Argie-Bargie as the King Arrives – Friday, April 24, 2026.

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This is the National Pulse nightly newsletter, which goes out to subscribers of The National Pulse every evening. On Fridays, I send it to my wider list, with the hopes you’ll all join and support our work. Thank you.
The National Pulse
Nightly.
Friday, April 24, 2026  •  Nº 12
Where MAGA goes to know.
— Tonight’s Cover —
King’s visit overshadowed by Iran-Falklands row.
Presented by  —  Advertise here: [email protected]
Photo of the Day
Travis Smith — who was born deaf, was diagnosed with the OTOG mutation, and received Regeneron’s experimental therapy at 18 months as part of a clinical trial — sprawls out on the floor of the Oval Office during a press event, April 23, 2026.
PHOTO: MOLLY RILEY
— From the Editor —
The flags are already up around the White House (the British flags, that is), so it’s probably too late for either nation to back out of an impending State Visit from King Charles on Monday — though secretly I reckon both the U.S. and UK wish this weren’t going on right this very minute.
With all the festivities of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) weekend having already kicked off, the parties will bleed into Monday and Tuesday, as the King arrives for a meeting with President Trump, as well as to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress. I will be present, thanks to friends in medium to high places, and will report back from the inside.
There are a LOT of events all around town right now. On Wednesday, TownHall threw a party at Butterworth’s, featuring all manner of MAGA VIPs. There was also a very high-profile speech at the British Embassy that night, from historian Robert Hardman. Dignitaries in the room included Cabinet Secretaries and top-level admin staff.
Last night, I stopped in at the YouTube/C-SPAN party at the gorgeous Meridian Hill International Center, followed by the European Union Embassy party. The former was demure and delicate. The latter was tubthumpingly Euro, with many admin staff and D.C. dignitaries in attendance at both.
Tonight, the Daily Mail throws another party at the British Embassy, but the hottest ticket in town is the Executive Branch (Don Jr.’s private club) bash, featuring rapper Nelly. Tomorrow is the actual WHCA dinner, at which President Trump is due to speak. On Sunday, CNN is throwing a brunch at the British Embassy — and then there’s another Garden Party at the British Embassy on Monday, for the arrival of the King.
I hope to still be alive by midweek. Have a great weekend.
Raheem J. Kassam
Editor-in-Chief
Tonight’s Briefing
US-UK · Special Relationship
1. Rumored Memo Suggests U.S. Could Turn on UK Over Falkland Islands.
A leaked Pentagon email floats withdrawing U.S. support for European “imperial possessions” — punishment for NATO’s Iran-war refuseniks.
■ Pulse Points  /  Imperial Possessions
What Happened —  A leaked, rumored Pentagon email floated reviewing U.S. support for European “imperial possessions,” including Britain’s Falkland Islands, in retaliation for European governments refusing to support U.S. operations against Iran. Other measures include blocking nationals of “difficult” countries from senior NATO positions and suspending socialist-led Spain from the alliance altogether.
The Detail —  Britain, Spain, and Italy all denied the U.S. airspace and basing rights during Operation Epic Fury. The memo obtained by Reuters complained that “ABO” — access, basing, and overflight — should be “just the absolute baseline for NATO”. The National Pulse understands the document has not yet been seriously discussed at the highest level, though the President is understood to believe in ratcheting up pressure on allies.
Key Quote —  “The Prime Minister has been clear repeatedly that he will not be pressured. He will always take a strong position on the UK’s national interests, and the Falklands is no different… Sovereignty rests with the UK and self-determination is paramount.” – Downing Street spokesman
Flashback —  In 2013, Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British Overseas Territory — 99.8 percent in favor. Officially, the U.S. is neutral on the British and Argentine claims, though support was provided to the British when Argentina tried to take the islands by force in 1982.
● ● ●
NATO · Alliance
2. NATO Backs Spain Amid U.S. Ouster Rumors.
NATO official: the founding treaty “does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership, or expulsion.”
■ Pulse Points  /  Paper Tiger
What Happened —  The rumored Pentagon email outlining potential retaliation against NATO allies who failed to support the U.S. in Iran suggested Spain could be suspended from the alliance. A NATO official has told the BBC the treaty “does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership, or expulsion.”
The Detail —  The Socialist Party-led country, along with several other European NATO members, refused the U.S. access, basing, and overflight rights amid the war with Iran. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told reporters at an EU summit in Cyprus: “We do not work based on emails. We work with official documents and official positions taken, in this case, by the government of the United States.”
Key Quote —  “As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us. The War Department will ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger.” – Kingsley Wilson, Pentagon Press Secretary
● ● ●
Tariffs · Tech
3. Trump Threatens ‘Big Tariff’ on Britain Over Tech Tax.
British digital services levy raked in £800m last year — nearly all of it from U.S. tech giants.
■ Pulse Points  /  Drop the Tax
What Happened —  President Trump has warned the British government that the U.S. will impose significant tariffs if it does not repeal its digital services tax — a levy that falls heavily on U.S. tech firms due to their dominant international position.
The Detail —  The two percent levy is imposed on companies with digital revenues exceeding £500 million and over £25 million from British users. Heavy impact on Google, Apple, and Meta. PM Sir Keir Starmer has defended the tax as a necessary fiscal measure, generating £800 million in revenue during 2024-2025.
