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WASHINGTON — Newly declassified White House documents reveal that the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation in 2017 examining whether President Donald Trump was “wittingly or unwittingly” acting on behalf of Russia after he dismissed then-FBI Director James Comey.

The investigation, code-named “Oxferd Comma,” stemmed from the FBI’s broader Crossfire Hurricane probe, which examined allegations that Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign had coordinated with the Kremlin.

One of the newly released FBI memoranda states, “Based on the facts and circumstances provided to date, the FBI believes that opening this investigation is the least intrusive method to address the serious national security risk posed by the activities alleged.”

At the time, the White House publicly said Comey was fired because of his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. It was later disclosed that Trump was also frustrated because Comey declined to publicly state that the president was not personally under investigation in the Crossfire Hurricane probe.

The May 16, 2017, memorandum authorizing the Oxferd Comma investigation was approved by then-FBI General Counsel James A. Baker and Bill Priestap, who headed the bureau’s counterintelligence division.

According to the memo, investigators were tasked with determining whether Trump “is or was directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with, the Russian Federation in a manner constituting a threat to the national security of the United States and/or a violation of federal criminal statutes.”

The memo further stated, “In addition, this investigation will also seek to determine whether President Trump and others yet to be named obstructed and/or conspiracy to obstruct any associated FBI investigation.”

Although Trump himself was not under investigation for alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 campaign, Comey’s dismissal prompted scrutiny over whether the firing amounted to obstruction of justice. That issue ultimately became a central focus of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Internal FBI communications from the period also show that some bureau officials questioned whether the Russia investigation should continue after many investigative leads had failed to produce supporting evidence.

“I hesitate in part because of my gut sense and concern there’s no big there there,” then-Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok wrote in a May 19, 2017, text message to FBI attorney Lisa Page.

The newly disclosed records could also become part of an ongoing review by Justice Department Counselor Joe diGenova, according to former Just the News editor-in-chief John Solomon.

Solomon, who now serves in the Trump administration on an election integrity task force, announced the document release on X and asked followers: “Should Special U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova treat the opening of Oxferd Comma as an overt act in a criminal conspiracy to violate President Trump’s civil liberties.”

Solomon also noted that the FBI launched the investigation only after agents had cleared former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn of collusion allegations and discredited key claims contained in the dossier compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele.

The Oxferd Comma investigation was formally closed on April 9, 2019, without any charges being brought against Trump.

Only weeks earlier, Mueller had concluded his investigation, finding no evidence that Trump or members of his campaign conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 election, although the report noted contacts between campaign associates and individuals linked to the Kremlin.

A separate investigation led by Special Counsel John Durham later concluded that the FBI’s decision to open the original Trump-Russia investigation was “seriously flawed” and lacked an adequate evidentiary foundation, according to Durham’s May 2023 report.

Trump has repeatedly denounced both Crossfire Hurricane and the Mueller investigation as a “witch hunt,” arguing they demonstrated that federal law enforcement agencies had been weaponized against him. He has also frequently referred to Comey as a “dirty cop.”

Before Comey’s dismissal, then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted a memorandum to Attorney General Jeff Sessions recommending that the FBI director be removed because of his handling of the Clinton email investigation.

In the May 9, 2017, memo, Rosenstein wrote that Comey “announced his own conclusions about the nation’s most sensitive criminal investigation, without the authorization of duly appointed Justice Department leaders.”

He continued, “Although the President has the power to remove an FBI director, the decision should not be taken lightly. I agree with the nearly unanimous opinions of former Department officials. The way the Director handled the conclusion of the email investigation was wrong.”

Rosenstein concluded, “As a result, the FBI is unlikely to regain public and congressional trust until it has a Director who understands the gravity of the mistakes and pledges never to repeat them. Having refused to admit his errors, the Director cannot be expected to implement the necessary corrective actions.”

{Matzav.com}

Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan is facing fierce criticism after comments he made about the enlistment of Chareidim resurfaced this week, including remarks in which he described the Chareidi community as “a population of people that is uneducated.”

The remarks were delivered during a conference about a month ago but were republished Wednesday, igniting a political firestorm over Golan’s characterization of the Chareidi public and his views on military service.

“There is no issue that has fallen victim to cheap populism like the conscription of Chareidim,” Golan said. “It is impossible to draft all the Chareidim tomorrow morning, even if there were an amazing law. We also wouldn’t want to draft them all tomorrow morning, because we would not want to create an army that suddenly receives thousands of people in every draft cycle and has to establish gender-segregated conditions for them… In short, it’s simply impractical.”

Golan went on to argue that the process must be gradual, adding, “We also would not want such a population of people that is uneducated, lacks motivation, and lacks physical capability. It doesn’t work that way. Chareidi conscription is a process. Arab conscription is a process. The enlistment of Chareidi women is a process.”

He also said that if Israel intends to implement a system of universal national service, it would first need to overhaul the existing framework.

“If we truly believe that the guiding principle is that every young man and woman at the age of 18 or 19 should give at least one year of service to the state, then we need to reorganize the entire system,” he said.

Golan emphasized that he favors expanding national service opportunities beyond the military.

“I support service in Magen David Adom, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Israel Police, the Prison Service, and hospitals-any framework that can be supervised and genuinely serves the public.”

He further argued that while the number of young people reaching draft age continues to increase, the IDF is unlikely to expand at the same pace.

According to Golan, “the army will not grow in proportion to the size of those draft cohorts, and that is unreasonable.”

After his remarks drew widespread criticism, Golan issued a statement seeking to clarify his position.

“Service for everyone. Period,” he wrote. “The prime minister of the draft-dodgers and the office under investigation in the Qatar affair continue to play with edited video clips. That’s all they have left as their government collapses. In reality, they failed against Iran, failed in Gaza, failed in Lebanon, and passed draft-evasion laws that placed the entire burden on those who serve and on the reservists. Those who voted for draft evasion have no right to lecture us about service.”

