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Former President Barack Obama responded Sunday to the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet, urging Americans to firmly reject violence as a political tool.

In a statement posted on X, Obama addressed the incident, which took place during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, emphasizing the need for unity and restraint in a tense moment.

“Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama said.

He also praised the actions of law enforcement, highlighting the bravery displayed by the Secret Service agents who intervened. “It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay,” he added.

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who allegedly planned to attack the president and several cabinet officials during the event. Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, is said to have traveled across the country by train before arriving at the Washington Hilton carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

According to investigators, Allen outlined his intentions in a manifesto prior to the incident, targeting members of the administration. “Administration officials (not including Mr. [Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” he allegedly wrote before adding, “I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.”

Law enforcement officials said Allen was stopped as he attempted to breach a security checkpoint on a floor above the dinner venue. He fired two shots before being subdued by U.S. Secret Service agents. One agent was struck by gunfire but was protected by a bulletproof vest, and no additional injuries were reported.

Speaking at a press conference following the incident, President Trump—who has previously survived two assassination attempts—called on Americans to settle disagreements without violence and pointed to the sense of unity he observed at the event.

“I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully. We have to we have to resolve our differences. I will say, you had Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals, and Progressives. Those words are interchangeable perhaps, but maybe they’re not,” Trump said. “But yet everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd, there was a record-setting group of people. And there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together. I watched, I watched and I was very, very impressed by that.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu revealed during Sunday’s cabinet meeting the extent of the damage caused by the leak of the operation’s timing in Iran, warning that it could have undermined the element of surprise in the opening strike. “This is not just an attack against the Americans; it’s the destruction of the operation! And it gives advance warning to Khamenei and their defense systems ahead of our attacks,” Netanyahu said.

According to a report by Moti Kastel on Channel 14, Netanyahu delivered harsh criticism over the leak and told those present, “This is the most criminal leak I have known in decades! It is being investigated very seriously.” He later added to one of the ministers, “This caused damage like the false leak about Unit 100.”

During the meeting, Education Minister Yoav Kisch questioned the pace of the investigation, asking, “What is happening with the investigation? It must not be dragged out!” Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs responded that “both the Shin Bet and the Defense Ministry’s security department are involved; it’s sensitive.” Deputy Minister Almog Cohen added, “This could have been a major attack against the Americans.”

As previously reported, about a month ago the defense establishment opened an investigation into suspicions that the timing of the strike against Iran had been leaked to Channel 12.

Defense Minister Katz announced the development during a cabinet meeting after Education Minister Yoav Kisch raised the issue. “I don’t understand how it is possible that someone leaked the exact timing of the strike to Channel 12 and it passes quietly? How is that possible?” Kisch asked.

{Matzav.com}

There was a lower level of security for the White House correspondents’ dinner than for other gatherings of high-ranking officials, even though the president and many Cabinet members were in attendance, according to officials familiar with the plan.

 

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were quickly evacuated to safety when a gunman charged the security perimeter and attempted to storm the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Others in attendance included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The concentration of high-ranking leaders in one ballroom left the nation unusually vulnerable as the would-be assassin raced past Secret Service before he was apprehended. A worst-case scenario might have resulted in passing the power of the presidency to the senior-most senator of the majority party, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was not at the event and is third in line to the presidency behind Vance and Johnson.

When so many officials gather in one place for official functions such as an inauguration or State of the Union address, the secretary of homeland security typically puts the Secret Service in charge of coordinating all security through a formal designation known as a “National Special Security Event.”

There was no such designation on Motzoei Shabbos at an event also attended by thousands of journalists and other government officials, according to local and federal officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss security details. The suspected gunman, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, wrote a statement saying he wanted to target members of the Trump administration and ridiculed what he called lax security at the hotel, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the writings. He said Iranian agents could easily have brought more dangerous weapons to the venue, according to the text.

The White House referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Washington Hilton said in an email that the Secret Service “led security for the event.”

The Secret Service did not answer questions about its role.

One D.C. government official said they were not aware of an instance when the annual dinner had been designated as a National Special Security Event. It typically hosts high-ranking officials, but the lineup of those who attend varies from year to year.

WHCA Executive Director Steve Thomma also said in a text he was not aware of such a designation in the past. “Not a thing that’s ever come up in my time as executive director,” said Thomma, who has been the association’s executive director since 2017.

