Feed aggregator

Kevin Warsh was confirmed Wednesday as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, stepping into the role at a moment when rising inflation is placing the central bank in a difficult position.

The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s nominee by a 54-45 vote, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania standing as the only Democrat to support him. Just one day earlier, Warsh had secured confirmation to a 14-year term on the Fed’s Board of Governors in a tight 51-45 vote.

Warsh is set to take over from outgoing Chair Jerome Powell by the end of the week, inheriting an economic landscape where inflation is climbing even as Trump continues to advocate for lower interest rates.

Powell’s term as chair ends Friday, but he is expected to remain on the board as a governor—an uncommon arrangement that could lead to friction within the institution as Warsh begins to steer monetary policy at a time when inflation pressures are expected to increase amid the Iran war.

“The Fed has a predicament,” Derek Reisfield, co-founder and original chairman of MarketWatch, told The Post.

“While there is a lot of pressure to lower rates, typically in a rising inflation environment, the Fed would be hesitant to lower rates. That might fuel inflation more.”

New government data released this week showed consumer prices rising 3.8% in April compared to a year earlier, marking the highest annual increase since mid-2023 and a notable jump from March’s 3.3% rate.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile items, rose 2.8% year over year, while the Fed’s preferred core PCE measure remains above 3%.

Skanda Amarnath, executive director of Employ America and a former Fed economist, said inflation has been stronger than expected for months, even excluding swings in gasoline prices, and warned that conditions may worsen.

“Even the more flattering inflation measures Warsh pointed to at his confirmation hearing are now turning the other way,” Amarnath told The Post.

Warsh has long argued that the Fed damaged its credibility by maintaining loose monetary policy following the pandemic.

During his confirmation hearing last month, he criticized the central bank’s 2020 framework, saying it contributed to “the inflation surge … we’re still living with.”

He also faulted Fed officials for signaling their rate decisions too clearly in advance.

“We need central bankers who are humble, who are nimble, who are open-minded, who can react,” Warsh told lawmakers.

At the same time, Warsh has suggested that advances in artificial intelligence could eventually boost productivity enough to ease inflationary pressures and allow interest rates to decline over time.

Powell is remaining on the board in part due to ongoing questions surrounding the Fed’s costly headquarters renovation project.

The issue prompted a Justice Department investigation into whether Powell misled Congress about rising costs. Although prosecutors dropped the criminal case, Powell has said he intends to stay until the matter is “well and truly over” and to ensure the Fed’s independence is safeguarded from political interference.

Justice Department officials have indicated they could revisit the case if the Fed’s Office of Inspector General uncovers evidence of wrongdoing.

Reisfield said one of the main contributors to the recent inflation spike has been disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz, where instability has pushed up energy prices and disrupted supply chains for key materials from the Persian Gulf.

“These are all basic supply inputs to a ton of things, like fertilizer, computer chips, etc.,” Reisfield said. “So everything that relies on those inputs, which is pretty much everything in our economy, is going to cost more.”

A central question for the Fed, Reisfield said, is whether policymakers believe the current inflation spike will be short-lived.

“If the Iran war is over soon, those prices will drop,” he said. “One question will be how quickly.”

Amarnath noted that markets may still be underestimating the likelihood that the Fed could raise rates again if inflation remains elevated.

“The debate now is why or why not hike — not why or why not cut,” he said.

Such a move would put the central bank on a collision course with Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Powell for not lowering rates more aggressively.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled his $124.7 billion budget proposal Tuesday, presenting it as a solution to a multibillion-dollar shortfall, but critics say the plan leans heavily on temporary fixes and a range of quiet fee increases.

While the mayor highlighted closing the gap and described the budget as a turning point, watchdog groups quickly challenged that claim, pointing to what they say are questionable savings and new ways the city intends to bring in $1.7 billion over the next two years.

Opponents dismissed the approach as relying on accounting maneuvers, even after Mamdani backed away from a proposed 9.5% property tax increase that had drawn widespread opposition.

“Banking on yet to be determined revenue-raising gimmicks and identifying fake savings are not wins,” a Democratic operative said. “This budget plan is as real as Kim Kardashian’s lips.”

Mamdani, who ran on lowering costs for residents, said his administration spent months identifying efficiencies through newly appointed “Chief Savings Officers,” though some of the projected gains involve higher charges on residents and businesses.

Among the proposals, City Hall intends to increase ambulance transport fees to bring in nearly $25 million annually and begin charging for EMS responses even when patients are not transported, which is expected to generate an additional $10 million, according to budget documents.

Other projected revenue sources include stepping up enforcement of bus lane violations, increasing oversight of the trade waste sector and wholesale markets, and raising fees related to tree replacement, according to city records.

The plan also calls for stricter enforcement of the STAR property tax credit and increased audits tied to abatement compliance, with an expectation of collecting roughly $24 million more each year.

One insider expressed skepticism about the overall impact of the measures.

“There’s not enough savings at all.”

“The only good thing is he gave on property tax and the rainy day fund,” the politico said. “Otherwise, the budget is not where it needs to be at all.”

Several departments are also implementing relatively small cuts, including the Department of Veterans’ Services, which is set to reduce certain events to save $60,000, and the Sanitation Department, which plans to eliminate a battery disposal program to save $353,000.

Some of the projected savings come from revised revenue estimates, including higher expected income from handgun permits, Landmark Preservation Commission applications and Taxi and Limousine Commission license renewals.

A large portion of the projected savings is tied to the Department of Education, with officials relying heavily on broadly defined cost-containment efforts.

The budget anticipates $149.5 million in savings this fiscal year through “improved financial controls,” with a projected $922 million in savings next year tied to similar measures, including $30.3 million from procurement “reform.”

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Mamdani said his administration worked to identify every possible efficiency.

“It is evidence of a new era of government in our city, one that can balance both ambition and fiscal responsibility, one that can invest in housing, child care, libraries, parks, schools and climate resiliency, while also cutting waste and finding efficiencies,” he said.

“One that does not accept austerity as the only answer to adversity, one that refuses to kick structural challenges down the road for someone else to have to solve.”

During his remarks, Mamdani outlined $94 million in savings from renegotiating or canceling contracts and another $28 million from updating city technology and software licenses.

He also pointed to $368 million in savings from improving service efficiency and reducing overtime and outdated programs, along with $947 million from what he described as better financial management and more accurate revenue and expense projections.

