April 18, Kathmandu – The National Janji Citizens’ Movement has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government and Nepal Oil Corporation to reduce fuel prices. During a press conference held at Sambad Dabali in the capital on Saturday, the organization warned that if prices do not decrease within 24 hours, they will surround the Oil Corporation’s offices.
“The new leaders, who promised to free the people from the clutches of the old guard, are instead burdening the public with inflation,” said Sunil Singh, coordinator of the movement. “Is this the gift of the two-thirds majority? If the government ignores the people’s voice, we will struggle to end the existence of the Oil Corporation.”
Ajay Sodari, co-coordinator of the movement, expressed outrage over the excessive increase in petroleum prices in Nepal while neighboring countries have kept prices stable. “While petrol costs 95 rupees in India, the price in Nepal is 219 rupees, which is disgraceful,” Sodari stated. She accused the government of imposing even more inflation on the public by misleading them about a supposed 50 percent tax exemption. “No one should be spared from surrounding the government and Nepal Oil Corporation that are pretending to offer tax relief,” she asserted.
She also expressed strong frustration that despite rising inflation driven by government policies, there has been widespread silence instead of vociferous protests. “Prices are going up, and it seems like there is a silent period between this government and the people; yet everyone remains quiet,” she said.
Janji activist Prakash Bam criticized the government led by Balendra Shah, which emerged from the Janji movement, for ruling in an authoritarian manner and restricting common people from accessing Singha Durbar, displaying his anger over the issue.
May 18, Surkhet – A vehicle carrying a funeral procession met with an accident in Puthala, Banagad Kupinde Municipality, Salyan, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The jeep, bearing the license plate number Lu. Pra. 01001 Ja 0271, was traveling from Ward No. 8 of the same municipality toward Laxmipur, Kalimati, when the accident occurred. The deceased have been identified as Topbahadur Thapa, 50, from Kupinde Municipality-8, 50-year-old Thage Gharti, and 29-year-old Karnbahadur Pun, according to Inspector Devaraj Bhattarai of the District Police Office, Salyan.
According to Ward Chairman Kulbahadur Puri from Ward No. 8, 18 passengers were on board the jeep. Among them, 15 sustained injuries. The injured were rescued and transported to Mehelkuna Hospital in Surkhet for treatment. The list of injured includes Manbahadur Thapa, 30; Ammarsingh Kanwar, 64; Dammar Gharti, 27; Janak Thapa, 30; Bhupendra Kanwar, 49; Bhulbahadur Thapa, 30; Jugasingh Pun, 56; Ammar Pun, 38; Narsingh Thapa, 28; Prembahadur Gharti, 25; Narbahadur Thapa, 25; Karnbahadur Thapa, 38; Lal B. Gharti, 45; Tilak Thapa, 15; and the driver, Kulbahadur Rana, 38.
This file represents a nation gradually falling into ruin, a place where conscience has made its resting ground. It lies abandoned in a dark corner of a smoke-stained drawer, unrecognizable and forgotten. The pages of its history are inscribed with promises that yellow and fall away before even the sun can touch them. Thick dust settled on its spine conceals the tears of its people.
Within this file dwells corruption like an ashram, with thousands of carbon copies produced. From the highest to the lowest level, every hand bears the stains of carbon paper. Good governance here is but a labyrinth: some files advance, others vanish, and the rest remain piled up, untouched. The letters of the law are written in invisible ink. Contractors roam around with pockets full of rubber stamps.
Maladministration has turned every file into a grave. People, wandering in search of justice, collapse one after another. Complaints of the poor and the voices of the oppressed have been buried alive. Clerks climb over the coffers, busy arranging deals among the elite. This is a file marked “Extremely Urgent” on the cover, yet trapped under the weight of countless “Pending” stamps.
Beneath a mountain of unread files, the fate of the nation is crushed. Today, watchful eyes ask: Is there anyone here who can retrieve this country from the endless ocean of unrecorded, damp, and torn files—a nation gasping for breath?
