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Two 17-year-old Jewish teenagers who were arrested in Greece after sheltering Israeli tourists fleeing an anti-Israel mob have been released and allowed to return home. However, despite their release, Greek authorities have ordered them to return to Greece in November as legal proceedings against them continue, according to a report by Mako.

The two teenagers, identified as Liam and Yonatan, were vacationing in the resort town of Malia about two weeks ago when violence erupted after a group of Israelis left a local nightclub and became involved in a confrontation with individuals who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” at them. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants chased the Israelis and followed them into their hotel.

As the chaos unfolded, Liam and Yonatan were awakened by Israeli tourists calling for help in the hallway. They opened the door to their hotel room and allowed the fleeing Israelis inside. The attackers then allegedly attempted to force their way into the room and threw objects at the door but were unable to break in. During the incident, cries of “They’re killing us, help us” could be heard, while a lone security guard was unable to bring the situation under control. Local police reportedly arrived only after a delay.

The following morning, the two teenagers were arrested after a hotel housekeeper discovered an axe inside their room. The teens maintain that one of the Israelis they had sheltered brought the axe into the room after taking it from the hotel corridor, intending to use it for self-defense if necessary.

Attorney Nir Yasselovich, who specializes in criminal and international law, later appealed to Israel’s Foreign Ministry to intervene in the case. He argued that continuing the prosecution of the two teenagers could embolden those responsible for the attack and encourage further violence against Israelis and Jews.

According to the attorney, the teenagers were questioned without a translator despite requesting Hebrew interpretation and were required to sign a document written entirely in Greek. In addition, Yonatan reportedly complained during questioning that he was feeling unwell and requested medical treatment, but said his request was ignored.

The teenagers were ultimately released after investigators found no fingerprints belonging to either of them on the axe, concluding that they had no direct or indirect connection to the weapon. Nevertheless, Greek authorities have instructed them to return to the country in November for the next stage of the legal proceedings.

{Matzav.com}

In a ruling expected to significantly reshape election-day campaigning in Israel, Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Solberg ruled Tuesday that party representatives and observers stationed at polling places may no longer report, in real time, which voters have already cast their ballots. The decision is expected to have the greatest impact on the Chareidi parties, which have long relied on such updates to identify supporters who have not yet voted and encourage them to head to the polls.

Justice Solberg ruled that transmitting information about whether a person has voted—as well as details surrounding the vote, such as the time it was cast or the type of polling station involved, including hospital polling stations or those designated for voters with limited mobility—constitutes a violation of personal privacy under Israel’s Privacy Protection Law.

He further determined that while party representatives are permitted to observe the voting process as part of their official duties, Israel’s election laws do not authorize them to relay that information to their political parties for campaign purposes. In the absence of explicit legal authorization, he ruled, such reporting is prohibited.

The decision came in response to a petition filed by attorney Shachar Ben Meir, which was supported by the Privacy Protection Clinic at Tel Aviv University. The petition argued that the widespread practice of party representatives using smartphone apps to instantly report which voters had already cast ballots enabled parties to identify those who had not yet voted and target them with election-day turnout efforts, violating both voters’ privacy and the principle of ballot secrecy.

As part of the proceedings, the Knesset factions were invited to present their positions. Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism argued that the longstanding practice did not violate the law, while the Religious Zionism Party joined Likud’s position. The remaining parties did not take a substantive position on the legal question.

In his written decision, Solberg emphasized that information regarding whether someone has voted is private information. He noted that party representatives gain access to that information solely because of their official role at polling stations and may not use it for unrelated political purposes, such as locating supporters who have yet to vote and mobilizing them to the polls. Doing so, he ruled, is inconsistent with the purpose for which the information is made available and therefore violates Israel’s privacy laws.

Justice Solberg stressed that his ruling reflects the current state of Israeli law and should not be viewed as an opinion on what the law ought to be in the future. He also called for a broader legislative review of the relationship between election law and privacy protections, particularly in light of rapid technological advances in recent years.

The ruling does not prevent political parties from using voter information they legally receive from the official voter registry to contact eligible voters. However, that registry does not contain information about whether a person has actually voted on Election Day, meaning parties will no longer be able to rely on live updates from polling stations to identify and contact supporters who have yet to cast their ballots.

{Matzav.com}

While much of the yeshivah world remains in the midst of bein hazemanim, the Sanzer yeshivos in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, and Haifa have already ushered in Zeman Elul. Hundreds of bochurim returned to their sedorim in an atmosphere of hisorerus and his’alus, beginning the new zeman in temporary batei medrash as extensive renovations continue at the main yeshivah building.

The bochurim, inspired by the legacy of the founder of the yeshivah, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, zt”l, and under the constant guidance of the Sanz Rebbe, arrived with renewed enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose. They began the special seder halimud filled with fresh chizuk and anticipation for the holy zeman ahead.

This year’s opening marks a period of renewal for the yeshivah. Because of the ongoing renovations to the central Mesivta building, the bochurim have temporarily relocated to the spacious Rosenberg Hall. They entered the new bais medrash with great excitement, while eagerly awaiting the completion of the renovations, which are expected, b’ezras Hashem, within the coming days, when they will return to their permanent home.

For decades, the batei medrash of the Sanz yeshivos in Kiryat Sanz have been a beacon of Torah and hasmadah. Although the outside world remains in vacation mode, the familiar sound of vibrant kol Torah has already returned to the halls of the yeshivah. For the Sanz bochurim, the arrival of a new zeman is far more than a date on the calendar—it is the beginning of another period of spiritual growth. Many expressed a deep longing to once again immerse themselves in the sugyos, surrounded by the unmistakable sight and atmosphere of open Gemaros filling the bais medrash.

The decision to begin Zeman Elul ahead of most other yeshivos, in order to maximize every precious moment of avodas Hashem, reflects the long-standing Sanz tradition of placing Torah above all else. For the bochurim, the transition from bein hazemanim back to the structured routine of yeshivah life represents a personal recommitment to hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, following the path established by the Rabbeim of previous generations.

