Matzav

Over 10,000 pages of previously classified records concerning the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy have now been made available to the public, following a declassification order by President Trump.

These once-hidden materials, which had been stored in the National Archives, were released under the supervision of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

“Lifting the veil on the RFK papers is a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government,” said the late senator’s son, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I commend President Trump for his courage and his commitment to transparency. I’m grateful also to Tulsi Gabbard for her dogged efforts to root out and declassify these documents.”

Robert F. Kennedy, then a senator from New York, was gunned down by 24-year-old Sirhan Sirhan shortly after delivering a victory speech at Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel, celebrating his win in the California Democratic primary.

At just 42, Kennedy was considered a frontrunner for the presidency and seen by many as a symbol of a potential return of the Kennedy legacy to the White House.

Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian who immigrated to the United States as a child, would later explain his motive by citing anger over American support for Israel.

“Robert Kennedy would not have waited for me to lick his boots, nevermind to persuade him to stop sending Phantom jets and arms to kill my countrymen with,” Sirhan said in a 1980 prison recording. “He used his influence. He used his power, used his authority to kill people by words rather than by his hands.”

Though Sirhan was convicted, his legal representation once asserted he had been set up.

RFK Jr., who entered last year’s presidential race as a Democrat opposing Joe Biden before launching an independent bid and eventually endorsing Trump, has expressed longstanding doubts about the official version of events.

He said he wasn’t certain Sirhan was the person who fatally shot his father and visited the convicted killer in prison in 2018 to examine the case more closely.

“I got to a place where I had to see Sirhan,’’ he said in a Washington Post interview that same year. “I went [to the prison] because I was curious and disturbed by what I had seen in the evidence.”

“I was disturbed that the wrong person might have been convicted of killing my father,” RFK Jr. added, saying he had reviewed forensic documents, autopsy results, and had conversations with people who were there that night.

“My father was the chief law-enforcement officer in this country. I think it would have disturbed him if somebody was put in jail for a crime they didn’t commit.”

Gabbard, who managed the declassification process, has also broken with her former party. A past Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, she ran for the presidency in 2020 on a platform centered around ending U.S. military interventions. She, too, threw her support behind Trump last year.

Officials familiar with the archive release said prior to publication that there didn’t appear to be any explosive revelations in the documents.

President Trump issued the order to declassify these RFK-related files on January 23, along with records tied to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and the killing of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. The MLK documents have not yet been released.

{Matzav.com}

A recent set of surveys from YouGov reveals that Barack Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson are among the political figures who continue to enjoy substantial public approval.

In a poll focused on Democratic leaders, 58 percent of participants said they had either a “very favorable” or “somewhat favorable” opinion of Obama. Conversely, 36 percent expressed a “somewhat unfavorable” or “very unfavorable” view, putting the net approval gap at 22 points—the largest margin among those listed in the poll.

Senator Sanders also scored well, with half of those surveyed reporting a favorable impression of the Vermont lawmaker. Meanwhile, 38 percent said they saw him in a negative light, giving him a 12-point edge in favorability. Sanders is aligned with the Democrats though he is officially an independent.

Both Obama and Sanders have been openly critical of the Trump administration’s actions since it began its current term. Sanders, in particular, has drawn thousands to rallies held across states like Montana and Idaho as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” speaking tour alongside Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

A separate YouGov poll examining Republican leaders found that 35 percent of respondents felt positively about Carson, who served under President Trump as secretary of Housing and Urban Development. On the other hand, 29 percent held a negative view of him, creating a 6-point favorability margin—the widest among Republican figures surveyed.

Carson officially backed Trump’s latest presidential run at the end of 2023, making clear his support for the president’s platform.

“Donald Trump believes in our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms,” Carson said at the time. “So we can fix our country, and we can make America great again. And President Donald J. Trump is the person to do that.”

The Democratic-focused YouGov survey was conducted from March 19 to March 22 with 2,285 people participating. Its margin of error is ±2.8 percentage points. The Republican survey followed shortly after, taking place March 21 to 24, with 2,260 respondents and the same margin of error.

{Matzav.com}

During a press briefing from the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump spoke about the passing of President Carter, commenting that he “died a happy man.”

President Carter, who passed away in December 2024, held the record as the oldest living president in American history. Widely respected across the political spectrum, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his dedication to human rights causes.

“Jimmy Carter died a happy man. You know why? Because he wasn’t the worst president, Joe Biden was,” Trump told reporters.

The president’s remarks came as he discussed his new tariff strategy, which he described as “reciprocal.” He said the initiative would lead to major economic gains and stand in contrast to the performance of past administrations.

“I think you’re going to see some fantastic numbers when this whole thing happens. It’s happening,” he said.

Trump also mentioned that multiple nations had reached out to explore trade agreements with the U.S., signaling a global interest in his administration’s economic policies.

“Now, everybody wants to make a deal, and if they don’t want to make a deal, well, make the deal for him because that’s what’s going to happen,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in Washington on Thursday, working to represent the European Union in discussions surrounding the White House’s recently announced 20 percent tariffs on EU imports.

The European Union is currently subject to a 10 percent tariff on its exports to the United States as a result of a 90-day freeze on certain trade duties. However, EU officials have expressed optimism about finding common ground with the U.S. administration soon.

International economists and business leaders have expressed concern over the broader implications of the tariffs, particularly whether the American manufacturing sector is equipped to scale production quickly enough to satisfy demand.

Trump, however, defended the moves as essential corrections to past trade imbalances that he said disadvantaged the U.S.

“I think we’re going to do even better this time because you will see that the numbers that we’re taking in are astronomical, we’re taking in a tremendous amount of money with the tariffs,” the president told reporters.

“We were treated very unfairly and the countries are having a hard time getting used to the fact that they can’t do that to us anymore because we have a real president. We have a president that understands what it’s all about,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Two Jewish organizations have officially announced they’ll be hosting events with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during his upcoming visit to the United States—his first since taking on the role.

Ben-Gvir’s appointment to Israel’s cabinet in 2022 sparked backlash from the Biden administration, which reportedly considered barring him from entering the U.S., while numerous American Jewish groups denounced his political stance. His Jewish Power party has drawn controversy for its hardline views, including support for removing “disloyal” Palestinians, pushing for the annexation of the West Bank, and escalating the conflict in Gaza.

