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Vice President JD Vance sought to ease concerns Tuesday over the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran, arguing that critics are mischaracterizing the arrangement and insisting that Tehran will not gain access to financial benefits unless it demonstrates meaningful changes in behavior.

During an interview with Megyn Kelly, Vance emphasized that any economic incentives tied to the agreement would be conditional and closely tied to Iran’s actions moving forward.

“It is a regional peace deal. It’s going to include the Gulf. It’s going to include Israel. It’s going to include Lebanon,” explained Vance, who also stated, “If Iran is funding Hezbollah, we’re not going to allow a bunch of unfrozen assets to flow to the Iranians.”

To illustrate his point, Vance pointed to the United Arab Emirates, describing the nation as “one of the best allies that we’ve had in the region.”

JD Vance on the Iran peace deal:

Somebody said, I forget who, but somebody said, you know, this is like doing the Marshall Plan when the Nazis are still in control. And that's wrong on a few different ways.

Number one, the Marshall Plan was a lot of American tax money. This is… pic.twitter.com/0zWIhJBh8j

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 16, 2026

“Let’s say that they want to invest in a nuclear power plant in Iran. They really can’t do that without us lifting some of the sanctions that exist in the global financial system to make that possible. Now, are the Emiratis going to invest in Iran, or is America going to let the Emiratis invest in Iran? Unless the Iranians change their behavior? No.”

Vance argued that opponents of the agreement are incorrectly portraying the arrangement as a direct financial windfall for Tehran.

“So all these people say, ‘Well, you know, you’re giving Iran money.’ No, no, no. We’re saying that if the Iranians change their behavior, we’re gonna let some of these other countries invest in rebuilding their country and creating some prosperity for their people. That’s like a good thing, right?” Vance asserted.

The vice president also dismissed comparisons between the proposed Iran arrangement and the post-World War II Marshall Plan, responding to criticism that has circulated in recent days, including remarks from Lindsey Graham, though Vance did not identify him directly.

“Somebody said, I forget who, but somebody said, you know, this is like doing the Marshall Plan when the Nazis are still in control. And that’s wrong on a few different ways,” said Vance.

“Number one, the Marshall Plan was a lot of American tax money. This is not American tax money. Number two, we’re saying you only get the benefits of the bargain if you change your behavior. If that happens, we’re talking about a transformed Middle East. That’s a great legacy for the president, but more importantly, it’s a great one for the American people,” he stated.

As debate over the agreement intensified, the Saudi-based news outlet Al Arabiya published what it said was the full text of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. The document reportedly lays out a broad package of economic incentives and commitments that could significantly benefit Iran.

Among the provisions described in the report are steps by the United States to end restrictions on Iranian maritime activity, facilitate the restoration of shipping routes, and allow the export of Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals, and related products through sanctions waivers that would reportedly take effect immediately after the agreement is signed.

The reported memorandum also outlines a massive economic development initiative, under which the United States and regional allies would help create a reconstruction and investment program for Iran valued at no less than $300 billion.

Additionally, the document claims that Washington would work toward the eventual removal of all sanctions imposed on Iran—including U.S. sanctions and international penalties—according to a schedule that would be negotiated at a later date.

President Donald Trump on Monday forcefully rejected reports claiming that the agreement would provide Iran with an unconditional $300 billion payout.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump also asserted that Iran had committed to permanently forgoing nuclear weapons.

“Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!! President DJT,” he wrote.

{Matzav.com}

Hillary Clinton is openly blaming President Joe Biden’s decision to seek reelection in 2024 for the Democrats’ loss to President Trump, arguing that his choice damaged both the country and his own historical legacy.

Speaking during a conversation with New Yorker editor David Remnick at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Clinton delivered one of her sharpest critiques yet of Biden’s decision to remain in the race despite growing concerns within his party.

“He made a terrible mistake,” Clinton told Remnick. “He made a terrible mistake for himself, his legacy, and for the country.”

According to Clinton, a competitive Democratic primary would have produced a stronger nominee capable of defeating Trump in the general election.

“We would have had a real contest,” she mused about what would’ve happened if Biden didn’t run. “And very sadly I believe whoever emerged from that contest, whether it was the vice president or a governor or a senator or anybody else, would have beaten Donald Trump.”

She concluded that Biden’s political judgment on the matter was deeply flawed.

“So I think it was a terrible miscalculation on the part of President Biden.”

Clinton’s comments mark a significant shift from her earlier stance. In 2023, when asked whether Biden should pursue a second term, she voiced support for whatever decision he chose to make.

“I think he’s done a really terrific job and so yes, I want him to run if that’s what he wants to do, and of course, I’ll support him,” she told Forbes in 2023.

Even after Biden’s widely criticized debate performance against Trump in 2024 intensified concerns among Democrats, Clinton continued to stand by him publicly while pressure mounted within the party for him to withdraw.

The political backdrop was especially notable given Clinton’s own history with Trump. She was defeated by him in the 2016 presidential election, while Biden later defeated Trump in 2020. Many members of Biden’s inner circle believed he remained the Democrat best positioned to defeat Trump again.

In the months since the election, however, a growing number of Biden allies have acknowledged that seeking another term may have been a mistake.

Among them is former first lady Jill Biden, who recently indicated that, if given another chance, she would have encouraged her husband not to run again.

Clinton also referenced Biden’s pledge during the 2020 campaign that he would serve as a transitional figure for the Democratic Party and help usher in a younger generation of leaders.

“Once he didn’t move and did not admit that he had said he was going to step aside and decided not to and held on for as long as he did, we were in a terrible dilemma,” she stressed.

Biden eventually ended his campaign on July 21, 2024, leaving then-Vice President Kamala Harris just 107 days to mount a presidential campaign against Trump as the Democratic nominee.

{Matzav.com}

As concerns mount over the future of charitable giving to yeshivos, Keren Olam HaTorah is quietly advancing a new strategy designed to preserve financial support for Torah institutions despite the growing controversy surrounding Section 46 tax benefits.

The fund, which has played a key role in helping yeshivos and kollelim offset severe budget cuts resulting from the ongoing battle over the draft law, is now working to ensure that support for Torah institutions continues even as legal and regulatory challenges threaten a major source of donations.

Tax Benefit Freeze Sparks Concern

The current crisis began at the end of May, when Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered an immediate halt to tax credits for donations made to chareidi institutions that include students classified as eligible for military service.

