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FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau spent close to a year examining former FBI Director James Comey’s Instagram post before charges were brought, describing the inquiry as a careful, by-the-book process led by career investigators and prosecutors, according to remarks reported by Mediaite.

Patel explained that the investigation focused on a May 2025 post by Comey showing seashells arranged to read “86 47,” which prosecutors interpret as a coded threat against President Donald Trump, the 47th president. He noted that cases involving potential threats against high-level officials typically undergo lengthy review before any indictment is issued.

“These cases take time,” Patel said, stressing that the matter followed normal procedures and that the work was carried out by seasoned FBI agents and prosecutors rather than political appointees.

He added that agents “call the balls and strikes in the field as they see fit,” emphasizing that decisions were based on evidence and guided by established legal standards, according to Mediaite.

During a separate afternoon briefing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the indictment represents a straightforward enforcement of federal law prohibiting threats against the president, rather than a dispute over free speech protections, according to reporting from Newsmax.

Blanche acknowledged that prosecutors will need to establish intent in court but maintained that the law clearly does not shield threats directed at the president, noting that a grand jury has already determined there is sufficient evidence to move forward.

Following the indictment, Comey released a video message in which he said, “Well, they’re back,” a remark widely viewed as referencing the renewed legal proceedings, according to The Hill, while asserting that he has done nothing wrong.

Comey said he was surprised by the charges but voiced confidence in the judicial system, adding that he is “not afraid,” and insisted that his post was intended as political commentary rather than a threat, according to comments cited by The Hill.

He has also said the Instagram post was taken down once he realized it could be misunderstood, and his legal team is expected to argue that the case involves protected political expression rather than a genuine threat, raising a First Amendment defense.

At this stage, there is no specific penalty outlined publicly, as the case remains in the indictment phase without any conviction or sentencing determination.

The case sets up a renewed legal clash involving Comey and officials tied to the Trump-era Justice Department, potentially becoming a prominent test of how courts interpret intent and draw the line between protected speech and criminal threats.

“It’s not a very difficult line to look at,” Blanche said. “And it’s not, in my mind, a difficult line for one to cross over one way or the other. You are not allowed to threaten the president of the United States of America. That’s not my decision. That’s Congress’ decision in a statute that they passed that we charge multiple times a year.”

President Donald Trump welcomed King Charles III to the White House for a state dinner Tuesday evening, where the ongoing conflict with Iran briefly surfaced in the president’s remarks, including his assertion that the British monarch shares his stance on preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

During his comments, Trump pointed to developments in the Middle East and expressed confidence in the current situation.

“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now, and we’re doing very well,” said Trump.

He went on to emphasize what he described as a military success and reiterated his position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, noting agreement from the visiting monarch.

“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me even more than I do – we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” added the President.

Trump: We're doing a little Middle East work right now too, if you might know. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent. Charles agrees with me pic.twitter.com/qPqoI6qTaP

— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) April 29, 2026

At the same time, officials in Washington told The Wall Street Journal that Trump has directed his team to prepare for a prolonged blockade targeting Iran, signaling a continued effort to pressure the country economically.

According to those familiar with the discussions, the administration is focusing on restricting Iran’s oil exports and limiting shipping activity to and from its ports. Sources said Trump views this approach as less risky than alternatives such as renewed military strikes or disengaging from the conflict entirely.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iranian officials had communicated to the United States that their government is facing severe instability.

“Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’ They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!),” he wrote.

Over the weekend, Iran submitted a fresh proposal aimed at ending the conflict. The plan reportedly calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz while delaying negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

A U.S. official told Reuters on Monday that the administration is not satisfied with the proposal, pointing to what it sees as insufficient attention to Iran’s nuclear activities.

“He doesn’t love the proposal,” the official said, referring to the president.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump met with advisers Monday morning to review the proposal. While he did not dismiss it outright, officials said he questioned whether Iran is negotiating sincerely and expressed concern that Tehran is avoiding Washington’s primary demand: a full halt to uranium enrichment and a pledge never to pursue nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, sources speaking to CNN indicated that although a second round of talks between the United States and Iran did not take place in Pakistan, the two sides may be closer to an agreement than public statements suggest.

According to those sources, intensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy is continuing, with mediators working to narrow the remaining gaps between the two sides.

{Matzav.com}

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Several pro-Israel, Democratic House members, including multiple Jews, could face tough races to be reelected to Congress if proposed redistricting maps, which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, unveiled on Monday come to pass.

