Matzav

Senior U.S. officials are openly acknowledging that Washington has no clear picture of who would assume power in Iran if the current regime were to collapse, even as American military forces continue to surge toward the region. Speaking at a Senate hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the question of succession after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains unanswered, according to a report by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.

“Nobody can give an answer as to what will happen the day after if the Iranian regime falls,” Rubio told lawmakers. He also emphasized the risks facing U.S. personnel in the region, noting that between 30,000 and 40,000 American troops stationed in the Middle East could be targeted by Iranian missiles or drones in the event of retaliation following a U.S. strike.

Rubio stressed that military readiness remains a core element of the administration’s posture, explaining that “The President always keeps for himself the option of launching a defensive preemptive strike.” He added, “That’s why it is wise to have forces in the region that can respond and, if necessary, carry out a preemptive strike to protect American troops and our allies. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

President Donald Trump echoed that message on Wednesday, issuing a public warning that a significant U.S. naval force is on its way toward Iran while urging the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to enter talks without delay and agree to what he described as a fair agreement.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.”

He continued with another warning, stating, “Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!”

Trump followed up with an additional post, repeating his earlier threats toward Tehran: “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The president reinforced that warning last Thursday during an in-flight briefing with reporters as he traveled back to Washington from Davos, describing what he said was a substantial American military buildup near Iran. “We have a lot of ships going in that direction, just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction. And we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”

During the same exchange, Trump claimed he personally intervened to stop mass executions in Iran the previous week. “I stopped 837 hangings [last] Thursday. They would have been dead. Every one of them would have been hung…I said ‘if you hang those people, you’re going to be hit harder than you’ve ever been hit. It’ll make what we did to your Iran nuclear look like peanuts.’ And an hour before this horrible thing was going to take place, they canceled it. And they actually said they canceled it. They didn’t postpone it. They canceled it. So that was a good sign.”

Iran responded with its own warnings. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei cautioned that any attack would trigger what he described as a “comprehensive and regret inducing” retaliation by the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, reports on Tuesday indicated that U.S. officials are considering limited strikes aimed at Iranian officials and military commanders, as reports from inside Iran put the death toll from ongoing protests at more than 36,000.

{Matzav.com}

JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America announced on Wednesday that they will each match a one-time $1,000 federal deposit into children’s retirement-style savings accounts for qualifying employees, making them the latest large corporations to sign on to the initiative.

The accounts, widely referred to as Trump accounts, are part of a pilot program in which the U.S. Treasury places $1,000 into tax-advantaged investment accounts for eligible children born in the United States between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.

The initiative, which was developed in part by hedge fund manager Brad Gerstner, is designed to promote early saving and investing as a way to reduce long-term wealth disparities in the United States. The program has drawn support from a range of high-profile backers, including Michael and Susan Dell, Ray Dalio, and rapper Nicki Minaj.

“JPMorgan Chase has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the financial health and well-being of all of our employees and their families around the world, including more than 190,000 here in the United States,” CEO Jamie Dimon said in a release. “By matching this contribution, we’re making it easier for them to start saving early, invest wisely, and plan for their family’s financial future.”

Bank of America conveyed its position in an internal memo circulated to employees on Wednesday and first reported by Reuters, praising what it described as the government’s “innovative solutions” aimed at strengthening employee savings.

Financial institutions now make up the bulk of companies pledging to match the government’s contribution. In addition to JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, other major players including BlackRock, BNY, Robinhood, SoFi, and Charles Schwab have also committed to providing matching funds for the new accounts.

[Video below.] Newly released video footage appears to document a volatile encounter between Alex Pretti and federal immigration agents more than a week before he was shot and killed in Minneapolis, showing behavior that authorities are now reviewing as part of their broader assessment of events leading up to his death.

The footage, which the BBC said it has verified, reportedly shows the ICU nurse yelling at federal agents as they drove away from a Jan. 13 protest, spitting in their direction and then kicking the rear of a black SUV. According to The News Movement, the video captures Pretti smashing the vehicle’s taillights, prompting officers to stop, exit the car, and subdue him.

In the recording, the man—wearing clothing similar to what Pretti was seen wearing on the day he was fatally shot last Saturday—can be seen being forced to the ground by at least five agents. As the confrontation escalated, tear gas was released into the surrounding crowd, which included protesters blowing whistles amid the chaos.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations is “reviewing” the newly surfaced video, telling The Post that agents are examining the footage as part of their ongoing evaluation of Pretti’s prior interactions with federal authorities.

According to a CNN report published Tuesday, Pretti, 37, was already familiar to federal officials and had sustained a broken rib during a separate violent encounter with agents roughly a week before his death. The report said immigration officers had been tracking and documenting information about Pretti as well as other anti-ICE protesters involved in recent demonstrations in Minneapolis.