This week, many mainstream Jewish groups said they had not been informed of Ben-Gvir’s trip or had no intention of engaging with him. Organizations once linked to his visit have distanced themselves from arranging it.

Despite the silence from larger institutions, Shabtai, a Jewish student society at Yale University founded in part by Senator Cory Booker, has scheduled two events featuring Ben-Gvir—one on the Yale campus on April 23 and another the following day in Manhattan. These talks coincide with Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Shabtai confirmed that the Yale event will include students and faculty, while the Manhattan gathering is expected to draw guests like “federal judges, bankers, Columbia/NYU professors, and NYC notables that care about Israel,” according to the group’s director. The focus of the second event will be “securing Israel post-October 7th.”

Later that same day, Chabad of Hebron is hosting a fundraiser in Brooklyn featuring Ben-Gvir. Bais Shmuel Chabad in Crown Heights is promoting a $36-a-ticket event offering attendees an “open panel discussion” with Ben-Gvir, advertising a chance to hear insider perspectives on “the fight for Jewish sovereignty over all the Land of Israel.”

Before the public announcement, a Chabad representative told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) that the wider Chabad movement, which operates with local autonomy, had no knowledge of any plans involving Ben-Gvir.

Rabbi Shmully Hecht, a founder of Shabtai and its current rabbinic advisor, expressed pride in welcoming Ben-Gvir.

“Shabtai believes in free discourse and hosts speakers with a variety of views on American politics, business, ethics, religion, literature, the arts and more. We promote Judaism and free speech. It’s Talmudic,” he wrote to JTA.

Hecht, who also established Yale’s Chabad center, voiced open admiration for the minister. “I admire Ben-Gvir,” he stated, comparing him favorably to Senators Booker and Blumenthal. “Itamar promotes what he believes is best for his people that democratically elected him.”

Hecht praised Meir Kahane as well, the radical rabbi whom Ben-Gvir often cites as an inspiration. “Ben-Gvir, like Meir Kahane, warned Israelis, the Jewish people, and the West of the dangers of Radical Islam and the Jihadists,” Hecht wrote. “Sadly they have been rejected by naïve liberals who delusionally presume Westerners can make peace with the likes of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian Mullahs. Oct 7th must be the last war of Israel. Only bold, resolute leaders like Ben Gvir can assure same.”

Although the Biden administration sanctioned settler groups tied to Ben-Gvir’s ideological platform, President Trump has revoked those restrictions and voiced support for some of Ben-Gvir’s stances on Gaza, potentially paving the way for a more favorable reception during the trip. One person reportedly accompanying Ben-Gvir is Akiva Hacohen, a U.S.-born settler convicted in 2013 of relaying Israeli military intel to defend unauthorized outposts.

To critics of Ben-Gvir, his itinerary highlights a concerning shift in the mainstreaming of far-right rhetoric.

“Mobilizing against Ben-Gvir is mobilizing against extremism,” said Offir Gutelzon, a leader of UnXeptable, an activist group of Israelis living in the U.S. The organization is preparing a protest near the Upper East Side event on Thursday.

In a statement, the group said, “As Israelis in America and as American Jews, we believe this visit requires a clear, clarion call: Itamar Ben-Gvir is not welcome in our community.

“He is not welcome in our country. He does not represent us as Jews or as Israelis. We steadfastly oppose his dark vision for Judaism, Israel and for the Middle East.”

The open letter has been endorsed by progressive Jewish organizations and activists, including the Union for Reform Judaism, J Street, the New York Jewish Agenda, We Are All Hostages, and multiple families of Israeli hostages.

According to Israeli media, Ben-Gvir’s visit will include stops in Miami, New York City, and Washington, D.C. A meeting once expected to take place with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has since been removed from the agenda, Haaretz reported. Homeland Security did not respond to JTA’s inquiry.

Apart from the few confirmed appearances, details on the rest of the trip remain limited. Most prominent Jewish institutions said they had not been contacted or had no plans to meet with Ben-Gvir.

Spokespeople for the ADL, AJC, Jewish Federations of North America, and the Conference of Presidents all said they would not be engaging with Ben-Gvir. Three of them noted they hadn’t even received a request for a meeting.

In contrast, two years ago, some of these groups privately met with Bezalel Smotrich, another right-wing Israeli minister, during his trip to the U.S.—a meeting that caused friction with other Jewish groups once it became public. Smotrich made another visit recently to confer with Trump’s Treasury secretary.

The only confirmed events feature organizations known for giving a platform to politically charged figures.

Shabtai, founded in the 1990s and previously called the Chai Society and Eliezer, has hosted an eclectic mix of voices—from Israeli Supreme Court justices and far-right MK Simcha Rothman to Anthony Scaramucci and anti-Zionist blogger Philip Weiss. Even Senator Booker himself spoke there in 2022. Shabtai drew attention in the 2024 GOP primary when one of its past members, Vivek Ramaswamy, ran for president with a proposal to cut U.S. aid to Israel.

Hecht, who collaborated closely with Booker in Shabtai’s early days, did not receive a response from the senator’s office when reaching out about Ben-Gvir’s planned appearance. Booker has previously criticized Netanyahu’s coalition—Ben-Gvir included—as “ultra-right-wing.”

Other participants in the Brooklyn fundraiser include Yishai Fleisher, an Israeli podcaster and proponent of Jewish aliyah, and Rabbi Danny Cohen, who heads Chabad of Hebron.

Some in the Chabad community voiced concern over the event.

“I was very disappointed in this community specifically,” said Tzofiah Frieden, a Crown Heights-based Chabad artist and progressive voice on social media. She told JTA that the gathering contradicted what she viewed as the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who avoided political entanglement. Hosting Ben-Gvir, she added, was “against the values of what we should be promoting as Chabad.”

Frieden noted that Crown Heights has been trending more politically conservative in recent years. She suspects many residents support a one-state solution with Jewish majority rule but might not fully grasp Ben-Gvir’s background or ideology.

“A lot of the very frum people who live in Crown Heights are not super politically aware,” she said. “From what they’re aware of, he wants a united Israel, he wants a one-state solution. And I don’t know that they would be aware of the history of Kahanism.”

Meanwhile, Betar US—a controversial youth movement known for provoking confrontation both in person and online—posted and then deleted a tweet announcing it would be welcoming Ben-Gvir to the U.S. and hosting events for him in New York, Washington, and Miami.