After settling into their dormitories and reviewing the yeshivah regulations, which emphasize the tried-and-true path to success in Torah and Yiras Shamayim, the bochurim gathered for a special opening seder, as the halls of the yeshivah once again resonated with the powerful sound of uninterrupted Torah learning.

The centerpiece of the opening was the address delivered by the Rosh HaYeshivah Rav Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam, Rosh Yeshivos Sanz and Av Beis Din of Sanz-USA.

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{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is distancing itself from earlier comments suggesting shoppers at the city’s proposed taxpayer-funded grocery stores might need a card resembling identification, following a wave of criticism from Republicans and other opponents.

The controversy began during a July 27 news conference, when Mamdani unveiled plans for five city-subsidized grocery stores that would offer a “core basket of goods” at prices 30% below standard retail rates. Asked how the city would prevent customers from exploiting the discounted prices by purchasing goods for resale, Mamdani turned the question over to New York City Economic Development Corporation President Jeanny Pak.

Pak replied, “We are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers, whether it be sort of a library card-esque, and also we manage who’s buying and that is focused on everyday New Yorkers.”

Her remarks quickly drew criticism, particularly because Mamdani has supported progressive positions opposing voter ID laws, which many Democrats argue can create barriers to voting.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue Monday after being asked in the Oval Office about the proposed grocery card and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act. The legislation would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot.

“I heard about it. Yeah, well, I wish they’d have an ID to access the voting booth,” Trump said in comments that aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform.

“You know, they don’t want to access the voting booth with any identification. We want voter ID, and we want proof of citizenship.”

Other supporters of the SAVE America Act and Republican officials also criticized the proposal on X.

Elon Musk wrote, “Oh, the irony is too much …”

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida posted: “@NYCMayor Mamdani’s going to require an ID check for his grocery stores, but thinks it’s racist to require one for federal elections?!? We HAVE to pass the SAVE America Act to end this corruption!”

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also mocked the apparent contradiction, writing: “Racist Commie Mamdani is going to make you show ID in his markets. You want your government-subsidized arugula? Show your papers! Ask for ID to vote? BIGOT!!! Are you starting to realize what disingenuous lying buffoons these commies are?”

As criticism mounted, the administration sought to clarify its position. According to the New York Post, the city’s request-for-proposals documents state that any savings card program must be “made easily available to any individual requesting” one and would not require proof of residency.

A spokesperson for the administration told the newspaper that the program would function like a supermarket loyalty card administered by the private company operating the store. The purpose, the spokesperson said, would be to help monitor inventory and discourage customers from purchasing discounted products in bulk for resale.

“NYC Grocery stores will be open to everyone,” the spokesperson said. “There will be no system to verify identity, residency, or income, and no one will be asked to show ID to shop.”

An investigation by the Yerushalayim District Fire and Rescue Service has concluded that children playing with an open flame accidentally started the fire that tore through a supermarket in Ramat Beit Shemesh last month. Investigators also found that the business was operating without required fire safety approvals or fire protection systems that could have limited the damage.

According to the findings, the July 19 blaze began inside one of the supermarket’s rooms while the store was open and conducting business as usual. Investigators determined that children playing with fire inside the building ignited the blaze.

The supermarket was located on the ground level of an eight-story residential building. Firefighters succeeded in bringing the fire under control before it spread into the apartments above, preventing what could have become a far more serious tragedy. No injuries were reported.

The investigation further determined that the supermarket was operating without a permit from the Israeli Fire and Rescue Service. Officials also found that the building lacked fire detection and fire suppression systems, which they said could have contained the flames, prevented the fire from spreading, and significantly reduced the damage.

Fire officials said the incident highlights the ongoing problem of businesses and buildings that fail to comply with mandatory fire safety regulations, stressing that meeting those standards is essential to safeguarding both lives and property.

The Fire and Rescue Service also urged parents to educate their children about the dangers of playing with fire and to ensure that matches, lighters, and other ignition sources are kept out of their reach. Officials warned that the combination of children playing with fire and inadequate safety measures can easily lead to catastrophic consequences.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is simultaneously pursuing a long-term agreement to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program while also working on a separate, short-term arrangement aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for international shipping.

Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, Rubio emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the administration’s overriding objective.

“I think there’s two things to talk about when there’s a deal,” Rubio said. “There’s the big deal, which is the one that has to do with their nuclear ambitions.”

Rubio reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s position that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

“They can never have a nuclear weapon. The President’s been clear about that. So the denuclearization of Iran is the ultimate deal,” Rubio stated.

At the same time, he explained that the administration is giving immediate attention to protecting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways for global energy shipments.

“I think the immediate deal, the one that you see a lot of focus on, is the Straits,” he said. “There are ships moving through the Straits. There’s oil moving right now through the Straits, and the Straits are open.”

Rubio said the United States is participating in discussions involving Oman and Iran that are intended to improve the security of commercial vessels passing through the strait while negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program continue.

“I think that there’s a conversation and a negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move towards these longer-term talks about denuclearization,” he said.

While cautioning that no agreement has been finalized, Rubio said the negotiations have moved in a positive direction.

“There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s bus fleet now numbers 25,962 vehicles, with Swedish manufacturer Volvo remaining the country’s largest supplier. However, Chinese manufacturers continue to expand their presence, accounting for a significant share of both the overall fleet and new bus registrations.

According to newly released figures, Volvo leads the market with 4,802 buses, representing approximately 18.5% of Israel’s total fleet. Mercedes-Benz ranks second with 4,197 buses, or about 16.2%.

Chinese manufacturers also hold a substantial share of the market. Golden Dragon ranks third with 3,358 buses, followed by Higer with 2,611, underscoring the growing role of Chinese-built buses alongside long-established European brands.

A total of 2,229 new buses entered service during 2025. Higer led all manufacturers with 578 new registrations, followed closely by Mercedes-Benz with 551. Volvo added 258 new buses, while Golden Dragon registered 222. Other Chinese manufacturers also posted notable figures, including Yutong with 135 new buses and BYD with 70.

Of Israel’s nearly 26,000 buses, 24,124 are classified as public transit buses, accounting for almost 93% of the country’s fleet. The remainder includes 1,092 privately operated buses and 746 tour buses.

