, and the failure to describe such acts in the strongest terms raises deeper concerns about extremism and selective outrage.
As a result, the incident at Gracie Mansion is presented not simply as a local disturbance, but as a warning sign about rising ideological tension in New York. Whether viewers agree with the protest itself or not, the video insists that throwing dangerous devices into a volatile crowd crosses a line that city leaders should condemn without ambiguity.
President Donald Trump’s March 7, 2026 proclamation lays out an aggressive new anti-cartel doctrine, calling for the destruction of criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere “to the fullest extent possible consistent with applicable law.” The proclamation says the United States will work with allies to strip these groups of territory, money, weapons access, and outside influence, while training and mobilizing partner-nation militaries to build a stronger regional force against cartel violence. It also highlights the newly formed Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, involving representatives from 17 countries, as a sign that Washington is pushing beyond law enforcement toward a broader hard-power strategy against organized crime.
COMMITMENT TO COUNTERING CARTEL CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The United States, under my leadership, has demonstrated a sustained commitment towards achieving the dismantlement of cartels and foreign terrorists operating in the Western Hemisphere. My Administration has designated a number of cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations and has since dedicated unprecedented resources towards their destruction. These international entities control territories and commerce, extort political and judicial systems, wield arms and field military capabilities, and use assassinations and terrorism to achieve their ends. In furtherance of our efforts, the Secretary of War established the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, a pledge from military leaders and representatives from 17 countries demonstrating that the region is ready to operationalize hard power to defeat these threats to our security and civilization. We will address these grave dangers by use of any necessary resources and legally available authorities, together with our partner nations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim as follows:
(1) Criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere should be demolished to the fullest extent possible consistent with applicable law.
(2) The United States and its allies should coordinate to deprive these organizations of any control of territory and access to financing or resources necessary to conduct their campaigns of violence.
(3) The United States will train and mobilize partner nation militaries to achieve the most effective fighting force necessary to dismantle cartels and their ability to export violence and pursue influence through organized intimidation.
(4) The United States and its allies should keep external threats at bay, including malign foreign influences from outside the Western Hemisphere.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
It’s a pretty wild time, but it’s going very well. Sit down, please.
Tremendous progress has been made, as you’re probably seeing just by watching. We’re doing something very significant. I built the military, rebuilt it, and made it really strong during my first administration. Along with a lot of other things we did, we had a great first term, and now we’re using that strength. Unfortunately, we have to. But you’re seeing how great it is. There is no military like it on Earth — not even close.
And we’re doing very well in Iran. You can see the results. It’s been amazing. We knocked out 42 Navy ships, some of them very large, in three days. That was the end of their Navy. We knocked out their air force. We knocked out their communications — all telecommunications are gone. I don’t know how they communicate now, but I guess they’ll figure something out. It’s not working out too well for them. And they are bad people — just bad people.
When you look at October 7 and everything beyond October 7, look at all the killing they’ve done over 47 years. This had to be done. They were very close to a nuclear weapon. They would have had one if we hadn’t carried out our B-2 strike, Midnight Hammer. They would have had a nuclear weapon eight months ago. And you know they’re crazy — they would have used it. So we did the world a favor.
Someone asked me, “On a scale of 0 to 10, how are you doing with the attack?” I said, “About a 15,” with 10 being the best. It’s something that had to be done, and we’re doing it well. I want to thank everybody involved.
I’ll be leaving right after this for Dover. It’s a very sad situation. I’m going there to greet the families of the heroes coming home from Iran — coming home in a very different way than they thought they would. But they are great heroes in our country, and we’re going to keep it that way. When it comes to war, there is always tragedy. But we’re going to keep it to a minimum, I think, Pete. And what we’re doing is really a service — not just for the Middle East, but for the world. These were sick people, very sick people.
This morning, I’m honored to welcome distinguished heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere for the first Shield of the Americas Summit. It is something very, very special. Marco has been working on it very hard, and so have a lot of other people, because this region is very important to us. It’s nice to be home. It’s very important. We travel all over the world — 9,000 miles away, 12,000 miles away. I ask, “How long is this flight, sir?” “Nineteen hours.” I say, “Oh, that’s great.” Now I have flights that last two hours. I like that much better.
But on this historic day, we come together to announce a brand-new military coalition to eradicate the criminal cartels plaguing our region. We were talking backstage, and you were telling me about the crime and the cartels. We’re knocking the hell out of them where we can, and we’re going to go even heavier. You saw what we were doing with the boats coming in. There aren’t many people coming in by boat anymore. Drugs coming in by sea are down 96%. We’re trying to find out who the other 4% are, because I think they must be the bravest people in the world — or maybe they just don’t watch television.