Investigators with DHS believe the fatal shooting may have been triggered by a stray discharge from Pretti’s own firearm after it was taken from him. Authorities say Pretti had a loaded pistol tucked into his belt when he inserted himself between another protester and ICE officers. Border Patrol agents tackled him, removed the weapon, and during the ensuing struggle, two agents opened fire, killing him.

Security and police were dispatched on Wednesday to the Union of Cities for Environmental Protection venue in Chadeira after an object described as a piece of coal was hurled toward Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman during a public session focused on air pollution.

Reports by Walla said the incident took place as Silman arrived at the hall for a hearing connected to the Israel Electric Corporation. Officers who were called to the location detained a young woman, estimated to be about 18 years old, and brought her in for questioning regarding the incident.

Witnesses at the event said the object appeared to strike the minister, though she was not injured and did not need medical attention. Silman chose to remain at the venue and continued taking part in the conference until it concluded, despite the disruption.

Police later issued a statement explaining their response: “Upon receiving the report, officers from the Hadera station arrived at the scene, managed to locate the suspect, and despite no formal complaint being filed, the suspect was detained for questioning. Depending on the investigation’s needs and findings, the continuation of her detention will be examined.”

{Matzav.com}

A key decision aimed at stabilizing Israel’s coalition government was reached after consultations at the home of Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, with Degel HaTorah deciding it will support the state budget in its first Knesset reading, while insisting that the draft law be finalized before the bill advances further.

Following the meeting at the Bnei Brak residence of Rav Landau, the party ruled that it would allow the budget to move forward at the initial stage, but would condition its continued support on the completion of legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students before the second and third readings. The move gives the coalition crucial breathing room, with the budget now expected to pass the first vote with the backing of 64 MKs. Aside from Agudas Yisroel and MK Avi Maoz, who have both announced their opposition, the government appears to have secured a solid majority.

The decision comes after several tense days in which the government’s survival appeared uncertain, following ultimatums from chareidi parties warning they would block the budget if the issue of yeshiva deferments was not resolved. The standoff raised the prospect of the budget failing, which would have triggered the dissolution of the Knesset and new elections.

The crisis began when Degel HaTorah and Shas publicly declared they would not support the budget unless progress was made on the draft law. Tensions escalated after a meeting between chareidi representatives and the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, during which it was made clear that changes would be required to ensure the legislation could withstand judicial review. That demand sparked deep concern among chareidi leaders, who feared the law would be watered down or indefinitely delayed.

Those concerns intensified when it emerged that the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by MK Boaz Bismuth, would not convene as scheduled to discuss the draft law ahead of the budget vote. Chareidi parties viewed the delay as a sign that the government might stall on the legislation, further eroding trust between the sides.

At the same time, the vote on the state budget itself was postponed from Monday at the request of the chareidi parties, who sought additional time in light of the legal changes being demanded to the draft law. From their perspective, passage of the law is a prerequisite for approving the budget. The postponement followed an emergency meeting convened earlier in the week by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and MK Moshe Gafni, in an effort to prevent the budget from being voted down.

Despite the emerging compromise ahead of the first reading, anger has been reported within Smotrich’s circle over linking the budget to the draft law. Some warned that continued delays could still lead to the collapse of the coalition and the dispersal of the Knesset.

With the immediate crisis temporarily defused, attention is now turning to the upcoming legislative marathon in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, where the draft law will be debated. That process is widely seen as the true test of whether the coalition has achieved lasting stability or merely a brief and fragile calm.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials are assessing recent statements from President Donald Trump as possible indications that he is weighing a sweeping strategy toward Iran that could extend beyond diplomacy and include efforts to topple the current regime, according to a report aired by Kan News.

Those interpretations intensified after Trump posted a warning on his Truth Social account, writing, “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”

Against that backdrop, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is scheduled to convene a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, with the agenda expected to focus on the ongoing war in Gaza as well as the escalating standoff with Iran.

At the same time, the United States has been reinforcing its military presence across the Middle East, even as American officials express interest in seeing the Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership brought to an end. While Trump has publicly left the door open to negotiations, he has also cautioned Tehran that “time is running out” to reach an agreement.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations pushed back sharply against the president’s remarks, issuing a statement that warned of the costs of military confrontation. The delegation said, “The last time the U.S. got involved in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it wasted 7 trillion dollars and lost over 7,000 American soldiers. Iran is ready for dialogue based on respect and mutual interests – but if tested, it will defend itself and respond in a way it never has before.”

Adding to the rhetoric, Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, posted a message in Hebrew on his X account threatening direct retaliation. He wrote that “Any military action by the United States will be considered an act of war, and its response will be immediate, comprehensive, unprecedented, and directed at the aggressor, at the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggression.”

