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The man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence told authorities he was motivated by the governor’s alleged intentions toward Palestinians, newly released documents reveal.

According to a search warrant obtained by PennLive, Cody Balmer called 911 after carrying out the attack early Sunday morning, identified himself by name, and made a pointed statement directed at Shapiro during the call.

Court records show that Balmer, 38, claimed that Shapiro, who had participated in a Pesach Seder just hours before the incident, needed to understand that the caller “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”

During the emergency call, Balmer also reportedly declared, “You all know where to find me. I’m not hiding, and I will confess to everything that I had done,” according to the warrant.

Investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police say Balmer’s actions stemmed from what he perceived as injustices against Palestinians, and that he also targeted Shapiro because of the governor’s Jewish background.

Law enforcement officials allege Balmer broke into the historic governor’s mansion around 2 a.m. by climbing a fence and smashing a window with a hammer before throwing Molotov cocktails inside while Shapiro and his family were asleep.

Balmer later told police he made the firebombs using Heineken beer bottles and gasoline taken from a lawn mower. The Shapiro family escaped unharmed, but authorities said the attack caused millions of dollars in damage to the state-owned residence.

In a disturbing detail from the complaint, Balmer allegedly told investigators that had he found the governor inside the home, he would have assaulted him with the hammer.

Search warrants were also issued for Balmer’s residence, located at his parents’ home, as well as for a storage unit and his electronic devices, PennLive reported.

Though the investigation turned up no direct evidence referencing Shapiro, Palestine, or Israel in the storage unit, authorities continue to evaluate potential motivations.

Balmer has a criminal record and was already free on bail for an assault case at the time of the firebombing, in which he allegedly stomped on his son’s broken leg and assaulted his estranged wife.

Concerned about his worsening mental health, Balmer’s relatives tried to have him hospitalized in the days leading up to the incident.

His mother, Christie Balmer, told CBS News that her son was “mentally ill and he went off his medication” shortly before carrying out the attack.

Two days prior to the firebombing, she contacted police in Penbrook Borough after her son left their house and disappeared, hoping authorities could intervene.

Police reportedly informed her they were unable to act because he hadn’t made any explicit threats to himself or others—criteria required for involuntary psychiatric commitment under Pennsylvania law.

Investigators learned through search warrants that Balmer had wrapped his phone in aluminum foil before the attack, likely in an attempt to block signals.

After the incident, Balmer voluntarily turned himself in at Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Harrisburg on Sunday.

The next day, as he was escorted from a district courthouse, Balmer taunted media personnel by sticking out his tongue and making grotesque faces at photographers.

He now faces a slate of serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, burglary, and aggravated arson—offenses that together could result in up to 100 years in prison.

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has yet to confirm whether prosecutors will pursue ethnic intimidation charges, the state’s equivalent to a hate crime.

No injuries were reported from the fire, and Governor Shapiro issued a firm statement declaring that the attack would not deter him or his family.

“If he was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community, who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me on this: We celebrated our faith last night, proudly, and in a few hours, we will celebrate our second Seder of Passover,” Shapiro said following the attack.

{Matzav.com}

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, currently in Los Angeles for serious medical care, led a Chol Hamoed Pesach Tish last night, filled with music and singing. The Rebbe was joined by his sons, who are spending Pesach with the Rebbe. Following the Tish, the Rebbe Davened Maariv and recited Sefiras HaOmer. The Rebbe then gave Brachos to the many attendees who came to spend time with the Rebbe. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump has appointed Judge Matthew H. Solomson, a proud shomer Torah u’mitzvos whose bio notes his enjoyment of learning Gemara, as Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Judge Solomson, a Silver Spring, Maryland resident, is the first Orthodox Jew to be named chief judge on this prestigious federal bench. He is a regular kollel attendee at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and serves as a dean at the Tikvah Legal Fellowship, guiding aspiring Jewish lawyers in integrating Jewish and American ideals. “Of course, this appointment is a result of his legal acumen and record of excellence,” Nathan Diament, Executive Director of the OU Advocacy Center, told JNS. “But for Orthodox Jews across the country—especially young attorneys—it’s a powerful reminder that one can be deeply committed to Torah and reach the highest levels of public service.” Tevi Troy, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, echoed that sentiment, noting that Solomson “literally wrote the book” on federal claims litigation and has earned respect not just for his expertise but for his moral clarity. “He took a courageous stand against the antisemitic, pro-Hamas chaos on campuses,” Troy added. “He made clear he wouldn’t accept clerks from institutions that tolerate that behavior.” Writing on LinkedIn, Judge Solomson expressed gratitude to Hashem and to his wife, Lisa, saying, “As my family and I celebrate Pesach… I am reminded about the nature of true freedom.” He quoted Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who contrasted anarchy with the cheirus celebrated on Pesach—“a freedom that mirrors the ordered liberty of our miraculous Constitution.” Judge Solomson’s bio also reflects a uniquely Jewish-American journey: the son of a U.S. Army colonel, grandson of immigrants who came to America seeking opportunity and freedom, and now a federal judge entrusted with overseeing cases of justice between the citizen and the government. Outside the courtroom, Judge Solomson is known for his devotion to limud haTorah, his role as an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University – and his enjoyment of tennis and beach time with his family. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in a shocking arson attack on the first day of Pesach has now admitted to targeting the Democratic governor because of his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—and his Jewishness. According to newly unsealed search warrants obtained by PennLive, 38-year-old Cody Balmer told a 911 operator he lit the fire in protest of “what [Shapiro] wants to do to the Palestinian people.” Balmer also allegedly declared during the call, “You all know where to find me. I’m not hiding, and I will confess to everything that I had done.” State police confirmed the fire was politically and ideologically motivated, saying that Balmer “targeted Shapiro based upon perceived injustices to the people of Palestine” and his Jewish faith. The fire came just hours after Shapiro hosted a Pesach seder (of sorts) with his family inside the residence. Though the family was home at the time of the attack, they were able to evacuate, and no injuries were reported. Balmer has been charged with domestic terrorism, aggravated arson, attempted criminal homicide, and other felonies. He turned himself in to police Sunday, allegedly confessing in full. Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s first Jewish governor, has been vocal in his support for Israel. While he has not commented publicly on Balmer’s stated motives, his office confirmed the governor and his family are safe and cooperating with the ongoing investigation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

