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Luigi Mangione Evidence Hearing Continues as Prosecutors Release Photos of ‘To-Do’ List, Items Found at Arrest
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Luigi Mangione Evidence Hearing Continues as Prosecutors Release Photos of ‘To-Do’ List, Items Found at Arrest

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A Manhattan court continued a fourth day of evidence suppression hearings Monday in the case of Luigi Mangione, who is charged with murder in the Dec. 4, 2024, killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as reported by The New York Post.

Mangione, 27, appeared at the defense table in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he briefly flashed a fist pump toward a courtroom camera while leaning in to speak with attorney Karen Friedman Agnofilo.

The hearing focused on evidence recovered from Mangione’s backpack after his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Christy Wasser of the Altoona Police Department testified about searching Mangione’s belongings following the arrest, which occurred roughly 100 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Over the weekend, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office released photographs of the items seized at the time, including a handwritten “to-do” list that prosecutors say was found on Mangione.

The list included an entry for a trip to Best Buy, with items such as “USB 256 flash drive,” “digital camera,” and “light source” marked under a Dec. 8 date and crossed out in the photos.

Additional notations included “Hot meal + water bottles” and “trash bags.” Under a separate heading labeled “Future TO DO,” entries read “Intel check in” next to Dec. 9 and “survival kit.”

Other evidence photos released by prosecutors showed Mangione had a small flashlight, a USB drive attached to a silver necklace, a pocket knife, and several thousand dollars in $100 bills.

Authorities also recovered a bus ticket bearing the name “Sam Dawson” for travel from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on Dec. 4 — the same day Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan.

It has not been determined whether Mangione purchased the ticket. The name on the ticket matches the protagonist of the 2001 film I Am Sam, a character portrayed by Sean Penn.

The hearing will determine whether evidence retrieved by Altoona authorities, including the gun prosecutors allege was used in the killing, will be allowed at trial.

Mangione’s defense team is also contesting the admissibility of several statements he made to law enforcement following his arrest.

Court proceedings resumed Monday after Mangione was unable to attend Friday’s hearing due to an illness, the specifics of which were not disclosed.

In addition to the charges filed in New York, Mangione has an unrelated federal case pending. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The suppression hearing is set to continue as the court evaluates what evidence jurors may ultimately hear when the case moves to trial.

NYPD Officers Jump Into Freezing East River to Save 67-Year-Old Man
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NYPD Officers Jump Into Freezing East River to Save 67-Year-Old Man

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NYPD officers rescued a 67-year-old man from the East River on Nov. 30 after responding to a 911 call reporting a person struggling in the water near Furman Street and Montague Street in Brooklyn, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident occurred around 1:03 p.m., across from Manhattan’s Pier 11, an area with heavy daily ferry traffic.

According to police, officers arrived to find the man unable to reach the shoreline. Members of the NYPD Harbor Unit initially threw a rescue float over the railing in an attempt to assist him.

When it became clear he could not reach it, two officers jumped into the frigid water to make direct contact.

Video posted by the NYPD on X shows the officers swimming toward the man and pulling him to a rocky section of the shoreline. The footage then shows responders lifting him to safety using a ladder.

One officer is heard saying, “Relax, you’re OK,” as they secured him.

A group of NYPD Police Officers on duty in Manhattan, New York – NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES – FEBRUARY 14, 2023

The NYPD said units from Emergency Service, aviation, and scuba teams also responded to the scene. The man was transported to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in stable condition.

Authorities said it was not immediately clear how he ended up in the East River.

The NYPD highlighted the officers’ quick response in a statement posted on X.

Firefighters with the New York Fire Department conduct a week-long river rescue training with Indiana River Rescue School on top of a submerged vehicle in the East Race Waterway on April 25, 2024.

“When a 911 call came in about a person struggling in the water, the NYPD’s Harbor Unit dived right in. They didn’t hesitate, jumping into the freezing water and rescuing the individual, who is now in stable condition,” the message read.

“No fear. No delay. NY’s Finest.”