Additional savings are expected through consolidating city operations, reducing unused space, combining leases and leaving some positions unfilled.

City officials also said the budget gap would be narrowed by restructuring pension payments, saving $2.3 billion over two years, and introducing a tax on high-end second homes expected to generate $500 million, though that estimate has faced scrutiny.

The administration further projected hundreds of millions in savings by slowing the growth of spending on special education reimbursements and housing vouchers, though it offered few concrete details on how those reductions would be achieved.

Mamdani’s proposed Office of Community Safety is allocated $270 million, significantly less than the $1.1 billion he had pledged during his campaign for a new department focused on responding to mental health crises.

City Comptroller Mark Levine cautioned that the budget still depends heavily on short-term measures.

“relies on $2.8 billion in one-time measures and $2.3 billion in short-term pension savings, without solving for the fact that City government continues to spend more than we take in, even in a year of record revenues.”

Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, acknowledged some progress but said deeper changes are needed.

“Holistic transformation is the best path for the excellence in government the Mayor rightly promotes and New Yorkers need,” he said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, we get the types of maneuvers we’ve seen in the past.”

The proposal now heads to the City Council, where negotiations will take place ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

Several major European airlines are preparing to restart flights to Israel after suspending service during the war with Iran, signaling a gradual return to normal air travel.

Germany’s Lufthansa, along with Austrian Airlines, is expected to resume routes to and from Israel at the start of June, while Wizz Air said it plans to restart operations earlier, on May 28.

The move comes after a shift in guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which revised its recommendations regarding air travel in the Middle East.

Although EASA extended its advisory discouraging flights to Israel and Gulf destinations through May 27, the language of the guidance has been softened. Rather than calling on airlines to avoid the region altogether, it now advises carriers to proceed with “heightened caution” and to carry out ongoing risk evaluations.

With this adjustment, airlines now have greater flexibility to make their own operational and security decisions, enabling them to cautiously resume flights while still adhering to specific safety measures.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Army is confronting a budget deficit estimated between $4 billion and $6 billion, driven largely by the costs of the Iran war and expanded efforts to secure the southern border.

Internal records reviewed by ABC News indicate that Army leadership is moving quickly to cut expenses, reducing training programs and scaling back operations as it tries to manage the growing financial burden tied to President Donald Trump’s broadened security missions both domestically and overseas.

These cost-cutting measures have already led to sudden cancellations of specialized military courses, a reduction in flight hours for pilots, and tighter oversight of spending across various Army units, even though several months remain before the fiscal year concludes on September 30.

A significant contributor to the funding gap is the Army’s increased operational presence, including deployments connected to the conflict with Iran as well as ongoing border security assignments.

The service has also had to cover expenses resulting from funding shortfalls at the Department of Homeland Security during a recent 76-day shutdown.

Even as the Army works to manage these financial pressures, the Trump administration has put forward a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027, aimed at restoring and strengthening U.S. military power following what War Secretary Pete Hegseth described as years of insufficient funding by prior administrations.

“We are delivering on President Trump’s commitment to expand American military dominance for decades to come,” Hegseth said while announcing the budget proposal.

The proposal allocates substantial funding for missile defense systems, drone capabilities, naval construction, cyber operations, and border security. It also includes $2.3 billion specifically designated to maintain heightened enforcement at the southern border.

Despite these long-term plans, Army officials are raising concerns about immediate readiness challenges.

Forecasts suggest that III Armored Corps, which accounts for nearly half of the Army’s combat strength, could experience declines in aviation readiness and overall combat effectiveness as budget reductions take hold.

In response to financial constraints, the Army has reportedly cut some pilots’ flight hours down to the minimum required levels, sparking concern given ongoing scrutiny over aviation safety and incidents linked to fatigue.

Among the programs affected by the cuts are a planned Army Sapper Course and an artillery training program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, both of which were canceled as commanders tightened their budgets.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers expressed worry Tuesday that proposed reductions in aviation funding under the Army Transformation Initiative could harm the defense industry and weaken overall military preparedness.

During congressional testimony, Hegseth acknowledged that certain aviation cuts may need to be reconsidered.

“We need to make sure we’ve got something there before you divest,” Hegseth told lawmakers, referring to aircraft such as the Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook helicopters still heavily relied upon by U.S. forces, Breaking Defense reported.

Army officials maintain that, despite financial challenges, the service remains focused on preserving combat readiness while continuing to meet the expanding demands of Trump’s national security agenda.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday for a major summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the war in Iran, trade tensions and American arms sales to Taiwan expected to be at the center of the talks.

The main portion of the visit is scheduled for Thursday, when Trump and Xi are set to hold bilateral discussions, tour the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once prayed for strong harvests, and attend a formal state banquet.

China welcomed Trump with an elaborate arrival ceremony, including a red carpet rolled out after Air Force One touched down in the Chinese capital.

Greeting the president were Chinese Vice President Han Zheng; Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to Washington; Ma Zhaoxu, executive vice minister of foreign affairs; and David Perdue, the U.S. ambassador to Beijing.

The ceremony featured a military honor guard, a military band and about 300 Chinese young people waving Chinese and American flags while chanting, “Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!” as Trump walked toward his waiting limousine.

The youth greeters wore white and robin’s egg blue outfits that matched the colors of the presidential aircraft.

“We’re the two superpowers,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Tuesday for the long flight to Beijing. “We’re the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second.”

Trump has sought to project strength, but the trip comes at a sensitive point in his presidency, with his domestic standing hurt by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and inflation that has climbed as a result of the conflict.

The Republican president is looking for a diplomatic and economic success, with hopes of securing Chinese agreements to purchase more American soybeans, beef and aircraft. He said trade would be discussed “more than anything else.”

The Trump administration is also seeking to begin the creation of a Board of Trade with China, aimed at managing disputes between the two countries. Such a body could help keep last year’s trade war from reigniting after Trump’s tariff increases and China’s response through its control of rare earth minerals. The standoff resulted in a one-year truce last October.

Still, Trump’s visit comes as Iran remains a major issue in Washington. The war has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leaving oil and natural gas tankers stranded and pushing energy prices to levels that threaten to damage global economic growth.

Trump said Xi does not need to help bring the conflict to an end, even though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Beijing last week.

“We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump told reporters Tuesday.

Taiwan is also expected to be a central point of discussion, as Beijing has objected to U.S. plans to sell weapons to the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory.

