The House voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to compel the Department of Justice to disclose its investigative records on Jeffrey Epstein, passing the measure in a 425–1 landslide. The effort drew broad bipartisan support even as some lawmakers raised warnings about the structure of the bill.
During a press conference earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson made clear that he would support the measure, saying, “I’m gonna vote to move this forward,” though he did not hide his objections, calling the legislation “recklessly flawed.” He added that the House GOP was prepared to back it for the sake of transparency while still insisting on major corrections, explaining, “I think it could be close to a unanimous vote because everybody here, all the Republicans, want to go on record to show for maximum transparency. But they also want to know that we’re demanding that this stuff get corrected before it has ever moved through the process and is complete.”
The legislative push was driven by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who have been pressing for the release of the Epstein documents for months. Their campaign reached a turning point when a majority of the House signed a discharge petition last week, forcing the issue onto the floor over leadership objections.
Freshman Democrat Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona provided the crucial 218th signature that finalized the petition. Her signature had been delayed while her swearing-in was stalled during the government shutdown, leading Democrats to accuse Johnson of intentionally slowing the process. Johnson rejected those allegations, insisting that her oath would not take place until the government reopened and that he intended to bring the vote anyway.
With the House now finished, the legislation heads to the Senate. Johnson told reporters he has already spoken to Senate Majority Leader John Thune in the hopes that senators will tighten the bill’s language. He recounted the conversation, saying, “I called my counterpart in the Senate, Leader Thune, and I talked him through this with him and shared our deep concerns, and of course, they share those concerns as well. And so I’m very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate – which it’s no certainty that that will be – that they will take the time methodically to do what we’ve not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure that these protections are there.”
At the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump expressed full support for making the documents public if the bill reaches him. He said he is “all for it,” adding, “We’ll give them everything. Sure. I would let them, let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it,” before cautioning reporters, “But don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want to take it away from us.”
Under the proposal, the Justice Department would be required to publish the Epstein investigative materials within 30 days, shielding the identities of victims through redaction.
{Matzav.com}
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ignited an immediate political and legal firestorm on Tuesday by declaring both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations to be foreign terrorist organizations as well as transnational criminal organizations.
According to the governor’s office, the action gives Texas law-enforcement agencies sweeping authority to escalate monitoring, investigations, and other enforcement measures. Officials said the designation blocks the two groups and any affiliated entities from acquiring land anywhere in the state and opens the door to further legal steps.
In announcing the order, Abbott accused the organizations of pursuing extremist aims, asserting that they “have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Shariah law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world.'” He insisted that their attempts to “subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment are unacceptable.”
CAIR pushed back sharply, telling the Houston Chronicle that it is weighing possible legal action and dismissing the governor’s move as a “publicity stunt” driven by election-year politics. The group condemned the order in strong terms, saying, “By defaming a prominent American Muslim institution with debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes, Mr. Abbott has once again shown that his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas.”
Civil-rights advocates noted that while certain offshoots of the Muslim Brotherhood — including Hamas — are designated by the federal government, neither the larger Muslim Brotherhood movement nor CAIR has been labeled a terrorist group at the national level, the Chronicle reported.
Supporters of Abbott’s move argue that it confronts what they describe as increasing risks from hostile foreign networks seeking influence inside the United States. They maintain the step is overdue and necessary to protect state security.
Opponents counter that the order undermines religious liberty and endangers Muslim communities across Texas. Earlier this year, CAIR accused Abbott of fueling hostility toward Muslims by referencing supposed “Shariah cities” and housing projects, saying that such rhetoric has intensified anti-Muslim sentiment statewide.
How this new designation will interact with federal classifications — or withstand judicial scrutiny — remains uncertain. Legal experts point out that states rarely attempt to label foreign terrorist organizations on their own, raising questions about enforceability and the likelihood of significant constitutional challenges ahead.
{Matzav.com}
Details of the terror attack at the Gush Etzion Junction has now been cleared for release, confirming that 65-year-old Aharon Cohen of Kiryat Arba was killed in the brutal stabbing and ramming assault. A respected and familiar presence in his community for decades, he leaves behind six children and grandchildren. His levayah is scheduled to depart at 21:00 from the eulogy hall in Industrial Zone A.
As word spread, the Municipality of Kiryat Arba-Hebron issued an emotional statement expressing the pain felt throughout the city: “The Kiryat Arba-Hebron community bows its head and shares in the grief of the Cohen family following the murder by evildoers of Aharon Cohen, may God avenge his blood, a resident of Kiryat Arba-Hebron and one of the city’s longtime members. On behalf of all the residents, we send our sincerest condolences to the dear family and embrace them warmly in this difficult hour.”
The casualties extended beyond the fatality. A woman in her 40s suffered severe injuries, while a man in his 30s and a 15-year-old boy were moderately hurt. Emergency teams transported the victims to Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem. Security forces confirmed that the two attackers—both from the nearby Palestinian town of Beit Ummar—were neutralized at the scene.