The average age of Israel’s entire bus fleet is approximately 5.2 years. Public transit buses are slightly newer, averaging about five years old, while privately operated buses have an average age of 6.1 years. Tour buses are the oldest segment, with an average age of more than 10 years.

By seating capacity, the largest category consists of buses with 51 seats or more, totaling 12,308 vehicles, or roughly 47.4% of the fleet. Another 8,609 buses have between 21 and 40 seats, while 3,309 buses accommodate up to 20 passengers.

Among the major manufacturers, Higer has the youngest fleet, with an average vehicle age of less than two years. Golden Dragon also maintains a relatively young fleet. In contrast, buses produced by MAN and Yutong have average ages exceeding seven years.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has invited former Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify before the committee next month as Republicans intensify their investigation into Smith’s handling of Operation Arctic Frost and what they describe as the weaponization of the Justice Department against President Donald Trump.

Grassley announced Monday on X that he has asked Smith to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 22, saying the American public deserves a full accounting of the investigation.

“Im inviting Jack Smith 2 testify before Senate Judic Cmte on Sept 22,” Grassley wrote. “American ppl deserve nothing less than full transparency+ accountability for Arctic Frost and special counsel lawfare.”

According to Politico, Smith has agreed to testify, provided the Justice Department gives its approval.

In a letter, Smith’s attorneys, Lanny Bruer and Peter Koski, defended his record as special counsel, saying he carried out his responsibilities in accordance with department rules and legal standards.

They wrote that Smith “steadfastly followed Justice Department policies, observed applicable legal requirements, and took actions based on the facts and the law” while serving as special counsel.

The attorneys also said Smith welcomes the opportunity to testify publicly in order to “correct the many mischaracterizations” regarding his work.

Grassley has spent months leading a Senate inquiry into Operation Arctic Frost, the federal investigation that examined efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Republicans have become increasingly critical of the investigation after learning that Smith’s team secretly obtained telephone records and text messages involving Republican lawmakers and other GOP figures.

According to Grassley, investigators subpoenaed the phone toll records of approximately a dozen Republican senators, collected text messages from more than 40 members of Congress, and obtained private communications and financial records involving hundreds of Republican individuals and organizations.

“In the process of a deeply flawed, weaponized investigation, Jack Smith subpoenaed phone toll records from a dozen senators, scooped up text messages from over 40 members of Congress, and subpoenaed the private communications and financial records of hundreds of other Republican entities and individuals,” Grassley said in a statement.

“He needs to answer directly to Congress for his actions,” the Iowa Republican added. “Smith must be honest and forthcoming in his answers, because the American people deserve nothing less than full transparency and accountability.”

The Hill previously reported that Grassley revealed last year that Smith’s investigation sought the phone records of 10 Republican senators and at least one member of the House of Representatives.

Grassley has since disclosed that the Justice Department informed him communications involving 44 lawmakers and White House staff members were also reviewed during the course of the investigation.

Smith last appeared before Congress in January, when he testified before the House Judiciary Committee and defended the criminal investigations into Trump, maintaining that the evidence justified the charges that were brought.

Those federal prosecutions were later dismissed after President Trump won the 2024 election, consistent with longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.

The Sept. 22 hearing is expected to become another major confrontation over the Justice Department’s investigations into Trump, with Republicans preparing to challenge Smith’s investigative methods while Democrats are expected to argue that the former special counsel acted in accordance with DOJ policy and the rule of law.

Tuesday’s Democratic Senate primary in Michigan is shaping up as a defining moment for the Democratic Party, with a victory by Abdul El-Sayed poised to deliver one of the most significant victories yet for the Democratic Socialists of America and the party’s progressive wing.

If El-Sayed prevails, he would become one of the movement’s most prominent elected officials and could wield considerable influence in the Senate should Democrats regain control of the chamber next year. In a battleground state narrowly won by President Donald Trump in 2024, his nomination would also suggest that the party’s leftward shift has expanded well beyond coastal strongholds and into the Midwest.

Recent surveys indicate El-Sayed, the former public health director for Detroit and Wayne County, has established a sizable advantage over four-term Rep. Haley Stevens. An Emerson College poll found him leading 54% to 39%, while Mitchell Research showed a 52% to 38% edge. The RealClearPolitics polling average places him ahead by roughly 10 percentage points, and prediction markets have also made him the clear favorite.

Much of El-Sayed’s support comes from younger voters and progressive Democrats, while Stevens has maintained stronger backing among older voters and many Black voters.

El-Sayed has secured endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, every member of the congressional “Squad,” the United Auto Workers, and organizers affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, who have invested significant resources in the race.

Although El-Sayed has participated in DSA events and embraces many of the organization’s domestic policy priorities—including Medicare for All, universal childcare, a higher federal minimum wage, and eliminating the Senate filibuster—he has maintained that he is “not technically or practically DSA” and says he supports a regulated capitalist system rather than socialism.

That distinction has done little to quiet critics or diminish enthusiasm within the DSA, whose leaders view the Michigan contest as another test of their strategy of winning Democratic primaries and reshaping the party from within.

One of the campaign’s most contentious issues has been Israel. El-Sayed has repeatedly characterized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide, described the Israeli government as “as evil as Hamas,” called for an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo against Israel, and has declined to explicitly affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. He has also argued that U.S. aid to Israel should instead be directed toward domestic priorities such as education and healthcare.

Those positions earned him the first-ever U.S. Senate endorsement from Jewish Voice for Peace Action.

Stevens, meanwhile, has received strong backing from pro-Israel organizations, including substantial independent expenditures from a super PAC affiliated with AIPAC. The heavy spending has helped make the Michigan contest the third most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history.

Many establishment Democrats and centrist independents argue that El-Sayed’s positions could prove politically damaging in a closely divided swing state. Former Rep. Cheri Bustos warned that nominating a “far-left socialist candidate” could cost Democrats another key election.

Jonathan Cowan, president of the centrist group Third Way, argued that El-Sayed would need to distance himself from the Democratic Socialists of America, affirm Israel’s right to exist, and abandon his previous support for “defund the police” policies if he hopes to defeat Republican Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Stevens has also attracted endorsements from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and the Congressional Black Caucus, all of whom argue she represents the party’s strongest option in the general election.

