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Zohran Mamdani’s latest move is pushing New York City’s business community closer to open political warfare, as prominent executives and civic leaders increasingly conclude that quiet diplomacy with the mayor is no longer enough. His decision to publicize the names of people affected by his proposed pied-à-terre tax has become a flashpoint, convincing many that a more aggressive response is necessary, the NY Post reports.

The controversy erupted after City Hall released the identities of taxpayers who would be subject to Mamdani’s proposed tax on non-primary residences valued at $5 million or more, putting thousands of affluent property owners squarely in the public spotlight.

Critics argue that the proposal is fundamentally misguided because many of these homeowners live outside New York for most of the year, make little use of city services, yet already contribute enormous sums in state and local taxes. Rather than paying even more, they warn, many could simply choose to invest in places like Boca Raton instead of maintaining homes in Manhattan.

Opponents also see something more troubling behind the policy than just another tax increase. They contend that by publicly identifying wealthy property owners, Mamdani is embracing a form of class warfare that seeks to shame successful people for political gain. In their view, the published list functions as an “enemies list,” targeting people the administration believes should be paying more, while energizing its progressive base through a campaign of public humiliation.

Several business leaders who spoke privately said their reaction to seeing the published names went beyond politics. The headlines immediately reminded them of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, whose murder at the hands of Luigi Mangione highlighted the dangers that can arise when high-profile executives become public targets.

Steve Fulop, who leads the Partnership for New York City, said he has grown increasingly frustrated by what he views as the mayor’s relentless attacks on businesses and high-income residents, whose tax dollars finance much of the city’s spending. Despite repeated attempts to maintain constructive dialogue with City Hall, the publication of the taxpayer list appears to have convinced him that cooperation alone will no longer be effective.

Instead of continuing to seek compromise, Fulop is now preparing a broader political response. While he has declined to publicly outline the strategy, those familiar with the effort say it will focus on building support for candidates willing to challenge the Democratic Socialists of America and their agenda at the ballot box.

Fulop also notes that one of the earliest and most visible targets of the mayor’s campaign, Citadel founder Ken Griffin, possesses the resources to maintain extensive personal security. Many of the other individuals whose names appeared on the list, however, are affluent but far from billionaires and lack the same ability to protect themselves.

“This is a mistake, and a dangerous precedent,” Fulop said. “Publishing names and addresses singles out people who have done nothing wrong, at a moment when the far left already treats success itself as something to be punished. Most of the people on that list aren’t billionaires by any stretch – they’re people that believed in NYC, worked hard and bought a second home. All this does is make people feel less safe in their own city, and less welcome in it”

A Democratic political strategist aligned with the party’s more moderate wing said many influential figures in New York’s business world are genuinely alarmed by the direction City Hall is taking. According to the adviser, their fears are far from exaggerated.

“(Mamdani) is paving the way for a future Luigi psychopath,” she told me.

For many critics, the publication of the list is only one example of what they see as a broader ideological agenda taking shape under Mamdani’s administration. They argue that City Hall has become consumed with left-wing activism and identity politics instead of concentrating on core municipal responsibilities such as public education, sanitation, and public safety.

They point to a series of recent controversies that have fueled those concerns. One day, the mayor refuses to distance himself from the slogan “Globalize the Intifada,” despite widespread criticism of its meaning. The next, he raises the possibility of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes, dismissing longstanding diplomatic norms, including diplomatic immunity, according to his critics.

Opponents also accuse Mamdani of pursuing an economic agenda rooted in government intervention. They argue that his proposal for city-run grocery stores will do little to change where affluent residents shop while placing neighborhood bodegas and small retailers at a severe competitive disadvantage. Meanwhile, they say, taxpayers in the middle and working classes will ultimately shoulder the cost of subsidizing the program.

Business leaders also warn that the city’s broader economic outlook is deteriorating. They point to rising taxes, companies relocating elsewhere, and declining demand for New York municipal bonds as evidence that investors are increasingly wary of financing the mayor’s agenda. At the same time, they argue that police funding has not kept pace with other spending priorities in Mamdani’s record-setting budget, even as the city continues expanding services for migrants.

Taken together, critics say these developments have left New York looking increasingly hostile to businesses and investors. They believe the city is becoming a less secure and less attractive place to live, work, and invest—and that many in the business community have reached the same conclusion.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia has signaled that normalization with Israel remains a viable goal despite the ongoing regional conflict, with a senior Saudi official saying the war and attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis have only underscored the need for a broader regional alliance. The official also stressed that Riyadh’s civilian nuclear ambitions do not conflict with the normalization process.

The latest indication comes as President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu continue coordinating their regional strategy, with Iran remaining the central focus of recent high-level discussions at the White House.

According to diplomatic sources, the significance of Trump’s summit with Netanyahu lay in aligning the two leaders on their long-term objectives in the Middle East. Those goals include intensifying economic pressure on Iran while maintaining a campaign of sustained military strikes, but—for now—avoiding a return to full-scale war.

During the White House meeting, which was attended by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the participants agreed on a common strategic objective: weakening Iran to the point where it no longer poses a threat to neighboring countries while increasing the likelihood of eventual regime change.

Diplomatic sources said the discussions included multiple scenarios and contingency plans, as well as some differences over how best to achieve those objectives and the appropriate timetable. While U.S. officials did not rule out a temporary arrangement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, they concluded that Iran’s leadership remains unwilling to accept Washington’s baseline demands or compromise proposals advanced by Oman and Pakistan.

The military dimension of the conflict was also examined, with participants weighing the consequences of resuming an intensive military campaign versus continuing the current war of attrition. When the conversation turned to economic pressure, Netanyahu—backed by Rubio—focused on Iran’s deteriorating domestic situation and the conditions that could trigger a renewed wave of anti-regime protests.

Sources noted that the strategy closely mirrors discussions held during previous meetings at Mar-a-Lago in December and again in February, centering on a prolonged campaign of economic pressure designed to further weaken Iran from within.

Energy security also emerged as a key topic. Officials discussed Iran’s mounting difficulties refining crude oil and importing refined petroleum products because of international sanctions, as well as the impact of Israeli strikes on Iranian natural gas facilities, which have further strained the country’s electricity supply.

