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As momentum builds in Washington to make daylight saving time permanent, researchers say the long-held belief that the change would significantly reduce energy use is not strongly supported by decades of studies.

With fewer than three months remaining before Americans turn their clocks back to standard time, supporters of permanent daylight saving time—including President Trump—are intensifying efforts to push legislation across the finish line.

President Trump renewed his call Tuesday for year-round daylight saving time, arguing that the public overwhelmingly favors the idea.

“The vast Majority of Americans have asked to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but no Administration has been able to get it done, until now,” Trump wrote.

The proposal has gained more traction than it has in years. Last month, the House approved the Sunshine Protection Act, sending the measure to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain after previous attempts to fast-track similar legislation failed.

Trump has described ending the twice-yearly clock changes as a rare issue capable of bringing Americans together across party lines, calling the current system “an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind,” while also describing the seasonal time changes as “foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly.”

Ironically, one of the original reasons the United States adopted year-round daylight saving time decades ago was to reduce energy consumption by shifting more daylight into the evening hours, particularly during the winter months.

However, numerous studies conducted over the years have concluded that any resulting energy savings are relatively modest.

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation during the nation’s experiment with year-round daylight saving time in the 1970s estimated energy savings of only 0.4% to 1.5%. A separate Department of Energy study later found that extending daylight saving time in 2007 reduced energy use by just 0.03%, according to a congressional report. That same report also cited additional research finding little or no measurable reduction in overall energy consumption and noted that one Indiana-based study actually found electricity demand increased after the time change.

The Department of Transportation also concluded in a separate report that there was insufficient evidence to show the extended daylight saving period “had any measurable impact on motor gasoline consumption for passenger vehicles or traffic volume in 2007.”

While energy savings appear limited, other analysts argue that the current practice of changing clocks twice each year carries its own financial burden. Studies released by the Independent Institute in 2008 and the American Enterprise Institute in 2013 estimated the annual economic cost of switching clocks at between $1.7 billion and $2 billion, citing the time Americans spend adjusting clocks and schedules—though far fewer clocks require manual changes today than in previous decades.

Researchers have also pointed to potential health consequences associated with the seasonal time changes. Experts say moving clocks forward or backward can disrupt sleep patterns for adults, children, and even pets for days afterward. Many sleep specialists have therefore advocated adopting permanent standard time instead of permanent daylight saving time because it provides more morning sunlight.

Any permanent change would also have broader implications beyond sleep and energy use. Experts note that year-round daylight saving time or standard time could affect religious observances for many Americans and temporarily require significant adjustments to airline schedules and other transportation systems.

For now, it remains unclear whether the Senate will take up the Sunshine Protection Act or bring it to a vote.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are also weighing several alternative proposals, including bills that would allow individual states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, establish permanent half-daylight saving time, or make standard time permanent while allowing certain exceptions.

The U.S. Postal Service reported a $2.5 billion net loss for the third quarter of 2026 on Friday, underscoring its continuing financial struggles as postal officials race to prevent the agency from running out of cash as early as next year.

Although the latest figures represent an improvement over the same period last year—when the Postal Service posted a $3.1 billion loss—the agency remains deeply in the red.

USPS attributed the smaller deficit in part to a $416 million reduction in workers’ compensation expenses, along with a $1.1 billion increase in operating revenue. Even with those gains, however, the agency continues to face substantial financial challenges.

Operating revenue totaled $19.9 billion during the quarter, reflecting a 6.1% increase compared with a year earlier, though it slipped from $20.2 billion recorded in the previous quarter.

“The Postal Service is today continuing to face a severe liquidity crisis, and our financial losses this quarter reflect systemic challenges inherent in our Congressionally established business model and regulatory framework,” Postmaster General David Steiner wrote in a statement Friday.

Steiner previously warned the Associated Press in March that, without significant changes, the Postal Service is projected to exhaust its cash reserves by early 2027.

The agency is currently limited by a $15 billion federal borrowing cap that has remained in place since 1990. As expenses continue to rise, postal officials say they have increasingly relied on operating revenue to offset mounting losses.

During a March 17 hearing before a congressional subcommittee, Steiner proposed increasing the price of a First-Class Forever stamp from 90 cents to 95 cents, arguing that postage remains one of the Postal Service’s most important sources of income.

“If we were to change the stamp price to 90 to 95 cents, which is still less than half of the cost of most foreign posts, that would largely solve our controllable loss,” Steiner told House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Steiner has also opposed bipartisan legislation in the Senate that would establish more than 70 additional ZIP codes. In a December 2025 letter to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who also chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Steiner warned that the proposal would cost the Postal Service an estimated $800 million.

Earlier this year, USPS temporarily suspended its employer contributions to federal pension programs as part of broader cost-cutting efforts. The agency also approved another postage increase, raising the price of a First-Class Forever stamp by four cents beginning in July.

“We are taking responsible steps to conserve cash to extend our operating window, but we require thoughtful legislative and other actions to establish a financially sustainable Postal Service capable of serving the American public far into the future,” Steiner wrote in Friday’s statement.

The Senate voted early Shabbos morning to approve a temporary government funding measure that would keep federal agencies operating through Dec. 11, moving to avoid another government shutdown just months before the midterm elections. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration before lawmakers begin a five-week recess.

The continuing resolution cleared the Senate by a commanding 90-6 vote after several days of internal Republican negotiations over a White House-backed provision delaying enforcement of a ban on hemp-derived THC products until December.

Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) voted “present” because the legislation contained a death benefit for the heir of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Voting against the measure were Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

The spending package also contains a provision sought by Democrats and several Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee—including Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine)—that temporarily blocks a White House Office of Management and Budget rule expanding the authority of political appointees over the distribution of federal grant funding.

According to senators involved in the bipartisan negotiations, Democrats insisted that any short-term funding bill approved before September had to include language freezing the White House budget office’s proposed rule.

Collins sharply criticized the proposal, describing it as “deeply flawed.”

Last month, she formally urged Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to withdraw the rule in a letter sent to his office.