The Secret Service considered the site it was charged with protecting to be the ballroom and the immediate perimeter around it, according to two law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because there is a pending prosecution. The agency did not take responsibility for the entire Hilton hotel.

Outside, D.C. police handled road closures and traffic. In between, there was no clear responsibility for the security of the thousands of guests and rest of the Hilton property, where authorities said the suspect had booked a room.

Acting attorney general Todd Blanche said Sunday he did not view the incident as a security failure. The gunman was detained before reaching the ballroom.

“On the contrary, it was a massive security success story,” Blanche said during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. “I mean, if you think about what happened as far as what we know right now, this suspect barely breached the perimeter.”

The full range of security precautions taken before and during the event was not immediately detailed by authorities. Attendees were free to enter the hotel with only a paper or digital ticket, then mill about for hours before walking through metal detectors.

Attendees including Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) and Kari Lake, senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, questioned the security at the event. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-New York) called for an investigation.

In a post on X, Grassley said he was setting up a briefing with Secret Service leadership about “security protocols & related law enforcement matters” involving the dinner. He thanked the Secret Service for “quick action” at the scene.

D.C. police said the gunman was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives. One Secret Service officer was struck by a bullet but protected by a bulletproof vest. Blanche said authorities initially believe the suspect fired the shot that struck the officer.

“While this was extraordinarily dangerous and put a lot of lives at risk,” Blanche said during an interview with NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” “the system worked. All of us were safe. President Trump was safe.”

In a statement, WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the evening was “was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance.”

“Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it,” Jiang wrote. “The WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed. We will provide updates as soon as any are available.”

Jiang and Thomma did not immediately respond to questions about whether there had been any discussion with DHS prior to the dinner about whether it should be designated a National Special Security Event or who was responsible for security outside the immediate perimeter of the ballroom.

The absence of a National Special Security Event designation last came under scrutiny for the failure to protect the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the presidential election results on Jan. 6, 2021. Pro-Trump rioters overpowered the Capitol Police and breached the building, forcing lawmakers to evacuate and suspending the certification for hours. The Capitol was eventually cleared with help from the D.C. police, federal agents and the National Guard.

In the aftermath, the House Jan. 6 committee, the Government Accountability Office and the Justice Department Inspector General all recommended designating future electoral certifications as National Special Security Events. The joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2025, was such an event, with the Secret Service in charge.

A D.C. government official briefed on the preparation for the event, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said National Special Security Events tend to be for multiday events with regular attendance by the president and top cabinet officials.

“This is a dinner that he might not go to at the last minute and is not annually attended by him,” the official said in a text message in response to questions about why the event was not given the highest security level. “The State of the Union can only occur with the president, the WHCD has occurred many times without POTUS.”

Trump told reporters after the dinner that Secret Service and law enforcement did what they were supposed to do.

“I’m the one that would complain,” he said on Motzoei Shabbos. “I’d be up here right now saying they didn’t do their job. Oh, believe me, because, you know, it’s my life.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Emily Davies, Isaac Arnsdorf, Jeremy Roebuck, Joe Heim 

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Sen. Tim Sheehy announced Sunday that he plans to push forward legislation aimed at expediting the construction of a proposed ballroom at the White House, citing security concerns highlighted by a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Writing on X, the Montana Republican said he intends to introduce the measure and seek unanimous consent in the Senate to move it quickly. “This week I will introduce and seek unanimous consent for legislation providing express approval for construction of a presidential ballroom.

He pointed to the broader implications of the incident, arguing that it reflects poorly on the country’s ability to safely host major events in the capital. “It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our president, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations.”

Sheehy also addressed the issue of political violence more broadly, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in American society. “there is no place for political violence in America. Unfortunately, it seems, too many people believe trying to kill our president and members of our government is acceptable.”

He concluded by stressing that ensuring the safety of national leaders and event attendees should not be a partisan matter, calling for swift action on the proposal. “a president of any party should be able to host events in a secure area without attendees worrying about their safety. This is common sense. Let’s get it done.”

{Matzav.com}

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The suspect accused in Saturday night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner navigated through the Washington Hilton using a deliberate path designed to avoid security checkpoints and crowded areas, according to a report from CBS News.

Cole Tomas Allen was reportedly observed leaving his room on the hotel’s 10th floor dressed in black and carrying multiple weapons. Authorities said he had a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives, all packed in a black bag.