Trump said Monday that he planned to discuss with Xi an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan that his administration approved in December but has not yet begun delivering. It is the largest weapons package ever authorized for Taiwan.

At the same time, Trump has shown more uncertainty about Taiwan than some previous U.S. leaders, raising questions about whether he may be willing to reduce American support for the island democracy.

Taiwan’s importance has also grown because it is the world’s leading chipmaker and central to artificial intelligence development. The United States has imported more goods from Taiwan than from China so far this year, while Trump has used Biden-era programs and his own agreements to push for more semiconductor manufacturing in America.

Ahead of Trump’s arrival, the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily published a sharply worded editorial declaring that Taiwan is “the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations” and “the biggest point of risk” between the two countries.

Trump was already presenting the trip as a success before leaving the White House. He spoke about Xi’s expected return visit to the United States later this year and complained that the White House ballroom now under construction would not be finished in time to properly host the Chinese leader.

“We’re going to have a great relationship for many, many decades to come,” Trump said of the U.S. and China.

Trump traveled to Beijing aboard Air Force One with a group that included senior aides, family members and leading business figures, among them Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk. During the flight, Trump posted on social media that his “first request” to Xi would be for China to expand opportunities for American companies operating there.

“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!” Trump wrote.

Despite Trump’s public confidence, China is approaching the summit from “a much stronger place,” said Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser on Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Beijing’s goals include easing technology restrictions on access to computer chips and finding ways to lower tariffs.

“But even if they don’t get much on any of those things, as long as there’s not a blow-up in the meeting and President Trump doesn’t go away and look to re-escalate, China basically comes out stronger,” Kennedy said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met Wednesday at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to discuss economic and trade matters, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Trump is also expected to bring up the possibility of a nuclear arms agreement among the United States, China and Russia that would limit each country’s arsenal, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters before the trip. The official spoke on condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House.

China has previously shown little interest in joining such an agreement. Pentagon estimates say Beijing has more than 600 operational nuclear warheads, far fewer than the United States and Russia, which are each believed to have more than 5,000 nuclear warheads.

The last nuclear arms agreement between the United States and Russia, the New START treaty, expired in February, ending limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.

As the treaty neared its expiration, Trump turned down Russia’s call to extend the bilateral agreement for another year and instead called for “a new, improved, and modernized” agreement that includes China.

The Pentagon estimates that China will have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office revealed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu quietly traveled to the United Arab Emirates during Operation Roaring Lion and held a meeting with President Mohammed bin Zayed, marking a significant development in ties between the two countries.

“This visit led to a historic breakthrough in the relations between Israel and the UAE,” the office stated.

According to the statement, the meeting—previously undisclosed—represents the first time such an encounter between Netanyahu and bin Zayed has been publicly acknowledged. While the two leaders have met on multiple occasions in the past, and Netanyahu had even visited the UAE before, those interactions were kept out of the public eye and were not officially disclosed by his office.

{Matzav.com}

The Hamodia newspaper responded Wednesday morning to the dramatic political developments surrounding the draft law crisis, declaring that all factions within United Torah Judaism are now aligned in seeking the dissolution of the Knesset over what they describe as the government’s failure to uphold commitments to the Torah world.

The report followed Tuesday night’s directive from Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, who instructed Degel HaTorah representatives to do everything possible to bring down the government, declaring that there is no longer trust in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Hamodia noted that the dissatisfaction within Agudas Yisrael toward Netanyahu’s handling of the draft law issue began long before the latest developments.

According to the paper, the Gerrer Rebbe had already expressed deep frustration with the prime minister’s conduct quite some time ago, and the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael decided nearly a year ago that “it is no longer appropriate to remain in a government that assists in the persecution of the Torah world and violates agreements.”

In a front-page report published Wednesday morning, Hamodia wrote under the headline: “All components of United Torah Judaism agree that there is no chance that Likud will fulfill its commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners and will act to dissolve the Knesset.”

The subheadline added: “Representatives of Degel HaTorah received instructions yesterday to lead efforts to dissolve the Knesset • Representatives of Agudas Yisrael, under the directive of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, have already been working for a year toward dissolving the Knesset • Likud officials say Netanyahu is considering initiating a bill himself to dissolve the Knesset • Political analysts estimate that Shas will also join the move.”

In the body of the article, Hamodia described Degel HaTorah’s latest move as joining the longstanding chassidishe position on the issue.

“A shockwave in the political arena occurred once it became clear that today all components of United Torah Judaism will act to dissolve the Knesset, in light of the disregard for the written and signed commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners whose Torah is their occupation, and the evasion and denial for more than three years of all promises and commitments,” the newspaper wrote.

The paper continued by recounting Rav Landau’s directive to Degel HaTorah lawmakers.

“The matter occurred yesterday after the publication of the unequivocal instruction of the rosh yeshiva, HaGaon Rav Dov Landau shlit”a, who instructed the representatives of Degel HaTorah to act toward dissolving the Knesset, stating: ‘We no longer have trust in Netanyahu. From now on, we will do only what is good for chareidi Jewry and the Olam Hayeshivos.’”

Hamodia also emphasized that Agudas Yisrael’s representatives have effectively been pursuing the same objective for an extended period already.

“As recalled, the representatives of Agudas Yisrael have been acting in this direction under the instruction of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah that was given to them more than a year ago, that there is no place for continuing partnership with those who deny and ignore their written and signed commitment to regulate the status of Torah learners whose Torah is their occupation, without decrees and without sanctions,” the paper wrote.

According to Hamodia, reports circulating in the political system Tuesday indicated that Shas representatives are also expected to join the effort due to what the party views as harsh decrees and an ongoing campaign against the chareidi tzibbur.

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein strongly criticized the growing practice of people driving short distances to shul instead of walking, saying those who are physically able to walk should not choose the convenience of a car for such brief trips.

The remarks were delivered during a small shiur in Rav Zilberstein’s home attended by close talmidim. The senior posek addressed the issue at length, citing multiple halachic sources emphasizing the importance of walking to shul whenever possible in order to receive sechar pesios — reward for the effort of walking to perform a mitzvah.

Discussing people who live only minutes away from shul yet still choose to drive, Rav Zilberstein spoke sharply against the practice.