He continued, “I served in the IDF for decades and was Deputy Chief of Staff. I say this as clearly as possible: service for everyone. Period. Recruitment according to the IDF’s needs and capabilities. Anyone who does not serve in the IDF will perform full national service. No tricks, no exemptions, and no draft-evasion laws. Under us, everyone serves.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blasted Golan’s comments, accusing him of demonizing the Chareidi community.

“Yair Golan is an Israel-hater, a self-hating antisemite who spreads racist blood libels against the Chareidi sector. While he claims that Chareidim are ‘people without education or physical ability,’ we have already recruited 1,400 Chareidim into the Border Police, the Israel Police, and the national security services. As soon as the candidate lists are submitted, Otzma Yehudit will petition the Central Elections Committee to disqualify him from running because of his disgusting racism.”

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that his administration has launched a broad effort to stop the online sale of illegal high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters to city residents, sending cease-and-desist letters to dozens of retailers serving customers across all five boroughs.

Speaking at a City Hall news conference, Mamdani said the city has notified 42 online retailers that they must immediately halt sales of high-speed e-bikes, stand-up e-scooters, and other vehicles that are prohibited from operating on New York City streets.

The letters direct the companies to stop selling the devices to customers in all 175 New York City ZIP codes.

The mayor’s announcement comes as the City Council weighs a package of 17 bills designed to tighten restrictions on illegal e-bikes and prohibit the sale of certain high-speed models that are currently legal.

Among the proposed measures are requirements that food delivery companies obtain commercial licenses and that delivery apps carry additional liability insurance.

The legislative push follows last week’s fatal crash near City Hall in which a 17-year-old riding an illegal high-speed e-bike was killed.

On Tuesday, City Council Speaker Julie Menin pointed to a sharp increase in crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters as she urged action.

“Compared to last year, both e-bike and e-scooter collisions are up more than 30%. In 2026 alone, there have already been over 500 collisions involving e-bikes. We cannot go on like this,” Menin said.

The City Council is scheduled to hold its next hearing on the proposed e-bike safety legislation on Sept. 30.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has formally urged Israel’s High Court of Justice to reject petitions seeking the removal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, arguing that there is no legal basis for dismissing him despite the collapse of negotiations between Ben Gvir and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over his conduct in office.

Netanyahu’s latest filing was submitted after efforts to reach an agreement between Ben Gvir and the attorney general broke down. The prime minister’s position has fueled speculation over whether he would refuse to comply with a High Court ruling should the justices order Ben Gvir’s dismissal without what Netanyahu views as a clear legal foundation.

In his response, Netanyahu wrote, “After the prime minister carefully considered the matter, including receiving a detailed response from the minister regarding the incidents referenced in the petitions, the attorney general’s response to the conditional order, and the subsequent update notices, there has been no change in the prime minister’s position that Minister Ben Gvir’s appointment as minister of national security was lawful and that there are no grounds whatsoever for any administrative or judicial decision requiring his dismissal.”

The prime minister also maintained that Ben Gvir accepts the principle of police independence. He argued that even though the two sides were unable to finalize guidelines governing the minister’s relationship with the police, that alone does not justify removing him from office.

Netanyahu further contended that the matter is not one for judicial intervention and criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara’s handling of the case. He accused her of “inflating the events and citing various incidents that bear no connection to any grounds for removing a minister.”

Ben Gvir welcomed Netanyahu’s response and launched a fresh attack on the attorney general.

“I congratulate the prime minister for his clear response to the criminal attorney general. The deep state bureaucrats have absolutely no authority to remove ministers from office. After the elections, we will remove the deep state bureaucrats.”

{Matzav.com}

On CNN, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) reacted to Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A civilian drone that entered the restricted airspace around Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday morning temporarily shut down flight operations, forcing authorities to suspend both takeoffs and landings during one of the airport’s busiest periods and prompting an official investigation by the Transportation Ministry.

The unusual security incident caused significant disruptions to air traffic after the drone penetrated the airport’s protected airspace, leading aviation authorities to halt operations until the area was deemed safe.

In response, Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken ordered a special review into the incident to determine how the drone was able to enter the restricted zone and disrupt operations at one of Israel’s most sensitive strategic facilities.

The incident comes as Israeli officials continue debating whether to impose a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights. The issue has recently been discussed by the Security Cabinet, where defense officials reportedly urged ministers to consider broader restrictions as part of Israel’s preparations for the possibility of a wider confrontation with Iran.

No final decision has yet been reached, but the prospect of banning drones has already sparked strong opposition from industry professionals and aviation experts.

“To decide that drones should be banned throughout the State of Israel is to pass a law that simply cannot be enforced,” Pini Yungman, president of TSG, a company specializing in aerial command-and-control systems, told N12.

“There are millions of drones in Israel, the overwhelming majority of them operated by children. It will be extremely difficult to prevent them from flying, monitor their use, or enforce such a prohibition.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

FBI Director Kash Patel says the bureau has launched an unprecedented law enforcement partnership with China and Russia, arguing that carefully controlled cooperation with two of America’s chief geopolitical rivals is producing results in the fight against fentanyl trafficking, cybercrime, child exploitation, and other international criminal networks, Reuters reports.

According to Patel, the collaborations involve narrowly tailored investigations focused solely on specific categories of transnational crime rather than broader intelligence sharing. The FBI director said the initiative has already led to joint operations, intelligence exchanges, and coordinated arrests.

As part of the arrangement, Chinese law enforcement officials have traveled to the United States to work alongside FBI personnel, while American agents have made reciprocal visits to China to investigate cases and exchange information. FBI officials also said the two countries have conducted joint raids and arrests under the program.

