More People Crowdfunded for Essential Needs Like Food and Housing in 2025, According to GoFundMe

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More People Crowdfunded for Essential Needs Like Food and Housing in 2025, According to GoFundMe

(Headline USA) More and more people are turning to GoFundMe for help covering the cost of housing, food and other basic needs.

The for-profit crowdfunding platform’s annual “Year in Help” report, released Tuesday, underscored ongoing concerns around affordability. The number of fundraisers started to help cover essential expenses such as rent, utilities and groceries jumped 20%, according to the company’s 2025 review, after already quadrupling last year. “Monthly bills” were the second fastest-growing category behind individual support for nonprofits.

The number of “essentials” fundraisers has increased over the last three years in all of the company’s major English-speaking markets, according to GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan. That includes the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia.

In the United States, the self-published report comes at the end of a year that has seen weakened wage growth for lower-income workers, sluggish hiring, a rise in the unemployment rate and low consumer confidence in the economy.

Cadogan said GoFundMe can see that people are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.

“Someone may be behind on rent or needs a little bit of extra help to get through the next month,” Cadogan said. “That’s a function of what’s going on in these economies. And what is interesting is that people do step up and support folks in those situations.”

Among campaigns aimed at addressing broader community needs, food banks were the most common recipient on GoFundMe this year. The platform experienced a nearly sixfold spike in food-related fundraisers between the end of October and first weeks of November, according to Cadogan, as many Americans’ monthly SNAP benefits got suddenly cut off during the government shutdown.

These uses suggest that online crowdfunding has come a long way from its roots as a way for entrepreneurs to raise money for their artistic or business endeavors, according to University of Toronto postdoctoral researcher Martin Lukk.

Lukk, who studies economic inequality and co-authored a book about the “unfulfilled promise of digital crowdfunding,” said the findings act somewhat as a “barometer of where things are at in terms of desperation.”

“When there’s no other net to catch people, I think GoFundMe is where they often end up,” Lukk said.

Lukk cautioned that GoFundMe data doesn’t show the “full extent of the desperation” because not everyone in need participates and many users don’t end up reaching their goals. Organizers must have internet access and technological know-how, he said, and a successful campaign often requires savvy storytelling and strong social networks.

Iesha Shepard, 34, was initially embarrassed to ask for help.

The New Orleans native said she’s dealt with chronic heart failure ever since she was shot multiple times four years ago. A single mother of two daughters, she said she fell sick last month and hasn’t been able to work her part-time hotel job for the past three weeks.

Then came the eviction notice. As someone who “barely can make a living,” Shepard said she has struggled to keep up with the rising cost of rent and groceries. When her social security application got denied for the second time, she said she felt especially discouraged.

She turned to crowdfunding because, as she said, “I don’t want to be homeless with my children around the holiday time.”

“That was my last option,” Shepard said. “I prayed and I did a GoFundMe.”

She never expected the response she’s gotten. Her fundraiser has collected more than $1,000 of her $1,800 goal. Setting up the campaign was easy, she said, and the donations really ramped up after she uploaded TikTok videos about her situation. A Nov. 29 post has been viewed more than 10,000 times.

Cadogan said his team always hopes that countries have strong government programs around health, housing or seniors’ well-being, for example. But GoFundMe recognizes that no country’s systems address everything, he added.

At the end of a year that began with the Los Angeles wildfires that struck Cadogan’s community of Altadena, the GoFundMe CEO said he is “blown away” by the power of help. While asking for help can be a “difficult step,” he said, it is a “courageous act” that is worth taking.

“Taking that action opens the door to what can be incredible goodness,” Cadogan said.

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press. 

Justice Department Can Unseal Records from Epstein’s 2019 Sex Trafficking Case, Judge Says

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Justice Department Can Unseal Records from Epstein’s 2019 Sex Trafficking Case, Judge Says

(Headline USA)  Secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public, a judge ruled Wednesday, joining two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse.

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman reversed his earlier decision to keep the material under wraps, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory and “merely a hearsay snippet” of Epstein’s conduct.