April 18, Surkhet – Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel has suggested that the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of local levels should be placed under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. In an interview on Saturday, Chief Minister Kandel emphasized that the federal government should delegate the responsibility of appointing and managing the local level CAOs to the provincial government.
“Currently, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration deploys Chief Administrative Officers at the local level. This system creates challenges in coordination, cooperation, and implementation between the different levels of government. Therefore, it is necessary to amend this arrangement to resolve the issues,” he said. He proposed that while the Ministry should technically assign CAOs collectively to the provinces, the office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers should manage vacant positions at the local level within their province.
Chief Minister Kandel highlighted the urgency of finalizing the division of powers swiftly to fully implement federalism as envisioned by the Constitution. “The Constitution sets the relationship among the federal, provincial, and local governments on principles of cooperation, coexistence, and coordination. It clearly defines shared and exclusive powers of each government level to avoid interference and confusion,” he added.
Furthermore, he clarified that the Province and local levels have the authority to legislate and implement laws within their exclusive powers, as long as these laws do not conflict with the Constitution and federal laws. “Hence, when the Province or local governments enact laws or policies within their exclusive rights, there should be no interference from the federal government,” he affirmed.
The third Ilam Gold Cup football tournament kicked off in Ilam with Pathari 11 Morang defeating the host RedHers Football Club in the opening match. The competition features eight teams, including two foreign clubs. The winner will receive a prize of 1 million Nepalese rupees along with a trophy, medals, and certificates, while the runner-up will be awarded 500,000 rupees in prizes.
On 5th Baisakh, at the local playing field, Thulo Tundikhel, Pathari 11 Morang secured a promising start by overcoming the host RedHers in a penalty shootout with a 4-2 margin. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time before being decided by the tiebreaker. RedHers’ Sandesh Khadka gave the home team an early lead by scoring in the third minute.
The game was highly competitive between the two sides. RedHers maintained their lead until injury time, when Pathari 11’s Saurya Raut equalized to send the match into a tie. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Pathari 11 Morang delivered an outstanding performance to clinch the win. Ashish Lawati of Pathari 11 was named Player of the Match for his excellent display.
The tournament was inaugurated by Suhang Nembang, the Member of Parliament representing Ilam Constituency No. 2. On Sunday, the competition will continue with a match between Rolling Sporting Club Dhulabari from Jhapa and Fidim Sporting Club from Panchthar. The event features participation from eight teams, both domestic and foreign.
The 6th Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship, organized by the Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, is scheduled to take place in the third week of Bhadra at the Dashrath Rangashala Covered Hall. The competition will feature seven weight categories ranging from 55 to over 80 kg, including a newly added 80+ kg group. The overall winner will be awarded the Mr. Kathmandu title along with NPR 500,000 in cash, a medal, a trophy, and a banner, according to the organizers. Kathmandu, 5 Baisakh – Under the patronage of the Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and organized by the Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Fitness Association, the 6th Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship 2073 is set to be held in the third week of Bhadra. The competition, adopting the motto “Health is Wealth,” will take place on Bhadra 19 and 20 (September 4 and 5, 2016) at the Dashrath Rangashala Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, organizers announced at a press conference on Saturday. This national-level event will include competitions for Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding, Master Mr. Kathmandu, Junior Mr. Kathmandu, Men’s Athletic Physique, Women’s Athletic Physique, and Men’s Sports Physique categories. Since its inception in 2073 BS (2016 AD), five editions of Mr. Kathmandu have been conducted successfully. To encompass bodybuilding athletes across Nepal and to enhance the competition’s appeal, the 6th edition will be held with refined arrangements at the national level, the organizers said. The bodybuilding contest will be held across seven weight classes: 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, and 80+ kg. Previously, weight categories only went up to 75 kg, but this year the addition of the 80+ kg group aims