Patel returned from Beijing in late July after meeting with Chinese officials, and FBI officials say a similar visit to Russia is tentatively scheduled for October.

In interviews with Reuters, Patel described the new relationships as partnerships with “non-traditional partners,” stressing that they are limited to targeted efforts against crimes such as international child pornography rings, cyber scam operations targeting Americans, fentanyl trafficking, and other cross-border criminal enterprises.

The initiative, organized internally through specialized “working groups,” represents a dramatic departure from longstanding FBI practice. It has also drawn concern from members of the counterintelligence community, who warn that working closely with authoritarian governments could expose sensitive U.S. security information to countries that actively seek to undermine America’s military, economic, and intelligence interests.

One example cited by the FBI occurred in May, when agents partnered with China’s Ministry of Public Security and Dubai police during “Operation Sand Dollar.” According to the bureau, the raid targeted a major cyber fraud center in Dubai, resulting in 300 arrests, the seizure of $300 million, and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers.

Chinese state media also reported that one suspect accused of committing “serious violent crimes” was returned from China to the United States under the new cooperative framework.

For years, U.S. officials have viewed both China and Russia primarily as sources of espionage and international criminal activity rather than partners in combating those threats. Patel, who was appointed FBI director by President Donald Trump, acknowledged those concerns but argued that the risks can be managed.

“They are both new and dynamic relationships, and we are extremely mindful of their adversarial approach on many matters,” Patel said. “They are not going to stop, but if we can go and have wins for America, then we must engage.”

Patel said the current relationship began following President Trump’s trip to China in May 2025 and has since expanded through two of his own visits to Beijing. According to Patel, cooperation now centers on four working groups covering cyber fraud, crimes against children, counternarcotics, and fugitive investigations.

He also said officials from China’s Ministry of Public Security have been invited to multiple FBI facilities in the United States to exchange intelligence and investigative information.

“Every month, they send their working-level MPS officers here, and the following month we go there,” Patel said. “They are speaking with us daily, which has also never happened before.”

Asked about the growing law enforcement relationship, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said, “We have always believed that dialog and negotiation are the right way forward, and that military means offer no solution.”

Patel emphasized that the intelligence exchanged is tightly restricted and applies only to the four agreed-upon categories of transnational crime. He also insisted that these partnerships are not intended to replace America’s traditional intelligence alliances, including the Five Eyes network with Canada, Australia, Britain, and New Zealand.

“Five Eyes will always be our most important intelligence relationship. No one is trying to replace that,” Patel said. “Unlike military and traditional intelligence agencies, we have a unique lane to drive this dynamic change with law enforcement, which is an apolitical mission.”

While in Asia last month, Patel met with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Vice Minister Xu Datong to expand what Chinese state media described as “practical cooperation” against a range of criminal activities.

The expanded cooperation marks a significant shift in U.S. law enforcement policy and reflects President Trump’s broader diplomatic engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Not everyone is convinced the strategy is wise.

“China and Russia are our enemies, period,” said Jeff Crocker, a former FBI supervisory agent who retired in 2024. “They are actively trying to harm our country physically, economically and militarily.”

Crocker warned that allowing Chinese officials access to FBI facilities, intelligence personnel, and other government infrastructure carries substantial counterintelligence risks. He argued that both Chinese and Russian operatives would likely exploit any opportunity to gather intelligence or penetrate sensitive systems.

“So this is great cover ⁠for them,” Crocker said.

Patel responded that every foreign visitor undergoes extensive vetting and is subject to strict counterintelligence safeguards. Three former FBI employees told Reuters that such visits typically involve extensive physical and electronic monitoring, particularly for representatives of countries viewed as America’s most dangerous adversaries.

“We know exactly who is coming here, and we vet them,” Patel said.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Russian Embassy in Washington immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Patel also revealed that the FBI has spent months quietly coordinating with Russian authorities on investigations targeting violent transnational criminal organizations.

“This stuff doesn’t happen overnight,” Patel said. “We’ve been at this for 15 months.”

An internal FBI memorandum reviewed by Reuters credited the bureau’s partnership with China’s Ministry of Public Security for several operations targeting Chinese pharmaceutical companies this year.

According to the memo, those investigations resulted in the arrests of nine individuals, the closure of two chemical manufacturing facilities and three related websites, and the seizure of fentanyl precursor chemicals “likely otherwise destined for the United States.”

The memo did not identify where those arrests or seizures occurred.

Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow specializing in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, said fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States have dropped significantly since the winter of 2022, likely because of several factors, including cooperation with China and broader access to the overdose-reversal drug Naloxone.

“It could be that the people who were already vulnerable had already died,” Felbab-Brown said.

“I think that the cooperation is useful, should be fostered, and that it contributed to some extent,” Felbab-Brown said, referring to the decline in U.S. overdoses. “But how much is really hard to know, and there are a lot of complexities to it.”

The FBI memo also said Chinese law enforcement partnered with agents from the bureau’s Omaha, Nebraska, field office during a June operation that dismantled an international child sexual abuse materials network, resulting in the arrests of 16 suspects.

The growing partnership follows years of strained relations between Washington and Beijing. U.S. officials have long accused China of failing to stop the production of precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, while Chinese authorities suspended cooperation after political disputes, including then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taiwan.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a measured assessment of the renewed cooperation. Speaking during a visit to the Philippines last month, Rubio described the effort to curb fentanyl precursor shipments as “a work in progress.”

“I think we’ve made some progress on that front, but not entirely where we need to be,” Rubio told reporters.

Patel said the framework developed with China and Russia could eventually serve as a model for law enforcement cooperation with other countries when doing so advances U.S. interests.

“The fact that we did it with China,” Patel said, “when everyone said, ‘Don’t do it,’ and, ‘You can’t do it,’ shows what we can do with almost anyone.”