“The proposed map is a blatant attempt to push out pro-Israel, Democratic champions in Congress,” Brian Romick, president of Democratic Majority for Israel, told JNS.

“It’s bad for our country. It’s bad for those who care about Israel, and it’s a violation of Florida’s redistricting constitutional amendment,” Romick said. “We urge lawmakers to reject this shameless partisan stunt.”

The Florida legislature must approve the maps for them to take effect. Some analysts warn that the governor’s plan could backfire based on a projected Democratic wave this year. Some also predict that Democrats could flip Republican-held seats in south Florida, where millions of registered Democrats would be combined in some Republican-held districts.

DeSantis aims to eliminate four of Florida’s eight Democratic-friendly congressional districts within the Sunshine State’s 28-member congressional delegation. A special session of the legislature, where Republicans holding a supermajority, is considering the measure.

The Florida governor told Fox News exclusively that “Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since.”

“Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage,” DeSantis told the channel. “Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited.”

A source “familiar” with the proposed Florida map told Fox News that the governor is motivated more by population increases than responding to proposed Virginia maps, which would likely flip four Republican seats Democrat. “The governor has been planning this long before what took place in Virginia,” the source told Fox News.

The Broward and Palm Beach County districts, represented by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), are projected to favor Republicans come election time if the new maps are implemented. Both are pro-Israel Jews.

“DeSantis drew up illegal, partisan maps in a backroom and made sure Fox News got them before lawmakers did,” Wasserman Schultz told JNS.

“This clear effort to steal more seats for Republicans shows his total contempt for Florida voters, who voted two-to-one in favor of a ban on partisan gerrymandering in our Constitution,” Wasserman Schultz said.

“This nakedly partisan scheme breaks state law,” she told JNS. “While Republicans focus on cherry-picking their voters, I’ll keep fighting for better jobs and schools and take on the healthcare and housing high-cost crisis that Republicans continue to ignore.”

Sam Markstein, national political director and spokesman at Republican Jewish Coalition, told JNS that “in Florida, even more pro-Israel Republicans will be elected to Congress.”

“Meanwhile, in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom purged five pro-Israel Republican members of the House in favor of far-left radical Democrats, and the Left said nothing,” Markstein said. “Spare us the faux outrage.”

Frankel told the Miami Herald that she wants to look at the proposed map before commenting.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), another Jewish, pro-Israel Democrat, would see much of his current district drawn into the area that Wasserman Schultz now represents. That could potentially force a primary faceoff between the two. (JNS sought comment from Moskowitz.)

The Orlando-area district held by Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), who is pro-Israel, would favor Republicans under DeSantis’s proposal, as would the Tampa-area district of Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), who has generally supported Israel.

Richard Stark, president of the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, told JNS that he is “personally outraged” that the governor is redistricting a state that already favors Republicans “overwhelmingly.”

“All of the congressional seats that are affected are pro-Israel,” Stark told JNS.

JNS sought comment from Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), the lone Jewish House Republican in the state.

“South Florida is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the country, which is why most of South Florida is represented by Democrats, because historically, and certainly under Trump, it’s only Democrats who share democratic and Jewish values,” Haile Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, told JNS.

Soifer criticized DeSantis for failing to bring the maps up for a referendum, as Democrats did when they sought to redistrict in Virginia and California.

“They appear to have forgotten that you can’t gerrymander away a deeply unpopular president with an approval rating below 40%,” Soifer told JNS. “No matter the maps, voters’ views and voices cannot be erased, which is why we’re confident this gerrymandering effort may backfire on the GOP and benefit Democrats in November.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Gasoline prices across the United States climbed on Tuesday to their highest point in four years, highlighting growing pressure on consumers as instability tied to Iran continues to rattle global energy markets, according to The New York Times.

The nationwide average for regular unleaded reached $4.18 per gallon, based on data from AAA. That figure represents the highest level since April 2022 and reflects a 1.6% increase in just one day — the sharpest single-day percentage gain in over a month.

Since the conflict began, prices at the pump have jumped by about 40%, adding to the burden on households already dealing with high everyday expenses.

The surge comes on the heels of a significant jump in crude oil prices, largely driven by stalled talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. Located between Iran and Oman, the strait typically handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, meaning any disruption carries major implications for energy markets.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, briefly rose above $105 per barrel for July delivery before pulling back slightly.

Over the past week, oil prices have increased by more than $10 per barrel and remain more than 40% higher than they were before U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. At the same time, West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, climbed to approximately $101 per barrel.

Market analysts say continued uncertainty surrounding Iran’s nuclear negotiations, along with disruptions to shipping routes, is driving volatility in oil prices — a trend that is quickly being felt by consumers at gas stations.