to make the competition more organized and competitive. The Junior Mr. Kathmandu category is open to athletes who have not yet reached the age of 21 by the end of Chaitra 2082 BS (mid-April 2026), while the Master Mr. Kathmandu category is for athletes aged 40 and above. Female competitors will participate in the Women’s Athletic Physique open height class. Under the Men’s Sports Physique category, competitions will be held in two height divisions based on international standards: one for athletes up to 170 cm tall and another for those above 170 cm. The two-day event will start with measurements of weight and height on the first day. Prize money will be awarded as follows: second and third place in each weight category will receive NPR 20,000 and NPR 10,000 respectively. The winner of each weight group, upon competing in the overall championship, will receive NPR 40,000, a medal, and a certificate. The overall winner will be honored with the Mr. Kathmandu title along with NPR 500,000 cash, a medal, trophy, and a banner. In the women’s competition, the top five finalists will compete for the overall title, with the winner receiving NPR 50,000, a medal, a trophy, and a banner. The runner-up and third place will be awarded NPR 30,000 and NPR 20,000 respectively, along with medals, while the fourth and fifth place participants will receive medals and certificates. Similar prize structures apply for Master Mr. Kathmandu, Junior Mr. Kathmandu, Men’s Athletic Physique, and Men’s Sports Physique finalists, with the champion receiving NPR 50,000, medal, trophy, and banner, the runner-up and third-place winners receiving NPR 20,000 and NPR 10,000 respectively, plus medals, and the fourth and fifth places awarded medals and certificates. The estimated budget for conducting this event is approximately NPR 5 million, the organizers said. They also expressed confidence that bodybuilding helps athletes develop healthy, attractive, and strong bodies, while enabling them to showcase their artistic and skillful physical performances in competitive sports.
Google has introduced new AI features to its services aimed at making summer travel easier. An AI mode that can call local stores on behalf of users to check product availability will be launched in the US within the next few weeks. Additionally, users will be able to track hotel prices by enabling a ‘price-tracking’ toggle and receive email notifications about any changes.
Google’s AI mode will investigate and report whether a specific item is in stock at nearby stores and also allow users to monitor hotel prices through the search engine itself. For instance, if a user needs a particular item such as clip-on lenses for glasses, the AI mode will call local stores to confirm availability. This service is set to become accessible exclusively in the US in the coming weeks.
Regarding hotel price tracking, users can now switch on the ‘price-tracking’ toggle to receive updates whenever there are fluctuations in the cost of a specific hotel. Google will promptly notify users via email about any price adjustments. This option is available under the ‘Prices’ tab on mobile devices.
According to Google Flights, the top searched summer 2026 destinations include Saint Martin, Stockholm, Kansas City, and Sarasota, Florida. Interest in AI has surged dramatically over the past year; for example, searches for terms like “AI travel assistant” and “AI concierge” have increased by 350 percent. Google stated that it is developing AI as an assistant to offer users a hassle-free travel experience.
5 Baishakh, Janakpurdham – In Jaleshwor, Mahottari, two people have died and three others were seriously injured when a large tree fell onto a tempo due to strong winds on Saturday evening. The incident occurred in front of the Prakauli Army Camp in Jaleshwor. According to the District Police Office Mahottari, two individuals died instantly after being trapped beneath the fallen tree.
The injured were immediately rescued by the Nepal Army and taken to the Provincial Hospital in Janakpurdham, District Police Spokesperson DSP Shailendra Bhatt reported. The deceased have been identified as 41-year-old Sakuntala Devi from Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-20, Dhanusha, and 33-year-old Rahul Malik from Ekdara Rural Municipality-3, Mahottari. Their bodies have been kept at the Provincial Hospital Jaleshwor.
The injured individuals include the tempo driver, 52-year-old Harendra Thakur from Jaleshwor Municipality-11, 43-year-old Feknidevi Malik, wife of Tapeshwar Malik from Ekdara Rural Municipality-3, 17-year-old Dhiraj Malik from Janakpurdham-12, and 14-year-old Riya Pandit from Janakpurdham-20. Among them, one person’s condition is reported to be stable.
Nigerian Jon Club secured their place in the Khajura Gold Cup final by defeating Four Brothers FC of Nawalparasi 2–1. According to the organizers, the final match between Nigerian Jon Club and Lucknow-based JVM Football Academy is scheduled for Sunday at 4 PM. The tournament winner will receive NPR 700,000 in cash, along with a trophy, medals, and certificates, while the runner-up will be awarded NPR 400,000.