Instead of taking the main hallways, Allen allegedly chose an internal stairwell, descending roughly 10 floors. Investigators believe this route allowed him to steer clear of heavily monitored sections of the hotel where guests and security personnel were concentrated.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that by using this path, Allen was able to move toward the event without being noticed, despite the presence of President Donald Trump and other senior officials inside.

Allen eventually reached the terrace level of the hotel, which connects to the foyer leading to the red carpet entrance of the dinner. This positioned him only a short distance from a key entry point into the ballroom.

At that stage, Allen reportedly ran toward the area, rapidly closing the gap before security intervened.

Officers assigned to the event responded within seconds. Members of the Secret Service Uniformed Division quickly moved in and subdued Allen shortly after he appeared near the entrance.

Authorities said that after detaining him, officers followed established procedures, removing his outer garments and inspecting his bag to confirm that he did not have additional weapons or explosive materials.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:36 p.m., while the event was already in progress. The dinner was attended by thousands, including the president, first lady Melania Trump, Cabinet members, and journalists.

Officials noted that security screening was beginning to wind down at the time. Metal detectors that had been used to check incoming guests were already being taken apart, and no further attendees were being admitted into the ballroom.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has put forward a revised diplomatic framework to the United States through Pakistani mediators, proposing that efforts focus first on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the current conflict, while postponing negotiations over its nuclear program, according to a report Sunday night.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Axios that the Iranian proposal aims to prioritize maritime access and de-escalation before addressing the nuclear issue. A U.S. official and two individuals briefed on the matter said Tehran is attempting to break the current stalemate while navigating internal disagreements over how far it is willing to go in limiting its nuclear activities.

American officials, however, are wary of such sequencing. They believe that resolving the Hormuz situation first, particularly if it involves easing the U.S. blockade, would weaken Washington’s negotiating position. Without that leverage, they fear it would be more difficult to compel Iran to give up its enriched uranium stockpile or commit to long-term restrictions on enrichment.

President Donald Trump has made curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities a central pillar of his administration’s strategy, whether through diplomatic engagement or increased pressure.

According to three U.S. officials cited in the report, Trump is expected to gather senior national security and foreign policy advisers in the Situation Room on Monday to review the impasse and consider possible paths forward. One official said the meeting would center on the collapse of recent talks and the options available going forward.

Over the weekend, Trump called off a planned round of negotiations that had been set to take place in Islamabad. Senior envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been slated to travel there for discussions with Iranian representatives.

“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership,’” he continued. “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded a visit to Pakistan without any significant breakthroughs after meeting with local intermediaries.

Following those talks, Araghchi traveled to Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, where discussions reportedly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, before returning to Islamabad for additional meetings.

He is expected to continue on to Moscow on Monday for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Behind the scenes, officials involved in the talks say Araghchi and Pakistani mediators explored a phased approach designed to move past the current deadlock over Iran’s nuclear program.

One source said Araghchi told mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar that Iran’s leadership remains divided over U.S. demands for a long-term halt to uranium enrichment and the removal of enriched material from the country.

Under the revised framework being circulated, the immediate priority would be resolving the Hormuz crisis and lifting the U.S. blockade. This would be followed by either a prolonged ceasefire or a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Only after those steps, according to the proposal, would negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program begin.

Pakistani officials have already relayed the plan to the White House, though it remains unclear whether the U.S. is willing to entertain the proposal.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said: “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press. As the president has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said Sunday that security officials should reevaluate whether President Trump and Vice President JD Vance should appear together at major public events following Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, McCaul, who attended the event in Washington, said the incident raised serious concerns about the concentration of leadership in one place.

“The takeaway I got was that the line of succession,” McCaul said during the interview.

He pointed out that multiple top officials were seated together at the same table during the event, increasing the potential risk in the event of a coordinated attack.

“You had the president and the vice president at the head table, both of them together, and [House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La)]. Had an explosive device gone off, you would have knocked out the president, vice president, Speaker. The three in line of succession,” the Texas Republican noted.

When asked directly whether those leaders should avoid appearing together in public settings, McCaul reiterated his concern.

“I think the Secret Service needs to reconsider having both the president and vice president together.”

Under the current line of succession, if a president is unable to serve, the vice president and then the House Speaker would assume the role. McCaul also referenced the next official in line.