We’re calling this military partnership the America’s Counter-Cartel Coalition. That’s what you need. The cartels seem to grow unbelievably rapidly in this region, largely because of drugs. Earlier this week in Miami, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who is right here — Pete, you’re fantastic, doing a great job, we’re proud of you — and representatives of 17 different nations formally entered into this new alliance.
At the heart of our agreement is a commitment to using lethal military force to destroy the sinister cartels and terrorist networks once and for all. We’ll get rid of them. We need your help. You just have to tell us where they are. We have amazing weaponry, as you have probably noticed over the last short period of time.
I want to thank the members of the coalition, most of whom are friends of mine, and a few of whom I just met. Many of them I endorsed, and they took that endorsement and went on to win big. I haven’t had a bad endorsement yet.
The President of Argentina is here — Javier Milei, thank you very much for being here. The President of El Salvador, another friend — a man we’ve gotten very close to. When I first saw him, I thought he was too young, but then I saw the job he did and I changed my mind. He has been a great president, and we appreciate the relationship very much.
Also here are the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña; the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino; the President of Honduras; the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali; the President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz; the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves; the president-elect of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández Delgado; the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader; and the president-elect of Chile, José Kast. Congratulations to all of you.
I want to thank Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his leadership in organizing this really important summit. He’s fantastic — a fantastic Secretary of State. Thus far, we’ve had the most incredible year of any president. I ended eight wars. We’re not going into all of that today, but what we’ve done is incredible, and we’re going to be doing some incredible things together.
All of the nations in this room share the same priorities: security, prosperity, free commerce, and the rule of law. That’s why together we are also forming the Shield of the Americas, a new organization to advance these shared priorities in our hemisphere.
For decades, leaders in this region allowed large swaths of territory in the Western Hemisphere to come under the control of transnational gangs and bloodthirsty cartels that impose their will through murder, torture, extortion, drug trafficking, bribery, and terror. Some of you are in danger — real danger. It’s hard to believe, but we are working with you to do whatever we have to do. If you need help, we will help.
Many of the cartels have developed sophisticated military operations. In some cases, they are said to be more powerful than the military in the country itself. We cannot have that. These brutal criminal organizations pose an unacceptable threat to national security, and they provide a dangerous gateway for foreign adversaries in our region. They are a cancer, and we do not want that cancer spreading.
Every leader here today is united in the conviction that we cannot and will not tolerate this lawlessness in our hemisphere any longer. The only way to defeat these enemies is by unleashing the power of our militaries. You have to use your military. You cannot fight these people with ordinary policing alone.
Just as we formed a coalition to eradicate ISIS in the Middle East, we must now do the same to eradicate the cartels closer to home. As part of our commitment to countering cartel violence, we must recognize that the epicenter of cartel violence is Mexico. The Mexican cartels are fueling and orchestrating much of the bloodshed and chaos in this hemisphere. The United States government will do whatever is necessary to defend our national security and protect the safety of the American people.
At the same time, all of us must recommit ourselves to ensuring law and order within our own nations. That includes showing zero tolerance for gang activity. The savages who murder and rape with impunity must be permanently removed from society. We must not allow our criminal justice systems to be corrupted so that they protect criminals at the expense of the people.
By securing our border and cracking down on traffickers and smugglers, we’ve reduced fentanyl pouring across our border by 67% in our first year. With a little more time, we’ll do even better. We’ve also been working closely with many of you to end human smuggling and implement safe third-country agreements.
We are also looking forward to major change in Venezuela and Cuba. Under our new doctrine — and it is a doctrine — we will not allow hostile foreign influence to gain a foothold in this hemisphere. That includes the Panama Canal. Together, we will protect our sovereignty, our security, and our cherished freedom and independence.
The nations gathered here today are filled with unlimited potential. But to fulfill that tremendous potential, we must smash the grip of the cartels, criminal gangs, and violent organizations that have terrorized our people for too long. With the courage and resolve of the leaders in this room, we will make our nations safer, stronger, richer, and more successful than ever before.
So I want to thank you all very much for coming. I look forward to the incredible progress that is soon to come. You’re going to see some incredible things. And now I’d like to ask Secretary Rubio and Secretary Hegseth to say a few words. Then I will sign a proclamation formally launching the America’s Counter-Cartel Coalition.
Thank you all very much for being here. We appreciate it.