Because gasoline prices often trail movements in crude oil, experts warn that further increases at the pump could still be on the way if tensions remain unresolved.

Diesel fuel has seen even steeper gains, rising to $5.46 per gallon — about a 45% increase since the start of the conflict. Higher diesel costs tend to ripple across the economy, pushing up transportation and shipping expenses that can ultimately be passed along to consumers.

Despite the rise in energy prices, stock markets have remained relatively steady, staying close to record highs.

Investors are now focused on upcoming earnings from major technology firms as well as the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates for signals about where the economy may be headed.

For the moment, drivers are absorbing the impact of rising fuel costs, with little indication of relief as geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on energy markets.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. State Department is preparing to introduce a special-edition American passport to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary this July, and the updated design is expected to include a portrait of President Donald Trump, according to a department official cited by CBS News.

Under the proposed design, the president’s image and signature will appear on interior visa pages alongside excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, a departure from the traditional passport format that has typically highlighted historical imagery, cultural motifs, and iconic American landmarks.

The commemorative passports will be issued as the standard option at the Washington Passport Agency once they are released, without any added fee. However, applicants who apply online or through other passport offices will continue receiving the existing passport design.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott commented on the initiative. “As the United States celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in July, the State Department is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US passports to commemorate this historic occasion. These passports will feature customized artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the US passport among the most secure documents in the world.”

Early reporting by Fox News Digital and The Bulwark suggested that approximately 25,000 of the passports would be produced, but a State Department official rejected that figure as “fake news” while declining to disclose how many will actually be issued.

The current “Next Generation” passport, rolled out in 2021, includes illustrations of American scenery and key historical moments throughout its pages. An earlier redesign in 2007 introduced electronic safeguards aimed at preventing counterfeiting, along with quotations from past U.S. presidents.

During President Trump’s second term, his name and likeness have been tied to a number of public initiatives and proposals. These include efforts to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” and the United States Institute of Peace as the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.” The administration has also proposed a “Trump gold card” visa program that would allow non-citizens to secure residency and work authorization in the United States for a fee of five million dollars.

The commemorative passport is part of a broader push to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial while reflecting the administration’s approach to marking the milestone.

King Charles III gifted President Donald Trump a historic naval artifact during a White House state dinner on Tuesday, presenting him with the bell from the HMS Trump, a British submarine that served during World War II.

The symbolic gesture was framed as a tribute to the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, highlighting both shared history and continued partnership.

“May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future,” the King said.

He concluded his remarks with a lighthearted note.

“And should you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

SpaceX’s board has approved a compensation plan that could deliver an enormous stock payout to Elon Musk if the company successfully establishes a permanent human settlement on Mars.

Under the arrangement, which was approved in January, Musk would receive 200 million super-voting restricted shares if several ambitious conditions are met: the Mars colony must be permanent, house at least one million people, and SpaceX must reach a $7.5 trillion valuation.

Details of the unusual incentive structure were disclosed in internal company documents tied to SpaceX’s confidential filing with the SEC ahead of a planned public offering, according to a report by Reuters, which reviewed the materials.

Musk, 54, has consistently promoted the idea of building a self-sustaining civilization on Mars, describing it as critical for humanity’s future. He has even been seen publicly wearing an “Occupy Mars” T-shirt. SpaceX itself notes on its website that creating such a colony would “require upwards of one million people and millions of tons of cargo to be delivered to the Red planet.”

The compensation plan does not set a deadline for achieving these goals, meaning Musk could qualify for the payout at any point as long as he remains CEO of SpaceX.

In addition to the Mars-related incentives, the plan includes another potential award of up to 60.4 million restricted shares scheduled for March 23. These shares are tied to unspecified valuation milestones and to progress on Musk’s concept of launching data centers into orbit to support his company’s artificial intelligence initiatives, Reuters reported.

Those additional shares would be distributed in stages depending on whether and when SpaceX meets its valuation targets.

If all of the outlined benchmarks are achieved, Musk’s already vast wealth could grow to unprecedented levels. His current net worth is estimated at $778 billion, according to Forbes.

In November, shareholders of Musk’s other company, Tesla, approved a separate record-setting $1 trillion compensation plan. Similar to the SpaceX structure, that package is tied to the company reaching certain valuation thresholds and production targets related to its vehicles and Optimus humanoid robots.

SpaceX is currently aiming for a valuation of $1.75 trillion in its anticipated initial public offering and is seeking to raise more than $50 billion, a move that could make it the largest IPO ever.