The issue of Iran’s nuclear program occupied a smaller portion of the talks, and no new Israeli intelligence was reportedly presented. Nevertheless, officials emphasized that there is no disagreement between Washington and Yerushalayim about the need to act if Iran moves closer to obtaining nuclear weapons. As a result, Mount Makosh and Iran’s other nuclear facilities will continue to be closely monitored to enable rapid operational decisions if necessary.

One official familiar with the discussions told Israel Hayom that the broad agreement reached at the White House far outweighed the relatively minor differences between the two governments. The source added that views within the Trump administration have also become more unified after Iran allegedly violated a previous memorandum of understanding.

The talks also addressed efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Participants criticized European nations for not doing more to assist the effort thus far, while expressing confidence that continued disruption would eventually compel them to become more actively involved.

Expanding the Abraham Accords was another major topic of discussion, with Trump reaffirming his commitment to bringing additional countries into the normalization framework, particularly Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic sources cautioned, however, that the timeline for such a breakthrough will depend heavily on developments in the confrontation with Iran.

One official said Iran’s use of the Houthis to disrupt shipping routes connecting Saudi Arabia to global markets has pushed Riyadh closer to recognizing the need for a genuine regional alliance against Iran and its proxy forces.

A senior Saudi diplomatic source told Yisroel Hayom, “The Israeli issue (regarding normalization and joining the Abraham Accords) has not been taken off the table during the war.”

Asked whether a proposed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear program could complicate normalization with Israel, the official replied, “There will be a Saudi civilian nuclear project, and it does not contradict the Israeli issue.”

{Matzav.com}

A new election poll points to a dramatic shift within Israel’s Chareidi political landscape, with United Torah Judaism overtaking Shas for the first time in months, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot remain deadlocked at the top. The survey also shows Naftali Bennett continuing to lose ground, while a new party led by Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Trooper crosses the electoral threshold for the first time.

According to a Channel 13 News poll, if elections were held today, both Netanyahu’s Likud and Eisenkot’s Yashar Party would win 23 Knesset seats each, with both gaining two seats compared to the previous survey. Bennett’s Together Party continues its downward trend, falling to 13 seats—its weakest showing to date.

Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, would secure 10 seats. The Democrats would drop two seats to 9, matching the total projected for United Torah Judaism. Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit would receive 8 seats, while Shas would fall sharply to just 7. Ra’am, headed by Mansour Abbas, would earn 5 seats, as would the new Bayit Tzioni party led by Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Trooper, which enters the Knesset for the first time in the poll.

Hadash-Ta’al is projected to win 4 seats, while Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism Party also receives 4 seats after losing one mandate. Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party and Balad both remain below the electoral threshold.

The bloc breakdown gives the opposition 55 seats, compared with 51 for the current coalition. The Arab parties collectively hold 9 seats, while Bayit Tzioni accounts for the remaining 5.

Respondents were also asked how confident they are in the political bloc they intend to support. The poll found that 49% are certain they will vote for the opposition bloc, 35% say they are firmly behind the coalition, 10% remain undecided, and 6% identify themselves as voters who could support either bloc.

When participants were asked who is better suited to serve as prime minister, Eisenkot led Netanyahu by a margin of 47% to 36% in a hypothetical head-to-head race. In a separate matchup, Bennett also outperformed Netanyahu, receiving 45% support compared with the Prime Minister’s 40%.

The survey also examined public perceptions of Netanyahu’s recent trip to the United States. Forty-three percent of respondents said they believe the primary reason for the visit was the upcoming election campaign, while 36% viewed it as a diplomatic and security mission. Another 14% said they believed the trip was mainly intended for the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Participants were also asked whether Netanyahu’s visit to Washington improved Israel’s chances of achieving its objectives regarding Iran. A majority of 55% said the visit made no difference. Twenty-eight percent believed it improved Israel’s position, while only 4% felt it made the situation worse.

Meanwhile, a separate Channel 14 News poll paints a markedly different picture, showing the right-wing bloc maintaining a governing majority of 62 Knesset seats.

In the Channel 14 survey, Likud remains Israel’s largest party with 32 seats. The center-left bloc receives 47 seats, while the Arab parties collectively rise to 11.

Within the opposition, Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party slips by one seat to 22 mandates, while Bennett’s Together Party remains at 7. The Democrats and Shas each receive 10 seats, United Torah Judaism and Yisrael Beiteinu each win 8, Otzma Yehudit earns 7, Hadash-Ta’al receives 6, and both the Religious Zionism Party and Ra’am finish with 5 seats apiece.

Asked who is best suited to serve as prime minister, respondents in the Channel 14 poll gave Netanyahu a commanding lead with 51% support. Eisenkot followed with 37%, while Bennett received 6%, Lieberman 5%, and Gantz just 1%.

Several parties remain below the electoral threshold in the Channel 14 survey. Hendel and Trooper’s Yesodot Yisrael Party received 2.1%, Balad also stood at 2.1%, Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut Party polled at 1.3%, and Blue and White garnered only 1.1%.

{Matzav.com}

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that his office has opened a state investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, escalating Republican efforts to scrutinize the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a heated Senate hearing.

Fauci, who served as President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 adviser during the pandemic, promoted measures such as mask mandates and social distancing that drew fierce opposition from many Republican lawmakers, especially in Florida under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Over the past several years, Fauci has repeatedly testified before congressional committees, where critics accused him of misleading lawmakers and the public.

During Wednesday’s Senate hearing, Fauci declined to answer questions, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination. Shortly after the hearing concluded, Uthmeier revealed that Florida would begin its own investigation.

“Fauci’s lack of candor to Congress is unbelievable,” Uthmeier wrote in a post on X. “It’s past time we get the truth of what happened during COVID.”

Since DeSantis appointed him attorney general in February 2025, Uthmeier has launched a series of high-profile investigations and legal actions, including challenges involving the state’s ban on transgender medical treatments for minors and litigation related to NFL hiring practices.

Responding to Fauci’s testimony, DeSantis argued Wednesday on X that the former White House medical adviser should not be able to rely on the Fifth Amendment because he had already received a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden. DeSantis also said Fauci should be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions from Sen. Rand Paul about U.S. funding provided to a laboratory in the region of China where the first known COVID-19 cases emerged.