[Video below.] Joe Biden, during his first public appearance since leaving the White House, sparked backlash Tuesday by using the term “colored kids” while recounting a childhood memory that he said inspired his political journey.

Speaking about his family’s move from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, Biden, 82, remarked that prior to relocating, he had “never seen hardly any black people.” Recalling the experience, he said, “I was only going in fourth grade,” as he described a moment when his mother drove him to Catholic school. “And I remember seeing kids going by, at the time called ‘colored kids,’ on a bus go by — they never turned right to go to Claymont High School.”

Biden explained that discovering how black children were barred from attending the same schools as white children “sparked my sense of outrage as a kid.”

The remarks were delivered at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference in Chicago, where Biden primarily focused on defending Social Security.

“Social Security is more than a government program. It’s a sacred promise,” Biden said, using the opportunity to claim that Congressional Republicans want to “cut and gut” the system that supports millions of senior citizens.

“Who the h— do they think they are?” he exclaimed, visibly angered, though he quickly tempered his reaction. “I will not go further. I’ll get in trouble,” he added.

Throughout the nearly half-hour address, Biden avoided directly naming President Trump.

Nevertheless, he referenced ongoing narratives pushed by Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, regarding alleged fraud within Social Security.

“Those 300-year-old folk getting that Social Security, I want to meet them,” Biden quipped. “I’d like to figure out how they live that long.”

“H— of a thing, man. I’m looking for longevity,” he added.

The event didn’t begin smoothly. As Biden walked onstage, his microphone was drowned out by a booming Bruce Springsteen song, causing his initial comments to be inaudible.

At the conclusion of his speech, Biden lingered for a moment, scanning both sides of the platform before spotting the stairs, pointing toward them, and finally making his exit.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Politicians, celebrities, and even the Pentagon took to social media to share their well-intentioned Pesach greetings, and the confusion between Pesach, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat – and possibly Thanksgiving – was on full display. Leading the parade was Jewish actor William Shatner who wished his followers a “Happy Passover” with a picture of what seemed to be either two slices of sponge cake or inch-thick matzos sitting in front of a 10-branched menorah. Not seven. Not eight. Ten. Shatner may have explored strange new worlds in his sci-fi acting role, but clearly not the one where Pesach and Chanukah aren’t interchangeable. Rep. Andrew Garbarino followed up with his own Pesach confusion: a seven-branched menorah, a handful of matzahs so limp they started off gebrokts that are peeking out from under some mysterious herbs, half a dozen walnuts, and a cup of wine. Down in Florida, Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), who is Jewish, kept the trend alive with yet another menorah-centric “Passover” display. Apparently, for many of our elected officials, menorahs are now the universal Jewish holiday symbol – sadly, even for Jews. Meanwhile, Jewish actor Adam Sandler offered his own version of the ke’arah, which included matzah, flowers, and walnuts. The growing walnut obsession was also seen in Passover posts from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom shared photos of seder plates that looked more like a nut tasting tray at Whole Foods. Now, to be fair, many versions of charoses do contain walnuts—but when the entire seder plate is filled with nothing but walnuts, you have to wonder if anyone cracked open a Kitzur Shulchan Aruch before setting the table. U.S. Central Command also shared a headscratching Pesach post, though it had a ke’arah that appeared to be tzum zach – if you didn’t look too closely. On it were: shelled walnuts, a whole walnut shell, chickpeas, an egg, a drumstick, and a suspicious leafy green that may or may not be collard greens. It’s unclear which haggadah they were using, but it wasn’t Artscroll. Geert Wilders, the Dutch pro-Israel politician, chimed in with a seder plate featuring some rather peculiar items. It’s worth noting that according to Pew Research, Pesach is the most widely observed Jewish holiday in America, with 62% of Jews saying they attend a seder. One would hope that with such numbers, it wouldn’t be too hard to Google what goes on a seder plate. But alas, in the hands of pop culture and political PR teams, Pesach becomes an annual showcase of misplaced menorahs, matzah mishaps – and, for some reason, lots of walnuts. In the end, we’ll give them credit for trying. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