The Senate did not reach final passage until early Shabbos morning after Republicans spent hours negotiating a package of floor votes that included government funding, the confirmation of Attorney General Todd Blanche, and legislation requiring voters to present photo identification in federal elections.

Progress on the continuing resolution was also delayed throughout Thursday and Friday because senators disagreed over how to handle separate bipartisan legislation authored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) establishing new rules governing the recruitment and compensation of college athletes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced the funding vote only after Cruz agreed to postpone consideration of the Protect College Sports Act until September.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 31.

Without congressional action, federal funding would expire on Sept. 30.

Some House Republicans are expected to object to the provision suspending the White House budget office’s grant rule, arguing it weakens executive branch authority over federally appropriated funds.

Fiscal conservatives in the House may also oppose extending government funding without accompanying spending reductions aimed at lowering the federal deficit.

Even so, the overwhelming bipartisan Senate vote makes eventual House approval appear highly likely.

Congress traditionally waits until shortly before funding expires to pass temporary spending bills. This year, however, lawmakers in both parties sought to resolve the issue well ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline to avoid a politically damaging shutdown so close to the midterm elections.

Many senators also wanted to avoid repeating the lengthy budget battles that have plagued Congress in recent months, including the record 43-day government shutdown during October and November.

That shutdown was followed by another bitter funding dispute involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol, which ultimately forced the Department of Homeland Security to temporarily shut down earlier this year.

“I think it’s the most important thing for us to do,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). “Because I don’t think we need to have the harbinger of a possible government shutdown. So, take it off the table. I think we all want to do that.”

For months, some Republicans argued Democrats might allow a government shutdown shortly before Election Day in order to politically damage the GOP.

“I think my Democratic friends are going to shut down the government right before the midterms,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) warned in the spring.

Keeping the federal government funded beyond Election Day became one of Thune’s principal legislative goals before the Senate departed for its August recess.

He warned that if Democrats blocked the continuing resolution under normal Senate procedures, he would instead seek to fund the government through the budget reconciliation process, which would bypass the filibuster.

Ultimately, Democrats also concluded that avoiding another shutdown served their interests.

“For months, Democrats have been clear: we want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown, and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that improve people’s lives,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

One of the biggest sticking points in the negotiations involved language inserted into the bill at the White House’s request postponing implementation of a federal ban on hemp-derived intoxicants such as delta-8 THC, products commonly sold in convenience stores and gas stations without approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Several Republican senators said they were caught by surprise when the provision was added late in the legislative process, and some openly criticized White House legislative officials during a tense Republican lunch meeting earlier in the week.

Other Republicans, however, backed delaying the ban in support of hemp producers in their states, including Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as well as Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy.

A group of Republicans led by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) sought to remove the provision from the legislation, but the Senate voted 61-32 to table Budd’s amendment.

Before that vote, Budd argued that Congress had already acted last year to prohibit the sale of unregulated intoxicating hemp products.

“These products are made to look exactly like something a kid would want. Emergency Departments have seen a 461-percent increase in cases of pediatric cannabis poisoning. Most of those were children four years old or younger,” he said.

Sheehy defended hemp-derived products in a video posted to social media, arguing they have helped many Americans manage chronic pain.

“That’s been life-changing for a lot of people. A lot of them I know personally, which is why I’ve taken up this cause,” he said.

Elon Musk’s latest industrial venture could rewrite the record books, as Tesla and SpaceX move forward with plans to construct a semiconductor megafactory in Texas that is expected to span more than 100 million square feet—making it the largest building ever built.

Tesla and SpaceX announced Thursday that construction of the first phase of the Terafab semiconductor complex will begin in Grimes County, Texas, just outside Houston. The initial phase carries a projected cost of $16.8 billion.

Once fully completed, the sprawling facility is expected to exceed 100 million square feet, eclipsing every existing structure on the planet and becoming the world’s largest building by footprint.

Musk, who leads both Tesla and SpaceX, described the ambitious project as “the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far.”

To put its scale into perspective, the completed Terafab would surpass China’s New Century Global Center in Chengdu, which currently holds the title at approximately 18.9 million square feet and includes attractions such as an indoor beach and ski slope.

At more than five times the size of that complex, Terafab would also dwarf some of America’s most recognizable mega-structures, including the Pentagon, Apple Park, and the Mall of America combined.

Whether the project ultimately earns the title of the world’s largest building will depend on whether it is completed as currently envisioned. Concept renderings depict a massive wing-shaped structure stretching across the Texas landscape beneath an expansive translucent roof.

Musk has also emphasized the project’s architectural ambitions. “It will be stunningly beautiful,” Musk wrote on X. “Sci-fi city is what we’re aiming for,” he said in another X post.

Tesla said the factory is being driven by an urgent need for dramatically increased semiconductor production.

“Both Tesla & SpaceX will need far more chips than current & future global production can supply,” the company wrote, adding that the goal is “producing over 1 terawatt of compute per year.”

According to SpaceX, the facility will integrate nearly every stage of semiconductor manufacturing under one roof, including logic chip production, memory fabrication, packaging, and testing.

“The facility will be an advanced semiconductor fab that will bridge the divide between current global chip supply and the compute demand of the future,” the post read.

Semiconductors serve as the foundation of modern electronics, regulating electrical signals and powering everything from smartphones and computers to automobiles and advanced industrial systems.

The companies say chips manufactured at Terafab will be designed for much more than consumer electronics. According to Tesla, the facility “will produce chips optimized for edge computing and inference for use in hardware like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, along with high-power chips designed for operating SpaceX’s space-based data centers.”

The project is expected to generate at least 3,000 new jobs, with hiring focused primarily on residents of Grimes County and neighboring Brazos County.

Tesla and SpaceX noted that between 60% and 80% of employees hired at their existing Texas facilities have come from nearby communities, and they expect a similar pattern as Terafab expands.

Musk first introduced the Terafab concept in March, when the companies announced plans centered around a projected $25 billion investment.

The current first phase has been revised to a cost of $16.8 billion, although total investment across all planned construction phases could eventually reach as much as $119 billion.

