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Ambassador Tammy Bruce addressed the U.N. Security Council this morning, condemning Iran’s unacceptable support for Houthi terrorist activities.

Homan Announces End of Minnesota Immigration Surge After Thousands of Arrests

The Trump administration is winding down its large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota after two months, border czar Tom Homan said Thursday, though he noted that a limited federal presence will remain in the state for the time being.

Speaking in Minneapolis, Homan said the administration is scaling back Operation Metro Surge following what he described as strong results and improved collaboration with local authorities. At the same time, he cautioned that ongoing unrest by far-left activists could complicate a full withdrawal of federal agents.

“With the success that has been made in arresting public safety threats and other priorities since this surge operation began, as well as the unprecedented levels of coordination we have obtained from state officials and local law enforcement, I have proposed — and President Trump has concurred — that this surge operation conclude,” Homan told reporters in Minneapolis.

He said federal personnel have already begun pulling back.

“A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue into the next week,” he added, without specifying how many federal personnel would be leaving the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Homan credited the operation with thousands of arrests and the recovery of thousands of migrant children.

The border czar credited Operation Metro Surge with more than 4,000 arrests and the recovery of 3,364 unaccompanied migrant children, whom he claimed “the last administration lost and weren’t even looking for.”

He also highlighted recent arrests of individuals with serious criminal records.

“Just this week,” Homan continued, ICE nabbed an illegal immigrant who had been convicted of raping a child under the age of 14.

“ICE also arrested two criminal aliens with criminal sexual misconduct convictions, among other violent criminals,” he added.

Addressing criticism of the operation, Homan rejected claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carried out enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as schools, churches, or hospitals. He said he had found no evidence to support those allegations, aside from the arrest of demonstrators — including former CNN anchor Don Lemon — who disrupted a church service in St. Paul on Jan. 18.

At the peak of the enforcement effort, more than 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol officers were deployed in Minneapolis, a move that sparked protests and unrest in parts of the city.

Last week, Homan confirmed that approximately 700 personnel had already been withdrawn, reducing the number of federal officers on the ground to around 2,000.

Before the surge began, about 150 federal immigration agents were stationed in Minneapolis, Homan said in remarks last week.

“Operation Metro Surge is ending,” Homan confirmed. “Next week, we’re going to deploy the officers here on detail back to their home stations and other areas of the country. But we’re going to continue to enforce immigration law.”

He stressed, however, that continued reductions in personnel would depend on the security situation.

“since I have been here, I’ve repeatedly emphasized that the unlawful and violent agitator activity is unacceptable and must wind down as a condition for further drawdown of law enforcement personnel.

“I cannot remove law enforcement personnel while violence poses a serious risk to our officers; I will not leave my officers in that position.”

The administration initially launched the Minnesota surge late last year following a large welfare fraud scandal that drew nationwide scrutiny, much of it centered on the Somali community in the Twin Cities.

On Jan. 26, Trump sent Homan to Minnesota after nationwide outrage erupted over the fatal shootings of anti-ICE protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Reports have indicated that Homan and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem differed on enforcement priorities, with Homan favoring a focus on illegal immigrants with criminal records rather than a broader approach targeting all undocumented individuals.

Trump has publicly supported Noem despite sharp criticism from Democrats, who have called for her resignation or dismissal.

Throughout the operation, Homan repeatedly urged local officials to allow federal authorities access to detention facilities holding migrants arrested by local law enforcement.

“As far as the jails, we got more cooperation with more jails than we had before we got here. That’s a good thing. We’re having conversations with the state,” he added. “We’re moving further on other agreements for the state.

“The cooperation we have here, it’s going to keep this city safer. It’s going to keep our agents safer.”

{Matzav.com}

Trump on the expectation-shattering January jobs report: “The jobs report’s amazing in certain ways because we have tremendously fewer federal employees… by getting rid of them, these people became available to work in the private sector.”

The Trump administration covertly moved thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following last month’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests, according to a report published Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said the effort was designed to help regime critics maintain internet access after Iranian authorities responded to widespread demonstrations by killing thousands and sharply limiting online connectivity across the country.

U.S. officials told the Journal that this marks the first known instance in which Washington directly supplied Starlink devices inside Iran — a significant risk given that possession of the terminals is illegal there and can carry lengthy prison sentences.

The operation reflects President Donald Trump’s broader approach toward adversarial governments, combining sanctions and military deterrence with measures intended to strengthen civilians living under authoritarian systems.

According to the Journal, the State Department acquired nearly 7,000 Starlink units in recent months, most of them purchased in January, and succeeded in covertly delivering roughly 6,000 of those devices into Iran.

The funding for the purchase reportedly came after senior officials in the Trump administration reallocated money from other internet-freedom initiatives to secure the satellite equipment.

The White House declined to comment, the Journal reported.

Iranian leaders have frequently accused the United States, without presenting proof, of instigating unrest within the country.

Although American officials denied organizing last month’s protests, the Journal noted that the Starlink shipments indicate the administration has provided more tangible assistance to anti-regime elements than had previously been disclosed.

The report also pointed to an ongoing debate within the U.S. government and among digital-rights advocates over the most effective methods for bypassing state censorship.

For years, virtual private networks funded by the United States have enabled millions of Iranians to circumvent government-imposed firewalls and access outside information.

However, officials cited in the Journal said VPNs lose effectiveness during sweeping internet blackouts, making satellite-based systems like Starlink — despite the dangers involved — one of the few viable options for maintaining connectivity.

Some technology experts cautioned that Starlink use, without added safeguards, could expose users to detection, and argued that resources should not be shifted away from VPN providers.

The Journal reported that after the State Department redirected funding to support the Starlink effort, financial backing lapsed for two of the five VPN services operating in Iran.

The covert initiative comes as Trump remains engaged in sensitive negotiations with Tehran aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iran has maintained its position that uranium enrichment will continue, while the Trump administration has insisted on eliminating any route toward a nuclear weapon.

The Journal reported that if diplomacy collapses, Trump could approve military action, with U.S. forces already deployed in the Middle East.

Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the Iranian threat.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed hope for a negotiated outcome but cautioned, “If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

{Matzav.com}

Trump on terminating the Obama-era Endangerment Finding: “During my campaign, I promised to cut 10 old regulations for every new regulation, and we’ve exceeded that… The biggest one yet that we’ve done is happening right now.”

BREAKING: The U.S. Senate has voted 52–47 to reject a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, meaning a partial shutdown could begin by the end of the week unless a new agreement is reached.

Reuters reports that President Trump is expected to announce a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza at the first formal Board of Peace meeting next week. •⁠ ⁠Delegations from at least 20 countries, including multiple heads of state, are expected to attend the February 19 meeting in Washington, D.C., which Trump will chair. •⁠ ⁠Trump is […]

TRUMP: “Under the process just completed by the EPA, we are officially terminating the so-called Endangerment Finding — a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced today that parents can now open Trump Accounts for their children. Visit TrumpAccounts.gov and complete IRS Form 4547.

Iranian state television aired a list of targets, including high-ranking Israeli officials like Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Mossad Director Dedi Barnea, Military Intelligence Directorate Chief Shlomi Binder, Operations Directorate Head Itzik Cohen, and Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar. During the broadcast, the presenter issued a threat […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office announced that he will participate remotely in the annual AIPAC conference and will not travel to Washington next week. Consequently, Netanyahu is also expected to miss President Trump’s Board of Peace Council meeting scheduled for next Thursday.

Federal Judge Rules Against Hegseth in Mark Kelly Dispute •⁠ ⁠A federal judge ruled that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s actions toward Sen. Mark Kelly were unconstitutional and retaliatory. •⁠ ⁠The court said Kelly’s public calls for service members to refuse illegal orders are protected by the First Amendment. •⁠ ⁠Judge Richard Leon issued a 29-page […]

Hakeem Jeffries responding to reporters on NJ Democrat not supporting him: Since you’re following this closely, how many times has a Democrat on the floor, of the House of Representative, voted against my candidacy?

President Donald Trump, joined Thursday by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, announced that his administration is rescinding a 2009 determination that classified greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels as a threat to public health, a designation that has underpinned federal climate regulations for more than a decade.

Trump described the move as a historic rollback of federal rules and predicted sweeping financial relief for Americans.

Trump called the repeal “the single largest deregulatory action in American history” and said it would “save American consumers trillions of dollars.”

Speaking from the Roosevelt Room at the White House, the president sharply criticized the original policy, which was adopted during the Obama administration, arguing that it harmed the domestic auto sector and increased costs for drivers.

“We are officially terminating the so-called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers,” Trump said in the White House Roosevelt Room.

He added that the repeal takes effect immediately and extends beyond the original finding itself to other related emissions standards enacted over the past decade.

“Effective immediately, we are repealing the ridiculous endangerment finding and terminating all additional green emission standards imposed unnecessarily on vehicle models and engines between 2012 and 2027 and beyond.”

According to Trump, undoing the policy could reduce the price of new vehicles by thousands of dollars. He also took aim at certain automotive features that he said were mandated as a result of emissions rules.

“Under the endangerment finding, they forced the hated start-stop feature onto American consumers, which unnecessarily shuts off a car’s engine. When you stop at a red light, in other words the engine goes off. That’s great,” Trump said.

Zeldin echoed the president’s remarks, characterizing the action as a major pushback against expansive federal authority.

Zeldin said that the Republicans were scrapping the “holy grail of federal regulatory overreach.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal Judge Orders Return of Deported Venezuelans •⁠ ⁠A U.S. federal judge ordered that Venezuelan men deported to El Salvador be returned to the United States. •⁠ ⁠The ruling states the individuals may not have received due process protections. •⁠ ⁠U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued the order on Thursday. •⁠ ⁠The case involves deportations […]

DOJ Antitrust Chief Gail Slater Stepping Down •⁠ ⁠Gail Slater said Thursday she is stepping down less than a year after being confirmed to lead the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. •⁠ ⁠Slater, confirmed in March, described the position as “the honor of a lifetime,” saying she was leaving “with great sadness and abiding hope”. •⁠ […]

“Anticipation.” Perhaps that one word is the optimum word to describe the way lomdei Torah from all over America and beyond are excitedly looking forward to the upcoming Dirshu Convention, the Shabbos Kinnus Olam HaTorah that will be attended by thousands in Stamford Connecticut on Shabbos Parshas Terumah, 3-5 Adar/February 20-22. The Armon Hotel is not large enough to […]

The Yonatan Battalion, part of the IDF’s all-Chareidi Chashmonaim Brigade, has officially become operational after completing its first full battalion-level exercise. The IDF said the drill, held in the Golan Heights, included training in open-field combat, urban warfare and raid operations. Military officials said the exercise finalized the unit’s operational certification and cleared it for […]

As President Donald Trump moves to remove large numbers of migrants — including hundreds of thousands with criminal records — national crime figures are falling rapidly, yet several major media outlets say there is no clear connection between the two trends.

On Wednesday morning, Axios posted on social media, “Crime plunges in major cities despite Trump’s crackdown rhetoric,” alongside a report questioning the cause of the decline.

“The bottom line: Experts aren’t sure why violent crime continues to fall,” the article stated.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back forcefully, accusing the outlet of ignoring what she described as an obvious explanation.

“This ridiculous framing is why Americans don’t trust the media,” she said, adding:

President Trump securing the border, mobilizing federal law enforcement to arrest violent criminals, and deporting the worst of the worst illegal aliens is EXACTLY what’s driving the massive drop in crime.

Political commentator Scott Jennings also mocked the Axios framing, writing, “Funny way of saying: ‘Crime went down under Trump.’”

Axios later deleted its original social media post and replaced it with a revised version that read, “Violent crime dropped sharply across America’s biggest cities in 2025, according to new data reviewed by Axios.”

Trump administration officials have been outspoken in tying stricter immigration enforcement to improved public safety. Border chief Kristi Noem, speaking on The Bongino Show, credited the president’s policies for historic declines in violent crime.

Under the leadership of @POTUS Trump, the murder rate has plunged to a 125-year low — with especially steep drops in cities where the @dhsgov law enforcement undertook targeted immigration enforcement and crime prevention operations. Our nation has also experienced a steep decline in fentanyl deaths, which have dropped over 30 percent … We are not going back to how things used to be!

Earlier this year, on January 14, the White House released a statement titled “Mass Deportations Are Improving Americans’ Quality of Life.” The document argued that removing illegal migrants has contributed not only to lower crime rates but also to reduced housing costs and stronger wages and employment figures.

Despite those claims, several mainstream outlets have continued to question whether immigration enforcement is responsible for the drop in violent crime. At the same time, Republican candidates have highlighted enforcement data compiled under Noem to showcase arrests and deportations within their own districts.

The scope of the administration’s efforts was detailed in an internal Department of Homeland Security document leaked to CBS earlier this week. The document indicated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement made roughly 400,000 arrests of migrants — both criminal and non-criminal — during Trump’s first year back in office.

… 14% of nearly 400,000 immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in President Trump’s first year back in the White House had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses, according to an internal Department of Homeland Security document obtained by CBS News

…

The document lists 2,100 arrests of those with homicide charges or convictions; 2,700 arrests of those with robbery offenses; and 5,400 arrests involving individuals charged with or convicted of sexual assault. Another 43,000 arrestees are listed as having assault charges or convictions. About 1,100 had kidnapping charges or convictions and 350 had arson offenses listed.

Meanwhile, the Axios report accompanying the earlier tweet appeared to minimize any clear link between deportations and declining crime figures.

“The bottom line: Experts aren’t sure why violent crime continues to fall,” wrote the Axios reporter, who has publicly advocated for expanded migration.

The article itself cited new national data:

The big picture: The report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) shows declines across every major violent-crime category in 2025 compared to 2024. It features data from 67 of the nation’s biggest police departments, and confirms other studies on last year’s declines.

• Cities report that homicides overall fell 19%.

• Robberies dropped about 20%.

• Aggravated assaults were down nearly 10%.

In a December 2024 article, the same reporter, Russell Contreras, had written: “Immigrants arrested for homicides accounted for less than 1% of ‘at-large’ arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the last six years, an Axios review found.”

Administration officials have also argued that deportations provide economic benefits beyond public safety. They contend that stricter immigration enforcement reduces certain consumer costs, including automobile expenses. During Joe Biden’s presidency, officials say, increased migration contributed to higher used-car prices and insurance premiums, driven in part by auto accidents, thefts, and parts-related crimes.

{Matzav.com}

A chilling message scrawled across a wall at the University of Melbourne has highlighted concerns about rising antisemitism as Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded a tense visit to Australia. “Death to Herzog,” along with pro-Israel and pro-Australia slogans and a symbol linked to Hamas propaganda, was spray-painted Thursday morning on the university’s Parkville campus. The […]