We need to talk about Ka’eileh. I know people like it, it’s fun. It’s the highlight of the Torah reading. But it isn’t benign–and I’m not talking about whether it’s a bizayon or if it’s fantastic because it makes people enjoy shul. I’m talking about something more serious and longer term. Allow me to explain. Judaism in every generation rests on the foundation of the generations that came before–and especially on the one that comes immediately before. This is true even in the text-based world in which we currently live. Despite the unchanging nature of text, Judaism remains dynamic because the arguments and pesakim that we find in the Gemara, Rishonim, Acharonim, teshuvos, and halachic works are shaped by the way halacha is practiced and Judaism is lived in each and every generation. The old is viewed in light of the current. The strong trend in halacha to try, however much possible, to justify a widespread action halachically reflects this dynamism. While sometimes we cannot justify a custom, which forces us to reject it, our first choice is always to subsume it within the pre-existing halachic system. New halachic categories are created, prior concepts are expanded upon, and precedents are set. Old piskei halacha and positions are understood in new ways. Why is this acceptable? Why are we ok with altering halacha based off of what people are doing? Shouldn’t halacha be pristine and untouched? Yes and no. While fealty to halacha is paramount, we view common practice not as an external force but an internal halachic one. It is considered another way to determine the true halacha. Why? Firstly, we assume that widespread adoption of a custom signifies acceptance of it by the rabbinic authorities of the time in which it began/spread. Additionally, the gemara grants legitimacy to common custom to clarify unclear laws (Pesachim 66a) or to determine laws that depend on people’s perceptions (such as in regards to some kinyanim). There is no doubt that this new practice has become widespread. Given its diametric opposition to the decorum we normally expect in shul and during krias hatorah, justifications will need to be given (and some already have been). And these new halachic ideas will function as precedents. But does this practice rest upon the strong supports that we noted above? Does it deserve to force halachic modifications? I don’t think so. Does “minhag ka’eileh”‘s widespread nature truly signify rabbinic acceptance? Unfortunately, in today’s world, making a general assumption like that about any new common practices wouldn’t be safe except in very specific communities. Regarding ka’eileh, the opposite is usually known to be true–it is usually viewed unfavorably even by those Rabbanim who feel they cannot directly confront it in their shuls. If a number of Rabbanim have come out in support of it, I’d be interested in hearing about it–I have generally heard it referred to only negatively. Similarly, the halachic/hashkafic preference vis-a-vis decorum in shul and during krias hatorah is hardly unclear. The general preference of how to act during krias hatorah is well established in general and, up until a few years ago, for the word ka’eileh as well. I know that there can be nice explanations for this new minhag. It can be presented with very real-sounding and inspiring vortlach. We can invent distinctions between […]

A federal criminal referral has been submitted against New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of mortgage fraud.

William Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), addressed the referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche. In the letter, he alleged that James manipulated documents to obtain mortgages for a Virginia home, falsely claiming it was her “principal residence” in 2023—while she was still acting as a state prosecutor in New York.

The alleged misconduct took place in late August of that year, just ahead of her high-profile civil case against the Trump Organization, which concluded with a $454 million ruling for inflating property valuations.

The letter also references James’ purchase of a Brooklyn building in 2001, which contains five residential units. However, she has “consistently misrepresented the same property as only having four units in both building permit applications and numerous mortgage documents and applications,” Pulte noted.

Pulte included documentation suggesting James and her father co-purchased another property years earlier, but on paperwork filed in 1983 and 2000, they were incorrectly described as “husband and wife.”

“While this was a long time ago, it raises serious concerns about the validity of Ms. James representations on mortgage applications,” Pulte stated in his letter.

In response, a representative for James dismissed the referral as politically motivated, saying, “Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies — no matter who they are.”

Pulte’s letter refers to previous media coverage first published by White Collar Fraud, which detailed similar allegations of misrepresentation related to her Virginia loan and Brooklyn property.

Legal documents show James gave power of attorney to Shamice Thompson-Hairston, a family member, enabling her to sign off on the Virginia real estate transaction dated August 17, 2023.

James secured a $218,780 loan to finalize that purchase.

According to Pulte, by listing the Brooklyn property as having only four units, James may have qualified for reduced interest rates and lower monthly payments under the federal HAMP program, potentially saving as much as one percentage point in interest.

“Ms. James, for both properties listed above, appears to have falsified records in order to meet certain lending requirements and receive favorable loan terms,” Pulte wrote to Bondi and Blanche.

