Feed aggregator

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg made it clear on Wednesday that he intends to push ahead swiftly with the long-delayed contempt proceedings over whether senior administration officials knowingly brushed aside his directive halting the removal of Venezuelan migrants back in March. From the outset of the hearing, he signaled that he expects cooperation from both sides — and that he is particularly interested in hearing testimony from two Justice Department lawyers deeply connected to the events in question.

The dispute centers on President Donald Trump’s reliance on the Alien Enemies Act — a wartime statute dating back to 1798 — to expel more than 250 Venezuelans earlier this year. Those individuals were flown to a maximum-security facility in El Salvador, despite an emergency order Boasberg issued on March 15 instructing that the flights be stopped immediately. The renewed focus on the contempt issue, and Boasberg’s assertive role overseeing it, is almost certain to inflame Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill.

Boasberg appeared undeterred by the political crossfire. “This has been sitting for a long time,” he remarked, noting that the court had an obligation to proceed. He reiterated that he would “move promptly” and directed attorneys for both the Justice Department and the migrants’ class-action counsel to submit written proposals by Monday outlining how they believe the case should now advance.

The government made its opposition clear. “Your honor, the government objects to any further proceedings of criminal contempt,” Justice Department attorney Tiberius Davis said. Boasberg responded that he “certainly intends to determine what happened” on the day his emergency order was either knowingly or inadvertently ignored, remarking that the government “can assist me to whatever degree it wishes.” He added, “I am authorized to proceed, just as I intended to do in April, seven months ago.”

Among those the court wants to question are Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign and Erez Reuveni, who represented the government at the time the removals occurred. Reuveni — now a whistleblower — previously testified that senior officials suggested they “may have to consider telling that court, ‘f— you’” if the judge impeded deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. To Boasberg, that alone indicated that “a factual inquiry is in order.”

The core issue remains whether officials defied his emergency order, which had instructed all flights to “immediately” return to the United States. Instead, the migrants were kept for months inside El Salvador’s CECOT supermax facility until July, when they were transported to Venezuela as part of a broader prisoner exchange that included the release of at least 10 Americans.

In April, Boasberg concluded there was “probable cause” to advance criminal contempt proceedings, pointing to what he called the administration’s “willful disregard” for the court’s authority. The matter remained dormant until Friday, when the full appeals court declined to intervene further and directed Boasberg to restart the process. That decision placed him squarely in the sights of Trump and several Republican lawmakers, some of whom mounted a failed eleventh-hour attempt to secure his temporary suspension before the hearing convened.

Wednesday’s arguments also touched on the migrants’ request for injunctive relief. Boasberg’s emergency order in March set off a cascade of legal battles nationwide, and his courtroom became the first venue where the controversial deportations were challenged. By July, he ordered that every noncitizen removed to the El Salvador prison must be given a chance to pursue habeas review and contest any government claims about gang affiliations before being expelled again as part of the prisoner swap.

Efforts to locate the deported migrants are still underway. According to ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt, the “overwhelming” majority of those sent to El Salvador in March still wish to present their due-process arguments in court.

How the next phase will unfold is not yet clear, but Boasberg indicated that the court will examine the remaining legal and procedural issues in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

The US signaled to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Ukraine must accept a US-drafted framework to end the war with Russia that proposes Kyiv giving up territory and some weapons, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

BREAKING: The FDNY is battling a massive blaze tearing through a beer garden in East Harlem on Wednesday. The fire broke out on East 120th Street and Second Avenue. There’s no word yet on any injuries, or what started the fire.

Venezuelan media report a major explosion and fire at a chemical and crude oil facility in Anzoátegui state.

Q: “You will provide all of the Epstein Files by 30 Days?” AG BONDI: “We will follow the law…”

A group of Chareidi extremists opposed to the draft bill for yeshiva students staged a disturbing protest inside the Ashdod apartment building of Shas MK Yinon Azoulay. Video from the scene shows the group crowding the hallway outside Azoulay’s home, shouting and pounding on his door. A neighbor confronted the demonstrators, urging them to leave […]

BREAKING: Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted for allegedly stealing roughly $5 million in FEMA emergency funds and laundering the money through shell entities. Prosecutors say she then funneled portions of the illicit proceeds into her 2021 congressional campaign, violating federal election law. The DOJ says the charges include wire fraud, money laundering, and […]

Hundreds of Satmar Chassidim currently visiting in Eretz Yisroel with the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, are seen in Meah Shearim going shopping.