The project will be built on the site of the former Gibbons Creek Reservoir, which previously supplied cooling water to a coal-fired power plant that ceased operations in 2018.

Recognizing concerns over water usage for large-scale computing facilities, SpaceX said it plans to use water from the existing reservoir rather than drawing from local groundwater supplies.

Not everyone in the surrounding community has embraced the project. Hundreds of Grimes County residents attended a county meeting Wednesday to voice concerns over millions of dollars in tax incentives awarded to the development and what they described as a lack of transparency surrounding the approval process.

The project has also secured support from the state. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration has approved a $30 million grant through the Texas Enterprise Fund, while Terafab also qualifies for assistance under the state’s Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation program.

Local education leaders expressed optimism about the development. Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Sarah Borowicz described the announcement as a defining moment for the district.

Intel has also confirmed that it will participate in the Terafab project, although the company has not yet disclosed the specific nature of its involvement.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to create a new Business Advisory Council is drawing sharp criticism from prominent figures on Wall Street, with several business leaders dismissing the initiative as little more than a public relations effort after months of hostile rhetoric toward the financial community, the NY Post reports.

The proposed council is intended to give leaders from major industries an opportunity to advise the mayor and provide feedback on economic issues, according to City Hall. Bloomberg reported that those approached to participate include Robert Wolf, the former chief executive of UBS Americas and a longtime ally of President Barack Obama.

One senior Wall Street executive blasted the proposal, calling it, “Phony. A pretend effort to fool reasonable people into thinking [Mamdani] is willing to be reasonable towards business.”

Another chief executive in the financial industry was equally skeptical, describing the panel as “probably a waste of time,” while dismissing Wolf as “a bag of air.”

A Wall Street attorney, when asked about Wolf’s reported involvement, was similarly blunt, saying of the prominent Democratic donor, “The old UBS guy? He’s kind of a douche.”

The criticism comes shortly after Mamdani removed the advisory board overseeing the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit that raises private-sector money to support city initiatives.

The 34-year-old mayor dismissed every member of the organization’s advisory board, replacing an established group of business leaders with a new approach that has already generated controversy.

The Wall Street attorney argued that the proposed Business Advisory Council is unlikely to fill that void.

“It only exists to get checks from appointees for the mayor’s pet projects,” the person said. “Mam is appointing many folks who can’t write checks, so I don’t get it.”

Wolf rejected the criticism, calling it “uninformed gossip.”

“If Mamdani or anyone else asks for my advice on how to make New York city thrive, I would raise my hand if they were Democrat or Republican,” he told The Post.

Wolf declined to say whether he had agreed to serve on the advisory council.

Another individual familiar with the discussions said there has been “no formal ask or acceptance” involving any of the names reportedly under consideration.

According to reports, the council is expected to advise the mayor on issues affecting the finance, technology, and real estate industries.

In addition to Wolf, Bloomberg reported that invitations have also been extended to former Lazard global investment banking chief Antonio Weiss and Bank of America New York City President Jose Tavarez.

“The administration is in the process of reaching out to business executives to form a Business Advisory Council,” a City Hall spokesperson said in a statement. “The purpose of the council is to engage with business leaders for their insights and input as we build an economic development strategy that improves life for all New Yorkers.”

Not everyone in the financial sector dismissed the effort outright.

“Wolf says he’s only doing stuff with Mamdani because he gives a s–t about NYC,” a friend of the former banking executive said.

Since taking office earlier this year, Mamdani has repeatedly clashed with some of New York’s most influential business leaders, drawing criticism from figures including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Citadel founder Ken Griffin.

Griffin also became the target of one of Mamdani’s more unusual political videos, in which the mayor stood outside the billionaire’s Manhattan residence while promoting his proposal to impose higher taxes on second homes.

Even so, one Wall Street executive said the formation of the advisory council only deepened his suspicions about the mayor’s intentions.

“Remember the Saul Alinksy formula — deception is a tool for amassing power,” he told The Post, referring to the late Chicago radical.

Mamdani’s shakeup of the Mayor’s Fund also removed several well-known business figures, including BD Hotels principal Richard Born, GFP Real Estate Chairman Jeffrey Gural, Blackstone senior managing director Alex Katz, Citigroup executive Edward Skyler, and Real Estate Board of New York President James Whelan.

The mayor has also undertaken a major restructuring of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, directing the agency—which oversees city-owned property and economic development initiatives—to prioritize economic justice and housing affordability with the goal of narrowing the city’s wealth gap and expanding financial opportunities for lower-income New Yorkers.

More than half of New York’s third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students failed to reach reading proficiency on this year’s state English Language Arts exams, according to newly released preliminary data, raising fresh concerns about student achievement despite record levels of education spending, the NY Post reports.

Figures published this week by the New York State Education Department show that 57% of third graders, 52% of fourth graders, and 57% of fifth graders did not achieve proficiency on the 2025-26 ELA assessments.

Students in New York City experienced an even steeper decline. Among children in grades 3 through 8, English Language Arts scores dropped by six percentage points compared with last year, leaving only about half of students meeting the state’s proficiency benchmark.

Statewide, just 48% of students in grades 4 through 8 earned proficient scores in reading, representing what the Education Department described as a “significant” five-point decline from the previous year.

Fifth graders experienced the sharpest setback of any grade level, with reading proficiency falling by an astonishing 14 percentage points.

The downturn was even more pronounced in New York City, home to roughly 40% of the state’s public school enrollment.

Just one year earlier, approximately 56% of city students passed the reading exam, marking a seven-point improvement over the prior year.

Third graders in New York City posted the weakest results, with proficiency plunging 13.8 percentage points as only about 44% met state standards. Fifth graders followed closely behind, recording a 13.1-point decline.

Although the state data do not identify the precise reading skills where students struggled most, education policy experts argued that the disappointing results reflect systemic problems that cannot be solved simply by increasing education funding without changing instructional methods.