— On Power Hour with Gabriella Power, the host and a lineup of guests framed “Operation Epic Fury” as a decisive, world-shifting blow against Iran’s terrorist regime—while ridiculing Democratic leaders and Hollywood celebrities for criticizing the campaign.
Five days into the operation, Gabriella Power opened with a triumphant tone, telling viewers President Trump says “we’re winning,” and joking that when asked to rate progress “on a scale of 10,” he gave it “about a 15.” The segment quickly turned political: Power mocked Democrats for allegedly refusing to acknowledge American strength or the claim that Iranians are “still celebrating around the world.”
Big moments from the episode
1) Guests praise the operation—while stressing it’s “provoked,” not optional
Filmmaker Army Horowits told the show he expected Trump-style bravado, but argued the operation’s results justify the confidence. In Horowits’ telling, the campaign reversed a narrative that the U.S. no longer has “teeth,” and restored deterrence in the region.
At the same time, Horowits pushed back on claims he said are circulating across the political spectrum that Israel “dragged” the U.S. into war. He argued that framing is wrong on the facts and inflammatory in its implications, adding that Trump is “Mr. Agency” and makes his own decisions.
Throughout the discussion, the show repeatedly presented the war as “completely provoked,” pointing to long-running Iranian hostility and citing allegations raised on-air that Iran targeted Americans and even attempted to assassinate Donald Trump (as stated in the broadcast).
2) On-air claims about battlefield wins are presented as dramatic proof points
The program spotlighted several high-impact assertions attributed to Secretary Pete Hegsth and other reporting discussed on the show, including claims that the U.S. military “hunted down and killed” the head of a unit that tried to assassinate Trump, and that a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian naval ship off the coast of Sri Lanka. The host and guests used these claims to argue Iran’s leadership and capabilities have been severely degraded.
(Note: These were presented as claims and reports within the show; the broadcast itself did not provide primary documentation on-air.)
3) Jane Fonda clip triggers laughter—and a sharp cultural clash
One of the most viral-ready moments came when Power played a clip of Jane Fonda denouncing the war and calling for protests. Power openly laughed at the clip, calling it “so stupid,” and argued the message clashes with what she described as a looming liberation moment for Iranians.
Horowits responded with biting sarcasm, referencing Fonda’s Vietnam-era controversy and dismissing her views on strikes and foreign policy. The exchange underscored the show’s broader theme: the cultural elite is portrayed as reflexively anti-Trump—even when the stated goal is dismantling a terrorist regime.
4) Tim Waltz grilling: “Define what a woman is” meets fraud allegations
The episode also pivoted to domestic politics, featuring tense hearing footage of outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz being pressed about alleged state fraud and spending figures. The host’s framing was that Waltz appeared evasive on basic questions—both about “what a woman is” and what the state did about fraud concerns.
Horowits went further, arguing Waltz allegedly ignored warning signs and then claimed ignorance once the issue erupted—language presented as opinion and commentary during the segment.
Later, the show brought on Newsweek senior editor at large Josh Hammer and pollster Nick Weinstein to discuss early polling. They cited polling figures mentioned on-air suggesting most Republicans approve of the Iran military action, while overall voters are more divided.
Hammer argued Trump is acting based on conviction rather than chasing poll numbers, and framed the operation as an attempt to end a decades-long conflict with Iran dating back to 1979. He also claimed media portrayals of a “MAGA civil war” over Iran are “belied by the data,” saying self-described MAGA Republicans support the action strongly (as described in the broadcast).
6) Texas twist: Jasmine Crockett defeated by James Telerico
The show closed with a political jolt from Texas: it reported Jasmine Crockett lost the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate to James Telerico (as stated on the program). The segment emphasized Crockett’s initial complaints about “cheating” before she conceded, and then broadened into a critique of Democrats’ history of slow concessions after losses.
Guests suggested the Texas race will remain competitive in the general election depending on the Republican nominee, and portrayed Crockett’s defeat as both a party discipline story and a warning about internal Democratic politics.
This Roman Balmakov video details theDepartment of Justicemoving to revoke the U.S. citizenship of the former mayor of North Miami, Felipe Amedi (also known as Jean Phipe Hanvier).
Key Highlights:
Illegal Entry:Amedi entered the U.S. illegally from Haiti in July 1995 using a passport with his own photo cut into it (0:00-0:45).
Immigration Fraud: Despite being ordered deported, he stayed, acquired a new identity, and obtained permanent residency through a fraudulent marriage to a U.S. citizen while allegedly still married in Haiti (0:54-1:32).