In that tweet, Betar said it would “warmly welcome a leader of the Israeli government Itamar Ben Gvir on his first trip to the US next week,” and expressed its intention to “host events warmly in DC, NY and Miami.”

Betar, which has also called for mass Jewish immigration to Israel and urged banning progressive Jews from entering the country, immediately came under fire from Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres, who is considering a gubernatorial run.

“There is no universe in which I would ever grant an audience to an extremist like Ben Gvir or any organization like yours that embraces his extremism,” Torres responded. “If you had done your homework, you would [have] known that I have nothing but contempt for [Ben-]Gvir.”

Initially, Betar claimed it was co-hosting the visit with the Zionist Organization of America. But when asked, ZOA President Mort Klein denied giving his approval to host Ben-Gvir, though he did not clarify his personal opinion.

Soon after, Betar deleted the tweet and appeared to retract its original claim. When contacted again, the group didn’t confirm any events of their own with the minister.

“Betar US supports all israeli government ministers at this time as they travel,” a representative said. “We are pleased the mainstream Zionist and Jewish community will welcome the minister to America during his visit.”

{Matzav.com}

The United States transferred convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana to Indian custody last week, allowing him to face prosecution for his suspected involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead, including six Jews at the Chabad center.

Rana, age 64, is wanted in India on multiple charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorist activity, forgery, and for allegedly being affiliated with the Islamist extremist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). He had been resisting extradition in U.S. courts for the past five years.

According to Indian investigators, Rana played a key role in enabling LeT operatives to move freely through Mumbai to conduct reconnaissance before the deadly attacks. Authorities claim Rana helped establish a new location for his immigration consultancy in Mumbai and hired a childhood friend tied to LeT to manage the office, even though the individual had no relevant qualifications.

In late November 2008, LeT militants arrived by boat and unleashed coordinated assaults at a dozen sites across Mumbai. Gunmen opened fire and threw grenades at civilians at the main train terminal, sprayed bullets at patrons inside popular restaurants, and carried out a brutal assault on the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Indian officials say Rana’s company was used as a front, with forged documentation provided to facilitate LeT’s entry and movements.

Among the targets was a Chabad House, where terrorists murdered six individuals in cold blood. The victims included Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, originally from Brooklyn, his pregnant wife Rivka, Rabbi Leibish Teitelbaum of New York, Rabbi Bentzion Kruman who held dual Israeli-American citizenship, Israeli citizen Yocheved Orpaz, and Norma Shvarzblat Rabinovich from Mexico. Their bodies were later laid to rest on Har Hazeisim in Yerushalayim.

The Holtzbergs’ two-year-old son Moshe miraculously survived after being spirited away by his nanny and was later brought to Israel. His older brother, who had not been in India during the attack, tragically died from Tay-Sachs disease, CNN reported.

Court proceedings revealed chilling motivations for the assault on the Jewish site. One of the captured terrorists testified that the attackers believed the Chabad center was “used as a front for the Mossad,” according to NBC News. Intelligence also surfaced that LeT had planned similar attacks on three additional Chabad centers across India, claiming they were acts of retaliation for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, one of the attackers who was caught alive, was executed in India in 2012, the World Jewish Congress reported.

The massive assault left 166 dead and hundreds more injured, with financial damages reaching $1.5 billion, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

After the massacre, Rana reportedly told an associate that the Indian victims “deserved it,” according to a statement released by the Department.

Though the Mumbai attacks were the deadliest event tied to Rana, it was not his first encounter with terrorism-related charges. In 2013, he was sentenced in Illinois to a 14-year prison term for conspiring to support LeT, including involvement in a failed plot targeting Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen.

{Matzav.com}

During a press conference on Thursday, President Trump condemned the shooting at Florida State University as a “terrible” tragedy, but made it clear he doesn’t believe it should lead to new gun control legislation.

“Look, I’m a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I’ve protected it, and these things are terrible,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office, responding to a question about whether current gun laws need to be reconsidered in light of the incident.

“But the gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do,” Trump continued. “It’s, you know, a phrase that’s used probably too often. I will tell you that it’s a shame. I’m just hearing about it now.”

The president noted he would issue further comments once more facts were made public, also mentioning that he’s familiar with the location of the attack.

Authorities reported that two individuals lost their lives and six more were injured when a shooter opened fire on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee. Police confirmed that the shooter, now in custody, is the child of a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

Trump has consistently reiterated his commitment to defending gun ownership rights since his first term, often addressing the topic at National Rifle Association conventions and other gatherings of gun rights supporters.

Following a tragic school shooting in 2018, Trump had gathered members of Congress to discuss possible changes to gun laws. However, no legislative reforms were ultimately passed.

{Matzav.com}

As the medical condition of the Rosh Yeshiva of Kisei Rachamim, Rav Meir Mazuz, remains critical, the rabbanim of the Tunisian Jewish community in Eretz Yisroel and abroad have issued a heartfelt public letter calling for urgent tefillos.

The letter, titled “A Sefer Torah is in Distress,” urges the public to gather in shuls at midnight on the night of Shevi’i Shel Pesach, to open the Aron Kodesh and daven during this auspicious time for the complete recovery of Rav Refael Meir Nissim ben Kamasna. The letter expresses a plea for Hashem’s mercy and healing for the Rosh Yeshiva.

The unified call was signed by leading rabbanim, including Chief Rabbi of Tunisia and Djerba Rav Chaim Bitton; the elder of the moshavim rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel, Rav Shalom Cohen; along with Tunisian community rabbanim from across the country.

Rav Mazuz’s condition is described as extremely serious, with no signs of improvement. The public is urged to continue davening and undertaking kabbalos tovos on his behalf.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The White House issued a sharp rebuke of Hamas on Thursday after the terror group dismissed Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, reaffirming that President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict remains firm.

“Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence,” said US National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt.

“The terms made by the Trump Administration have not changed: release the hostages or face hell,” he added.

The statement followed remarks by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who is leading the group’s negotiations. He accused Israel’s leadership of sabotaging the deal from the start.

“Netanyahu set impossible conditions for a deal that does not lead to the end of the war or full withdrawal. He and his government violated the agreement before its first phase ended,” al-Hayya claimed.