Officials did not release additional information about the man or whether he was able to communicate with first responders about what led to the incident.

The rescue occurred in an area known for strong currents and heavy boat traffic, prompting an extensive response from multiple NYPD units.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith to Step Down Following Trump’s Move to Federalize Metropolitan Police Department
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D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith to Step Down Following Trump’s Move to Federalize Metropolitan Police Department

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Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith will leave her position at the end of the year, according to an announcement released Monday, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Her departure comes months after President Donald Trump invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and authorize the deployment of National Guard personnel across Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – February 22, 2025: President Donald Trump arrives at the White House South Lawn on Marine One after his visit to CPAC.

NBC 4 Washington reported that Smith’s final day in office will be December 31. She was appointed in 2023 and became the first Black woman to serve as chief of the department.

Smith joined the MPD in 2022 and previously served as its Chief Equity Officer, where she led the agency’s DEI-related initiatives.

In a statement, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Smith assumed leadership during a challenging period for the city.

“She came in at a challenging time for our community, where there was significant urgency to reverse the crime trends our city was facing post-pandemic,” Bowser said.

“Chief Smith dramatically drove down violent crime, drove down the homicide rate to its lowest levels in eight years, and helped us restore a sense of safety and accountability in our neighborhoods. We are grateful for her service to Washington, DC.”

Smith also released a statement acknowledging her departure. “I am deeply humbled, grateful, and deeply appreciative of my time with the District of Columbia,” she said.

“Serving as Chief of Police has been the greatest honor of my career, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Muriel Bowser for appointing me to this position and to the DC Council for their steadfast support throughout my tenure.”

Smith added, “I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety. Washington, DC is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.”

President Trump announced over the summer that he was invoking federal authority to assume control of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“We’re formally declaring a public safety emergency. This is an emergency. This is a tragic emergency, and it’s embarrassing,” Trump said at the time.

“This city will no longer be a sanctuary for illegal alien criminals. We will have full, seamless, integrated cooperation at all levels of law enforcement, and we’ll deploy officers across the district with an overwhelming presence.”

Trump stated that Attorney General Pam Bondi was “taking command” of the department as part of the restructuring.

During a subsequent press conference, Smith was asked about the current chain of command.

When a reporter asked, “Do you know what the chain of command is now?” Smith replied, “What does that mean?” before walking away from the podium. Bowser then stepped in to continue the briefing.

Smith remains in her position until the end of December as federal oversight continues.

Fired Up Alina Habba Makes Announcement About Her Future After Legal Tug of War
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Fired Up Alina Habba Makes Announcement About Her Future After Legal Tug of War

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Alina Habba announced Monday that she is stepping away from her position as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey following a series of court rulings that challenged the legality of her service.

Habba, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, said she was voluntarily leaving the post after months of legal uncertainty surrounding her nomination and interim appointment.

In her statement, she wrote, “Do not mistake compliance for surrender.”

Habba’s withdrawal followed the most recent decision from a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The panel ruled that allowing her to continue serving without Senate confirmation would “effectively [permit] anyone to fill the U.S. Attorney role indefinitely,” adding that “this should raise a red flag.”

The ruling presented a significant barrier to her ability to remain in office.

President Trump’s effort to install Habba as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey has faced repeated legal obstacles since her nomination began moving through the process.

After her initial nomination stalled in the Senate due to the “blue-slip” prerogative exercised by New Jersey’s Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, the administration reassigned her to a position as an assistant to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The courts later determined that this reassignment was not permissible and could jeopardize the validity of indictments or prosecutions issued under her leadership.

A previous judgment held that the administration’s workaround to keep Habba in place did not comply with statutory requirements.

Each time the appointment returned to the courts, the rulings curtailed the administration’s attempts to maintain her role in the state’s top federal prosecutor position.

Attorney General Bondi issued a statement reacting to the Third Circuit’s ruling and Habba’s subsequent resignation.

Bondi said she believed the decision was “flawed” and added that she was “saddened to accept Alina’s resignation.”

Bondi also described the outcome as “unfortunate,” pointing to crime statistics recorded during Habba’s time in office.

