Matzav

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he held what he described as a highly successful phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, calling it a constructive exchange ahead of his anticipated April trip to Beijing.

According to Trump, the wide-ranging discussion touched on a number of major international and bilateral issues, including trade relations, military matters, Taiwan, Iran, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and increased Chinese purchases of American energy and agricultural goods.

The call took place only hours after Xi participated in a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding geopolitical significance to the timing of the conversation.

Trump later characterized the exchange in a post on Truth Social as productive and focused on the future.

“Many important subjects were discussed, including Trade, Military, the April trip that I will be making to China (which I very much look forward to!), Taiwan, the War between Russia/Ukraine, the current situation with Iran, the purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United States, the consideration by China of the purchase of additional Agricultural products,” Trump wrote.

Trump said Xi committed to sharply increasing China’s imports of American soybeans, boosting purchases to 20 million tons this season, up from 12 million previously. Trump described the move as a significant victory for U.S. farmers.

“All very positive,” Trump wrote. “The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way.”

The president also voiced confidence that relations between Washington and Beijing would continue to yield tangible benefits during his time in office.

“I believe that there will be many positive results achieved over the next three years of my Presidency having to do with President Xi, and the People’s Republic of China!” he said.

China’s government issued its own readout of the call, confirming that the two leaders discussed major global issues as well as a series of international summits both countries are expected to host in the coming year. Those gatherings, Beijing noted, could provide opportunities for additional meetings between the two leaders.

The Chinese statement did not mention Trump’s expected April visit to China.

Beijing also used the opportunity to restate its long-standing position on Taiwan, underscoring that it has no intention of relinquishing its objective of reunifying with the self-governing democratic island.

“China will never allow Taiwan to be split,” the Chinese statement said.

{Matzav.com}

A quiet but far-reaching transformation is underway inside the world’s largest yeshiva. After decades of fragmented stipends, fluctuating bonuses, and multiple monthly payments, Mir Yeshiva has adopted a new, unified financial model that is already changing daily life for thousands of avreichim.

Anyone familiar with the inner workings of Mir knows that even a minor administrative adjustment quickly becomes the talk of the Beis Yisrael neighborhood. What has taken place over the past three months, however, goes well beyond a technical tweak. It is a fundamental overhaul that directly affects the financial stability and peace of mind of the yeshiva’s avreichim and their families.

For many years, the stipend system at Mir was built in layers. There was a basic allowance, supplemented by an extensive web of incentives: special programs, chaburos, group learning tracks, bonuses for tests, and rewards for consistency. While these additions increased overall support, they often arrived separately and unpredictably. Payments were sometimes delayed, making it difficult for families to plan ahead or even know how much money would ultimately come in at the end of the month.

In advance of the yeshiva’s upcoming historic Adirei-like gathering scheduled for Rosh Chodesh Adar, the hanhalah approved what insiders are calling a “revolution of order.” The goal was clear: transparency, stability, and kavod haTorah. Under the new system, all bonuses and supplements—previously issued as separate payments—are consolidated into a single, fixed monthly check.

The result is a dramatic increase in clarity and consistency. Instead of a base stipend followed by scattered additions, the entire package is now paid at once. The new monthly amount exceeds 2,000 shekels, with many avreichim receiving between 2,000 and 2,200 shekels, depending on seniority and learning track.

“Until now, the money came in drip by drip,” one Mir yungerman explained. “You’d get the base amount, then wait to see when the chaburah supplement would arrive, and later the bonus from a learning program. Today, I receive one respectable check. It’s almost double what used to be considered a standard stipend. It gives you stability, peace of mind to focus on learning, and a real sense that the yeshiva values our effort in a dignified way.”

Those involved in implementing the change emphasize that this is not merely a financial adjustment, but a shift in attitude toward those who devote their lives to limud haTorah. “We realized that the real revolution isn’t only about raising funds,” one official said, “but about how that support is delivered. A single, unified check creates order and wellbeing. When an avreich knows exactly how much he is receiving—and that the amount meaningfully reflects all the programs and achievements that are now built into the stipend—it changes how he experiences his avodah.”

Kaplan Medical Center reported today that the condition of a 35-year-old chosson who collapsed earlier this week has shown marked improvement.

As reported here on Matzav.com, the chosson collapsed during his wedding at Kibbutz Hulda and received immediate medical attention from medics and paramedics of Magen David Adom (MDA) and United Hatzalah who were present at the simcha.

Hospital officials said Wednesday morning that the chosson has regained consciousness and is now able to communicate with those around him. Doctors noted that he is no longer considered to be in immediate life-threatening danger.

Dr. Natalia Kaufman, Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Kaplan Medical Center, said: “There has been significant improvement in the condition of the patient who arrived from the event hall in the Shephelah region. After intensive treatment by the medical team, the patient has regained consciousness and is communicating with those around him. At this stage, we can say he is no longer in immediate danger.”

She added: “He still requires ongoing supervision and close monitoring in the cardiac ICU to ensure his stability. The medical team continues to investigate the cause of the incident.”

Ben Sinai, a United Hatzalah volunteer who was attending the wedding, described the dramatic moments following the collapse. “I was in the hall as one of the guests at the wedding when I suddenly saw a commotion and heard cries for help. I noticed that the chosson had collapsed and was in cardiac arrest. I immediately called for assistance and began resuscitation efforts with the help of additional medics, including the use of the event hall’s defibrillator. After prolonged CPR and, thank God, his heart started beating again. He was taken to the hospital, and at this stage his condition is serious.”