On Tuesday, another Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from Maxwell’s 2021 sex trafficking case. Last week, a judge in Florida approved the unsealing of transcripts from an abandoned Epstein federal grand jury investigation in the 2000s.

The Justice Department asked the judges to lift secrecy orders after the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, created a narrow exception to rules that normally keep grand jury proceedings confidential. The law requires that the Justice Department disclose Epstein-related records to the public by Dec. 19.

Lawyers for Epstein’s estate told Berman last week that the estate took no position on the Justice Department’s unsealing request.

Questions about the government’s Epstein files have dominated the first year of Trump’s second term, with pressure on the Republican intensifying after he reneged on a campaign promise to release the files. His administration released some material, most of it already public, disappointing critics and some allies.

Berman was matter of fact in his ruling Wednesday, writing that the transparency law “unequivocally intends to make public Epstein grand jury materials and discovery materials” that had previously been covered by secrecy orders. The law “supersedes the otherwise secret grand jury materials,” he wrote.

The judge implored the Justice Department to carefully follow the law’s privacy provisions to ensure that victims’ names and identifying information are redacted, or blacked out. Victim safety and privacy “are paramount,” he wrote.

In court filings, the Justice Department informed Berman that the only witness to testify before the Epstein grand jury was an FBI agent who, the judge noted, “had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay.”

The agent testified over two days, on June 18, 2019, and July 2, 2019. The rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow and a call log. The July 2 session ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein.

Epstein, a millionaire money manager known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite, killed himself in jail a month after his 2019 arrest. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 by a federal jury of sex trafficking for helping recruit some of Epstein’s underage victims and participating in some of the abuse. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Maxwell’s lawyer told a judge last week that unsealing records from her case could spoil her plans to file a habeas petition, a legal filing seeking to overturn her conviction. The Supreme Court in October declined to hear Maxwell’s appeal.

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press. 

 

New DHS Website Shows Americans Noncitizens Arrested in their Neighborhood

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New DHS Website Shows Americans Noncitizens Arrested in their Neighborhood

(Bethany Blankley, The Center Square) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched a new website for Americans to use to search and locate criminal foreign nationals who’ve been arrested in their neighborhoods.

DHS’ “Worst of the Worst” provides information about an initial 10,000 criminal foreign nationals who’ve been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during enforcement operations in all 50 states.

It includes the name and photo of the arrested individual, their nationality and criminal history. It allows users to search by term, country of origin and by the state where the arrest happened.

“This new Worst of the Worst webpage allows every American to see for themselves the criminal illegal aliens that we are arresting, what crimes they committed, and what communities we removed them from. This is all about transparency and showing results,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “As the media whitewashes the facts, day in and day out, our brave men and women of ICE risk their lives for the American people. Americans don’t have to rely on the press for this information – with this transparent tool, they can see for themselves what public safety threats were lurking in their neighborhoods and communities.”

The website was launched after ICE’s Acting Director Todd Lyons earlier this year contacted the attorneys general of California, Illinois and New York about their states’ noncompliance with ICE detainer requests and policies of releasing criminals onto the streets.

The states prohibit local jurisdictions, including jails and prisons, from complying with ICE detainer requests for illegal foreign nationals already in custody, The Center Square reported. Sanctuary policies are being implemented in cities where cashless bail for serious crimes exists, compounding the problem and making it more difficult for ICE to apprehend them, DHS says.

A few months after Lyons’ warning, ICE reported that more than 14,000 detainer requests hadn’t been honored in New York alone. More than 7,000 current detainer requests are being ignored after nearly 7,000 criminals were released onto the streets statewide this year. Those released include gang members, known or suspected terrorists on the federal terrorist watchlist, convicted felons including child sex offenders, rapists and murderers, The Center Square reported.

The website was also launched after assaults against ICE officers increased by 1,153% and death threats against ICE officers increased by 8,000% in 11 months, The Center Square reported.

ICE and U.S. Custom and Border Protection and Border Patrol officers have also experienced a surge of targeted vehicular attacks, with vehicular attacks against ICE officers up by 1,300%, The Center Square reported.