When another X user asked what legal options remained, DeSantis replied that any prosecution would have to come from state authorities despite the federal pardon.

“It would require either a state AG or local state attorney to bring a case, which would need to establish violations of state law as well as personal jurisdiction over the defendant,” DeSantis wrote.

Paul has already warned Fauci that invoking the Fifth Amendment would not end congressional scrutiny. The Kentucky senator said Fauci would face consequences for refusing to testify and has scheduled an Aug. 5 committee meeting to consider whether Congress should hold him in contempt.

DeSantis became one of the nation’s most prominent critics of the federal pandemic response, rejecting many of Washington’s public health recommendations during COVID-19. Florida became the first state to fully reopen its schools, and in 2021 DeSantis appointed Dr. Joseph Ladapo as state surgeon general after Ladapo gained national attention for questioning the effectiveness of policies such as mask mandates and social distancing.

Uthmeier also played a key role in Florida’s pandemic response, serving as DeSantis’ chief of staff before being selected to succeed current Sen. Ashley Moody as attorney general. About a month ago, he said he had been actively looking for a legal path to prosecute Fauci.

“And when I have a case ready, I’ll bring it,” Uthmeier said at the time.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Chareidim who avoid the army who had hoped to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah may now be unable to leave Israel after the Population and Immigration Authority implemented a new departure procedure that blocks anyone under an exit ban from completing the airline check-in process.

According to a report by Mordechai Halperin of Army Radio, the Population and Immigration Authority, which operates under the Interior Ministry headed by Shas, recently revised its departure procedures in coordination with the Attorney General’s office. The change is intended to prevent individuals subject to court-ordered travel bans from bypassing airport controls and leaving the country.

Until now, travelers were checked for exit restriction orders only when they reached passport control at the airport. According to the report, some Chareidi draft evaders were able to circumvent the automated checkpoint by closely following another traveler who was not subject to a travel ban, allowing them to pass through the gate after it opened for the other passenger.

Under the new system, anyone who is prohibited from leaving Israel will be prevented from checking in for a flight altogether. Airlines are now notified at the check-in stage that the traveler is subject to an exit restriction, effectively preventing that individual from proceeding through the airport and boarding a flight.

The report says organizations representing Chareidi draft evaders are outraged by the change. With preparations underway for the annual pilgrimage to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah, they believe thousands of draft evaders who had hoped to use the previous method to leave Israel will now be unable to make the trip.

Responding to the report, the Population and Immigration Authority said: “In recent months, the departure process from Israel has indeed been streamlined, and it was decided that anyone who has an exit restriction order against them will be informed of it at the beginning of the departure process from Israel rather than at the end, so that they can resolve the matter before beginning the process.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

As you may have heard, this week the OU Kosher-certified AgriStar facility in Postville, Iowa suffered a devastating fire. The damaged plant is responsible for a significant portion of kosher beef and chicken schechted and sold in the US. The loss is significant enough that we want to alert the tzibbur that they will likely feel the impact in the coming weeks, including reduced supermarket availability. We are working actively with AgriStar and other OU Kosher-certified shechita plants to ramp up production and minimize the impact on our community. 

We have also provided clear guidance to our mashgichim in the field on exercising extra zahirus at this time. Unfortunately, when supply is limited, it creates opportunity for unscrupulous individuals looking to profit at the expense of the ehrliche, kosher-observant public. This guidance includes: 

• Verifying that all incoming meat and poultry bear proper kashrus identification and required seals. 

• Carefully inspecting labels, packaging integrity, and hechsher markings before accepting deliveries. 

• Confirming that products are received only from approved suppliers and distributors. 

• Immediately reporting any discrepancies, or suspicious circumstances to their Rabbinic Coordinator before permitting the items to enter production or inventory. 

The Yerushalayim Municipality and the Hagihon Water and Sewage Corporation are warning residents to be on high alert after uncovering a sophisticated fraud scheme in which scammers are sending fake payment demands that closely resemble official municipal notices.

According to the municipality and Hagihon, the fraudulent requests are being distributed by individuals falsely claiming to represent the city or the water corporation. Officials said the scam is designed to trick residents and other recipients into sending money to unauthorized accounts.

Authorities explained that the fraudsters are using convincing documents featuring genuine-looking logos, project information, and other official details to make the payment requests appear legitimate and persuade victims that the demands are authentic.

The Yerushalayim Municipality and Hagihon emphasized that no payment should ever be made without first confirming the request directly with the appropriate official office. They also stressed that all payments must be sent only to the organizations’ authorized bank accounts.

Officials further warned that any notice involving a change in bank account information or any unusual payment request should immediately raise suspicion and be independently verified. They urged the public not to provide personal information or transfer funds in response to messages or documents that appear questionable.

The case has been turned over to the Israel Police and other law enforcement agencies for investigation. Meanwhile, the municipality and its Security Department are working to prevent additional incidents. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant, avoid sending money if there is any doubt about a payment request, contact the appropriate municipal service center for verification, and promptly report any suspected fraud to police.

{Matzav.com}

LONDON — In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the Chareidi community in the United Kingdom, the rabbanim of Golders Green have instructed that no Talmudei Torah or girls’ schools open for the new school year until every child has been placed in an appropriate educational institution.

The extraordinary directive, signed by all of the neighborhood’s rabbanim, orders school administrators to delay the opening of the zeman as long as more than 20 students remain without placements.

The letter is widely being described as a historic first for the London Chareidi community, with the rabbanim taking a firm stand on behalf of parents and children who have spent months anxiously waiting for acceptance into local schools.

At the outset of their letter, the rabbanim expressed deep appreciation for the administrators and volunteers who devote themselves tirelessly to maintaining the community’s educational institutions.

“At the outset,” the rabbanim wrote, “we express our gratitude and profound appreciation to the administrators and those involved in our holy institutions, who devote themselves day and night with unwavering dedication to educating the children of our community and sustaining our Torah institutions.”

The rabbanim then explained that despite those efforts, more than 20 students still had not secured placements for the coming school year.