“If the amount of money spent alone determined the results, New York should be on top of the world,” Zilvinas Silenas, the president and CEO of the Empire Center for Public Policy, told The Post.

Silenas said New York’s schools include pockets of exceptional performance that should serve as models for the rest of the system. “I’m not trying to say that all of New York’s education system is bad. On average, it’s very mediocre, but we have some islands of excellence,” Silenas said. “Why aren’t we copying these islands of excellence on what they’re doing in order to improve?”

According to Empire Center data, New York spends approximately $37,000 per public school student each year—the highest figure in the nation and roughly double the national average of about $17,619.

In New York City, annual spending climbs even higher, reaching roughly $44,000 per student.

Education officials say fifth graders are expected to demonstrate the ability to “comprehend and analyze text,” including identifying central ideas, recognizing literary techniques, evaluating character and plot development, and understanding vocabulary.

One question on this year’s fifth-grade exam asked students to determine the meaning of the phrase “going live” as it appeared in a passage about a student-operated blog. Students were asked to choose from four possible definitions:
A) making the content available to all
B) announcing the project to the school
C) requesting feedback from others
D) accessing the new computer system

Students in fifth grade were also required to write short responses analyzing the impact of tone in poetry, identifying themes in stories, and demonstrating other reading comprehension skills.

Charter schools, which receive public funding but operate independently of traditional public school systems, continued to outperform district schools despite ongoing opposition from teachers unions.

Success Academy, one of New York’s largest charter school networks, achieved a 92% passing rate on the 2025 English Language Arts exam, trailing only the public schools in Scarsdale.

Students performed somewhat better in mathematics, with roughly 57% of children in grades 3 through 8 passing the state math assessment—a slight improvement over last year’s results.

Although officials cautioned that the numbers remain preliminary, the state Education Department acknowledged that the decline in reading achievement is unmistakable.

“The Department takes this decline seriously and will conduct a detailed analysis to better understand where students are experiencing challenges, which student groups and communities have been most affected, and where additional support and resources are needed,” said JP O’Hare, a spokesperson for the department.

O’Hare said the agency intends to address the disappointing results directly rather than minimize them. “We will not minimize or attempt to explain away what the data tell us. When scores increase, we report that progress. When they decline, we report that as well,” O’Hare said. “Our responsibility is not to create a narrative around the results, but to understand them, identify where students need additional support, and act accordingly.”

The disappointing scores come despite Gov. Kathy Hochul approving the largest education budget in New York history.

For the 2026-27 school year, the state is allocating a record $39.3 billion to public education, including funding aimed at expanding teacher training in what officials describe as “evidence-based math and reading instruction.”

A spokesperson for Hochul said improving literacy has been one of the governor’s chief education priorities.

“She specifically directed the State Education Department to place a heavy focus on reading proficiency, improve literacy instruction, and ensure schools have the tools and resources needed to help students succeed,” the spokesperson said.

“The governor will continue pushing for measurable improvements in literacy outcomes statewide because every New York student deserves a strong foundation in reading.”

Fordham University political science professor Nick Tampio argued that New York should abandon programs that have failed to produce results and instead invest in proven educational fundamentals.

“Hire skilled teachers. Provide schools with libraries. Give children time to read the books they want. Make reading a joy,” he told The Post.

He added, “New York’s approach is failing—as evidenced by the fact that over one fifth of SUNY students are failing their first English class.”

Eric Nadelstern, who served as deputy schools chancellor under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, argued that recent literacy initiatives—including the NYC Reads program introduced under Mayor Eric Adams—have hindered rather than helped student progress.

“There is no one-way for all kids to learn how to read,” Nadelstern told The Post.

He warned against applying identical teaching methods across a school system as diverse as New York City’s. “If you try a one-size-fits-all in a city as diverse as New York, — where students have such different needs and ways of learning and teachers have such different needs and ways of teaching — you’re gonna wind up alienating the staff and they’re gonna implement the program poorly,” he said.

Nadelstern added that educators achieve better results when given flexibility to tailor instruction to individual students. “If you allow them to do what they do best — that is to determine how the students they know by name and family and neighborhood can learn best — they will do whatever is necessary to make sure their kids succeed.”

Despite the disappointing scores, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels both expressed support for the NYC Reads initiative when commenting on the newly released results.

“As we review these initial statewide results, and what they mean for our students, we will focus on better understanding the scoring process to use this data with confidence and make the best decisions for our students,” Mamdani said.

Mary Vaccaro, vice president of education for the United Federation of Teachers, also attributed the decline to changes in curriculum and instructional strategies, including the rollout of the “NY Inspires” initiative, which allows students to satisfy graduation requirements through alternatives to traditional Regents examinations.

“We have to refocus on what we know works in literacy – a clear plan, a tailored science of reading curriculum, and meaningful professional development for educators. That recipe yields results,” Vaccaro said.

She concluded by criticizing the state’s recent approach to education reform. “This past school year, the system abandoned that approach and, with no real plan in place, simply piled on additional programs, assessments, consultant’s recommendations and curriculum in the hopes that ‘more’ would equal better, and we lost ground.”

The Pentagon has revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information, accusing him of leaking sensitive details about Air Force One to the media as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on unauthorized disclosures.

The decision was announced Friday, when Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell revealed that Kendall had immediately lost both his security clearance and his eligibility to serve in any position requiring access to classified information.

“Effective immediately, the Department of War has REVOKED former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position,” Parnell announced on X.

Parnell said the action stemmed from Kendall’s alleged release of classified information concerning the capabilities of Air Force One.

“This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet,” Parnell continued. “Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty.

“Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”

The move follows last month’s decision by the Trump administration to subpoena several New York Times reporters after the newspaper published a report about the Boeing 747 aircraft gifted to President Trump by Qatar. According to the report, the $400 million jet was replaced before the president’s return flight from the NATO summit in Turkey because of what was described as a “security precaution.”

The newspaper also reported that some officials were concerned the refurbished aircraft had not yet been “retrofitted with sufficient security measures” before entering service as Air Force One.

