President Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the scandal-plagued World Health Organization late in his first term, citing the organization's abysmal response to COVID-19, its willingness to help the communist Chinese regime cover up the spread of the virus, and its refusal to adopt urgently needed reforms.Former President Joe Biden swooped in, however, to prevent the withdrawal, which was scheduled for July 6, 2021.'The United States will not be making any payments to the WHO before our withdrawal.'On his first day back in office, Trump put the country back on track for withdrawal, giving the WHO a one-year notice period as required by U.S. law. In the months since, the Trump administration has cut off funding, withdrawn all personnel from the organization, and pivoted initiatives previously executed with the WHO to bilateral engagements with other countries and outfits.Pursuant to the president's order, the United States has — as of Thursday — officially finished its exit from the WHO.In a joint release confirming the completion of the withdrawal, the U.S. State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services stated, "Going forward, the U.S. government will continue its global health leadership through existing and new engagements directly with other countries, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based entities.""U.S.-led efforts will prioritize emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation, including for noncommunicable diseases, to protect America first while delivering benefits to partners around the world," added the departments.RELATED: 'We are not doing this any more': Rubio to strip billions in foreign aid from 'NGO industrial complex' Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty ImagesIn a corresponding fact sheet, the departments indicated that in addition to terminating all funding to the WHO and recalling all U.S. personnel and contractors previously assigned to or embedded with the agency, the U.S. has "ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership, bodies, governance structures, and technical working groups.""Withdrawing from WHO restores long-overdue accountability and transparency for U.S. taxpayers," says the fact sheet.The WHO, a specialized agency of the United Nations that was founded in 1948, has long depended on the U.S. for financial and technical support. The U.S., a founding member, has historically been the organization's single largest contributor, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the WHO yearly and regularly accounting for over 20% of all member-state assessed contributions.While the Trump administration satisfied its statutory obligation to give a one-year notice, critics of the withdrawal and officials at the globalist organization claim the U.S. has not met its financial obligations under the provisions of the congressional resolution that first enabled the country to join the WHO.The amount supposedly owing for the 2024-2025 period is reportedly $278 million."The United States will not be making any payments to the WHO before our withdrawal," a State Department official told NPR earlier this week. "The cost borne by the U.S. taxpayer and U.S. economy after the WHO's failure during the COVID pandemic — and since — has been too high as it is."Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO's Center of National and Global Health Law, told NPR, "This is a very, very public and messy divorce.""The man says, 'No, I'm not going to pay you any money, and we're no longer married.' And the woman says, 'No, you can't not be married unless you pay me,'" said Gostin.Unlike in Gostin's analogy, the man in this scenario is the world's pre-eminent nuclear superpower.Despite the apparent futility of the effort, the WHO's principal legal officer, Steven Solomon, indicated earlier this month that the organization's member states will discuss whether the U.S. has met the requirements for leaving, reported Stat News."It’s a lose for the U.S., and it’s also a lose for the rest of the world," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week of America's imminent departure. "I hope they will reconsider."Bill Gates, a funder of some of the WHO's work, told Reuters, "I don’t think the U.S. will be coming back to WHO in the near future."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona is proposing new legislation to crack down on illegal aliens obtaining commercial driver's licenses. Americans have witnessed many preventable deaths inflicted by illegal alien truck drivers who often obtained CDLs in blue states that seemingly ignore citizenship or work requirements. The tragic death toll was exacerbated by former President Joe Biden's administration, which allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood the country within a span of just four years. 'They gamble with American lives.'Biggs believes the VERIFY CDL Act will help prevent similar tragedies in the future."American citizens should not have to worry that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ border failures are showing up on our highways," Biggs told Blaze News. "When millions of unvetted, unknown illegal aliens were allowed into the country — which is exactly what the Biden regime turned a blind eye to — the federal government created serious public safety risks far beyond the border.""Until every illegal alien is deported by President Trump’s hard work, Congress has a responsibility to close dangerous loopholes. My VERIFY CDL Act ensures commercial driver’s licenses are issued only to individuals legally authorized to work in the United States.”RELATED: Illegal alien truck driver walks out of jail after allegedly killing American — and sanctuary policies appear to be to blame Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesBiggs' legislation would look to change that. According to the bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News, the