The decision sent shockwaves through the yeshiva world, where many institutions feared a substantial decline in donations tied to the tax incentives provided under Section 46 of Israeli law.

A New Framework Emerges

Now, for the first time, details are emerging about a framework being developed by Keren Olam HaTorah to help prevent disruptions to the flow of charitable contributions.

According to a letter sent to roshei yeshiva and institutional leaders, and obtained by Kikar HaShabbos, the fund consulted extensively with accountants and professionals specializing in nonprofit organizations and tax law before formulating its approach.

The letter explains that institutions which, based on individualized legal advice, choose not to include certain students on reports submitted to government authorities will not lose their eligibility for support from the fund.

Funding Will Continue

According to the letter, even an institution that elects to continue omitting such students from its official enrollment reports will remain eligible for assistance from Keren Olam HaTorah.

The fund indicated that it would explore alternative mechanisms for transferring support to those institutions, ensuring that funding can continue despite the evolving legal landscape.

At the same time, the organization stressed that it is not instructing institutions to adopt any specific course of action.

Providing Options, Not Directives

Fund officials emphasized that the initiative should not be viewed as a recommendation or directive. Rather, they described it as an effort to provide institutions with practical tools to navigate the complex legal realities that have emerged following the attorney general’s decision.

The move comes amid significant disagreement among legal advisers and accountants serving chareidi institutions, many of whom have offered differing opinions regarding how best to respond to the new restrictions.

As uncertainty continues to surround the future of donation-related tax benefits, Keren Olam HaTorah’s proposal represents the first major attempt to establish a broad-based solution aimed at protecting financial support for the yeshiva world.

{Matzav.com}

A fragile agreement aimed at ending the war between the United States and Iran has encountered a major new obstacle after Tehran insisted that any final settlement must include an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon — a demand Israel has already rejected and one that threatens to unravel the entire accord.

Although the proposed U.S.-Iran agreement has not been officially released, portions of what is believed to be a draft surfaced in media reports Tuesday. At the same time, conflicting statements from various officials have fueled uncertainty about the deal’s actual terms.

While Israel is not a signatory to the agreement, it remains deeply involved in the broader conflict after joining the United States in strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Israel has also been engaged in combat against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terror organization in Lebanon, and currently controls significant territory there.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Tuesday that Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon is incompatible with the proposed agreement.

“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said.

That position directly contradicts statements from both Washington and Jerusalem. A U.S. official familiar with the framework of the agreement, speaking anonymously, said the deal contains no provision requiring Israeli forces to leave Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday that Israeli troops would remain there “as long as necessary.”

Efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict have repeatedly run into disputes of this kind. Previous disagreements resulted in an extended but fragile ceasefire that never evolved into a lasting peace agreement. The uncertainty has also left the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important energy corridors — effectively closed.

Meanwhile, Switzerland announced that a formal signing ceremony is expected to take place Friday at the Bürgenstock resort near Luzern. Swiss officials said the venue was jointly proposed by mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, along with representatives from the United States and Iran.

Pakistani officials have maintained that the framework agreement requires a halt to military operations across the region, including in Lebanon, a longstanding Iranian demand. Araghchi’s latest remarks, however, suggest that the issue remains unresolved.

The dispute places Israel in a difficult position as it seeks to continue weakening Hezbollah while avoiding a clash with a diplomatic initiative strongly backed by the United States. Israel entered southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missile attacks across the border during the opening days of the war. Since then, Israeli forces have expanded their operations dramatically and carried out strikes deep within Beirut.

Despite suffering significant setbacks, Hezbollah retains substantial military capabilities, raising ongoing questions about whether Israel’s campaign has achieved its long-term objectives.

As of Tuesday evening, Netanyahu had not yet reviewed the memorandum of understanding negotiated between Washington and Tehran, according to an individual familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously. A second source said Israeli officials had not requested a copy of the document from American negotiators.

Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The White House likewise declined to say whether Israeli leaders had examined the agreement.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told NPR that Israel remains unaware of the deal’s full contents but argued that any linkage to Lebanon is “unnecessary and unhelpful.”

The situation has at times exposed tensions between Israeli leadership and President Trump. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump criticized Israel’s conduct in Lebanon and expressed frustration with the ongoing campaign.

“not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah.”

“It just goes on forever,” he said of Israel’s strategy.

The fighting has taken a heavy toll. Israeli operations in Lebanon have reportedly killed nearly 4,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, and forced more than one million residents from their homes.

“Israel’s fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed,” Trump said.

Separately, Israel and the Lebanese government have held direct talks under American mediation. Hezbollah has not participated in those discussions. Although several ceasefires have been announced through those channels, none have been fully implemented.

At the outset of negotiations, Lebanese officials sought to distance themselves from the broader U.S.-Iran talks, hoping to avoid the perception that Beirut was acting under Tehran’s influence. More recently, however, they have welcomed indications that any regional settlement could include a ceasefire on Lebanese territory.

Araghchi’s comments appear consistent with the understanding of two regional officials who have direct knowledge of the negotiations. According to those sources, the agreement would require Israel to withdraw from nearly all territory captured during the conflict, while allowing it to retain several strategic hilltop positions near the border.

Those officials also said Iran made Lebanon a central issue during the final phase of negotiations and insisted that it be incorporated into the accord.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported that hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue, though at a far lower intensity than earlier in the conflict. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that exchanges of fire remain ongoing but at a “significantly reduced level.”

Lebanon remains just one of several unresolved issues hanging over the proposed agreement before its anticipated signing ceremony.

The accord is intended to halt a months-long conflict that has claimed thousands of lives throughout the Middle East, including senior figures within Iran’s ruling establishment, while also driving up the cost of fuel, food, and other essential goods around the world.

According to a senior U.S. official who briefed reporters Monday, the agreement calls for the “immediate” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the American naval blockade surrounding Iranian ports.

Pakistani officials involved in the negotiations similarly described a coordinated reopening of the strait and an end to U.S. maritime restrictions.

Following that step, the United States and Iran are expected to enter a 60-day negotiating period focused on Tehran’s nuclear program and the possible easing of sanctions, according to Pakistani officials familiar with the unpublished text.

The agreement also reportedly includes provisions that could unlock frozen Iranian assets and establish a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran if the regime satisfies specific requirements. Senior U.S. officials discussed those possibilities Monday, though Trump later emphasized that the United States would not “invest” funds in Iran.