The attacks have increased partially due to “malicious lies and hoaxes, driven by hateful rhetoric from the mainstream media, continue to distort the work of the brave men and women of ICE and CBP,” DHS says.

The website includes an initial 10,000 arrests with additional entries being added and updated over time, DHS says.

Criminal foreign nationals being arrested are being deported.

In the first 10 months of the Trump administration, more than two million illegal foreign nationals have been removed from the U.S. This includes 1.6 million who agreed to voluntarily self-deport and more than 527,000 who were apprehended and deported, The Center Square reported.

Michigan Man Acquitted in Whitmer ‘Fed-napping’ Case is Running for Governor

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Michigan Man Acquitted in Whitmer ‘Fed-napping’ Case is Running for Governor

(Headline USA) From late 2020 to 2023, Michigan man William Null was facing charges related to his alleged involvement in the purported militia plot to kidnap the state’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer—a case dubbed the “fed-napping” plot due to the heavy-handed role played by undercover FBI provocateurs.

Null was acquitted in late 2023, and now he’s running to replace Whitmer. Last month, he reportedly filed paperwork forming the Committee to elect William Null for Governor.

Headline USA correspondent Christina Urso recently interviewed Null about his political aspirations. Watch that interview here.

Paramount Skydance Makes $108B Hostile Bid to Buy Warner Bros.

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Paramount Skydance Makes $108B Hostile Bid to Buy Warner Bros.

(Dave Mason, The Center Square) Paramount Skydance has made a hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

The bid is for $77.9 billion in equity value and has an enterprise value of $108.4 billion.

Paramount’s offer is the latest battle in a bidding war that appeared to end Friday when Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced Netflix was buying Warner Bros., the iconic movie and TV studio in Burbank near Los Angeles.

The Netflix deal, which included Warner Bros.’ assets such as HBO, HBO Max,  DC Comics and DC Studios, had an equity value of $72 billion and a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion. It involved Warner Bros. Discovery spinning off Discovery Global networks, including CNN, HGTV, Food Network and TNT, into a separate, publicly traded company.

Stockholders would receive nearly $28 in cash and stock per Warner Bros. Discovery share under the Netflix purchase.

Unlike Netflix, Paramount, which merged with Skydance in an $8 billion merger in August, is offering to purchase all of Warner Bros. Discovery for an all-cash offer of $30 per share in a “hostile bid.” The term means Paramount is making its pitch directly to stockholders with an offer that doesn’t require the approval of the Warner Bros. Discovery board.

Warner Bros. Discovery Monday said it plans to advise stockholders about Paramount Skydance’s offer within 10 business days.

Shareholders would have until Jan. 8 to vote on Paramount’s offer, according to media reports.

Paramount Skydance, which announced its offer Monday, did not respond Tuesday to The Center Square’s request for comment. But David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, said in an earlier statement that Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders deserve a chance to consider his company’s “superior all-cash-offer for their shares in the entire company.” He added Paramount Skydance believes its proposal is a “more certain and quicker path to completion.”

Paramount Skydance said its offer is more likely to clear regulatory hurdles.

The Center Square reached out Tuesday to Netflix with a request for an interview. A Netflix spokesperson responded by emailing comments made by Netflix’s co-CEOs.

“This deal makes strategic sense for Netflix, for Warner Bros. and all the stakeholders that we serve,” Co-CEO Greg Peters said. He noted Warner Bros.’ extensive library of movies and TV shows means “more bang for their buck” for Netflix subscribers.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the deal would mean Netflix picking up three businesses that the streaming service has never operated: a major movie studio, a TV studio and the HBO brand.

Under Netflix, Warner Bros. would continue to release movies in theaters as it has in the past, Sarandos said.

Allowing stockholders to make the decision of Netflix or Paramount is a good direction to go as Hollywood grapples with the new world of streaming and entertainment, economist Wayne Winegarden told The Center Square Tuesday. He said federal regulators shouldn’t interfere.