She noted that Newark experienced a 20 percent reduction in crime and reported that the city of Camden had no murders over the summer, a milestone she said had not occurred in 50 years.

With Habba departing from the position, the administration is now preparing for the next phase of litigation.

Bondi stated that the Department of Justice intends to seek “further review” of the Third Circuit’s ruling.

She added that if the decision is reversed, Habba would return to her role as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

For now, Habba will assume a new position within the Department of Justice.

Bondi said Habba will serve as Senior Advisor to the Attorney General for U.S. Attorneys, where she will “help drive the fight against violent crime nationwide.”

Habba indicated her continued commitment to the state where she sought to serve as its chief federal prosecutor.

In a message referencing her ongoing connection to New Jersey, she wrote, “You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you cannot take the New Jersey out of the girl.”

Kristi Noem Says Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani May Be ‘Violating the Constitution’
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Kristi Noem Says Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani May Be ‘Violating the Constitution’

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani may be “violating the Constitution” after he released a video advising the public on how to avoid cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during enforcement actions, as reported by Fox News.

Appearing on “Hannity,” Noem said Mamdani’s statements could cross legal lines if issued while serving as mayor.

“If he were mayor, [he] could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to evade law enforcement and how to get away with breaking the law,” Noem said.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. New York, US – 04 July 2025

Mamdani posted the video on Sunday, following what he described as an attempted ICE raid in Manhattan.

In the clip, he outlined what he called New Yorkers’ rights during interactions with federal immigration authorities and said his administration would prioritize protecting immigrant communities while defending the city’s constitutional protections.

“As mayor, I’ll protect the rights of every single New Yorker, and that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home,” Mamdani said.

“But we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.”

He also provided advice for individuals approached by ICE officers. “First, ICE cannot enter into private spaces like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge,” Mamdani said.

“If ICE does not have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed.”

Noem addressed the growing number of threats reported against ICE and Customs and Border Protection personnel, saying the violence is fueled by rhetoric from political figures.

“That rhetoric absolutely encourages these violent attacks,” she said. “In fact, we had a congresswoman attack our ICE law enforcement officers. We’ve had them show up at ICE facilities and CBP facilities and harass these enforcement officers, use vile language, spit on them.”

She added that elected officials should set an example rather than escalate tensions.

“They’re supposed to be leaders, they’re supposed to be examples that we can point to, and we wouldn’t raise our children to do the things that they do. We would be ashamed of our kids for acting the way that these grown adults act, that are supposed to be some of the best in the country, that lead us and protect our Constitution and our country’s freedoms.”

Noem said lawmakers are unhappy with the current immigration law should change it rather than undercut enforcement.

“And these politicians, if they don’t like the law, then go frickin’ change it. Go change the law. That’s your job, is to actually have debate, have discernment, to create a law that actually puts America first,” she said. “I’m just grateful the president is focused on that.”

NYC Socialist Mamdani Appoints Convicted Armed Robber to Public Safety Transition Team
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NYC Socialist Mamdani Appoints Convicted Armed Robber to Public Safety Transition Team

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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has selected Mysonne Linen, a convicted armed robber, rapper, and activist, to serve on his City Hall transition team as he prepares to take office in New York City on Jan. 1, according to public statements and social media posts from organizations involved in the announcement.

Mamdani, who won the November election on a progressive platform, is assembling transition committees that will advise his incoming administration.

Linen’s appointment was made public in a Nov. 26 Instagram post from Until Freedom, a New York City–based social-justice organization where Linen holds a leadership position.

The post featured Linen alongside Tamika Mallory and Angelo Pinto.

“We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team on committees for public safety and criminal justice respectively,” the post reads.

“This is a testament to our decades of work advocating on behalf of Black and Brown communities and our expertise in gun violence prevention, legislative advocacy, and criminal justice reform. We are building something different.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Until Freedom (@untilfreedom)

Linen, 49, has maintained a public presence as an activist in recent years, frequently posting about anti-violence initiatives, community engagement, and his work with Until Freedom.