{Matzav.com}

This week, the city of Beitar Illit has been abuzz with a remarkable story of faith, perseverance, and reward. An avreich from the Boyaner community, who for more than a decade after his wedding had not merited children, welcomed a firstborn son—after taking upon himself a quiet but demanding commitment to protect the sanctity of Shabbos.

The yungerman, Reb Chaim Yosef Brandwein, a member of the Boyaner kehillah, had endured over eleven years without zera shel kayama. During that time, he received a promise from the city’s rav, Rav Chaim Weiss: If he would ensure that the city’s entrance gates were closed before shkiah on Friday afternoon, he would merit children.

In Beitar Illit, following rabbinic directive, the city gates are closed twenty minutes before shkiah to prevent last-minute vehicle traffic that can lead to chillul Shabbos. Cars arriving at the final moments often rush through at high speed in an attempt to beat the onset of Shabbos, creating both spiritual and physical risk.

Heeding the rov’s guidance, Reb Chaim Yosef took it upon himself to be present at the city entrance each Friday afternoon. He reminded the guards to close the gates on time and stood his ground despite harassment, verbal abuse, and at times even physical aggression from fringe youths and others angered by being turned away and forced to enter the city on foot.

Those who pass the city gates on Friday afternoon have grown accustomed to the sight: Reb Chaim Yosef standing there in full Shabbos attire, wearing a shtreimel, quietly and steadfastly ensuring that the gates are closed and the sanctity of Shabbos is preserved.

Only recently, he suffered a personal loss with the passing of his father, Reb Yisrael Mordechai Brandwein, a prominent member of the Boyaner community, who was niftar this past Elul. He continued his weekly vigil undeterred.

This week, on Tu B’Shevat, eleven years after his wedding, Reb Chaim Yosef and his wife were blessed with a baby boy, b’chasdei Shomayim. The shalom zachar is scheduled to take place this coming Shabbos, Parshas Yisro at the Boyaner kloiz on Rechov Rabi Akiva in Beitar Illit.

{Matzav.com}

Cabinet member and minister Ze’ev Elkin said that threats by chareidi parties to block the state budget over the draft law would ultimately harm the chareidi public more than anyone else, during a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat.

In a comprehensive conversation with journalist Yishai Cohen, Elkin addressed a series of security and political issues, including violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and the serious wounding of an IDF officer, tensions with Iran and the possibility of a wider conflict, the battle over the draft law and the status of yeshiva students, and concerns that Agudas Yisrael could derail the legislation and destabilize the budget.

Elkin opened by responding to the ceasefire violation in Gaza and the severe injury sustained by an IDF officer. “He was wounded during an operation, which shows that activity is continuing all the time, and it is clear that this is a violation of the ceasefire. For every such violation, we exact a significant price from Hamas, both by eliminating senior operatives and by dismantling infrastructure as they try to rebuild,” he said.

Addressing the reopening of the Rafah crossing for the first time since the surprise Hamas attack on Simchas Torah, Elkin explained, “Opening the crossing was part of the plan. I cannot accept a situation where people say they support Trump’s plan and then start qualifying it. It is written clearly in the plan. Why wasn’t it opened earlier this week? Because Hamas did not meet all the conditions, and we insisted that until the fallen hostage is returned to us, the crossing would not be opened.”

Elkin also spoke about moving to the next phase of the campaign in Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas’ military capabilities. “I am glad that Trump says this in every speech. They understand that nothing can be done in the Gaza Strip without Hamas being disarmed. I do not believe Hamas will change its nature and disarm, and I also do not believe an international force will be found that is willing to endanger its soldiers against Hamas. That means that sooner or later Israel will have to return to fighting in Gaza and finish the job. Trump knows this as well,” he said.

On the growing tension with Iran, Elkin urged restraint in public rhetoric. “On the Iranian issue, all the talk is unnecessary and only harmful. There is a process being led by the United States. If there is a need, and certainly if we are attacked, the State of Israel will know how to defend itself and strike Iran. Right now, we need to let the United States go through its process,” he said.

Turning to the draft law, Elkin argued that change is unavoidable and that chareidi leadership must recognize this reality. “I think the situation has to change, and the chareidi leadership must understand that. There has to be enlistment among the chareidi community as well. How do you do it? Through legislation that creates both positive and negative incentives, and at the same time through chareidi leadership itself. When this stops being a culture war, there is a chance it can work,” he said.

Elkin, who previously led negotiations on the draft law, warned that Agudas Yisrael is now putting the legislation at risk. “I am afraid that this time as well, just like in previous cases — I have been involved with the draft issue since 2012 — I have seen again and again proposals placed on the table that part of the chareidi leadership was prepared to accept, while another part radicalized and said no. Years later, they told me in closed conversations, ‘It’s a shame we didn’t accept it then, we regret it.’ This mistake repeats itself time and again,” he said.

He continued, “I am concerned that this time too, the insistence of Agudas Yisrael will bring down the law and will also harm the chareidi public itself. A majority will not be achieved because of Agudas Yisrael. According to my count, this entire law is hanging by a single vote because of Agudas Yisrael. There is therefore a real risk that a majority will not be reached. That can absolutely happen, and Agudas Yisrael will only have itself to blame. If they go headfirst into a wall, they will hit a wall. What is happening now is exactly that — they are going headfirst into a wall and leading a line of opposition to the law.”