He continued by outlining Hamas’s demands: “We are prepared to immediately hold true negotiations for the release of the captives that we hold in return for an agreed-upon number of prisoners being held by the occupation. The occupation in return must totally stop the war and totally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.”

Earlier this week, Hezbollah-linked Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen released what it claimed were the specifics of the proposal delivered to Hamas in Cairo.

According to the report, the Israeli offer includes a temporary 45-day halt in fighting in exchange for the release of nine live hostages and six bodies. A key condition of the deal is that Hamas must begin disarming the Gaza Strip.

Under the plan’s second phase, five living captives would be exchanged for 66 prisoners serving life terms, along with an additional 611 inmates from Gaza. Hamas would be expected to free the hostages quietly, without the dramatic processions it staged during previous exchanges under the January truce.

The proposal also includes terms to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches civilians directly and does not end up seized by Hamas, which has been accused of diverting significant portions of aid entering Gaza over the past year and a half.

Once those five hostages are released, aid shipments, along with materials for temporary shelter construction, would be delivered to Gaza. At the same time, the IDF would initiate a repositioning of its forces in Rafah and northern Gaza.

Hamas, however, remains defiant. The group has rejected disarmament and continues to demand a full halt to the war on its own terms.

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden’s post-presidency venture into the speaking circuit has hit a wall, with few groups willing to pay the $300,000 he’s reportedly asking per event, according to The New York Post. The pushback comes as some of Biden’s former aides quietly urge him to step away from the public eye, especially following remarks in which he awkwardly referenced “colored kids” during his first major speech since leaving the White House.

Sources familiar with the situation say that Biden’s standard fee is $300,000 — a figure that’s about 25% lower than the $400,000 Barack Obama requested after finishing his term in 2017.

Whether Biden is open to negotiating that fee remains unknown.

In addition to the speaking fee, Biden’s team reportedly requests private air travel and accommodations for a five-person entourage. Since early February, he has been represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

Biden made his public return to the stage on Tuesday, during which he stumbled over his words and used the term “colored kids,” prompting backlash.

“CAA is having trouble booking gigs, which isn’t surprising,” said a source with knowledge of the effort.

Another insider claimed that people in Biden’s orbit had floated the idea of asking for even more money, despite his recent reputation for verbal blunders — including a disastrous debate performance that led to an open revolt within his own party.

His remarks at this week’s disability-focused event in Chicago, where he referred to black youth as “colored,” were seen by some of his past aides as further proof that it’s time for Biden to retreat from the spotlight.

“This was hard to watch,” said a former White House staffer. “It felt like seeing someone you care about start to regress. We just wanted him to enjoy retirement like other presidents — not go out like this.”

The same former aide said that during Biden’s presidency, frustrations were mounting among Black staff members who felt sidelined.

“Black people elected Joe Biden, and then his senior team cut them off, even staff hired to help with engagement,” the former staffer said.

Biden’s first official speech since stepping down came on March 15, when he addressed students at the National High School Model United Nations conference (NHSMUN). He followed that with the Tuesday speech at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD).

He also spoke at a private seminar hosted by Harvard’s Institute of Politics on Wednesday, organized by longtime aide Mike Donilon.

Harvard confirmed that Biden was not compensated for his appearance.

Neither NHSMUN nor ACRD responded to inquiries about whether they paid Biden for his talks, or if they did, how much.

While it remains uncertain exactly why Biden is struggling to attract big-paying audiences, former aides suggest part of the issue could lie with his representation.

CAA declined to comment for this story, but some of Biden’s allies think the agency is poorly positioned to secure high-paying gigs on the corporate speaking circuit. Notably, CAA also represents Kamala Harris.

One former aide said hiring CAA was a mistake. “The Harry Walker Agency, which works with both Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as Obama, ‘has relationships with all these large annual conferences and clients looking for high-profile speakers,’” the source noted.

“CAA is a Hollywood shop. They’re not set up to market speakers to, like, the national duty-free shopping conference. The bread and butter of paid speaking gigs is random large annual industry conferences.”

Another insider agreed with that critique, but still held out hope that Biden might regain his appeal in time.

“I do not think he is a draw yet,” the former aide admitted. “I think he will be more of a draw as Trump continues to dismantle our democracy.”

After serving as vice president, Biden had little difficulty commanding high fees for public appearances. His relatives — particularly his brother James and son Hunter — also profited by offering consulting services to overseas clients while Biden served under Obama.

Many of Biden’s highest-paid speeches came from academic institutions — a trend that may now be faltering, especially given his criticism of rising tuition costs during his presidency.

Records show Biden was once paid $190,000 for a talk at Drew University, $182,000 at Lake Michigan College, $180,000 for events at both Vanderbilt and the University at Buffalo, $125,000 at Southern Connecticut State University, $100,000 at Long Island University, and $93,000 for a visit to Brown — all part of his post-vice presidency speaking run.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has officially removed the MTA from overseeing the long-awaited overhaul of Penn Station, handing control over to the federal government instead, with Amtrak now taking the lead under a new initiative.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed the updated direction for the project, explaining that the federal government will move forward with a public-private partnership to carry out the revamp.

“President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over,” Duffy declared in a statement.

“New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean.”

Governor Kathy Hochul had engaged in repeated negotiations with Trump regarding the future of Penn Station. According to reports, she even joked that renaming the station in his honor might unlock more federal dollars.

Revitalizing Penn Station has been both an aspiration and a struggle for state leaders for decades.

This new direction consolidates two separate efforts — one to reconstruct the station itself, the other to increase its train handling capacity — into a unified federal project.

In a sharply worded statement, Hochul acknowledged Trump’s decision to take full responsibility for the station’s future, seemingly mocking the scale of the challenge.

“In multiple meetings with President Trump, I requested that the federal government fund the long-overdue overhaul of Penn Station. Clearly that effort has been successful, and I want to thank the President and Secretary Duffy for taking on the sole responsibility to deliver the beautiful new $7 billion station that New Yorkers deserve,” she said.

Hochul also alluded to the likelihood that New York won’t be contributing the $1.3 billion previously earmarked by state lawmakers for the upgrade.

“This is a major victory for New Yorkers, and the use of federal funds will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion dollars that would have otherwise been necessary for this project,” she added.

The announcement arrives amid a growing clash between Hochul and Duffy over control of the MTA and its role in managing transit-related projects.