In addition, the report cited lawmakers who questioned whether “an advanced missile defense system and other modifications” had been installed aboard the Qatari-donated aircraft before it was placed into presidential service.

Just days after the subpoenas were issued, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the formation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice aimed at identifying and prosecuting government officials responsible for leaking what he described as “sensitive information” to members of the media.

Kendall served as secretary of the Air Force from July 2021 until January 2025 during the Biden administration.

Iran’s top national security official has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to normal operations unless the United States agrees to a sweeping list of Iranian demands, casting doubt on hopes for a full reopening of one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes even as diplomatic efforts continue.

The warning comes as Iran is reportedly nearing a limited agreement with Oman that would allow a restricted maritime corridor for certain vessels. The arrangement, however, would stop well short of restoring full commercial traffic through the strategically vital waterway.

Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, outlined Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strait in a statement released Saturday.

Among Iran’s demands are a complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region, an end to the American naval blockade, the lifting of sanctions against Tehran—including the release of frozen and confiscated assets—financial compensation for damage caused during the war, and an end to attacks on Iran’s regional allies.

“The Supreme National Security Council will never back down, neither in war nor in negotiations,” Zolqadr threatened, according to Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency.

Iran is also demanding permanent strategic authority over the Strait of Hormuz, along with the ability to impose transit fees of up to seven percent on vessels using the waterway.

Earlier Saturday, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps similarly insisted that the strait would not be permanently reopened unless Washington accepted what Tehran described as its “legal and logical conditions.”

“The ⁠reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of ⁠the Islamic Republic of Iran and is not related to the ⁠negotiations between Iran and Oman,” IRGC General Hossein Mohebbi told reporters in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province.

“Whenever the American side accepts the conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and abandons its interventionist approach, the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be provided.”

The remarks came despite ongoing diplomatic efforts led by President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. According to reports, the proposal under discussion would establish a temporary shipping corridor jointly administered by Iran and Oman that would allow limited vessel traffic without tolls or special permissions.

The proposal would also include a 60-day negotiating period aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict, with the United States agreeing to lift its naval blockade immediately upon the signing of the agreement.

President Trump recently suspended planned U.S. strikes against Iranian energy facilities, canceling a major military operation last weekend as diplomatic negotiations appeared to gain momentum. At the same time, he has repeatedly warned that military action could resume if the talks break down.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates condemned what it described as a “hostile Iranian attack” after one of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s vessels was struck by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday.

“Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents an act of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X.

The Gulf nation further called on Iran to halt its “unprovoked attacks” and demonstrate its commitment to a “complete and unconditional” reopening of the strategically important waterway.

With the threat of additional attacks still looming, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely reduced, with recent traffic reported at less than 10 percent of the volume seen before the conflict began.

Hunter Biden says his father, Joe Biden, is battling an increasingly difficult fight against advanced prostate cancer, revealing that the disease has spread beyond his bones and describing the former president’s condition as both painful and severely debilitating.

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Hunter Biden disclosed that his father’s illness has worsened since his diagnosis. “The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

Joe Biden, 83, announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.

Hunter said watching his father endure the illness has been heartbreaking. “It’s really sad to watch,” Hunter Biden said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”

Despite his health challenges, Biden has continued making public appearances. In late June, he attended the Maryland Democratic Party’s “Fight Back and Win” gala near Baltimore. Earlier that month, he also participated in ceremonies marking the opening of the new Obama presidential library in Chicago, where he drew attention after approaching the podium and asking, “Where’s my granddaughter?”

Hunter Biden, 56, said his father remains determined to stay active and engaged. “He’s still out there,” he said. “He’s still doing his thing. He so believes in this country.”

Even while undergoing treatment, Biden continues working on his memoir, Promise Me, America, which is expected to be published after the upcoming midterm elections.

Last week, Jill Biden revealed in an interview with Kelly Ripa that she first became concerned about her husband’s health while they were still living in the White House, noticing that he was getting up to use the bathroom as many as seven times each night.

The former first lady, 75, said she alerted White House physicians to the issue at the time and believed it had been properly addressed.

However, after leaving the White House in January 2025 and seeing that the symptoms continued, she urged her husband to seek additional medical evaluation. “But when it continued when we got out of the White House, I said, ‘Joe, we’ve got to go up to Jeff in Philly – something’s wrong’,” she told the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” host on Sirius XM.

In June, Jill Biden said her husband’s illness will be a lifelong battle, explaining that he “will have to live with cancer for the rest of his life, which means he’s on special medicines.”

When Biden first announced his diagnosis in May 2025, his office said doctors had identified an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer after he sought medical attention for urinary symptoms. Physicians also discovered a “nodule” on his prostate during the evaluation.

His office later announced in October that he had begun radiation treatments along with hormone therapy as part of his ongoing fight against the disease.

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Despite repeated public assurances that Israeli forces will remain in key areas of Gaza until Hamas is disarmed, senior defense officials are reportedly examining plans for a limited IDF withdrawal that would see multinational troops take over positions inside the Strip.

According to a report aired Saturday night by Channel 12 News, Israel’s defense establishment has recently held discussions exploring the possibility of pulling IDF forces out of several locations in Gaza as part of a potential future arrangement.

Under the proposal outlined in the report, Israeli troops would be replaced by a multinational force, even though Hamas has not come close to surrendering its weapons or agreeing to disarm.

Israeli officials have consistently declared that the IDF will not leave the strategic “Yellow Line” before Hamas is disarmed. Nevertheless, the report says security officials are already drafting contingency plans in the event that Israel’s leadership authorizes a withdrawal.

Channel 12 also reported that the precise meaning of Hamas “disarmament” has yet to be clearly defined, while the United States is reportedly increasing pressure on Israel to reduce its military presence in Gaza.

A senior Israeli security official expressed deep concern over the proposal, telling Channel 12, “The number of troops [in the multi-national force] is simply not enough. It’s only a handful of soldiers, and they’re trying to build towers on the basis of that force. It’s very worrying. The Americans aren’t leaving us with many alternatives – but they’re creating a problem for us in Gaza.”