President Donald Trump hailed Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary on Wednesday, calling the result a major boost for Republicans as they prepare for a high-stakes general election battle in one of the nation’s key swing states.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump reacted to El-Sayed’s projected win over Rep. Haley Stevens by arguing that the Democratic Party’s embrace of a far-left nominee will improve Republican chances of capturing the seat in November.

“Great news for the Republican Party,” Trump wrote. “El-Sayed, a Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel, is the projected winner in his race with the Socialist. As usual, the Polls were way off on this one. She was not expected to do nearly as well as she did. Now, the Dumocrats crazy policies will only get worse!”

El-Sayed’s victory over Stevens marked one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries in the country and represented a significant triumph for the party’s progressive wing.

The win sets the stage for a November contest against Republican Mike Rogers, the former congressman, in a race widely viewed as one of the most consequential Senate elections of the year and one that could help determine control of the chamber.

The primary remained too close to call for much of Tuesday night before El-Sayed pulled ahead early Wednesday. Stevens later conceded the race and pledged to support his candidacy in the general election.

A former Wayne County health director, El-Sayed campaigned on a progressive platform that includes “Medicare for All,” campaign finance reform, and ending U.S. military aid to Israel.

Throughout the campaign, he cast himself as an outsider challenging the Democratic establishment and secured endorsements from prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.

Following the primary, Van Hollen described the result as “a wake-up call to the Washington Democratic establishment.”

The contest underscored the ideological divide within the Democratic Party, with progressive activists lining up behind El-Sayed while establishment leaders rallied behind Stevens.

Stevens, who has served four terms in Congress, received the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and benefited from tens of millions of dollars in outside spending, including support from pro-Israel organizations.

Republicans are expected to make El-Sayed’s progressive positions a central issue in the general election campaign.

His support for government-run healthcare, opposition to U.S. military aid for Israel, and other left-wing policy proposals have already become key targets for GOP attacks as Republicans seek to portray him as out of step with Michigan voters.

Democrats, meanwhile, now face the task of uniting after an expensive and hard-fought primary battle that exposed significant divisions within the party.

The Michigan Senate race is expected to be among the nation’s most competitive and could play a decisive role in determining which party controls the Senate during the final two years of President Trump’s second term.

Republicans have already reserved substantial advertising time in support of Rogers as they seek to flip a seat Democrats consider essential to their hopes of reclaiming the Senate majority.

{Matzav.com}

Washington — U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro reportedly arrived at the White House this week carrying a large box of evidence intended to persuade President Donald Trump that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was caused by a faulty government installation—not by the Olympic canoeist and others who had been charged in the case.

According to The New York Times, Pirro entered Monday’s Oval Office meeting with a large white box filled with documents and evidence. The meeting included Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and White House Counsel David Warrington.

CBS News reported that the materials Pirro presented supported her determination that the Reflecting Pool’s damage resulted from a defective installation performed by a government contractor, rather than criminal vandalism committed by three-time Olympic canoeist David Hearn or the other defendants.

The meeting took place only hours after Trump publicly criticized Pirro’s decision to dismiss the felony case against Hearn, saying she had “folded like an umbrella” and “choked.”

Trump has continued to insist that vandals were responsible for damaging the Reflecting Pool. Burgum also defended that position over the weekend, writing on social media that “the evidence is clear.”

Despite that, Pirro’s office filed a detailed court motion on Friday seeking to dismiss the felony charge against Hearn. Prosecutors argued they had been provided incomplete and misleading information by the Interior Department before the grand jury returned the indictment.

According to the filing, evidence reviewed after the indictment revealed that the Reflecting Pool suffered from what prosecutors described as a “rushed and botched installation.” Investigators also found damage across multiple sections of the pool liner, including areas that the alleged vandals could not have reached.

Reports said the Oval Office meeting became tense, with Pirro directly confronting Burgum and accusing him of giving the president an inaccurate account of what caused the damage.

Burgum reportedly defended his department’s handling of the matter while Trump heard arguments from both sides.

The Justice Department has also asked the court to dismiss charges against three additional defendants who had been accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool after reviewing the newly uncovered evidence.

The dispute has highlighted growing disagreements within the Trump administration over how the case was handled.

Although Pirro has long been regarded as one of Trump’s closest allies, reports indicate she concluded that the prosecution could not move forward after reviewing thousands of pages of documents and determining the government lacked sufficient evidence to prove the damage was caused by vandalism.

Trump made clear Tuesday that he remains unhappy with Pirro’s decision but said he has not yet decided whether she will continue serving as U.S. attorney.

“I just think she was totally wrong,” Trump told reporters. “I haven’t made a determination” about her future, according to The Wall Street Journal.

{Matzav.com}

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday urged Congress to permanently strengthen the Trump administration’s government-wide anti-fraud campaign, saying lawmakers must act to expand data-sharing, increase criminal penalties, and provide additional resources after federal investigators identified an estimated $230 billion in fraud.

Speaking during a Capitol-area roundtable on combating government fraud, Vance said the administration’s fraud task force has already uncovered approximately $230 billion in fraudulent activity and prevented another $56 billion in improper payments since its formation.

Vance said the initiative has brought together numerous federal agencies, but argued that its long-term success depends on Congress passing legislation to make the reforms permanent.

“This effort will fundamentally always have a limitation unless our colleagues in the House and the Senate are working with us,” Vance said. “In order to make this really work, we need our colleagues in Congress to really codify some of this stuff, to make sure that it becomes law.”

The vice president described fraud as a crime with two sets of victims, saying it not only costs taxpayers billions of dollars but also deprives vulnerable Americans of resources intended to help them. He pointed to programs such as Medicaid and federal nutrition assistance as examples of systems that have been exploited by fraud.