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth said that opposition lawmakers had crossed a serious boundary after several Yesh Atid MKs entered the committee staff area outside his office, apparently disrupting discussions he was holding with representatives of the chareidi parties.

Footage from the scene showed a heated exchange outside Bismuth’s private office, next to the committee chamber, involving several MKs, among them committee members Elazar Stern and Moshe Tur-Paz, and Degel HaTorah MK Uri Maklev. In the video, Tur-Paz was seen lifting a document from a desk and taking a photograph of it.

Reacting to the incident, Bismuth wrote on X, “A red line has been crossed! I have just summoned the Knesset Sergeant-at-Arms following the violent and forceful outburst by opposition members of Knesset who stormed my office at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.”

He went on to accuse the opposition of hypocrisy, saying, “Those same actors who warned about ‘the right wing storming the Knesset’ are the ones behaving today with bullying and vulgarity, attempting to turn a sovereign institution into lawless territory — including serious attempts to photograph committee documents unlawfully.” Bismuth added that he intended to file a formal complaint with the Knesset Ethics Committee.

The confrontation followed a meeting held earlier that afternoon between Bismuth, coalition whip Ofir Katz, and chareidi MKs Uri Maklev of Degel HaTorah, Yaakov Asher, and Shas representative Yinon Azoulay.

Also reported to have participated in the meeting were former Shas MK Ariel Attias, who had been representing the chareidi parties in talks surrounding Bismuth’s legislation, and committee legal adviser Miri Frenkel Shor, whose proposed amendments to the bill had drawn strong opposition from the chareidi factions.

Yesh Atid chairman and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized that meeting, claiming that those involved had “set up an alternative Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for themselves” in order to apply “heavy pressure on [Shor], to push her to approve changes that the ultra-Orthodox parties want.”

Responding to questions about the episode, Tur-Paz told The Times of Israel that he and fellow opposition MKs had gone to the committee area “to tell the Haredim and Bismuth: you will not strike a deal behind the backs of those who serve. We will not allow it.”

Tur-Paz also shared the photograph he had taken, which showed a list of committee members, and said he had snapped it “in an unclassified area,” insisting that he had not broken into any restricted space.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking in the Knesset plenum, United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf said that he and members of his Agudas Yisroel faction would vote against the 2026 state budget, arguing that the chareidi public was being “persecuted” by a government that arrested yeshiva students who avoided military service.

Goldknopf said there were considerations that outweighed fiscal concerns, declaring, “There are things that are more important than a budget, and in their name we oppose the budget. The State of Israel without the Torah of Israel does not need a budget.” He accused the government of criminalizing yeshiva students and relegating them to the status of “criminals” and “second- or third-class citizens.”

He stressed that the move was not intended to bring down the coalition. “Our intention in this vote is not to overthrow the government,” Goldknopf said, while directly urging Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to delay the budget vote until legislation formalizing the status of yeshiva students could be enacted.

Goldknopf’s Chassidishe Agudas Yisroel faction opposed the current draft law under discussion, even though it would have exempted yeshiva students from conscription, because it included punitive sanctions.

By contrast, Degel HaTorah, UTJ’s Litvishe faction, supported both the enlistment bill and the budget, as did the Shas party. Despite Agudas Yisroel’s opposition, the budget was still viewed as likely to move forward.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu declined 11 opportunities to authorize the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, in the months leading up to the October 7, 2023, massacre, according to a report aired by Channel 12 that cites a senior defense official.

Sinwar, who is widely regarded as the chief planner behind the October 7 attack, was repeatedly located by Israeli intelligence earlier in 2023, the report says.

According to the senior official quoted in the report, the Shin Bet managed on numerous occasions in February and March 2023 to pinpoint Sinwar’s whereabouts and relayed that information to Netanyahu. Despite recommendations from the security agency to carry out a targeted killing, the prime minister allegedly refused to approve the operation. The official further claimed that Netanyahu did not even agree to convene senior officials to weigh the option of launching a strike.

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected the claims, pushing back strongly against the report’s characterization. In a statement, the PMO said the account reverses the facts and asserted that Netanyahu “demanded repeatedly to eliminate the Hamas leadership, but the security leadership stopped it. This is well documented in minutes of the discussions.”

Authorities believe the brownish liquid sprayed on Rep. Ilhan Omar during a chaotic town hall meeting in Minnesota late Tuesday was apple cider vinegar, according to reports following the incident.

Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, was struck by the common kitchen liquid when 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak allegedly rushed the stage as the congresswoman was delivering a speech critical of ICE, Alpha News reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation.

A hazmat team later determined that the syringe Kazmierczak is accused of using contained the vinegar-like substance, the outlet said.

Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw, who was also splashed during the incident, said the odor was so overpowering that it made her physically ill.