Polling for a potential November matchup generally shows Stevens running even with Rogers, while El-Sayed has often trailed the Republican in hypothetical head-to-head surveys.

Should El-Sayed capture both the nomination and the Senate seat—and Democrats regain control of the chamber—he would emerge as one of the most prominent national advocates for the Democratic Socialists’ agenda, including Medicare for All, wealth taxes, and an anti-Zionist foreign policy, mirroring the influence New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has built in New York.

Democratic leaders worry that such an outcome could further distance moderate voters and independents from the party. Supporters of the Democratic Socialists, however, see the Michigan primary as an opportunity to demonstrate that their movement can win not only in traditionally liberal urban centers, but also in one of the nation’s most competitive battleground states.

Michigan Democrats will decide Tuesday which vision of the party they want to carry into November.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing accusations of hypocrisy after his administration said its proposed city-run grocery stores may use a customer card system to prevent abuse of subsidized food prices, prompting critics to contrast the idea with Democrats’ longstanding opposition to voter ID requirements.

The issue arose after Mamdani was asked how the city would prevent shoppers from purchasing large quantities of discounted groceries and then reselling them for profit.

The mayor said the city’s request for proposals makes clear that the program is intended to help New Yorkers afford food—not create an opportunity for resellers to make money—and invited New York City Economic Development Corporation President Jeanny Pak to explain how the safeguards would work.

Pak said the city is considering a system similar to a library card to ensure the program serves its intended purpose.

“[W]e are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers, whether it be a sort of a library card-esque thing, and also we manage who’s buying and that is focused on everyday New Yorkers,” Pak said.

“So, we are mindful of that, and so we’re going to make sure that we have all the things in place to ensure that that does not happen.”

The comments immediately drew comparisons from critics to voter ID laws, which Mamdani and many Democrats have opposed. In response, a spokesperson for the mayor rejected the comparison, arguing that the proposed grocery card would not function as an identification system.

“Comparisons to voter ID laws or the SAVE Act simply do not apply. This is not an identification system, nor is it a mechanism to verify who someone is, where they live, or how much they earn,” the spokesperson said.

“It is a practical inventory management tool to ensure affordable groceries remain available for the people who need them instead of being cleared off shelves for resale.”

The spokesperson said the reporter’s question centered on preventing bulk purchases for resale—not restricting shoppers based on where they live—and emphasized that the stores would remain open to everyone.

“To be absolutely clear: NYC Grocery stores will be open to everyone,” the spokesperson said.

“There will be no system to verify identity, residency, or income, and no one will be asked to show ID to shop.”

Instead, the administration said the stores could offer a voluntary customer card similar to loyalty programs used by supermarket chains. According to the mayor’s office, the card would be created by the private company operating the stores and used only to monitor purchases and discourage large-scale reselling of discounted products.

Officials added that shoppers would not need to apply through City Hall or any other government agency to obtain the card.

Critics, however, remained unconvinced.

“ID for government cheese,” Philadelphia radio host Rich Zeoli wrote.

“After all, we have to make sure no one crosses the border and if they do, the police will be called. So it’s good to see Mamdani now supports ID (just not for voting), border control, and law enforcement,” Zeoli tweeted.

Former Texas congressional candidate Nick Plumb also criticized the proposal, writing on X, “Mamdani wants to protect taxpayer funded grocery store[s] from non-NYC residents they’ll need an ID card to enter. You can[t] make this up.”

Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares likewise argued the policy reflected a double standard.

“So let me get this straight: Taxpayer-funded grocery store? Better show a valid ID or you can’t buy milk,” Miyares said.

“Voting for the people who decide how those taxes get spent? A valid ID is somehow ‘racist’ and ‘oppressive’. Unbelievable,” he said.

When asked whether the customer card amounted to a form of identification, the mayor’s office pointed to language in the city’s request for proposals, which states:

“The Operator(s) will create a voluntary free-to-access membership card program to monitor sales activity, and implement the discount program and any associated demand management measures. The savings card shall not be required for physical access to N.Y.C. Groceries site(s) and shall be made easily available to any individual requesting one,” the section read.

Fox News host Sean Hannity also weighed in, writing, “Make it make sense.”

New York Rep. Claudia Tenney echoed the criticism, saying, “So ID for government grocery stores to stop people abusing the system is fine, but requiring ID to vote not? Got it.”

Sen. Jim Banks, a supporter of the SAVE Act, added on X: “Democrats: Are fighting to ensure you don’t have to show an ID before voting in our elections. Also Democrats: Want you to show an ID before entering a supermarket.”

X CEO Elon Musk also commented on the controversy, writing, “Oh, the irony is too much.”

[Video below.] Former Vice President Mike Pence is urging President Donald Trump to abandon diplomacy and authorize additional military strikes against Iran, saying the time has come to “unleash” American forces to eliminate the country’s remaining nuclear capabilities and allow Israel to complete the mission.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom,” host Bill Hemmer referenced a recent Fox News poll showing that 48% of respondents believe the United States will ultimately reach no agreement with Iran.

“I want to ask you about Iran. We had a Fox poll that came out about two weeks ago. We asked the question on the ultimate outcome with Iran. The U.S. will reach what good deal, bad deal or no deal. And 48% said no deal. What’s your view?” Hemmer asked.

Pence responded by expressing confidence in Trump’s approach while warning that Iran should view the current situation with concern.

“Well, I have more confidence in President Trump than that. I think the Iranians should be very wary at this moment. Look, I strongly supported the president’s decision to use military force last year. And this year, striking Iran, really for the first time in 47 years, after they voted for continuous war against the United States and the West all those years. But honestly, I think the president, after that first month where our military did a brilliant job taking down 13,000 military sites. I think the president has tried to create room for diplomacy. He’s done that again over this weekend, even as we’re marshaling military assets across the region.”

Pence argued that diplomatic efforts have run their course and said the administration should now shift its focus to military action.

