Today’s dispatch breaks down three stories that all point to the same question: does America still have the discipline to stay strong when pressure rises?

We start with the latest jobs report, why hiring is slowing to near stall speed, and what that signals for 2026 if rates stay higher for longer. Then we move to the immigration enforcement flashpoints in Minneapolis and Portland, why street-level operations keep turning into national political explosions, and what “strong and clean” enforcement should actually look like. Finally, we close with Russia’s latest escalation near NATO’s doorstep and what it means for the United States, from alliance credibility and deterrence to energy prices, cyber risk, and the stability that protects ordinary families.

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In today’s episode of Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer breaks down three stories tied together by one theme: whether America still has the will to enforce the law, win decisively, and stand united when it counts. First, the Minneapolis ICE operation that turned deadly and the political scramble to control the narrative, including why a vehicle can be a deadly weapon and what the real deadly-force standard is. Next, Trump’s Venezuela win and the immediate push in Washington to argue in public instead of closing ranks, with a warning about what that kind of division signals to Russia and China. Finally, the jobs report and the Fed’s next move and why it matters to your mortgage, your retirement, and the cost of living.

On today’s Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer breaks down three stories every conservative needs to hear: the renewed fight over Greenland and what it means for American power and NATO, why stocks are hitting new highs with Big Tech leading and what that signals for retirement accounts and the real economy, and the backlash over facial recognition at Wegmans—plus why the surveillance state is creeping into everyday life. If you care about national security, a strong economy, law and order, and protecting your family’s privacy, this episode is for you.

Today’s dispatch tracks three signals that point in the same direction: consequences, capacity, and confidence.

First, Nicolás Maduro appears in a U.S. courtroom facing major charges—a turning point in how America deals with cartel-linked regimes in our hemisphere. Next, immigration enforcement moves from talk to execution: detention capacity expands, third-country arrangements tighten the pipeline, and the activist backlash ramps up as soon as the system starts gaining real leverage. Finally, markets stay calm and stocks push higher while oil remains contained—an early sign investors are reading these developments as stabilization, with real implications for retirement accounts, pensions, and the broader economy.

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On January 3rd, 2026, the U.S. government executed Operation Absolute Resolve—an operation that ended with Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody and Venezuela’s future suddenly wide open. In this episode of Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer breaks down what actually happened, what it took to pull off an operation this complex, and why American intelligence and Special Operations remain the most capable force on earth.

Then the focus shifts to the morning after: what America does next to prevent a power vacuum, stabilize the country, install a serious interim authority, and keep Venezuela from sliding into chaos or mission creep. Finally, we bring it back to the people who matter most—Venezuelans. Why the diaspora erupted in celebration, how families were scattered after Maduro took power in 2013, and why this moment feels like the first real chance in years to reunite, rebuild, and reclaim a normal life.

If you want the straight story—what happened, what comes next, and why it matters for America, the region, and the Venezuelan people—this is the episode.

On today’s episode of Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer breaks down Trump’s Venezuela operation in three parts—what America did, why it happened, and what has to come next to make sure it doesn’t turn into a half-finished job. [pause]

First, the operation itself: why conservatives see decisive action in our hemisphere as leadership—not “escalation.” [pause] Second, the backlash: how the media class and Washington process addicts will try to turn strength into a scandal, hide behind “sovereignty,” and argue America into paralysis. [pause] And third, the aftermath: the pro-America checklist for the day after—security, dismantling cartel money, blocking foreign meddling, and building a real, time-bound transition that makes Venezuela a country again instead of a criminal machine. [pause]

If you want the conservative case for American leadership—and why deterrence still matters—this is everything you need to know. [pause]

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In this episode of Patriot Switchboard with Harlan Mercer, we break down three stories driving the national conversation.

First, immigration enforcement: DHS tightens processing tied to expanded travel restrictions, including countries like Syria and Burkina Faso—and why strong border control is necessary to keep legal immigration sustainable, protect national security, and avoid the kind of disorder and social-service strain we’ve watched unfold across parts of Europe.

Second, domestic security: authorities disrupt an ISIS-inspired New Year’s attack plot before anyone is harmed. We talk about why the threat is real, why strong presidential leadership matters, why we should be grateful for the agents and officers working quietly to stop violence before it happens—and why families should take personal responsibility to be prepared and protect the people they love.

Third, New York City politics: newly sworn-in Mayor Zohran Mamdani moves quickly, including creating an “Office of Mass Engagement.” We explain why early actions reveal values, why this looks like taxpayer-funded political organizing, and what it could mean for public safety, taxes, and freedom—both in New York and in the rest of the country.

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America 250 is officially underway in Washington, D.C., and we’re starting 2026 with a clear reminder of what makes the United States the greatest nation on earth. In today’s Patriot Switchboard episode, Harlan Mercer breaks down three stories shaping the start of the year: the America 250 kickoff on the National Mall, the sharp drop in oil prices and what it means for gas prices and the cost of living, and the Affordable Care Act premium shock hitting households as enhanced ACA subsidies expire.

We cover why national pride matters heading into America’s 250th anniversary, why cheaper energy is a win for working families and small businesses, and how rising health insurance premiums could squeeze self-employed Americans, contractors, and middle-class households budgeting for 2026.

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Keywords: America 250, America 250 kickoff, Washington DC, Trump, gas prices, oil prices, energy independence, cost of living, inflation, Affordable Care Act, ACA subsidies, health insurance premiums, Marketplace plans, conservative news, conservative commentary, Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer.

It’s Thursday, January 1, 2026—and we’re starting the new year with standards, not slogans.

In today’s episode of Patriot Switchboard, Harlan Mercer breaks down three stories that set the tone for 2026: President Trump uses the veto pen for the first time in his second term, drawing a hard line on cost and priorities. Then we look at the SNAP rule changes taking effect today in multiple states—tightening what benefits can be used to buy at the checkout and putting nutrition back at the center of “nutrition assistance.” Finally, House Oversight turns up the heat on Minnesota’s fraud scandals, demanding answers and accountability for public dollars that were treated like an open register.

If you’re tired of excuses, bureaucratic doublespeak, and endless spending with no consequences—this one’s for you.

It’s Wednesday, December 31, 2025. In this Patriot Switchboard dispatch, Harlan Mercer closes out 2025 with three undercovered stories that point to a bigger theme: accountability, stability, and rebuilding American strength under President Trump.

First: Minneapolis and the “Quality ‘Learing’ Center” controversy—how a viral video reignited scrutiny around an alleged Minnesota daycare fraud scheme, why oversight failures matter, and what real enforcement should look like.

Second: Iran protests after the rial collapses—how inflation, strikes, and street unrest expose a brittle regime, why the Middle East remains volatile, and why Trump’s posture of strength and clarity matters.

Third: Mexico raises tariffs on China—why Mexico is following America’s lead on trade, how tariffs can push back on dumping and trade imbalances, and what stronger North American manufacturing and enforcement could mean going into 2026.

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