On 5th Baisakh, Nepalgunj – Foreign team Nigerian Jon Club became the second team to reach the final of the inaugural Khajura Gold Cup. In a competitive semifinal held on Saturday, Nigerian Jon Club defeated Four Brothers FC of Nawalparasi 2–1 to earn their spot in the final at Miti Arena. For the Nigerian side, Tajudin Akinsola scored in the 39th minute and Olaobi Afiz added a goal in the 78th minute. Abhishek Mahto responded with a goal for Four Brothers, attempting to overturn their strategy.
During the match, three players from Nigerian Jon Club and two from Four Brothers received yellow cards. With their progression to the final, Nigerian Jon Club has set up a title clash against JVM Football Academy of Lucknow. Both teams are foreign clubs. The final is scheduled to start at 4 PM on Sunday, as announced by the tournament’s publicity coordinator Khagendra Dahal.
Nigerian Jon Club secured their semifinal spot by defeating Armed Police Force 3–0 in the knockout stage, while JVM Football Academy reached the semifinals by edging past the hosts, New Danfe Sports Club Khajura, with a 1–0 victory. The tournament is being held at the Mini Stadium in Khajura-4, D-gaun. A total of eight teams are participating, including the hosts New Danfe Sports Club, JVM Football Academy Lucknow, Kankre Vihar Club Surkhet, Four Brothers FC Nawalparasi, APF Kathmandu, and Nigerian Jon Club of Nigeria.
April 18, Kathmandu – KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (UML), has been discharged from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital after 21 days. His secretariat confirmed that six days following gallstone surgery, Oli was released from the hospital on Saturday evening and reached his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur.
Based on the report from the Gauribahadur Karki Commission, the police arrested Oli on March 27 to investigate incidents related to the Janajati movement. Following his arrest, the Kathmandu police took him to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital the same day for a health examination. Due to detected health issues, he was admitted to the hospital. Throughout this period, police custody and investigation continued while he was hospitalized.
During this time, Oli’s wife, Radhika Shakya, filed a writ petition for habeas corpus at the Supreme Court. Acting on the court’s order, Oli was released from custody on April 9 (Chaitra 26). While still hospitalized, the police released him on bail under the condition of regular check-ins and entrusted his care to his wife. However, he did not leave the hospital that day. Previously, it had been diagnosed that Oli had gallstones, for which surgery was conducted on April 13 (Chaitra 30). After six days of treatment, he has now been discharged from the hospital.
5 Baisakh, Kathmandu — The chariot procession of Red Machhindranath, revered as the deity of rain and cooperation, was held on Saturday. Every year, on the day of Baisakh Shukla Paksha Pratipada, an auspicious time is chosen to ceremoniously place Machhindranath on the chariot. This year, since the date fell on Saturday, the procession was conducted accordingly. The festival is considered officially started once the idol of Machhindranath is moved from Lalitpur’s Ta Bahal to the chariot constructed at Pulchok and installed there.
There is a tradition of keeping Machhindranath’s idol at Ta Bahal in Patan for six months and in Bungamati for the other six months. Accordingly, the idol was placed at Ta Bahal temple last Mangsir. The chariot of Machhindranath is 32 haath long and 48 feet tall. After placing the idol on the chariot, it is pulled and installed at Pulchok for three days, after which the chariot procession continues the following day from Pulchok to Ga Bahal.
The established route of the chariot goes from Ga Bahal to Mangalbazar, then Sundhara, Lagankhel, and finally to Jawalakhel. Traditionally, the king used to conclude the festival by showing the sacred vestment (bhoto) at Jawalakhel; nowadays, the president also participates in this event. After the Bhoto festival concludes, the Machhindranath idol is placed back on the ancient artistic platform and ceremoniously taken with cultural music from Jawalakhel back to Machhindranath Bahal in Bungamati. The Red Machhindranath chariot festival, the longest in the valley, begins on Baisakh Shukla Paksha Pratipada and lasts until Asar Shukla Chauthi, spanning nearly two months.