Regional officials said the release of frozen assets would be tied directly to Iran’s compliance with the agreement. They added that Gulf Arab nations have committed to investing billions of dollars in Iran’s economy if the accord moves forward.

Questions surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities remain among the most contentious aspects of the deal. U.S. officials have yet to explain how compliance would be verified, who would oversee inspections, or how highly enriched uranium stored beneath damaged nuclear facilities would be removed or destroyed.

According to regional sources, Iran has signaled a willingness to discuss options to “dilute or remove” the uranium. Whether Tehran ultimately agrees to such measures remains uncertain, particularly given resistance from hard-line factions within the country. Vice President JD Vance said Monday that international nuclear inspectors would return to Iran as the agreement advances.

Trump also indicated he would be willing to submit the developing agreement to Congress for review.

Speaking during the Group of Seven summit in the French Alps, Trump said, “I like the idea, send it to Congress please.”

He added, “I mean who wouldn’t approve it.”

Republican lawmakers have urged the administration to provide additional details about the agreement, with some expressing doubts that the proposed framework will be sufficient to prevent Iran from eventually obtaining a nuclear weapon.

A major coalition crisis erupted Tuesday after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu informed chareidi lawmakers that the Daycare Law will not advance during the current Knesset term, prompting immediate retaliation from United Torah Judaism and accelerating political speculation about early elections.

The announcement sparked outrage among chareidi parties, which had viewed the legislation as a key coalition commitment. In response, senior lawmakers unveiled a series of protest measures that could further destabilize the government and hasten the collapse of the coalition.

According to information obtained by Kikar HaShabbos, Netanyahu told chareidi Knesset members during conversations held Tuesday morning that the Daycare Law—which was intended to restore daycare subsidies for young kollel families affected by military draft notices—cannot be passed in the current political climate.

The prime minister reportedly explained that there is no viable majority for the legislation, with lawmakers from both Likud and other coalition factions expected to vote against it. Chareidi representatives viewed the announcement as a breach of coalition understandings and reacted furiously.

Gafni Launches Budget Rebellion

In an immediate response, Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni notified coalition leaders that the party’s two representatives on the Knesset Finance Committee would oppose every budgetary transfer brought before the committee for approval.

The move was widely interpreted as a direct challenge to the government’s ability to function effectively and manage its financial agenda.

Although committee discussions on budget transfers had already begun, the proceedings were reportedly suspended just minutes later following Degel HaTorah’s announcement.

Chareidi Parties Suspend Coalition Cooperation

At the same time, both Shas and United Torah Judaism informed coalition chairman Ofir Katz that they would no longer support coalition legislation on the Knesset floor as long as the Daycare Law remains stalled.

In a joint statement, the parties declared: “We have now informed the coalition chairman that due to the failure to place the Daycare Law on the agenda, we will not vote today in favor of coalition legislation in the Knesset plenum.”

Degel HaTorah Begins Preparing for Elections

In what may be the clearest sign yet that chareidi leaders are bracing for a political showdown, Degel HaTorah is reportedly preparing to launch election preparations as early as this week.

According to information obtained by Kikar HaShabbos, the party will convene a nationwide gathering of local faction leaders together with Degel HaTorah Knesset members on Thursday to begin organizing for a potential election campaign.

The decision reflects growing concern within the party that the current crisis could quickly lead to the dissolution of the Knesset and new elections. The unusually broad meeting is intended to ensure that party infrastructure is ready should a campaign become necessary.

The Background: The Fight Over Daycare Subsidies

The Daycare Law, sponsored by Gafni, sought to ensure that a parent’s employment status would not be considered when determining eligibility for daycare placement and government tuition assistance if that parent was studying in a yeshiva or institution of higher education.

The legislation was designed to address the fallout from government policies affecting support for chareidi families and became a central demand of the chareidi parties during coalition negotiations.

In recent weeks, chareidi lawmakers mounted an aggressive campaign to accelerate the bill’s passage, hoping to complete the legislative process before the end of the Knesset session. Netanyahu’s latest announcement appears to have effectively ended those efforts.

Political and legal observers have long argued that even if the law were enacted, Israel’s High Court of Justice would likely block implementation unless broader legislation addressing the legal status of full-time Torah students is first adopted.

The latest confrontation comes amid broader tensions between the government and the chareidi community over the arrest of yeshiva students and the ongoing dispute surrounding military service and the status of Torah learners.

{Matzav.com}

A sharp social media confrontation erupted between Israeli journalist Amit Segal and chareidi De Marker reporter Simi Spolter after Spolter criticized the way Segal presented comments made by President Donald Trump regarding Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu.

The dispute began when Spolter compared reports posted on the Telegram channels of journalists Michael Shemesh and Amit Segal. Shemesh quoted Trump as saying, “I had good relations with Bibi, but he needs to be more responsible in Lebanon,” while Segal’s channel highlighted only the portion stating, “Netanyahu needs to be more responsible in Lebanon.”

Referring to the differing presentations of the same remarks, Spolter wrote: “The same quote from the same person is being echoed on two Telegram channels. One is a journalist, the other is a mouthpiece.”

Segal responded with a personal attack, mocking Spolter and questioning his grasp of English.

“And I continue to wonder, what is wrong with core studies, especially English? Where do you find the strength to go out and make a fool of yourself entirely on your own initiative?” Segal wrote.

He then escalated the criticism further.

“The chareidi ignorance, the hubris courtesy of De Marker, and so he has no hesitation in demonstrating that he has no idea what the present perfect is while also explaining to others how to translate,” Segal wrote.

Spolter fired back, accusing Segal of blocking him before publicly responding.

“As usual, Amit Segal blocks and then runs to tweet,” he wrote.

He also rejected Segal’s criticism regarding his English abilities and insisted that his original complaint was not about translation but about editorial choices.

“So let’s keep it short: 1. I’m American, a native English speaker; try your condescension toward chareidim on someone else. 2. My criticism has nothing to do with how it was translated, but with why he chose to translate it that way.”

Spolter further argued that Segal’s Telegram channel displays a clear political bias.

“As I have shown in the past, Amit has a fairly transparent bias on his Telegram channel,” he wrote, adding that it was “interesting” that Segal had not responded to similar allegations he had raised previously.

The Trump administration has filed a sweeping lawsuit against New York state officials, accusing them of steering an $11 billion Medicaid home care contract to a favored company and enabling it to improperly collect millions of taxpayer dollars.