“The most obvious victim, of course, is the American taxpayer, who has their hard-earned tax dollars stolen from them to enrich people who are violating our laws and taking advantage of our country. But I think more profoundly, and more sadly, the second victim of fraud are the people who benefit from programs that the American people have set up in their generosity and in their kindness of spirit, and those programs don’t function as well or don’t even have the resources necessary to work because they’ve been stolen from by fraudsters,” Vance said.

A central focus of the discussion was improving the exchange of information between state governments and federal agencies. Vance argued that federal officials often lack adequate visibility into who is ultimately receiving benefits administered by the states and said Congress should require more consistent data sharing.

Andrew Ferguson, who also addressed the roundtable, argued that weak penalties and outdated government systems have allowed fraud to flourish. He said modern technology and improved data-sharing could stop many fraudulent claims before taxpayer money is ever distributed.

“Data is the enemy of fraud,” Ferguson said, adding that relatively simple verification tools could save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.

Ferguson also called for significantly tougher punishment for those convicted of defrauding government programs.

“We want to work with Congress to dramatically increase the sentences associated even with low-level frauds,” Ferguson said. “To make every fraudster think long and hard about whether it’s worth facing a long time in jail before deciding to raid our programs.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller echoed those concerns, arguing that current criminal penalties have failed to deter large-scale fraud because many offenders receive relatively light sentences.

“This may be hard to believe that you could steal hundreds of thousands and ultimately millions of dollars and not do any significant jail time. I think probably the simplest explanation is that when Congress was drafting these statutes, they still lived in a high-trust society, and it eclipsed their imagination that there would be systemic, widespread, continual lying, fleecing, and organized crime to rip off hundreds of billions of dollars from the American taxpayer, which is what has happened. There needs to be strict, clear, mandatory minimums,” Miller said.

White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley also addressed the gathering, presenting what he described as 10 “practical proposals” for Congress to strengthen the administration’s anti-fraud efforts.

“Fraud steals taxpayer dollars, but such corruption steals something even more precious: it steals the blessings and benefits of work,” Haley said.

Vance concluded by saying the administration will continue working with Congress to advance three primary objectives: expanding information-sharing between governments, imposing tougher penalties on fraudsters, and providing additional funding for fraud investigations. He also thanked officials across multiple agencies, describing the initiative as a true “whole of government” effort.

{Matzav.com}

Antisemitic incidents across the United Kingdom climbed by 21% during the first six months of 2026, reaching the second-highest total ever recorded for the first half of a calendar year, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Community Security Trust (CST).

The report documented 1,926 antisemitic incidents between January and June, compared with 1,598 during the same period in 2025, according to The Times of Israel.

That works out to an average of 321 antisemitic incidents every month—nearly twice the monthly average recorded before Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel.

Violent assaults saw one of the sharpest increases. The CST recorded 135 physical attacks during the six-month period, an 82% rise compared with the first half of last year. Antisemitic incidents in schools climbed 59% to 178, while cases connected to shuls increased by 31%.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred on April 29, when two visibly Jewish men were stabbed in London’s Golders Green neighborhood. According to the CST, that attack was followed by 71 additional antisemitic incidents over the next three days.

The report also highlighted a series of arson attacks directed at London shuls and other Jewish-linked properties, including the torching of Hatzolah ambulances and attacks on multiple synagogues. The CST said the attacks were linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and were claimed by an organization that was subsequently outlawed by the British government.

According to the CST, antisemitic incidents also spiked following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran in late February. The report comes months after the October 2025 terrorist attack on a Manchester shul that claimed the lives of two Jewish mispallelim.

CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner warned that the growing wave of antisemitism poses a danger not only to Britain’s Jewish community but to the country as a whole.

“These attacks should concern everyone who cares about Britain and the threats against it, whether state-directed from Iran, or internally driven by Islamist, far right, far left, or other ideological extremes,” Gardner said.

“These attacks are directed against British Jews, but they are also attacks on Britain and our society,” he added.

British Policing Minister Sarah Jones described the report’s findings as deeply troubling and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Jewish communities.

“Antisemitism goes against our country’s values, and I will do everything in my power to protect our Jewish communities,” Jones said.

She noted the government’s recent commitment to invest £250 million (approximately $336 million) over the next three years to enhance security at Jewish schools, shuls, and community centers, including funding for additional police officers.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the surge in antisemitic attacks a “national emergency.”

“Thousands of Jewish families living in fear in their own country, and it is completely unacceptable,” Philp said. “Antisemitism has no place in Britain and real action needs to be taken to stamp it out.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged Tehran’s full backing for Hamas as negotiations over Gaza’s future continue, assuring the terror group’s leadership that Iran will support whatever course of action it chooses.

According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian spoke Wednesday with Hamas Political Bureau chairman Khalil al-Hayya and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to stand behind the terrorist organization throughout the ongoing diplomatic process.

During the conversation, Pezeshkian reportedly promised to support “every step, initiative, and decision” taken by the Palestinian Authority and Gaza’s leadership as negotiations over Gaza’s future move forward.

“The hearts and spirit of the Iranian people and officials are always with the Palestinian people, and Tehran will continue to support and stand alongside the Palestinian people,” Pezeshkian said.

Earlier in the day, Hamas Political Bureau member Basem Naim, who also serves on the group’s negotiating team, said Hamas is still waiting for an official reply from mediator Nikolay Mladenov “regarding what was agreed upon with him and the mediators concerning the roadmap for implementing Phase 2, especially in light of the high level of responsibility demonstrated by the movement in dealing with what was proposed to it.”

Naim also said Hamas “highly appreciates the mediators’ statement holding the enemy accountable for the ongoing crimes and the deliberate obstruction of the agreement.”

Meanwhile, reports Tuesday indicated that Israel’s defense establishment has tightened the approval process for military operations in Gaza following new directives issued by the country’s political leadership.

Under the revised policy, targeted eliminations will now require the personal authorization of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, significantly narrowing the authority previously held by lower-ranking commanders.

