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Reporters Busted Secretly Recording White House Staff, Karoline Leavitt Takes Action
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Reporters Busted Secretly Recording White House Staff, Karoline Leavitt Takes Action

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that her office restricted free-roaming media access after staff discovered reporters secretly recording conversations inside the Upper Press area.

The change ends decades of open-door access and now requires reporters to make appointments before entering the space.

In an interview with “Pod Force One,” Leavitt told Miranda Devine that the new rules were put in place after several incidents involving reporters attempting to listen in on internal discussions and gather information without authorization.

“We have taken over the responsibilities of the National Security Council, thanks to the restructuring of Secretary Rubio when he became National Security Advisor. Steven Cheung and I are responsible for all communications matters, including national security,” Leavitt said.

“And so we felt it became very inappropriate for reporters to be loitering around sensitive information in our offices. And we did, unfortunately, catch some unruly reporters recording us without our permission, listening in on conversations, eavesdropping.”

According to Leavitt, reporters had begun positioning themselves outside morning staff meetings, attempting to overhear discussions as officials exited the room.

She said the behavior intensified to the point where senior officials could not brief staff without interruption.

“We’d have staff meetings in the morning. Some of the reporters started to pick up on that, and we’d walk out and they would be out there trying to listen. You know, if Secretary Rubio or the chief want to come in and brief us on something, you’d have reporters out there heckling them, and it just became an inappropriate work environment,” Leavitt said.

“And so now they’re welcome up here, but it’s by appointment only. And so a lot of the outrage you’re seeing on Twitter, they’ve told us privately they’re OK with how this system works so long as they can still have appointments with me to understand the news of the day.”

Leavitt said she still grants access to reporters as her schedule allows, but noted that much of her time is spent in meetings with President Trump inside the Oval Office.

“I give them as much time as I possibly can on my schedule. Although a lot of my time is with the president and in the Oval Office and sitting in on meetings. So I try to devote as much time as I can to the press because that is my job, right? The basic duty is for me to work with the press and make sure they’re telling the truth out there,” Leavitt said.

Assistant to the President and White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung also addressed the policy change.

He confirmed that the restrictions were implemented after multiple instances of reporters secretly recording video and audio inside West Wing workspaces.

Cheung said some reporters gained unauthorized access to restricted rooms in attempts to overhear private meetings.

“Press still has access to lower press where the press team sits and can answer all inquiries. Reporters can make appointments to see us in our offices,” Cheung wrote.

The new appointment-only system applies specifically to the Upper Press area, while other areas used for daily briefings and general press functions remain accessible under standard procedures.

Jasmine Crockett’s Epstein Accusation Falls Apart Live on CNN
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Jasmine Crockett’s Epstein Accusation Falls Apart Live on CNN

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas defended her remarks involving EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Jeffrey Epstein during an interview on CNN’s “The Source” on Wednesday, stating that she deliberately referred to “a Jeffrey Epstein” rather than asserting it was the convicted sex trafficker.

Host Kaitlan Collins asked Crockett to address Zeldin’s response.

Collins noted that Zeldin said the reference involved a different individual, “a Dr. Jeffrey Epstein,” who previously donated to one of his campaigns and was unrelated to the disgraced financier. Collins asked whether Crockett wanted to correct the record.

Crockett responded by saying she never claimed it was the same Jeffrey Epstein.

She said the issue arose during a debate and that information was presented to Democrats without advance notice.

Crockett said that her team used a quick online search because, according to her, Republicans raised the donation in real time.

“Listen, I never said that it was that Jeffrey Epstein. Just so that people understand, when you make a donation, your picture is not there. And because they decided to spring this on us in real time, I wanted the Republicans to think about what could potentially happen, because I knew that they didn’t even try to go through the FEC. So, my team, what they did is they Googled, and that is specifically why I said a Jeffrey Epstein, unlike Republicans, I at least don’t go out and just tell lies, because it was not the same one, that’s fine,” Crockett said.

She continued that Zeldin “admitted that he did receive donations from a Jeffrey Epstein,” and argued that he could have clarified the issue simply by stating it was a different individual.

Crockett said she was not attempting to mislead anyone and that the timing limited what information her staff could find.