Before his advocacy work, Linen was known for his music career.

A Bronx native, he was previously signed to Def Jam and was active in New York’s rap scene during the late 1990s.

According to past reporting, Linen was convicted of two felony robberies in the late 1990s.

In 1999, a Bronx jury found him guilty in two armed robberies of taxi drivers, as reported by the New York Daily News.

Prosecutors said Linen was part of a group that robbed cab driver Joseph Exiri on June 8, 1997, during which Exiri was struck with a beer bottle.

Prosecutors also said that on March 31, 1998, cab driver Francisco Monsanto was held at gunpoint, and cash and a ring were taken before the assailants fled.

Both taxi drivers testified during the case and identified Linen as one of the individuals involved.

The Daily News reported that Linen’s defense argued he had no motive to commit the robberies because he was earning income writing songs for artists including Lil’ Kim and Mase, and that his music was slated to appear on an album featuring LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip.

Linen faced up to 25 years in prison and ultimately served seven years.

At the time, he maintained that he had been falsely accused, according to the reporting.

Until Freedom, where Linen now serves in a leadership capacity, describes itself as “the definitive non-profit organization for community activism, education, and rapid response to tragedies resulting from injustice.”

The organization’s website states, “We are not asking for a donation, we are asking for your investment; an investment in a movement worthy of the most marginalized people.”

The appeal is accompanied by payment options including Cash App and Venmo.

Mamdani’s decision to appoint Linen to transition committees focused on public safety and criminal justice drew criticism from some groups.

Jews Fight Back wrote on X, “Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just appointed a convicted armed robber to help shape NYC’s crime and policing policy,” and called the selection “insane.”

Twins Arrested on Charges of Threatening to Torture, Kill DHS Official and ‘Shoot ICE on Sight’
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Twins Arrested on Charges of Threatening to Torture, Kill DHS Official and ‘Shoot ICE on Sight’

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Two brothers from Absecon, New Jersey, were arrested Tuesday on charges related to threats made against a senior Department of Homeland Security official, including alleged calls to “shoot ICE agents on sight.”

The FBI and local law enforcement took the pair into custody three days after the threats were posted online, as reported by Fox News.

Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores are accused of posting violent threats on X targeting Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, DHS’ top public-facing deputy.

The posts allegedly included threats describing medieval torture and executions. One partially redacted post read, “[The Second] Amendment is in place for moments like this. Shoot ICE on sight.”

Another message reportedly added, “We Americans should find you, tar you, feather you, and hang you as we did to anyone serving tyrants before the Revolutionary War.”

A second partially redacted post, attributed to the other brother, also read, “Shoot ICE on sight.”

The threats come at a time when reported threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have increased by what DHS officials described as 8,000%.

McLaughlin has been the leading public representative for DHS throughout ongoing immigration enforcement operations and has frequently addressed attacks on federal officers.

In recent public remarks, McLaughlin condemned threats like those allegedly made by the Roman-Flores brothers.

She has described individuals who target ICE personnel as “despicable” and said attacks on DHS officers are tied to “violent rhetoric” coming from political figures and activists on the left.

She has also criticized city officials, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who have opposed DHS operations.

ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox News Digital that the rapid arrests should serve as a deterrent. “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.

We are not afraid of you,” Lyons said. He added that, as McLaughlin has stated, “extreme rhetoric” from media and political leaders is directly contributing to threats against DHS personnel.

“If you threaten our law enforcement or DHS officials, we will hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Both suspects are American citizens. Emilio Roman-Flores was charged with unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, conspiracy, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, and cyber harassment.

Ricardo Roman-Flores was charged with one count of conspiracy-terroristic threats.

DHS credited the Absecon Police Department and its SWAT team for executing the search and arrest warrant in Atlantic County and successfully taking the brothers into custody.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Glenn Beck Explodes on Years of Corruption: ‘I’ve Had Enough. Nothing Ever Happens’
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Glenn Beck Explodes on Years of Corruption: ‘I’ve Had Enough. Nothing Ever Happens’

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A resurfaced statement from Glenn Beck shows him outlining his frustration with what he describes as years of uncovering political corruption without any consequences for those involved.