{Matzav.com}

ABC has no plans to take action against Jimmy Kimmel following criticism over a controversial joke about First Lady Melania Trump, with the network signaling it intends to move forward without disruption.

According to a source at the network, ABC is continuing to support the longtime host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and does not intend to suspend him, terminate his contract, or cancel the program.

The insider confirmed, “It’s back to taping per usual. They’re moving on.”

The controversy stems from remarks Kimmel made during Thursday night’s broadcast, which featured an “alternative” version of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The segment mocked the real event’s decision to feature a mentalist rather than a comedian.

During the monologue, Kimmel delivered a line aimed at Melania Trump that quickly spread online.

“You have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel said. “You know, Melania’s birthday is on Sunday. She’s planning to celebrate at home the way she always does — looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’”

Just two days after the broadcast, a shooting occurred at the Washington Hilton, the venue hosting the Correspondents’ Dinner, further intensifying the reaction to Kimmel’s remarks.

Melania Trump, 56, responded publicly on X, condemning the comedian’s comments.

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America.”

She continued, “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling for immediate action against Kimmel and labeling the joke “shocking” and “far beyond the pale.”

Facing mounting criticism, Kimmel addressed the controversy during his Monday night show, defending his remarks as a straightforward joke referencing the age difference between the president and first lady.

“It was not by any stretch a call to assassination,” he said. “I agree hateful and violent is something we should reject. … A great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband.”

He also spoke directly to Melania Trump, acknowledging the emotional toll of the shooting and describing the incident as frightening.

The late-night host has previously faced disciplinary action, including a suspension last year after remarks connected to the death of Charlie Kirk prompted his show to be temporarily pulled from the air.

Kimmel returned to television within a week, drawing strong viewership numbers, and has since secured a contract extension that keeps him on air through May 2027.

Reflecting on past controversies during a recent episode of “IMO,” Kimmel maintained that political commentary is an unavoidable part of his role.

“Don’t tell me what my job is. I don’t tell you what your job is. My job is whatever I decide my job is, whatever my employer allows me to do. That’s what my job is.”

{Matzav.com}

Gulf nations are lining up against Iran’s push to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling support for the United States as regional leaders met Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to coordinate their response to the escalating crisis.

“During the summit, a number of topics and issues related to regional and international developments were discussed, as well as the coordination of efforts in response to them,” the Saudi Press Agency said of the Gulf powwow, which is being held in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders comes just days after Iran floated a proposal through diplomatic channels. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had traveled to Oman to suggest a joint arrangement in which the two nations bordering the strait would divide control of the vital shipping route, according to multiple U.S. and regional officials.

That proposal was quickly dismissed by Oman, a country that had itself been targeted by Iranian strikes earlier in the conflict. The rejection has complicated Tehran’s efforts to assert authority over the strategic passageway, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

“They will forgive, but they will never forget what Iran has done,” a source familiar with mediation efforts told The Post of the Gulf allies.

“They have no interest in paying for Iran’s reconstruction. As a result of all of this, they are not going to allow Iran either control the strait nor toll ships coming through.”

Oman’s position aligns closely with that of President Trump, who has made clear that Iran should not be permitted to charge fees or exert control over access to the waterway. Former Pentagon official and Atlantic Council fellow Alex Plitsas said the broader Gulf bloc shares that view.

“The GCC states support the administration’s assertion that Iran cannot control the Strait of Hormuz nor be able to toll it or be able to close the straits at any time of their choosing,” he said.

Plitsas added that Iran’s recent actions have severely damaged its standing in the region, particularly its attacks on neighboring Gulf states.

“Iran’s strategy of attacking GCC states as it means to put pressure on the United States absolutely backfired and set relations back with their Gulf neighbors by decades,” Plitsas said.

“It was a grave and profoundly stupid mistake.”

He also cautioned that patience among Gulf countries is running out as the strait remains shut and fears persist of additional Iranian aggression.

General negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which had been taking place in Islamabad, Pakistan, have now stalled amid the ongoing tensions.

“Renewed or continued Iranian aggression toward Gulf States will not go unanswered in perpetuity,” Plitsas said.

Tuesday’s summit marked the first time the GCC has convened at this level since the conflict erupted two months ago.

As the war approaches its third month, Qatar signaled it is eager to see the fighting end, though not at the cost of a temporary or unstable arrangement.

“We do not want to see a return to hostilities in the region anytime soon,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, said at a press conference.