“Now, have I dug in to find out who this doctor is? I have not. So I will trust and take what he says is that it wasn’t that Jeffrey Epstein, but I was not attempting to mislead anybody. I literally had maybe 20 minutes before I had to do that debate,” she said.

Crockett reiterated that more time would have been necessary to determine the identity of the donor.

“Within 20 minutes, you could not find that out, not from just doing a quick search on FEC. So number one, I made sure that I was clear that it was a Jeffrey Epstein, but I never said that it was specifically that Jeffrey Epstein, because I knew that we would need more time to really dig in,” she said.

Zeldin was confirmed as EPA administrator earlier this year.

The exchange with Crockett stemmed from a dispute over donor records and questions raised during a prior debate.

The discussion on CNN followed Republicans’ criticism of Crockett’s initial comments and Crockett’s insistence that she used the phrasing intentionally.

The interview marked the latest in a series of disagreements between Crockett and House Republicans involving campaign finance issues raised during committee proceedings and televised debates.

Kamala Accuses Trump of ‘Gaslighting’ America While He Unseals Epstein Records
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Kamala Accuses Trump of ‘Gaslighting’ America While He Unseals Epstein Records

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris pressed President Donald Trump on Wednesday to immediately release the Epstein files, accusing him of attempting to “gaslight the American people” by saying he was waiting for congressional authorization.

Harris made the comments during an appearance on a podcast with The Bulwark, where she claimed Trump could act unilaterally, as reported by Fox News.

Jan 6, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to press after the Electoral College convened to certify President-elect Donald Trump for a second term. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY

“All of a sudden he’s saying he’ll wait to see what Congress does. Since when?” Harris said. “All of a sudden now he’s waiting for Congress to green light what he will do or wants to do? Come on.”

Harris then added, “So, release the files! Release the files. He is the president of the United States, the head of the executive branch. He has taken unilateral action without concern about the three co-equal branches of government on almost everything he has done, so release the files.”

Her remarks came just hours before Trump announced he had signed legislation authorizing the release of the files.

“I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said he had urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to move the measure forward. “Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage,” Trump wrote.

He also stated that the Department of Justice had already provided Congress with “close to fifty thousand pages of documents.”

Trump contrasted that with actions taken under the previous administration. “Do not forget — The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him,” Trump wrote.

The House approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Tuesday by a vote of 421–1. The Senate followed with unanimous consent. The push for disclosure was led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and several other lawmakers.

The legislation directs the Justice Department to release all unclassified materials linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including records connected to individuals referenced in Epstein’s prior legal matters.

The mandate also includes investigative materials, internal DOJ communications involving Epstein, and files concerning the investigation into his death.

The statute allows the Justice Department to redact or withhold information if it contains victims’ names, child sexual abuse materials, classified content, or details that could compromise active investigations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters Wednesday that the Justice Department would follow the law, which requires the files to be published online in a searchable format within 30 days.

Oklahoma Teen Survives Brutal Stabbing by Obsessed Former Co-Worker
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Oklahoma Teen Survives Brutal Stabbing by Obsessed Former Co-Worker

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An 18-year-old Oklahoma girl is recovering after surviving a violent stabbing outside her home early Saturday morning, an attack authorities say was carried out by an “obsessed” former coworker, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident occurred around 1:10 a.m. at a residence in rural Earlsboro, according to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said Ronaldo Zavala, 24, allegedly approached the teen as she was about to enter her home. Without warning, Zavala reportedly stabbed her 14 times in the neck and wrist.

A man identified by local outlets as the victim’s brother intervened, fighting off the attacker and sustaining minor stab wounds in the process.

The children’s mother told 911 dispatchers she awoke to screams on the porch. In a call obtained by WHSV, she said, “Someone with a ski mask came up to my daughter on the porch. She was eating a burger, and what did he do? He started stabbing her, and he said he was so sorry.”

She added:

“He said, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,’ and he started stabbing her.”

Zavala fled the scene before deputies arrived. The teen was transported to a hospital and remains in critical but stable condition, authorities said.

Her brother was treated for minor injuries and is being credited with preventing further harm. “He saved his sister’s life,” Capt. Jared Strand of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office told local media.