A security source emphasized that the new directive does not affect situations in which Israeli troops face an immediate threat. In those circumstances, forces will continue responding without delay under existing rules of engagement.

The change applies only to preplanned offensive operations against individuals who are not considered an immediate danger, including terrorists under intelligence surveillance. Previously, such missions could also be approved by regional or division commanders.

On Monday, mediators Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey released a joint statement sharply criticizing Israel, arguing that continued IDF operations targeting Hamas terrorists in Gaza could jeopardize the current ceasefire.

“The mediators stress the need for Israel to comply with all of its obligations under international law and to fully uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, affirming that the continuation of these violations constitutes a breach of the agreement and undermines the efforts aimed at implementing its second phase, particularly following Hamas and the Palestinian factions’ announcement of their acceptance of the roadmap, especially the provision concerning the confinement of weapons,” the statement read, claiming that “these violations threaten the path toward de-escalation and exacerbate the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.”

The three mediating countries also called on the international community “to assume its responsibilities and exert the necessary pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and the ceasefire agreement, in a manner that ensures the completion of President Trump’s peace plan.”

The diplomatic push came after an extensive meeting involving the Board of Peace, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and senior Israeli officials. According to the Board of Peace, the discussions focused on eliminating terrorist weapons in Gaza, preparing for a transition to civilian governance, and establishing long-term security for both Israeli citizens and Gaza’s Arab population.

The Board of Peace said oversight of Gaza’s demilitarization would be carried out by an International Stabilization Force together with an Implementation Verification Committee, which would include representatives from both the United States and the Board of Peace.

Israel will not pull back from its current positions in the Gaza Strip until the Hamas terrorist organization is completely disarmed, Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu reiterated.

“I am standing firm on our security interests—we will not withdraw from our current lines until Hamas is completely disarmed,” Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language video posted to his Facebook page.

He added that Israel Defense Forces soldiers had been instructed “to do everything necessary to defend themselves, to defend our territory, to defend our citizens.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and his team believe they can persuade Hamas to demilitarize the Gaza Strip, he said, adding, “We are examining that.”

The Trump administration presented Israel with a draft agreement that Israel rejected, according to Netanyahu. “This is not our draft,” he stressed, adding that Israel had conveyed its own comments to the White House.

“We are standing firm on our interests,” the prime minister concluded.

In a podcast interview with Israeli historian and media personality Gadi Taub aired on Monday, Netanyahu expressed skepticism regarding Hamas’s willingness to lay down its weapons as required by the Board of Peace’s 15-point Roadmap for peace in Gaza.

“I don’t think Hamas is going to turn into a kitten—this predator,” Netanyahu said.

The 15 points were published last week, followed by concerns in Israel that they stipulate the withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip before the terrorist group fully disarms.

When asked if Israel had missed the opportunity to eradicate Hamas in Gaza, the prime minister replied, “It’s not missed—it’s not completed. There’s still work to do … Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, and only then [Gaza] can start reconstruction, including rehabilitating its fanaticism.”

Earlier this week, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza tasked with overseeing the ceasefire with Hamas, said after talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem that implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan had entered the “hard phase.”

“Long day in Jerusalem, sitting down with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team,” Mladenov wrote on X on Monday. “This is the start of the hard phase and I have never pretended otherwise. Not much of what we do now is dramatic. It is slow, grinding and technical work.”

Earlier on Monday, the Board of Peace stated that it and Israel “share a common understanding of the ultimate objectives. Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning [of weapons] is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators.” JNS

Prominent Satmar philanthropist Mr. Yoeli Landau met with the Gerrer Rebbe on Tuesday and unveiled plans to establish a $1 million legal defense fund to assist bnei yeshiva facing Israel’s military draft decree, arrests, and related sanctions. During the meeting, Landau also announced that he will donate two new simcha halls for Gerrer chassidim in Yerushalayim and Arad.

Landau, widely known for his extensive support of Torah institutions around the world, entered the Gerrer Rebbe’s residence together with Rav Yechiel Chaim Lieberman, Av Beis Din of Or Chaim and Rosh Yeshiva of Machnovka Belz.

During the meeting, Landau presented a comprehensive initiative to establish a legal assistance fund dedicated to coordinating the fight against the sanctions and arrests targeting bnei yeshiva and to wage the broader legal battle against the draft decree, including pursuing avenues through international legal channels.

Under the proposed program, every ben yeshiva who requires legal representation in connection with the draft issue would receive assistance through the fund. Landau pledged that he and several associates would contribute $1 million to launch the initiative.

In addition, at the initiative of Rav Nechemiah Alter, who also participated in the meeting, Landau announced that he will finance the construction of two simcha halls for members of the Gerrer community who conduct their family celebrations in accordance with the takonos of the chassidus. One hall will be built in Yerushalayim, while the second will be established in Arad.

{Matzav.com}

A 17-year-old bochur is in serious condition after nearly drowning Tuesday evening in the private swimming pool at his family’s home in Tzfas. Emergency personnel provided life-saving treatment at the scene before transporting him to Ziv Medical Center, where he was admitted in critical condition, sedated and on a ventilator.

Magen David Adom said it received a report at 9:39 p.m. of an unconscious teenager at a residence on Golan Street in Tzfas. Initial indications were that the bochur had lost consciousness due to an apparent medical episode while in the pool. He was pulled from the water before emergency responders arrived.

United Hatzalah medic Yechiel Roshetsky, who was first on the scene, together with fellow responders Yossi Markowitz and Chaim Meir Rothner, said, “Together with additional volunteers, we provided him with initial medical treatment, including respiratory assistance. He was then transported to Ziv Medical Center in Tzfas while sedated and on a ventilator in serious condition.”