Such conduct, he noted, could trigger a range of federal offenses, including wire fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, and knowingly submitting false information.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has referred New York Attorney General Letitia James for criminal prosecution, accusing her of mortgage fraud related to property purchases dating back decades. According to documents obtained by Fox News, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent a criminal referral to the Department of Justice, addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. FHFA Director William Pulte alleged that James falsified records to secure favorable loan terms for two properties. The first involves a Virginia property James allegedly claimed as her principal residence in 2023, despite serving as New York’s attorney general, a role requiring New York residency. The second concerns a Brooklyn property purchased in February 2001, which James reportedly misrepresented as a four-unit dwelling instead of a five-unit structure in mortgage and permit applications, potentially allowing her to obtain more favorable loan terms. Legal analyst Jonathan Turley, speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, described the allegations as “perfectly crushing” given James’ history of prosecuting Trump for similar financial misconduct. “This is a person who prosecuted Trump for… making false or misleading statements to financial institutions,” Turley said. “If we apply the Letitia James standard that she created, there’d be little question here.” He noted that the Supreme Court’s March 2025 ruling in Thompson emphasized the need for “knowing false statements” in such cases, adding that the documents appear “quite damning.” James has been a prominent adversary of Trump, leading a 2022 civil fraud lawsuit against him, the Trump Organization, and his adult children, which resulted in a $454 million judgment currently under appeal. She also celebrated Trump’s 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan criminal trial. In 2025, James has initiated at least five legal actions against the Trump administration, including lawsuits challenging the administration’s decision to restrict grant funding to universities and to limit the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s access to Treasury Department systems. The allegations, if pursued, could lead to charges such as wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, or making false statements to financial institutions. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump named an Orthodox Jewish judge, whose official bio notes his penchant for studying Gemara, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Per his official biography, Matthew H. Solomson, of Silver Spring, Md., “enjoys studying Talmud, playing tennis and spending time at the beach with his family.”

“It’s notable that Judge Solomson is the first Orthodox Jew to be appointed as chief judge of the federal court he is serving on,” Nathan Diament, executive director of Orthodox Union Advocacy, told JNS.

“Of course, that’s not the reason he was appointed,” Diament said. “He has a record of distinction on the Court of Federal Claims. But it’s a point of pride for the Orthodox Jewish community—and Orthodox attorneys in particular who can see ourselves rising to these heights.”

Trump designated Solomson, who holds a J.D. and an M.B.A. from University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University, on April 10.

Tevi Troy, a former U.S. deputy secretary of health and human services and author, most recently, of The Power and the Money about “epic clashes” between U.S. presidents and industry titans, told JNS that he was “thrilled” to hear about Solomson’s appointment as chief judge of the federal claims court.

“He literally wrote the book on the subject and is therefore the right man for the job from a technical standpoint,” Troy said.

“Beyond his knowledge of the subject, Judge Solomson also earned this elevation by taking a strong stand against pro-Hamas, anti-American civil terrorists wreaking havoc on our college campuses,” he said. “He bravely spoke out on the issue and also made it clear that schools that abided such behavior would not be welcome to send clerks to his courtroom.”

Troy added that personally, “it’s great to see a religious Jew, who is steeped in Jewish texts and comfortable in his observance, serving as the top judge in a federal court in this great land.”

“It shows how welcoming America is to those who embrace her, and it is something we can all be proud of,” he told JNS.

The judge wrote on LinkedIn that he is “deeply honored” by the appointment.

“The court, in one form or another, has been part of our great nation’s judicial landscape since 1855,” he wrote. “President Lincoln, discussing the court in his 1861 State of the Union message, correctly noted that ‘it is as much the duty of government to render prompt justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to administer the same, between private individuals.”

“Our court strives to live up to that maxim every day. Sometimes, that means a plaintiff prevails. Sometimes the government does. Either way, the people always win because, in this country, our government isn’t separate from the citizenry but rather is, in the immortal words of Lincoln, a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people,’” he added. “The court is merely their agent.”

Solomson wrote that he is “truly living the American dream,” which also belonged to his father, a retired U.S. Army colonel, and his mother, his grandparents and great-grandparents. All of them “worked hard and played by the rules, so that their future generations might succeed in this land of limitless opportunity,” the judge wrote.

He also thanked his wife of almost three decades, Lisa Solomson. “As my family and I celebrate Passover, commemorating the Exodus, I am reminded about the nature of true freedom,” he wrote. “The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks observed that ‘[a] world in which everyone is free to do what they like begins in anarchy and ends in tyranny.’”

“Passover celebrates a different concept of freedom—one that is remarkably similar to the ordered liberty embodied in our miraculous Constitution,” he added. “Having sworn an oath to uphold it, I am grateful to God that every day of service in the judiciary is truly a sacred duty.” (He also prayed in the post for the “immediate safe exodus ” of the hostages in Gaza.)

Solomson previously managed a team of lawyers, auditors and others as chief legal and compliance officer at an $11 billion federal contracting unit at a Fortune 50 healthcare company and was also the head of a group at Booz Allen Hamilton, per his bio.