VERIFY CDL Act would require applicants' employment to be authorized through the E-Verify program before they can be issued a CDL, adding additional safeguards and closing a highly abused loophole. "Operating a commercial vehicle is not a right — it is a serious responsibility," Biggs told Blaze News. "When states issue CDLs without verifying work authorization, they gamble with American lives. My bill puts an end to that recklessness.""If you are legally authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify confirms it," Biggs said. "If you are not, you do not get behind the wheel of a 40-ton vehicle." RELATED: Illegal alien truckers with California licenses accused of hauling $7M in cocaine across state lines Photo by Mario Tama/Getty ImagesBiggs noted that mass immigration is not limited to the border, but rather it needs to be addressed at every level, including CDLs. "It's not complicated," Biggs said. "We have seen what happens when verification fails — preventable deaths, broken families, and a system that has lost its integrity." "One preventable death is one too many," Biggs added. "Congress has a duty to act, and this bill does exactly that."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The FBI announced on Wednesday the arrest of two medical device company executives, accusing them of conspiracy to commit fraud and other offenses.Special agents with the FBI Boston and Denver field offices arrested Thomas Sandgaard and Anna Lucsok, the respective former CEO and former COO of Zynex Inc.'This case represents a troubling abuse of patients seeking care, as well as the federal health-care benefit system.'"The former CEO and COO of Zynex are accused of operating with a single-minded focus, their own financial enrichment," Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of FBI Boston Division, stated. "Today, we arrested them for allegedly defrauding the government and insurance companies out of hundreds of millions of dollars and using vulnerable patients seeking relief from their pain to do it.""Health care fraud should not be a quick and easy way to boost a corporation's bottom line and fund lavish lifestyles for its executives. It's a federal crime with serious consequences, and the FBI will continue to work with our partners to bring anyone fleecing the U.S. government to justice," Docks added.A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island revealed further details about the federal investigation and the suspects, including that they allegedly collected more than $873 million from 2017 through 2025.The two allegedly devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain money from the government and private health care patients. They were also accused of defrauding Zynex investors by hiding some of the company's billings and revenues. RELATED: $300M frozen: California allegedly forced Americans to fund illegal alien Medicaid — so Dr. Oz drops the hammer Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty ImagesOver $600 million of the defrauded funds were for supplies that were improperly and unnecessarily billed, the attorney's office alleged."The indictment alleges that supplies were shipped in excessive volumes, sometimes as large as 32, 64, or 128 electrode pairs per patient each month. Sandgaard and Lucsok used these fraudulent billings, and the revenues derived from them, to fraudulently inflate the company's financial reporting and drive up the stock price of Zynex," the attorney's office wrote. "They continued these practices despite being notified many times that their billing practices were fraudulent, and even when patients told Zynex to stop sending those supplies because they already had too many," it added.One patient submitted a complaint in 2022 to the Better Business Bureau, writing, "[T]hey kept mailing me supplies and I kept getting denials. I called today and was informed that I owe a tremendous amount of money. ... I live on $1,100.00 dollars a month and cannot afford much. ... She informed me that there still would be a rental fee and supply fees. I told her that I could not even afford food at this point."Another patient told the BBB that they felt the company is "a total SCAM.""I received the product and then continued to receive batteries and electrodes. AFTER NINE MONTHS I received a bill with 27 charges for supplies. This was the first bill I ever received, they just kept racking up the charges and they waited nine months to send the bill. The minute I received it, I called the company, and they were unable to connect me with the billing department, we set up a call back — still waiting," the individual wrote. When reporters started investigating Zynex, the company allegedly hired someone to "disrupt the reporters' personal lives." This allegedly included signing reporters up for therapy sessions, listing conditions such as erectile dysfunction. In another alleged instance, used women's underwear was sent to a reporter's home, addressed to their spouse, with a note outlining the reporter's claimed "illicit behavior," seemingly to make the reporter appear unfaithful. RELATED: What investigators still haven’t asked about Minnesota’s fraud Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Sandgaard, 67, is a Colorado resident and a dual U.S. and Danish citizen. Lucsok, 39, is also a Colorado resident with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ukraine. The alleged co-conspirators are facing one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, mail fraud, and securities fraud; nine counts of health care fraud; two counts of mail fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft.The government has attempted to restrain the suspects' assets, including properties in Colorado and Florida, several bank accounts, a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft, two Porsches, and a few other vehicles.Zynex and