April 18, Doti – State Minister for Social Development Saraswati Khadka has highlighted the importance of preventing misinformation circulated on social media under the guise of development from obstructing the development process in Sudurpashchim Province. Speaking at the inauguration of the 16th Doti District-level President Running Shield event, she asserted that the provincial government is working diligently and honestly towards the overall development of the province.
“We are working day and night for the development of the province. However, the anticipated progress has not yet been fully achieved,” said Minister Khadka. “Development cannot take place by spreading falsehoods on social media.” She emphasized the necessity of cooperation and coordination among the three levels of government for successful development. Referring to the current provincial government’s efforts to continue good initiatives from the previous administration while addressing weaknesses, the minister stated, “We will not tolerate any irregularities in the province. If anyone has information regarding the sale of plans, please inform us through any available channel.”
Addressing the youth, she affirmed that a new government has been formed at the federal level according to the recent mandate, and the fulfillment of electoral promises will have to be observed over time.
April 18, Kathmandu: Youth leaders actively advocating for a special convention within the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) have criticized the ongoing debate over communist unity as an attempt to overlook the party’s transformation efforts. Ten young leaders, who have been advocating for the UML’s special convention, issued a statement on Saturday asserting that such discussions should not overshadow the party’s ongoing restructuring and revitalization campaigns.
“The debate on communist unity, launched untimely to cover up leadership mistakes and divert attention from the core agenda,” the statement reads, “is clearly aimed at making the party more defensive. This attempt will not resolve the central issues related to the party’s problems, its working style, and organizational weaknesses.”
They pointed out that the party’s defeat in the February 3 election was not merely a technical loss but also reflected the public’s serious distrust and doubts regarding the party’s policies, working methods, and leadership.
“Currently, ordinary cadres and youth members are expecting a comprehensive transformation, restructuring, and revival of the party,” the statement emphasized. “We oppose any untimely and malicious attempts at party unification and strongly condemn such activities.”
“We urge the party leadership to take the demands for transformation, restructuring, and revival seriously and to address them promptly through the central committee.” They reaffirmed their commitment to continue the campaign for timely transformation, restructuring, and revival of the party.
April 18, Hetauda – The Makwanpur District Administration Office, in coordination with the District Postal Office, has initiated a door-to-door passport distribution service for citizens at their residences. Currently, this service is limited to the Hetauda market area only. Ramesh Lamichhane, Chief of the District Postal Office, stated that passport delivery has begun across all 19 wards of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, reaching citizens directly at their homes. According to him, the office has distributed 76 passports between April 15 and 17. “Some beneficiaries have collected their passports at the office, while others have received them at home,” Lamichhane added.
A six-member team operates from two postal counters located in Hatiya, Hetauda-16, and Ward No. 2. Four members are stationed at the District Postal Office, and two at the counters, all engaged in the passport delivery operation. During the first phase, 50 passports have been delivered to citizens in various wards, including 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, and 17 of Hetauda. Lamichhane further noted that this service has not yet expanded to the other nine local levels of Makwanpur district.
While the service continues smoothly within the Sub-Metropolitan area, geographic remoteness and lack of transportation pose significant challenges in rural regions. Postal offices at the municipality level operate in Thaha Municipality, Bagmati, Bakeya, Manhari, Raksirang, Kailash, Indrasarobar, Bhimfedi, and Makwanpurgadhi rural municipalities. Each has a four-member team comprising a cashier, postal workers, and couriers. Lamichhane explained, “Due to limited resources and manpower, reaching households in remote areas is difficult. Once resource and manpower management improves, we will have the capacity to extend services to village levels.”
The postal office has yet to commence distribution services for citizenship certificates and driving licenses. Vasanta Adhikari, Chief District Officer of Makwanpur, mentioned that plans are underway to expand these services soon. “We have started with passports. We are planning to deliver citizenship certificates, national identity cards, and driving licenses to homes via postal services in the near future,” he said. He also shared that approximately 500 pending passports currently held at the administration office will be prioritized for door-to-door delivery.