Elkin also addressed threats by Shas and Degel HaTorah not to support the state budget if the draft law does not pass its second and third readings. “I think they are wrong. They are making a big mistake. What will happen if the draft law gets stuck and does not pass, and the budget is not approved? Who are they punishing? Clearly the state will be harmed, but which public will feel it the most? The chareidi public. So what is the logic? To say that we will harm our own public in order to blame others,” he said.

President Donald Trump is planning to install a statue of Christopher Columbus on White House grounds, according to three people with knowledge of the pending move, in his latest effort to remake the presidential campus and celebrate the famed and controversial explorer.

The statue is set to be located on the south side of the grounds, by E Street and north of the Ellipse, two of the people said, although they cautioned that plans could change. The three people spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak on private discussions. The piece is a reconstruction of a statue unveiled in Baltimore by then-President Ronald Reagan and dumped in the city’s harbor by protesters in 2020 as a racial reckoning swept the country.

A group of Italian American businessmen and politicians, working with local sculptors, obtained the destroyed pieces and rebuilt the statue with financial support from local charities and federal grant funding.

Bill Martin, an Italian American businessman who helped recover the remnants of the original sculpture and organize a campaign to rebuild it, said the statue is expected to be transferred from a warehouse on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the Trump administration in coming weeks.

The White House declined to comment on its plans but praised the 15th-century explorer.

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero,” spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement. “And he will continue to be honored as such by President Trump.”

As Columbus statues became something of a battleground in the broader tug-of-war over the nation’s history, Trump has repeatedly positioned himself as a staunch defender of a legacy he says has been dishonored by “left-wing arsonists.”

Trump included Columbus in a 2021 executive order of historical figures for his proposed National Garden of American Heroes, showcasing those who embody “the American spirit of daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love.”

The Italian explorer is long celebrated for his voyage in 1492 to the Americas, opening up trade routes with Europe and setting the stage for colonization and enslavement. Some U.S. states now recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day; Joe Biden in 2021 became the first president to mark the holiday.

Trump campaigned in 2024 on promises to celebrate Columbus Day, and in October he signed a presidential proclamation to recognize Columbus as “the original American hero” and mark the annual holiday.

“We’re back, Italians. Okay? We love the Italians,” Trump said after signing the proclamation. He later said the move should help the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.

“The Italian people are very happy about it. Remember when you go to the voting booths, I reinstated Columbus Day,” Trump told reporters at the White House last month.

Meanwhile, his administration pushes to scrub federal institutions of “corrosive ideology” recognizing historical sexism and racism and to leave its mark on the nation’s capital in a sweeping effort that has drawn complaints and lawsuits. The president rapidly demolished the East Wing annex last year to build his planned $400 million ballroom; paved over the Rose Garden to make room for a patio; and has imposed his vision on numerous internal fixtures and rooms, including the Lincoln Bathroom.

Historic preservationists have called on Trump to go through federal review panels before making further changes to the White House grounds.

In his first term, Trump decried the destruction of Columbus statues across the country. After administration officials learned about efforts in 2020 to rescue and preserve Baltimore’s statue, they asked to obtain it for possible installation on federal grounds, but the statue was not yet ready, said Martin, the businessman.

Martin estimated that he and his allies raised and spent more than $100,000 for their recovery and restoration efforts, which he said represented inspiration to the Italian American community.

“It’s not about Columbus ‘discovering America’ … it’s about the Italian immigrants who came here and looked to Columbus as a hero,” Martin said.

Nino Mangione, a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates, also was involved in efforts to recover the statue, and he praised Trump’s plan to install it at the White House.

“It is such an honor for the Italian American community,” Mangione wrote in an email. “This proves that gangs, thugs, and people of that ilk don’t control things by mob rule. … in America the people rule and our voices are heard.”

Columbus’s planned D.C. arrival comes on the heels of the administration’s reinstallation last October of a Confederate general that protesters had toppled and torched five years prior.

Albert Pike is now back on his plinth in a small federal park about a mile east of the White House, the only Confederate leader memorialized with an outdoor statue in Washington.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

{Matzav.com}

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed for now a new California voting map that could help Democrats gain up to five seats in Congress, the latest twist in a national fight between liberals and conservatives seeking advantage in this year’s midterm elections.

The justices cleared the state to use a map pushed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and approved by voters that was intended to offset a redistricting effort by Republicans in Texas sought by President Donald Trump. The Texas map could net the GOP up to five additional seats.

The high court’s ruling will remain in effect while a lawsuit challenging California’s map works its way through the courts. The Supreme Court ruled in December that the Texas map was constitutional, so many legal experts expected the justices to approve the California map as well.

The justices did not provide a rationale for their decision in the brief order. There were no noted dissents.

Democrats and Republicans in nearly two dozen states have taken or explored the unusual step of redrawing congressional voting maps mid-decade to try to secure partisan advantage during the 2026 elections. The high-stakes efforts could determine control of the narrowly divided House of Representatives.

Typically, states alter congressional boundaries only after the census, once every 10 years; the mid-decade push this year is the largest since the 1800s.

The Supreme Court’s majority rejected an argument by California Republicans that the state improperly relied on race to draw the map, in violation of the Constitution. The state GOP claimed Democrats tried to increase Latino voting power in the Central Valley to curry political support.