MDA paramedic Oren Ne’eman and MDA motorcycle unit volunteer Ronen Hadassi said, “We found the teenager unconscious after he apparently lost consciousness due to a medical episode while in the family’s swimming pool and was pulled from the water. We provided life-saving medical treatment and transported him to the hospital in serious condition.”

The circumstances surrounding the apparent medical episode are under investigation.

{Matzav.com}

A 34-year-old resident of Yerushalayim tragically drowned while swimming at a beach in Limassol, Cyprus. ZAKA’s International Unit is working together with Israel’s Foreign Ministry and local authorities to assist the family and expedite the arrangements to bring the niftar to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

According to ZAKA, the man entered the water with members of his family, but at some point disappeared beneath the waves. Family members searched frantically along the shoreline and in the water for approximately two hours.

The search came to a heartbreaking end when a powered paraglider flying over the area spotted the man floating in the water. Local rescue personnel recovered him, but were forced to pronounce him dead at the scene.

Chaim Weingarten, ZAKA’s Deputy Director of Operations, said, “This is a devastating tragedy. The deceased entered the sea together with his family, and at some point he disappeared. For about two hours, family members searched for him on the beach and in the water until a powered paraglider flying overhead spotted him floating in the sea. Tragically, local rescue teams had no choice but to pronounce him dead. ZAKA remains in constant contact with the family and, together with the Foreign Ministry, is working with the local authorities to assist the family and bring the deceased to kevurah in Israel as quickly as possible.”

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of extremist protesters rioted Tuesday night outside a recruitment information fair for Chareidi military service tracks in Yerushalayim, assaulting participants, surrounding retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, and hurling abuse at police officers. At least one protester was arrested.

The disturbance took place on Yaffo Street, where organizers were holding an informational event for young Chareidim interested in learning about specialized IDF service programs. Protest organizers had circulated calls through anti-draft hotlines urging demonstrators to converge on the location and block access to the event.

According to reports, protesters attempted to prevent attendees from entering the venue while chanting slogans against the gathering. Police officers who arrived to keep the entrance open and restore order were met with shouts of “Nazis” and “murderers” from members of the crowd.

Several violent incidents were reported during the protest. Demonstrators surrounded and blocked a taxi carrying one of the event organizers, attempted to force their way into the vehicle, spat at it, and kicked one participant before police officers managed to extract him safely from the crowd.

Journalist Rafi Perlstein was also identified by protesters, who accused him of promoting enlistment. Demonstrators allegedly chased him and several other participants through nearby streets while subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse. Police intervened to restore order, and at least one suspect was taken into custody.

Perlstein later wrote on X, “Nir the driver, thank you for saving me. I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

He continued, “I’m still trying to process what happened tonight. During the protest I was violently attacked. They grabbed my yarmulke and tried to steal my laptop. The police rescued me into a taxi. From there the situation only escalated. For many long minutes they tore apart Nir’s taxi while his son, a child with special needs, was sitting inside crying and terrified. I heard with my own ears people offering Nir money to throw me out of the taxi. A stack of bills was pulled out, and he chose instead to protect me with his own body.”

Perlstein added, “Thank you to Yehuda Chaimzon, who took painful blows alongside me, as well as spit, filth, and much more. People can disagree, demonstrate, and protest, but anyone who raises a hand against another person, spits, destroys property, and terrorizes a helpless child is not defending the Torah and is not making a kiddush Hashem. Violence must never become a legitimate language. We are truly better than this.”

A primary target of the protesters’ anger was retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, who had been invited to address the gathering.

As Winter left the venue following his remarks, dozens of demonstrators surrounded him, shouting insults and denunciations. One protester yelled, “Ofer Winter, there is no forgiveness for you. Inciter and misleader, woe unto you. You are harming the Torah. Hashem will repay you. Heretic, be ashamed. You have no portion in Judaism! Lowly traitor, traitor to the Jewish people.”

Winter, who previously served as commander of the Givati Brigade, commander of the 98th Division, and military secretary to Israel’s defense minister, has advocated integrating Chareidim who are not bnei yeshiva into military service while expressing respect for the Torah world. His name has also been mentioned in recent months as a possible future political candidate.

Responding to the incident, Winter said, “I had the privilege of speaking this evening to dozens of young men from the Chareidi community who are interested in meaningful military service during the service tracks fair. They are wonderful, pioneering young people who represent a significant segment of the Chareidi public. I regret the actions of the delusional extremist fringe of the Jerusalem Faction, which does not represent the Chareidi community and harms the entire Chareidi public. They will not deter me from continuing to help integrate the Chareidi community into the IDF in a manner appropriate for it.”

He added, “The extremists must be dealt with firmly, without harming the Torah world. I respect the Torah world and those who learn Torah, and I am not intimidated by a delusional fringe that, instead of learning Torah, wastes Torah study and harms the Chareidi community. As for those who chased me, I would recommend that the military police draft them tonight. They certainly are not Torah learners.”

The violence quickly drew political reactions. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman sharply criticized the protesters, saying, “Right now in Yerushalayim, dozens of violent draft dodgers are rioting, spitting on, and cursing those who do serve.” He added that under the next government, “draft evaders won’t have time to chase soldiers and law-abiding citizens because they’ll be busy running through basic training.”

Former Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel also condemned the disturbances, stating, “The violence and persecution of Chareidi young men who merely wanted to learn about military service opportunities is a disgrace that has no place in the State of Israel. Draft evaders receive support, while those who enlist get the cold shoulder.”

He further asked, “Where is the minister of national security? Where is the prime minister? Where is Smotrich, who is afraid of the Chareidi power brokers? Silence is filth.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily blocked the transfer of approximately NIS 250 million in funding designated for Chareidi educational institutions and related programs, issuing an interim order that halts the allocations until the court hears a legal challenge to the approval process.

The temporary injunction came one day after the Knesset Finance Committee approved the budget transfers. The petition filed with the court argues that the committee’s deliberations were marred by procedural deficiencies.