Investigators quickly identified Zavala as a suspect. A search warrant executed at his home uncovered evidence that deputies said directly links him to the attack.

Zavala was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery, along with assault and battery while masked or disguised. Officials said additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

According to authorities, Zavala and the teen previously worked together at a local movie theater where the alleged stalking began. Strand said Zavala had become “obsessed” with the girl despite her lack of interest.

“He was just obsessed with this female. She had no interest whatsoever, and it just drove him to the brink of committing this crime,” Strand said. He added that Zavala sent unsolicited DoorDash orders and unwanted gifts to the teen prior to the attack.

The victim had previously filed a complaint about Zavala, and he was subsequently fired from the theater, News9 reported.

Authorities urged the public to report stalking behavior early, even when it may not appear threatening. “Anything like this, please report it to us immediately,” Strand said.

“Even though it may appear not to be a big deal, and it’s someone who may have a crush on you or whatever it is, call us so we can take an information report so we have all this information documented.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

After Four Years in Saudi Arabia, American Freed Following Trump Efforts
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After Four Years in Saudi Arabia, American Freed Following Trump Efforts

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A U.S. citizen who spent years trapped in Saudi Arabia under an exit ban has been released, according to statements from his family and multiple media reports.

Saad Almadi, 75, had been detained since 2021 after Saudi authorities arrested him during a family visit to Riyadh and later sentenced him to more than 19 years in prison over online posts criticizing the royal family, as reported by Fox News.

Almadi’s release on Wednesday came one day after President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C., the New York Post reported.

Although Almadi was freed from prison in 2023 after his charges were reduced from terrorism allegations to cyber crimes, he remained barred from leaving the country until this week.

Almadi, a retired engineer who has lived in the United States since 1976, had faced accusations tied to 14 social media posts. One of the posts suggested renaming a Washington street after Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

His case drew attention from human rights groups and members of Congress, who urged Saudi authorities to lift the exit ban and allow him to return home.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Almadi family expressed relief and gratitude. “Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home to the United States!” they said.

“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”

The family also thanked others who had advocated for Almadi’s release. “We extend our thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping our father safe, and to the nonprofit organizations and members of Congress who fought for his freedom,” the statement continued.

U.S. pressure to end the exit ban had increased following Trump’s May visit to Saudi Arabia. Sebastian Gorka, a member of the National Security Council, also met with Almadi’s son at the White House as the case gained new momentum.

The Foley Foundation, which supports families of Americans detained overseas, praised the development, saying it was “so excited” that Almadi’s four-year ordeal was ending.

According to the family, Almadi was flying from Riyadh to the United States on Wednesday. The timing followed Trump and the crown prince appearing together at a forum in Washington earlier in the week.

Fox News Digital reported that it had reached out to Gorka, the State Department and the White House for comment.

Attacker on the Loose After Violent Queens Subway Slashing Incident
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Attacker on the Loose After Violent Queens Subway Slashing Incident

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Two men were slashed on a Queens subway platform on Wednesday afternoon, and the suspect remains at large as police continue searching for the attacker, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m. on the southbound platform serving the E and F trains at the Union Turnpike station in Kew Gardens, according to the New York City Police Department.

Officers responding to a 911 call found a 42-year-old man with a laceration to his forehead and a 50-year-old man with a laceration to his face.

NYPD Police Officers on duty in Manhattan – NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES – FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Commuters on the platform surrounded the two victims, who were seen holding tissues to their injuries while awaiting medical help. One bystander was observed applying pressure to the forehead wound of one victim as he made a phone call.

The NYPD said both men were transported to nearby hospitals, where they were reported to be in stable condition. Police said the circumstances leading to the slashing were not immediately clear, and investigators have not yet identified a motive.

No arrests have been made, and the attacker remained on the loose as of Wednesday evening. The NYPD said the investigation is ongoing.

Union Turnpike is a busy transit hub connecting two major subway lines in central Queens, drawing heavy foot traffic throughout the day. The midafternoon attack briefly disrupted activity on the platform as police secured the area and interviewed witnesses.

Authorities have not released descriptions of the suspect or any additional information about the moments before the slashing.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the station and collecting statements from individuals who were present at the time of the attack.