The landmark Voting Rights Act prevents states from drawing maps that dilute the power of minority voters, but states also can’t draw maps explicitly based on race because that would violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause. It can be a tricky needle to thread.

Republicans urged the court to rule quickly because candidates can begin submitting their paperwork to run in California’s new districts this coming Monday. They said the court should require the state use a 2021 map drawn up by the independent, nonpartisan Citizens Redistricting Commission that is normally tasked with drawing maps in the state. That map already yielded a heavily Democratic congressional delegation, but Republicans were able to win nine of the state’s 52 districts in 2024. The new map was designed to yield a 48-4 split.

“Even when a state claims it is engaged in a partisan rather than racial gerrymandering, it may not use race as a ‘proxy’ for politics,” California Republicans wrote in a court filing. “Regrettably, California has done precisely that.”

The state countered that its gerrymander was strictly a political move to gain Democrats more seats, which is allowed by law. They said state Republicans had no evidence that race was a motivating factor in drawing the map. Texas made almost identical arguments about partisanship versus race in successfully defending its map.

It would be “strange for California to undertake a mid-decade restricting effort with the predominant purpose of benefitting Latino voters and then enact a new map that contains an identical number of Latino-majority districts,” state officials wrote in a Supreme Court filing.

After Texas lawmakers approved that state’s new map in August at the urging of Trump, Newsom announced California would try to counter the effort.

“California will not sit idle as Trump and his Republican lapdogs shred our country’s democracy before our very eyes,” Newsom said in a statement at the time.

In November, the state’s voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, which allowed the state to temporarily bypass the redistricting commission. The move was seen as a major political victory for Democrats and Newsom, who could run for president.

Republicans sued. A divided panel of district court judges refused to block the new map, before the state Republicans appealed to the Supreme Court. The Trump administration backed California’s GOP.

Other states have also jumped into the redistricting fray, including Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina and Utah, which enacted new maps favoring Republicans. Blue states, including Virginia, Maryland and Washington, are working on their own redistricting plans.

In late January, a Virginia judge ruled the process Democrats used to create a constitutional amendment to increase Democratic seats in Congress was illegal. Democrats vowed to appeal.

The redistricting war is only one legal factor that could influence the outcome of the this year’s midterms. The Supreme Court is also considering the legality of the last remaining pillar of the Voting Rights Act, which requires states to draw maps under certain circumstances that allow minority voters to elect candidates of their choice.

The justices seemed inclined to limit or strike down Section 2 during arguments in the case in October. Such a ruling could touch off a nationwide redistricting scramble that could result in roughly a dozen Black legislators losing their seats, mostly in the South.

The case is also part of a busy term at the Supreme Court, which is dealing with election- and voting-related issues. The justices are weighing whether to restrict laws that allow states to count mail-in ballots that arrive after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

In another case, the justices cleared the way for an Illinois congressman to challenge the state’s mail-in ballot law. Trump supporters have targeted mail-in ballot rules in a number of states after the president falsely claimed he lost the 2020 election because of voting fraud.

In a third case, the justices will decide whether to knock down restrictions on coordinated campaign spending between political parties and federal candidates.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is considering a policy change that could effectively bar large cities from operating fare-free bus programs if they rely on federal transit funding, a move that could directly clash with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s pledge to eliminate bus fares citywide, Newsmax reports.

According to a draft proposal from the Department of Transportation obtained by Politico, the idea is being floated for inclusion in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, which would require approval from Congress before taking effect.

The proposal would apply to transit agencies serving populations of more than 200,000 people and operating bus fleets larger than 100 vehicles.

Those thresholds could affect jurisdictions that currently offer free bus service, including parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area, Richmond, Virginia, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kansas City, however, is reportedly planning to bring fares back in the near future.

In New York City, the issue has taken on added political weight, as Mamdani made affordability a central theme of his campaign and vowed to “permanently eliminate the fare on every city bus.” On Tuesday, however, Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber dismissed that promise as a “campaign bumper sticker” while testifying at a budget hearing in Albany.

Under the draft language, transit agencies that receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration would be required to charge passengers. Jurisdictions that decline to comply could risk losing federal support.

“This policy would help ensure the largest federally supported systems are safer and more adequately funded by users,” the document says.

The proposal would still permit free rides for certain populations, including seniors, people with disabilities, children, students, and veterans.

It would also allow exceptions for special circumstances, such as major international events like the World Cup or the Olympics. That provision is notable given that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across several U.S. cities with large transit systems, including Kansas City, Philadelphia, and the New York–New Jersey region.

Even so, Politico reported that the surface transportation legislation is unlikely to be completed before the World Cup begins. The next Summer Olympics are slated for Los Angeles in 2028.

The DOT’s argument centers largely on funding stability and safety concerns. The draft warns that fare-free transit “can result in unsustainable finances for the agency and potential safety issues,” and notes that some systems that eliminated fares experienced an increase in disruptive behavior.

Advocates of fare-free transit counter that eliminating fares boosts ridership and lowers barriers for working families trying to reach jobs and essential services.

Joel Mendez, an assistant professor of transportation planning at the University of Kansas who researched Kansas City’s experiment with free bus service, said the data points to wider mobility benefits.

“If more people are using the bus, which the evidence suggests across a broad range of demographics, we could be significantly improving their mobility and enhancing access to services and resources throughout the region, including jobs, and that can have a positive impact on their quality of life,” Mendez told Politico.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats sharply criticized the proposal from the Trump administration’s Transportation Department.