Investigators say the assault began when the terrorists attempted to ram pedestrians at the busy junction. After crashing, they emerged with knives and continued their attack on bystanders. Armed civilians, along with reservists from the IDF’s 7491 Battalion, responded quickly and shot the assailants. A subsequent search of their vehicle uncovered several pipe bombs, according to the IDF.
In the wake of the attack, Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal linked the violence to international developments, sharply criticizing the UN Security Council resolution supported by Washington. “Once again, terror raises its head—less than 24 hours after the UN passed a resolution intended to eventually legitimize a Palestinian state, which would benefit those seeking to destroy us. It is time to act against terror in Judea and Samaria just as we have done in Gaza,” he said.
The Yesha Council delivered a similarly stark warning, arguing that the government’s hesitation on applying sovereignty has emboldened extremists. “When the State of Israel silently allows a ‘pathway to a Palestinian state,’ terror resurfaces. We have said all along: it is either sovereignty or a Palestinian state. The Israeli government avoided sovereignty, and we now face winds filling the sails of a terror state in the heart of our land. We call on the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Boaz Bismuth, to immediately advance the sovereignty bill that passed its preliminary reading and must now be urgently promoted in his committee.”
Responding from abroad, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the assault and voiced solidarity with Israel. “Terrorists murdered an innocent man – may his memory be a blessing – and injured several others in a vicious attack near Gush Etzion Junction today. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and fully condemn these cowardly acts of savage violence. Janet and I pray for the victims and their families.”
The attack has deepened grief across the region and reignited debate over security, diplomacy, and sovereignty—questions that now intensify in the shadow of yet another act of terror.
{Matzav.com}
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stepped into the White House on Tuesday for a high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump, a conversation framed by shifting alliances and a major new weapons agreement.
The sit-down came just 24 hours after Trump publicly confirmed that the United States would move ahead with Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase advanced F-35 stealth jets—an approval that immediately reverberated across the region.
Before the meeting, Trump addressed reporters and offered sweeping praise for the crown prince, commending his record on “human rights” and saying he is “very proud” of the changes bin Salman has overseen.
Pressed by an ABC correspondent about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trump pushed back at criticism. He argued that Khashoggi was “extremely controversial” and insisted that the crown prince “knew nothing about it.”
The same reporter later asked bin Salman about the role of Saudi citizens in the September 11 attacks. The crown prince responded by explaining that one of Osama bin Laden’s objectives was to damage ties between Washington and Riyadh.
During the broader media exchange, Trump pivoted to the Israeli-Palestinian arena, declaring that “the Palestinians like me” and claiming they are “doing very well.” He added that U.S. policy in the region is leaving Israelis and Palestinian Arabs “Very happy.”
When questioned about whether the F-35s bound for Riyadh would match the capabilities of Israel’s fleet, Trump replied, “I think they will be pretty similar, yeah.”
He went on to emphasize the importance of both nations, saying Saudi Arabia “is a great ally, and Israel is a great ally.” Trump noted that Israelis would prefer Saudi Arabia receive jets “of reduced caliber,” adding, “I don’t think that makes you too happy.”
Still, Trump said he believes that both Israel and Saudi Arabia “are at a level where they should get top-of-the-line” aircraft and insisted that “Israel is aware and they’re going to be very happy” with the arrangement.
During the conversation, bin Salman made clear that Riyadh is seeking a diplomatic breakthrough of its own: “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path for the Two State Solution.”
Trump offered his own assessment of the crown prince’s intentions, noting that he believes bin Salman has a “very good feeling” about advancing the Abraham Accords.
{Matzav.com}
Financial planners are urging Americans to take immediate steps before December 31 to prepare for major tax code changes that will take effect in 2026. “Taking action before the end of this year can be a huge benefit to your financial health in 2026,” said Dan Snyder, director of financial planning at the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). “There have been many changes in the tax and financial planning space this year and now is the time to educate yourself and make changes that can affect your tax bill before April 15, 2026.”
One of the most notable changes announced by the Trump administration is the discontinuation of IRS Direct File, the free electronic filing system created under Joe Biden. Officials confirmed earlier this month that the program will not return next year, arguing that private companies can better handle online tax services. Treasury Secretary and IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent explained at the White House, “It wasn’t used very much. And we think that the private sector can do a better job.” He added that there are “better alternatives” available.
The Direct File platform, despite its limited reach, had grown in popularity among taxpayers who praised its simplicity and cost-free approach. The Center for Taxpayer Rights obtained an internal report showing that 296,531 taxpayers successfully submitted returns for the 2025 filing season — more than double the 140,803 accepted through the system in 2024. The findings suggest that interest in a government-run filing option was increasing before its cancellation.