“It smelled like vinegar or ammonia,” Vetaw told The Post, adding that the stench was “overwhelming.”

“It started out smelling really like apple cider vinegar-smelly. Then it started to smell like ammonia, like a strong, pure ammonia smell, I was wondering why the smell wasn’t going away.”

“I got sick to my stomach,” she continued. “I went outside and threw up because, like, the smell was so strong.”

The incident occurred as Omar was sharply criticizing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and calling for the abolition of ICE when Kazmierczak allegedly confronted her in front of a packed audience.

Video from the scene shows the suspect apparently leaping from his front-row seat and charging toward the podium, spraying the amber-colored liquid across Omar’s chest.

Law enforcement officers inside the venue quickly tackled the suspect to the ground and placed him in handcuffs, while forensic teams were summoned to examine the scene.

Footage taken after the spray shows Omar appearing to lunge toward the alleged attacker with her fist raised.

“I need a napkin,” Omar could be heard telling a staff member.

Despite the incident, the 43-year-old member of the so-called “Squad” declined medical attention and went on to continue her remarks to the audience.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have placed the Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti on administrative leave, according to information obtained by The Post, as investigations into the incident continue.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security said the decision follows standard procedure whenever officers discharge their weapons during a deadly encounter.

According to a preliminary review released Tuesday by DHS, two federal immigration officers fired their weapons during a confrontation in Minneapolis over the weekend that ended with the death of Pretti, 37, after a struggle involving multiple agents.

Authorities have not publicly identified either of the officers involved in the shooting.

The review states that Customs and Border Protection officers attempted to arrest Pretti after he refused repeated orders to move out of the street. Pretti, who was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer pistol, “resisted,” and during the ensuing struggle a Border Patrol agent could be heard shouting, “He’s got a gun!”

Moments later, one Border Patrol agent opened fire on Pretti, followed shortly by a second CBP officer. Officials said video footage shows at least 10 shots being fired in total, though it remains unclear whether Pretti’s own firearm discharged during the incident.

Despite immediate medical assistance provided by the federal officers at the scene, Pretti was pronounced dead within about 30 minutes of the confrontation.

An autopsy is being conducted by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office as part of the ongoing investigation.

DHS officials said the preliminary findings, which were compiled using body-worn camera footage and other CBP records, have been forwarded to congressional committees responsible for overseeing the department.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday after the mayor publicly rejected Trump’s call for the city to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, escalating tensions between the White House and Democratic-led sanctuary jurisdictions.

“Surprisingly, Mayor Jacob Frey just stated that, ‘Minneapolis does not, and will not, enforce Federal Immigration Laws,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This is after having had a very good conversation with him. ‘Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!’”

Frey responded about an hour later, defending Minneapolis’ policies and arguing that immigration enforcement should not be the responsibility of local police. “The job of our police is to keep people safe, not enforce fed immigration laws. I want them preventing homicides, not hunting down a working dad who contributes to MPLS & is from Ecuador. It’s similar to the policy your guy Rudy [Giuliani] had in NYC. Everyone should feel safe calling 911,” Frey wrote on X.

Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 in response to jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. So far, he has not taken that step in Minnesota or Minneapolis, which are governed by Democrats including Gov. Tim Walz, Mayor Frey, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

The president’s latest comments followed Frey’s public rejection of several issues discussed during recent conversations with border czar Tom Homan regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. In a thread posted Tuesday night, Frey reiterated his stance while saying city officials would continue to engage with federal authorities. “I also made it clear that Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws, and that we will remain focused on keeping our neighbors and streets safe,” Frey wrote. “City leaders will continue to stay in conversation with Mr. Homan and his team.”

Earlier in that thread, Frey struck a more measured tone, describing meetings with federal officials as constructive while still pushing back on enforcement actions taking place in the city. “Today, Chief [Brian] O’Hara and I met with Border Czar Homan and had a productive conversation,” Frey wrote. “I reiterated that my main ask is for Operation Metro Surge to end as quickly as possible.”

He went on to argue that aggressive immigration tactics undermine public safety. “Public safety works best when it’s built on community trust, not tactics that create fear or division,” Frey wrote, adding that he conveyed to Homan “the serious negative impacts this operation has had on Minneapolis and surrounding communities, as well as the strain it has placed on our local police officers.”

The clash between Frey and the Trump administration could eventually land before the Supreme Court, with broader implications for how immigration laws are enforced nationwide. As Minneapolis and other sanctuary jurisdictions maintain that ICE operations are solely a federal responsibility, and Trump suggests that refusal to assist may violate federal law, the dispute raises fundamental constitutional questions.

Legal analysts caution that the standoff could intensify into a major test of states’ rights versus presidential authority, potentially reshaping the boundaries of immigration enforcement in cities and states that openly resist cooperating with ICE.