The lawsuit, brought Tuesday by the Department of Justice, alleges that senior state health officials manipulated the bidding process for a major overhaul of New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which serves nearly 250,000 home care recipients.

At the center of the case is Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), the company selected to become the program’s sole payroll administrator. State officials had argued that consolidating the system under a single contractor would reduce costs and improve efficiency, but the transition instead became mired in widespread problems and confusion.

“New York’s failure to police a favored vendor that unlawfully siphoned millions of dollars of Medicaid funding is egregious and betrays the public trust,” Brett A. Shumate, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, said in a statement.

“The Justice Department is acting to ensure that federal laws regarding truthful statements and fair dealing in federal health care programs are upheld and to prevent additional harm from being exacted against the public by PPL and New York,” Shumate added.

According to federal prosecutors, state leaders brushed aside repeated indications that the transition would be deeply problematic as PPL assumed control of CDPAP, a program that allows relatives and friends to provide care for disabled or chronically ill individuals instead of traditional home health aides.

The complaint names state Health Commissioner James McDonald and Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri as defendants. While Gov. Kathy Hochul is not personally accused of wrongdoing, the 60-page filing includes communications suggesting her office played a significant role in both the contract award process and the rollout of the program.

Federal attorneys point to internal correspondence showing state officials telling counterparts in other states that they faced “pressure from the Governor’s Office” while evaluating competing bidders.

After ultimately winning the contract, PPL sought additional time to transition patients and caregivers into the new system. The company requested that the enrollment period be expanded from three months to nine months as it worked to build staffing capacity.

According to the lawsuit, Hochul’s office rejected those requests.

One email from a senior Health Department official cited in the complaint stated: “I wanted to give you a heads up that Chamber is coming in hard on the [Statewide Fiscal Intermediary] launch, they really aren’t entertaining options to move off of a path that gets this done by 4/1. We will not be advancing statutory or regulatory changes [to extend the CDPAP transition timeframe] at this time.”

Federal investigators also contend that the governor’s office later worked to minimize concerns about the troubled rollout, even as thousands of disabled New Yorkers struggled with long wait times, administrative problems, and disruptions in caregiver payments.

Internal PPL records cited in the lawsuit show that by Jan. 13, 2025 — one week after the transition process officially began — only 43 of the 214,000 individuals in the company’s system had completed enrollment.

Nevertheless, three days later, McDonald publicly maintained that “the facts and data show that the transition is proceeding efficiently and effectively.”

The complaint further alleges that PPL violated federal healthcare fraud laws by overstating costs billed to Medicaid and improperly inflating the administrative payments it received from New York, actions prosecutors say breached the terms of its contract.

Federal officials claim PPL knowingly submitted what it internally described as a “recklessly low bid,” calculating that a below-market proposal would secure the contract even if it was initially unprofitable.

The company allegedly expected the Hochul administration to help it obtain higher reimbursement levels from health plans by classifying certain expenses under enhanced “direct care” rates rather than limiting those payments to caregiver wages and benefits.

The state’s request for proposals specifically warned bidders that this type of reimbursement “spread” would not be permitted.

When PPL later moved forward with increased direct-care rates, health insurers objected sharply.

“If PPL insists on its one-size-fits-all, non-negotiable rate, it will put at risk services to members and will undoubtedly undermine the very financial savings that the State projected,” the New York Health Plan Association wrote in a letter obtained by The Post.

Justice Department officials said the case demonstrates the federal government’s determination to combat fraud involving taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.

“New York’s backroom deal with PPL has cost taxpayers millions of dollars and cast countless Medicaid patients to the curb,” Colin McDonald, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, said in the complaint.

Hochul’s office forcefully rejected the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as politically motivated.

“This is just another sad attempt by the Trump administration to weaponize the justice system to attack political opponents in an election year,” Hochul spokesperson Kara Cumoletti said.

“As many courts have already held, the transition to a single fiscal intermediary was lawful and appropriate. We are confident the facts are on our side,” she continued.

Hochul is currently seeking a second full term as governor and is expected to face Republican challenger and Trump ally Bruce Blakeman in November.

The state Department of Health also condemned the lawsuit, calling it a politically driven attack and defending the CDPAP restructuring effort.

“We look forward to the day where these disingenuous attacks can stop and our partners in Washington can look to New York as a model for how to improve to control costs and root out abuses while preserving and improving quality of care,” a department spokesperson said.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance, author of “Communion,” joined Megyn Kelly to talk about what’s really in the proposed new Iran deal, the economic benefits Iran could receive if it complies with the agreement, what happens if the regime refuses to cooperate, the backlash from neocons over the new Iran peace deal, what’s being misrepresented about the agreement, the truth about what happens next in Lebanon and the broader Middle East, the divide on the right over the Iran war, why some non-interventionists are frustrated with the administration, why VP Vance believes critics should remain engaged in the Trump coalition, his journey back to God and faith, why the goal for success and money left him searching for something more meaningful, how marriage and family helped strengthen his beliefs, and more.

WATCH:

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has formally informed senior chareidi lawmakers that the Daycare Law will not be passed during the current Knesset term, setting off a fierce backlash from the chareidi parties and deepening tensions within the coalition.

The announcement came after weeks of negotiations, pressure campaigns, and repeated assurances from coalition officials that the legislation would ultimately advance. Chareidi lawmakers, many of whom had publicly insisted the bill would pass, reacted angrily to the prime minister’s decision.

According to discussions held with senior representatives of the chareidi factions, Netanyahu explained that he simply lacks the votes necessary to secure the bill’s passage. He reportedly said that several members of both the Likud and the broader coalition intend to oppose the legislation, making its approval impossible.

The proposed law was designed to restore daycare subsidies for young kollel families whose eligibility had been affected after recipients received military draft orders.

Degel HaTorah responded with a sharply worded statement, accusing the government of retreating from a clear commitment.

“There was a commitment by the prime minister and the Likud to bring the Daycare Law for approval. We insist on this firmly and will not accept any delay or retreat from it.”

Agudath Israel quickly joined the criticism and declared that the entire faction stands behind Degel HaTorah’s position.

“The entire faction stands united together with Degel HaTorah in an unequivocal demand that the prime minister fulfill his promise to pass the Daycare Law.”

The party also warned that failure to advance the legislation would carry serious political consequences.