“This proposal makes no sense,” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, said in a statement. “Transit agencies are pretty good at making their own decisions about how to operate to meet local needs.”

“The FTA should be in a position to support them, not undermine them,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

A man found guilty of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during a 2024 incident at a Florida golf course was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon handed down the sentence to Ryan Routh in a Fort Pierce courtroom that was the same venue where proceedings descended into chaos last September, when Routh attempted to stab himself shortly after a jury convicted him on all charges.

Federal prosecutors sought a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, arguing that Routh has shown no remorse and has never expressed regret for his actions. A lawyer representing Routh at sentencing urged the court to impose a 27-year term, pointing out that Routh is approaching his 60th birthday.

In addition to the life sentence, Routh was also given a consecutive seven-year prison term tied to one of his firearms convictions.

Sentencing was originally set for December, but Judge Cannon agreed to postpone it after Routh chose to retain legal counsel for this phase of the case, rather than continue representing himself as he had throughout much of the trial.

In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors wrote that Routh has refused to accept responsibility for his actions and argued that federal guidelines support keeping him incarcerated for the rest of his life. The convictions included attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm to further a crime, assaulting a federal officer, illegal possession of a firearm as a felon, and using a gun with a defaced serial number.

“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.

Routh’s newly retained attorney, Martin L. Roth, requested that the court depart from the sentencing guidelines and impose 20 years in prison in addition to the mandatory seven-year sentence for the gun charge.

“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”

Prosecutors detailed that Routh spent weeks planning an attack on Trump before positioning himself in shrubbery and aiming a rifle toward the Republican presidential candidate as he played golf on September 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.

During the trial, a Secret Service agent assigned to Trump’s protection testified that he noticed Routh before Trump came into the agent’s line of sight. According to the testimony, Routh pointed his rifle at the agent, who then fired his weapon, prompting Routh to drop the gun and flee the scene without firing a shot.

In a motion seeking legal representation, Routh proposed exchanging his life in a prisoner swap for individuals he claimed were unjustly detained abroad and said the offer remained open for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”

“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.

When granting Routh’s request for an attorney, Judge Cannon sharply criticized what she called the “disrespectful charade” reflected in his filing, saying it undermined the seriousness of the proceedings. Still, she said she preferred to err in favor of ensuring legal representation.

Cannon had approved Routh’s request last summer to represent himself at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that defendants may do so, provided they demonstrate to a judge that they are competent to waive their right to counsel.

Routh’s former federal public defenders remained involved as standby counsel and attended the trial.

Court records showed that Routh had multiple prior felony convictions, including possession of stolen property, and maintained an extensive online presence expressing hostility toward Trump. In a self-published book, he urged Iran to assassinate Trump and at another point wrote that, as a Trump voter, he bore some responsibility for helping elect him.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on former prime minister Ehud Barak over what he described as severe racist statements revealed in a recently aired recording, accusing Israel’s media and political establishment of turning a blind eye to remarks that demean Jews of Eastern origin and challenge the Jewish identity of the state.

Deri was responding to an audio recording broadcast by journalist Yishai Friedman on Channel 14, in which Barak is heard allegedly outlining a worldview aimed at engineering demographic change through control of the Chief Rabbinate and conversion systems, while openly favoring immigration from Europe over aliyah from Eastern countries.

According to Deri, the comments expose hostility toward traditional and religious Jews and reflect an attempt to marginalize communities deeply connected to Jewish faith and heritage. He described the remarks as “horrific and racist statements,” and said Barak himself understands that Jews of Eastern descent, who are rooted in tradition and belief, do not fit into a vision of a secular state cut off from its foundations. “With this public, they cannot win,” Deri said.

Deri also condemned what he called selective enforcement by the media, arguing that similar remarks from other political leaders would have ignited immediate outrage. “Imagine if Benjamin Netanyahu had said things like this — the news broadcasts would have opened with it. Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and the mainstream channels would have jumped on it instantly,” he said.

He added that if he himself had spoken in a comparable way about immigration from the former Soviet Union, the reaction would have been explosive, including attacks from Avigdor Lieberman and prominent journalists. “But when it’s Ehud Barak — everyone maintains a deafening silence,” Deri said.

Deri concluded with a broader ideological message to the right-wing camp, urging confidence and resolve. “Do not be afraid of them. We will continue to safeguard the Land of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and the People of Israel — and with God’s help, we will prevail,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Israel will resume full-scale military operations in Gaza to eradicate Hamas if the terror group is not neutralized through other means, signaling that a renewed offensive could be imminent.

Speaking at a conference of Religious Zionism school principals in Eilat, Smotrich said an ultimatum would soon be issued to Hamas and warned that failure to comply would lead to intensified fighting. “Hamas must be completely destroyed. You will see in the coming days that a time limited ultimatum will be issued. When it expires, we will have to return to fighting, to destroy, to kill and eliminate these terrorists, and there are additional arenas where we have not yet said the final word,” he said.

Smotrich also pointed to what he described as a shift within the Israel Defense Forces, crediting increased participation by soldiers from religious backgrounds. “The army today is completely different because our people are serving in it, coming from a world of Torah. Our influence across the country is very great, and it has also increased behind closed doors and in decision making centers,” he said.

He concluded by asserting that Israel has emerged stronger in recent years, both militarily and economically. “Bottom line, after these two years our security and economic situation is better,” Smotrich said.