“But I honestly think that the time has come for the president of the United States to unleash the armed forces of the United States, strike the remaining nuclear facilities in Iran, take down and degrade their ability to project force not only in the strait, but across the region. Look, one does not make peace with one’s enemy. One makes peace with one’s defeated enemy. And given their posture and their attitudes and even denying that negotiations are happening, I have every confidence that there will come a moment where my old running mate has had enough, and we ought to turn loose so you can. Right. US military in the world.”

Pence concluded by praising Trump’s leadership style and his previous decision to order military action against Iran, while arguing that the campaign should now be completed with the help of Israel.

“The president I served with is a man of action. He leads from the front. I don’t think you can understate the significance of his decision last year to strike around directly for the first time in the history of our relationship with the regime. In Tehran, unleashing our armed forces in operation at was historic. But now we’ve got to let our armed forces and our ally, Israel, finish the job, and I believe we can.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of a New York law that sought to prohibit federal immigration officers from wearing face masks and require them to display visible identification while conducting official operations, ruling that the state likely lacks the authority to regulate how federal agents perform their duties.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino of the Northern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of those provisions as the lawsuit challenging the law moves through the courts.

In her decision, D’Agostino concluded that the challenged sections are likely unconstitutional because they intrude on federal law enforcement authority. The ruling applies to operations conducted by agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The judge wrote that establishing policies governing the conduct of federal officers is exclusively the responsibility of the federal government, meaning New York cannot impose its own requirements on federal agents carrying out official responsibilities.

“New York cannot impose its own uniform requirements on federal agents simply because it disagrees with how the Federal Government is exercising its authority,” the ruling stated.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James criticized the court’s decision and said they are exploring their next legal steps.

“While the court enjoined enforcement of New York’s mask ban, we stand firm in our belief that masked agents do not make New York safer and our offices are reviewing all legal options at this time,” the pair said in a joint statement.

Although D’Agostino blocked the mask and identification provisions, she declined to halt another section of the law that prohibits local law enforcement agencies in New York from participating in certain federal immigration enforcement efforts through 287(g) agreements.

According to the ruling, federal law makes participation in those immigration partnerships voluntary, allowing states to decide whether local agencies will cooperate.

“The State’s refusal to cooperate in the immigration context—a possibility contemplated by the relevant federal statutes—does not constitute discrimination against the federal government,” the ruling stated.

Hochul and James praised that portion of the decision, arguing that local police resources should remain focused on community policing rather than federal immigration enforcement.

“As we have said from the start, New York’s ban on 287(g) agreements is legal and will keep our communities safe. Local law enforcement should be focused on local matters, and New York taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for any collaboration with ICE,” their statement read.

{Matzav.com}

Years after the debate over COVID-19’s origins first erupted, Dr. Ashish Jha, who served as the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator under President Joe Biden, now says he believes the pandemic most likely began with an accidental laboratory leak rather than a natural outbreak—a notable shift from the position he held when he entered the administration.

Jha made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, who pointed to a social media post he had shared from commentator Jamie Metzl arguing that the virus likely originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Although the lab leak theory was heavily disputed during the early stages of the pandemic and many social media platforms restricted related posts under COVID-19 misinformation policies, Jha wrote earlier this year, “I pretty much agree with everything here.”

Asked about that statement during the interview, Jha confirmed that it accurately reflected his current thinking, explaining that his assessment has changed since he first joined the White House.

“This is going to surprise some people. You know, when I went into the White House, my view was, ‘This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,’” he said. “Based on information I learned and based on information I‘ve seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak.”

Jha emphasized that he was offering his personal assessment rather than claiming definitive proof, noting that Chinese officials remain the only people who could conclusively answer the question.

“Here‘s the bottom line. No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are people — officials in China — and we still need transparency and accountability on that. So that is my best assessment. I‘m not suggesting I know for sure, but I‘m saying my best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak,” he said.

Bash responded by acknowledging the significance of Jha’s revised position.

“That is definitely news to hear that from you for sure,” Bash replied. “And shows that we‘re just, we‘re still learning, which is really important.”

After the interview aired, Jha shared the exchange on X and elaborated on his position, saying he has held this view since his time in the White House.

“My view on COVID origins isn’t new — I’ve held it since my time at the White House,” he wrote. “Here’s the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something Based on strong circumstantial evidence I’ve seen, I think lab leak is much more likely. Not engineered. Not deliberate. Accidental Reasonable people can look at the same evidence and disagree.”

The origins of COVID-19 became one of the most contentious issues of the pandemic, fueling broader debates over public trust in government agencies, scientific institutions, and the media. While the lab leak hypothesis has gained wider acceptance as a plausible explanation in recent years, many experts and public officials initially argued that the virus most likely emerged naturally, possibly through a wildlife market in China.

Several major news organizations, including CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, at one point characterized the lab leak theory as a “debunked” conspiracy theory before later acknowledging that the possibility had not been ruled out. Media critics have argued that those early dismissals further eroded public confidence in the press.

National Public Radio was among the outlets that came under scrutiny. In April 2020, NPR published multiple reports portraying the lab leak theory as a discredited conspiracy associated with political conservatives. One article carried the headline, “Scientists Debunk Lab Accident Theory of Pandemic Emergence,” which critics later argued overstated the available evidence.

CNN also faced criticism over several aspects of its pandemic coverage, including reports citing Chinese government vaccination data and an article highlighting China’s centralized political system as an advantage in responding to the outbreak.

“For those still reluctant, China has a powerful tool in its arsenal: a top-down, one-party system that is all-encompassing in reach and forceful in action, and a sprawling bureaucracy that can be swiftly mobilized,” two CNN journalists based in Hong Kong wrote. “The top-down approach has been touted by officials as a strength of the Chinese system that helped curb the virus – and has again been deployed to accelerate inoculations.”

The pandemic also sparked intense disputes over free speech and online censorship. The Biden administration faced a major First Amendment lawsuit alleging that federal officials pressured social media companies to suppress posts questioning official COVID-19 narratives.

Under the resulting settlement, the Office of the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are prohibited for the next decade from threatening or coercing social media companies to remove or suppress constitutionally protected speech. The agreement also bars federal officials from directing or overruling platforms’ content moderation decisions.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Republicans scored a major victory Monday in their effort to prevent another government shutdown after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threw his support behind a short-term funding measure, giving the legislation crucial bipartisan momentum as lawmakers race to keep the government operating through the November midterm elections.