“If we allow the shareholders to decide, we’re allowing a larger segment of people to put their brains around it,” said Winegarden, a senior business fellow at Pasadena-based Pacific Research Institute. “Perhaps it’ll be wrong. But allowing more people to make that decision allows us a better chance to get to the right place.”

Winegarden said the Netflix deal may prove to be better for stockholders because they could make money off Warner Bros. Discovery spinning off its cable networks such as CNN.

But Ellison of Paramount Skydance argued the Netflix deal involves “an uncertain future trading value” of Discovery’s Global Networks “and a challenging regulatory process.”

“We take our offer directly to shareholders to give them the opportunity to act in their best interests and maximize the value of their shares,” Ellison said.

Netflix said it will take 12 to 18 months for its deal, which requires approval by the Federal Trade Commission, to close.

Whoever loses in the attempt to buy Warner Bros. could decide to go to court, Winegarden said. “I think there’s a very good chance this gets ugly. To the extent it does, that’s not good for shareholders, not good for anyone. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The economist noted the Netflix deal may also be better for Warner Bros. employees because there wouldn’t be the redundancies that would exist if Paramount Skydance purchased Warner Bros. Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, which both operate major TV and movie studios, are more alike than Warner Bros. and Netflix.

Redundancies could make layoffs more likely if Paramount Skydance buys Warner Bros., Winegarden said.

“A good friend of mine works for MTV,” Winegarden said, referring to one of Paramount Skydance’s networks. “For her sake, I’m hoping for Netflix.”

Zelensky Rules Out Ceding Territory for Peace Deal

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Zelensky Rules Out Ceding Territory for Peace Deal

(Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday ruled out the idea of ceding any territory to Russia, a key term of a US-drafted peace proposal to end the war.

“Russia is insisting that we give up territories, but we don’t want to cede anything,” Zelensky told reporters after meeting with the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany in London, according to CBS News.

“We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution, and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky added.

Zelensky in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on December 8, 2025 (photo via Zelensky’s website)

The initial US-drafted peace proposal that was leaked to the media called for Ukraine to cede the remaining territory it controls in the Donbas region, where Russian forces continue to make gains. President Trump has previously said that it’s better to give up the area now than lose tens of thousands of troops attempting to defend it.

“Eventually, that’s land that, over the next couple of months, might be gotten by Russia anyway,” Trump said late last month. “So do you want to fight and lose another 50,000-60,000 people? Or do you want to do something now?”

Russia has made clear that it’s willing to continue the war if Ukraine doesn’t agree to its territorial demands. The other major sticking point in the negotiations is the idea of security guarantees, as Ukraine wants a NATO-style guarantee from the US, something Russia won’t go for.

“There is one question I — and all Ukrainians — want to get an answer to: if Russia again starts a war, what will our partners do?” Zelensky said on Monday before the meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Starmer and Macron have been pushing for a NATO troop deployment to a post-war Ukraine, an idea that Moscow has repeatedly rejected. European leaders have also backed Zelensky’s other positions and released a counter-proposal that removed the territorial concessions and commitments that would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.

This article originally appeared at Antiwar.com.

 

Report: Government Unions Spent $915 Million on Politics in 2024

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Report: Government Unions Spent $915 Million on Politics in 2024

(, The Center Square) Government unions across the country spent more than $900 million during the 2023-2024 election cycle, according to a new report.

The Commonwealth Foundation’s most recent report found the top four public sector unions: the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spent over $915 million on politics during the 2023-2024 cycle.

The unions spent $755 million on federal elections and policies while their state affiliates spent $160 million on state races and policies. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington saw the highest amount spent on state races with a total of $105 million of union spending.

Almost $650 million came from union members’ dues, which makes up more than 85% of what the unions spent on national politics. The remaining amount of money came from the unions’ political action committees.

“Union executives appear more willing than ever to use members’ dues money – not just voluntary PAC dollars – to get their friends elected and progressive causes funded,” said David Osborne, senior director of Labor Policy for the Commonwealth Foundation.

The report found that 95.8% of donations for state-level candidates went toward Democrats. On the federal level, 98.8% of union donations went to Democrats.

The four unions donated $5 million to President Joe Biden’s campaign, according to the report. Biden was eventually replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris.