The next in succession would be the president pro tempore of the Senate, currently 92-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Meanwhile, the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Several news organizations have reported that the suspect is 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, though that identification has not been independently confirmed.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday that the suspect is expected to appear in federal court Monday to face charges, including using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated earlier Sunday that additional charges could be forthcoming, depending on the findings of the investigation.

He said the suspect “absolutely” could be charged with attempting to assassinate Trump depending on his “motive, his premeditation [and] what he wanted to do.”

According to a CBS News report citing law enforcement and White House officials, the suspect authored a manifesto outlining his intentions. The document reportedly described a plan to target administration officials in order of rank.

The manifesto stated he aimed to target Trump administration officials “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.” A White House official confirmed to The Hill that such a document exists.

Blanche said he remains confident in the level of security at the event and emphasized that the administration will not change its approach in response to the attack.

He said he is “very comfortable” that Trump, Vance and Johnson were present and stressed that the shooting “is not the kind of thing that will deter” the administration.

“This is not the kind of thing that will cause us to go down in a bunker and not come out. … We are going to continue to do our jobs,” Blanche added.

He also underscored the importance of continuing normal operations, including engagement with the press, while maintaining strong security measures.

“And our jobs include interacting with the press, which we do, which I’m doing now, which we did last night, and so very comfortable, because what you do when you have an environment like that, when you have the leaders of the free world in one room, is you make sure that you have security that will stop anybody from getting anywhere near any of those individuals,” he continued.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharply rebuked 60 Minutes host Norah O’Donnell during an interview after she read aloud a passage from the manifesto of the suspect accused in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

During the exchange, O’Donnell quoted directly from the document, including language that appeared to accuse the president or members of his administration of serious crimes. After reading the excerpt, she asked Trump to respond.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would…you’re horrible people,” Trump told O’Donnell.

He pushed back strongly against the content being read on air, rejecting any connection to the accusations.

“You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me,” he continued, adding he was exonerated.

Trump then directed his criticism squarely at O’Donnell herself.

“I’m not any of those things,” he said. “You should be ashamed of yourself reading that. You shouldn’t be reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace, but, go ahead, let’s finish the interview.”

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic and painful decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered early Monday morning that the traditional Lag Ba’Omer celebrations in Meron be canceled in their usual form due to the fragile ceasefire situation with Lebanon. The move followed a series of high-level security discussions convened by the Prime Minister.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs sent a formal letter to government ministers explaining that the decision was based on updated guidelines issued by the Home Front Command. Under the new directives, gatherings are limited to no more than 1,500 participants in communities situated along the Confrontation Line, including Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGanuz, and Safsufa.

The communication further clarified that the annual hilula of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai at Meron will not take place this year in its usual large-scale format. Instead, the observances will be conducted in a limited and symbolic manner, in accordance with current civil defense requirements.

Officials emphasized that the directive stems from “concerns over a potential mass-casualty event due to the fragility of the ceasefire with Lebanon, the site’s proximity to the Lebanese border, the possibility of rocket fire toward the area, and the difficulty of carrying out a large-scale evacuation of participants within the necessary timeframe.”

According to the letter, additional details regarding how the scaled-down hilula will be conducted are expected to be released closer to Lag Ba’Omer by the appropriate authorities.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump details his experience at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a gunman charged toward the ballroom. He says he wasn’t worried and praised the actions of law enforcement.

WATCH:

Buckingham Palace confirmed Sunday that King Charles III’s planned visit to the United States will move forward as scheduled, despite a shooting at a Washington media event just days before his arrival.

The incident occurred late Saturday during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, less than 48 hours before Charles and Queen Camilla are set to begin their four-day state visit.

Palace officials said the king was “greatly relieved” that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other attendees were not harmed. A later statement emphasized that the trip would continue as planned.

“The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the Visit getting underway tomorrow,” the palace said.

Earlier in the day, U.K. minister Darren Jones told broadcasters that British and American security officials were coordinating closely ahead of the visit.

He said teams were “working closely to ensure the security arrangements are put appropriately in place” for the trip.

According to reports, the king and queen privately contacted the Trumps to express sympathy for those affected by the shooting and to thank the security personnel who prevented additional casualties.

President Trump said one law enforcement officer was shot at close range but did not appear to suffer life-threatening injuries.

The visit, which will include stops in Washington and New York, is meant to highlight the longstanding alliance between the United States and Britain as America marks 250 years of independence.

During the trip, King Charles is expected to address Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II spoke there in 1991. The itinerary also includes tea with President Trump and Melania Trump, as well as a formal state dinner.