Yeshivas Pe’er Yerushalayim (Rabbi Benguigui) visited Bnei Brak today and visited numerous Gedolim including HaRav Berel Povarsky, HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and HaRav Dov Landau. Photos via Eli. B.

Congressional Republicans are proposing sending government subsidies to flexible spending plans, with an expert suggesting that tax dollars saved by reducing Medicare fraud could be used to pay for the $30 billion a year move. President & CEO of Proactive Strategy Group as well as healthcare policy expert Mark Merritt told The Center Square that […]

[COMMUNICATED]

Guests Of Honor:

Rabbi & Mrs Avi Schron

Parents of the Year:

Rabbi & Mrs Sholom Stahler

Rabbinical Leadership Award: 

Rabbi & Mrs Avrohom Klein- Proud parents in our Yeshiva

Beloved 9th grade Rebbe for 64 years:

Horav Yisroel Meir Shain zt”l

Memorial Tribute:

Mr. Isaac Haber a”h

Sunday, December 7, 2025

The Palace, 780 Mcdonald Avenue

Click HERE to place an ad in the journal!

📞 718-645-0536

✉️ mirreryeshiva@thejnet.com

The White House has introduced new boundaries for journalists after staff complained that sensitive conversations were being picked up and even recorded without authorization. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that these limits were put in place only after officials discovered behavior they found highly inappropriate.

As of Oct. 31, both the White House and the National Security Council confirmed that reporters may no longer freely walk into Room 140 — known as “Upper Press,” the workspace near the Oval Office where senior aides often pass through. Journalists had long been able to pop in without warning to speak with staffers, but access is now restricted to pre-arranged appointments.

During a conversation with the New York Post’s Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One,” Leavitt explained what prompted the shift. She said the administration realized that some reporters were listening in on private exchanges and even recording information without permission.

“We felt it became very inappropriate for reporters to be loitering around sensitive information in our offices,” Leavitt said. “And we did unfortunately catch some unruly reporters recording us without our permission, listening in on conversations, eavesdropping.”

She described how morning meetings with staff were being monitored by journalists lingering outside the room. “We’d have staff meetings in the morning. Some of the reporters started to pick up on that, and we’d walk out, and they would be out there trying to listen. If Secretary Rubio or the chief [of staff] want to come in and brief us on something, you’d have reporters out there heckling them. It just became an inappropriate work environment.”

Leavitt stressed that press access has not been eliminated, only regulated. Reporters may still enter the Upper Press area by scheduling a time, and she said many journalists have privately acknowledged that the arrangement is workable despite complaints online.

“A lot of the outrage you’re seeing on Twitter [X], they’ve told us privately they’re okay with how this system works so long as they can still have appointments with me to understand the news of the day,” Leavitt said.

“And we grant them that access. I give them as much time as I possibly can on my schedule, although a lot of my time is with the president and in the Oval Office and sitting in on meetings. So, I try to devote as much time as I can to the press because that is my job, right? That’s the basic duty, is for me to work with the press and make sure they’re telling the truth out there,” she added.

Not everyone is comfortable with the new rules. The White House Correspondents’ Association sharply criticized the move, claiming it weakens reporters’ ability to question key officials. The group’s president, CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang, made its position clear: “The White House Correspondents’ Association unequivocally opposes any effort to limit journalists from areas within the communications operations of the White House that have long been open for newsgathering, including the press secretary’s office.”

{Matzav.com}

The High Court of Justice took a significant step on Wednesday, directing the government to explain why it has avoided launching a full state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023. In its order, the court demanded a clear justification for the refusal to convene a formal commission that could “examine in an independent, professional, and impartial manner” what led to and followed the devastating assault.

Unlike standard petitions, a preliminary order flips the legal burden onto the government itself, signaling that the justices regard the complaints filed by several liberal watchdog organizations as weighty and credible. The ruling forces the government to defend its stance rather than leaving petitioners to prove their case.