Duffy didn’t hold back in his criticism of the MTA, arguing that redirecting funds directly to Amtrak and revamping the scope of the project would save about $120 million.

“The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed. By putting taxpayers first, we’re ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to create a transit hub all Americans can take pride in,” Duffy said.

Until now, the MTA had been advancing a plan to renovate Penn Station without relocating Madison Square Garden, while also collaborating with Amtrak and NJ Transit on ideas for possible expansion.

Key details of the revamped federal strategy were still unclear Thursday, including whether there would be an effort to move MSG.

Gothamist recently reported that a Trump-aligned group, supported by donor Thomas Klingstein, suggested relocating the arena across Seventh Avenue in a redesign that aligns with Trump’s fondness for “classical and other traditional architecture.”

A spokesperson for MSG’s owner, James Dolan, declined to comment on the matter.

Discussions between Hochul and Trump began not long after he won the presidency and expressed interest in cleaning up the notoriously chaotic Midtown station.

Their ongoing talks came even as Duffy aggressively pursued Trump’s goal of ending congestion pricing in Manhattan — a move that led to Hochul suing the federal government and a heated exchange between both camps.

To curry favor with Trump, Hochul reportedly floated the idea of naming the Moynihan Train Hall after him, according to The NY Post.

Although a representative for Hochul told The NY Post that she sees the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan as a “mentor” and had no intention of formally proposing the name change, the spokesperson added: “The governor did make a lighthearted joke about how to get President Trump interested in contributing federal funds to renovate Penn Station.”

This week, Hochul pinned some of the project’s delays on Amtrak, calling the agency a “barrier” to moving the overhaul forward.

Speaking to Errol Louis on NY1, Hochul shared that Trump recently reached out to her by phone, telling her he’s taking action.

“I was letting him know that Amtrak was a barrier to why it’s taking so long,” she recounted.

“It was a very quick call. He goes, ‘I’m working on Amtrak,’” she said of their exchange.

Assemblyman Tony Simone, who represents the area surrounding Penn Station, expressed deep doubts about the federal government’s ability to manage a project of this scope. He emphasized that local agencies must remain involved.

“It is imperative that the MTA and local stakeholders continue to be full partners in any plan so that we create a Penn that works for both our region and city,” Simone said. “I am beyond skeptical that this federal government can manage a project of this size by seizing control while simultaneously slashing funding.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, another Manhattan Democrat, said he supported the state withdrawing its planned funding contribution now that Washington has taken over.

Hoylman-Sigal, known for his outspoken opposition to Trump, didn’t hold back in criticizing the situation.

“I guess we’re looking at some gold-plated escalators, I don’t know,” he quipped.

{Matzav.com}

New York Attorney General Letitia James has dismissed the Trump administration’s criminal referral accusing her of mortgage fraud, calling the accusations “baseless” but refraining from offering any specifics in a recent interview.

James joined Spectrum NY1’s “Inside City Hall” on Thursday, where she pushed back against claims made by the Trump administration that she manipulated real estate filings in both New York and Virginia.

“Let me just say to all New Yorkers and to all Americans: the allegations are baseless. The allegations are nothing more than a revenge tour,” James told host Errol Louis during the interview.

Asked specifically about the federal claim that she misrepresented the number of bedrooms in her Brooklyn property—listing four instead of five—James avoided offering clarification.

“As you know, as any good attorney, I will not litigate this case in a camera. It is important that we respond to these allegations at the appropriate time and in an appropriate way,” she said.

“I will not go back and forth with respect to these baseless allegations. I am more focused again on standing up for freedom, liberties, and the rule of law in the state of New York.”

James suggested the Trump administration’s actions are part of a pattern of targeting certain groups and institutions, placing herself among other alleged victims of what she labeled a retaliatory campaign.

“My office was successful in securing a $450 million judgment against Donald Trump and others for exaggerating the value of his assets,” James said, also noting that the total owed to the state “growing every day.”

She took aim at members of the media as well, criticizing those who have stationed themselves outside her Brooklyn home and near her family’s residence in Virginia. She accused them of crossing the line into “harassment.”

James also chose not to directly respond when questioned by New York Post reporters near her upscale Brooklyn townhouse on Wednesday, offering few answers to their inquiries.

She said no officials had contacted her in advance of the recent federal referral.

“I will not be silenced, I will not be bullied, I will not bend, I will not break, and I will not bow to anyone,” the attorney general stated, adding, “No one is above the law.”

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Federal Housing Agency submitted a criminal referral naming James to Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleging that she had fabricated documentation and real estate filings to receive favorable mortgage rates on properties in New York and Virginia.

{Matzav.com}

Early on Friday, sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv, Yerushalayim, the Shfela, and the Sharon region, signaling an imminent threat.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed, “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted.” They also emphasized that the sirens were activated as per standard protocol.

Magen David Adom reported that, “following the sirens heard in central Israel and the Shfela in recent minutes, as of now, no calls have been received regarding casualties, except for cases of people injured while heading to shelter.”

Before the sirens went off, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit issued an initial directive, stating, “The IDF has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory. IAF aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is instructed to follow the guidelines issued by the Home Front Command.”

This follows the recent upgrade to Israel’s early missile warning system, which was revealed the previous day.

The missile launch from Yemen came just hours after the US military conducted targeted airstrikes on fuel infrastructure controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen.

In related developments, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the operation was aimed at dismantling a major revenue stream that was fueling the Houthi group’s ongoing attacks and regional instability.

The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that the US airstrike resulted in at least 33 deaths and 88 injuries.

{Matzav.com Israel}

While standing beside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani criticized Israel for allegedly failing to uphold the terms of a ceasefire and hostage agreement that Qatar helped facilitate earlier this year.

“As you know, we reached an agreement months ago, but unfortunately, Israel did not abide by this agreement,” said Al-Thani. He added that his country remains committed to “strive to bridge perspectives in order to reach an agreement that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.”

Putin, who met the day prior with an Israeli-Russian citizen released from Hamas captivity as part of the earlier ceasefire deal, praised Qatar’s diplomatic efforts. “We know that Qatar is making very serious efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately, the initiatives put forward, including by you, have not been implemented — peaceful people continue to die in Palestine, which is an absolute tragedy of today.”