“Failure to pass the law means an admission by the prime minister that he is ultimately interested in dissolving the Knesset and heading to elections.”

Gafni Launches Budget Revolt

In an immediate response to Netanyahu’s announcement, Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni informed coalition leaders that the party’s two representatives on the Knesset Finance Committee would oppose all budgetary transfers brought before the committee.

Although discussions on budget allocations initially began as scheduled, the committee’s work was reportedly halted minutes later after Degel HaTorah clarified its position.

New Demand: Basic Law on Torah Study

As the battle over the Daycare Law intensifies, the chareidi parties are now demanding that the government move quickly to pass the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study through its second and third readings.

However, significant doubts remain regarding whether that legislation can secure the necessary support within the coalition, raising new questions about the government’s stability and its ability to satisfy the demands of its chareidi partners.

The latest confrontation marks one of the most serious clashes between Netanyahu and the chareidi parties in recent months and could have far-reaching consequences for both the coalition’s future and the broader debate over draft-related legislation.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a passionate defense of Israel’s central role in American history Tuesday evening, telling an audience in Judea and Samaria that the United States owes its very existence to the Jewish heritage rooted in the Land of Israel.

Speaking at the opening session of the International Conference on Israeli Heritage at Herodion National Park, Huckabee emphasized that his mission extends beyond representing the United States to Israelis. He said he also sees it as his responsibility to help Americans better understand Israel’s importance to their own nation and identity.

Addressing attendees at the conference, Huckabee stressed that the historical legacy of the Jewish people belongs not only to Israel but also to the American people.

“It is your heritage, without a doubt,” the ambassador told the Jewish attendees. “It is also the heritage of the United States. Without Israel, without the Jewish foundation, there would not be an America.”

Huckabee argued that the principles and values that shaped the United States are deeply connected to events that took place in the Land of Israel thousands of years ago.

“We owe our very existence to what happened in this land,” he added.

The ambassador’s remarks came just hours after President Donald Trump highlighted America’s role in supporting Israel while discussing U.S. policy toward Iran.

Speaking about American involvement in the region, Trump asserted that his administration’s actions had been critical to Israel’s security and survival.

“Without the US, without me – there would be no Israel,” Trump said.

The comments from both Huckabee and Trump underscored the administration’s continued emphasis on the close historical, political, and strategic ties between the United States and Israel, particularly at a time of heightened regional tensions involving Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Deep concern has spread throughout the Vizhnitzer chassidus after the Vizhnitzer Rebbe experienced a significant weakening of his condition in recent days, prompting an urgent call for tefillos from thousands of chassidim around the world.

Community leaders appealed Tuesday to the broader public to intensify their tefillos and supplications on behalf of the Rebbe, asking that he be granted a complete recovery and restored strength.

The Rebbe is currently staying at his regular retreat residence in Moshav Ora, near Yerushalayim, where he has been spending a period of rest and recuperation.

Meanwhile, hundreds of bochurim from the Vizhnitzer yeshiva gedolah in Bnei Brak were scheduled to travel Tuesday evening to the kever of the rebbe, Rav Nachman of Horodenka zy”a, in the ancient cemetery of Teveria.

The gathering coincides with the yahrtzeit of Rav Nachman of Horodenka, and participants plan to hold a special public tefillah on behalf of the Rebbe’s recovery.

All are asked to daven for Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Vice President JD Vance took on a skeptical panel during his appearance Tuesday on “The View,” forcefully rejecting allegations that the Trump administration has been unfriendly toward minority communities while also defending the White House’s handling of several contentious issues.

Making his first appearance on the daytime talk show, Vance engaged in a series of exchanges with the program’s liberal co-hosts. While the discussion was occasionally tense, the vice president remained composed as topics ranging from race relations to the Jeffrey Epstein files and inflation dominated the conversation.

Whoopi Goldberg challenged Vance over what she characterized as a pattern of actions by the administration that she believes have negatively affected Americans of color.

“What did black people do to this administration that has allowed it to really stigmatize folks of color? And you know how hard it is. You have folks of color in your family. So when you see, you know things, the Emmett Till stuff coming down, or them doing all kinds of removal of information of black heroes, how does that sit with you?” she asked.

Seemingly unsure of the specific allegations being made, Vance responded by seeking clarification.

“What exactly are you talking about?” he asked, drawing audible disapproval from portions of the audience.

Goldberg attempted to elaborate, citing what she described as the removal of historical information from museums and public institutions.

“In a lot of the, uhh, museums, there’s so many I just, you know, where they’re taking down the actual history that happened in this country. Slavery happened, all kinds of stuff happened, and it seems it has been very easy for the administration to remove that, and also to denigrate black folks who have worked their behinds off to get this American dream,” she stammered.

Sunny Hostin then joined the discussion, questioning whether minority communities have a place within the administration’s vision for the country.

“Where do people of color fit into this administration? Because it doesn’t seem like we fit,” she asked.

Trying to better understand the criticism, Vance summarized what he believed Goldberg was alleging.

“So you say that we’re anti-minority or anti-black?”

Goldberg immediately interrupted.

“No, I didn’t say that! I asked — see? Don’t start any stuff with me, man, don’t get me in trouble,” she said, prompting laughter from the audience.

Vance replied that the administration’s political coalition is open to all Americans regardless of race or voting history.

“I think everyone is welcome in our political coalition, even if you didn’t vote for us,” he said.

As evidence, he pointed to crime reduction efforts in Washington, D.C., a city with a large Black population and a strong Democratic voting base.

“Look at DC, one of the most Democratic and one of the blackest cities in the US, has seen a radical decrease in violent crimes, …..assaults and murders,” he said, noting the administration has taken the issue of crime seriously in the nation’s capital, “in part because we believe everybody deserves to live in a safe neighborhood.”

Last August, President Trump deployed more than 2,100 National Guard troops to Washington as part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing crime and improving conditions in the city. Violent crime subsequently fell sharply.

When Hostin argued that Black history was being removed from public view, Vance firmly disagreed.

“black history is not being erased from public spaces. We celebrate black history, we celebrate all American history.”

The audience offered a notably warm reception when Vance entered the studio and took his seat, greeting him with loud applause.

The conversation later shifted to President Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and a recent New York Times report claiming that White House officials held a strategy meeting regarding the release of Epstein-related records.

“I’m frankly kind of a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff, and that story says that,” said the 41-year-old veep, who was appearing in part to discuss his new memoir, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.”