The incident adds to a series of violent episodes reported across the subway system this year. Police are urging anyone with information to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers tip line.

NC Father Faces Murder Charges After 4 Dead Children Found Outside Home
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NC Father Faces Murder Charges After 4 Dead Children Found Outside Home

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A North Carolina man is facing four counts of first-degree murder after authorities say he admitted to killing multiple children and concealing their remains at his home near Zebulon, as reported by the New York Post.

Court records show that 38-year-old Wellington Delano Dickens III allegedly confessed during a 911 call to killing four of his children over several months and hiding their bodies in the trunk of a car located inside his garage.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to Dickens’ residence just after 10 p.m. on Oct. 27.

According to the department, Dickens told a 911 dispatcher that four of his children were dead and that their remains were in a vehicle on the property. Deputies located Dickens at the home along with his 3-year-old son, who was found alive and unharmed.

During a search of the garage, authorities discovered what appeared to be human remains inside the trunk of a vehicle. Investigators said the condition of the remains indicated they had likely been there for some time.

WRAL-TV obtained audio of the 911 call in which a man identifying himself as Wellington Dickens gave his address and told the dispatcher he had killed his children.

During the call, he reportedly said, “It’s a lot to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s probably my fault. It’s bad. It started out as me over-disciplining – that’s it.”

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said during a late-October news conference that investigators believe the deaths occurred over several months, beginning in May and continuing through September.

Bizzell said the motive was still unclear. “But as the sheriff, as a father and as a grandfather, I can stand here and say there’s no reason for a father to murder his children,” he said.

Authorities also noted that Dickens’ wife, Stephanie Rae Jones Dickens, died in April 2024 from complications related to a miscarriage. Investigators believe the children were killed between May and September following her death.

Neighbors told investigators the family rarely went outside and said the children had been homeschooled.

Sheriff’s Capt. Don Pate said deputies had previously responded to the home when Stephanie Dickens died, but her death was ruled natural after she declined medical treatment.

Court documents obtained by NBC News indicate Dickens also allegedly confessed to burying a fifth child in the woods behind the home.

According to investigators, he claimed the infant’s health declined before he wrapped the child in plastic or paper and buried the remains behind the house.

Officials said the death was never reported, and relatives stated they had not seen the infant since Dickens moved. As of the latest update, the remains of the fifth child have not been located.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Blue States Spend Millions Letting SNAP Dollars Pay Fast-Food Meals
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Blue States Spend Millions Letting SNAP Dollars Pay Fast-Food Meals

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U.S. taxpayers are covering nearly $250 million each year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds spent on fast-food meals across nine states participating in the Restaurant Meals Program, according to information released by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, as reported by Fox News.

The states participating in the program are Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia. All are Democrat-run states except Virginia.

The modern SNAP program was created under the Food Stamps Act of 1964 to provide basic foods, including meats, fruits and vegetables, to Americans facing financial hardship.

The program was structured so that hot foods or foods prepared for immediate consumption could not be purchased. Its purpose was to give recipients staple groceries that would be prepared at home.

A 1977 provision later allowed states to opt into the Restaurant Meals Program. This program was created to allow homeless individuals without a kitchen to buy prepared meals with SNAP funds.

Eligibility was later expanded to include disabled individuals, elderly individuals, and their spouses.

Participating states must approve restaurants that wish to join the Restaurant Meals Program, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorizes those agreements.

Ernst’s office noted that while the number of participating restaurants was historically small, participation increased in recent years, with California expanding the program statewide in 2021.

That expansion allowed a wide range of major fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Jack in the Box, to accept CalFresh benefits through SNAP.

From June 2023 to May 2025, Ernst’s office found that more than $475 million in taxpayer funds were spent on Restaurant Meals Program purchases at fast-food establishments nationwide.

Total spending through the entire Restaurant Meals Program during that period reached $524 million. California alone accounted for more than 90% of the total.

“The ‘N’ in SNAP stands for nutrition, not nuggets with a side of fries,” Ernst told Fox News Digital.

“I wish I was McRibbing you, but $250 million per year at the drive-through is no joke and a serious waste of tax dollars. I hate to be the one to say McSCUSE ME, but something needs to be done because taxpayers are not lovin’ it.”