“However, since there are still more than twenty students who, for whatever reason, have not found their proper place in the city’s educational institutions for the upcoming school year, and for several months these students and their parents have been sitting and waiting in tremendous anguish for the salvation that has yet to come, therefore we have come together, by virtue of the authority vested in the rabbanim of the city, to instruct that the schools and Talmudei Torah not open their doors for the new classes until every student has found the appropriate place for his education.”

The rabbanim acknowledged the significant cost of such a decision, recognizing that postponing the school year would result in widespread bittul Torah.

“We are fully aware that this involves bittul Torah for the other students as well. Nevertheless, this is an ‘eis la’asos LaHashem,’ and we set aside the Torah learning of the many.”

Among the signatories were the prominent Freshwater brothers, well-known philanthropists and benefactors who reside in the Golders Green community.

The dramatic directive quickly reverberated throughout London’s Chareidi community, placing immediate pressure on school administrators to resolve the placement crisis.

Within hours of the letter’s publication, the leadership of Beis Medrash Elyon (UK) issued a striking response to the rabbanim.

In an emotional letter, the administration said it has made every possible effort to accommodate every student seeking admission. However, it explained that the institution has reached its financial limits and simply lacks the funding necessary to expand.

The administrators directed sharp criticism toward London’s wealthy philanthropists, arguing that although the city is home to individuals capable of sustaining the entire Torah world, financial support has not kept pace with the growing need.

They urged the rabbanim to use their influence to encourage additional donations from community benefactors, insisting that the enrollment crisis is fundamentally the result of insufficient funding rather than any unwillingness on the part of the schools to accept students.

The letter concluded with a dramatic announcement.

Until the financial situation is resolved, the members of the administration said they are resigning from their positions and turning over the management of the institution—and the responsibility for its future—to the rabbanim of the city.

The unfolding developments have once again brought into focus a painful challenge confronting Chareidi communities around the world. Each year, as the school year approaches, families endure weeks and sometimes months of uncertainty while waiting for their children to be accepted into schools, with some students remaining without placements until the last moment—or even beyond.

Many within the educational community argue that the system too often treats families unequally, noting that children from well-connected or influential families frequently secure placements much more quickly than others facing similar circumstances.

In the wake of the Golders Green rabbanim’s unprecedented action, many are expressing hope that their decision will serve as a model for other communities. Supporters say they hope rabbanim elsewhere will adopt a similar approach, declaring that no Elul zeman should begin until every child—every boy and every girl—has found an appropriate place in a school where he or she can learn and thrive.

{Matzav.com}

A sharp dispute has broken out within Israel’s governing coalition after millions of shekels earmarked for Chareidi education and kindergarten teachers became stalled in the Knesset Finance Committee, triggering an escalating public clash between Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni, Shas leader Aryeh Deri, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Gafni is furious with Deri and Shas, accusing them of blocking the transfer of funding for Chareidi educational institutions and kindergarten teachers. According to Gafni’s camp, the money was part of an agreement he reached with Smotrich, under which Chareidi education funding would be approved in exchange for budgets benefiting Jewish communities in Yehudah and Shomron.

“Shas took the money intended for Chareidi kindergarten teachers hostage solely to extort funding for the Ministry of Religious Services,” officials in Degel HaTorah charged.

Shas, however, categorically rejected the accusations, arguing that Smotrich and Gafni negotiated the arrangement without consulting the party. According to Shas, the Finance Ministry has deliberately delayed funding for the Ministry of Religious Services as political retaliation, amid an ongoing dispute with the party over rabbinical appointments—a crisis first reported several weeks ago.

Party officials further claimed that the budget request for the Ministry of Religious Services was submitted too late to comply with the required 48-hour advance notification period, making it procedurally impossible for the Finance Committee to approve the allocation.

In private conversations, Deri has reportedly expressed unusually harsh criticism of Smotrich’s advisers. According to a recent report in Mishpacha magazine, Deri has even sarcastically referred to Smotrich as a “partner.”

Coalition officials are now scrambling to find a legal mechanism that would allow the Finance Committee to convene and approve the frozen allocations on an expedited basis while bypassing the opposition’s consent, which is ordinarily required during an election period. Without such a solution, the funding is expected to remain frozen indefinitely.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday that the United States would respond forcefully after Iran launched missiles overnight at American military bases in Jordan, declaring that the time had come for the U.S. to retaliate.

“We are going to hit them very hard. I can say that because there is very little they can do about it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The President said Iran had crossed a line by launching the attack despite knowing the consequences, insisting the United States would now answer with overwhelming force.

“We’re going to be hitting them very hard, because it’s our turn to hit them. They know it’s coming, they’re asking us not to do it. They tried shooting last night…we had five rockets shot going 8,500 mph, and all five rockets were knocked down to the ground – but they nevertheless took a shot, so it’s our turn,” Trump stated.

.@POTUS on Iran: "We're going to be hitting them very hard… We had five rockets shot going 8,500 mph, and all five rockets were knocked down to the ground — but they nevertheless took a shot, so it's our turn." pic.twitter.com/vG96gf2ZH4

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 29, 2026

Earlier in the day, Trump delivered an even more blunt warning during an interview with Fox News. “We are going to beat the …. out of them,” he said.

He continued, “We’ll be hitting them hard. They are going to get a beating.”

Trump described the overnight barrage as a surprise assault, saying American forces had only a matter of minutes to intercept the incoming missiles before they reached their targets.

The attack took place Tuesday night, when Iran fired missiles at sites in Jordan, ending several days without missile launches. It was also the first Iranian strike on a U.S. base in the region since Trump paused American military operations against Iran last Friday.

Later that evening, U.S. Central Command announced that American forces, working alongside the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, carried out precision airstrikes in Iraq targeting Iran-backed terrorist groups that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had directed to attack U.S. troops and Saudi energy facilities.

“US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” CENTCOM said.

The command added, “The unwarranted attacks against US forces were not successful.”

{Matzav.com}

Anthony Fauci shocked lawmakers Wednesday by repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination at the outset of a Senate hearing examining the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Fauci declined to answer questions, the nearly four-hour hearing continued as Republican and Democratic senators pressed their respective cases.

Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.), focused on Fauci’s handling of the pandemic, the origins of COVID-19, his role in promoting lockdowns, and federal support for gain-of-function research conducted overseas.

Democrats, meanwhile, criticized the hearing itself, arguing it was politically motivated. Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.) accused Paul of shutting minority members out of the committee’s investigative process and planning.