Vance noted that some White House officials have jokingly characterized him that way as well.

“That’s one of the things that’s true, is that some people called me a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff,” he said, naming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles among them.

Despite the label, Vance argued that public scrutiny of Epstein’s connections to powerful figures is justified.

“I love Susie, but absolutely she thinks I’m a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff because I think that it’s crazy that you have this guy who is clearly a sex predator who is hanging out with a lot of very wealthy and powerful people, like, that really bothered me,” Vance said.

At the same time, he rejected suggestions that the administration had been reluctant to release information.

“What I disagree with is the idea that the White House wasn’t committed to full transparency. We need to remember, like, I was inside the room when some of these decisions were made.”

He pointed to the release of roughly six million pages of records following passage of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by President Trump last November.

The vice president also addressed controversy surrounding President Trump’s recent comment about inflation, arguing that critics had misunderstood what the president meant.

“What he said is that he loves the fact that the inflation is going to come down when the war is over. That’s what he said.”

The administration’s ongoing discussions regarding the conflict with Iran received only a brief mention during the interview. President Trump recently declared success in the military campaign before departing for the annual G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.

Goldberg pushed back on Vance’s explanation of the president’s inflation remarks.

“That’s not what he said,” Goldberg chimed in.

Joy Behar then closed the exchange with a joke that drew laughter from the audience.

“Are you his interpreter, or are you his vice president?” Behar quipped.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Tensions are escalating across the chareidi community after a military court sentenced a kollel yungerman to two weeks in military prison, a decision that has prompted calls for widespread demonstrations throughout Israel on Wednesday.

Rav Aviel Cohen of Netivot, who was arrested Monday evening at the Gilat Junction, appeared before a military tribunal on Tuesday and was sentenced to 14 days of imprisonment in a military detention facility.

A graduate of Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud and a kollel member in the Kfar Avraham neighborhood of Petach Tikvah, Cohen is described by community members as a well-known and respected figure.

Immediately following the sentencing, his attorney, Shlomo Chadad, filed an urgent appeal seeking either the cancellation or reduction of the prison term while challenging both the legality of the arrest and the judicial process that followed.

Calls for Mass Demonstrations

The ruling quickly sparked outrage among supporters of the Peleg Yerushalmi, particularly within the camp led by Rav Tzvi Friedman.

Representatives of the movement denounced the arrest and imprisonment, describing the case as a “crossing of a red line” and declaring that they would not remain silent in the face of the incarceration of a ben Torah.

Organizers subsequently announced plans for major demonstrations on Wednesday at several key locations around the country. Based on previous protests, authorities expect participants to attempt to block major highways and intersections.

Police and security officials have reportedly begun preparing for the possibility of widespread disruptions.

The Arrest That Triggered the Protests

According to reports, the arrest that ignited the current wave of protests took place Monday afternoon at the Gilat gas station complex near Ofakim.

Military police investigators, who had reportedly been tracking Cohen on suspicion of draft evasion, carried out a surprise arrest while he was traveling with his wife.

News of the arrest spread rapidly through chareidi communities in southern Israel. Within minutes, dozens of protesters arrived at the scene and began demonstrating against the detention.

Protesters blocked Routes 25 and 241, creating significant traffic disruptions. During the ensuing confrontations, some demonstrators reportedly lay down near moving vehicles, while police officers physically removed protesters from the roadway before reopening the roads to traffic.

Father Describes Family’s Ordeal

Cohen’s father, who rushed to the kollel where his son studies to inform fellow learners of the arrest, spoke emotionally about the incident.

“My son is a kollel yungerman who sits and learns day and night. They grabbed him for no reason, without any shame, because of Torah learning. He is a righteous young man. His mother is blind, and suddenly they pull him out of the car in the middle of driving and take him away,” he said.

He also described the impact on his daughter-in-law.

“They simply left his young wife there on the side of the road. She doesn’t even have a driver’s license and was left alone, helpless. Is this how they treat a yungerman and a young woman?” he asked.

Following the arrest, Cohen was transferred to the military detention facility at Ir HaBahadim, where he was formally sentenced to 14 days in military prison.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu reportedly sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a meeting of Israel’s restricted security cabinet, accusing the military of making a serious error by publicizing details of a canceled strike on Iran and saying the move embarrassed Israel in front of President Donald Trump.

According to a report by journalist Yaron Avraham on Channel 12 Tuesday evening, Netanyahu expressed anger over a letter issued by Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Tishler, which revealed that a major Israeli operation against Iran had been called off shortly before it was scheduled to begin.

The prime minister reportedly did not hide his frustration, telling Zamir that both the publication of the letter and its contents were damaging to Israel’s strategic interests at a particularly sensitive time, as the United States advances its diplomatic efforts with Iran.

According to the report, Netanyahu said: “His letter was a mistake, a national error. It harmed Israel’s unity, and it is embarrassing in front of Trump.”

The controversy centers on Tishler’s disclosure that a large-scale Israeli strike deep inside Iran had been fully prepared and ready to launch last week in response to Iranian missile attacks, but was canceled just one hour before takeoff following intervention by President Trump.

According to the report, Tishler’s intention was to praise Air Force personnel for their readiness and dedication. However, in political circles, the letter was viewed as a reminder of a diplomatic retreat and sparked anger among senior government officials.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office declined to comment on reports regarding discussions held during closed cabinet meetings.

In the letter sent to Air Force personnel, Tishler described the dramatic moments leading up to the cancellation of the operation.

“The entire Air Force was prepared to launch a broad attack mission,” the Air Force commander wrote. “Just hours before the order to take off, with hundreds of targets in the heart of Iran, the strike was halted while we were briefing crews in the squadrons, only one hour before departure.”

As previously reported, President Trump requested that Netanyahu cancel the planned strike. The move came amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with the United States seeking to avoid further escalation in the region.

In the same letter, Tishler detailed what he described as the Air Force’s significant achievements during its operations against Iran.

“We severely damaged the Iranian leadership, its defensive and offensive systems, elements of its nuclear program, its economy, its chain of command and expertise, and its military and national industries,” the Air Force commander wrote.

He argued that the operations substantially reduced the threat posed by Iran, prolonged the time required for Tehran to rebuild its capabilities, and preserved Israel’s ability to carry out future operations if necessary.

Tishler also noted that Israel’s defense establishment is closely monitoring diplomatic developments around the world and cautioned that it remains too early to assess their long-term consequences.