The visit comes at a time of friction between the two allies, with disputes over the war with Iran and ongoing attention surrounding the Epstein scandal casting a shadow over the occasion.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his stance opposing the war, along with disagreements over immigration and energy policies.

The two leaders spoke by phone on Sunday, during which Starmer “extended his best wishes … following the shocking scenes at last night’s White House Correspondents Dinner,” according to Downing Street.

“He expressed his relief that the President and First Lady were safe and wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured,” the statement added.

They also addressed broader economic concerns, including “the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally,” Starmer’s office said.

{Matzav.com}

Ehud Olmert on Sunday publicly criticized Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu following reports about Netanyahu’s prostate cancer diagnosis, drawing on his own experience and arguing that the situation should be handled with immediate transparency.

Speaking in an interview on 103FM, Olmert recalled the moment in 2007 when he was informed that he had cancer, describing how he chose to go public without delay and suggesting that failing to do so invites speculation and rumors.

“I was in the car on my way to a memorial for Yitzhak Rabin,” Olmert recounted. “The secretary from my office called and said that Dr. Shegev wanted to speak with me urgently. I assumed he was telling me the test was positive, meaning that I had cancer.”

Olmert described a meeting later that evening at his home with Dr. Kobi Ramon and Dr. Shegev, during which they confirmed the diagnosis.

“They told me the test came back positive and that I had prostate cancer. The size of the tumor was something like less than a centimeter. I said okay, but in any case this has to be reported to the public.”

According to Olmert, the decision to disclose the diagnosis was immediate and based on his understanding that information would inevitably leak.

“I took it as obvious that this is the kind of sensitive matter that a number of people already knew about. The doctors who treated me, the lab workers, the nurses—everyone knows. Within a few days, rumors would start that the prime minister has cancer in his head and that his days are numbered. All kinds of rumors that circulate in situations like this.”

He argued that the best course of action was to present the facts openly and without delay.

“I said that the most correct thing to do is to inform the public exactly what there is and what the course of treatment is. On Monday morning we announced a press conference that would take place within an hour. We didn’t want to announce it a day or two in advance because that would have created the panic we wanted to avoid, as if we were about to announce something dramatic. It was within an hour—there was no time to create panic.”

Olmert concluded by noting that stepping down was never under consideration at the time.

“I didn’t consider resigning. The tumor was found in the center of the prostate capsule and not on the edges, which is usually more dangerous. They said there was nothing that needed to be done immediately.”

{Matzav.com}

The California man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with the stated aim of targeting members of the Trump administration had filled his social media accounts with repeated anti-Trump messages in the days and weeks leading up to the incident.

Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Allen, 31, a graduate of Caltech, who was highly active on the platform BlueSky, where he posted extensively and reshared political commentary. He appeared to favor the site over X, at one point referring to its owner, Elon Musk, as a “Hitlerian figure.”

The account he used operated under the handle “Coldforce,” a name that also appeared at the end of a manifesto later attributed to Allen.

Across more than 1,000 posts, Allen frequently attacked the Trump administration, with his tone intensifying as U.S. backing for Ukraine appeared to decline.

In one message, he lashed out at Vice President JD Vance, writing that he is “a piece of [garbage] for bragging about ditching Ukraine during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia on April 14.

Allen’s account also promoted multiple fundraising efforts aimed at supporting Ukrainian military units and students seeking supplies.

In a separate post, he characterized President Trump as “a sociopathic mob boss,” citing references connected to the Epstein files.

On April 8, the same day the United States reached a temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran, Allen criticized the deal as capitulation, accusing Trump of abandoning his position.

“Trump is literally one of those villains that if you beat [him] hard enough, he’ll join your team. Don’t really have any other insights to this, it’s not really actionable cause no way schumer just canes him into acting his age, but, like, it would probably literally work on him,” he wrote.

Allen also reacted angrily after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Yoshkah.

Describing himself as a Protestant Christian, Allen shared and amplified posts accusing members of the Trump administration of religious hypocrisy and suggesting they should be labeled “satanic idolators.”

“i’m not sure that you can work for this admin and be any flavor of genuine christian believer and see trump post something like this [Trump as Yoshkah] without understanding, at some level, deep down, that you are [cursed] even if you’ll never admit it to anyone,” one repost read.