At the close of the hearing, Paul announced plans to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against Fauci and also questioned the scope of the sweeping pardon President Joe Biden granted him in January 2025.

“Dr. Fauci isn’t liable for anything as long as he tells the truth, even if he admits that he destroyed records on a routine basis,” Paul suggested, adding that the ex-NIAID official “can’t be prosecuted for many of the things that are outside the statute of limitations as well.”

Here are the five biggest moments from Fauci’s testimony:

1. Fauci Invoked the Fifth 111 Times, Including Questions About CIA Funding

Throughout the hearing, Fauci declined to answer at least 111 questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment, refusing to respond to inquiries involving the origins of COVID-19, U.S. funding of gain-of-function research in China, and other issues.

One of the more striking exchanges came when Paul asked whether the CIA had ever provided funding to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Later in the hearing, Paul said the committee had obtained documents describing an agreement between the two agencies.

Fauci also declined to answer questions concerning his former senior adviser, David Morens, who has pleaded not guilty to charges involving the concealment and destruction of federal records. Paul further questioned Fauci about allegations that personal phones and private email accounts had been used to avoid public records requirements.

“Our investigation reveals your assistant diligently reported that she deleted tons of emails in 2024. You testified that you did not delete federal records. Who’s telling the truth?” Paul asked at one point.

“On February 2nd, 2020,” he added, citing an email exchange, “you told Francis Collins, ‘Please delete this email after you read it.’”

2. Rand Paul Ordered Fauci’s Attorney Removed From the Hearing

Tensions escalated when Paul instructed Capitol Police to escort Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, from the hearing room after the lawyer repeatedly attempted to interrupt the proceedings.

It was not immediately clear whether Schertler was trying to read from a letter he had previously sent to Paul—a letter later referenced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)—but his attempts to interject prompted an angry response from the committee chairman.

“I’ve said my piece,” Schertler told Paul.

Paul fired back, “This is the way Anthony Fauci wants to be remembered: For a lawyer not listening to the rules. That’s the way you want to be remembered, and that’s what you’re going to do.”

“Would you allow me to make a short statement?” Schertler asked in response.

“You are not recognized, sir,” Paul said. “Security, please remove him from the room.”

Schertler is a well-known defense attorney who has also represented President Joe Biden’s physician as well as former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

3. Republican Senators Blasted Fauci Over Lockdowns and Pandemic Policies

Several Republican members of the committee used their questioning time to accuse Fauci of promoting policies that they said devastated families, shuttered schools, damaged businesses, and led to unnecessary arrests.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) recalled the case of an Ohio family that attended a high school football game during the pandemic.

“There was a mom in Ohio during the depth of the coronavirus pandemic, decided to go to our high school football game for her son. They hadn’t been out much,” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) recounted. “They sat alone, far from everybody else — just a mom, a dad, a few kids. They didn’t feel they needed to wear masks because it was stupid, because they were outside.”

“They were dragged out of that stadium and arrested,” Moreno fumed.

“When that story broke, I said to myself, I cannot stand idly on the side and watch this happen. It was about six years ago today that I decided I’m going to give up my businesses, sell them all, run for office, run for the United States Senate,” he added. “Here I am sitting in front of you six years later saying, who the f–k do you think you were for doing that?”

Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) focused on Fauci’s recently released NIAID diaries, which she argued contradicted his public insistence that he never recommended nationwide lockdowns.

“‘I spoke with Bill de Blasio, the mayor of NYC, and convinced him, based on what I was saying publicly and my conversation tonight to close the NYC schools, he had already decided, based on what I was saying on TV. I went on to tell him he should close the bars and restaurants in NYC, and he said he would do this based on my recommendation,’” Moody quoted from the diary entry.

“You even said that you told the president we should shut the whole country down,” she added. “Dr. Fauci, how do you square telling the American people publicly that you didn’t recommend locking anything down with your own diary entry, kept on federal government equipment, saying that your recommendation is what convinced the mayor and the president to lock things down.”

4. Hawley Accused Fauci of Using Government Staff to Pursue Personal Cash Awards

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) alleged that Fauci improperly used federal employees and government resources to help secure more than $1 million in prize money and awards during his tenure as NIAID director.

“You were using federal employees, with taxpayer money, to apply for and solicit cash prizes for you personally — cash prizes totaling over $1 million,” Hawley scolded Fauci.

“Besides the Dan David Award, you’ve got the Partnership for Public Service, you’ve got the Adelson Prize, you’ve got the Smithsonian Award, you’ve got the National Academy of Medicine’s award, you got the CDC Foundation,” Hawley added.

“In fact, you use eight separate federal employees, on federal time, using federal resources, to solicit cash awards. Isn’t that true?” asked Hawley.

Fauci again invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer.

5. Joni Ernst Pressed Fauci on Research Using Aborted Fetal Tissue

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) confronted Fauci over National Institutes of Health-funded coronavirus research involving aborted fetal tissue, describing the experiments as deeply disturbing.

According to Ernst, researchers led by Dr. Ralph Baric at the University of North Carolina implanted tissue from aborted human fetuses into laboratory mice as part of coronavirus research.

“NIH-funded coronavirus researcher Dr. Ralph Baric and his colleagues at UNC put parts of livers, thymus and chunks of human fetal lung that they got from aborted, almost five-month-old human babies,” Ernst said. “They put those parts in their research mice. They disgustingly named them ‘BLT-L’ mice, and wrote they had created a ‘sandwich of aborted body parts in the mice.’”

“Get it folks? BLT, a BLT sandwich,” Ernst emphasized. “Thankfully, the current NIH director has said no more of this. Dr. Fauci, yes or no? Do you think that human aborted parts should be put into mice for coronavirus research?” she asked.

Fauci did not answer the question, again invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.

President Donald Trump will ultimately determine whether the United States launches military action against Iran, according to a senior Israeli diplomatic official, who said the latest discussions between Trump and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu focused on one overriding goal: eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat, while weighing diplomatic, economic, and military options.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Wednesday, the senior official said both leaders agreed that the objective is not simply carrying out a military operation but ensuring that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are brought to an end.