“There is a question here that is completely contrary to the way the world behaves,” Rav Zilberstein said. “There are people who go to shul during the week with their car. For example, he lives on the nearby block, a five-minute walk, and there are those who always drive. One must know that this is a complete prohibition, similar to what is written in the possuk: ‘B’veis Elokim nehalech b’rogesh.’ These people come in luxury… Walk with feeling, with your feet. This is a ביזוי of the honor of the shul, and there is also sechar pesios. Sechar pesios means walking by foot, without a car.”

Rav Zilberstein pointed to several classic halachic sources supporting the idea that traveling to shul specifically by foot is preferable whenever feasible.

He cited the Ben Ish Chai in Torah Lishmah (siman 40), who brings several proofs that one should specifically walk to shul rather than ride an animal or use other means of transportation when possible.

The Ben Ish Chai concludes: “Therefore certainly also regarding the mitzvah of going to shul, one should be careful that it specifically be done by foot whenever he is able to walk, and he should not be concerned for honor in the eyes of onlookers, even if he is a respected wealthy person.”

Rav Zilberstein also referenced the responsa B’Tzel HaChochmah and Tzitz Eliezer, both of which write that a person who is capable of walking should not use a vehicle merely for added convenience, and instead should perform the mitzvah in its proper form and receive the reward for the effort involved.

One participant asked Rav Zilberstein what distance would justify driving instead of walking.

“The measure is if most people say it is too far and requires a car,” Rav Zilberstein replied.

The questioner noted that previous generations would not have considered even a 40-minute walk reason enough to drive.

“Every generation is according to what most people say,” Rav Zilberstein responded. “If most people say it is a somewhat far distance, he may drive. If not, he is obligated to walk, and one who drives is not acting properly.”

He added that many people unfortunately stumble in this area by driving even for extremely short trips.

“For a tiny trip he gets into a car. Why are you getting into a car?” Rav Zilberstein said. “How do we determine it? Every generation according to the estimation that the rav must decide.”

When asked whether age changes the equation, Rav Zilberstein answered that the standard depends on what most people in that age bracket would normally do.

Another participant suggested that weather conditions such as extreme heat or rain might justify driving.

“If he goes in a car, he is considered as disgracing Hashem!” Rav Zilberstein responded. “There are a few steps — why are you going with a car?”

The discussion also touched on whether someone should intentionally choose a farther shul in order to gain additional sechar pesios.

“One who does that receives reward, but it is not obligatory,” Rav Zilberstein said. “But to drive by car is against the honor of the shul.”

One participant then asked about a person who lives only four minutes away from shul but chooses to drive because he needs to rush to work immediately after davening.

“That is not a reason,” Rav Zilberstein answered. “It will take time — so it will take time.”

{Matzav.com}

As part of its latest wave of Android-related announcements, Google revealed a major overhaul to the process of switching from an iPhone to an Android device, saying the new system will make it easier than ever for users to transfer their data wirelessly.

According to Google, the company worked directly with Apple to redesign the migration experience, significantly expanding the amount of information users can move from an iPhone to a new Android phone.

The upgraded transfer process will support wireless migration of eSIMs, passwords, photos, text messages, contacts, favorite apps, and even users’ home screen layouts, marking one of the most comprehensive cross-platform transfer systems introduced to date.

Google did not release screenshots or demonstrations of the updated system, but said the feature will first roll out later this year on Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices.

The timing suggests the launch could coincide with the expected debut of the Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, both of which are anticipated to arrive sometime in July or August.

The move represents a notable collaboration between Google and Apple, longtime rivals in the smartphone industry, and appears aimed at reducing friction for users considering a switch from iOS to Android.

{Matzav.com}

A political and educational firestorm erupted Tuesday after left-wing Israeli activist Shikma Bressler said she would have violently confronted a school principal if her daughters had been made to sing “Adon Olam” in school.

The remarks, made during a conference hosted by the Berl Katznelson Foundation, led to a police complaint accusing Bressler of incitement and threats, along with demands for action from senior education officials.

According to footage from the event that spread across social media, Bressler recalled attending school in Givat HaMoreh near Afula, where students sang “Adon Olam” each morning.

“During first and second grade I studied at a school in Givat HaMoreh above Afula, and every morning we would sing ‘Adon Olam,’” Bressler said.

She then sharply criticized the idea of such a practice taking place today.

“If someone today would make my daughters sing ‘Adon Olam,’ I would smash a chair over the principal’s head, at that level,” she said.

The comments quickly triggered angry reactions, particularly from religious groups and education advocates.

The organization Meirim, which represents parents of students throughout Israel, filed an official police complaint against Bressler, accusing her of incitement and threats.

The group argued that the comments were especially serious because of Bressler’s public standing as one of the leaders of the anti-government protest movement.

At the same time, Meirim sent an urgent letter to Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Teachers Union secretary-general Yaffa Ben David demanding that action be taken against Bressler and that educators receive public backing.

In the letter, the organization warned that teachers and school staff are already facing growing levels of violence and intimidation.

“We are in a difficult period in which violence against educational staff and within schools is breaking records,” the letter stated. “It is inconceivable that incitement and granting legitimacy to violence by someone who stands at the head of a protest movement of tens of thousands will pass in silence.”

The Israeli political system was thrown into heightened uncertainty Monday after Degel HaTorah announced that it no longer has confidence in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, a move widely viewed as the strongest warning yet from the chareidi parties regarding the future of the coalition government.

Although the party has not yet formally decided to leave the government, its willingness to support dissolving the Knesset has accelerated internal political discussions about the possibility of early elections in the coming months.

Officials within the Likud are currently trying to contain the crisis. Sources familiar with ongoing negotiations said Netanyahu still prefers to keep the government intact through the end of its term, but acknowledged that serious conversations are already taking place regarding possible election scenarios later this year.

According to assessments within the party, the ongoing dispute surrounding the draft law is not expected to disappear and will likely continue shadowing the coalition until a final political breaking point is reached.

Attention has now turned to Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who is increasingly being viewed as the key figure determining whether the government survives.

As long as Shas does not join Degel HaTorah in backing legislation to dissolve the Knesset, coalition leaders believe the government still has a path to survival.

Likud officials reportedly believe Netanyahu will spend the coming days attempting to prevent Deri from aligning fully with the Litvish leadership, including through renewed commitments related to the draft law.

Several possible election dates are now reportedly being discussed behind the scenes, including early September, mid-September, and late October.