According to the report, Morocco is expected to provide the largest share of the multinational contingent, with roughly 500 troops. Uganda is also said to be considering sending a force of similar size, while the remaining participating countries would each contribute only several dozen personnel—far short of the original vision of deploying several thousand peacekeeping troops.

Israeli defense officials reportedly remain highly skeptical that such a small international force would be capable of maintaining security in Gaza, particularly if it is expected to assume responsibility for areas vacated by the IDF.

The report added that, even if the plan ultimately moves forward, foreign forces are not expected to begin arriving in Gaza for at least another six weeks.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have unveiled a landmark mutual defense agreement committing each nation to come to the aid of the others if any member is attacked, marking a major realignment in regional security as tensions with Iran continue to mount.

The newly announced alliance establishes that an attack against one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all, creating a formal framework for collective military support among the signatories.

The agreement was revealed following a summit in Mecca and is already being described by observers as one of the most consequential security arrangements in the region in years. Many analysts believe the pact is designed in large part to discourage Iranian aggression as instability across the Middle East continues to grow.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally signed the accord during their meeting. In a joint statement, the leaders said the partnership is aimed at expanding military collaboration, reinforcing shared security interests, and advancing stability throughout the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the agreement requires the other member states to provide assistance if any of the three nations comes under attack. According to the ministry, the alliance is intended to create a powerful deterrent by making it clear that any aggression against one signatory would prompt a unified response.

Regional experts say the pact sends a strong strategic signal to Iran while simultaneously enhancing Saudi Arabia’s defensive position through closer military coordination with Turkey and Pakistan, two of the region’s most capable armed forces.

Iranian officials quickly criticized the agreement. Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, wrote on X, “Saudis must know that a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan will not bring them security, just as years of one-sided nursing to the Americans did not bring them security. Reform your policies so that you do not need to beg for security from others.”

The Pentagon has ordered U.S. defense manufacturers to come up with plans within three weeks to dramatically increase weapons production, as the ongoing conflict with Iran takes a heavy toll on American missile and ammunition reserves.

An internal Department of Defense memorandum obtained by The Washington Post directs weapons companies to rapidly boost manufacturing capacity and shorten delivery timelines for critical munitions being consumed in the war with Iran.

Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent the directive to defense industry executives on Wednesday, giving contractors no more than 21 days to submit detailed proposals for creating “significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities.”

The Pentagon made clear in the memo that the lengthy procurement and manufacturing schedules traditionally associated with major weapons programs are considered inadequate while the United States is engaged in active military operations.

“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Feinberg stated, emphasizing, “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.”

The order comes amid increasing concern inside the administration and the Pentagon over the pace at which U.S. ammunition reserves are being consumed. It also points to tensions between President Donald Trump and Defense Department officials over the condition of the nation’s weapons stockpiles. Defense industry specialists say replenishing those reserves on the scale envisioned by the Pentagon could ultimately hinge on whether a politically divided Congress approves additional emergency military funding.

President Trump, however, pushed back Thursday against suggestions that the United States is dangerously short of weaponry. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the country possesses “massive amounts” of munitions and maintained that “large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is attempting to address more immediate shortages through nonbinding legal arrangements known as “framework agreements.” Those agreements involve both major defense contractors and newer technology companies and are intended to accelerate production of inexpensive strike weapons as well as sophisticated air-defense systems, including Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged that the memorandum obtained by The Washington Post was authentic and said the Defense Department’s effort to push manufacturers toward faster production has been an administration priority.

“Working directly with industry leaders to accelerate production is not new. It has been the clear intent of the President and this Secretary from the start.”

Parnell further confirmed that the document “is real” and said it “will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding, and it is entirely consistent with our ongoing push to rebuild the defense industrial base.”

[Video below.] An alleged antisemitic confrontation at Manila’s international airport erupted into a physical altercation after an American traveler reportedly directed hateful remarks at an Israeli passenger, including praise for Adolf Hitler. Authorities intervened, detained both men, and launched a legal investigation into the incident.

The confrontation unfolded at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the Philippine capital, where an American passenger allegedly hurled antisemitic insults at an Israeli traveler while both were waiting to board separate domestic flights. The exchange escalated into a fight before airport police arrived to restore order.

Philippine media reported that the incident took place in the airport’s domestic departure terminal. The Israeli, 37, and the American, 54, were each preparing to fly to Cebu when the dispute broke out.

According to the Israeli passenger, the American repeatedly directed antisemitic abuse toward him, referring to him as a “Jewish baby killer.” He also alleged that the man declared, “Hitler was right. It’s a shame Hitler didn’t finish killing the Jews.”

What began as a verbal exchange quickly turned physical. During the struggle, a marble table near one of the terminal’s food vendors was reportedly damaged.

The American passenger disputed that account, claiming the Israeli interrupted what had been a private conversation before attacking him without any justification.

Airport police officers responded to the disturbance, separated the two individuals, and took both into custody for questioning. They were later transported to Pasay City General Hospital to undergo medical evaluations.

The following day, the matter was forwarded to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office, where legal proceedings began over allegations that both men were involved in disturbing the peace.

WATCH:

VIDEO-2026-08-08-21-45-53

{Matzav.com}

A devastating tragedy struck when four-year-old Sholom Seginer tragically drowned while vacationing with his family in Mexico.

Sholom was a son of Rav Assaf and Mrs. Rivka Seginer, and a grandson of Rav Shalom Arush, rosh mosdos Chut Shel Chessed.

According to reports received from Mexico following Shabbos, the young child drowned in a swimming pool while the family was on a vacation. Local emergency personnel rushed to the scene and performed prolonged resuscitation efforts, but despite their desperate attempts, they were forced to pronounce his passing.

In a statement released by the grieving family, they wrote: “Baruch Dayan HaEmes. Death has entered our window with the bitter news of the passing of the pure child Sholom Seginer, son of Rabbi Assaf and Rivka, grandson of ybl”cht”a HaGaon Rabbi Shalom Arush. Only 4 years old, a pure and spotless soul has ascended. May Hashem comfort us and heal our broken hearts.”