Republican lawmakers long criticized the initiative as an unnecessary government expense, arguing that free filing tools already exist, even if they are complicated to use. The private tax-preparation industry, which earns billions annually from software fees, also opposed the program’s expansion, lobbying heavily against it throughout Biden’s term.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has introduced sweeping new provisions under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation raises the standard deduction and adds a $6,000 bonus deduction for qualifying seniors, offering substantial relief for older taxpayers. However, it also reshapes the rules for charitable donations and itemized deductions, meaning many filers will need to reexamine their strategies before the year closes.
Snyder and the AICPA are advising filers to consider “bunching” — combining multiple years of charitable or medical expenses into one tax year — to determine if itemizing might yield greater savings than taking the standard deduction. According to the Tax Foundation, roughly 86 percent of taxpayers are expected to claim the standard deduction in 2026, which could make timing especially important.
Charitable giving will also face new restrictions. Beginning in 2026, taxpayers can take an above-the-line deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for joint filers, even if they don’t itemize. Higher-income earners who do itemize will encounter new limits, including a requirement that only donations exceeding 0.5% of their adjusted gross income can be deducted. For many donors, making contributions before December 31 could help them avoid the stricter rules.
Another new provision allows Americans who purchased U.S.-assembled cars to deduct up to $10,000 in interest from their auto loans, though that benefit phases out for individuals earning above $100,000 or couples earning more than $200,000.
As the landscape grows more complex, Snyder cautioned that professional guidance is critical: “Taxpayers should work with a CPA or CPA personal financial specialist as soon as possible to craft a tax and personal finance strategy for 2026.”
{Matzav.com}
A violent neo-Nazi from the country of Georgia, who called himself “Commander Butcher,” has confessed to planning a horrifying terror campaign targeting Jews and other minorities in New York City.
Twenty-three-year-old Michail Chkhikvishvili admitted guilt to federal hate crime charges after he sent detailed instructions for producing bombs and the deadly poison ricin, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Investigators revealed that Chkhikvishvili’s plan included distributing poisoned candy to children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn, alongside other acts of violence aimed at minority groups.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg condemned the acts in the strongest terms, saying, “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety.”
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi credited the swift and coordinated response of law enforcement with preventing tragedy, noting that their efforts had “saved untold lives.”
Known by several aliases—including “Mishka,” “Michael,” and “Butcher”—Chkhikvishvili was a key figure in the Maniac Murder Cult (MKY), a global neo-Nazi network that advocates brutal violence against Jews and others. The group, prosecutors said, operates primarily in Russia and Ukraine but maintains followers in the United States and elsewhere.
Authorities uncovered a manifesto authored by Chkhikvishvili titled the Hater’s Handbook. The document glorified murder, promoted “ethnic cleansing,” and urged adherents to record violent acts, including school shootings and suicide bombings. In it, Chkhikvishvili claimed he had “murdered for the white race.”
The extremist traveled from his home in Tbilisi, Georgia, to Brooklyn in June 2022, where he stayed with his grandmother. During his time in New York, he boasted of committing hate crimes.
By that summer, he began using encrypted messaging apps to recruit and direct others to carry out attacks for MKY. He shared footage of assaults and provided materials on making explosives and biological weapons, urging participants to seek recruits with military or chemical expertise.
One of the people he contacted was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent posing as a potential recruit. In conversations with the agent, Chkhikvishvili proposed a large-scale New Year’s Eve attack in New York City in which someone dressed as Santa Claus would distribute poisoned candy to minorities.
He instructed the agent to strike specifically at Jewish schools, saying, “Jews are literally everywhere” in Brooklyn and suggesting that “some Jewish holiday” would provide the ideal time to target “Jewish schools full of kids.” He then added chillingly, “Dead Jewish kids.”
In messages with another extremist from the Feuerkrieg Division (FKD), Chkhikvishvili bragged, “Mky is only group so far that done so many kills,” claiming to have attacked and attempted to murder a Jewish victim in Brooklyn.
Members of New York’s Joint Terrorism Task Force later discovered that Chkhikvishvili had once been employed at a rehabilitation center in Brooklyn and had worked for an Orthodox Jewish family, caring for one of their relatives.
Prosecutors said he sent the FBI’s undercover agent detailed instructions for creating chemical weapons, along with video manuals urging the filming of violent acts. He even borrowed tactics from radical Islamist groups such as ISIS, praising jihadist ideology while blending it with neo-Nazi extremism.
Chkhikvishvili was captured in Chișinău, Moldova, on an Interpol warrant, extradited to the United States, and brought before the federal court in the Eastern District of New York.
His online incitement was later linked to multiple deadly attacks, including a school shooting in Tennessee in January, in which a 17-year-old gunman—who cited MKY—killed one person and then himself while livestreaming the rampage.
Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum prison sentence of 40 years when he is sentenced in March. Federal officials say his arrest prevented “a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.”
{Matzav.com}