“We do not want to see a frozen conflict that ends up being thawed every time there is a political reason.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Ilhan Omar is facing widespread criticism online after a previously recorded video resurfaced showing her mistakenly referring to World War II as “World War Eleven” during a Capitol Hill press conference.

The incident occurred last year as Omar, the first Somali American elected to Congress, delivered opening remarks at a Democratic event announcing the reintroduction of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act. The proposed legislation, which ultimately did not pass, was aimed at challenging immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump, particularly his use of the Alien Enemies Act.

During her remarks, Omar criticized past uses of the law, stating that the “last time the Alien Enemies Act was invoked it was used to detain and deport German, Japanese, Italian immigrants during World War Eleven.”

She immediately corrected herself, adding, “Oh, two,” and laughing.

The clip has resurfaced at a time when Omar’s district is under heightened scrutiny due to a large-scale federal fraud investigation involving businesses connected to the Somali immigrant community. The video has circulated widely on social media, drawing mockery from critics, including Sen. Mike Lee, who joked, “‘World War Eleven’ … Yes, that was deadly.”

Lee followed up with another post highlighting the gaffe alongside a separate video in which Omar criticized Trump supporters. In that clip, she said, “It’s become really hard to have an intellectual debate with any of these people,” and added that “the dumbing of the United States has arrived, because how else do we get a Trump presidency again?”

The resurfaced footage also drew attention from Elon Musk, who reacted by posting a grimacing emoji.

A popular conservative account on X, “I Meme Therefore I Am,” mocked the incident by writing, “She must have gotten her education in the Quality Learing Center.” The comment referenced a Minneapolis daycare previously in the spotlight for allegedly fraudulent activity and for misspelling its name as “Quality Learing Center.”

Conservative activist Chloe Cole also weighed in, posting, “Absolutely in awe of this clip of Ilhan Omar calling World War II ‘World War Eleven.’”

She added, “Truly quality learing. We’re learing like we’ve never leared before.”

Podcast host Matt Walsh responded with sarcasm, writing, “God forbid we ever have World War 3, Ilhan Omar will think we’re on World War One Hundred Eleven.”

In another post, Walsh added, “Consider the astronomical levels of stupidity on display here. Ilhan Omar doesn’t know how to read Roman numerals AND she thinks there have been 11 world wars,” Walsh wrote in another X post. “Either one of those would be reasonable justification to remove her from office and send her back to Somalia. But both?”

The renewed attention comes as federal authorities expand their investigation into alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota. On Tuesday morning, agents executed 22 search warrants at various sites, including childcare centers suspected of billing the state for services that were never provided.

According to sources who spoke to Fox News, two of the locations searched were the Quality Learning Center and Baby Halimo Child Care, both located in Minneapolis.

Omar has previously criticized the federal probe. In a January interview with CBS News, she argued that the administration’s handling of the investigation was negatively affecting her constituents. She said the Trump administration’s approach “is harming my constituents, and it is creating the kind of chaos and confusion that no one needs in this moment.”

Speaking with journalist Margaret Brennan, Omar further stated that the response to the fraud allegations “creates the level of confusion and chaos that is not necessary in a moment when we are trying to deal with a serious problem that needs serious people to be able to address it.”

She added, “We want to collaborately [sic] work with the administration to try to make sure that there is no fraud that’s being perpetuated on our state.

“What we do not want is the level of terror, of confusion, of chaos that is being created without any results in this moment.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday that the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, accused of threatening President Donald Trump, does not fall under the protections of free speech.

Earlier in the day, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina handed down an indictment against Comey on two counts connected to a since-deleted Instagram post. The post featured seashells arranged to spell out “86 47,” which prosecutors interpret as a serious threat, noting that Trump is the 47th president and that “86” can be used as slang for killing someone.

Comey issued an apology for the May 2025 post, explaining that he believed the seashell arrangement conveyed a political message and that “it never occurred to me” that “86 47” was associated with violence.

During a press briefing, Blanche was questioned about how to distinguish between constitutionally protected speech and a genuine threat.

“It’s not a very difficult line to look at,” he said. “And it’s not, in my mind, a difficult line for one to cross over one way or the other. You are not allowed to threaten the president of the United States of America. That’s not my decision. That’s Congress’ decision in a statute that they passed that we charge multiple times a year.

“And so, whether there is a defense, maybe there is, but the government will have evidence. I am not going to talk about the evidence that we have. That’s unfair to him. It’s unfair to the prosecutors. But it’s enough to say that the grand jury returned an indictment.”

Blanche was also asked whether proving Comey’s intent would be a challenge in court.