April 18, Kathmandu – Samuel Samson, a senior advisor at the US State Department, has been breaking historical norms by holding personal meetings with far-right German parliamentarians in an office located just a short distance from the White House.
Since World War II, American foreign policy has maintained a nearly eight-decade-long stance of keeping Germany’s extreme right-wing parties out of power. However, this policy shifted during President Trump’s tenure, a change made evident by a meeting last September between Samson and Beatrix von Storch and Joachim Pabbie from Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The German domestic intelligence agency has classified this party as a suspicious extremist organization.
The meeting, which evolved into a session of exchanging grievances, reportedly included AfD leaders expressing concern to Samson, then 26, and other American diplomats that the German government might impose restrictions on their party, according to Paul and another knowledgeable source.
Americans have opposed stringent regulations on social media in Europe, framing such measures as tools aimed at suppressing conservative ideas. These groups even discussed a conspiracy theory claiming that mainstream European leaders sought to remove the white race and replace it with black immigrants.
‘Right from the beginning, we sensed how willing they were to listen to us,’ said Paul, ‘They were taking notes on many points.’
Samson has been leading Trump’s push to reshape US-European relations. Traveling across Europe, he has been strengthening ties with far-right groups, favoring such actors over moderate forces.
He accuses decades-experienced diplomats of restricting freedom and employs a strategy of repeatedly meeting with extreme rivals to empower them. Having graduated college just five years ago, Samson has adopted a firm stance against conventional American diplomatic norms.
In March, he held a secret breakfast meeting with UK far-right nationalist Nigel Farage, discussing topics such as abortion and censorship. In May, in Paris, he attempted to present a case before the human rights commission on behalf of far-right French leader Marine Le Pen concerning alleged injustices.
‘They were seeking someone who could lend credibility to their narrative,’ said Magali Laforcade, head of the commission.
However, this approach has yet to yield significant results. Marine Le Pen remains ineligible for the presidency. Hungary’s far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom Samson has praised, was recently defeated in elections. Several European far-right leaders currently view ties with Trump more as a burden than an opportunity.
Still, this remains a core component of Trump administration policy toward Europe.
Samson and most officials envision Europe in 2026 as a place where ‘woke’ culture and identity-based politics have become extreme. Protectionist policies and increased media regulation prevail while patriotism and national pride decline.
They argue that the European bureaucracy has sacrificed freedom of expression by regulating American tech companies and efforts to remove or restrict access to sexual abuse content on social media.
‘Europe has become a battleground of digital censorship, mass immigration, restrictions on religious freedom, and democratic self-governance,’ Samson wrote on the State Department’s Substack account.
In 2025, Samson was the most prominent diplomat openly criticizing European leaders. In November, Sarah Rogers became the State Department’s Public Diplomacy head and later traveled to the UK, meeting diplomats there.
Rogers conveyed Samson’s message with a slightly different style and voiced complaints about rising immigration and crime in the UK.
Many have discussed the topics of these meetings and talks, but due to lack of official authorization, names have mostly been kept confidential.
Both Samson and Rogers declined to give interviews. A State Department deputy spokesperson said, ‘They are engaging in tough dialogues that will strengthen Europe-US relations.’
“Building an Empire”
Son of a Filipino mother and an American father, Samson developed a religious character early on.
In 2013, as the student body president at his Catholic primary school, he spoke about ‘personal faith in God, intellectual respect, and social consciousness.’
During high school, he ran for student committee president with the slogan ‘Make Sack Great Again,’ and was known as a staunch conservative, according to the school newspaper.
While studying at the University of Texas, he faced racial slurs and threats. Working on Republican Senator Ted Cruz’s staff, Samson described his experiences as a conservative identity.
He recounted, ‘Even when I wore a Reagan-Bush-themed shirt to class, people threw harsh insults at me.’
Heidi Altman, a volunteer at the Catholic school who met Samson, said, ‘He was dedicated to building a Christian state. He would discuss politics and teach leadership.’
Soon, Samson moved to Washington DC and grew close to Vice President JD Vance, an early supporter of the American Moment organization, which aimed to launch careers of young conservatives.