Within Shas, officials reportedly favor elections during the month of Elul, believing voter turnout among chareidi and traditional voters would likely be higher during that period.

By contrast, Likud and Religious Zionism officials are said to be concerned about a campaign colliding with the Tishrei holiday season, which could create logistical and legal complications involving vote counting and election appeals.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich’s political standing is also playing a role in discussions over timing.

Officials in Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party reportedly prefer postponing elections for as long as possible as polls continue placing the party near the electoral threshold.

Coalition officials said that from Smotrich’s perspective, every additional month before elections could carry major political significance.

Alongside the political calculations, officials also believe Netanyahu would prefer heading into elections only after a major military or diplomatic development, should one occur in the coming months.

For that reason, sources close to the prime minister are currently rejecting suggestions that the government’s collapse is imminent, even as tensions between the coalition and the chareidi parties have become more open and public than ever before.

New classified intelligence assessments presented to senior American officials reportedly show that Iran has restored access to most of its missile infrastructure and underground military facilities, contradicting repeated public claims by the Trump administration that Tehran’s military had been largely destroyed during the war.

According to the assessments, one of the most alarming developments for U.S. officials is Iran’s restoration of operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites positioned along the Strait of Hormuz — a key strategic waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.

Sources familiar with the intelligence said the reports indicate that, despite varying levels of damage to the sites, Iranian forces are once again able to move missiles using mobile launchers stationed inside the facilities. In certain cases, missiles can reportedly be launched directly from launchpads located within the sites themselves.

Only three missile facilities along the Strait of Hormuz are still considered completely inaccessible, according to the intelligence findings.

The assessments further conclude that Iran continues to possess approximately 70 percent of its mobile missile launchers nationwide and retains roughly 70 percent of the missile stockpile it had before the war began.

That arsenal reportedly includes both ballistic missiles capable of striking countries across the region and a smaller number of cruise missiles designed for shorter-range attacks against land and maritime targets.

U.S. military intelligence agencies also reportedly determined — based on satellite imagery and other surveillance methods — that Iran has regained access to approximately 90 percent of its underground missile storage and launch sites throughout the country.

Those facilities are now believed to be either partially or fully operational, according to officials familiar with the assessments.

The findings stand in sharp contrast to repeated statements by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, both of whom publicly described Iran’s military as crippled and no longer a meaningful threat.

On March 9, roughly 10 days after the war began, Trump told CBS News that Iran’s “missiles are down to a scatter” and that the country had “nothing left in a military sense.”

Later, during an April 8 Pentagon press conference, Hegseth declared that Operation Epic Fury — the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign launched on Feb. 28 — had “decimated Iran’s military and rendered it combat-ineffective for years to come.”

However, officials noted that the new intelligence describing Iran’s remaining military strength was compiled less than a month after those public remarks.

When asked about the intelligence assessments, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales reiterated the administration’s position that Iran’s military had been severely damaged.

She said Iran’s leadership understands that its “current reality is not sustainable” and argued that anyone who “thinks Iran has reconstituted its military is either delusional or a mouthpiece” for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Wales also pointed to Trump’s recent social media post accusing critics of “virtual treason” for suggesting Iran’s military remained capable.

Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez also dismissed the intelligence-based criticism and accused media organizations of minimizing the military operation’s achievements.

“It is so disgraceful that The New York Times and others are acting as public relations agents for the Iranian regime in order to paint Operation Epic Fury as anything other than a historic accomplishment,” Valdez said.

The new intelligence assessments suggest that Trump and senior military advisers may have significantly overestimated the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s missile infrastructure while underestimating Tehran’s ability to rebuild and recover.

Last month, The New York Times reported that American officials believed Iran could ultimately restore as much as 70 percent of its prewar missile arsenal. The Washington Post later reported intelligence estimates showing Iran still possessed about 75 percent of its mobile missile launchers and roughly 70 percent of its missile stockpile.

The intelligence findings also highlight the difficult strategic position facing the United States if the fragile ceasefire collapses and large-scale fighting resumes.

The U.S. military has already expended major portions of several key weapons stockpiles during the conflict, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptor missiles, Precision Strike missiles, and ATACMS ground-launched missiles.

At the same time, the assessments indicate that Iran still retains substantial military capability, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, where the U.S. Navy now maintains an almost constant military presence. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that more than 20 American warships are currently enforcing the blockade against Iran.

Should Trump order renewed military strikes aimed at eliminating Iran’s remaining capabilities, the Pentagon would likely need to further deplete already strained weapons reserves.

Officials warned that such a move could deepen concerns about American preparedness at a time when the Pentagon and major defense contractors are already struggling to replenish munitions stockpiles.

Trump and senior administration officials have repeatedly rejected suggestions that U.S. weapons inventories are approaching dangerously low levels.

Behind closed doors, Pentagon officials have reportedly offered similar reassurances to European allies, many of whom purchased large quantities of American-made munitions on behalf of Ukraine and fear future deliveries could be delayed if the U.S. military prioritizes replenishing its own reserves.

Those concerns would likely intensify if hostilities with Iran resume.

Speaking Tuesday before a House appropriations subcommittee, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine defended the Pentagon’s readiness.

“We have sufficient munitions for what we’re tasked to do right now,” Caine testified.

The joint U.S.-Israeli campaign nevertheless inflicted major damage on Iran’s military infrastructure and strategic facilities, while also killing several senior Iranian officials and placing enormous pressure on the country’s economy.

Even so, analysts say Iran’s continued ability to maintain meaningful military capabilities has increased concerns among U.S. allies regarding the long-term effectiveness of the war and fueled criticism from anti-interventionist supporters of Trump who opposed entering the conflict.

The intelligence assessments also reveal details about tactical decisions made during the military campaign.

According to officials, because of limited supplies of bunker-busting weapons, American commanders often chose to seal entrances to hardened Iranian missile facilities rather than attempt to completely destroy the underground complexes themselves.

Some bunker-buster munitions were used against Iranian underground sites, but military planners reportedly sought to conserve portions of the arsenal for possible future conflicts involving China or North Korea.

The report also underscored the extraordinary scale of the American military effort.

According to previous reporting by The New York Times, the United States used approximately 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles during the war — nearly exhausting the remaining stockpile.

American forces also launched more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles, roughly ten times the amount the Pentagon purchases annually, along with more than 1,300 Patriot interceptor missiles, representing more than two years of production at current manufacturing rates.