“It is too early to know how global developments will affect the security reality.”

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable incident unfolded this week at the court of the Dushinsky Rebbe, where a routine change in protocol led to the discovery of a grape juice bottle produced under the heter mechirah framework, preventing its use at the Rebbe’s table.

According to accounts from the chassidus, the episode took place during the Rosh Chodesh Tammuz seudah held Monday in the Chessed Hall located within the Dushinsky institutions on Shmuel Hanavi Street in Yerushalayim.

As the time for Birchas Hamazon approached, attendants prepared the traditional kos shel berachah for the Rebbe and brought a bottle of grape juice to the table.

Ordinarily, a carefully maintained procedure is followed at the Rebbe’s table. Wine or grape juice is first poured from its original bottle into an ornate silver pitcher, and only then is it poured into the Rebbe’s cup. As a result, the original bottle itself never reaches the table. On this occasion, however, events unfolded differently. For reasons that remain unclear, the silver pitcher was delayed from arriving. Wanting to proceed with the brocha, the attendants placed the original bottle directly on the table before the Rebbe.

After grape juice had already been poured into the cup, the Rebbe picked up the bottle and noticed wording on the label that immediately drew his attention. The wording appeared inconsistent with the standards observed in the chassidus, which adheres strictly to the principles established by the founder of the dynasty, Maran Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky zt”l, who strongly opposed heter mechirah and served as head of the Eidah HaChareidis badatz.

Examining the label more closely, the Rebbe discovered that the bottle clearly stated that the product had been produced “under the heter mechirah of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.”

According to those present, the Rebbe immediately poured the small amount of grape juice that had already been dispensed back into the bottle and firmly declined to use it for Birchas Hamazon. He instructed attendants to bring another bottle carrying the supervision of the Eidah HaChareidis badatz.

Witnesses described a powerful sense of awe in the room as the significance of what had occurred became clear.

“If the attendants had managed to pour the grape juice into the silver pitcher as they do every time, the Rebbe would never have seen the bottle, and he would have made the brocha over heter mechirah wine, chas v’shalom,” chassidim reportedly said after the tish.

Members of the chassidus have since spoken emotionally about what they view as a clear act of Divine Providence, protecting a Rebbe known for his uncompromising commitment to the sanctity of shemittah. In describing the incident, many pointed to a verse they felt captured the moment: “Hashem protects all those who love Him.”

{Matzav.com}

Tensions surrounding the arrest of yeshiva students intensified Tuesday after a kollel yungerman was sentenced to military prison, prompting planned demonstrations across Israel by the Peleg Yerushalmi and a rare large-scale protest organized by the Gerer chassidus.

Rav Aviel Cohen, a graduate of Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud and a kollel member in Kfar Avraham, Petach Tikvah, was sentenced Tuesday to 14 days in a military prison.

Following his incarceration, the Peleg Yerushalmi faction led by Rav Tzvi Friedman announced a series of protests scheduled for Wednesday at multiple locations throughout the country as part of its ongoing campaign against the arrest of bnei yeshiva.

At the same time, in an unusual move, Ger announced that it will hold a major protest rally Wednesday at 4 p.m. outside Military Prison 10 in response to the arrest of a bochur affiliated with the chassidus.

The gathering is expected to be led by the sons of the Gerrer Rebbe together with prominent rabbonim of the chassidus, and organizers anticipate the participation of thousands of chassidim.

{Matzav.com}

New details from a confidential U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding have surfaced, revealing a far-reaching framework that would broaden the current cease-fire to include Lebanon, permit Iran to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and create a roadmap toward a comprehensive peace accord, according to a report Tuesday by Israel’s Channel 12.

The proposed arrangement, intended to serve as the foundation for wider negotiations between Washington and Tehran, addresses a range of issues including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, regional security, maritime navigation, and the future American military presence in the Middle East.

The 12 provisions were first disclosed by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, who is also affiliated with Channel 12. Earlier reports had characterized the framework as a 14-point agreement.

Under the proposal, Iran, the United States, and their respective allies would halt military hostilities throughout the region, including in Lebanon.

Tehran would once again commit to its longstanding pledge not to develop a nuclear weapon.

American and Iranian negotiators would determine the future disposition of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

The two sides would also begin discussions regarding Iran’s long-term uranium enrichment activities and broader nuclear requirements.

While those talks proceed, Iran would preserve the current “status quo” of its nuclear program, which has been significantly degraded.

In return, the United States would end its naval blockade, refrain from imposing additional sanctions, and avoid deploying further military forces to the region.

Iran would ensure that commercial vessels could pass through the Strait of Hormuz without tolls or interference for a 60-day period.

Once the memorandum takes effect, Washington would release an unspecified amount of Iranian assets that are currently frozen.

Should a final agreement be reached after the 60-day period, the United States would withdraw its military forces from the region within 30 days and eliminate all sanctions on Iran.

The agreement would also establish a mechanism for a $300 billion reconstruction fund aimed at rebuilding Iran’s economy and infrastructure.

In addition, Washington would permit Tehran to resume oil exports through temporary sanctions waivers.

Iran, Oman, and the Gulf states would enter negotiations to develop new maritime security and shipping arrangements for the Gulf region.

According to a senior regional source who spoke with The Post, Oman and Iran have already begun discussions regarding that final provision and are seeking to impose a fee for the maritime “services” they would provide.

{Matzav.com}

Growing tensions within the right-wing coalition have prompted sharp criticism from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s inner circle, where officials are warning that ongoing disputes among the chareidi parties could derail efforts to advance legislation intended to benefit the chareidi community.

At the beginning of the week, Netanyahu’s representatives informed leaders of the chareidi factions, including Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, that the Daycare Law will not move forward before the end of the Knesset’s summer session. According to those discussions, the coalition currently lacks the votes needed to pass the legislation, even if the alternative is the immediate dissolution of the Knesset and elections at a politically inconvenient time for the prime minister.

Beyond the challenge of securing a majority, Netanyahu’s associates reportedly argued that the Daycare Law has come to be viewed publicly as a symbol of draft avoidance and could inflict significant electoral damage in a future campaign.

Instead of pursuing the Daycare Law, the prime minister has proposed advancing a temporary measure that would prevent the arrest of chareidi draft evaders for a one-year period. The arrangement would be tied to the draft legislation currently being prepared in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for its second and third readings.