“This case was indicted today,” he said. “This conduct occurred about a year ago, May 15 of last year. There has been a tremendous amount of investigation. And how do you prove intent? In any case, you prove intent with witnesses, with documents, with the defendant himself, to the extent it’s appropriate. And that’s how we’ll prove intent in this case.”

He added that an arrest warrant has been issued for Comey and said authorities anticipate communicating with his legal team as the case moves forward.

“This case will proceed like hundreds of others do every year,” Blanche said. “There will be some sort of arraignment set by the judge or assigned to the magistrate judge. And when that happens, you’ll know about it. But this is being handled differently from the last time he was indicted.”

This is not the first time Comey has faced federal charges. In September, he was indicted in Virginia on felony allegations involving false statements tied to the Russia investigation and obstruction. However, that case was dismissed in November after a judge determined that the Trump administration had improperly appointed Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drew swift criticism Tuesday after asserting that state agencies played a key role in triggering federal fraud raids in Minneapolis, prompting a pointed response from FBI Director Kash Patel.

The exchange highlights escalating political friction surrounding a major federal investigation into alleged fraud, which critics argue developed during Walz’s tenure, while federal authorities have now taken control of enforcement efforts.

“Come again?” Patel posted on X in response to Walz, who claimed that Tuesday’s raids happened because Minnesota state agencies “caught irregular behavior and reported it.”

Patel pushed back forcefully, writing, “This FBI and DOJ with our DHS partners drafted and executed every search warrant today. But go ahead and take credit for our work while we smoke out the fraud plaguing Minnesota under your governorship.”

Walz’s post quickly gained traction online, drawing more than a million views within hours and sparking criticism, particularly from conservative commentators who argued that the fraud cases had unfolded during his administration and that mounting public scrutiny contributed to his decision not to seek another term.

Several critics took to social media to mock the governor’s remarks.

“Arsonist masquerading as a firefighter,” Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X.

“The main problem Tim Walz has now is that no one – Republican or Democrat – takes him seriously,” Republican strategist Tim Murtaugh wrote on X. “He’s proven that he’s that much of a boob.”

“The same guy who spent a whole hearing dodging questions about $9 BILLION in fraud in Minnesota and talking about ICE instead is now praising fraud control,” the Republican-led House Oversight Committee posted on X. “Tomorrow, we will pass legislation in the Committee to make sure it never happens again. Sit this one out, Tim.”

Rep. Derrick Van Orden also weighed in, posting, “.@GovTimWalz is a stolen valor…,” and adding, “This is par for the course.”

Sen. Rand Paul offered his own take, writing, “Well, the American people know we can actually thank @nickshirleyy and @VP.”

Other users online pointed to a statement from the city of Minneapolis clarifying that municipal authorities were not involved in the operation.

Earlier Tuesday, federal agents carried out coordinated raids at more than 20 locations across Minneapolis, including several childcare centers, as part of a broad investigation into alleged fraud involving businesses largely owned by members of the Somali community, sources told Fox News.

“Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” a Department of Justice spokesperson said.

Authorities confirmed that 22 federal search warrants were executed across Minnesota as part of the operation, which sources emphasized was unrelated to immigration enforcement.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is stepping up its pressure on international mediators and the Lebanese government, warning that the coming weeks represent a critical deadline to secure a political arrangement before the current ceasefire expires in mid-May.

Officials in Jerusalem are emphasizing that the remaining time until that date constitutes what they describe as a final chance to reach an agreement. Beyond that point, patience is expected to run out.

A senior Israeli official told Kan News, “We cannot wait forever. We are giving two more weeks for negotiations, and that’s it.”

If talks fail to produce results, Israel is preparing for a renewed escalation, including a return to large-scale military operations targeting the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

At the same time, the Trump administration is actively engaged in quiet diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a symbolic breakthrough. One idea under consideration is arranging a direct meeting between Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, which U.S. officials hope could signal progress.

However, both Israeli and Lebanese sources are expressing doubt that such a meeting can take place under current conditions, citing internal political pressures in Lebanon and ongoing threats from Hezbollah.

In a notable development, President Aoun delivered a forceful speech on Monday in which he publicly backed the idea of engaging in direct talks with Israel.

“Negotiations are not treason,” Aoun declared, and pointed an accusing finger directly at Hezbollah: “The real treason is that of those who drag the country into war in order to fulfill foreign interests.”

Addressing critics within Lebanon, Aoun insisted that any meaningful diplomatic effort must begin with a ceasefire, while also taking aim at those opposing negotiations.

“When you went to war, did you ask for sweeping approval from the Lebanese people?”