Defense industry officials reportedly warned that replenishing those weapons stockpiles could take years rather than months.

Lockheed Martin currently manufactures about 650 Patriot interceptors annually and has announced plans to increase production to 2,000 per year, though officials cautioned that rapidly expanding rocket motor production remains extremely difficult.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, insisted the military remains fully prepared for ongoing operations.

“We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” Parnell said in a statement.

Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that President Donald Trump could agree to a deal with Iran before addressing several of the central issues that led to the outbreak of war between the two countries, according to Israeli sources cited by CNN.

The concerns center on the possibility of a limited agreement that would leave significant portions of Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities intact while easing economic pressure on Tehran.

Israeli officials reportedly fear that any agreement failing to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile program, and regional proxy network would leave the conflict unresolved from Israel’s perspective.

“The main concern is that Trump will get tired of the talks and sign a deal — any deal with last-minute concessions,” one Israeli source said.

Although American officials have reportedly reassured Israel that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium will be addressed in negotiations, the source said excluding Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and proxy operations from the talks “is a big issue.”

During the war, Iran launched more than 1,000 ballistic missiles and large waves of drones at Israel and several Gulf Arab states.

Israeli officials also warned that a partial agreement that eases sanctions while leaving core Iranian capabilities untouched could stabilize the Iranian regime and inject large amounts of money into its economy.

The concerns highlight what officials described as a growing gap between Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. While Trump reportedly appears willing to restart military operations if necessary, Netanyahu fears the war could end without achieving its original objectives.

A White House spokeswoman insisted that Iran understands its current situation is unsustainable and emphasized Trump’s leverage in the negotiations.

“Iran knows full well that its current reality is not sustainable,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wiles said, adding that Trump “holds all the cards” in the talks.

“Their ballistic missiles are destroyed, their production facilities dismantled, their navy is sinking, and their proxies are weakened,” Wiles said in a statement to CNN. “Now, they are being economically strangled by Operation Economic Rage and losing $500 million a day thanks to the successful United States military blockade of Iran’s ports.”

At the beginning of the war, Trump indicated that the United States sought to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, cut off support for regional proxy groups, and shut down Iran’s nuclear facilities permanently to prevent Tehran from ever building a nuclear weapon.

But more than two months later, negotiations have reportedly narrowed primarily to uranium enrichment — particularly weapons-grade enrichment — and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

A source involved in the talks said Israel understands that the missile and proxy issues are “probably not on the table” because they were absent from early diplomatic drafts. As a result, Netanyahu has reportedly focused primarily on Iran’s uranium program as the most immediate threat.

Another Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu has relied heavily on his direct communication with Trump because he does not fully trust Trump envoy Steve Witkoff or the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom have reportedly played central roles in negotiations with Iran.

According to the report, Netanyahu has also relied on intelligence gathered from Pakistan, Qatar, and Iran while shaping his approach to a possible agreement.

“There is real concern that Trump will reach a bad deal. Israel is trying to influence it as much as possible,” another Israeli official told CNN.

At the same time, the report said Netanyahu has been careful not to pressure Trump too aggressively out of concern that he could be blamed for pushing the president back into war.

One senior Israeli official told CNN that Israel remains on high alert in case negotiations collapse.

“We are with our hand on the pulse. We will be happy if there is no deal, we will be happy if the blockade on Hormuz continues, and we will be happy if Iran receives a few more strikes,” the official said, while acknowledging that the final decision ultimately rests with Trump.

The official added that escalation remains a realistic possibility “if the Iranians continue to play games and drag out the negotiations.”

Another source involved in the discussions said the United States and Israel have continued coordinating potential military contingency plans involving Iran if diplomacy fails.

According to the report, those plans include possible strikes on Iranian energy facilities and infrastructure, as well as targeted assassinations of senior Iranian leadership figures.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump offered surprisingly positive remarks about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a conservative radio interview Tuesday, even as he cautioned the mayor against pursuing tax policies that could push wealthy residents and major businesses out of the city.

Trump’s comments came during a call-in appearance on Sid Rosenberg’s radio program after the host criticized the condition of New York City and raised concerns about antisemitism, public safety, and economic issues under Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Rosenberg asked the president about claims involving antisemitism and broader concerns about the city’s direction under Democratic leadership.

“I never knew whether or not that was real or not real — maybe it’s political,” Trump responded. “I don’t understand that political rhetoric. If anything it’s not good politics, frankly.”

The president also spoke warmly about Mamdani personally.

“I really like him. He’s a nice guy,” Trump said.

The remarks drew attention because Rosenberg recently faced criticism after posting a social media message in which he referred to Mamdani as an “America-hating, Jew-hating, Radical Islam cockroach.”

Trump’s softer tone also contrasted sharply with comments he made only weeks earlier criticizing Mamdani’s economic proposals, particularly a proposed pied-à-terre tax targeting expensive second homes in New York City.

At the time, Trump blasted the idea in a Truth Social post.

“The TAX, TAX, TAX policies are SO WRONG,” Trump wrote. “People are fleeing… THIS ‘STUFF’ JUST DOESN’T WORK.”

Although Trump praised Mamdani personally during Tuesday’s interview, he warned that policies aimed at high-income residents and investors could seriously damage the city’s future.

“Once they leave, they’re gone — and you won’t have a city left. You won’t have a state left,” Trump said.

The president specifically addressed Mamdani’s recent public dispute with Citadel CEO Ken Griffin. Griffin had suggested he could move jobs to Miami after Mamdani filmed a video promoting the tax proposal outside Griffin’s $238 million penthouse residence.

Trump argued that New York could not afford to lose influential business leaders like Griffin.

Losing people such as Griffin, Trump said, “would be a big loss for New York” and “not recoverable.”

The controversy expanded after Citadel Chief Operating Officer Gerald Beeson indicated the company could reconsider plans for a massive $6 billion office tower project in Midtown Manhattan following Mamdani’s public criticism.

Trump seized on that threat during the interview and said city leaders should work to retain major employers and investors rather than alienate them.

“You’ve got to do the opposite — you’ve got to cherish them, … bring them to the office, … have dinner with them,” the president said. “You have to convince them not to leave.”

The exchange highlighted the unusual relationship that has developed between Trump and Mamdani despite their major ideological differences.