When looking at the state breakdown, Illinois’ public sector union officials spent $29.9 million, more than what union officials spent in any other state. In 2023, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson received more than $5.5 million from the government employee unions, according to the report.

Followed by the spending in Illinois, union officials spent $25.8 million on political initiatives in California; $18.6 million in Washington; $17.9 million in Massachusetts; and $12.8 million in Pennsylvania.

“Workers deserve to know how their hard-earned money is spent by their union leaders. Union influence across the nation should be earned through member participation, not by shady back-door money shuffling through PACs and affiliated group contributions,” Osborne said.

The report also analyzed union spending toward causes and organizations not directly involved with elections. The unions donated $18 million to the For our Future Action Fund; $935,150 to the NAACP; and $100,000 to Protect Constitutional Abortion Rights.

“Now, union members are unwittingly propping up left-leaning candidates and progressive causes like abortion, critical race theory, and defunding the police,” Osborne said.

The Commonwealth Foundation used publicly available data, including federal and state finance reporting and union filings to compile the report.

“It’s due time that government unions’ hidden agendas face much-needed accountability as they try to win states through the wallets of unsuspecting workers,” Osborne said.

Gov. Walz Tells Seattle Crowd He’ll Welcome More Somalis

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Gov. Walz Tells Seattle Crowd He’ll Welcome More Somalis

(, The Center Square) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, under fire for failing to prevent a massive welfare fraud scheme in his state, was in Seattle on Tuesday as the special guest at Gov. Bob Ferguson’s fundraising luncheon, telling those in attendance Somalis were being “demonized” and vowing to bring more into his state.

“These folks better not ever mistake our kindness for our weakness because we are going to defend our neighbors. These guys bring out the worst in me. I hate it when I get to that point where it’s petty and I hate it when that sense of anger comes up on you,” Walz said. “But the antidote to that is positive actions to improve lives that go against what they are trying to do. So instead of demonizing our Somali community, we’re going to do more to welcome more in.”

The event at the Washington State Convention Center drew more than a thousand supporters, including table sponsors who paid upwards of $2,500 to attend.

Walz drew a standing ovation upon his introduction, despite the fact he’s been under intense scrutiny and a federal investigation concerning massive fraud involving the Somali community in state social services programs under his watch, with allegations his administration enabled cover-ups and ignored whistleblower warnings for years.

“You came here for your governor, for someone who is super effective at improving lives,” Walz said in taking the stage while donors enjoyed lunch in the convention center’s large sixth-floor ballroom. “But you also came here because you love this state and you love the country and at this moment in time, gathering together with people who are willing to stand up and speak out for what’s right and stand behind leaders who put themselves out there to defend democracy and those without a voice; there’s probably nothing more important you could be doing, so thank you all.”

Walz wasted no time bashing President Donald Trump within two minutes of taking the stage.

“There’s just some people that really rub Donald Trump the wrong way and I’m guessing it’s people who are smart,” said Walz, referencing the fact Ferguson was a state chess champion.

The line drew applause and laughter from those in attendance.

Walz then jumped into the controversy he’s facing in Minnesota, by doubling down on his support for immigrants.

“We have in Minnesota per capita wise, more refugees than any other state,” he said once again eliciting cheers from the crowd. “Right now our neighbors are being demonized. Our neighbors are being terrorized and literally picked up off the streets.”

Walz then criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from Texas who were assigned to conduct raids on illegal immigrants in Minnesota.

“It was a good thing that it was really cold because there was a plus side that they sent these agents in from Texas and they were too cold to get out of their car,” Walz said. “The Minnesotans knew who they were and were standing out there without coats on taunting them.”

Before Ferguson took the stage, freshman Democratic Rep. Osman Salahuddin of Redmond then urged the crowd to take out their phones and scan a QR code to make immediate donations to Ferguson’s reelection campaign, reminding donors that in three days, the temporary halt to campaign contributions would take effect due to the coming legislative session.

Ferguson then took the podium to a standing ovation, touting his accomplishments as attorney general and the dozens of successful lawsuits against the Trump administration.