{Matzav.com}

A powerful Shabbos experience focused on strengthening emunah and bitachon is set to take place this winter in New Jersey, bringing together leading rabbonim, gifted speakers, and families from across the region for an immersive, uplifting weekend.

The 5th Annual Shabbos of Emunah & Bitachon will be held February 6–8 at The Westin Princeton, NJ, offering participants a rare opportunity to step away from the pressures of daily life and reconnect with clarity, purpose, and inner strength through Torah, tefillah, and meaningful human connection.

At the heart of the Shabbos is Rabbi Sholom M. Rubashkin, whose personal journey and teachings on faith and trust have inspired tens of thousands around the world. Throughout the Shabbos, Rabbi Rubashkin will deliver powerful addresses, lead spirited seud­os and oneg Shabbos, and engage in personal conversations with attendees. Special sessions for women will be presented by Rabbi Rubashkin together with Mrs. Rubashkin, offering depth, chizuk, and practical guidance.

The program features an exceptional lineup of singers and speakers, each bringing a unique voice and perspective to the themes of emunah and bitachon, including Avraham Fried, Rabbi Joey Haber, Rav Aharon Weinberg, Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, Rabbi Shloime Taussig, and Rabbi Getzel Rubashkin. Together, they will create an atmosphere of inspiration that speaks to the heart and resonates long after Shabbos ends.

Beyond the powerful content, the Shabbos is designed as a complete experience. Guests will enjoy luxury accommodations and a five-star menu, creating an environment of menuchas hanefesh that allows participants to fully absorb the message of the weekend. Inspiring tefillos, warm communal moments, and carefully curated programming ensure that every aspect of Shabbos contributes to spiritual elevation.

The event is truly for the entire family. Alongside adult programming, there will be special sessions for teens, an exciting and meaningful kids’ program led by Rabbi Motty Zeiger, and babysitting for infants—making it possible for parents to participate fully while knowing their children are engaged and cared for.

Over the years, the Shabbos of Emunah & Bitachon has earned a reputation as a life-changing experience for individuals and families alike. Many attendees describe leaving recharged, refocused, and better equipped to face life’s challenges with calm, confidence, and trust in Hashem.

Registration information and additional details are available at bitachonshabbos.com and alephbeisgimmel.com, or by calling or texting (732) 354-1496.

{Matzav.com}

The acting head of the nation’s cyber defense agency uploaded sensitive government contracting materials into the public version of ChatGPT last summer, setting off multiple automated security alerts designed to prevent the loss or improper release of federal information, according to four officials at the Department of Homeland Security familiar with the matter. The incident was first reported by Politico.

The episode drew particular attention because Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, who serves as acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, had personally sought and received special approval from CISA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer to access the AI tool shortly after he arrived at the agency in May, three of the officials said. At the time, the application remained blocked for other DHS employees.

The four officials said none of the materials uploaded were classified. However, they included CISA contracting records labeled “for official use only,” a designation applied to information considered sensitive and not intended for public dissemination. All four sources spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for possible retaliation.

According to the officials, CISA’s cybersecurity monitoring systems detected the uploads in August. One source said there were several alerts during the first week of that month alone. Senior DHS leadership then launched an internal review to determine whether the disclosures posed any risk to government security, two of the officials said.

The outcome of that review has not been made public.

In a written statement, CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy said Gottumukkala “was granted permission to use ChatGPT with DHS controls in place,” adding that “this use was short-term and limited.” McCarthy said the agency remains committed to “harnessing AI and other cutting-edge technologies to drive government modernization and deliver on” President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at removing barriers to American leadership in artificial intelligence.

Her statement also appeared to challenge the timeline cited by Politico, saying: “Acting Director Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala last used ChatGPT in mid-July 2025 under an authorized temporary exception granted to some employees. CISA’s security posture remains to block access to ChatGPT by default unless granted an exception.”

Gottumukkala is currently the highest-ranking political official at CISA, an agency responsible for defending federal networks from advanced cyber threats posed by hostile nation-states, including Russia and China.

Any information entered into the public version of ChatGPT is shared with its owner, OpenAI, meaning it can be used to help generate responses for other users. OpenAI has said the platform has more than 700 million active users worldwide.

By contrast, AI tools approved for DHS employees, including the department’s internally developed chatbot known as DHSChat, are configured to ensure that queries and documents remain within government systems and do not leave federal networks.

Gottumukkala “forced CISA’s hand into making them give him ChatGPT, and then he abused it,” said one of the officials.

Federal employees receive training on how to properly handle sensitive materials. DHS policy also requires security officials to examine the “cause and affect” of any exposure involving documents marked for official use and to determine the “appropriateness” of administrative or disciplinary steps. Depending on the findings, consequences can range from mandatory retraining or written warnings to more severe actions such as suspending or revoking a security clearance, one official said.