Between June 2023 and May 2025, the program recorded $41.4 million in spending in Arizona, $3.6 million in New York, $1.3 million in Michigan, $995,900 in Rhode Island, $649,000 in Massachusetts, $479,000 in Illinois, $308,500 in Virginia and $8,600 in Maryland.

Ernst introduced the McSCUSE ME Act on Thursday to reduce the scope of the Restaurant Meals Program. The legislation maintains access to the program for homeless, elderly, and disabled individuals but removes spousal eligibility.

It also proposes limiting which vendors are allowed to participate by restricting fast-food restaurants in favor of grocery stores that offer hot bars, with the intention of directing recipients toward healthier prepared options.

The bill would also require states to publish public annual reports detailing the number of participating vendors, the number of beneficiaries, and overall program costs.

This legislative effort follows the end of a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, during which food assistance programs received increased scrutiny over fraud risks and disruptions in benefits.

After the government reopened, the Trump administration required all SNAP beneficiaries to reapply to prevent fraudulent use.

Federal spending on SNAP peaked during the pandemic under the Biden administration, with costs reaching $128 billion in 2021 and $127 billion in 2022. By the final year of that administration, the program cost $99.8 billion.

7 Eleven Fires Clerk Who Was Choked by Violent Suspect and Shot Him in Self-Defense
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7 Eleven Fires Clerk Who Was Choked by Violent Suspect and Shot Him in Self-Defense

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A 7-Eleven clerk in Oklahoma City shot a man who allegedly attacked her after attempting to use a counterfeit $100 bill late Thursday night, according to police and local news reports.

The incident occurred just before midnight when the man entered the store and tried to purchase burritos, beef sticks, and ice cream using the fake bill, KOKH-TV reported.

The clerk refused the transaction, telling him she was calling police, KWTV-DT reported.

Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department said the clerk also refused his demand that she return the counterfeit money.

Police said the suspect then became violent and moved behind the counter.

“He came around the counter, got behind the counter where she was, and grabbed her by the throat and began choking her violently,” Knight told KWTV.

The clerk, identified by KOKH as 25-year-old Stephanie Dilyard, said the suspect threatened her.

“He threatened me, said he was gonna slice my head off, and then that’s when I tried to call the police. I realized he started throwing things at me, came behind the counter. I tried to run off, but he grabbed his hands around my neck, and pushed me out of the counter space,” she told the station.

Police said that during the struggle, Dilyard pulled out a pistol and shot the suspect.

According to officers, the man was carrying a knife at the time.

The shooting was captured on surveillance video, KWTV reported. Authorities identified the suspect as 59-year-old Kenneth Thompson.

After being shot in the stomach, Thompson fled the store and called 911, KOKH reported.

“Reporting he had been shot,” Knight told KWTV, adding that Thompson did not initially offer details to officers when they located him.

Thompson was taken to a hospital and arrested there.

According to police, he faces charges that include assault and battery, threatening acts of violence, attempting to pass a fake bill, and a felony warrant for violating parole.

He will be booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center once released from medical care.

Dilyard sustained minor injuries in the attack, police said.

Investigators told KOKH that she acted within Oklahoma’s self-defense law. She was not arrested.

Despite that determination, Dilyard told KOKH she was fired by 7-Eleven on Monday for using her firearm.

“They said that they were going to separate from employment because of a violation of policy,” she said, noting she had worked the overnight shift alone for more than two years.

According to KWTV, a clerk told the station that store employees are not permitted to carry firearms at work.

KWTV said the company has not responded to questions about whether security would be provided following the attack.

Dilyard told KOKH that she believed she had no choice but to defend herself.

“This was a situation where I felt like I was put in a corner between choosing between my job and my life, and I’m always going to choose my life because there’s people that depend on me,” she said.

“Just, I’m going home, you know. That’s my goal. I need to be here for my kids.”

She said she hopes what happened will alert other clerks, especially women, to the risks they may face.

“If I’d known that, you know, there’s a potential where somebody could be for real in taking my life away that I will do whatever it takes … I hope that … women see that, and you know, they’ll do the same thing. You have the right to defend yourself,” she told the station.

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