“We were the first state to take on Trump in 2017 and win, and the first state to take on Donald Trump in 2025 and win was Washington state,” said Ferguson, who urged a round of applause for his office staff and for the office of Attorney General Nick Brown.

Ferguson urged donors to support his continued efforts to resist the Trump administration, suggesting many of Washington’s budget troubles are the fault of the federal administration.

Among the many current and former state lawmakers in attendance were Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson, newly sworn in King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, former State Sen. Mark Mullet, and dozens of other state and local politicians.

The Center Square spoke with several supporters ahead of the event and inquired if they had an opinion about Walz speaking at the luncheon given the fraud scandal is facing.

Nina Carter of Olympia who said she and her husband have hosted Ferguson in their home said they have no problem with Walz.

“We saw that on the news and I think that singling out some people in Minnesota who happen to be Somali and who happen to be connected with what would be a mafia, why aren’t we singling out the Italian mafia, or the Florida mafia or whatever? I think was just a way to portray a whole community and a whole culture from one country as being bad and there are criminal syndicates all over the world, so why are we singling out that one?” asked Carter who added that she’s Walz will be get the situation under control.

Another couple began to initially respond to the question about Walz, but then grew uncomfortable saying they “have learned not to trust reporters asking questions like that.”

This is a developing story.

North Carolina High School Student Stabbed to Death

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North Carolina High School Student Stabbed to Death

(Headline USA) A stabbing at a central North Carolina high school Tuesday left one student dead and another injured, authorities said.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said officers at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem sought assistance shortly after 11 a.m.

“We responded to an altercation between two students,” Kimbrough said at a news conference, adding that “there was a loss of life.”

In an email to families and staff, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent Don Phipps said one student died and another was injured.

Kimbrough said he wouldn’t take questions at the news conference, citing the ongoing investigation. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Krista Karcher said later that a stabbing had occurred and that the injured person was treated at a hospital and released.

No information about potential charges was discussed at the news conference. Kimbrough said in a video posted later on social media that there was no threat to the community.

“There are no suspects that we’re looking for,” he said. “We have that part of the investigation under control.”

Phipps, who started in his post just last week, said at the news conference that it was the “worst nightmare of any educator. We hurt when our students hurt, and this is the ultimate hurt that we can possibly feel.”

North Forsyth High School will be closed Wednesday, he said, and a crisis team will be in place for staff and when students return.

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press

 

US Flies Two Fighter Jets Deep Into Gulf of Venezuela in Closest Approach to Country’s Coast

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US Flies Two Fighter Jets Deep Into Gulf of Venezuela in Closest Approach to Country’s Coast

(Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com) Two US Navy F/A-18 fighter jets were spotted by flight trackers on Tuesday flying deep inside the Gulf of Venezuela, a body of water surrounded by Venezuelan territory on three sides, marking the latest US provocation amid threats of a potential regime change war aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The flight appears to be the closest US aircraft has gotten to Venezuela’s coast since the US military began its major buildup in the Caribbean a few months ago. Since October, US bombers have regularly flown to the north of Venezuela’s coast, and F/A-18s have begun flights near the country since the USS Gerald Ford, the US’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean last month.

A US military official confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the US sent two fighter jets into the Gulf of Venezuela, a significant escalation that the official framed as a “routine training flight.” The official declined to say whether or not the F/A-18s were armed.

According to a report from The War Zone, a pair of Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets were also flying north of the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, and an MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drone flew farther out in the Caribbean. “The combination of F/A-18s and EA-18Gs, with the latter flying in a standoff position, is exactly what one would expect to see during actual strikes on targets in Venezuela,” the report said.

Amid the threats of President Trump launching a war with Venezuela, bipartisan War Powers Resolutions have been introduced in both the House and the Senate to block any military action against the country without congressional authorization.

The Trump administration has also been under increasing scrutiny over its bombing campaign against alleged drug boats in the region and is under pressure to release the video of the September 2 attack that involved multiple strikes on one small vessel to kill survivors.

This article originally appeared at Antiwar.com.

 

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