The Senate voted with bipartisan support to clear the first procedural hurdle for a continuing resolution that would extend government funding into early December. The move comes nearly two months before the Sept. 30 funding deadline and marks a significant step toward avoiding another shutdown battle.

For months, Republicans had warned that Democrats might once again force a government shutdown in an effort to gain political leverage ahead of the November elections. Monday’s vote, however, suggested a willingness from both parties to avoid another fiscal standoff.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued there was no reason to wait until the last minute, saying Congress should provide stability now instead of prolonging uncertainty.

“There’s been enough uncertainty this last year, and, you know, unfortunately, I think through two government shutdowns that extended for a long period of time, it’s better for everybody if there’s predictability, certainty,” Thune said.

Congress has already endured multiple shutdowns during President Donald Trump’s second term, including two of the longest government closures in American history while Republicans controlled Congress.

The first shutdown occurred last year and lasted more than 40 days, centering on a dispute over Obamacare tax subsidies that ultimately expired without a lasting resolution.

A second shutdown earlier this year stretched beyond 70 days after Democrats abandoned a bipartisan funding agreement following the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota by immigration enforcement agents. Republicans ultimately bypassed Democratic support and approved immigration enforcement funding on their own.

Despite those recent confrontations, senators from both parties are now signaling a desire to keep the government funded, at least through the upcoming elections.

Schumer announced Monday that he would support the continuing resolution, describing it as the best available option while broader budget negotiations continue.

He called the measure the “responsible path forward that allows continued bipartisan negotiations on a budget that delivers for American families.”

“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,” Schumer said in a statement.

Republican leaders are aiming to send the continuing resolution to the House before senators leave Washington for their final scheduled recess ahead of the midterm elections.

Even if the funding measure advances, Congress still faces a packed agenda. Republican leaders are also seeking to confirm more than 70 nominees, move forward with long-awaited sanctions targeting Russia, consider legislation establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency markets, and hold a final confirmation vote on Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to serve as attorney general.

“I think we have a bunch of stuff we have to finish and we’ll just stay until we finish it,” Thune said.

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering removing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office dropped a felony vandalism case tied to damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a move that has reportedly left the president deeply frustrated and sparked a public rift over the high-profile prosecution.

According to CNN, Trump is “furious” over the Justice Department’s decision and it is “highly likely” that Pirro could lose her position after prosecutors filed court papers abandoning the administration’s earlier claim that vandals caused the damage.

CNN cited a senior administration official who said Trump was “blindsided” by the filing, which concluded that the damage resulted from a defective installation of the Reflecting Pool’s liner rather than an act of criminal vandalism.

Trump declined to say Monday whether Pirro’s job is in jeopardy when questioned by a reporter in the Oval Office.

“You’re fake news. Don’t ever talk again,” Trump said.

Later, the president openly criticized Pirro’s handling of the case, accusing her of backing down after prosecutors sought to dismiss the charges.

“She choked” and “folded like an umbrella,” Trump said.

“I’m really disappointed,” Trump told reporters.

Trump also maintained that the Reflecting Pool had been deliberately damaged, asserting that the administration possesses evidence showing individuals slicing the liner with a utility knife.

“We have photographs. We have tapes of people cutting it with a box knife,” Trump said. “Jeanine Pirro made a mistake. It was vandalism.”

On Friday, Pirro’s office formally asked the court to dismiss the felony vandalism charge against David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist who had been accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool.

In its filing, the Justice Department explained that after Hearn was indicted, the Department of the Interior supplied additional information indicating the damage stemmed from a “rushed and flawed installation” of the pool liner rather than criminal conduct.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the original indictment relied on Interior Department information attributing the damage to vandals. However, later evidence pointed instead to defects associated with the renovation project.

“Had the Department of the Interior been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment,” Pirro’s office wrote in the filing.

Trump responded forcefully on Truth Social, saying he disagreed “100%” with Pirro’s decision and insisting the damage was “a pure case of VANDALISM.”

The disagreement is the latest chapter in an ongoing controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, a project that has faced persistent problems, including algae growth and sections of liner that have peeled away.

Trump has repeatedly insisted the damage was intentional, at various times claiming there was a 250-foot gash and later describing a 300-yard cut in the liner. Those assertions, however, have been challenged by outside reviews.

A Washington Post investigation, based on satellite imagery and interviews with experts, concluded that the liner appeared to be peeling in several locations, suggesting the issues were more likely related to installation problems than deliberate vandalism.

The restoration project has also attracted scrutiny over its escalating costs. Originally expected to cost about $1.8 million, the renovation reportedly grew to approximately $16 million, prompting Senate Democrats to question the project’s oversight, contracting procedures, quality control, and overall spending.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization suffered a major legal setback on Monday after US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused to halt enforcement of a $656 million judgment awarded to American victims of Palestinian Arab terrorism. The ruling leaves the massive award in place while the PA and PLO continue their efforts to challenge its reinstatement.

According to The Associated Press, the decision comes after the US Supreme Court ruled last year in favor of the victims and the surviving relatives of those killed in the attacks, strengthening their long-running effort to collect damages.

Attorneys representing the PA and PLO had asked the nation’s highest court to temporarily block enforcement of the judgment while they pursued another appeal. In their filings, officials in Ramallah argued that requiring immediate payment of the hundreds of millions of dollars would severely impair the Palestinian Authority’s ability to provide essential public services in areas of Judea and Samaria under its control.

The lawsuit traces its origins to a series of deadly Palestinian Arab terror attacks carried out in Jerusalem during the early 2000s. Those attacks claimed the lives of 33 people and injured hundreds more. Families of the victims and survivors sought damages under the US Anti-Terrorism Act, which allows American citizens harmed by international terrorism to pursue civil claims in US courts.

The litigation has stretched over many years and taken several turns through the federal court system. A federal appeals court in New York had previously thrown out the jury’s verdict against the PA and PLO, but Congress later amended anti-terrorism laws to permit lawsuits of this kind. After reviewing the updated legal framework, the Supreme Court revived the related cases in 2025.