After the activity was detected, Gottumukkala met with senior DHS officials to review the materials he had uploaded to ChatGPT, according to two of the officials. DHS’s then-acting general counsel, Joseph Mazzara, participated in evaluating any potential harm to the department, one source said. DHS Chief Information Officer Antoine McCord was also involved, another official said.

The officials added that Gottumukkala also met in August with CISA’s chief information officer, Robert Costello, and its chief counsel, Spencer Fisher, to discuss the incident and proper handling of “for official use only” information.

Mazzara and Costello did not respond to requests for comment. McCord and Fisher could not be reached.

Gottumukkala has led CISA in an acting role since May, when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem appointed him deputy director. President Trump’s nominee to permanently head the agency, DHS special adviser Sean Plankey, was blocked last year by Sen. Rick Scott of Florida over a Coast Guard shipbuilding contract, and a new confirmation hearing has yet to be scheduled.

His tenure has been marked by controversy, including prior security-related issues. Earlier this summer, at least six career employees were placed on leave after Gottumukkala failed a counterintelligence polygraph exam that he had requested, as Politico previously reported. DHS later described the test as “unsanctioned.” During congressional testimony last week, when asked by Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi whether he was “aware” of the failed exam, Gottumukkala twice responded that he did not “accept the premise of that characterization.”

Separately, Gottumukkala attempted last week to remove Costello from his post as CISA’s chief information officer, a move that was halted after other political appointees intervened.

{Matzav.com}

Conservative media personality Megyn Kelly said she does not feel sympathy for Alex Pretti, the Minnesota man who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent during a protest, arguing that his actions put him in danger.

“I know I’m supposed to feel sorry for Alex Pretti, but I don’t. I don’t. Do you know why I wasn’t shot by Border Patrol this weekend? Because I kept my …. inside and out of their operations.”

Kelly made the remarks while discussing the incident on her program, emphasizing that the situation could have been avoided.

“It’s very simple,” Kelly said during an episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show.”

She explained that even when people feel strongly about government actions, protests should not cross certain lines. “If I felt strongly enough about something the government was doing, that I would go out and protest, I would do it peacefully on the sidewalk without interfering via a whistle, via shouting, via my body, via any other way,” she added.

The shooting has drawn bipartisan concern, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers calling for an independent review of the incident. The death marked the second fatal shooting involving a federal officer in Minneapolis this month.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino said Pretti approached officers while carrying a 9-millimeter handgun. However, video recorded by bystanders appears to challenge that account, showing the 37-year-old intensive care nurse holding a cellphone and assisting a woman who had been pepper-sprayed by a federal officer before Pretti himself was sprayed and forced to the ground.

None of the publicly released footage so far shows Pretti removing his legally carried firearm, for which he held a valid Minnesota permit. One video appears to show an officer removing the gun and walking away with it moments before shots were fired.

“If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli wrote in a statement on the social platform X.

That assertion was criticized by the National Rifle Association, which pushed back strongly.

“This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong,” the NRA wrote in a post addressing Essayli.

“Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens,” the group added.

Gun Owners of America also weighed in, saying the “Second Amendment protects Americans’ right to bear arms while protesting—a right the federal government must not infringe upon.”

Essayli later responded that GOA had misrepresented the intent of his remarks.

Kelly returned to the issue on Monday, cautioning protesters in Minnesota to avoid any actions that could be perceived as resistance during demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement. She warned that “if you do anything, anything that resembles resisting, you’re in serious trouble.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said that “many plates of poison” are coming from Iran, and that it is best to “burn the kitchen down” than simply “changing the menu,” amid the possibility of a looming US military strike on the Iranian regime.

His comments come as the United States is increasing its military presence in the region amid threats to attack Iran in the wake of the violent repression of anti-government protests there.

“Many plates of poison—Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, the Houthis—are being served all out of the same kitchen, Tehran,” Huckabee said in conversation with JNS CEO Alex Traiman at the International Conference on Combating Antisemitism in Jerusalem. “You can change the menu; better to burn the kitchen down and not let them serve those plates anymore.”

He said that Christians need to understand that they will be the next target of the Islamists.

“You have been the appetizer; we are the entrée,” he said.

Huckabee said that he sees U.S. President Donald Trump as the “ultimate pragmatist,” who is “always thinking ‘will it work?’ ‘Will it make things better?’”

“He has been the most effective president in my lifetime and the most consequential when it comes to foreign policy,” he said.

Antisemitism on the left

The staunchly pro-Israel Baptist minister-turned ambassador said that the root of Jew hatred was spiritual at its core.