{Matzav.com}

The United States announced this afternoon that it has agreed to proceed with talks with Iran in Oman on Friday, reversing an earlier decision to cancel the discussions following a request from Arab countries.

The change came after reports that Washington had sent a firm message to Tehran rejecting Iranian demands to alter both the venue and structure of the talks. The discussions were initially set to take place Friday in Istanbul and to include representatives from additional countries. According to a senior American official, the U.S. made clear there was no flexibility. “We told them: ‘It’s either this or nothing.’ They said, ‘Okay, then nothing,'” the official said, adding, “We want to achieve a real deal quickly, or people will look for other options.”

Speaking earlier at a press conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the broader approach to the negotiations. “We do not view these meetings as a concession or legitimization. We are ready to talk to any adversary or ally of ours,” Rubio said.

Rubio also outlined what Washington believes must be addressed for the discussions to be productive. “I think for the talks to bring something meaningful, they must include several issues – including ballistic missile ranges, the nuclear program, support for terrorist organizations in the region, and their treatment of their people,” he said.

An Iranian official responded by narrowing expectations for the agenda, stating: “The talks with the U.S. in Oman will focus solely on the nuclear program. Ballistic missiles are not on the table.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had reason for serious concern, as signs mounted that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran were breaking down.

Asked in an interview with NBC News whether Khamenei should be worried, Trump replied, “He should be very worried.” The remark came as reports indicated that attempts to create a diplomatic off-ramp between the United States and Iran were faltering, increasing fears of a potential military confrontation.

Trump insisted that dialogue had not fully collapsed, saying, “They’re negotiating with us,” even as uncertainty surrounded the future of the talks.

During the interview, the reporter noted that Iranian protesters opposed to the regime felt abandoned by Trump, who had previously voiced support for them and encouraged public demonstrations. Those protests were followed by reports that thousands of demonstrators were killed, while Trump later said he had intervened to stop the planned executions of another 800 protesters.

Trump rejected the notion that the protesters had been abandoned. “We do have their back,” he said. He then asserted that U.S. actions had significantly weakened Iran, adding, “That country is a mess right now because of us. We went in, [and] we wiped out their nuclear [program],” referring to U.S. strikes on two Iranian nuclear facilities last June during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

After Trump again stated that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been completely eliminated, he was questioned about the purpose of ongoing nuclear talks if the program had truly been destroyed.

In response, Trump claimed that Iran had attempted to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure at other locations, warning that such efforts would prompt further U.S. military action.

At the same time, Trump did not address reports that some nuclear sites were not hit in the June strikes or that the whereabouts of previously enriched uranium stockpiles remained unknown—issues that cast doubt on his assertion that Iran’s nuclear program had been entirely wiped out.

Lawmakers from Yisrael Beytenu have submitted new legislation that would overhaul Israel’s Chief Rabbinate by replacing the current system of two Chief Rabbis with a single officeholder, Arutz Sheva reports. The bill was introduced by MKs Avigdor Lieberman, Oded Forer, Evgeny Sova, Sharon Nir, and Hamad Amar.

Under the proposal, multiple sections of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law would be revised. Among the key changes are redefining the position from “the Chief Rabbis of Israel” to “the Chief Rabbi of Israel,” eliminating the provision that permits two candidates to be elected simultaneously, and formally assigning the Chief Rabbi to serve both as head of the Chief Rabbinate Council and as president of the Great Rabbinical Court.

In the explanatory notes attached to the bill, its backers contend that maintaining two Chief Rabbis is no longer justified and stems from an approach that no longer reflects Israeli reality.

“In recent years, a public debate has arisen regarding the need for dual Chief Rabbis in Israel. In the view of many, this duplication is superfluous and expresses anachronistic concepts of separate representation for ‘Ashkenazim’ and ‘Sephardim,’” the sponsors wrote.

They further argued that demographic and social changes in the country warrant a structural update to the institution. “Now, after decades of the ingathering of exiles in the State of Israel, the time has come to adapt the institution of the Chief Rabbinate as well to Israeli society. Since there is no longer any substantive justification for maintaining two Chief Rabbis, the economic and bureaucratic savings resulting from abolishing the dual roles become an additional and significant justification.”

The legislation mirrors an earlier proposal submitted by MK Lieberman and closely resembles a bill advanced by MK Elazar Stern during the 23rd Knesset.

{Matzav.com}

Diplomatic discussions scheduled for Friday between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not take place, Axios reported, after the two sides failed to agree on how and where the meeting would be held.

According to the report, Washington informed Tehran that it would not accept Iran’s requests to alter either the venue or the structure of the talks. The meeting had been set for Istanbul and was expected to include representatives from other countries, but Iran pushed for changes that the U.S. ultimately refused.

While U.S. officials reviewed the proposal to move the talks, they decided against it and delivered a firm response. “We told them: ‘It’s either this or nothing.’ They said, ‘Okay, then nothing,’” a senior American official said. The official added, “We want to reach a real deal quickly, or people will look for other options.”

After news broke that the discussions had been called off, U.S. officials told Reuters that President Donald Trump is now increasingly inclined toward the use of military force against Iran.

Speaking earlier at a press conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to frame the negotiations as pragmatic rather than symbolic. “We do not view these meetings as concessions or legitimization. We are ready to talk to any adversary or ally of ours,” Rubio said.

Rubio also outlined what Washington believes must be addressed for any negotiations to have substance. “I think for the talks to bring something meaningful, they must include several issues – including ballistic missile ranges, the nuclear program, support for terrorist organizations in the region, and their treatment of their people,” he said.