Samson spent nearly three years in the organization, serving as chief strategist.
Vance has said, ‘This fight will be won not by the desperate but by those who believe in the future.’
When Trump returned, Samson was appointed senior advisor in the State Department’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor division.
In a December meeting, Samson (left) with a senior Hungarian official.
The department, established by the US Congress in 1977 to promote freedom, supports groups advocating women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and press freedom.
After Samson’s arrival, diplomats began searching for his records online. He mentioned knowing the Vice President personally, which made him notably assertive.
According to Nick Solheim, head of American Moment, Samson’s role was fitting, centering Christianity and freedom of expression in government service.
A former official revealed that Samson accused the European Union of restricting freedom of expression and instructed on how to counteract punitive measures. The office took three months to assess the impact of digital regulation.
Disliking the term ‘human rights,’ Samson sought to rename the department but failed; instead, he established the ‘Office of Natural Rights’ within it.
To him, ‘human rights’ are man-made political ideas, while ‘natural rights’ are God-given. He provided staff with a document titled ‘Natural Rights Doctrine,’ emphasizing the goal of avoiding criticism.
Unrest in Europe
In 2025, Samson toured Europe attempting to implement his principles.
He prioritized support for French anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen, who aspired to become the first far-right president since World War II but was currently trailing in elections.
In April, a court ruled Le Pen ineligible for public office for five years, despite her leading in polls. In May, Samson sought to involve the human rights commission in opposing the French government.
Last autumn, Samson met German AfD parliamentarians, indicating a shift in American policy.
Laforcade described the dialogue as ‘pointless and evasive,’ refusing to comment further. She suspected foreign interference and informed the government.
The same day, Samson and colleagues visited the Reporters Without Borders office, expressing dissatisfaction with the European Union’s Digital Services Act.
The law aims to protect users from abuse and requires social media platforms to remove illegal content.
Yet, Samson and other administration conservatives claim it is an attempt to silence far-right voices in Europe.
During the meetings, Samson reportedly said, ‘France is slowly becoming like North Korea.’
By year-end, technology regulation had been integrated into US policy, reflected in national security strategies and State Department plans.
Memos circulated to numerous embassies outlined goals from 2026 to 2030 to ‘rebuild a civilizational alliance with European nations infected by post-Cold War neoliberalism.’
These memos differed significantly from previous guidance, urging diplomats to condemn restrictions on free speech and religious freedom, and warning that immigration posed a national threat in Europe.
For mainstream European leaders, these memos illustrated a fundamental revolution in American perspectives. Gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ issues are deprioritized; religious freedom and far-right voices are given precedence.
The Trump-led US is prepared to limit support to Europe until its politics lean toward the far-right.
Influential Circumstances
By the end of 2025, Samson and Rogers were fully focused on advancing Trump’s new European strategy. They conducted European tours towards year-end to promote their agenda.
In early December, Rogers met British diplomats in London, sharply criticizing rising immigration and related crime (although official data suggests crime has decreased).
She criticized the police for arresting a transgender rights artist and expressed confidence in the British system’s issues.
British officials were stunned. ‘Everyone was caught off guard,’ one said.
Rogers, a former free speech lawyer with clients including the National Rifle Association and MAGA supporters, did not adopt Samson’s full confrontational style but strongly supported him.
Somewhat higher in rank than Samson, Rogers occasionally uses a less confrontational approach but remained focused on issues raised by Samson in the first quarter of 2026.
Samson during his early days in Austin.
In December, Samson’s final major European tour took him to Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. In Hungary, he made his boldest public statement against the old European order.
Speaking at Hungary’s Institute for International Affairs, he declared, ‘This is clearly not a Europe of freedom of expression and self-governance.’
His ‘Office of Natural Rights’ vowed to ‘take action protecting the core social interests from both traditional authoritarian and modern ideological extremes.’
Yet, four months later, the impact Trump’s administration hoped for had not materialized.
Before Hungary’s election, Vice President Vance visited Budapest, calling Orban a leader standing for Western civilization’s values.
However, in the recent election, Hungarian voters defeated Orban, who had been in power for 16 years.