“The decision on whether to act militarily is up to the American President, unless Iran chooses to attack Israel, and the Iranians understand that Israel will respond,” the official stated.

The official said a significant portion of the meeting centered on three possible courses of action: negotiating a new agreement with Iran, tightening economic sanctions, or launching a major military strike. According to the source, Trump and Netanyahu examined the advantages and drawbacks of each option in detail.

He noted that “the Iranians transferred centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain, but it is uncertain that they are enriching uranium.”

The official also said Israeli intelligence continues to assess that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains alive.

During the meeting, Netanyahu also outlined a long-term proposal to gradually eliminate American military aid to Israel over the next ten years. Under the plan, direct U.S. assistance would eventually be replaced by a broader strategic partnership while Israel significantly expands its own defense industry and weapons production capabilities.

The senior official also commented on the political backlash surrounding a Likud campaign video directed at Gadi Eisenkot. He said Netanyahu never personally viewed the video but was informed of the criticism it generated and believes that “it is right not to engage with bereavement from any side.” The official also accused the media of applying a double standard when reporting threats against the prime minister and his family, saying, “If it were the other way around, you would shut the country down.”

{Matzav.com}

Newly released government records have revealed the operating expenses for Israel’s prime ministerial residences during 2025 and the first half of 2026, detailing spending on food, maintenance, gardening, renovations, utility bills, and even food delivery services. The Prime Minister’s Office, however, insists the overall costs remain significantly lower than those incurred under previous prime ministers.

The figures, published Tuesday by Israel’s Movement for Freedom of Information, were obtained from the Prime Minister’s Office. According to the documents, total expenditures for the prime minister’s residences reached ₪1,979,517 in 2025. During the first six months of 2026, spending totaled ₪731,081.

The organization noted that, for the first time, this year’s records classify the Prime Minister’s private residence on Gaza Street alongside other private residences, in addition to the Netanyahu family’s home in Caesarea. The official Prime Minister’s Residence on Balfour Street, which is currently undergoing renovations, is now listed in the records as “support apartments.”

The 2025 spending breakdown shows ₪165,444 was spent on food and groceries, while ₪94,957 went toward landscaping work at the Caesarea residence. Another ₪2,700 was spent on Wolt food deliveries during August 2025, and ₪10,590 covered preventative work to address tree roots that had penetrated beneath the Caesarea property. The documents also include a redacted expenditure totaling ₪63,033, with no information provided regarding the vendor or the purpose of the payment.

During the first half of 2026, the records show ₪53,584 was spent on food, ₪14,986 on replacing a bathtub at the private Gaza Street residence, ₪31,509 on electricity bills, ₪42,698 on maintenance and upkeep, and ₪4,657 on replacing thermostats at the Caesarea residence.

Attorney Hidi Negev, CEO of the Movement for Freedom of Information, criticized the spending and the government’s handling of the records.

“Once again, we were forced to petition the court in order to expose information about the expenses of the Prime Minister’s residences, and once again a wasteful policy in the use of public funds at the Prime Minister’s residences has been revealed. At a time when the public is bearing a heavy economic burden and dealing with the consequences of the war, it is especially important to act responsibly and with full transparency regarding public expenditures,” Negev said.

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected the criticism, arguing that the published figures demonstrate that expenses during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure are substantially lower than those recorded under previous administrations.

“The data published as part of the response show that the overall expenses for the residences during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s tenure are significantly lower than during the terms of previous prime ministers. For example, during former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s tenure, current operating expenses totaled ₪1,370,362 (excluding personnel and security costs), while during the comparable period under Prime Minister Netanyahu, those expenses amounted to just ₪465,319 (excluding personnel and security costs) — less than one-third of the spending during Bennett’s term,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu gave an unexpected response during a Fox News interview when asked how he would handle the possibility of an emergency landing in a country that recognizes the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him, suggesting that Israel’s special forces would be ready if necessary.

During his interview with Sean Hannity, the prime minister was asked whether he worries that a medical emergency on an international flight could force his aircraft to land in a nation that recognizes the ICC warrant issued by the court in The Hague, potentially creating legal complications.

“You travel internationally. God forbid you have a medical emergency, and you need to land in a country that recognizes the ICC. It could complicate things. Do you worry about that?” Hannity asked.

Netanyahu acknowledged that the possibility has crossed his mind.

“Yes, I think about it,” he said.

He then appeared to joke about how Israel would deal with such a scenario, pointing to the country’s elite military units while recalling his own service in the IDF.

“We have special forces around. I served for five years,” Netanyahu said.

After Hannity observed that the IDF is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest militaries, Netanyahu smiled and quipped, “Let’s give them a new task.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) opened Anthony Fauci’s testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with a blistering indictment, accusing the longtime public health official of misleading the public about COVID-19’s origins, funding risky research in Wuhan, and refusing to accept responsibility for the pandemic response.

Appearing before the committee, Fauci faced sharp criticism from Chairman Paul, who used his opening remarks to outline what he described as years of contradictions, particularly between Fauci’s public statements and the contents of his private diary.

“Publicly Anthony Fauci promoted the theory that the virus arose naturally, while privately he was well aware of a mountain of evidence suggesting the virus originated in the lab. The American people deserve answers,” Paul said. “The American people deserve to know why dangerous research was funded by NIAID in a totalitarian country, in a lab that lacked acceptable safety standards. The decision to fund dangerous gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China, will likely go down in history as perhaps one of the worst public health decisions.”

Paul said he had hoped Fauci would use the hearing to acknowledge mistakes and apologize for supporting research in Wuhan that has come under intense scrutiny. Instead, he argued, Fauci has continued to distance himself from the consequences of the government’s pandemic policies.

“Instead of an apology, you have for years avoided responsibility regarding the lockdowns. You argue that you did not personally issue every lockdown order, close every school, or impose every mandate,” Paul said, noting that officials across the nation invoked Fauci’s authority “to justify these decisions, and you presented your recommendations not as judgments open to debate, but as dictates of science itself, your own words demonstrate that you understood the influence you exercised.”

Paul contended that Fauci’s guidance played a central role in enabling the nationwide lockdowns, which he said devastated families, education, and businesses. He also pointed to Fauci’s own private notes, saying they revealed that many scientists initially believed a laboratory origin for the virus was plausible.