He is an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University and is an active member of the kollel at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon.

Solomson is also dean of the Tikvah Legal Fellowship, which affords law students the opportunity “to study with world-class legal experts, receive personalized career coaching and join a community dedicated to Jewish and American ideals,” per its website. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Immigration authorities detained over 200 individuals living illegally in the U.S. during a sweeping operation last week across New York City and nearby regions, according to a report by the New York Post. The effort focused on removing dangerous criminals and gang-affiliated individuals from the streets.

Of the 206 people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies, 121 had prior convictions or pending charges involving violent and serious crimes, including murder, assault, child exploitation, arson, and a range of drug and firearms offenses.

Among those apprehended was Edimar Alejandra Colmenares Mendoza, who federal agents say is affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a notoriously violent gang from Venezuela. She was arrested at a Bronx apartment building that had already been raided by NYPD earlier this year in connection with gang activity.

Neighbors of the 22-year-old expressed relief at her removal, offering blunt reactions to her arrest.

“I’m just happy to be rid of her,” said Cataline Gonzalez, 42.

Gonzalez added that while the building might not appear upscale, it’s home to families and children trying to live normal lives. “We don’t need people coming from the outside and want to play by their own rules,” she said.

ICE noted that several of the arrested individuals had previously been released because local jurisdictions declined to cooperate with immigration detainers, in accordance with New York City’s sanctuary policies. One of the arrestees had a murder conviction from the Philippines.

Due to sanctuary city restrictions, NYPD officers are barred from coordinating with ICE unless there is a judicial order authorizing a detainer.

In addition to the Tren de Aragua suspect, ICE reported arrests of members from other dangerous gangs, including MS-13, the 18th Street gang, and Sureños. The operation, described as an “enhanced enforcement effort,” aimed at targeting those with the most serious criminal backgrounds in high-crime areas.

“Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around the city of New York,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

Some of the most notable arrests include:

Colmenares Mendoza, previously charged with conspiracy, larceny, and possession of stolen goods.
Camilo Cesar Gonzales-Encalada, a 23-year-old from Spain linked to the Sureños gang, with convictions for assault, possession of a loaded firearm, and drug-related charges.
Alexander Steven Jimbo-Perez, a 25-year-old Ecuadorian national, who had been arrested on charges including assault, endangering a minor, theft, and physical harassment.
Marcos Tul-Guallpa, a 39-year-old from Guatemala, was taken into custody following his arrest for abuse of a minor under 17.
Derrick Alphonso Roberts, a 60-year-old Jamaican national, has a history of serious convictions including manslaughter, drug possession, threats of terrorism, and child corruption.
Luis Olmedo Quishpi-Poalasin, 35, an Ecuadorian citizen, faced a litany of criminal charges including sexual misconduct with a person unable to consent, witness tampering, and aggravated harassment.

At the building on Dekalb Avenue in the Bronx where Colmenares Mendoza was apprehended, residents recalled seeing her often in the company of another young woman and several young men. They suspected the group lived together in a second-floor apartment of the six-story complex.

Locals remembered the earlier police raid on suspected gang members in the same building, tied to gun-related offenses.

A woman who lives in the building told The Post, “If that’s the girl I’m thinking of, she was this tiny girl, almost looked like a kid, and there was another girl about the same size, and they were together all the time. They didn’t make any trouble that I saw. Occasionally I’d see them smoke, but that was about it.”

Despite some viewing her as low-profile, other residents were relieved to see her taken into custody.

“I’m glad they caught her and are sending her back to where she came from,” said Oscar Agosto, 59, who frequently visits his elderly mother in the building. “It’s very scary that a person like this should be living in an apartment so close to my mother, who’s in her 80s and helpless.”

Agosto added, “People like [Colmenares Mendoza] have no moral compass. If she needed money and knew there was an elderly person living here, she’d have no problem just breaking in and stealing from her.”

The large-scale sweep, coordinated by ICE, extended beyond the five boroughs into Long Island and parts of the Lower Hudson Valley.

“The success of this enhanced operation highlights the resolve of ICE and our federal partners in keeping our country safe from violent criminal aliens,” said Judith Almodovar, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York City.

Almodovar emphasized that many of those arrested had serious charges, including offenses involving assaults on children.

This enforcement initiative follows previous crackdowns by federal authorities in New York. Just weeks ago, ICE detained more than 150 other illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.

In another sweep last month, 133 individuals were taken into custody — among them three convicted murderers, including a 49-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, a 32-year-old from El Salvador, and a 70-year-old from the Dominican Republic.

Back in January, roughly 30 illegal migrants were rounded up during a separate operation attended by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. That effort included the arrest of a suspected leader from Tren de Aragua.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump has reached his highest approval rating since taking office, according to a new poll, signaling a major boost in public support, Breitbart reports.

The survey, conducted between April 10 and 14 among 1,002 registered voters, shows Trump with a 54 percent approval rating, while 46 percent disapprove. This marks a five-point increase since late March and ties his best performance in this particular poll for the year.