Building on that ruling, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the $656 million judgment in March. Lawyers representing the victims and their families welcomed the decision, saying it paved the way for “justice to be done” after decades of legal battles.

{Matzav.com}

The Hamas terrorist group must be fully disarmed before the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan can commence, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday.

“I see a lot of positive elements in the efforts of the Board of Peace, under the auspices of President Trump and his leadership,” Herzog said as he received the diplomatic credentials of several ambassadors.

The Israeli head of state said the plan’s implementation would depend on “the clear caveat and undertaking that Hamas must be disarmed,” adding, “I hope Hamas will be disarmed fully.”

This, he continued, “is clearly the basis of moving forward to the next phase by bringing in the government of technocrats,” referring to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

“The efforts of the Americans, the Board of Peace, President Trump, and CEO of the Board of Peace Nickolay Mladenov can bring a certain vision of hope, also to the people of Gaza and to the people of Israel,” said Herzog.

“I sincerely hope and pray that we will find ways to move forward with our Palestinian neighbors on all fronts, to have a dialogue with our Palestinian neighbors,” he added.

Israel has conveyed “comments and concerns” to the White House after U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced an agreement to implement Hamas’s disarmament under the peace plan, an Israeli official told JNS on Monday.

Doron Spielman, a spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, told JNS that “the version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions.”

“Over the past eight months, according to Israeli intelligence, Hamas has used the ceasefire to rearm, recruit thousands of additional terrorists, rebuild its military infrastructure, and prepare for further Oct. 7-style massacres,” he said, in reference to the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 people in the Jewish state.

“The indispensable first step toward any lasting arrangement is the genuine, verifiable and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas,” Spielman continued. “Demilitarization means Hamas physically surrendering its weapons,” he emphasized.

“Anything short of full demilitarization will leave Hamas with the capability to threaten Israel again,” he added.

Trump announced on Thursday that the Board of Peace had reached an agreement with Hamas for the complete disarmament ‌of the terrorist groups that control the Gaza Strip.

It was a “major milestone in the implementation” of his 20-point plan to bring an end to the Israel-Hamas war and begin the recovery process in the enclave, he said.

The pact will be implemented in phases, as the Israel Defense Forces withdraws as disarmament progresses, according to Trump.

An International Stabilization Force under the auspices of the Board of Peace is to work in tandem with a newly built Palestinian police force to provide security. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Jews, who make up about 10% of New Yorkers, were the targets of nearly 70% of all hate crimes in the Big Apple last month, according to newly released city data, and anti-Jewish hate crimes, which the city said it confirmed, were up 53.3% compared to the same period last year.

The New York City Police Department said that it recorded 33 “confirmed” hate crimes in the city last month, of which 23 targeted Jews (69.6%). In July 2025, there were 15 anti-Jewish hate crimes in the city, it said.

Muslims were targets of five “confirmed” hate crimes last month in New York City, or 15% of all hate crimes, which was up from two such incidents last year in July.

After recording a 182% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes in the Big Apple in January, in Zohran Mamdani’s first month as mayor, the city began publishing only “confirmed” hate crimes and not “reported” ones in February. That suggested a decline, although it was hard to compare 2026 statistics with those from 2025.

In March, the city said that it would publish both “confirmed” and “reported” statistics separately each month. The city provides a comparison between “confirmed” 2026 statistics and the prior year, but not of “reported” hate crimes.

Last month, 29 of 50 “reported” hate crimes in New York City (58%) targeted Jews, compared to six (12%) that targeted Muslims.

There have been 360 “confirmed” hate crimes so far in 2026, up 9.4% from the 329 in 2025, according to the NYPD.

Of the 360, 205 have targeted Jews (56.9%), and 26 have targeted Muslims (about 7%). Jews were targeted 8.5% more often so far this year compared to the 189 times in that span last year, and Muslims were targeted 62.5% more this year than the 16 times recorded in that span last year, the department said.

Julie Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, told JNS that “I remain deeply concerned and very troubled by the unacceptable spike in hate crimes, particularly driven by those targeting Jewish New Yorkers.”

The data underscores why her “very first initiative was a five-point plan to combat antisemitism,” Menin told JNS. “I will not waver in the fight to protect our communities from hatred.”

Brandon Pinsker, acting American Jewish Committee director for New York, told JNS that the rise of anti-Jewish hate crimes “should alarm every New Yorker.”

“Irresponsible rhetoric, selective condemnation and political indifference” have allowed anti-Jewish hate “to become normalized,” he said. “Antisemitism is not only a Jewish issue. It is an attack on the values and institutions of a democratic society.”

Pinsker told JNS that elected officials at every level should respond “with moral clarity,” condemning antisemitism unequivocally and taking “decisive action to make New York safer for its Jewish community.”

Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Orthodox Union, told JNS that the statistics are “a dark stain on the city” that “only tell part of the story.”

“Each of these hate crimes has a victim that lives with the consequences of the crime,” he told JNS. “Their family, friends and broader community also feel the lasting effects.”

“We are not shocked by the rise in hate crimes, because it aligns with the rise in tolerance for hate,” he said. “We must return to a civil society that does not accept the singling out of any people. We count on our mayor who has time and time again committed to protecting us. It is beyond time for him to live up to his promises.”

Avi Posnick, executive director of StandWithUs Northeast, told JNS that “it is unfortunate but no surprise that since Mayor Mamdani took office, hate crimes, especially antisemitic ones, continue to skyrocket.”

“Mamdani’s dangerous lies about Israel and the destructive agendas he promotes fuel this continued rise,” he said. “Numbers show that New York City is a more antisemitic city this year than under the previous administrations. Change must start from the top to reverse New York City’s disastrous trajectory.”

The city stated that the NYPD hate crime task force probes “allegations of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents.”

“After an incident is flagged as a possible hate crime,” the task force “investigates and determines, in consultation with the NYPD legal bureau, whether it constitutes a hate crime under New York state law,” it said. “If an incident is deemed a hate crime under the law, it will be categorized as a confirmed hate crime. The NYPD provides data on confirmed hate crimes along with all reported hate crimes regardless of whether they are ultimately confirmed as hate crimes by the HCTF.”