Beck recounted examples ranging from the Clinton Foundation to federal investigations and the handling of the Hunter Biden laptop, arguing that Washington operates under a different standard than ordinary Americans.

Beck began by describing the personal toll he believes the lack of accountability has taken.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. I am worn out. I am fed up. I’ve had enough. I am tired of exposing corruption, doing our homework, fighting, going overseas, and having documents translated to make sure they’re exactly right presenting the evidence we know what’s happening, except then, once we expose it, nothing happens.”

He said people outside government face harsher consequences.

“If you and I did half the things that people in Washington do every day you and I would go to prison.”

He referenced past controversies surrounding Hillary Clinton.

“Clinton got away with it. Even the left knew that the Clinton Foundation was dirty. They sold uranium to our biggest enemy, Russia. Nothing, no she can take confidential, top secret emails, and put them on her server at her home, something you and I would go to prison for. We would be in prison for the rest of our lives.”

He then described Benghazi, saying, “Not only did we show you that we were gun running to a group in Syria that became ISIS. That’s what we were doing in Benghazi, not only that, but just the killing of a US and Ambassador. And might I point out on Veterans Day, we abandon our troops. Did anything happen? Nope, nope. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.”

Beck also described investigations involving federal surveillance.

“I’m tired of of actually being open and saying, Okay, well, let’s look into the spying on this presidential candidate. That’s a pretty hefty charge. Were they doing it and then finding out? Yes, they were, and nothing happens.”

He continued with the Russia allegations.

“He was colluding with Russia. My gosh, that should be the biggest scandal of all time, if that were true, if it wasn’t true, and it was started, and evidence paperwork even showed that they knew all the way to the White House, you’d think that would be even a bigger story, lying to the FISA courts. Nothing, creating an enemies list, nothing, using our own intelligence agencies to assist in this operation, spending millions of dollars on a claim. They knew that wasn’t true.”

He turned to foreign business dealings.

“The loss of billions of tax dollars in Ukraine, no big deal. The lies and the collusion with the Obama administration in Ukraine. No big deal. Hunter Biden. Forget about Burisma. What was that? $7 billion who cares? Look at Hunter Biden and his his father in China. Oh, but we don’t have any proof of that. Yes, we do. We have all the proof anyone who cares to be honest needs we have all the documents on his own freaking laptop, which had been verified for people that were working with him, who were Democrats, that had those those same emails on their computer, Nothing.”

Beck then described the larger system he believes is involved.

“The scandal of our Justice Department, the deep state, which I didn’t believe in four years ago. My gosh, you gotta be dead and probably voting in the last election if you don’t see the deep state.”

He criticized media coverage.

“The corruption of our media, our media telling us to deny our own eyes, there’s a car on fire, and they’re like, oh, nothing’s happening here. It’s totally there’s a car on fire behind you. But we’re not supposed to notice that good has been made evil, and evil is made good.”

Beck tied the situation to unrest and public messaging.

“Our country is being torn apart on the streets by radicals who are marching with no trump, no Biden, no America signs, but don’t worry about that. This just a peaceful group, really.”

He warned about what he views as ideological messaging directed at children.

“Our children are being indoctrinated with all kinds of crap, telling them that they’re racist because of the color they were born with, the teachers unions completely out of control.”

He then referenced Black Lives Matter and Antifa.

“The Lies of Black Lives Matter, Inc, and no one seems to care. No one seems to care that black lives matter. Is actually a corporation that black lives matter on their. Manifesto said they wanted to destroy the nuclear family, but that’s all fine. Antifa, no, they’re not wild in the streets. That’s only an idea. Yeah, kind of like Nazism was an idea.”

Beck said the treatment of those who question election practices reflects a double standard.

“But yet, if you support the Constitution, if you just say, I want a fair and legal count. You’re a radical. You’re an anti government zealot.”

He ended by describing the strain of speaking out.