Similar sentiments appeared in the manifesto Allen distributed to friends and relatives before yesterday’s attempted attack. In it, he referenced Christian teachings about forgiveness but argued that the Trump administration had moved beyond the possibility of redemption.

His pinned post featured an anime-style image of a character apologizing.

“Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person [assaulted] in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial. I’m not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes,” he wrote.

Shortly before deleting his BlueSky account, Allen pinned a final post showing an animated character kneeling and offering a profuse apology.

His manifesto similarly opened with a series of apologies directed “to everyone whose trust [he] abused.”

Prosecutors said Allen is expected to face formal charges, including using a firearm in connection with a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer, when he appears in court Monday, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of the historic shiur klal delivered Sunday evening at Yeshivas Ponevezh, a private meeting took place between two of the leading gedolei haTorah centering on the ongoing gezeiros surrounding the draft law and the future of the olam haTorah.

Following his address, the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, went to the nearby home of Ponovezh rosh yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky, whom he had referenced during the shmuess after noting his absence. The visit was arranged at the rosh yeshiva’s request.

The meeting, which continued for a significant amount of time, was also attended by Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, rosh yeshiva in Ponevezh and son-in-law of Rav Povarsky. The conversation began with divrei Torah and recollections from earlier years, when the two gedolim sat together on the benches of the yeshiva.

The discussion then turned to pressing inyonei tzibbur, with primary focus on the draft law, the recent rulings of the court, and the intensifying gezeiros against bnei yeshivos. The roshei yeshiva spoke at length about the latest directive calling for sanctions and deliberated on possible derech moving forward, for the protection of the olam haTorah.

Earlier, during the shmuess before thousands of bochurim and avreichim, Rav Landau declared unequivocally: “Bnei yeshivos will not go to the army under any circumstances.”

In deeply emotional remarks reflecting on his personal connection to the yeshiva, the rosh yeshiva said: “I am standing here in this place, overwhelmed and moved by a place where I spent my youth in the early years after the yeshiva was established by the great Rav of Ponevezh of blessed memory. This place was a forge for many Torah scholars who illuminated the Jewish world, and from then until today the benches of the study hall have grown in both quantity and exceptional quality, with thousands who sit in this tent and tens of thousands of graduates—Torah scholars, heads of yeshivos, rabbis, and judges—testifying to the magnificent creation of the Rav of blessed memory.”

He continued: “You should merit, together with our teacher, the rosh yeshiva, may he live long (Rav Povarsky), who was appointed by the Rav of blessed memory to serve in the yeshiva and to increase Torah and fear of Heaven among the people of Israel, under the honored leadership of Rav Eliezer, may he live long. May you succeed in all your endeavors. The judicial authorities continue in their wickedness; we are believers, the children of believers, that Hashem is hardening their hearts. But even when Hakadosh Boruch Hu brings liability through the guilty, in the end the wicked will be brought to justice.”

Rav Landau further stated: “We remain steadfast in our Torah, and all these difficulties will not disturb us in the slightest in our Torah study. On the contrary, we will increase Torah, we will increase those who learn Torah, we will increase study halls. Those who are far will hear and come, and we will distance ourselves from the wicked among Israel, from them and from their masses. We will not relate to their decrees; we will ignore them, and they and their decrees will dissipate like a blowing wind and vanish like a dream. Bnei yeshivos will not go to the army under any circumstances, neither by force nor willingly, whether there is a law or there is no law.”

In closing, the rosh yeshiva said: “It is the role of the authorities to regulate this and not to make it more difficult, and if they insist, relief and salvation will come to the Jews from another place, and all wickedness will be consumed like smoke. And the land will be filled with knowledge.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s military has imposed a strict cap on crowd sizes in the Meron area ahead of Lag BaOmer, dealing a major blow to plans for the annual pilgrimage to the kever of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai.

In a statement issued Sunday evening, the IDF spokesperson said that following a situational assessment by the Home Front Command, it was decided to revise defensive guidelines and restrict public gatherings in frontline areas. Under the new rules, no more than 1,500 people will be permitted to gather at one time in the Meron region and nearby communities, including Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGanuz, and Safsufa. The directive remains in effect until 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu convened a meeting to discuss the Lag BaOmer event at Meron. According to reports, the prime minister and several ministers opposed holding the celebration in its usual large-scale format, while Minister Meir Porush and his team supported maintaining the traditional arrangements.