The polling period coincided with recent volatility in the stock market, which followed Trump’s implementation of increased tariffs—an economic move he campaigned on. The strategy appears to have prompted numerous foreign governments to begin trade discussions with the U.S.

“For all the events of the past ten days, we find the President’s approval rating unchanged and now at its joint highest ever,” pollster James Johnson told the Daily Mail.

Johnson added, “Among the noise and criticism, there does seem to be a simple truth. The more coverage there is of Trump’s changes, the more voters reward him for what they see as the pace and purpose that many of them voted for.”

The DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll also showed strong support for Trump among younger voters, with 64 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29 expressing approval. Those aged 65 and older showed 54 percent support, while voters aged 30 to 49 and 50 to 64 approved at rates of 52 and 51 percent, respectively.

Among Hispanic voters, 46 percent approved of the president’s performance, compared to 43 percent who disapproved.

Independent voters also leaned positive, with 48 percent approving of the job Trump is doing.

The most significant takeaway from the poll isn’t just the numbers themselves, but the direction they’re heading. Despite constant media attacks over his tariff policies, the market reaction, deportation actions, and other headline controversies like the so-called SignalGate incident, public opinion has shifted in Trump’s favor. Ordinary Americans appear to be tuning out legacy media narratives, which are increasingly seen as biased and unreliable.

Back in early March, the same poll showed Trump trailing in approval by two points—49 percent approval to 51 percent disapproval. He now leads by eight points. Additionally, the last three surveys included in the RealClearPolitics average all show Trump with a positive approval margin, despite sustained media opposition during their respective polling windows.

{Matzav.com}

Andrew Cuomo’s effort to return to political office as New York City Mayor took a significant blow after he was denied over $4 million in public matching funds, according to a report in the New York Post.

“Last Friday, the campaign was informed by the campaign finance board that, due to a technical software error, contributions collected on one of our vendor platforms, NGP, were missing one of the fields required by the Campaign Finance Board, and so while we met the thresholds necessary to receive matching funds, the campaign had to remedy this technical matter,” campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told the outlet.

Azzopardi emphasized that the issue had since been corrected. “We have since fully addressed the software issue and have complied with all requirements and will be submitting the proper documentation to the Board within the one week grace period the board allows to remedy technical issues to receive our eligible matching funds on May 12.”

As outlined by the Post, Cuomo’s team lost out on a total of $4,174,643.75 in matching funds for $332,350 in contributions, due to the missing information. Under New York City’s system, qualifying donations from city residents are matched at an 8-to-1 ratio, up to $2,150 per donor, a measure designed to level the playing field for less wealthy candidates.

The Campaign Finance Board came to its decision early Tuesday, just days after Cuomo’s campaign scrambled to fix the problem by urging supporters via email to quickly complete and return required documentation in order to qualify for the funding, the Post said.

The subject line of the campaign’s urgent email read: “Urgent – Action Required” and highlighted the importance of immediate action. “THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT,” it said.

The message continued: “We need you to complete the form included in this additional email, TODAY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. We apologize for the inconvenience, but it is critical that we get these forms back as soon as possible,” according to the report.

To date, Cuomo’s mayoral bid has pulled in about $2.5 million in contributions, not including the millions collected by a separate super PAC backing his run. Recent polling shows Cuomo leading in the race to unseat current Mayor Eric Adams.

{Matzav.com}

Journalist Trey Yingst reported that Hamas has allegedly lost contact with the cell responsible for holding American hostage Edan Alexander, citing statements made by the group’s spokesperson.

“Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida says that contact with the group holding American citizen Edan Alexander was lost following an Israeli airstrike,” Yingst posted on X.

Yingst added that “no additional evidence or information was provided” to back the assertion and reminded readers that “In the past, Hamas has lied about the conditions of hostages they kidnapped.”

Hamas has a record of spreading false information regarding hostages. For example, near the end of 2023, the group said that Chana Katzir had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, but she was later freed as part of the November 2023 hostage release agreement.

In another instance, Hamas claimed that Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (10 months), were also killed in an Israeli bombing. However, when their remains were returned to Israel in February 2025, forensic teams concluded that the three had been murdered not long after the war began and were already deceased by the time of the November 2023 deal. The investigation further revealed that the terrorists had brutally murdered them by hand—not in an airstrike, as Hamas had claimed.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir delivered remarks on Tuesday during a Pesach-related event held near the Me’aras Hamachpeilah in Chevron, where he addressed the arrest of a Shin Bet agent accused of providing confidential information to journalists Amit Segal and Shirit Avitan, as well as to Minister Amichai Chikli.

“We are in times that are not always simple. Today we heard that there are elements in the Shin Bet who continue to try to carry out a targeted elimination against me, to replace an elected government. There is an Attorney General who doesn’t like the elections – but you, the people, you decide,” Ben Gvir said to the large crowd gathered for the celebration.