Since Mamdani’s election victory in November, the Democratic socialist mayor and the Republican president have reportedly held two friendly meetings at the White House, a dynamic that has frustrated some Trump allies, including Rosenberg, who have encouraged the president to adopt a tougher stance.

Mamdani, for his part, has also largely avoided personal attacks against Trump in public remarks.

“The president and I disagree on many things,” Mamdani told POLITICO in an interview last month. “We do, however, agree on one thing, which is a love for New York City.”

{Matzav.com}

Spain’s foreign minister said his country will not back away from its commitment to international law despite escalating pressure from Washington over Madrid’s refusal to allow American forces to use Spanish military bases during the war with Iran.

In remarks to POLITICO, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares defended his government’s decision and insisted Spain would continue acting according to its principles, even as tensions with the United States intensify.

“We were one of the very few countries that sent troops to help the United States to become a nation and to get independence,” Albares said. “We want the relationship [with the U.S.] to move forward in the same way, but we won’t renounce our principles.”

Speaking from Viana Palace, the official residence of Spain’s foreign minister, Albares emphasized that protecting Spain’s national interests and values remains his government’s top priority.

“We stick to our values and we defend the interests of our citizens. That’s the only thing that really guides me,” he said.

Relations between Madrid and Washington have become increasingly strained after Spain blocked the use of American-operated bases at Morón and Rota for military operations tied to the Iran conflict. In response, the United States reportedly threatened economic retaliation, reductions in troop deployments, and even possible moves affecting Spain’s NATO status.

President Donald Trump criticized Spain’s position earlier this year, saying the country “has been terrible” for refusing to cooperate with American military operations involving Iran.

Trump also said “we don’t want anything to do with Spain” after Madrid denied the use of the two bases.

Albares argued that Spain’s position is rooted in the legal framework governing the bilateral military agreement between the two countries.

“The use of those bases comes from an agreement, a treaty between both countries,” Albares said. “And it’s very clearly stated very early in the treaty that it must be in compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter.”

The Spanish foreign minister also criticized the Iran war itself, describing it as an operation launched without consultation among NATO allies.

“This is a unilateral war,” Albares went on. “None of the [NATO] allies were consulted or informed. We don’t know what’s going on. Neither Spain nor any other country. Even more reason to act and defend the interests of our citizens.”

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded sharply to Spain’s stance, saying President Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with NATO allies that benefit from American military protection while refusing to assist U.S. strategic objectives.

“President Trump has made his disappointment with NATO and other allies clear,” Kelly told POLITICO.

“Europe benefits tremendously from the tens of thousands of United States troops stationed in Europe — yet requests to use military bases in order to defend American interests were denied. The President has effectively restored America’s standing on the world stage and strengthened relationships abroad — but he simultaneously will never allow the United States to be treated unfairly and taken advantage of by so-called ‘allies,’” she said.

Kelly also defended the administration’s hardline posture toward Iran.

“The President will not allow the world’s number one state sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon with which to threaten the United States and the world,” she added.

Spain, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has increasingly separated itself from many European allies on Middle East policy. Sánchez’s government has consistently urged the European Union to take a tougher line against Israel and has openly criticized the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran.

Albares, however, argued that Spain’s positions are gradually being embraced more broadly across Europe.

“It’s true to say we have been the first to take that approach. On Iran, and on everything that is going on in the Middle East,” he said. “We seem to stand alone, only at first. A few days later, some others start to say the same things. A month later, everyone in Europe says exactly what we say.”

“Why? Because it’s what makes sense to the interest of our citizens, European citizens, not only Spanish citizens, and to our values, European values.”

The foreign minister also said Europe has reached a critical moment and must begin charting a more independent course as instability spreads globally and the alliance with the United States becomes less predictable.

“It’s time for European sovereignty and independence,” Albares said. “It’s existential for us and also for millions of people around the world.”

As part of that vision, Albares called for the European Union to build its own military capability and strengthen collective defense structures independent of Washington.

“We need a military, a common defense capacity,” Albares said, while insisting that such a move would not weaken NATO.

“The United States has been making its army stronger and stronger and no one thinks that that weakens NATO,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparked renewed speculation about a possible White House campaign after remarks at a Chicago event suggested she is keeping the door open to a future presidential bid, The Hill reports.

Appearing alongside Democratic strategist David Axelrod, the New York congresswoman pushed back against the idea that her goals revolve around climbing the political ladder or securing higher office.

“My ambition is to change the country,” the representative known as AOC told Axelrod. “Presidents come and go … elected officials come and go. But single-payer healthcare is forever.”

Her comments quickly ignited discussion among Democratic strategists and activists about whether Ocasio-Cortez could emerge as a serious contender in the party’s 2028 presidential primary field.

Ocasio-Cortez also dismissed the suggestion that her long-term political goals are centered on obtaining a particular office or title.

People “assume my ambition is a title or a seat,” she said, arguing instead that her “ambition is way bigger than that.”

Democratic strategist Joel Payne said the congresswoman appeared comfortable discussing the possibility of a national campaign and projected confidence during the conversation with Axelrod.

“She spoke with the confidence of someone who understood the power of their voice nationally and the knowledge that she has the option to mount a national campaign should she ever choose to do that,” Payne said. “What is impressive is that she was able to assess her value beyond the office she holds.”

Payne added that while Ocasio-Cortez does not appear eager to make immediate decisions about her future, she would likely begin a presidential campaign with a significant share of Democratic voters already behind her.

“She’s going to walk into a presidential race, if she chooses to, with 20 percent of the base of the Democratic Party feeling good about her,” he said.

Another Democratic strategist agreed, saying Ocasio-Cortez would likely enter the race with advantages many other potential candidates lack.

“You start with ‘who’s more likely to roll into some of these states and have folks ready to go door to door? Who’s lining up to fundraise?’ There’s an excitement around a potential candidacy that most don’t have. And she starts there.”

The growing attention surrounding Ocasio-Cortez comes as Democrats continue struggling to redefine themselves after major losses in the 2024 elections left the party divided over its future direction and leadership.

Some establishment figures within the party have argued that Ocasio-Cortez could be too divisive to win a national election and believe Democrats should instead rally behind a more moderate candidate in 2028.

At the same time, many Democrats increasingly view her as one of the party’s strongest public messengers, especially among younger and frustrated voters dissatisfied with Democratic leadership and the party’s broader messaging.