“While you concluded publicly that COVID occurred naturally, your private record tells a different story. In early 2020, your handpicked virologist warned that the virus appeared to have been manipulated in the lab. In a conference call concerning the origin of the virus, all but two of the participants believed deliberate insertion was possible,” Paul reminded Fauci.

Paul further asserted that Fauci quickly sought to determine whether the National Institutes of Health had financed the research now under suspicion, saying internal communications documented that effort.

“Your concern was not merely theoretical. That same week, you led an urgent effort to determine whether your own agency had funded the research related to these experiments that were now under suspicion,” he said. “Hours later, your assistant reported that the Wuhan experiments had indeed been reviewed and approved by the NIH.”

Expanding his criticism, Paul traced what he described as Fauci’s longstanding support for gain-of-function research, arguing that the controversy stretches back well before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2011, your agency funded Ron Fouchier’s laboratory when it mutated the avian flu until it could spread through the air between mammals. This was the the tipping point. This is when others became worried. You funded this. You advocated for this. The federal government’s own biosecurity board, though, recommended withholding the details of these experiments because of the danger the research posed. People were concerned that publishing it was publishing a roadmap to creating bio weapons around the world,” he said, adding, “But you sided with the gain-of-function scientist Fouchier and argued that the benefits of publishing the research far outweighed the risks.”

Paul also accused Fauci of changing his position depending on the audience, saying he broadly defended the value of gain-of-function research but later relied on narrow technical definitions when pressed by lawmakers.

“When you defended this research, you described its benefits in the broadest terms. But when Congress demanded accountability, you hid behind the narrowest possible definition. You can’t have it both ways,” Paul said, adding that Fauci’s “conduct concerning federal records raises further questions.”

The senator then turned to allegations involving federal records, claiming the committee’s investigation uncovered evidence that emails had been deleted despite laws requiring their preservation.

“It is a crime to destroy federal records. Yet our investigation reveals your assistant diligently reported that she deleted tons of emails in 2024,” he said, reminding Fauci he is appearing before the committee, compelled by subpoena.

Paul concluded by emphasizing that Fauci’s appearance before the panel was mandatory, while also referencing the pardon he received from President Joe Biden.

“You’re here today under duress. You’re here today because of the court ordering it. President Biden issued you a sweeping pardon extending back to 2014, the same pardon he gave to his son Hunter. A pardon may protect a person from criminal prosecution,” he said, noting it “doesn’t rewrite history.”

In his own opening remarks, Fauci announced that he would decline to answer questions from the committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

{Matzav.com}

Nearly one out of every two Americans believes the United States should carry out the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to a newly released Economist/YouGov survey.

The poll found that 49 percent of respondents support the United States enforcing the ICC warrant for Netanyahu. Twenty-seven percent said the U.S. should not do so, while 23 percent said they were uncertain.

The International Criminal Court issued the warrant in November 2024, accusing Netanyahu of using starvation as a weapon of war and alleging crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution. The court also claims he deliberately directed attacks against Gaza’s civilian population.

The issue resurfaced last week after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani walked back his earlier pledge to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader traveled to New York for this year’s United Nations General Assembly.

“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does,” Mamdani said in a video posed to the social platform X.

“And I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” he added.

Neither Israel nor the United States recognizes the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, as neither nation has ratified the treaty establishing the tribunal. The ICC, however, maintains that it has jurisdiction over matters involving the Palestinian territories.

The survey also found that 47 percent of Americans believe Netanyahu “is guilty of war crimes in Gaza,” while 24 percent rejected that assertion. Another 29 percent said they were unsure.

The Economist/YouGov poll was conducted between July 25 and July 27 and surveyed 1,559 adults. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

President Donald Trump is reportedly urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to move more aggressively in reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines, advancing a priority that has remained a focus throughout Trump’s second term, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Citing people “familiar with the matter,” the Journal reported that Trump questioned Kennedy in May about “why he wasn’t doing more to probe the alleged connection between vaccines and autism.” According to the report, Kennedy was “taken aback” because he had previously understood that he was expected to downplay vaccine-related issues until after the midterm elections. The Journal said Trump’s comments made clear that he wanted the issue moved to the forefront.

“The president steers nearly every conversation with his health secretary back to the issue, some of the people said,” the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the report, Trump wants Kennedy to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children by revising federal guidance. The effort is tied to Trump’s stated goal of lowering autism rates among children. Autism diagnoses have risen sharply over the past quarter century. Federal data showed the prevalence among 8-year-olds was 1 in 36 as of 2020, while Kennedy later said the rate had increased to 1 in 31 children as he unveiled a series of studies aimed at identifying “precisely what environmental toxins” may be contributing to autism.

“The epidemic is real,” Kennedy said at the time.

“Instead of listening to this canard of epidemic denial, all you have to do is start reading a little science, because the answer is very clear, and this is catastrophic for our country,” Kennedy continued, adding, “This is added to already astronomical healthcare costs. And then there’s an individual injury. These are kids that — this is a preventable disease. We know it’s an environmental exposure. It has to be. Genes do not cause epidemics.”

While Kennedy has faced criticism from left-wing opponents for questioning vaccine policies, he has consistently maintained that his objective is simply to ensure the public has access to “good information.”

Last September, Trump drew widespread attention during a press conference with health officials when he cautioned pregnant women about taking acetaminophen, commonly sold as Tylenol, citing what he described as a “very increased risk of autism.”

“I think I can say that there are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills that have no autism. That have no autism. Does that tell you something? That’s currently, is that a correct statement by the way?” Trump said.

“There are some studies that suggest that. Yeah, with the Amish for example,” Kennedy said.

Trump has repeatedly said he supports vaccines while also arguing that the media and medical establishment should be more willing to examine whether some vaccines or ingredients could carry risks.

Last year, the Trump administration directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to remove the coronavirus vaccine from its recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.

During the same period, Kennedy announced that a mercury-based preservative previously used in certain influenza vaccines would be eliminated from flu shots distributed in the United States.