Project coordinator Yossi Deitch also backed Porush’s position. However, Netanyahu pushed for a significantly scaled-down event limited to only a few thousand participants. A final decision is expected to be made by the smaller security cabinet.

The IDF’s latest announcement appears to effectively eliminate the remaining possibility of holding the gathering in its customary form, as only 1,500 individuals will be allowed on the mountain at any given time. Authorities are expected to determine how access permits will be distributed.

In a related development, it was reported earlier here on Matzav.com that the central bonfire lighting ceremony led by Rav Meilech Biderman will not take place in Meron this year. Due to the complex security situation in northern Israel and the tight restrictions in and around Meron, organizers have decided to relocate the event to Yerushalayim. The ceremony is expected to be held at the intersection of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar streets, in a large open-air venue.

{Matzav.com}

Police have arrested an eighth suspect in the killing of Yamano Binyamin Zelka, a 21-year-old pizza shop employee who was fatally stabbed on the eve of Israel’s Independence Day in Petach Tikva, as the investigation into the case continues to expand.

According to police, officers from the Central District, led by the Sharon region’s serious crime unit, took the additional suspect into custody on Sunday in connection with the violent altercation that led to Zelka’s death. The latest suspect is a minor, bringing the total number of detainees in the case to eight and underscoring the scale of the incident and the extensive investigative efforts underway.

The investigation, which remains under a court-issued gag order, is focused on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the brutal street fight in Petach Tikva that claimed Zelka’s life. Zelka, who worked at a local pizzeria, was attacked after finishing his shift.

Of the eight suspects arrested so far, two have been released to extended house arrest for 12 days by court order, while the remaining suspects have been brought before a judge for hearings on extending their detention as investigators continue gathering evidence. Authorities are working to determine each suspect’s role, including who carried out the stabbing and who may have assisted afterward.

“Israel Police shares in the family’s grief and will continue to act decisively to complete the investigation, establish an evidentiary foundation, and bring all those involved to justice,” the police said in a statement.

At the same time, disturbing footage from the violent confrontation has surfaced. Due to the graphic nature of the material, only brief and blurred segments have been made public.

The attack took place shortly after 1:15 a.m. on the night of Independence Day. Zelka was rushed in critical condition to Beilinson Hospital, where doctors fought for his life for two days before he was pronounced dead on Thursday.

According to details emerging from the investigation, a group of youths is suspected of lying in wait for Zelka outside his workplace. When he finished his shift, they allegedly ambushed and stabbed him. As of earlier stages of the investigation, no arrests had initially been reported.

Tamir Zilber, manager of the pizzeria where Zelka worked for five years, described the victim as a dedicated and well-liked employee who had steadily advanced in his role—from bicycle delivery to motorcycle courier, and eventually to shift manager.

“He was a good, smiling kid, a true friend who helped anyone who needed it. A guy who knew how to work and loved to work, always looking to give more of himself,” Zilber said.

Recounting the moments leading up to the attack, Zilber said: “The youths came inside and started spraying ‘snow spray’ on the customers. The workers asked them to go outside. After a few minutes, they came back and threatened the workers again, and we thought it was over. Then a delivery worker came into the branch and said that the employee had been stabbed. He was sitting there and didn’t respond to me. I immediately called MDA. As soon as we heard the terrible news, we closed the branch.”

Emergency medical teams from Magen David Adom’s Yarkon region arrived quickly at the scene and found Zelka unconscious with a penetrating wound. After providing lifesaving treatment on-site, they transported him urgently to the hospital, but his injuries proved fatal.

The shocking incident has left residents of Petach Tikva reeling and prompted a strong response from Mayor Rami Greenberg, who issued a lengthy and emotional statement.

“There are no words to describe the depth of the shock and pain over the loss of a young life under such harsh and cruel circumstances. This was a young man who worked for his livelihood, who politely asked a group of youths not to spray inside the pizzeria where he worked—and in response, he was stabbed to death. This is an inconceivable event, which shows how quickly violence can escalate and exact the heaviest price. The youths who attacked and murdered will be caught by the police and brought to justice. There is no comfort in that, but there is a clear commitment to justice,” Greenberg said.

He also issued a direct appeal to young people and parents, urging serious reflection.

“Avoid violence! There is no heroism in it, only destruction. One moment of anger can destroy entire lives—the victim’s, the family’s, and even the attackers themselves,” he said.