Details regarding the levayah and arrangements to bring the aron to Eretz Yisroel will be announced as they become available.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

Todd Blanche won Senate confirmation as attorney general in a razor-thin vote early today, officially placing President Donald Trump’s longtime attorney at the helm of the Justice Department after months of political infighting and a contentious confirmation battle that divided even Republicans.

The Republican-controlled Senate approved Blanche by a 50-49 vote, making him the second attorney general confirmed since President Trump returned to office last year. Blanche, who had already been serving as acting attorney general, now assumes the role permanently as the administration continues pursuing its law enforcement priorities, including investigations involving Trump’s political adversaries.

Following the vote, Blanche wrote on social media that he was “deeply honored by the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me,” adding that he was “grateful” to senators for working late to confirm him.

His confirmation followed weeks of intense debate that underscored bipartisan concerns about placing one of Trump’s closest confidants in charge of a department that has traditionally operated with independence from the White House.

Despite Republican control of the chamber, Blanche prevailed by the slimmest possible margin after Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke with their party to oppose him, joining every Democratic senator in voting against his nomination.

Blanche’s path to confirmation became unusually complicated after several Republicans objected to a controversial agreement resolving Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

To ease those concerns, Blanche formally pledged in writing that the Justice Department would scrap Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion compensation fund benefiting the president’s allies—including individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack—and would also eliminate provisions designed to protect Trump and his family from future IRS tax audits.

Those assurances ultimately persuaded Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy to cast the decisive vote in Blanche’s favor. Cassidy argued that no other nominee would be better positioned to lead the department under Trump and suggested Blanche’s experience defending the president could actually strengthen his ability to resist inappropriate pressure from the White House.

“This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” said Cassidy, who lost his primary this year to a Trump-backed challenger.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged lawmakers to reject the nomination, warning that confirming Blanche would be a “serious mistake.” He appealed to senators not to place themselves on what he called the “wrong side” of history.

“If there is ever a moment in history when we need an Attorney General above reproach, who is clearly dedicated to ending corruption, even at the highest level of our government, it’s right now,” Durbin said.

The confirmation battle revolved largely around Blanche’s close relationship with President Trump, a connection critics repeatedly argued could compromise the Justice Department’s independence.

Blanche assumed leadership of the department on an acting basis after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April. He quickly moved to implement several administration priorities, including accelerating investigations involving Trump’s perceived political opponents and unveiling a settlement that established a $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” for individuals claiming mistreatment by the criminal justice system while also providing Trump and certain family members protection from IRS audits.

That settlement nearly derailed Blanche’s nomination before he formally withdrew the compensation fund in writing following pressure from Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Their agreement with the Justice Department cleared the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance Blanche’s nomination earlier this week.

Even after the revised agreement, several Republicans remained uneasy over both the proposed compensation fund and the tax audit protections that had been included in the original settlement.

Murkowski announced shortly before the vote that she would oppose Blanche alongside Collins, saying the nation requires an attorney general “who will check the worst impulses of this administration.”

A former federal prosecutor in New York, Blanche gained national attention as one of President Trump’s lead defense attorneys, including during the New York hush money case. He also represented Trump in the federal criminal prosecutions brought during the Biden administration, experiences Blanche has cited as firsthand evidence of what he believes was the weaponization of the justice system against the president.

Blanche joined the Justice Department last year as deputy attorney general under Bondi, overseeing daily operations while serving as the department’s public face on several major initiatives, including the release of millions of investigative documents tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Democrats contend Blanche has consistently placed loyalty to President Trump above institutional independence, pointing to investigations involving Trump critics such as former FBI Director James Comey and sweeping personnel changes that have resulted in thousands of employees leaving the department through firings, resignations, and voluntary departures during the Bondi-Blanche tenure.

Supporters counter that Blanche’s background as a federal prosecutor, combined with the trust he developed with Trump during years of legal representation, makes him especially qualified to explain legal limits to the president while advancing administration priorities. Republicans have also credited him with efforts targeting violent crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and transnational criminal cartels.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley strongly endorsed the nomination before the vote, declaring that Blanche has led the department effectively as acting attorney general. “Mr. Blanche is the right choice,” he said.

Whether Blanche will succeed where Bondi struggled remains uncertain. Trump removed Bondi after repeated resistance from judges, grand juries, and career Justice Department officials complicated efforts to pursue criminal cases against several of the president’s political opponents.

Soon after taking over the department, Blanche authorized an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of threatening the 47th president by posting a photograph of seashells arranged to display the numbers “86 47” on social media. Comey’s legal team has asked the court to dismiss the charges, alleging prosecutors misled the court, submitted inaccurate information, and concealed important evidence.

Blanche has also selected Joseph diGenova, a former Reagan-era Justice Department prosecutor, to oversee a Florida-based investigation examining whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials coordinated over the past decade to undermine President Trump. However, it remains unclear whether that investigation will ultimately produce criminal charges.

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A Wizz Air flight from Rome to Tel Aviv was thrown into chaos moments before takeoff on Friday after a passenger unexpectedly requested to leave the aircraft, triggering a security response that forced all passengers to deplane and delayed the flight. It was later determined that the man had asked to get off because he feared the delayed departure would lead to chilul Shabbos.

The incident unfolded just before departure, after boarding had already been completed. According to passengers, the man suddenly insisted on leaving the aircraft without initially explaining his reason. His unusual behavior raised alarm among fellow travelers, prompting the captain to halt the flight while Israeli security personnel and local police were called to inspect the aircraft.

Under standard airport security procedures, once a checked passenger leaves an aircraft, that passenger’s luggage must also be removed from the cargo hold before the flight can continue. As crews began unloading the baggage, many of the approximately 300 passengers believed the flight had been canceled.

Passengers said the cabin crew had already announced that boarding was complete when the man unexpectedly requested to deplane.