“The disclosure of both sets of numbers enhances transparency and reflects best practices in connection with hate crime reporting,” it said.

Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the NYPD, stated that there had been the fewest shootings and murders ever in the city last month and in the first seven months of the year.

“This summer, the NYPD was called upon to manage an unprecedented series of major and overlapping events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail 250 and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the country,” the Jewish commissioner stated. “Through it all, even as the demands on this department reached historic levels, the men and women of the NYPD delivered double-digit declines in major crime and record lows in violent crime across the city.”

“For the first seven months of this year and in the month of July, New York City experienced the fewest murders, shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history,” she stated. “These incredible public safety achievements are the result of our data-driven precision policing strategy and the tireless work of the members of the NYPD whose long hours and dedication continue to make New York City safer.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Finance Committee Chairman MK Chanoch Milwidsky warned that Israel’s upcoming election will center not only on politics, but on the country’s Jewish identity and the future of the Torah world, accusing the left and the opposition of seeking to undermine Torah learning, chareidi education, and religious institutions.

Speaking in an interview on Kol Chai Radio’s “Hamahadura Hamerkazit” with Avi Ravina, Milwidsky said the central question facing voters is whether Israel will remain a Jewish state rooted in Jewish tradition or move in a fundamentally different direction.

“The real question is whether the State of Israel will remain a Jewish state, where Judaism is the state’s guiding religion, a country built upon the values of mesoras Yisroel, or whether it will become something entirely different,” he said.

Milwidsky sharply criticized left-wing and opposition parties, arguing that their campaign is directed not only against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu but against the broader concept of a Jewish state. He claimed they are targeting the Torah world, the independent chareidi school system, and media outlets identified with the religious and chareidi public.

Addressing suggestions that a left-wing government might ultimately cooperate with the chareidi parties and therefore leave the Torah world untouched, Milwidsky dismissed the idea outright.

“They are fighting Judaism, they are fighting the Jewish state,” he said. “They understand that the Torah world is the root, the connection between the Jewish people and the Ribbono Shel Olam.”

The Finance Committee chairman also discussed a committee meeting that had been planned to consider several significant budget requests, including funding related to chareidi education, teachers’ and kindergarten teachers’ salaries, as well as a proposal to allocate approximately one billion shekels to strengthen security protections for communities along Israel’s northern border.

According to Milwidsky, the opposition refused to allow the committee to convene during the Knesset recess to address those issues.

“They are politically exploiting the security of the residents of northern Israel,” he charged.

Milwidsky also argued that chareidi teachers face discrimination specifically when they teach in chareidi educational institutions. He said those same educators would receive full benefits if they worked in non-chareidi schools, but when employed within the chareidi system, they are denied equal conditions.

He went on to connect the issues of chareidi education and government funding to the broader debate over judicial reform, asserting that the future of the Torah world depends on changes to Israel’s legal system.

According to Milwidsky, the High Court of Justice and the attorney general’s office have repeatedly blocked legislation and government policies dealing with the draft law, daycare funding, and budgets for the chareidi community.

“Until we deal with these bodies and carry out comprehensive judicial reform, we can continue passing laws, and the High Court will continue blocking them,” Milwidsky said.

He added that the next government will have to confront the High Court directly and establish clear limits on judicial intervention in matters decided by the elected branches of government.

More than 4 million Americans have already dropped off the nation’s food stamp program as President Donald Trump’s sweeping overhaul of SNAP begins to take effect, according to preliminary U.S. Department of Agriculture figures cited in an NPR report.

Before Republicans approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided monthly benefits to approximately 42 million people. USDA data indicate that enrollment had declined to about 37 million recipients by April.

The Trump administration has said the changes are designed to return SNAP to its original role as a temporary safety net, tighten work requirements for able-bodied adults, reduce improper payments, and ensure benefits are reserved for those who meet eligibility requirements.

The White House has argued that SNAP had become “bloated” and was no longer serving its intended purpose of helping people through temporary financial hardship. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has also attributed the declining enrollment to a stronger economy as well as efforts to remove ineligible recipients from the program.

“A lot of it is people taking the program that shouldn’t have been, and then a lot of it is just a better economy,” Rollins said during an April interview on Fox Business.

Opponents of the overhaul contend that the drop in participation reflects tougher eligibility standards and additional administrative barriers rather than an actual decline in need.

The Congressional Budget Office has projected that expanded work requirements alone will reduce average monthly SNAP participation by approximately 2.4 million people over the next decade.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, work requirements now apply to additional categories of recipients, including certain veterans, homeless individuals, adults between the ages of 55 and 64, some parents of children ages 14 through 17, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. Most affected beneficiaries must document at least 80 hours each month of employment, job training, or volunteer work to remain eligible.

The legislation also eliminates SNAP eligibility for several categories of noncitizens, including many refugees, asylees, and certain victims of human trafficking or domestic violence who had previously qualified.

According to NPR, the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that Arizona has experienced one of the nation’s largest declines in SNAP participation, with more than 400,000 fewer recipients than a year ago. The organization also estimates that more than 1 million children across 19 reporting states have lost benefits.

The USDA has cautioned against attributing the enrollment decline to any single policy, noting that participation in the program naturally rises and falls over time.

Another significant change is scheduled to take effect in October.

Beginning then, states will be responsible for a substantially larger share of SNAP’s administrative costs, as the federal government’s contribution will fall from 50% to 25%. Starting in October 2027, states with payment error rates exceeding federal thresholds may also be required to help cover the cost of benefits themselves.

Supporters of the law argue the changes will increase accountability and incentivize states to reduce improper payments, which the USDA estimated reached approximately $10 billion last year.

NPR reported that anti-hunger advocacy groups and state officials warn the additional financial burden could force some states to tighten eligibility even further, reduce benefit levels, or make cuts in other areas of their budgets.

The National Grocers Association estimates that lower SNAP enrollment could reduce grocery sales by nearly $88 billion through 2034, while food banks warn they do not have the capacity to replace the lost assistance if participation continues to decline.