“If you don’t believe there is a God, or that you are your own God, or that the environment is your God, then your first target is naturally Jews,” said Huckabee. “When people hate God, they’re naturally going to hate the people who, throughout history, from the time on Mount Moriah right here in Jerusalem, represented those whom God first spoke to in a very personal and real way.”

“The root of Jew hatred is not political, not economic, but spiritual,” he said.

Antisemitism on the right

Huckabee, who has not shied away from denouncing antisemites on his own side of the political spectrum, such as conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, said that antisemitism on the right has “grown very rapidly because it is profitable.”

“It doesn’t make sense that a man in his 50s, whom I’ve known for years with a completely different worldview and base, suddenly flipped,” Huckabee said of Carlson. “What happened? I don’t know. Is it more profitable for him to do what he’s doing now than what he was doing when he was at Fox News? He wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t.”

Unique focus on antisemitism

No single president, either Democrat or Republican, has focused on antisemitism the way Trump has, said Huckabee, citing both Trump’s Jewish daughter and grandchildren and unflinching support for the State of Israel from his first term in office until today.

“Deep down, Trump believes if you bless Israel, you will be blessed; if you curse Israel, you will be cursed,” said Huckabee. JNS

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced approval Tuesday for demonstrators who occupied the lobby of a Hilton hotel in Manhattan to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement, applauding both the protesters’ actions and the police response.

“Mayor Mamdani commends the protestors who exercised their right to protest against ICE today. As he has said, ICE is a rogue agency that has repeatedly carried out cruel, inhumane, and lawless raids and arrests of American citizens,” his spokesperson said. “The Mayor is also pleased with the NYPD’s response to the protest and that today’s demonstration concluded without violence.”

According to a local immigration advocacy group, roughly 70 people were arrested after protesters remained inside the Hilton hotel in Tribeca for close to an hour. Activists believe the hotel is currently housing ICE agents.

Police have not yet released an official tally of arrests from the demonstration.

The protest is part of a broader wave of activism, with organizers announcing additional “No Kings” demonstrations planned for March 28, fueled by anger over recent deadly encounters involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

The Department of Homeland Security has previously criticized the Hilton brand after owners of a Minneapolis hotel canceled reservations for ICE personnel. Hilton later issued a statement saying such decisions were “not reflective of Hilton values of being welcoming to all.”

Authorities have not disclosed what charges, if any, the detained protesters may face. The NYPD told Nexstar’s WPIX that officers were first determining whether any of those arrested had outstanding warrants before proceeding with formal charges.

Tuesday’s protest followed the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents over the weekend. Pretti is the second person to be shot and killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis in recent days.

{Matzav.com}

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sharply condemned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, arguing that her remaining in office after two deadly encounters involving immigration officers in the state is indefensible and demanding accountability at the highest levels.

Pressure on the administration has mounted from lawmakers in both parties, who have urged President Trump to remove Noem after she publicly supported immigration agents involved in the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and labeled the victims “domestic terrorist” before any investigation was completed.

Speaking during an appearance on CNN, Walz urged national attention on the situation and called for decisive action. “It‘s insane. And I appreciate all the news media here telling it and tell the rest of the country, ‘Stand with us on this.’ This is a stand we have to hold on. They have to leave here,” he said on CNN’s “AC360.”

Walz went on to argue that responsibility does not stop with the shooters themselves. “They have to bring these folks to justice. And there has to be some accountability to the top levels. Kristi Noem still having a job today is absolutely outrageous,” he added.

Despite the growing backlash, the president has stood firmly behind his homeland security secretary, praising her performance and pointing to changes at the southern border.

“I think she’s doing a very good job. The border is totally secure. You know, you forget we had a border that I inherited where millions of people were coming through. Now we have a border where no one is coming through. They come into our country only legally,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

He also suggested that accomplishments at the border have gone underappreciated. “As soon as you accomplish something, it goes into history and nobody ever wants to talk about it,” he continued.

Walz rejected that assessment in his interview with Anderson Cooper, saying Trump’s comments were deeply troubling. “it’s very disheartening to me to see the president say Kristi Noem is doing a great job,” he said.

He then delivered a blistering personal critique of the secretary. “I‘m not sure there’s been anybody more incompetent or cruel that’s ever served in a cabinet position than her, and this is on her,” he added.

The Minnesota governor warned that the administration’s approach is destabilizing the situation on the ground, accusing it of “undermining order” and spreading “chaos” across affected communities.

Walz said those responsible for the deaths of Good and Pretti must be identified and prosecuted. “We need to know who these people were. We need these guys brought back here,” he said.

“We have to keep order and its very difficult when they are undermining order. They create this chaos and we have to come in and clean it up.