Political Career: Despite the fraud, he served on the Miami City Council for six years and later became the mayor of North Miami (1:52-2:04).
Detection: His fraud was uncovered by the Trump administration during a crackdown on immigration, specifically through a comparison of fingerprints that revealed his two identities (4:20-4:53).
Current Status: Federal prosecutors are pursuing revocation based on falsifying information regarding polygamy and immigration testimony. Amedi has not yet had his day in court (5:15-5:37).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice led an investigation that has resulted in the filing this week of a civil denaturalization complaint in the U.S. District Court of Miami, Florida against former Mayor of the City of North Miami, Philippe Bien-Aime.
Philippe Bien-Aime, also known as Jean Philippe Janvier, a native of Haiti, used two identities to procure immigration benefits — and eventually acquire U.S. citizenship — after illegally entering the United States.
Bien-Aime’s immigration fraud was discovered and confirmed through a comparison of fingerprints that he provided under the two identities. That comparison is part of an ongoing national initiative called the Historic Fingerprint Enrollment project, a joint effort of USCIS and the Justice Department.
Before he became a U.S. citizen under the name Philippe Bien-Aime, the defendant used a fraudulent, photo-switched passport to enter the United States under the name Jean Philippe Janvier. In 2001, Bien-Aime was placed in removal proceedings and ordered removed under the Janvier identity. He appealed the removal order, but he withdrew the appeal, representing that he had returned to live in Haiti. In reality, Bien-Aime remained in the United States and, using the new name and date of birth, married a U.S. citizen to obtain permanent resident status. The marriage was fraudulent and invalid because he was already married to a Haitian citizen. After making numerous false and fraudulent statements in adjustment and naturalization proceedings, he naturalized in 2006 under the Bien-Aime identity.
The complaint alleges that Bien-Aime illegally procured naturalization for several reasons. First, he was subject to a final removal order, which disqualified him from naturalization and precluded the former Immigration and Naturalization Service from considering his application for permanent resident status. Second, the removal order prohibited USCIS from considering his naturalization application and granting U.S. citizenship. Third, he did not lawfully adjust status to permanent resident because of his fraud and because his marriage was fraudulent and not legally valid. Fourth, he provided false or misleading information under oath in his adjustment and naturalization interviews to obtain immigration benefits when he denied that he was subject to a removal order and denied that he lied to U.S. government officials. He also provided false testimony about his children and former residential addresses. The complaint also claims that Bien-Aime’s naturalization should be revoked because he concealed and misrepresented facts that were material to his qualifications for U.S. citizenship.
The case was investigated by USCIS of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will be litigated by the Affirmative Litigation Unit of the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
To report suspected immigration benefit fraud or abuse to USCIS, please use the USCIS Tip Form
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announce the first four communities to receive these free seats (6:38).
Key points of the announcement include:
Program Goal: To provide universal child care for two-year-olds in New York City, regardless of zip code, income, or immigration status (1:27, 8:58).
Initial Rollout: Starting with 2,000 free seats in Fall 2026, with plans to expand to full universality within four years, aiming to serve approximately 12,000 children by Fall 2027 (6:41, 7:37-7:42).
Financial Commitment: Governor Hochul committed over $1.2 billion to early childhood care and education in New York City, including $73 million for the first set of 2-K seats, with this investment growing to $425 million next year (31:31-31:35).
Selected Communities (Phase 1):
School District 6: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Hamilton Heights (6:51).
School District 10: Fordham, Belmont, Van Courtland Village, Morris Heights, Norwood, and Kingsbridge (6:56).
School Districts 18 and 23: Canarsie, Remson Village, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill (7:04).
School District 27: Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Wood Haven, Richmond, Howard Beach, and the Rockaways (7:11).
Impact on Families and Economy: The program aims to alleviate financial stress for parents, allowing them to save for college (1:36), return to their careers (8:26), and keep families in New York City (1:41). It is estimated to put at least $20,000 per child back into parents’ pockets (8:19) and supercharge the economy, with every dollar spent on early child care returning as much as $13 (9:14).
Future Expansion: The current phase is just the beginning, with plans to expand to additional neighborhoods and school districts, including Staten Island, in the coming years (35:08-35:18).
Commitment and Transparency: Both the Mayor and Governor emphasize their commitment to the program’s long-term success, with the Governor stating that funding will continue with existing revenues (32:31-32:54). The Mayor also addresses questions regarding transparency, including the use of encrypted messaging apps and travel announcements (41:22-41:49).