An Iranian official rejected that broader scope, making clear that Tehran would not expand the agenda. “The talks with the US in Oman will only focus on the nuclear program. Ballistic missiles are not on the table,” the official said.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elyakim Schlesinger zt”l, one of the ziknei roshei yeshivos, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Harama and author of Bais Av. He was 104 years old.

Rav Schlesinger was born on 22 Cheshvan 5682 (November 23, 1921) in Vienna to Rav Dovid Schlesinger and his mother, Baila. In 1931, as a young child, he moved with his family to Eretz Yisroel, where they settled in Tel Aviv. His formative Torah education began under the guidance of Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, and he later continued his learning at Yeshivas Kaminetz and at Yeshivas Lomza in Petach Tikvah.

Rav Schlesinger married his wife, Dina Yehudis, daughter of Rav Moshe Blau. Following the passing of his father-in-law, he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Pnei Moshe in Yerushalayim, a mosad established in Rav Blau’s memory. At the recommendation of the Brisker Rov, Rav Schlesinger later relocated to Europe. He first served as Rosh Yeshiva in the city of Kapellen, Belgium, for two years, before moving to London, where he founded Yeshivas Harama. The yeshiva was named in honor of the Chasam Sofer’s son, the Kesav Sofer, and later also in recognition of the Daas Sofer, who had been one of Rav Schlesinger’s rabbeim.

Over the decades, Rav Schlesinger became one of the central figures of the chareidi community in England, maintaining close relationships with many of the gedolei Yisroel of his generation, including the Brisker Rov and the Chazon Ish. His personal recollections and insights into those figures were later recorded in his sefer Hador Vehatekufah, which offers a rare first-hand window into the Torah leadership of the previous generation.

Beyond his role as Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Schlesinger was deeply involved in communal matters. He was long active in the protection of kevorim across Europe and served as chairman of the committee dedicated to safeguarding Jewish cemeteries on the continent. His principled stance on a range of public issues, particularly matters affecting Torah education and religious autonomy, made him a prominent voice of daas Torah and the preservation of authentic Yiddishkeit.

Rav Schlesinger was the author of numerous Torah works, including multiple volumes of Bais Av on Shas, halacha, machshavah, and drush, as well as a Haggadah shel Pesach and other seforim that reflect his breadth in both learning and hashkafah.

He is survived by a family of noted rabbonim and marbitzei Torah.

Yehi zichro boruch. 

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that he has no intention of apologizing to the family of Alex Pretti, the anti-ICE protester who was killed in Minneapolis, after Vance amplified a claim labeling Pretti an “assassin.”

Asked by The Daily Mail whether he would retract the description, Vance brushed aside the suggestion.

“For what?” Vance retorted.

He said the facts still need to be established and warned against drawing conclusions before investigators finish their work. “If something is determined, that the guy who shot Alex Pretti did something bad, then a lot of consequences are going to flow from that,” he added. “We’ll let that happen. I don’t think it’s smart to prejudge the investigation.”

Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse, was fatally shot on January 24 during a confrontation with a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection agent in Minneapolis. In the hours following the shooting, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut criticized federal immigration enforcement, writing on X that “ICE must leave Minneapolis” and that “Congress should not fund this version of ICE.”

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, responded sharply to Murphy’s post.

“An assassin tried to murder federal agents,” Miller fired back at Murphy, “and this is your response.”

Vance shared Miller’s message on his personal social media account, where it remains visible even after video footage surfaced showing Pretti had been disarmed before the shooting.

Three days later, on January 27, President Trump declined to repeat Miller’s characterization when questioned by reporters outside the White House.

“I haven’t heard that. But he shouldn’t have been carrying a gun,” Trump said.

“Bottom line, everybody in this room, we view that as a very unfortunate incident, OK?” the president added. “Everyone, unless you’re a stupid person. Very, very unfortunate … I don’t like that he had a gun, I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines. That’s a lot of bad stuff.”

In the aftermath of the killing, Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis in an effort to ease tensions. The two agents involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, and the Justice Department opened a probe into whether Pretti’s civil rights were violated.

Vance again emphasized the need to wait for the investigative process to play out.

“Let’s do the investigation,” he said Tuesday. “Let’s figure out, did these officers have a reasonable fear of Alex Pretti given what happened? Did they engage in lawful conduct or unlawful conduct? Let’s let the investigation determine those things.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Thursday released a new architectural rendering of a proposed White House ballroom, a project estimated to cost $400 million that would significantly expand the East Wing’s capacity to host foreign leaders and official guests.

The image, which Trump posted on Truth Social, presents an east-facing view of the planned structure, appearing to look across the South Lawn from the direction of the Treasury Building.

“This beautiful building will be, when complete, the much-anticipated White House Ballroom — The Greatest of its kind ever built!” Trump wrote.

“It is a rendering from the Treasury Building, directly across the street, and it replaces the very small, dilapidated East Wing, which has been rebuilt many times, with a magnificent new East Wing consisting of a glorious ballroom that has been asked for by presidents for over 150 years.”

The illustration shows a substantial neoclassical extension connected to the White House, marked by a long row of tall columns, ornate arches, and a large triangular pediment dominating the front of the structure.

According to the rendering, the design is intended to complement the existing look of the executive mansion while giving the new wing a more imposing and ceremonial presence.