In his ruling, Justice Alex Stein wrote that, due to the alleged flaws surrounding the Finance Committee’s proceedings, implementation of all budget transfers approved during Tuesday’s session should be suspended. The only exception is funding allocated for civilian emergency needs, which may proceed.

Justice Stein also directed that the petition be scheduled for an expedited hearing before a three-justice panel. He instructed the respondents to submit preliminary responses to both the petition and the request for a temporary injunction within 48 hours after the hearing date is established.

Until the court issues a final decision, the approved funding will remain frozen.

On Tuesday, following lengthy deliberations, the Finance Committee approved a package of budget transfers totaling roughly NIS 250 million. The funding was designated for a broad range of Chinuch and social welfare initiatives serving the Chareidi community and was intended to address longstanding funding disparities.

Among the largest allocations is a substantial increase in funding for preschool and kindergarten teachers in the Chareidi school system. For the first time, these moros will receive full government funding that reflects their years of teaching experience.

The approved package also includes funding for student transportation in the Chinuch Atzmai and Bnei Yosef school networks, along with subsidies for after-school programs in exempt (mosdos p’tur) and recognized-but-unofficial (mukar she’eino rasmi) educational institutions.

Additional allocations include support for Jewish cultural programming, educational and therapeutic services for at-risk and disengaged youth, assistance for teacher training in Chareidi high schools and post-high school educational programs, as well as funding for a variety of other initiatives aimed at strengthening Torah institutions and the broader Chareidi educational system.

DETROIT — Progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, delivering one of the biggest victories for the Democratic Party’s left wing this election cycle and setting up a high-stakes November showdown against Republican Mike Rogers.

The Associated Press and multiple news organizations projected El-Sayed as the winner shortly before 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. The outspoken progressive campaigned on a platform that included “Medicare for All,” abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), higher taxes, and ending U.S. military aid to Israel.

With 99% of the vote counted, El-Sayed’s lead stood at fewer than 15,000 votes out of more than 1.5 million ballots cast. The razor-thin margin came as a surprise after several polls released during the final week of the campaign showed him holding a comfortable double-digit advantage.

Campaign spending in the contest topped $80 million, making it the costliest Democratic Senate primary in U.S. history, according to AdImpact.

The victory sends El-Sayed, who lost the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, into the general election against former Congressman Mike Rogers. Democrats view the Michigan seat as critical to their effort to regain control of the Senate next year.

The outcome also marks one of the first major electoral successes this cycle for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing outside its traditional liberal strongholds.

Michigan has long been fertile ground for progressive politics. It was the birthplace of the “uncommitted” protest movement against President Joe Biden during the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries and also backed Sen. Bernie Sanders in the state’s 2016 Democratic presidential contest.

If he wins in November, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate. During his election night gathering in the Detroit area, where large Arab-American and Muslim communities reside, several supporters were seen performing Islamic prayers.

Rogers argued that the bruising Democratic primary would leave his opponent politically weakened heading into the general election.

“Whoever comes out of it is going to have a coalition problem. Remember, voting starts in about five or six weeks. We’re in an election cycle now,” Rogers told The Post hours before El-Sayed’s primary win.

“We’ve been building toward that day. They’ve been fighting each other and moving further and further to the left.”

Tuesday’s primaries also produced victories for several other progressive candidates, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, and Bernie Sanders-backed William Lawrence.

One notable setback for progressives came in Missouri, where Rep. Wesley Bell scored a decisive victory over Cori Bush in a Democratic House primary centered in St. Louis.

The Michigan Senate race evolved into a broader ideological battle between the Democratic establishment and the party’s progressive faction, with each side arguing that its candidate offered the stronger path to victory in November.

Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed advocated eliminating co-pays and deductibles under “Medicare for All,” abolishing ICE, publicly financing elections, imposing an arms embargo on Israel, and freezing property tax assessments for homeowners age 65 and older.

Those positions earned him endorsements from left-wing personalities including streamer Hasan Piker and the Democratic Socialists of America. Although frequently associated with the movement, El-Sayed has said he considers himself a capitalist and is not a member of the DSA.

The race frequently turned personal. El-Sayed argued that Stevens could not “string together two coherent sentences” and suggested she had been influenced by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), whose affiliated super PAC spent nearly $30 million supporting her campaign.

Stevens, whose Midwestern accent and slogan, “Stick it to ’em,” attracted widespread attention online, sought to frame the race as one centered on Michigan rather than national ideological divisions, insisting, “It’s a Michigan moment for me.”

Should El-Sayed prevail in November, he could create challenges for Senate Democratic leadership. The Michigan Democrat has previously expressed opposition to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer continuing to lead the party.

Schumer endorsed Stevens during the primary, joining other prominent Democrats, including Whitmer and retiring Sen. Gary Peters, who campaigned alongside her in the closing days of the race.

Supporters of Stevens argued she was the stronger general election candidate. A recent EPIC-MRA survey showed Rogers leading El-Sayed 46% to 43%, while Stevens held a narrow 44% to 42% advantage over the Republican.

Rogers narrowly lost Michigan’s Senate race to Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024, but El-Sayed has repeatedly dismissed concerns about his electability.

“When they say I’m not electable, they’re not talking about me,” El-Sayed told supporters during a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday.

“They’re saying that you couldn’t possibly be open-minded enough … to elect somebody with a name like mine who prays like I do in a state like ours.”

El-Sayed also enjoyed the full support of members of the progressive congressional “Squad” during his campaign.

Democrats currently must gain four Senate seats to reclaim the chamber’s majority.

“We have a real shot to take the majority of the United States Senate,” Peters told reporters while campaigning for Stevens on Sunday. “That’s become increasingly likely as every month goes by. But it doesn’t happen if we lose Michigan.

“This state is absolutely critical.”

{Matzav.com}