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of members of the Peleg Yerushalmi broke into the Ashkelon home of the IDF’s chief military police officer on Tuesday evening during a day of widespread protests, prompting sharp condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defense officials.

The unusual incident unfolded as part of demonstrations against the recent arrests of chareidi draft evaders by military police. Protesters entered the private residence of Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, the head of the Military Police Corps. His family was evacuated from the home during the disturbance, and police reported that 25 suspects were arrested.

Earlier in the day, Rabbi Moshe Shmida, rosh yeshiva of Grodno Ashdod, had reportedly instructed his students during a shiur to keep plans confidential and organize a surprise protest in Ashkelon in response to the detention of two yeshiva students.

Police estimated that roughly 200 demonstrators gathered at the scene. According to a military source, several individuals climbed over the fence and forced their way into the yard. Yamin himself was not home at the time, but his wife and children remained inside, sheltering in place.

Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the breach, stating: “I strongly condemn the wild and violent attack against the head of the military police and demand firm action against those involved.” Representatives of the Peleg Yerushalmi responded to the criticism by saying: “Red lines have been crossed — leave Torah learners alone.”

Reports indicated that authorities had prior knowledge of the planned protest but were unable to prevent participants from entering the property. The family was subsequently removed from the residence for safety.

Police said in a statement: “Officers from the Lachish District are currently operating in the city of Ashkelon to restore public order after rioters arrived at the home of a senior IDF officer, trespassed into the yard, acted violently and disrupted daily life in the area. Police forces have begun arresting suspects involved in the disorder. The Israel Police views with utmost severity any violent behavior, disruption of public order, and trespassing into a private residence, and will act decisively to bring all those involved to justice, alongside continued efforts to maintain public order and public safety.”

Defense officials also issued strong reactions. The defense minister said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate break-in to the home of the head of the military police while his family was inside. Any harm or attempted harm to members of the security forces, and particularly to IDF commanders and soldiers, is crossing a red line. This is a group of violent criminals who must face the full severity of the law. I call on law enforcement authorities to act decisively, swiftly and with all the tools at their disposal to locate the suspects and bring them to justice. I fully back Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin and make it clear: we will not allow harm to IDF commanders and soldiers.”

An IDF spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “A short time ago, a report was received of a deliberate break-in to the home of the chief military police officer, Brigadier General Yuval Yamin, while his family was inside. Security forces were dispatched to the scene and are working to locate the suspects.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also condemned the event, saying: “I strongly condemn the attack. Harm to members of the security forces and their families constitutes a dangerous crossing of a red line. I fully support the head of the Military Police in the dedicated execution of his duties. This is a serious incident and requires determined action by all law enforcement and security authorities in order to bring those involved to justice.”

Political leaders from across the spectrum quickly responded. MK Yuli Edelstein said: “There is no place in our country for this extreme violence against IDF soldiers and their commanders. This is a fringe group of extremists that must be dealt with to the full extent of the law. It is time for the coalition to understand that the situation on the ground is boiling, and if they continue to abandon this arena to Supreme Court rulings time and again, there will be chaos. Only a real draft law will help the IDF, ease the burden on reservists, and prevent civil war.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added: “I strongly condemn the criminal break-in to the home of the head of the military police, Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin. This is crossing a red line and I call on the Israel Police to act decisively to arrest the rioters, bring them to justice with full severity, and restore order to the streets.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: “I strongly condemn the disgraceful behavior of a small group of anarchists from the extreme chareidi faction who broke into the home of the military police commander. Freedom of expression is not freedom of anarchy. I have full confidence in the police to bring the lawbreakers to justice.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel commented: “The break-in to Brig. Gen. Yamin’s yard is a crossing of a red line, and this is the interest we are paying on exemption laws. A state that funds an entire sector not to serve cannot be surprised when it disregards the law. Tonight’s events are a direct result of a distorted incentive structure. When there are budgets without obligations, anarchy becomes a method of operation. Instead of young people in this sector holding weapons at the front and going to work, the legal system allows them to hold signs and hold the state by the throat.”

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman said: “The October 7 government has surrendered to draft-dodging gangs. Breaking into the home of the head of the military police is crossing a red line, and I suggest everyone watch how many arrests are made and how many indictments are filed. We will put an end to the rule of the draft-dodgers.”