In the foreground, a black iron security fence and stone wall frame the view from outside the White House grounds, while a portion of the current White House complex is visible on the right side of the image.

Trump said the proposal respects the proportions of the historic residence.

“Being an identical height and scale, it is totally in keeping with our historic White House,” Trump wrote.

“This is the first rendering shown to the Public.

“If you notice, the North Wall is a replica of the North Facade of the White House, shown at the right-hand side of the picture.

“This space will serve our Country well for, hopefully, Centuries into the future!” he wrote.

The ballroom project has sparked opposition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop construction until additional reviews are conducted.

In its filing, the organization alleges that the Trump administration demolished the East Wing in late October to clear space for a ballroom spanning roughly 90,000 square feet, contending that the work proceeded without congressional approval or required historic preservation and environmental reviews.

The complaint states that the area is already an active construction site, citing the presence of heavy equipment, pile driving operations, and cranes.

The National Trust argues that the administration was obligated to submit detailed plans to federal oversight bodies and provide an opportunity for public comment before beginning construction.

The group is asking the court to halt further progress on the project until those procedures are completed.

The Trump administration has responded that changes and expansions to the White House have been carried out by presidents throughout history.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

“Even the most elegant celebration must bow to the sanctity of Shabbos — for beauty without Halachah is an illusion, but observance brings true splendor.”

It was a lavish affair — a Shabbos Bar Mitzvah held in an elegant Connecticut hotel, where fine linens gleamed under crystal chandeliers and every detail had been orchestrated by a professional party planner. The atmosphere was refined, the décor impeccable — but for the host, a yirei Shamayim, there was one priority above all: that every moment of Shabbos be conducted with kedushah and halachic precision.

To ensure this, an experienced mashgiach was hired to supervise the entire weekend. From the moment he arrived, he worked with quiet precision, overseeing every preparation — from the kitchen’s eiruv tavshilin to the careful handling of the hot plates and the sealing of the refrigerators before Shabbos.

The planner, however, had never worked under such rigorous religious supervision. To her, timing was everything, presentation was everything — and the Mashgiach’s insistence on halachic boundaries felt like interference.

By the time the Friday night seudah began, tension filled the air behind the scenes. The planner approached the host, visibly flustered. “I can’t work like this,” she whispered urgently. “He’s stopping everything — even simple things that I need done to serve your guests properly!”

The host looked at her calmly, understanding both her frustration and the Mashgiach’s role. “Please,” he said softly but firmly, “whatever the Mashgiach says — that’s how it must be. It’s not personal; it’s Shabbos. This is not like any weekday event. He carries the responsibility before Heaven for every detail.”

The planner hesitated, her professional pride warring with unfamiliar reverence. “But I’ve never been told I couldn’t adjust the lighting or reheat something before,” she said.The host’s voice was kind, but resolute. “On Shabbos, we adjust ourselves — not the lights.”

There was silence. Slowly, the tension dissipated. The planner nodded, humbled, and the event continued smoothly. The food was served with grace, the songs of zemiros filled the hall, and the atmosphere became one of quiet holiness rather than glittering showmanship.

In the following week, reflecting on the experience, the host and the Mashgiach consulted Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l, seeking his wisdom about whether hashgachos should be provided for events managed by secular or non-religious planners. Rav Dovid listened carefully, then gave his clear and measured response.

“It is best not to give Hashgocha at all,” he said. “A party planner’s goal is to please guests — but Shabbos is not about convenience. When the one running the event does not understand hilchos Shabbos, chillul Shabbos is almost inevitable — even without intent.” His words carried weight — calm, simple, and absolute. The lesson was clear: Shabbos cannot be managed by those who do not live it.

From that point onward, the Mashgiach and others who heard of the incident followed Rav Dovid’s advice with conviction. If the planner did not live by Shabbos, there would be no Hashgachah. Better to lose a contract than to compromise the sanctity of Heaven’s gift.

Yehuda Shain

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Federal authorities say a man living in the United States illegally, who was already under a standing deportation order, was hired by the New Orleans Police Department and issued a firearm while training to become an officer.

The individual, Larry Temah, 46, a migrant from Cameroon, was arrested by ICE at his residence on January 26, just days before he was scheduled to complete police academy training.

“This illegal alien from Cameroon, Larry Temah, is not only breaking the law with every step he takes in this country illegally, but the New Orleans Police Department hired him and issued him in a firearm — what kind of law enforcement department gives criminal illegal aliens guns and badges?” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

“It’s a felony for illegal aliens to even possess a firearm.”

According to ICE, Temah initially entered the United States lawfully in 2015 on a visitor visa. The following year, he received conditional permanent residency after marrying a U.S. citizen.

Federal officials say that arrangement later came under scrutiny. In 2022, Temah’s green card application was denied after authorities raised concerns that the marriage was not legitimate.

ICE said Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court but failed to attend hearings on three separate occasions.

An immigration judge later issued a formal deportation order against him.

The Trump administration has accused the New Orleans Police Department of recruiting Temah and providing him with a firearm despite his immigration status and the active removal order.

Police department officials strongly rejected those allegations, saying the claims mischaracterize the facts.

“The New Orleans Police Department verified Mr. Temah’s employment eligibility through ICE’s E-Verify system prior to hiring and was never notified of any ICE detainer,” a department spokesperson said.

“New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, and NOPD does not control jail operations or detainer decisions, which fall under the Sheriff’s Office.”

“Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false,” the spokesperson added.

{Matzav.com}