Earlier in the day, Ben Gvir appeared at the Lod District Court with Chikli for a hearing concerning the detention of the Shin Bet agent, referred to as A. The operative’s legal team requested that his remand be shortened, but the judges denied the appeal, ruling that the suspect would remain in custody through at least Wednesday.

Prior to the court session, Ben Gvir posted on X, criticizing Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. “A glimpse into the character of Ronen Bar: a man who could have prevented the October 7 massacre if he had woken up the Prime Minister. Instead of resigning and hiding in shame, he clings to his seat and engages in stitching up political cases under a security guise.”

Ben Gvir ended his post with a sharp rebuke: “This is not a Shin Bet chief, this is a mafia boss.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

[Full video below.] President Joe Biden broke his post-White House silence with a sharp critique of how the Trump administration has approached Social Security, warning that its policies are threatening the program and those who rely on it.

During a half-hour speech delivered Tuesday to a gathering of disability rights advocates, Biden, speaking in a measured and subdued tone, refrained from naming President Donald Trump explicitly. Instead, he referred to him obliquely as “this guy,” and avoided launching into a direct and fiery attack.

Instead, Biden took a broader view, suggesting the Trump presidency had already left significant damage in its wake. “In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has made so much … damage and so much destruction. It’s kind of breathtaking,” he said.

He lamented the polarization gripping the country. “We can’t go on like this as a divided nation, as divided as we are. Like I said, I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s never been this divided,” Biden stated. “Granted, it’s roughly 30%, but it’s a 30% that has no heart.”

Biden didn’t clarify which demographic he was referring to with the 30% remark, leaving the audience to interpret it on their own.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung wasted no time in firing back, blasting Biden’s performance and cognitive state. “His incoherent speech” revealed a “feeble mind” in “rapid decline to new lows,” Cheung said in a harsh statement.

Cheung further defended Trump’s record on the issue, stating, “President Trump has repeatedly promised to protect Social Security and ensure higher take-home pay for seniors by ending the taxation of Social Security benefits. Anybody saying otherwise is either stupid or an all-out liar, or both in Biden’s case.”

Following the 2024 election, Trump had told NBC News that he wouldn’t cut Social Security, apart from trying to improve its efficiency. Nevertheless, since Trump assumed office, the program saw significant staff reductions under Elon Musk’s oversight. Musk stirred additional controversy when he referred to Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”

Biden pointed to that comment during his address. “We heard others, empowered and emboldened by this administration, talk about Social Security; one of them called it a Ponzi scheme,” Biden said. “A Ponzi scheme — what the hell are they talking about? People earn these benefits. They paid into that benefit. They rely on that benefit. And no one, no one, no one should take it away.”

He also directed criticism at Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — though he didn’t name him — suggesting that the secretary was disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Americans. Biden referenced Lutnick’s past remarks about his mother-in-law being indifferent to missing a Social Security payment.

“The current secretary of commerce doesn’t seem to get it, or based on his comments, he doesn’t seem to even care,” Biden said. “He said his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain. Wouldn’t bother her. She’s probably a lovely woman. No kidding. Her son-in-law is a billionaire. What about that 94-year-old mother living all by herself? Don’t have a billionaire in the family. All the retirees who depend on that monthly check to feed themselves. All those people with disabilities have no other source. What about all those?”

Even though Trump has routinely used his platform to ridicule Biden, Tuesday marked the first time Biden had made a public appearance since stepping down on January 20. Still, he made no effort to defend his own record or revisit his administration’s achievements.

Biden’s delivery was so soft that audience members stayed still and silent in order to catch his words, highlighting the contrast between his quiet tone and the event’s emotional stakes.

Soon after the event, Trump posted a video clip on Truth Social of Biden speaking during the event, including the line, “I had never seen, I’d never seen hardly any Black people in Scranton at the time, and I was only going on fourth grade. And I remember seeing the kids going by — at the time, called colored kids — on a bus going by.”

The video, however, left out Biden’s follow-up remark, where he said seeing the segregated school bus “sparked his outrage” and fueled his decision to get involved in politics.

Trump frequently slams Biden, once branding him “the worst president in American history.” He often claims the Biden presidency left a trail of chaos, particularly when it comes to border enforcement. During the early stretch of his renewed term, Trump blamed Biden for economic sluggishness — although his own unpredictable tariff strategy would later cause market volatility.

Biden delivered Tuesday’s speech at the Sofitel Hotel along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, addressing attendees of the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference. The gathering focused on safeguarding Social Security amid concerns that Trump’s proposed restructuring could jeopardize support for many Americans.

While Biden previously addressed the National High Schools Model United Nations last month, that event was closed to the press and received little attention.

Biden, now 82, departed from public office amid growing rifts within his own party, which urged him to drop his re-election bid after a widely criticized debate against Trump in June. During that debate, Biden’s halting performance raised fresh doubts about his cognitive health.

Kamala Harris, then serving as Biden’s vice president, stepped in to claim the Democratic nomination and launched an intense 107-day campaign against Trump. Despite breaking fundraising records and energizing parts of the base, Harris ultimately fell short, losing both the popular vote and every battleground state.