“The flight attendant announced that boarding had ended, and then this man decided he wanted to get off the flight,” said M., a passenger on board. “He didn’t explain himself, he didn’t give any reason why he wanted to leave, he didn’t communicate with anyone, not in English and not in Italian. He didn’t even apologize. An entire plane was standing there because of him, and he wouldn’t even look at us. His behavior was very, very strange.”

As passengers waited for security forces to arrive, anxiety spread throughout the cabin.

“He didn’t care that an entire plane was waiting, with Israelis panicking, angry, and frightened,” M. said. “We’re all trying to get home from our vacations. There were many children on board, and above all there was a great deal of panic. He just stared straight ahead as if nothing around him mattered.”

Some passengers grew increasingly suspicious of the man’s conduct, prompting the flight crew to involve police rather than take any chances. The passenger was detained for questioning while everyone on board was escorted back to the terminal.

Authorities then carried out a complete security screening of both the aircraft and all passengers before preparations could begin for a new departure.

“We’re waiting for buses to take us back to the terminal so they can unload our luggage,” M. said. “At the moment, there’s no estimate for when we’ll take off. The flight was canceled because of security reasons that have nothing to do with the passengers, and all we want is to get home safely.”

Following the security investigation, officials determined that the passenger was an observant Jewish man who had requested to leave the aircraft because he feared the delayed departure would result in chilul Shabbos. His request to deplane, however, set in motion the mandatory security procedures that delayed the flight.

Wizz Air disputed reports that the flight had been canceled, saying it was only delayed while the additional security procedures were completed.

“The flight from Rome to Tel Aviv was slightly delayed due to an additional security inspection. Passengers were asked to disembark so the additional inspection could be carried out, and the flight will depart as soon as it is completed. The safety of our passengers and crew remains the airline’s highest priority,” the airline said.

{Matzav.com}

Although the 2028 presidential election remains years away, early prediction markets are already shifting, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez edging past California Gov. Gavin Newsom in one closely watched betting market.

According to the latest market figures, Ocasio-Cortez now holds an implied 11% chance of winning the presidency, narrowly surpassing Newsom, whose odds stand at 10%. The change comes after the two Democratic figures traded places in recent days, putting the New York congresswoman slightly ahead of the California governor.

The shift has prompted renewed discussion about the Democratic Party’s future following another difficult election cycle. Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez view the market movement as evidence that democratic socialist ideas continue to resonate with younger and more progressive voters. Meanwhile, Newsom’s standing has raised questions about whether his years of high-profile political battles with Republicans will strengthen or weaken his appeal on the national stage.

Even so, Ocasio-Cortez would face significant challenges if she ultimately enters the race. She would be among the youngest candidates seeking the presidency, and Democrats would also be grappling with their recent history of unsuccessful bids by female presidential nominees.

On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance currently holds the strongest position in the same prediction market, leading the field with an implied 21% chance of winning the presidency.

Market analysts caution that these figures should not be confused with traditional polling. Prediction markets reflect where traders are placing their money, meaning the odds can shift rapidly in response to major news events, endorsements, scandals, or other political developments.

With more than two years remaining before the next presidential election, the current odds are better viewed as an early indicator of market sentiment than as a reliable forecast of the eventual outcome.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito says he has no plans to step down, confirming that he will remain on the nation’s highest court for another term and ending speculation that President Donald Trump could soon have the opportunity to nominate a fourth justice.

“Obviously I’m here for another term,” Alito told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday.

Alito’s remarks appear to settle months of questions about whether the 76-year-old justice would retire before or during the court’s upcoming term.

Earlier this year, retirement rumors gained traction after National Public Radio mistakenly reported that Alito intended to leave the bench. The report was later withdrawn after the Supreme Court confirmed that the claim was false, according to The Associated Press.

With Alito remaining in place, the Supreme Court will begin its next term with its current 6-3 conservative majority unchanged.

The court’s conservative wing consists of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. The liberal bloc is made up of Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Overall, six of the court’s nine members were appointed by Republican presidents, while the remaining three were nominated by Democratic presidents.

During his first term, President Trump appointed Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett, appointments that solidified the court’s conservative majority following Barrett’s confirmation in 2020.

Had Alito chosen to retire, Trump would likely have had the opportunity to appoint a fourth justice, potentially replacing one of the court’s most conservative members with a younger jurist who could serve for decades.

Instead, Alito’s decision leaves the ideological makeup of the court unchanged heading into the new term.

The Supreme Court’s composition has become an increasingly contentious political issue, with many Democrats and liberal advocacy groups continuing to push for legislation that would expand the size of the court.

House Democratic leaders have endorsed a proposal to increase the number of justices from nine to 13 by adding four new seats.

Republicans and other critics have characterized the proposal as court-packing, arguing that expanding the court would allow a future Democratic president and Senate to dramatically shift its ideological balance.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has accused House Democrats of attempting to “rig” the Supreme Court after some lawmakers proposed adding four additional justices.

Grassley argued in June that Democrats support expanding the court because they disagree with many of its recent decisions and hope to fill the new seats with liberal nominees.

Supporters of expansion counter that increasing the number of justices would restore what they view as ideological balance and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

One organization advocating the proposal, Supreme 13, contends that a 13-member court would correspond with the nation’s 13 federal judicial circuits and would help address what it describes as decades of Republican-appointed dominance on the bench.

The idea has been debated before. In 2021, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to expand the Supreme Court from nine justices to 13, though the measure ultimately failed to become law.

The U.S. Constitution does not specify how many justices must serve on the Supreme Court, leaving Congress with the authority to determine the court’s size.

The court has consisted of nine justices since 1869, following several changes in its membership during the 19th century.

Opponents of expansion argue that enlarging the court for political purposes would threaten judicial independence and encourage an endless cycle of both parties adding seats whenever they control both Congress and the White House.

For now, Alito’s decision ensures that the court’s 6-3 conservative majority remains intact while eliminating, at least for the time being, the prospect of another Trump appointment to the Supreme Court.

It also guarantees that the debate over the future makeup of the nation’s highest court will continue to play out in the political arena, including during the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential campaign.

{Matzav.com}