The plan calls for extending that temporary arrangement alongside the advancement of a Basic Law on Torah study, with the goal of creating a legal framework that could gain acceptance from both the Knesset’s legal advisers and the legal counsel of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

During internal discussions, Deri reportedly expressed concern that the proposal could face serious legal challenges. Nevertheless, after Netanyahu’s team assured coalition partners that a majority could be assembled in the Knesset plenum, a decision was made to move ahead with the initiative.

Coalition officials also noted that the Daycare Law itself was expected to encounter significant legal obstacles and could ultimately have been struck down by Israel’s High Court of Justice.

As for the timetable, intensive discussions are currently underway regarding the precise wording of the temporary order that would halt the arrest of chareidi draft evaders. The coalition hopes to bring the matter before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee this coming Sunday and then present it for a vote in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday.

At the same time, the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study is expected to advance this week with a first-reading vote, with the remainder of the legislative process slated to continue in the weeks ahead.

Frustration within Netanyahu’s camp appears to be growing as disagreements among the chareidi parties continue.

“If the chareidim continue with their unnecessary internal fights, we won’t succeed in passing anything that helps young chareidim. It’s simply intolerable,” officials close to the prime minister warned.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s proposal to replace the White House East Wing with a sprawling new ballroom and expanded underground security complex is drawing fresh scrutiny after a report suggested the true cost of the project may be far higher than figures previously cited by the administration.

Despite the criticism, Trump has repeatedly maintained that the project will be financed entirely through private contributions and will not cost American taxpayers.

During remarks in the Oval Office in late March, Trump outlined his vision for the development, which includes a large ballroom, enhanced medical capabilities, and fortified underground security infrastructure. He emphasized that taxpayers would not be funding the undertaking.

“We have no taxpayer putting up 10 cents” for it, Trump said at the time.

The president has publicly estimated the total cost at less than $400 million and said the funding would come from himself and other supporters of the project.

When the White House first unveiled the plan last July, officials described it as a $200 million project to be financed by Trump and “other patriot donors,” while indicating that the U.S. Secret Service would oversee security-related improvements.

However, documents reviewed by the Washington Post reportedly indicate a substantially larger budget estimate from the project’s primary contractor, Clark Construction.

According to those records, a March cost projection placed the overall price of the initiative at approximately $600 million, with financing expected to come from both private donors and federal agencies, including the Secret Service and the White House Military Office.

The administration rejected claims that public funds would be used to pay for the ballroom itself.

“The East Wing Modernization Project is inextricably tied to the security of the President, the White House grounds and the certain security infrastructure assets,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement to Newsmax.

“President Trump and generous American patriots are funding the ballroom to the tune of approximately $400 million, which will be a secure and appropriate venue for Presidents for generations to come,” he explained.

Ingle also argued that recent security threats underscore the need for the broader modernization effort.

“The events over the weekend and the foiled attempted attack on the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House proves exactly why the East Wing Modernization Project is severely needed for large scale events, which include drone-proof structures and drone ports among other critical security enhancements,” Ingle added.

According to the Post, internal government records show that administration officials explored the possibility of using federal money for portions of the project tied to security upgrades and site preparation.

One document cited in the report was a July 30 email from Caroline C. Hunter, general counsel in the White House Office of Administration, discussing revisions to contract language.

“We believe this edit is important to comply with fiscal law principles,” Hunter added.

The email reportedly stated that the language was adjusted “to tie the project more closely to security-related issues since USSS [U.S. Secret Service] is providing the funding.”

Trump himself has acknowledged that certain security components connected to the project would be paid for by government agencies.

While touring the construction site in May, the president said the ballroom and security infrastructure should be viewed as parts of a single integrated project.

“This is one well-knit building,” Trump told reporters. “One thing doesn’t work without the other.”

He also noted that some of the surrounding security work would be covered through existing budgets allocated to federal agencies.

“They have a budget in Secret Service and the military to do some of the work that you see right here,” Trump said.

Even so, Trump reiterated that taxpayers would not be responsible for funding the ballroom itself.

“This is a gift to the United States of America,” he said.

The controversy has also spilled onto Capitol Hill, where lawmakers have debated whether federal funds should be used for any portion of the project.

A measure supported by Lindsey Graham that would have provided $400 million for White House security and ballroom improvements ultimately failed after several Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing it.

Among those voting against the proposal was Susan Collins, who said Trump had made a clear commitment regarding the source of the funding.

Explaining her opposition to the measure, Collins told reporters that Trump “indicated that the ballroom was going to be built with private donations.”

“I think that’s the commitment that should be kept,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that they intend to pursue the death penalty against an Afghan national charged with carrying out a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., that left a National Guard soldier dead and another service member critically wounded.

The defendant, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, appeared in federal court for a hearing where prosecutors unveiled a sweeping new indictment containing additional charges that could make him eligible for capital punishment if convicted.

According to authorities, Lakanwal is accused of murdering West Virginia National Guard Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and seriously wounding U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe during an attack on Nov. 26, 2025.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Lakanwal was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair and dressed in an orange jail uniform. Observers reported that he frequently blinked, spoke to himself, and at times displayed a wide-eyed, vacant stare.

The updated indictment contains 17 charges, including first-degree premeditated murder of a National Guard member while armed, attempted murder of three additional individuals, assault with intent to kill, transporting a firearm across state lines in furtherance of a felony, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.

Prosecutors allege that Lakanwal used a stolen Smith & Wesson revolver to ambush Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, near the Farragut West Metro Station, just blocks from the White House. Both victims were reportedly shot in the head during the attack.

Lakanwal, a former member of Afghanistan’s special forces who later entered the United States as a refugee, could face execution if he is convicted on the most serious charges.

Authorities say the attack came to an end when two nearby National Guardsmen intervened, shooting and stabbing the suspect before taking him into custody.

Investigators further allege that Lakanwal traveled from Washington state to the nation’s capital with a stolen .357 Magnum revolver specifically to carry out the assault.

The original indictment included murder, assault, and firearms offenses, but those charges alone did not expose him to the possibility of the death penalty.

At the time, prosecutors indicated they planned to seek additional counts that could support a capital punishment case.

Beckstrom had reportedly volunteered to work that day so fellow Guard members with children could spend the holiday with their families.

She succumbed to her injuries the following day, Thanksgiving Day.

Lakanwal has entered a plea of not guilty and remains in federal custody as the case moves forward.

{Matzav.com}