Key Quote —  “If they don’t drop the tax, we’ll probably put a big tariff on the UK.” – President Donald J. Trump
● ● ●
State Visit · New York
4. Mamdani Set to Meet King Charles in New York.
The pair will appear together at a 9/11 memorial wreath-laying ceremony during the King’s state visit.
■ Pulse Points  /  Manhattan Stop
What Happened —  King Charles III and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) are scheduled to appear together at a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan next week, alongside other New York elected officials and members of the British royal family.
The Detail —  The state visit begins Monday with two days in Washington, D.C., followed by travel to New York and Virginia. Mamdani — whose Uganda-born father has built a career attacking the British Empire — will attend the joint ceremony but will not hold a private meeting with the King.
Impact —  The King’s four-day visit also includes a private meeting with President Trump and an address to Congress to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
● ● ●
DOJ · Death Penalty
5. Trump DOJ Reinstates Firing Squads for Federal Executions.
Reversing the Biden-era moratorium and the Garland commutations — 44 defendants currently face federal death sentences.
■ Pulse Points  /  The Ultimate Penalty
What Happened —  The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday it will reinstate firing squads as a method of federal execution, plus the pentobarbital lethal injection protocol used during the first Trump administration — reversing Biden-era policies obstructing the execution of the country’s worst criminals.
The Detail —  The DOJ recalled how the former Biden government had “imposed an indefinite moratorium on executions,” “declined to seek the death penalty in many horrific cases,” and “effectively empt[ied] federal death row by commuting the death sentences of 37 of 40 death-row inmates” based on Attorney General Garland’s personal opposition — without consulting all victims’ families.
Key Quote —  “The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers.” – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
Impact —  The shift potentially affects 44 defendants currently facing death sentences. The DOJ is also considering a rule to empower states to streamline federal habeas review of capital cases — which would “reduce by years the period between conviction and execution.”
● ● ●
Dark Money · Treasury
6. How the SPLC Indictment Will Change ‘Dark Money’ Operations Forever.
Treasury revising IRS Form 990 reporting requirements in the wake of the SPLC scandal — fraud and abuse “behind complicated non-profit arrangements” is the target.
■ Pulse Points  /  Manufactured Hate
What Happened —  The U.S. Treasury Department has announced changes to IRS Form 990 reporting requirements following allegations that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) misused tax-exempt money to fund extremist group leaders.
The Detail —  The DOJ indictment earlier this week alleges the SPLC funneled over $3 million over the course of a decade to leaders and organizers of the Ku Klux Klan, the American Nazi Party, and Aryan Nations — including organizers of the 2017 Unite the Right rally. In 2024, the SPLC reported $800 million in assets and $129 million in revenue. The Form 990 loophole has long allowed organizations to obscure donor identities and payment recipients.
Key Quote —  “Public money and tax-exempt status demand public accountability. We are ending the days of hiding fraud, abuse, and extremist activity behind complicated non-profit arrangements.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Impact —  The changes target groups that allegedly manufacture “hate” in order to generate revenue — a pattern long alleged about the SPLC by conservative critics.
● ● ●
Congress · Corruption
7. Calls to Pardon Soldier Who Bet $400K on Maduro Capture.
Luna: “Members are illegally profiting every day.”
■ Pulse Points  /  Skewed Justice
What Happened —  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) called for the pardon of active-duty soldier Gannon Ken van Dyke, who was arrested this week after profiting around $400,000 on Polymarket by betting on the fall of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro — using insider knowledge gained while helping plan Operation Absolute Resolve.
The Detail —  Van Dyke bet on the date of Maduro’s fall starting around December 26. U.S. forces captured Maduro on January 3. Luna acknowledges his actions were wrong and called for the winnings to be disgorged, but argues the pardon is warranted because of rampant congressional insider trading that goes unpunished. If not pardoned, Van Dyke could face up to 60 years in prison.
Key Quote —  “Maybe not a popular take but I am calling for this guy to be pardoned. Unless the DOJ plans on going after all the crooks in Congress currently insider trading, this is simply skewed justice.” – Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
● ● ●
Tech · China
8. Eric Trump-Backed Robot Startup Lands $24M Pentagon Deal.
Humanoid “Phantom” robots to break into enemy sites — and catch up with China’s rapidly advancing robotics sector.
■ Pulse Points  /  Phantom Menace
What Happened —  The Pentagon has awarded a $24 million contract to Foundation Future Industries to develop and test humanoid robots for military use. The heavy-duty robots are designed to break into enemy sites, reduce risk to American soldiers, and ensure the U.S. maintains a competitive edge against China. Eric Trump is chief strategy advisor at the firm.
The Detail —  Foundation Future Industries has developed the Phantom Mark 1, an early-production robot, and the Phantom Mark 2, a mass-manufacturing model. The deal lands as China continues to make significant strides in robotics, recently breaking human records in the half-marathon.
Key Quote —  “We are America First. We have to win this race. The uses are unlimited, and I think it’s a very beautiful thing, but we must win this race.” – Eric Trump
On This Day
In History.
1704
The Boston News-Letter, America’s first continuously published newspaper, begins publication.
1800
President John Adams establishes the Library of Congress with a $5,000 appropriation.
1953
Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
1967
Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov dies on Soyuz 1 re-entry — the first human killed during spaceflight.
1980
Operation Eagle Claw, the U.S. attempt to rescue the Tehran hostages, ends in disaster — eight American servicemen killed.
1990
The Hubble Space Telescope launches aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.
2005
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope, taking the name Benedict XVI.
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