U.S. Tightens Visa Rules for Foreign Students, Journalists and Cultural Exchange Visitors

The Trump administration has moved to tighten visa rules for foreign students, journalists and cultural exchange visitors. Student and cultural exchange visas would be limited to four years. Visas for journalists, which previously lasted for years,​ would now last up to 240 days. In the case of Chinese nationals, journalist visas would last up to 90 days. www.democracynow.org

So-Called Border Czar Tom Homan Warns ICE Critics That “Bloodshed” Will Continue

The White House’s so-called border czar, Tom Homan, has issued a warning to Democrats who are critical of ICE, its mass deportation campaign or its violent encounters with the public: Shut your mouth or the “bloodshed” will continue. Homan issued the threat during an appearance Wednesday on Fox News. Tom Homan: “I said if the hateful rhetoric didn’t stop, there will be bloodshed. And I’m saying it right now. There’s still going to be more bloodshed, unless they shut their mouth and let ICE enforce the laws that they enacted.” www.democracynow.org

Rights Groups Demand Probe of ICE Violently Attempting Arrest of Elderly Man in Nevada

In Nevada, rights groups are demanding an investigation into the violent attempted arrest of an elderly man by plainclothes ICE agents at the Las Vegas international airport. Video of Monday’s incident shows two people in plain clothes — one masked, the other hooded — pushing a man to the floor and handcuffing him as he cries out for help. One of the agents then tries to swat away an observer’s camera as he approaches. Phu Nguyen: “I don’t know what they’re doing!” Eyewitness: “What’s going on?” Phu Nguyen: “They say [inaudible]” TSA agent: “Back up.” Eyewitness: “What’s going on?” TSA agent: “It’s law enforcement.” Eyewitness: “What’s going on? We still have a right to know what’s going on.” Phu Nguyen: “Hey! Where are you going?” TSA agent: “Everyone, back up.” Phu Nguyen: “Hey!” Eyewitness: “Are you OK?” Phu Nguyen: “What are they doing?” Eyewitness: “Are you OK?” Responding to the video, Nevada Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen called for ICE to follow the same guardrails as other law enforcement agencies. She wrote, “Plain clothes. No uniforms. No body cameras. No identification.” www.democracynow.org

ICE Agent Who Fatally Shot Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero Identified as David Brouillette

In Maine, the ICE agent who fatally shot Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero during a traffic stop in Biddeford last Monday has been identified as David Brouillette, a former police officer and U.S. Army veteran. His ex-wife, Ashley Brouillette, told the Portland Press Herald he called her and admitted he was the officer behind Monday’s shooting. Ashley Brouillette described abusive behavior both during and after her marriage to David Brouillette. She said she wanted to speak out publicly because she’d previously reported concerns about her husband’s mental health to his superiors in the military. Separately, the Associated Press reports several of David Brouillette’s close relatives say he struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given access to a badge and gun. Speaking anonymously, one relative said, “Afghanistan destroyed him — trained him to be a killing monster, a machine. They took someone who was extremely mentally ill and turned him into a killing machine.” On Thursday, the widow of Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero spoke publicly for the first time since her husband was killed as he set off for work Monday morning. Karolina Rojas Alvarez said the loss of her husband has been devastating for their 3-year-old daughter. Karolina Rojas Alvarez: “The day before, he took her to the park, and they had a wonderful time. That Monday afternoon was supposed to be her day with her dad, but he never came home. And now my daughter is asking about her father, and I don’t have the strength to tell her that he’s not coming, that she can’t hug him anymore or say, 'Daddy, I love you.'” www.democracynow.org

Iranian Official Claims Kushner and Witkoff Sought to Exploit Negotiations for Personal Gain

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Drop Site News that Iran had informed Vice President JD Vance that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff were more interested in exploiting insider knowledge of the ceasefire negotiations to potentially profit than they were in reaching a deal. Iran provided Drop Site written documentation of evidence that Kushner and Witkoff were using diplomatic developments to manipulate financial markets. The White House flatly denied the allegations. www.democracynow.org

Truth Social Plans to Sell Priority Access to Trump’s Posts

President Trump’s company Truth Social has announced plans to charge for special high-speed access to Trump’s social media posts, including statements on national security and financial topics. In response Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal wrote, “The President’s social media posts — covering war & peace & government regulations — move markets. Truth Social selling preferential access is yet another example of flagrant corruption, trading access to the White House for Trump’s self-enrichment.” www.democracynow.org

Trump’s Teleprompter Operator Reportedly Earned Over $100K Betting on Presidential Speeches

Federal investigators have found that President Trump’s longtime teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez made more than $100,000 by betting on Trump’s speeches. He allegedly used the prediction market Kalshi to place the bets. The company alerted the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to Perez’s suspicious activity on its “Mentions” market, where users can bet on whether specific words or phrases are uttered during public remarks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was questioned Thursday about the scandal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “Obviously, I’m aware of the report. The president is, too. I spoke with him about it. He believes it’s deeply unfortunate and, frankly, a disgrace.” www.democracynow.org