In a January interview, Biden said he still believed he could have defeated Trump had he chosen to run again — though he also conceded to USA Today that he wasn’t sure he could have finished another term.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Anthony Scaramucci, who infamously served as President Donald Trump’s White House communications director for just 10 days in 2017, is once again sounding the alarm on his former boss—this time over Trump’s trade policy. In a new interview with the Financial Times, Scaramucci slammed the president’s tariffs, calling them “the stupidest economic policy that the United States has ever come up with.”

Scaramucci accused the president of wanting to “end the global trading system and weaken the US.”

Since his stint in the White House, Scaramucci, the founder of the investment firm SkyBridge Capital, has become an outspoken critic of Trump, endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Speaking with the Financial Times, he said that Trump’s penchant for retribution has scared top banking and finance executives into silence, even as the administration’s whiplash rollout (and rollback) of its tariffs continues to rattle global markets. “They’re afraid of him… They don’t want to end up with any legal action against their bank or their family. And they’ve been told by their boards: keep your mouth shut,” Scaramucci said. Read more at the Financial Times.

{Matzav.com}

Jimmy Kimmel said that liberals “who’ve done such a good job of viciously attacking comedians” are a “big part” of why Donald Trump won the 2024 election. In an interview with Rolling Stone published Tuesday, Kimmel explained that he doesn’t “put limits” on what he can laugh at, and thinks that much of the outrage at jokes is often “completely manufactured.”

“A lot of these people who are angry aren’t really angry,” he said. “I think these liberals who’ve done such a good job of viciously attacking comedians are a big part of the reason why Trump is the president right now.” He added that there is “no black and white” when it comes to comedy and that “the line” is different for everyone.

“I don’t think anybody should be canceled. I really don’t,” he said.

Kimmel also said another major reason he thinks Trump won is because he was “so much more famous” than Kamala Harris. “He is a celebrity. He is a star. He is the most famous person in the world. And it’s hard to compete with that,” he said.

Kimmel has been very publicly critical of Trump over the years on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2024, Trump called Kimmel a “FOOL” and the “WORST HOST EVER OF THE ONCE VAUNTED ACADEMY AWARDS” on Truth Social after the comedian, who was hosting the event, tore into Trump’s scandals. Read more at The Hill.

{Matzav.com}

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Hundreds of Orthodox Jews crowded into Linden, NJ’s City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, during Chol Hamoed Pesach, to protest a series of proposed ordinances that community members say unfairly target and restrict the growth of the Orthodox Jewish population in the city. Men and boys, many dressed in Yom Tov clothing, arrived in packed buses and cars, filling the municipal building beyond capacity. The meeting room quickly became overcrowded, with many people turned away at the door. The meeting, which included second readings on several proposed zoning changes, concluded without a vote—adjourned in the face of the overwhelming turnout from the community. While Linden had seen no changes to its zoning regulations for decades, residents note that since Orthodox families—primarily Chassidic—began moving into the area approximately seven and a half years ago, at least four ordinances have been passed. In each case, the changes have had a direct and disproportionate impact on the Orthodox community and its religious institutions. The most glaring example came after the city approved its first shul. In response, officials amended the zoning code that required a minimum lot size of 25,000 square feet to build a house of worship, increasing it to 75,000. It has since been increased again to 90,000 square feet—far larger than any available lots in Linden. Additionally, a separate ordinance was passed banning the combining of lots, closing off a potential workaround. Another ordinance reduced the buildable area of residential lots from 40% to 30%, and even less for larger parcels. This, residents argue, was clearly aimed at preventing shul construction, which often requires more building space and specific configurations. The latest set of proposed ordinances, discussed during Tuesday’s meeting, continues that trend. One would prohibit the use of residential basements for any purpose—including sanitary uses such as bathrooms, mikvaos, or kitchens. Another would require that all homes include garages and a single narrow driveway, a zoning decision that community members say is designed to complicate the construction of practical multi-bedroom homes for large families. In addition, the city is considering reducing the total allowable square footage that can be built on any given lot. These changes not only limit the functionality of new homes, but also devalue existing properties, causing concern among residents who have invested in the area. The protests come against the backdrop of a high-profile lawsuit involving Mayor Derek Armstead. The lawsuit, filed last year by Paul Oliveira, former Assistant Superintendent of Academics for the Linden Board of Education, alleges that Armstead and other officials orchestrated an antisemitic hiring scheme aimed at preventing Orthodox Jews from gaining employment within the school district. According to the complaint, Mayor Armstead was recorded saying that “this is what has to happen to keep our community from being taken over by guys with big hats and curls.” Other comments attributed to the mayor and school officials reference attempts to determine race and religion by last names and to exert full control over hiring decisions. Mayor Armstead has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a political attack and describing the recorded comments as a “poor choice of words.” He has also framed the zoning ordinances as efforts to “preserve neighborhood character.” However, community members note the inconsistency between that claim and the city’s push to build high-rise multifamily housing for low-income residents […]