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz stated: “There is nothing Jewish about the violent protest of a group of extreme chareidim tonight in Ashkelon. This is crossing a red line, and if we do not wake up now, blood will be spilled! The Israel Police must act firmly against the rioters, and I also call on the leaders of the chareidi public and the rabbis — do not stand aside, the responsibility is yours. Service in the IDF is not only a legal obligation of every citizen — it is a Jewish right.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded, saying: “Breaking into the home of a senior officer is crossing yet another red line. Everyone involved must be arrested, tried, and sent to prison.”

Yesh Atid chairman Gadi Eisenkot added: “The intrusion of criminals who support draft evasion into the home of the head of the military police, Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, is an extremely serious and unacceptable event, stemming from government policy that allows and even promotes evasion of service during wartime.”

Throughout the day, protests organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi took place across the country in opposition to the draft law and sanctions against those who failed to enlist. The demonstrations led to major traffic disruptions, including significant blockages along Route 4 and at multiple locations in Yerushalayim. Clashes were also reported in the Bar-Ilan area of the capital.

Police later announced that order had been restored and all roads reopened in Yerushalayim and the Beit Shemesh area. The operations followed a series of violent disturbances during which protesters blocked light rail tracks and traffic lanes, burned Israeli flags, and threw stones at officers.

During the unrest, a police officer was assaulted and a suspect was arrested. Authorities said crowd-control measures were used to disperse demonstrators and emphasized that enforcement efforts would continue against anyone endangering public safety or attacking law enforcement personnel.

{Matzav.com}

The seven-front War of Redemption against Iran and its regional proxies is expected to continue throughout 2026, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said.

“Since the Oct. 7th massacre, the IDF has been engaged in combat in an ongoing multi-front war. We continue to remain prepared and vigilant for any scenario in all sectors,” Zamir told senior commanders at a military conference held at the Israeli Air Force’s Ramat David Base.

“We are still in a multi-front operation,” the military chief stressed, adding that 2026 “may continue to be a year of multi-front combat.”

As part of a new security doctrine developed in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the IDF has established buffer zones on the front lines, adjacent to border communities in the north and south, he noted.

“We must be prepared to remain in these areas as long as sustained security for our communities has not yet been ensured,” Zamir said.

Ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Iran, Lebanon and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip “are grounded in the achievements of the IDF, made possible by the troops and commanders in the air, at sea, and on land,” he continued.

Regarding the Islamic Republic, the chief of staff praised “Operation Roaring Lion,” in which he said the IDF “achieved unprecedented accomplishments and removed emerging existential threats.”

“We operated in a joint operation, together with the United States military, in extraordinary synchronization. We fulfilled every mission assigned to us and exceeded expectations,” he said, adding: “We must now ensure these achievements are translated into long-term strategic gain.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his address focused on Lebanon, saying the Jewish state has “the freedom of action to thwart immediate and emerging threats” posed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah. “This is the agreement we made with the United States and also with the Lebanese government,” he stated.

“There are still two major threats from Lebanon, from Hezbollah: The threat of 122mm rockets, and the threat of drones and UAVs,” the premier continued, saying the Israeli Defense Ministry and IDF were making “a very large technological effort” to eliminate these.

Netanyahu in his speech praised the military’s “monumental achievements” in Lebanon, including the elimination of Hezbollah’s long-range rocket array and the creation of the security zone, which he said prevents a cross-border invasion, as well as anti-tank fire.

“They have roughly 10% of the missiles they had at the start of the war,” noted the prime minister. “However, these still trouble the residents of the north, and I greatly appreciate their resilience and their standing steadfast.”

The two-and-a-half-year-old War of Redemption began when Hamas, other Iranian-backed Palestinian terrorist groups and Gazan “civilians” invaded the northwestern Negev from Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, massacring some 1,200 people, wounding thousands and taking 251 hostages back to the Strip. JNS

An unusual incident was reported in Beirut after a Lebanese student contacted the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson claiming that Hezbollah weapons were being stored inside her school, a claim that was later determined to be false and reportedly intended to avoid taking exams.

According to a report by Channel 12 journalist Sapir Lipkin, the student reached out via Instagram to IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee, alleging that weapons belonging to Hezbollah were hidden within her school.

Further investigation revealed that the allegation was unfounded. Officials now believe the student made the claim in an attempt to evade academic testing.

Following the incident, the student and her parents were briefly detained by local authorities before being released. Meanwhile, residents in the area reported unusual drone activity in the vicinity of the school in the days after the claim became public.

In an official message sent to parents, the school administration warned that any student found to have harmed the institution or made statements about it that violate laws or regulations could face legal consequences.

Authorities added that the investigation is ongoing and emphasized that anyone found responsible for involvement in the incident will be held fully accountable, along with their parents.