Under the current childhood immunization schedule, infants receive more than a dozen vaccine doses during their first six months of life. Including annual influenza vaccinations and COVID-19 shots, children could receive more than 72 injections by the time they reach 18 years of age.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order “to acknowledge a recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) scientific assessment on childhood vaccines as a guiding resource for the Federal Government.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, testified on the COVD-19 Pandemic before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk has taken another major step toward transforming X into an all-in-one digital platform with the official launch of X Money, a new financial services feature that allows users to bank, transfer money, pay bills, and make purchases without leaving the app.

According to Mashable, X Money is now available exclusively to X Premium and Premium+ subscribers, giving paying users access to a broad range of banking features directly within the platform. The new service combines peer-to-peer payments, money transfers, deposit accounts, and a physical Visa debit card into the social media experience.

X says users can handle many of the same financial tasks offered by traditional banks. Through the service, customers can send wire transfers, pay bills, mail checks, set up direct deposit for their paychecks, and transfer money to other X users. The company also says customers using direct deposit may receive their paychecks as much as two days ahead of schedule.

Among the centerpiece features is the X Card, a physical Visa debit card that provides three percent cash back on qualifying purchases and allows users to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide without fees. The card is also compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling contactless payments wherever those services are accepted.

The earnings on deposit accounts depend on a subscriber’s membership level. Premium+ members automatically receive a six percent Annual Percentage Yield on eligible deposits, while Premium subscribers can qualify for the same rate after meeting the company’s Direct Deposit eligibility requirements.

Customer deposits are maintained through Cross River Bank, X Money’s banking partner and an FDIC member institution. As a result, eligible deposits are federally insured for up to $250,000, providing the same level of protection available with conventional bank accounts.

Musk’s push into financial services is rooted in his earliest days as an entrepreneur. Long before purchasing Twitter, he launched an online payments company called X during the dot-com boom. That business later became part of what evolved into PayPal, where Musk built significant expertise in digital payments and financial technology.

The debut of X Money marks another milestone in Musk’s long-term effort to turn X into an “everything app”—a concept modeled after popular Asian super apps that combine social media, messaging, banking, shopping, and numerous other services within a single platform. Musk has repeatedly discussed this vision since acquiring the company, and it has also been highlighted by his biographers.

Musk had previously expressed confidence that financial services would arrive on X quickly, saying it would “blow his mind” if the platform failed to launch them before the end of 2024. After completing a limited testing phase earlier this year, X officially rolled out the service on Monday.

For now, X Money is being introduced to only a portion of U.S. users, with access restricted to Premium and Premium+ subscribers. The company has indicated that broader availability is expected in the future as the rollout expands.

The move represents a significant departure from the traditional separation of banking and social networking in the United States. While the concept is relatively new for the American market, similar all-in-one platforms have thrived overseas, particularly China’s WeChat, which combines messaging, social networking, payments, and a wide array of everyday services into a single digital ecosystem.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) warned Dr. Anthony Fauci that he could face serious consequences after the longtime public health official repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a contentious Senate hearing on Wednesday, announcing plans to pursue a contempt of Congress resolution against him.

Following Fauci’s repeated refusals to answer questions, Paul accused him of obstructing Congress and said the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would vote on Aug. 5 on a measure holding Fauci in contempt.

“It’s against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress. There will be repercussions for your refusal to testify,” Paul told Fauci, the longtime top government health official who led the pandemic response.

Ordinarily, invoking the Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being penalized for declining to answer questions that could expose them to criminal liability, since the Constitution guarantees that right against self-incrimination.

Paul and other Republicans, however, argue that Fauci’s legal circumstances are unique because Joe Biden issued him a sweeping pardon covering all official conduct from 2014 through 2025. They contend that, with federal prosecution for actions during that period effectively off the table, Fauci cannot legitimately claim fear of federal criminal charges for questions related to those years.

Even so, Fauci could still theoretically face state or local criminal charges in some circumstances, as well as federal prosecution if he were to make false statements under oath. Fauci has maintained that he believes Paul’s objective is to trap him into making statements that could later be used in a perjury case.

The legal dispute is further complicated by Congress’ authority to hold uncooperative witnesses in contempt. The Senate could seek a civil contempt order compelling Fauci to testify, exposing him to possible fines or even jail if he continued refusing. Although Congress also retains the rarely used power of “inherent contempt,” which could allow the Senate sergeant-at-arms to arrest and detain a witness, that authority has not been exercised in nearly 100 years.

Lawmakers also have the option of pursuing criminal contempt by referring the matter to the Justice Department. Paul pointed to previous contempt cases involving Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, both of whom were convicted after refusing to cooperate with the House Jan. 6 investigation. Unlike Fauci, however, Navarro and Bannon declined to appear altogether and based their refusals on executive privilege rather than the Fifth Amendment. Each ultimately served four-month prison sentences.

After Paul declared that Fauci would face consequences, Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, attempted to address the committee, arguing that the Constitution protected his client’s actions. Paul instead directed security officers to escort Schertler from the hearing room.

“It was outrageous for Sen. Paul to exclude his counsel for counsel making a legitimate legal point,” Schertler said in a statement. “It proves the baseless and vindictive nature of this proceeding and Rand Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci.”

Legal experts have also noted another potential complication for Fauci. If a court ultimately determines that his invocation of the Fifth Amendment was not legally justified, he may not be able to defend himself by arguing that he relied on his attorneys’ legal advice. A 1961 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that an advice-of-counsel defense is unavailable to individuals charged with willfully defying Congress.

Although some judges have questioned the reasoning behind that decades-old precedent in more recent cases, the appeals court has thus far declined to reconsider the ruling.

During the hearing, Paul accused Fauci of concealing the true origins of COVID-19—which Paul believes emerged from a Chinese laboratory that received U.S. research funding—and criticized him over school and church closures implemented during the pandemic. Fauci repeatedly refused to answer those questions.

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution,” he said.

In his opening statement, Fauci argued that Paul’s investigation was motivated by a desire to prosecute him rather than uncover facts, citing what he described as the senator’s long-running campaign against him.

Fauci said in his opening statement he thought Paul aimed to entrap him, citing his “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution, his repeated slanderous comments about me, and recently his publicly releasing my unredacted personal diary aimed at embarrassing and intimidating me.”

Paul closed the hearing by indicating that the investigation was far from over, saying he would explore “appropriate actions” to pursue Fauci further.

{Matzav.com}