As tensions have risen, Walz authorized the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement in Minneapolis. He emphasized that troops are clearly identifiable, stressing the importance of soldiers wearing “uniforms on with their names and no masks,” a pointed contrast to his earlier criticism of federal immigration officers who concealed their identities.

{Matzav.com}

Senior chareidi political figures said this morning that announcements declaring the end of committee deliberations on Israel’s controversial draft bill are meaningless, stressing that the decisive factor will be the position of the Knesset’s legal advisers, not procedural milestones in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

The remarks came after MK Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced that discussions on the new draft law had concluded and that votes would soon begin. Chareidi officials dismissed the statement, saying it was an attempt to soften the stance of leading rabbinic authorities while ignoring the real obstacle facing the legislation.

According to senior figures in Shas and Degel HaTorah, “Who will decide whether there is a law we can support are the Knesset’s legal advisers. Bismuth can end the discussions, but it has no meaning as long as the legal counsel does not approve the wording of the law.”

They added that they would not support legislation opposed by the Knesset’s legal advisers, warning that such a move would almost certainly result in an interim ruling by the High Court of Justice. “That would cause more damage than benefit,” the officials said, explaining that current talks are focused entirely on negotiations with the Knesset’s legal advisers. They accused Bismuth of misleading them by promising backing from the committee’s legal adviser, Miri Frenkel-Shor, throughout the process.

Later today, Shas and Degel HaTorah are expected to decide whether to vote in favor of the state budget. While party officials believe the budget will ultimately pass with their support, they indicated that budget legislation could be halted until the draft law is approved in its second and third readings.

In recent days, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has held discussions with chareidi party leaders, warning them against bringing down the government amid what he described as a sensitive security period. The issue is also expected to be presented to senior rabbinic leaders.

Netanyahu addressed the matter publicly on Tuesday evening, saying, “The last thing Israel needs in the current situation is elections. I hope everyone understands the national responsibility required at this time.”

Bismuth, in his announcement a day earlier, said, “I am excited to announce that the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has completed the reading of all sections of the draft law. We are reaching the finish line, and soon we will vote on the law in the committee for second and third readings.”

He added, “What dragged on for years, what got stuck again and again in endless discussions, moved forward on my watch because there was a clear goal: a law. Not discussions for the sake of discussions, but a genuine desire to reach a solution. Brick by brick. Through dialogue, cooperation, and determination.”

Bismuth concluded by citing the prime minister, saying, “As the prime minister said this evening, ‘We are on the verge of completing the passage of the draft law.’ The torch now passes to the next stage. It is now the role of the entire Knesset to continue the process until the law is approved in the plenum—a historic draft law that will strengthen the IDF and Israeli society as a whole.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump accused Rep. Ilhan Omar of orchestrating a confrontation at her Tuesday night town hall, asserting without evidence that the Minnesota Democrat arranged for a man to spray her with an unknown substance during the event.

“I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

Pressed on whether he had watched footage of the incident, the president responded, “I haven’t seen it. No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”

Video from a livestream of the town hall captured a man rising from the audience and shouting at Omar as she demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem step down or face impeachment following two fatal shootings tied to immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis. The man then sprayed the congresswoman before being tackled and taken into custody.

Despite the disruption, Omar resumed the event and addressed the crowd, declaring, “These [profanity] are not going to get away with it.”

She later sharpened her message after the town hall concluded.

“I’ve survived war and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation or whatever these people think they can throw at me, because I’m built that way,” Omar said.

The lawmaker later updated supporters on social media, writing on X, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”

“I don’t let bullies win,” she added. “Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked Omar in harsh terms. Earlier on Tuesday, before the town hall incident, he criticized her again while speaking in Iowa.

“She comes from a country that’s a disaster,” the president told the audience. “It’s considered, I think, the worst [country]. It’s not even a country.”

Minneapolis police said officers witnessed the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, using a syringe to spray an unidentified liquid on the congresswoman.

“The man was immediately arrested by MPD officers and booked into Hennepin County Jail for 3rd degree assault. Representative Omar was uninjured and resumed speaking at the event. Minneapolis Forensic Scientists responded to process the scene,” a police spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

The U.S. Capitol Police condemned the attack, calling it “an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.”

“We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners,” the agency said. “We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”

Several Republican lawmakers also spoke out against the incident, including Reps. Mark Alford, Mike Lawler, and Nancy Mace.

“What happened at Rep. Ilhan Omar’s town hall — where she was sprayed with a substance during the event — is completely unacceptable,” Lawler wrote on X. “Regardless of political views, we should all agree this behavior crosses a line and cannot be tolerated.”

Capitol Police also reported that threats against lawmakers remain widespread, saying the department has investigated nearly 15,000 “concerning statements behaviors, and communications” aimed at members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol complex. In 2024 alone, nearly 9,500 such cases were reviewed.

{Matzav.com}