“I’ve had it. I’ve had enough. I almost didn’t make the show last week because this is what I wanted to say to you, except it would have been followed with so see you later.”

WATCH:

Administrative State’s ‘Rear Guard’ Blocking Trump Agenda Unveiled in Lara Logan Interview
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Administrative State’s ‘Rear Guard’ Blocking Trump Agenda Unveiled in Lara Logan Interview

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Lara Logan asked Dr. Timothy V. Shindelar to explain how internal resistance inside federal agencies can keep information from reaching top leadership.

“I asked you, how does this happen? And you said, this is what the rear guard does. Who is the rear guard? And what is the rear guard? The rear and how are they able to do this?”

Shindelar said the structure of federal departments allows entrenched networks to block oversight.

“When you run a complex organization, a large organization, if you don’t want the boss to see things, you simply take care of it just doesn’t get to their desk. It’s just, I mean, when you have an organization of, say, 15 or 20,000 people, geographically dispersed across the nation, a broom sweeps only what it touches. And if you’re not holding the broom, it’s not sweeping.”

He said loyalty among staff determines whether leadership’s directives are carried out.

“If you don’t have a loyal crew, a loyal group of people that share your vision, then they can undermine you. And that’s exactly what’s occurring.”

Shindelar said the directives of both the President and the attorney general were ignored inside the Department of Justice.

“We have to believe that the President of the United States signs out a presidential policy directive, and he specifically says we’re not going to tolerate this anymore. The attorney general signs out a memorandum that says, I’m an absolute lockstep with my boss, and we’re going to fix the corruption that exists inside the department.”

He said an assistant attorney rejected those directives.

“An assistant attorney says, I represent the United States of America, and I don’t want you to investigate corruption that specifically involves The DOJ. Not only is it completely bereft. It’s illegal.”

Logan said, “Well, these are the answers the American people want.” Shindelar replied, “Not want. They need.”

He said a whistleblower warned the acting Attorney General that Assistant US attorneys who had worked for Jack Smith needed to be investigated.

“But they didn’t investigate him. They simply just let him go without any accountability.”

Logan said, “So they let them off the hook.”

Shindelar said, “They simply let them go.”

Logan pressed him on who issued the order.

“I know, but who that doesn’t answer the question.”

Shindelar said, “Oh, that’s the that was the acting assistant. They the acting Attorney General.”

Logan asked again who directly instructed it.

Shindelar said he did not yet have the name but would provide the disclosure.

Logan asked whether this pattern reflected the rear guard. Shindelar answered, “Absolutely.”

Logan asked him to define it.

“What is the rear guard? Can you explain that?”

Shindelar said, “The rear guard is a group of people that are ideologically driven to a particular point of view, and that point of view is not shared by the current administration.”

When asked whether it was organized, he said, “Of course it’s organized.”

He identified it as the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Logan asked what it was.

Shindelar said, “The CIGIE.”

He said the council was designed to oversee federal programs but failed in that responsibility.

“A system that was designed to ensure the programs and operations of the federal government were effective and efficient.”

He gave an example involving Elon Musk’s review of agency operations and said inspectors general had been silent.

Logan responded, “It was their job.”

Shindelar said, “It was not only their job. They failed at their job.”

Logan asked when the council was created.

Shindelar first referenced 1978, then corrected that the CIGIE itself was created in 2008.

Logan asked, “By?” Shindelar responded, “It was done in conjunction, the legislation was done in conjunction with Senator Grassley.”

Logan asked whether this occurred under President Obama.

Shindelar said yes and confirmed it was bipartisan.

Shindelar said the CIGIE functions as “an independent entity established in the executive branch to oversight, train, educate, and provide individual counsel for all inspectors general. It answers unto itself.”

Logan questioned how such an entity inside the executive branch could be independent of the President.

Shindelar said, “Because Congress established it as an independent entity inside the executive branch.”

Logan asked how it could avoid accountability to the President.

Shindelar said it was possible if one rejected the idea that the President controls the entire executive branch.

He said this reflects the administrative state.

Logan asked, “Unelected officials?”