its teams have received numerous awards, including the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Trust, the Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs, and Top 50 Women Leaders in Healthcare Technology, according to the company's website."This case represents a troubling abuse of patients seeking care, as well as the federal health care benefit system," U.S. Attorney Charles Calenda said. "As alleged, the defendants' conduct undermined programs intended to serve patients in need. Our office remains committed to protecting the integrity of these programs and holding accountable those who seek to exploit patients, payors, and investors."Zynex did not respond to a request for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A debate over food welfare benefits in the U.S. erupted on social media after a Democrat senator from New York tried to challenge Agriculture Sec. Brooke Rollins on whether $15 could feed a person for a day.A video posted to social media showed Rollins explaining herself after she was attacked for saying a $3 meal could consist of chicken, a tortilla, and a piece of broccoli.'Tell us you're an out-of-touch elite politician without saying you're an out-of-touch elite politician.'"We had run almost a thousand simulations, and between $3 and $4 is a fair number if you can have access to that food," said Rollins to reporters. "So just about an hour ago, I just saw new numbers that were run: a full day, meaning three full square meals and a snack, is about $15.64. That's all three meals and a snack," she added."Part of me sort of cringed at the criticism that I got, because it wasn't what I meant," Rollins said. "I grew up with a single mom in a really small town and certainly never meant to be flippant. But I also think that the left or those that were attacking me perhaps know that this is an issue that 90% of Americans agree on."Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York challenged Rollins to defend how someone could live on the food stamp allowance, and thousands responded online."Ok, run the simulation for us yourself," she wrote. "I challenge Secretary Rollins to eat three meals a day on 15 dollars. Show the American people."Many on the left agreed with Gillibrand and said so on social media.One person called Rollins' estimate "preposterous," while another reported that buying three roast beef sandwiches from Arby's cost $32. A third person said being asked to spend less on food was a "class war," and yet another complained that buying a meal at McDonald's cost $12.But others reported easily being able to meet that standard for food spending.RELATED: Able-bodied 38-year-old man goes viral over food stamp restrictions: 'That's some bulls**t!' One user said the user's family of five adults was easily fed by a weekly grocery budget of $300, which would come to $2.85 per person per meal. Another said costs add up to $5 per person per meal while shopping at Costco. "Let’s be honest — one of the main reasons we have such an obesity and poverty epidemic in America is that people are spending more than $5 per meal on average," said another detractor. "My family of 4 runs a household grocery budget of $400/week," reported another user. "We cook every meal and eat very well including snacks and desserts. Where’s the problem here? It’s more than feasible if you’re capable of cooking your own food." "Wtf how’s that even a challenge. I’m in California (highest cost of living state because of incompetent democrats) and I could make healthy meals for half that," said another. "Tell us you're an out-of-touch elite politician without saying you're an out-of-touch elite politician. My neighbor feeds her family of 4 on less than that every day," read another response.Others pointed out that Americans who depend on the taxpayer for their food should be asked to budget at least as much as those who provide for their families and also pay taxes to fund SNAP benefits. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Too many Americans are “dead at the hands of illegals that were put on the streets by these radical Marxists,” and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is warning that it needs to end.“They don’t care about Laken Riley. They don’t care about Kayla Hamilton. They don’t care about Jocelyn Nungaray. They don’t care about Rachel Morin. They don’t care about Officer Mendoza, who was killed in Arizona by a drunk driver. I could keep going down the list, Glenn,” Roy tells Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck.Of the names Roy listed, Officer Brandon Mendoza was the only one killed accidentally. He was hit by a drunk-driving illegal immigrant and died of his injuries. All the women and girls he listed were brutally murdered by illegal immigrants — some sexually assaulted as well.“You know, they’re also really quite delusional. I mean, these are people who think that they are standing up against the Nazis, like they would have done against the Nazis rounding up Jews, except these people would never stand up for Jews if they were being rounded up,” Glenn agrees.“It’s not just that they are believing this about ICE or missing what ICE is actually doing. They are being used. They’re such useful idiots. They’re being used by the people in power in Minnesota to make sure nobody’s talking about the rampant corruption in Minnesota,” he continues.“A hundred percent,” Roy agrees. “And I think this is the story. … We need to have a special select committee or certainly a supercharged Judiciary Committee and Oversight Committee to go follow the money, to go follow how those dollars are flowing.”And Roy points out that it’s “obvious” that “taxpayer funds [are] going through NGOs or directly to people and through these fraudulent programs.”“You’re funding fraud. You’re funding tyranny. You’re funding all of this stuff,” he adds.Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.