He went on to underscore his long-standing position that any lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state framework. “A long-term settlement can only be achieved on the basis of the UN resolution, and, first of all, in connection with the establishment of two states,” said Putin.

The original ceasefire deal followed over a year of ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. The first stage of the agreement, which lasted 42 days, ended on March 2. Israel declined to proceed to the second phase, which would have required a full military withdrawal from Gaza, prompting the resumption of combat on March 18 with widespread airstrikes across the territory.

Neither Moscow nor Doha classifies Hamas as a terrorist group. Qatar, a key backer of Hamas that provides sanctuary to its senior leadership, worked with Egypt and the United States to broker the deal and continues to be involved in ongoing mediation efforts.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged accusing members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inner circle of receiving money from Doha to promote Qatar’s role as a peace facilitator, possibly to the detriment of Egypt, whose relationship with Hamas remains strained.

In an interview aired on the Christian network Daystar, Netanyahu addressed Qatar’s involvement in both the ceasefire and broader regional issues. “Qatar had recently helped us with… the temporary ceasefire, but they were hosting these Hamas terrorists.”

Netanyahu also voiced strong disapproval of Qatar’s financial influence on American universities and its sponsorship of Al Jazeera, which he claims fuels hostility against Israel and the U.S. “Unfortunately, Qatar was doing this,” said Netanyahu. “Al Jazeera, too, in Arabic, is promoting this anti-Americanism and anti-Zionism, which is weaved together.”

He called for a definitive stance from Qatar. “Qatar has to choose,” said Netanyahu. Quoting Israel’s new ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, he added: “You can’t fund the arsonists and the firefighters at the same time.”

“If that choice is made stark and clear, I think it will help everyone,” the premier said. “It will help everyone in the Middle East, everyone in the world, and it will help, also, get the facts straight.”

During Thursday’s remarks with Putin, Al-Thani also stated his desire to deepen ties between Qatar and Russia. He mentioned that Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly installed Syrian leader backed by Qatar, shared this goal after taking power from the Assad regime late last year.

“A few days ago, President al-Sharaa was in Qatar, and we spoke with him about the historical and strategic relationship between Syria and Russia,” said Al-Thani. “He is keen on building a relationship between the two countries based on mutual respect.”

Al-Thani’s message comes at a delicate time for the Kremlin, as Russia seeks to preserve access to its military installations in Syria and maintain regional clout following Bashar al-Assad’s departure to Moscow.

Putin acknowledged the urgency of stabilizing Syria amid ongoing sectarian unrest. “We would like to do everything to ensure that Syria, firstly, remains a sovereign, independent and territorially integral state, and we would like to discuss with you the possibility of providing assistance to the Syrian people, including humanitarian assistance,” Putin told the emir. “There are many problems there: political, security, and purely economic.”

{Matzav.com}

Keith Siegel, who was held hostage by Hamas, shared new insights about his time in captivity during an interview on Thursday with Channel 12. He revealed that the terrorists tried to convince him and Matan Angrest, the soldier he was held with, to embrace Islam.

“There were attempts to convert us. According to them, whoever isn’t a Muslim goes to hell and only Muslims go to heaven. Matan spoke a lot about the longing and how he wants to be with his family more when he returns from captivity and less on the PlayStation,” Siegel recalled.

He continued, explaining that the terrorists sought information from Matan regarding his military duties. “I think they tried to get information out of Matan about his job. Matan felt threatened in this situation where they’re interrogating him, and he did everything not to reveal classified information. He told me about very difficult things he went through. I saw violence against Matan, physical and verbal violence.”

Siegel described the harsh conditions they endured, saying the hunger they experienced was very real and not just an expression. “Matan and I really starved. It’s not just some figure of speech. There were times that we really felt, both physically and mentally, that there’s a chance that we won’t get out of there alive at all, because of the different threats that there were – one was the lack of food and the daily starvation for a long time. It caused dizziness, lightheadedness, and weakness, and I’m sure he’s experiencing that until now,” he concluded.

Matan’s mother, Anat Angrest, spoke with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News last week following her appearance at a session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

“I came especially to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to speak about the abducted soldiers who were neglected in all the deals up until now,” Angrest states. “We are not ready to sit quietly. Even though they told us not to publicize the soldier issue, we are now putting the soldiers up front.”

She emphasized that her advocacy isn’t just for her own son. “You send soldiers to battle, they need to know that if G-d forbid they’ll be abducted or they’ll be in Matan’s position, the State of Israel would take care of them and won’t leave them behind.”

Anat addressed the decision to release videos showing Matan’s kidnapping and his time in captivity. “It’s part of the process we went through. We understood that if we continued sitting in silence, it would be easy for the State of Israel to leave our sons behind. For this silence, my Matan is paying a much higher price. It’s against our character and our behavior, but they don’t leave us any other choice.”

She spoke about the agony and powerlessness the families have been living with due to the prolonged uncertainty. “The fact is that Matan is still there, injured. I received an indication that the State of Israel is committed to him – yes, I see a commitment to soldiers with foreign citizenship, but the Israeli government did not include soldiers in any deal.”

Angrest described the moment she saw the disturbing video showing her son. “I tried not to be exposed to the difficult documentation; there’s more, but I tried to protect myself. As much as I try to remain hopeful that Matan survived and is coming home soon, it brings me back to thinking about how he was abducted and what he’s going through there.”

She also mentioned a conversation she had with IDF female observers who were also taken captive and encountered Matan. “The observers had a few run-ins with Matan there. They know exactly what he’s going through.”

Anat expressed disappointment with the Israeli leadership, particularly the Prime Minister. “During the meeting with Netanyahu, I got the feeling that he is not aware of Matan’s condition. I left so frustrated. I said that I left with a feeling that there is a lack of commitment to Matan.”

She believes that a deal to secure the hostages could have already been made. “I am almost sure that there’s a deal on the table, and the Prime Minister, for one reason or another, is not taking it. We know that for a year and a half already, there could have been deals to bring them all back, but they aren’t happening because the Prime Minister was not prepared to announce the end of the war. When there is a deal, I will not let it exclude soldiers and the deceased.”

When asked whether she supports a hostage deal even if it ends the war, she didn’t hesitate. “Ending the war is not a price, it’s an achievement. Returning the hostages is the immediate goal, its life and death. That’s what needs to be done, and that’s what needed to happen a long time ago.”