The judges gave the government until January 4 to file its response. That deadline now puts pressure on officials who, earlier this week, attempted to preempt criticism by announcing plans for a government-approved investigative body. A ministerial panel has already been established to outline which aspects of the October 7 disaster such a body would be allowed to examine.

Although the coalition has described its planned inquiry as “independent,” its scope and boundaries will be set entirely by a small circle of cabinet members, headed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Their authority includes determining what will be reviewed and what will remain outside the commission’s mandate.

With the exception of Finance Ministry minister Ze’ev Elkin, every member of this panel occupied their government positions on the day thousands of Hamas terrorists burst across the border, murdering roughly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 251 others—an assault that launched the war against Hamas in Gaza. By the end of December, the committee is expected to present its recommendation on the structure and mission of the proposed commission.

For months, the coalition has fought to avoid a fully independent state commission of inquiry—an arrangement in which the Supreme Court president selects the investigators. Families of those killed and abducted on October 7, as well as many of Netanyahu’s political opponents, have repeatedly demanded no less, insisting that only a state commission holds the necessary authority to expose critical policy and intelligence failures.

Surveys consistently show that most Israelis favor such a robust investigative framework. Still, Netanyahu has rejected it, largely because a state commission would be appointed by the judiciary—an institution his government has spent years attempting to weaken through sweeping judicial overhaul legislation.

The overhaul, announced by Levin in January 2023, sparked nationwide protests that lasted until the Hamas invasion abruptly shifted the nation’s focus. Members of the anti-overhaul movement in the reserves warned at the time that they might refuse to continue reporting for duty if the laws passed, a threat that Netanyahu allies have since used to shift blame for the October 7 collapse onto government critics.

Before the war, top security officials—and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant—cautioned Netanyahu that the overhaul was endangering national stability by tearing at Israel’s social and institutional cohesion. Security chiefs had also opposed Netanyahu’s long-running policy of allowing Qatar to transfer millions of dollars to Hamas each month, money the prime minister argued was designated for civil servant salaries, even as his own close associates faced investigations tied to Qatar.

{Matzav.com}

Americans can continue to spend pennies, but few businesses are giving them back as the coin’s 232-year run comes to an end. Some businesses have been preparing for months, stockpiling bags of the 1-cent coin. Others have created rounding systems to arrive at the nearest nickel. For consumers, the shortage of pennies might be insignificant. […]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed concerns on Tuesday about the impact of $2,000 tariff checks, suggesting that families should consider saving the money instead of immediately spending it. His remarks came during an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, who pressed him on whether distributing the funds nationwide could fuel another wave of price increases.

Responding to the question, Bessent said, “Maybe we could persuade Americans to save that, because one of the things that’s going to happen next year” is the launch of “Trump Accounts” designed for long-term savings for children. He explained that these accounts are central to a House GOP initiative, championed by President Donald Trump, which would create new tax-deferred investment accounts for every baby born in the U.S. over the next four years, each seeded with $1,000 at birth.

Under the proposal, funds from these accounts could be withdrawn once a child turns 18 to help with educational expenses, the purchase of a first home, or starting a small business. Withdrawals for other purposes would be taxed at a higher rate, encouraging families to reserve the funds for meaningful long-term goals.

President Trump, speaking a day earlier, said he hopes to begin issuing tariff checks to “moderate income, middle income” Americans by mid-2026. He emphasized the scale of the program, stating, “We have thousands of dollars for individuals of moderate income, middle income. We are going to pay down debt. We have a lot of money from tariffs; if we didn’t have tariffs, this country would be in serious trouble,” during a meeting in the Oval Office with the 2026 FIFA World Cup task force.

The Treasury Department reported that tariff collections reached $195 billion by the end of September, a sharp increase of 153% from the $77 billion collected in fiscal year 2024. July alone saw nearly $30 billion in revenue, highlighting the scale of tariff income the administration hopes to redistribute.

Not everyone is convinced that distributing tariff rebates is without risk. Several economists have warned that handing out checks to all American households could reignite inflation, much like the pattern seen after the COVID-19 stimulus payments.