Shindelar said, “Yes.” She asked whether the traditional idea of government by the people applied.

Shindelar said some refer to the Department of Justice as the “Department of just us” and described a two-tiered system.

Logan said this dual system applies broadly.

Shindelar agreed.

Logan said, “And you will live by these rules, but we won’t. You will think you’re making decisions, but we’re really making them.”

Shindelar agreed and said the President believes he was elected to lead the country.

Logan said the public believes that as well.

Shindelar said the administrative state believes it answers to itself instead.

He said this dynamic is reinforced culturally.

Logan noted portrayals of presidents as irrelevant or foolish.

Shindelar said, “It’s an insult,” before Logan added that such portrayals send a message.

Shindelar said they prepare the public to believe the President is not in charge.

Logan concluded, “And half the country is wrong.”

WATCH:

Turning Point Chapter Forced Underground After School Bans Political Clubs
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Turning Point Chapter Forced Underground After School Bans Political Clubs

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A student at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, says the administration has barred her Turning Point USA chapter from becoming an officially recognized organization under a policy that prohibits political advocacy groups on campus.

The policy prevents the chapter from reserving meeting rooms, hosting events, or accessing university resources available to registered student organizations, as reported by Fox News.

Sadie Burnett, a third-year student at the small private Christian institution, serves as president of the unrecognized Turning Point USA chapter. She told Fox News Digital that the group had been active since 2023.

“Since 2023, we’ve had a lively and very active presence on campus,” Burnett said.

“We’ve hosted several events, we were able to rush at club rush. We had students very enthusiastic about our presence being there. It was even something that made us stand out as a Christian university, was the fact that Turning Point was practiced, and it was not only practiced, but it was also celebrated.”

Burnett said the administration informed students over the summer that Vanguard would no longer recognize political clubs.

“We received an email over the summer stating that the school was taking a new direction with student organizations,” she said.

“They’re going completely apolitical, giving this idea that Christians do not necessarily belong in politics, which is interesting because they do have a political science department, which I’m a part of.”

According to Burnett, multiple attempts to work with administrators have been unsuccessful. The chapter may meet informally outside, but may not operate as a conservative organization.

She said some students feel unsafe gathering publicly due to “anti-conservative” sentiment on campus and online.

Burnett said losing official recognition limits the group’s ability to engage with other students.

“The difference between being an unaffiliated chapter versus being a registered student organization is that chapters or organizations that are registered, they can book rooms for meetings well in advance to make sure that they have a space to speak, they have a space to host events,” she said.

“They’re allowed to receive university funding. They can rush at club rush and interact with students, interact with new-coming students that are coming in [and] prospective students.”

She added that the chapter cannot host tabling events, describing them as “one of the heart and cores to Turning Point” and noting that colleges have historically encouraged debate.

“If I wanted to go to a college or a university that was anti-conservative, but at least they let me speak, I would have absolutely chosen to go there,” she said.

She also argued, “Christians have a place in politics, and not only a place, we have a profound voice, the most profound voice in politics.”

Amanda Lebrecht, Vanguard University’s vice president for student development, said the school had already been phasing out political clubs in 2023, during the period when the Turning Point chapter was seeking recognition.

“This fall, it was established that university policy does not permit campus clubs affiliated with political advocacy initiatives,” she said.

Lebrecht described the policy as part of an effort to support “our educational mission within the context of our small Christian community.”

Lebrecht said students are encouraged to participate instead in university-led initiatives, including last year’s “Year of Civility” and this year’s “Courageous Conversations,” which recently brought pro-life advocate Lila Rose to campus.

She said students may also form academic social clubs through the history and political science departments.

Addressing concerns about student safety, Lebrecht said students have direct access to campus safety personnel and noted that the university shares property with the Costa Mesa Police Department and fire department.

Lebrecht said the university president prefers not to support political clubs of any affiliation, instead aiming to “channel their voice … in a different way, not silence them.”

Vanguard does allow “cultural and heritage clubs,” such as the Black Student Union, which has operated for more than a decade.


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