Turning to parents, Greenberg added: “Talk to your children. Be involved, show interest, check where they spend time and with whom, especially at night. Responsibility belongs to all of us. The Petach Tikva Municipality operates a wide range of educational, awareness, and enforcement measures to combat violence and will intensify its efforts, but that is not enough. We must act together across all systems and speak with our youth at home and in educational frameworks. This is a moment for reflection. We must act together to prevent the next case. I share in the family’s grief during this difficult time. We will continue to support them as needed. May his memory be blessed.”

{Matzav.com}

There is growing excitement among Belzer chassidim after the Belzer Rebbe made a decision to hold the long-awaited Heichala D’Malka Shabbos for donors this coming Shabbos, Parshas Emor, following a delay due to his weakened condition.

The special Shabbos, which had originally been scheduled for last week’s Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim and postponed because of the Rebbe’s health, will now take place this coming Shabbos in a hotel in the Yerushalayim hills. While it had initially been planned for the D-City complex, other locations are now being considered, though that option has not been ruled out.

The event is being described as a historic Shabbos for major supporters who have committed $100,000 to the Belz institutions, payable over three years, or over two years for donors from overseas.

The announcement created a stir within the Chassidus after senior representatives entered the Rebbe’s private chamber on Sunday following Mincha. Those present included Rabbi Pinchas Lerner, CEO of the Belz institutions’ U.S. offices, and Rabbi Shimon Faivush, a member of the Belzer leadership in Israel. During the meeting, the Rebbe expressed a strong desire to participate in the upcoming Shabbos, which coincides with Pesach Sheni.

After leaving the Rebbe’s residence, Rabbi Lerner shared an emotional message that was distributed widely among Chassidim.

“Blessed is He who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this time. As all Belzer Chassidim can see and hear, thank G-d that our master is feeling better, and even more so—may Hashem continue to help. The Rebbe’s son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, asked me to reenter and present all the options, and whatever the Rebbe says—that is what we will do, with G-d’s help. I went in after Mincha and told the Rebbe that there are Jews abroad calling me and saying that the Rebbe should not be burdened and the Shabbos should be postponed, while others insist that it must take place now so that the tzibbur should not cool off, Heaven forbid.”

“I told the Rebbe that whatever he says, we will follow, and I presented all the options: to hold the Shabbos on Parshas Beha’aloscha or Bamidbar, or on Parshas Matos-Masei. The Rebbe thought for a long minute and then said clearly: ‘Parshas Emor.’ I then gathered the courage and said that the president in America is threatening war every day, and I wanted to know whether we could invite people from all over the world to attend. The Rebbe responded that they can come to the Holy Land and return home safely, with G-d’s help. After that, the Rebbe told me: ‘Tell them that whoever comes for Shabbos will add to my health.’”

Rabbi Lerner continued, visibly moved by the message. “Ladies and gentlemen, to hear such holy words from the Rebbe! Every one of us is concerned for his well-being and health. I say this again with emotion: any Belz חסיד who hears such words and has the ability to give the $100,000 requested should seize this opportunity and merit that the Rebbe himself declared ‘Parshas Emor.’ Let us not be among those who regret missed chances—let us take advantage of this moment. We eagerly await seeing you, with G-d’s help, this holy Shabbos together with our Rebbe.”

{Matzav.com}

The central Lag BaOmer bonfire lighting led by Rav Meilech Biderman will not take place in Meron this year and has instead been relocated to Yerushalayim in a major change driven by the ongoing security situation.

After weeks of uncertainty and intensive security consultations, a final decision was made on Sunday to move the large-scale gathering, which annually draws tens of thousands. The event will now be held in the heart of Yerushalayim, at the intersection of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar, where authorities are preparing a massive open-air venue.

The shift comes in light of heightened tensions in northern Israel and strict restrictions imposed on the Meron area and surrounding regions, making it impractical to host the event there.

In previous years, the ceremony was held at “Compound 89” near Meron and became a central attraction for those unable to access the kever of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai itself. The move to Yerushalayim marks a significant departure from that setup and reflects broader changes to this year’s Lag BaOmer schedule amid the war.

Large gatherings associated with Rav Biderman have historically drawn overwhelming crowds. Organizers and officials recall past events in Beit Shemesh where police were forced to halt the music multiple times due to dangerous overcrowding and concerns for public safety as masses of participants flooded the area from across the country.

This year, event planners and community organizers are working to prepare the Yerushalayim site to safely accommodate the anticipated crowds.

{Matzav.com}