Looking ahead to the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, she expressed a cautious sense of anticipation. “The US understands that this needs to end.”

She also spoke of the emotional toll the holiday season has taken. “We aren’t going into any holiday – there’s no such word ‘celebration’ for us. We will be at Hostages Square with other supportive citizens who are also unable to celebrate a holiday.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The United States Space Force has released a comprehensive guide titled “Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners”, offering military strategists a deep dive into the principles, methods, and strategic planning necessary to confront threats in the space domain — which is increasingly seen as a crucial arena for future conflicts.

This newly published doctrine outlines how the USSF aims to defend America’s assets in orbit and ensure the effectiveness of the Joint Force’s global military reach and strike capabilities. The document lays out objectives for near-term to long-term dominance in what it defines as “space-superiority.”

The Space Force characterizes “space superiority” as the ability to maintain operational freedom in space — choosing when and where to operate without major opposition, while denying that same freedom to adversaries.

According to the manual, achieving superiority may include targeting enemy satellites, infrastructure, or communication systems, while also addressing threats that emerge in other domains like land, air, sea, and cyberspace. “Space superiority may involve seeking out and destroying an enemy’s spacecraft, systems, and networks through measures designed to minimize the effectiveness of those systems, or countering enemy efforts in the other warfighting domains (land, maritime, air, and cyberspace),” the manual reads.

The framework emphasizes that control in space is a force multiplier that enhances military power in all other domains. “The ability to establish space superiority at the time and place of our choosing enables joint lethality in all domains,” it asserts.

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of space operations, explained the broader purpose behind the publication, telling reporters, “This document is really intended … to introduce sort of a common framework, common lexicon that we can use in our training and in our education programs,” as reported by Defense One.

To lay out a path toward dominance in space, the Space Force delineates offensive and defensive methods across three primary mission areas: Orbital Warfare, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Cyberspace Warfare.

Offensive operations in space, according to the document, could include direct attacks in orbit, strikes launched from Earth, or interference with space-based communication systems. These tactics can involve jamming, hacking, or other means to “disrupt, deny, or degrade an enemy’s critical space links.”

On the defensive side, the framework describes both passive and active strategies. Passive defenses include early warning systems, deceptive practices, hardening of systems, dispersion, and redundancy. Active measures involve direct responses, including counterstrikes and efforts to neutralize enemy targeting systems.

The Space Force differentiates between types of superiority depending on how much freedom each side has in space. If both U.S. and adversary systems remain functional, or if neither can operate, this is considered contested space, especially when dealing with nations of similar capabilities — referred to as “peer and near-peer adversaries.” Such a scenario is labeled a “Very High Risk” situation for U.S. forces.

The framework explains that true dominance occurs when hostile forces can no longer effectively use or protect their space infrastructure and are incapable of providing support to their own military efforts. “General superiority of space is achieved when the enemy is no longer able to act in a meaningful or dangerous way against friendly celestial lines of communication, and it also means that the enemy is unable to adequately defend or control its own assets or deliver space effects in support of its own operations,” the document explains.

The guidance acknowledges that warfare in space will lean heavily on automation due to the unique characteristics of the environment — extreme distances, velocity, and a crowded orbital landscape. As a result, the framework outlines a move away from constant human oversight and toward reliance on “highly automated systems.”

Furthermore, the document stresses the vital connection between space and cyber infrastructure, noting that much of what occurs in orbit depends entirely on digital networks. It describes space as “almost entirely reliant on the network dimension.”

USSF Chief of Space Operations General B. Chance Saltzman concluded the document with a sobering warning: “Space superiority is not only a necessary precondition for Joint Force success but also something for which we must be prepared to fight.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump leveled sharp criticism at Harvard University on Thursday, accusing the school of misusing its tax-exempt status and labeling it “antisemitic” in response to its handling of anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. “I think Harvard is a disgrace. They’re obviously antisemitic, and all of a sudden they’re starting to behave,” Trump said during a media appearance.

Trump went on to condemn Harvard’s leadership and actions, referencing the widely criticized congressional testimony of the university’s former president. “But when you see what they were saying, what they were doing, when you see the way they took care of events, when you watch that woman, that horrendous president that ruined the image of Harvard, maybe permanently, in Congress…when you take a look at what happened there, it was horrific.”

He also touched on the university’s tax benefits, suggesting that such privileges were being exploited. “Tax-exempt status, I mean, it’s a privilege. It’s really a privilege, and it’s been abused by a lot more than Harvard, too. So we’ll see how that all works out,” Trump stated, adding that the legal process is still underway. “I don’t think they’ve made a final ruling. I don’t believe they’ve made a final ruling, but it’s something that these schools really have to be very, very careful with.”

Trump’s remarks come just after reports emerged that the Internal Revenue Service may soon revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt designation. According to sources familiar with the discussions, a decision is likely forthcoming amid mounting friction between the administration and the university over its resistance to federal directives involving governance and hiring.

This development follows the Trump administration’s freeze of over $2 billion in federal aid to Harvard, citing its mishandling of antisemitic incidents on campus. The university has responded by arguing that, as a private institution, it is entitled to autonomy under the U.S. Constitution.

In a further escalation, the administration recently delivered a firm warning to Harvard, insisting on sweeping reforms as a condition for retaining access to an estimated $9 billion in federal research grants and funding streams.

Harvard has faced mounting criticism since the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. The school has struggled to manage the surge in anti-Israel sentiment, prompting accusations of failing to combat antisemitism on its campus.

Just days after the October 7 massacre, 34 student groups at Harvard issued a statement holding Israel responsible for the attack—a move that drew widespread condemnation.

Later, Harvard President Claudine Gay came under intense scrutiny after her testimony alongside MIT President Sally Kornbluth and University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill at a congressional hearing focused on antisemitism in higher education.

Each of the university leaders declined to offer clear denunciations of antisemitic rhetoric or explicit calls for violence against Jews when questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik. Gay eventually stepped down from her position as head of Harvard University.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas has turned down Israel’s latest proposal for a partial agreement involving hostages held in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, who is leading the group’s negotiation efforts, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of presenting terms that were “impossible” to meet, saying, “Netanyahu set impossible conditions for a deal that does not lead to the end of the war or full withdrawal. He and his government violated the agreement before its first phase ended.”

Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas is ready to negotiate seriously, but only under specific conditions. “We are prepared to immediately hold true negotiations for the release of the captives that we hold in return for an agreed-upon number of prisoners being held by the occupation. The occupation in return must totally stop the war and totally withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” he stated.

Earlier this week, Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen network, known for its ties to Hezbollah, released what it claimed were the specifics of Israel’s offer that had been submitted to Hamas negotiators in Cairo.

The proposal included a 45-day halt in fighting in exchange for the release of nine hostages believed to be alive and six who are presumed dead. This deal reportedly hinges on a full disarmament of the Gaza Strip.

On the second day of the arrangement, Hamas would free five additional living hostages. In return, Israel would release 66 prisoners serving life sentences and 611 other detainees from Gaza. The exchange was to be carried out discreetly, without the kind of public spectacle Hamas orchestrated during earlier hostage releases in January.

The alleged deal also outlined a jointly approved mechanism for distributing humanitarian assistance, aiming to ensure the supplies go directly to civilians rather than being seized by Hamas—something that has been a persistent issue with aid deliveries throughout the conflict.

Once those five hostages are released, humanitarian shipments would begin entering Gaza, along with materials and resources to construct temporary shelters for displaced residents. At the same time, the IDF would begin repositioning its forces in northern Gaza and near Rafah.

Despite the offer, Hamas remains firm in its refusal to surrender its weapons and continues to demand that the war conclude entirely on its own conditions.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Thursday that it will take up a critical case next month regarding President Donald Trump’s attempt to enforce a sweeping executive order aimed at ending automatic birthright citizenship—a signature initiative of his aggressive immigration agenda.

Rather than immediately weighing in on the administration’s push to curb three sweeping injunctions issued in Washington state, Massachusetts, and Maryland, the justices said they will postpone any ruling on those injunctions until after oral arguments, which are scheduled for May 15.

The executive order, signed by Trump upon returning to office on January 20, directs all federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent is either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

Legal challenges swiftly followed. A coalition consisting of 22 Democrat attorneys general, immigrant advocacy organizations, and several pregnant women contend that the directive contravenes the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to individuals born in the U.S.

That portion of the 14th Amendment clearly states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

However, the Trump administration maintains that this constitutional clause does not apply universally—especially not to children born to individuals who are in the country illegally, or to those lawfully present on a temporary basis, like students or foreign workers.

U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, arguing on behalf of the administration, wrote that the policy “reflects the original meaning, historical understanding and proper scope of the Citizenship Clause.”

Sauer argued that offering citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil fuels illegal immigration and so-called “birth tourism,” wherein foreigners travel to America specifically to give birth and obtain citizenship for their children.

The most cited precedent on the matter is an 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which has widely been interpreted to mean that birthright citizenship applies even when parents are not U.S. citizens.

But according to the Justice Department, that ruling was more limited than commonly understood and only applied to cases where the parents maintained a “permanent domicile and residence in the United States.”

The legal battle over birthright citizenship has also become a vehicle for the Trump administration to challenge the broader use of nationwide—or “universal”—injunctions issued by federal judges, which have blocked multiple executive actions across the board.

Unlike rulings that only affect the plaintiffs in a case, universal injunctions halt the implementation of a policy for everyone, regardless of their involvement in the lawsuit.

Supporters of such injunctions view them as vital tools to rein in executive excess, especially when a president enacts policies that are legally questionable. Critics argue that district judges overstep their authority and introduce partisan bias into judicial decisions.

In his written brief, Sauer lamented that “a small subset of federal district courts tars the entire judiciary with the appearance of political activism,” noting that 28 such injunctions were issued against Trump’s administration during just two months—February and March.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs criticized the administration for focusing on technical legal arguments about the breadth of the court rulings, rather than addressing the core constitutional issues raised by Trump’s policy.

Washington state, one of the four states challenging the order, urged the high court to dismiss the administration’s attempt to limit the scope of the injunctions, saying the policy is “flagrantly unconstitutional,” according to its court filing.

The state’s legal brief added: “Recognizing that the citizenship stripping order is impossible to defend on the merits, the federal government frames its application as an opportunity to address the permissibility of nationwide injunctions.”

Sauer, in response, argued that the states involved in the lawsuit lack the necessary legal basis to advocate for the individual rights supposedly protected by the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause.

In the Washington case, filed by the Democrat-controlled states of Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and Arizona, along with several pregnant women, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued an injunction on February 6, freezing Trump’s directive.

During a hearing, Judge Coughenour, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, called the birthright citizenship order “blatantly unconstitutional.”

On February 19, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declined to lift the injunction, allowing it to remain in place pending further proceedings.

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden experienced yet another public stumble during an unannounced visit to Harvard University on Wednesday, when he made a surprise stop that included a series of awkward moments—one of which involved dropping his ice cream bar on the ground and confusing Ukraine with Iraq.

Biden, 82, sat down with about 50 students at the Harvard Institute of Politics, but the closed-door conversation was overshadowed by familiar missteps that echoed the blunders of his failed 2024 campaign, as reported by the Harvard Crimson.

At one point, while addressing Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, Biden mistakenly called the country “Iraq,” prompting a quick correction from Mike Donilon, his longtime adviser and currently a fellow at the Institute.

Adding to the awkwardness, Biden tried to enjoy an ice cream bar after the discussion but ended up biting into it just as it melted and fell to the floor, the student outlet reported.

In his comments to the students, Biden applauded Harvard’s resistance to pressure from the Trump administration, which had demanded that the school eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and tighten the vetting of foreign applicants to block those with anti-American leanings—measures aimed at addressing rising antisemitism on campus.

In response to Harvard’s defiance, the administration moved to suspend $2.2 billion in long-term grants and $60 million in ongoing contracts with the university.

“Harvard stepped up in a way no one else has. You should be really thankful,” Biden told the students during his talk.

Outside the event, word of Biden’s visit sparked a protest from pro-Palestinian activists, who gathered near the building, beating drums and chanting, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide. You’re committing genocide,” according to The Crimson.

Despite the disruptions, some attendees took the opportunity to snap selfies with Biden. One student shared a photo online, writing, “Incredible day to meet Joe Biden.”

{Matzav.com}

רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי רבי מיילך בידרמן באשדודצילום: יוסי לוי