William Dickens, professor emeritus of economics and public policy at Northeastern University, argued that the effect depends heavily on the economic climate. He said $2,000 “would help support the economy” during a downturn and likely wouldn’t move prices significantly. “On the other hand, if the economy is running strong and he doles out $2,000 to everyone, it could drive inflation up.”

The Tax Foundation also raised red flags, noting that tariffs have “undoubtedly raised costs for American firms and consumers — since Americans and not foreigners ultimately pay the tariff — rebating the revenue to consumers would be fiscally irresponsible and also risk increasing inflation.”

{Matzav.com}

Kosher Certification recently convened its annual International Conference, marking a significant dual milestone: 90 years of unparalleled kosher excellence and the 50th anniversary of Mivtza Kashrus (the worldwide campaign for kosher observance initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe). The conference, attended by ~ Kosher’s global network of rabbis, rabbinic coordinators, and mashgichim, adopted the inspiring theme: […]

In the most dramatic diplomatic shift since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, the United States is privately urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept a draft peace framework that would force Ukraine to cede territory and scale back its military, according to two Reuters sources. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity […]

Influential GOP donor and billionaire grocer John Catsimatidis is signaling a surprising détente with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, telling New York conservatives they should work with the incoming socialist administration rather than attempt to block it. Catsimatidis — who just weeks ago blasted Mamdani’s election as a threat to the city — hosted a roundtable Monday […]

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I commend Rabbi Bender for courageously addressing the sub rosa practice that has crept into many of our frum communities known as To’a’meha — gatherings where groups of men assemble on Erev Shabbos to drink heavily and indulge in various mat’amim, all under the pretext of the mitzvah of tasting Shabbos foods in advance. Calling for communities to forbid this practice, Rabbi Bender forcefully decried this behavior and emphasized the damaging impact it has on our children, who watch their fathers arrive at the Friday night seudah in a state of inebriation.

I, too, long for the disappearance of such decadence from our cherished and holy communities. Yet I question whether a rabbinic prohibition alone can truly resolve the underlying issues that drive this behavior. Alcohol misuse functions as a numbing agent, and those who rely on it may be attempting to escape stress, soothe an emotional void, or quell anxiety. While many additional factors can contribute to substance abuse, my decades of counseling adult men in our community lead me to believe that these three motivations are the primary forces behind To’a’meha gatherings.

Consider the burdens faced by men between the ages of 35 and 60: making steep mortgage payments on homes built to high standards in the “right” neighborhoods, paying s’char limud for a houseful of children, financing bar mitzvahs and chasunos, navigating shidduchim, keeping a seder limud, meeting tzedakah obligations, supporting a wife who may herself be overwhelmed by managing a large family, satisfying workplace demands, learning with children, attending simchos, striving for growth in ruchniyus, and more.

When a person feels they are falling short of communal expectations for spiritual growth, or when they struggle to balance the needs of a spouse and many children, an emotional void can develop. The constant pressure of providing for a family can naturally lead to anxiety. For some, the weekly ritual of numbing these overwhelming feelings becomes the coping mechanism of choice — selected specifically because it doesn’t interfere with job performance. To their credit, most men in our community find healthy ways to handle these pressures. But in any large population, there will be those who lean on less constructive methods.

Breaking free from this damaging cycle is especially difficult because the brain learns to associate alcohol with temporary relief. Simply banning the practice, without simultaneously reducing the stressors and offering healthier, acceptable alternatives for decompression, is unlikely to yield meaningful change.

Rabbi Bender has brought a critical issue to the forefront. Now, our community must confront the deeper challenge: reducing the pressures that fuel these unhealthy behaviors and providing constructive outlets that support the well-being of the entire family. I eagerly await that conversation in Part II.

Signed,
A rov for 40 years,
F. B.

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.

The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

A top private school in northern Virginia has agreed to sweeping reforms and a six-figure payout after expelling three Jewish students whose parents reported months of severe antisemitic bullying. The Nysmith School for the Gifted, located roughly an hour outside Washington, D.C., settled the lawsuit this week following a blistering complaint filed in July by […]