Her exchange with Axelrod also drew praise from Democrats who viewed her answer as politically skillful and carefully calibrated.

“Probably the best answer anyone’s given to this question in … in a very, very long time,” MS NOW host Jen Psaki wrote on the social platform X.

The progressive group Our Revolution also amplified the clip online, writing: “The future is bright.”

Praise for Ocasio-Cortez’s comments extended beyond social media.

“Regardless of what anyone thinks about her politics, it was one of the best answers anyone has given to what should be an easy question that too many candidates whiff on off the bat,” Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said in an interview.

Vale warned, however, against trying to settle the party’s 2028 nomination battle years in advance, arguing Democrats should allow the process to unfold naturally.

Democrats need “to let go of what they think will make the best candidate, let everyone who wants to run, run, and let the crucible of the campaign trail and voters figure out who rises to the top,” he said.

Although Ocasio-Cortez is not leading early Democratic primary polling, several recent surveys indicate she has become a competitive figure in the developing field.

A poll conducted last month by Echelon Insights found former Vice President Kamala Harris leading likely Democratic voters with 47 percent support. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg each received 37 percent, while Ocasio-Cortez was close behind at 36 percent.

She has also shown strength among younger voters.

A Yale Youth poll released last month found Harris and Newsom virtually tied overall, but among voters between the ages of 18 and 34, Ocasio-Cortez outperformed both candidates. Older voters, particularly those 65 and above, favored Newsom.

Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau said Ocasio-Cortez would likely enter a presidential race with an established grassroots network and a loyal progressive base already in place.

“She certainly has a lane,” Mollineau said, adding that she’ll inherit some supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) but also has her own following.

Mollineau also pointed to the intense media attention Ocasio-Cortez consistently attracts as a major political advantage.

“She is a media curiosity,” he said.

“The amount of earned media that she is going to get by running is going to triple that of many other candidates,” he added.

[Video below.] FBI Director Kash Patel and Sen. Chris Van Hollen engaged in a fiery confrontation during a Senate hearing after the Maryland Democrat questioned Patel about allegations of excessive drinking, prompting the FBI chief to challenge the senator to take an alcohol screening test alongside him.

Patel said he would agree to undergo the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, known as the AUDIT test, but only if Van Hollen participated as well.

“Side by side,” Patel said during the contentious exchange.

Van Hollen raised the issue by referencing a report published by The Atlantic, which Patel has strongly denied, that alleged the FBI director had drinking-related problems that interfered with his duties.

“When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem. You cannot perform those public duties if you’re incapacitated,” Van Hollen told Patel during the hearing.

The senator then escalated his criticism by citing allegations that Patel had allegedly become so intoxicated that aides were forced to enter his residence.

“And Director Patel, these reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming. If true, they demonstrate a gross dereliction of your duty and a betrayal of public trust,” Van Hollen continued.

Later in the hearing, Van Hollen asked Patel and other top law enforcement officials how they would handle an employee suspected of drinking excessively while serving in a sensitive role.

“I really don’t care about your personal life, so long as you are able to perform your public and official responsibilities, which are awesome responsibilities. Multiple reports, including reporting by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials,” Van Hollen said.

Patel, who has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over the report, flatly rejected the allegations before turning his criticism toward the senator, accusing Van Hollen of drinking margaritas during a trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported man who was imprisoned there at the time.

“The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you,” Patel fired back.

Van Hollen immediately rejected the accusation and said Patel’s remarks showed he was misinformed.

“The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don’t know what you are talking about,” the senator responded.

Van Hollen later accused Patel of spreading false claims during sworn testimony.

“In the process, you made these provably false statements that I know are sort of like urban legend in right wing media about margaritas in El Salvador, which is provably false,” Van Hollen said.

“And so coming from the mouth of an FBI director to make provably false statements in a hearing like this is extremely troubling, and it leads me to ask whether or not the other things you’ve been saying are false statements,” he added.

During the closing moments of their exchange, Van Hollen repeatedly pressed Patel on whether he understood that lying to Congress is a criminal offense. Patel responded each time by insisting he had not committed perjury during the hearing.

Van Hollen has previously argued that the margarita controversy was staged by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

Speaking at a press conference after returning from El Salvador in April of last year, Van Hollen said a Salvadoran official “deposited two other glasses on the table.”

The senator said one of the drinks appeared deliberately altered to make it seem as though Abrego Garcia had consumed some of it.

“Let me just be very clear: Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us,” he said at the time.

“Nobody drank any margaritas or sugar water or whatever it is. But this is the lesson in the lengths that President Bukele will do to deceive people about what’s going on,” Van Hollen added, noting that the salt lining the rim of the glass had not been disturbed.

Claims by the Trump administration linking Abrego Garcia to gang activity have largely stemmed from information provided by a confidential source. Although Abrego Garcia was returned to the United States to face human trafficking charges, he has not faced sexual assault charges and has not been convicted of any crime, contrary to Patel’s characterization.

Patel also suggested during the hearing that Van Hollen had accumulated a $7,000 bar bill during his travels. He later posted a Federal Election Commission filing from the senator’s campaign showing a catering expense at Lobby Bar totaling that amount.

The alcohol screening test at the center of the dispute had previously been proposed by House Judiciary Democrats, who called on Patel to complete the 10-question assessment.

Van Hollen accepted Patel’s challenge after the FBI director said he would only participate if the senator agreed as well.

“Let’s go,” Patel said. “Side by side.”

Other Democrats on the committee also challenged Patel during the hearing.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington questioned the FBI director about reports that more than 2,000 FBI personnel had been reassigned to immigration-related work, citing figures attributed to the CATO Institute. She also pressed Patel over reports that the bureau had investigated journalists who reported on him, allegations Patel denied.

Among the reports referenced was an MSNOW story claiming the FBI had looked into Atlantic reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, who first wrote about Patel. The Atlantic later published another article reporting that Patel had distributed custom bourbon bottles.

“We need serious leadership at the FBI that the American people can trust. And I am deeply concerned about the reports that your leadership has not been serious. We need somebody at this agency who’s focused on solving criminal cases, not passing out branded bourbon, or jetting around the globe. Your job is to be reachable,” Murray said.

“And I know Sen. Van Hollen asked you about this, but I have got to say, if you want to pass out liquor, or pop bottles in a locker room: stick to podcasting. Leave law and order to people who really do care about justice.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN: