Author name: Keith Burns

FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports as Democrat Shutdown Grounds America
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FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports as Democrat Shutdown Grounds America

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday that it will reduce flight capacity by up to 10 percent at 40 major airports across the country starting Friday, citing critical staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and flight support personnel.

Thousands of employees have been working without pay for a month due to the Democrat-led government shutdown.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the measure during a press conference in Washington, D.C.

The list of affected airports will be released Thursday, officials said.

According to a report from ABC News citing officials familiar with the matter, the reductions will begin at roughly 4 percent on Friday and increase to 10 percent over the weekend.

The cuts will apply to domestic flights scheduled between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

International flights will be exempt from the reductions, the report said.

“Our sole role is to make sure that we keep this airspace as safe as possible. Reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations. This is not based on light airline travel locations. This is about where the pressure is and how to really deviate the pressure,” Bedford said during the announcement.

Duffy said the agency’s decision is based on both data and staffing models that project continued pressure on the system if the shutdown persists.

“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent, you know, things from deteriorating. So the system is extremely safe today will be extremely safe tomorrow,” Bedford added.

The FAA’s decision comes as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) continues to warn that the prolonged shutdown is straining an already understaffed workforce.

NATCA, which represents more than 10,800 certified air traffic controllers nationwide, has urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to restore government funding.

NATCA President Nick Daniels said controllers are being pushed to their limits as they continue to work through six-day, 10-hour schedules with no pay, amid what he described as a 3,800-person staffing shortfall.

“These American patriots, they are the unsung heroes that Secretary Duffy speaks about so often. They are the ones that have been thrust into the spotlight, into center focus of a shutdown. And air traffic controllers, we don’t start shutdowns, we’re not responsible for ending shutdowns. Who does? Congress,” Daniels told Fox News.

Controllers, who are classified as essential federal workers, received their last partial paycheck for pre-shutdown work on October 14.

Since then, they have received multiple pay cycles showing zero pay, with many logging more than 120 hours of unpaid labor.

The shutdown has also led to the furlough of 2,350 engineers, technicians, and other support personnel.

New hiring and training programs have been suspended, and ongoing maintenance and modernization projects across the national airspace system have been halted.

Over the weekend of October 31 through November 2, the FAA logged 98 separate “staffing triggers,” which forced flight delays, ground stops, and rerouting at several major airports.

Half of the 30 busiest U.S. facilities reported significant shortages, with the New York area experiencing absences as high as 80 percent.

Industry experts and NATCA officials have warned that prolonged understaffing and maintenance delays could compromise the overall reliability of air travel nationwide.

In a recent statement, NATCA said the ongoing shutdown “erodes essential layers of safety” and makes the National Airspace System “less safe with each passing day.”

The FAA is expected to release its final list of affected airports and detailed operational adjustments on Thursday, with reductions set to begin early Friday morning.

ICE Arrests Over Two Dozen Illegal Aliens in Louisiana Shipyard Workplace Raid
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ICE Arrests Over Two Dozen Illegal Aliens in Louisiana Shipyard Workplace Raid

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Federal immigration authorities conducted a worksite enforcement operation outside New Orleans last week, arresting more than two dozen illegal aliens employed at a Louisiana shipyard following months of noncompliance by the company’s owner.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that agents carried out the raid on October 30 at Barrois Welding Services, located in Harvey, Louisiana.

The enforcement action came after company owner Russel E. Barrois allegedly failed to provide requested employment authorization records and documentation despite repeated requests dating back to March.

ICE officials said the missing materials included Form I-9 employment verification forms, identification records, and a current list of active employees.

Under federal law, all employers are required to maintain I-9 documentation verifying each employee’s legal authorization to work in the United States.

“This operation demonstrates our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding employers accountable,” ICE spokesperson Matt Wright said in a statement.

During the operation, agents arrested 25 illegal aliens working at the site.

All of those detained were citizens of Honduras, according to ICE.

The agency reported that several of the individuals taken into custody had criminal records that included prior charges for driving under the influence, illegal reentry into the United States, resisting a police officer by providing a false statement, and discharging a firearm.

The arrests are part of a broader effort by federal authorities to enforce immigration and labor laws through targeted worksite inspections.

Officials said investigations into employer practices at Barrois Welding Services began earlier this year after the company failed to comply with formal requests from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division.

Under federal procedure, employers who do not respond to I-9 audits or document requests may be subject to civil penalties, criminal prosecution, or both.

ICE officials said that in addition to the arrests, investigators will continue reviewing records related to the company’s hiring practices to determine whether Barrois or other management personnel knowingly employed unauthorized workers.

“We will continue to investigate and take action against those who fail to comply with the law,” Wright said.

The agency did not specify whether the detained individuals would face criminal prosecution or expedited removal.

According to ICE policy, individuals arrested during worksite operations undergo processing that includes criminal background checks, immigration history reviews, and verification of prior removal orders before a final determination on their status is made.

The operation marks the latest in a series of workplace enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has emphasized compliance among employers and the identification of unauthorized workers.

Federal data show that ICE has expanded workplace audits and inspections nationwide in recent months, focusing on industries that historically employ large numbers of foreign laborers, including construction, manufacturing, and ship repair.

Barrois Welding Services has not publicly commented on the arrests or the ongoing investigation.

ICE officials said that additional enforcement actions may follow if investigators uncover further evidence of unlawful hiring or document fraud.

The agency confirmed that all 25 individuals taken into custody in the Louisiana operation are being held pending removal proceedings or prosecution for prior immigration-related offenses.

Trump Rejects Globalists’ Climate Circus in Brazil, Doubles Down on U.S. Energy Growth
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Trump Rejects Globalists’ Climate Circus in Brazil, Doubles Down on U.S. Energy Growth

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The White House confirmed that no top U.S. officials will attend this month’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, as President Donald Trump shifts focus toward strengthening domestic energy production and job growth.

The conference, scheduled for November 10 to 21, 2025, is expected to draw tens of thousands of delegates, but the United States will not be represented by high-level administration officials.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that “the U.S. is not sending any high level representatives to COP30.”

“The president is directly engaging with leaders around the world on energy issues, which you can see from the historic trade deals and peace deals that all have a significant focus on energy partnerships,” the official added.

The decision follows Trump’s January move to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, fulfilling a campaign pledge to distance the U.S. from international climate accords.

The withdrawal also halted U.S. financial contributions to U.N.-backed climate programs, a step that drew sharp criticism from environmental groups and allied governments.

Trump had not been expected to attend the leaders’ summit that precedes the main COP30 conference, and his administration has now confirmed it will not send senior negotiators to participate in the talks either.

The president has repeatedly stated that his administration’s priority is to protect American energy independence, expand domestic oil and gas production, and sustain job growth across the energy sector.

The COP30 climate conference, hosted in Belém in Brazil’s northern Pará state, is expected to bring together approximately 50,000 attendees, with some estimates suggesting the number could exceed 60,000.

Organizers say the surge in attendance has already strained the city’s accommodations and transportation infrastructure, with hotels near capacity and airports preparing for heavy traffic during the two-week event.

Brazilian officials announced Friday that fewer than 60 heads of state have confirmed attendance at the preliminary climate leaders’ summit scheduled for November 6–7.

Those confirmed include leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Chile, Cape Verde, and Liberia. China has said Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang will represent President Xi Jinping.

The separate pre-summit was introduced this year to reduce logistical challenges for Belém ahead of the main conference.

While the federal government will not participate at a high level, more than 100 state and local officials from across the United States — including governors, mayors, and environmental representatives — are expected to attend COP30 independently.

Many of them are expected to represent regional or city-level initiatives rather than federal policy.

Trump’s decision to bypass the U.N. conference reflects his administration’s broader approach to international climate negotiations.

During his previous term, the president withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2017, citing concerns that the accord placed disproportionate burdens on U.S. taxpayers while allowing major polluters like China to continue increasing emissions.

The 2025 withdrawal reaffirmed that stance, with the White House stating at the time that the U.S. would not participate in global frameworks that “undermine American sovereignty and economic competitiveness.”

COP30 will mark the first time Brazil has hosted the U.N. climate talks since 2019, when then-President Jair Bolsonaro declined to participate amid disputes over Amazon deforestation policy.

This year’s conference aims to evaluate global progress toward emissions reduction goals set under the Paris Agreement — which the Trump administration has now exited once again.

Despite the absence of top U.S. officials, the conference is expected to proceed with discussions on climate finance, carbon market regulations, and deforestation targets.

Trump administration officials said the president remains focused on advancing U.S. energy partnerships through bilateral trade deals rather than multilateral forums.

Hero Florida Cop Ends Hostage Standoff With Single Bullet to the Head
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Hero Florida Cop Ends Hostage Standoff With Single Bullet to the Head

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A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man who was holding a 7-year-old boy at knifepoint during a tense standoff in a home just outside Tampa on Sunday afternoon.

The encounter, captured on body camera video released by the sheriff’s office, showed Deputy Anthony Gonzalez acting within seconds to protect the child from imminent danger.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a residence after a 911 call reported that a man was attacking a child inside.

When Gonzalez, 25, arrived on the scene, he could hear the child pleading for help from behind a closed bedroom door.

Bodycam footage showed Gonzalez kicking open the door and confronting a man later identified as 27-year-old Mario Camacho.

Camacho was wearing body armor and a motorcycle helmet and was holding a knife to the throat of the 7-year-old boy, who was later confirmed to be his younger brother.

Deputy Gonzalez can be heard shouting for Camacho to drop the weapon several times.

Despite repeated commands, the suspect did not comply.

Moments later, Gonzalez fired a single shot, striking Camacho in the head and stopping the attack.

The footage then showed Gonzalez quickly pulling the child to safety.

Other deputies entered the room to secure the scene and render aid to the suspect.

Camacho was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to a report from ABC 7.

Authorities said the family had contacted law enforcement earlier in the day to report that Camacho was assaulting the boy and threatening him with a knife.

Deputies arrived within minutes and were met with a chaotic and dangerous situation inside the home.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the deputy’s actions during a news briefing, describing the incident as a matter of life and death.

“Deputy Gonzalez’s quick response and decisive action saved a child’s life,” Chronister said.

“There is no question that his courage and training prevented what could have been an unthinkable tragedy.”

Following department policy, Gonzalez has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a formal investigation into the use of force.

Sheriff’s officials confirmed that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will review the case independently, as is standard in officer-involved shootings.

The 7-year-old boy was unharmed and is now in the care of family members, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies provided emotional support resources for the family following the incident.

Investigators are still working to determine what led to the violent confrontation.

Preliminary findings suggest that Camacho may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the attack, though officials have not confirmed a motive.

The sheriff’s office said the case remains active and that further updates will be released after the FDLE completes its investigation.

Deputy Gonzalez, who has been with the department for several years, is expected to undergo a review process before returning to duty.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that the shooting appeared to be a justified use of deadly force to protect the life of a child.

White House Releases Trump’s Full ’60 Minutes’ Interview, CBS Cut it Down by 46 Minutes
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White House Releases Trump’s Full ’60 Minutes’ Interview, CBS Cut it Down by 46 Minutes

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President Donald Trump criticized Democrats over the ongoing government shutdown, defended his decision to restart U.S. nuclear weapons testing, and backed his administration’s immigration enforcement actions during a wide-ranging “60 Minutes” interview Sunday.

The sit-down marked Trump’s first appearance on CBS News since he filed a lawsuit against the network’s parent company earlier this year.

At the outset of the interview, anchor Norah O’Donnell pressed Trump about his role in the shutdown.

“You have helped these government shutdowns in the past,” O’Donnell said, prompting an exchange in which both tried to speak over one another.

Trump replied, “I’m not gonna do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way. There’s something wrong with these people.”

He placed the responsibility for the shutdown squarely on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), describing him as a “basket case.”

“He’s gonna be defeated in the next election by a vast number of people. And he has nothing to lose. He’s become a kamikaze pilot,” Trump said.

The partial government shutdown, now in its 33rd day, is the second-longest in U.S. history.

It began after funding measures expired on October 1, with both chambers of Congress deadlocked over spending provisions.

Last week, Schumer proposed advancing a bill limited to food stamp funding in an effort to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being disrupted.

Trump rejected that approach, arguing that Democrats were refusing to reopen the government in full.

According to congressional records, Senate Democrats have voted more than a dozen times since the start of October against measures that would end the shutdown.

When asked about his order to resume nuclear weapons testing, Trump defended the move as necessary for maintaining national security and military readiness.

He claimed that the United States possesses nuclear capabilities “that could blow up the world 150 times.”

“Why do we need to test our nuclear weapons?” O’Donnell asked.

Trump responded, “We’re the only country that doesn’t test, and I don’t wanna be the only country that doesn’t test.”

He pointed to Russia and China as examples of nations continuing to test their nuclear arsenals.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his military successfully tested a nuclear-powered torpedo, and days earlier, he highlighted the development of what he called an “invincible” nuclear-powered cruise missile, referred to by experts as a “tiny flying Chernobyl.”

Trump said that if nuclear strength were ranked, the United States would lead the list, followed by Russia and then China.

The president also defended his administration’s ICE operations, stating that agents “haven’t gone far enough” in addressing illegal immigration.

His comments came in response to O’Donnell’s question citing criticism of recent immigration enforcement actions.

The discussion later turned to New York City’s mayoral race, where Trump criticized Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, labeling him a “Communist.”

Trump warned that if Mamdani were elected, it could impact how the federal government allocates funding to New York City.

“And it’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York. Because if you have a Communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” he said.

Trump has previously suggested that he would consider deploying federal troops to New York City if Mamdani wins Tuesday’s election, calling a potential victory for the Democratic socialist “a fluke.”

CBS aired an edited version of the interview on Sunday night, while President Trump’s team later released the full, unedited version in its entirety.

WATCH:

D.C. Mayor Scrambles to Impose Curfew After Massive Teen Brawl Goes Viral
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D.C. Mayor Scrambles to Impose Curfew After Massive Teen Brawl Goes Viral

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a temporary juvenile curfew for the city following a large altercation involving hundreds of teenagers in the Navy Yard neighborhood on Friday night. The curfew, which began immediately after her announcement, will remain in place through November 5.

In a post on X, Bowser stated that the curfew applies to all individuals under the age of 18 and will run nightly from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

“We are declaring a limited juvenile curfew in Washington, DC,” Bowser wrote.

“Effective immediately, all juveniles under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew from 11PM until 6AM, which will extend through 11/5.”

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), groups of teenagers began gathering near the Navy Yard Metro Station at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The crowd grew to several hundred within half an hour.

While the gathering initially appeared peaceful, police said the situation escalated as fights broke out and groups began blocking streets and ignoring officers’ directions to stay on sidewalks.

MPD called in assistance from multiple agencies, including the Metro Transit Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the National Guard, along with members of a federal task force.

The combined response aimed to restore order and prevent the situation from spreading to other areas.

By around 11 p.m., officers had dispersed the crowd, cleared nearby parks, and directed many of the juveniles toward Metro stations to leave the area.

Police maintained an increased presence in the neighborhood overnight to deter additional disturbances.

Four teenagers from Washington, D.C., and one 18-year-old from Maryland were arrested in connection with the incident, according to MPD officials.

Authorities have not released the names of those taken into custody.

The MPD confirmed that Bowser’s limited juvenile curfew will apply to specific high-traffic areas, including the U Street Corridor, Banneker Recreation Center, Navy Yard, and Union Station.

These areas have been designated as enforcement zones due to repeated large gatherings and disorderly behavior involving minors in recent weeks.

In a press release issued Saturday, MPD Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith condemned the violence and said law enforcement agencies would increase their visibility in affected neighborhoods.

“The behavior displayed last night in Navy Yard is unacceptable, and MPD and our law enforcement partners will have an increased presence tonight to ensure this does not happen again,” Smith said.

“This group chose not to visit any of the events hosted by MPD or our DC agency partners and instead gathered in this manner.”

The mayor’s decision follows multiple reports of escalating juvenile disturbances across the city in recent months.

Earlier this fall, police responded to several incidents involving large groups of minors near public transportation hubs and recreation centers.

City officials have described the curfew as a temporary measure aimed at curbing disorderly activity while longer-term solutions are considered.

Under District law, minors violating curfew orders can be detained by police and released to a parent or guardian.

Repeat violations may result in fines or community service requirements.

The MPD said it will focus primarily on ensuring safety and preventing property damage rather than punitive enforcement.

The limited curfew is expected to remain in effect through November 5, covering the city’s busiest Halloween weekend period.

Police officials said they will evaluate its effectiveness before determining whether further extensions or adjustments are necessary.

DHS Agents’ Sworn Testimony: Portland Police Failed as Antifa Riots Raged
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DHS Agents’ Sworn Testimony: Portland Police Failed as Antifa Riots Raged

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On the second day of testimony in Oregon v. Trump, et al., Department of Homeland Security officials defended the decision to deploy National Guard troops to assist federal agents at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon.

The case centers on whether the federal government acted lawfully when it ordered Guard troops to respond to escalating violence and unrest outside the ICE building on Macadam Avenue.

The federal trial, held in U.S. District Court, began earlier this week.

Oregon state and city officials are challenging the legality of the deployment, arguing that sending National Guard troops into Portland constitutes governmental overreach and risks worsening tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains that the move was necessary to protect federal property and personnel following months of attacks by organized protesters, many associated with Antifa-linked groups.

Two witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) testified Thursday, describing the ICE facility as a target of ongoing violence since early June.

Both witnesses criticized the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) for failing to respond to repeated calls for assistance during critical incidents.

The first witness, identified in court as “R.C.,” serves as the FPS Deputy Regional Director for Region 10 and has acted as incident commander at the ICE site multiple times since June.

R.C. testified that the facility has been under “sustained attack” by organized groups engaging in criminal conduct, including assaults on federal agents, blocking government vehicles, and attempting to breach the facility with improvised battering rams.

R.C. estimated that at least 180 law enforcement officers are required to properly secure the property each night.

He said the roughly 200 Oregon National Guardsmen federalized under President Donald Trump’s order would provide necessary relief to overextended federal personnel.

“National Guard troops would alleviate the strain on resources across all federal agencies currently deployed to the facility,” he told the court.

According to his testimony, federal officers from multiple agencies — including FPS, ICE Special Response Team (SRT), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol, and the Bureau of Prisons — have been diverted from their normal duties to respond to the Portland unrest.

R.C. said many of these officers would otherwise be conducting operations against high-priority criminal targets.

He also described the emotional toll on federal personnel, saying agents are routinely subjected to verbal abuse and physical threats.

“Protesters hurl vile, racist, and other harmful rhetoric at agents around the clock,” R.C. said, explaining that staff rotations were shortened from 30 days to 20 days to mitigate burnout and mental health strain.

R.C. testified that repeated requests for support from the Portland Police Bureau went unanswered.

He referenced a meeting earlier this year with PPB Chief Bob Day, where cooperation protocols were discussed.

When asked whether those expectations were met, R.C. replied, “No.” He described the local department’s withdrawal as “a repeated pattern of abandonment,” leaving federal agencies to handle both crowd control and criminal incidents occurring within PPB’s jurisdiction.

The second FPS witness, identified as Commander “W.T.,” served as an incident commander biweekly from July through late September.

His testimony corroborated R.C.’s account, detailing how nightly protests continued without police intervention.

“Unlawful protests occurred every night,” W.T. said, recalling that PPB had withdrawn its officers from the area in late June.

W.T. cited multiple examples of vandalism, verbal harassment, and attacks on officers.

He said agitators regularly used shields, ballistic vests, high-powered flashlights, and lasers to interfere with law enforcement operations.

“They’ve even urged officers to ‘kill themselves,’” he told the court.

One documented event, referred to as the “guillotine incident,” occurred on September 1.

Demonstrators reportedly placed a mock guillotine in the roadway outside the ICE facility and formed a human chain with shields to block the driveway, trapping personnel inside.

“It was an extreme threat,” W.T. testified.

During cross-examination, a City of Portland attorney suggested that carrying shields or similar items might not be illegal.

W.T. responded that the combination of such gear and actions — including the guillotine blockade — amounted to disorderly conduct and indicated the gatherings were not peaceful.

Both FPS witnesses agreed that National Guard deployment would be beneficial given the “24-hour unlawful protest activity” and severe staffing shortages among federal officers.

The Department of Justice is expected to call additional witnesses from ICE and the Department of War before the trial concludes Friday.

The court’s decision will determine whether the federal government’s deployment of National Guard troops in Portland was justified under federal law and necessary for the protection of federal property.

Ex-CIA Chief Brennan Snaps When Confronted About Hunter Biden Laptop Memo
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Ex-CIA Chief Brennan Snaps When Confronted About Hunter Biden Laptop Memo

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Former CIA Director John Brennan engaged in a heated verbal exchange with counterintelligence expert Thomas Speciale during a Thursday event at George Mason University.

The confrontation centered on Brennan’s role in signing a 2020 letter from 51 intelligence officials, which described reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop as bearing “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”

The incident occurred at an event hosted by the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, featuring Brennan, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

Speciale, a national security consultant and former senior advisor to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, challenged Brennan twice about his decision to endorse the letter.

A video posted to X on Saturday captured the exchange.

“Why sign that?” Speciale asked Brennan, prompting the former director to move toward him and point at his chest.

“We never said it was disinformation. We said it was Russian influence operations, which is what they do. There’s a big difference,” Brennan responded.

The letter, released to the media weeks before the 2020 election, stated, “The arrival on the US political scene of emails purportedly belonging to Vice President Biden’s son Hunter, much of it related to his serving on the Board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”

It continued, “We want to emphasize that we do not know if the emails, provided to the New York Post by President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement — just that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case.”

Speciale described the memo as offensive counterintelligence against Donald Trump and election interference from the intelligence community’s highest levels.

Earlier in the event, Speciale pressed Brennan about the inclusion of the Steele dossier, a Democratic-commissioned opposition research document, in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) regarding Trump and Russia.

The dossier fueled years of Russiagate media coverage during Trump’s first term.

Speciale also raised questions about documents declassified by Gabbard, which showed Clapper urging then-National Security Adviser Mike Rogers, who doubted the assessment’s accuracy, to compromise “normal modalities” and support the ICA as a “team sport.”

Speciale told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), “I wanted answers to basic questions for my own personal interest. These are the people that as career intelligence people we looked up to. Why would you do these things?”

The confrontation highlighted ongoing scrutiny of the intelligence community’s actions during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles.

On October 21, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan referred Brennan to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution, alleging he lied under oath to Congress about the ICA.

Jordan cited declassified evidence from Gabbard showing Brennan, alongside then-FBI Director James Comey, made the final decision to include Steele dossier information in the ICA, overriding objections from senior CIA officers.

The event at George Mason University, held on October 30, 2025, drew attention to the lingering controversies surrounding the intelligence community’s handling of election-related investigations.

The Hayden Center event included discussions on intelligence practices, but the Brennan-Speciale exchange dominated post-event coverage.

The referral to the Department of Justice marks a significant development, with Jordan’s action based on documents released under Gabbard’s tenure as Director of National Intelligence.

The ICA, completed in January 2017, has been a focal point of debate, with critics questioning its reliance on unverified sources. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the referral.

Speciale’s background in counterintelligence and his advisory role under Gabbard add weight to his challenge, reflecting broader concerns within the intelligence community.

Kash Patel Confirms FBI Foiled Michigan Halloween Terror Plot, Arrests Made
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Kash Patel Confirms FBI Foiled Michigan Halloween Terror Plot, Arrests Made

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Federal agents in Michigan arrested at least five suspects early Friday morning in connection with what authorities described as a planned terrorist attack timed for Halloween weekend, according to multiple law enforcement sources who spoke with The New York Post.

“This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.

“Thanks to the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and crushing our mission to defend the homeland.”

According to federal sources, the arrests took place during coordinated raids at three homes in the Detroit suburbs of Dearborn and Inkster. Weapons were recovered from the scenes, including several legally owned firearms.

Law enforcement vehicles from the FBI and the Michigan State Police were seen near Fordson High School in Dearborn as agents entered one of the targeted homes. Investigators collected evidence, including bags of documents and materials from an FBI evidence truck.

Sources told The Post the group had discussed carrying out what they referred to as a “pumpkin day” assault. The suspects, who were under federal surveillance for months, allegedly trained at a local shooting range and drew inspiration from ISIS propaganda.

Among those detained was a 16-year-old juvenile, according to two people familiar with the case. Officials said the group debated whether to carry out the attack this weekend, with some members arguing they needed more preparation time.

Authorities have not released details about the intended targets, and sources said the plot was still in its early stages. The suspects were described as “home-grown radicals,” though investigators are examining whether they had any foreign connections or online links to extremist networks.

The FBI noted that there is no known threat to New York City, despite some of the suspects having discussed plans to visit Rockefeller Center and the Statue of Liberty as tourists.

Law enforcement officials also emphasized that there is no threat to Friday night’s Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan, though the NYPD assisted federal agents in monitoring the group.

FBI Detroit spokesperson Jordan Hall confirmed there was “no current threat to public safety.”

Patel’s announcement reportedly came before several state officials had been briefed. One senior U.S. official told The Post that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was not informed of the operation until after Patel’s post.

“When Patel posted, nobody had been briefed,” the official said. “So now everybody’s slowly getting the information.”

Whitmer later issued a statement on X following her briefing. “This morning, I was briefed by Director Patel on the thwarted potential terrorist attack in our state. As details continue to develop, I am grateful for the swift action of the FBI and MSP protecting Michiganders,” she wrote.

The FBI is also reviewing potential links between this case and a previous Michigan investigation involving 19-year-old former Army National Guardsman Ammar Said, who was arrested in May for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command in Warren, Michigan.

Officials have not yet released the names of the suspects in the Halloween plot or the specific charges they will face.

146 Illegal Alien Truck Drivers Arrested in Indiana During Operation Midway Blitz
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146 Illegal Alien Truck Drivers Arrested in Indiana During Operation Midway Blitz

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), working with the Indiana State Police, arrested more than 145 illegal aliens operating semi-trucks across Indiana, including over 40 individuals who had been issued Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).

The operation, part of a broader enforcement campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” led to more than 220 total arrests on Indiana highways in recent weeks.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrests on Thursday, crediting the success to the ongoing 287(g) agreement between ICE and state authorities.

The partnership allows state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officials in identifying and detaining individuals who are in the United States illegally.

“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs,” Noem said in a statement.

“And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos. Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. The brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.”

According to DHS, more than 40 of the truck drivers arrested held CDLs issued by sanctuary states, primarily Illinois, California, and New York.

Federal officials said the arrests highlight ongoing issues with states that allow noncitizens to obtain commercial driving credentials without federal immigration verification.

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said the initiative specifically targeted individuals operating commercial vehicles in and around Illinois and Indiana who had prior criminal records or were in violation of federal immigration law.

“Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don’t recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways,” Lyons said in a statement.

The arrests come amid growing concern over illegal aliens operating large commercial vehicles following a series of fatal incidents across the country involving unlicensed or improperly credentialed drivers.

“In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country,” Lyons said.

“This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.”

Officials said Operation Midway Blitz identified numerous individuals with prior criminal convictions, including offenses such as drunk driving, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic violence, prostitution, and fraud.

ICE agents coordinated with state troopers to execute the arrests during traffic enforcement sweeps along major freight corridors and weigh stations across Indiana.

The 287(g) partnership has been expanded in several Midwestern states since January as part of the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on enforcing immigration laws and addressing public safety threats associated with illegal reentry and fraudulent documentation in the transportation sector.

Indiana authorities said the cooperation between ICE and state law enforcement agencies has been critical in removing individuals who pose risks to motorists and commercial drivers alike.

ICE and the Indiana State Police said additional enforcement actions under Operation Midway Blitz are expected in the coming weeks as part of a broader crackdown on illegal alien drivers with fraudulent or improperly obtained commercial licenses.

Federal authorities said investigations are also underway to determine how many of the arrested individuals obtained CDLs through sanctuary-state licensing systems.

As of Thursday, all 146 arrested truck drivers were in federal custody pending immigration proceedings.

The remaining individuals detained in the operation face charges related to identity fraud, criminal convictions, or illegal reentry.


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