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Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor
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Ilhan Omar Pressures Schumer to Endorse Zohran Mamdani for Mayor

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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday for withholding his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, as reported by Fox News.

During an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Omar said Schumer’s decision not to back Mamdani “makes no sense,” arguing that the Senate leader should follow the Democratic Party’s tradition of supporting its nominees.

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

“We as Democrats have always believed that, in an election, we support our party’s nominee,” Omar said.

“Schumer has pressured other Democrats to do just that, and he should be following his own advice.”

The Minnesota lawmaker’s remarks come as Mamdani’s campaign continues to generate controversy within the Democratic Party over his far-left platform and ties to socialist organizations.

Since his nomination, several party leaders have hesitated to publicly align themselves with him, citing policy differences and concerns about statements made by his supporters.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has endorsed Mamdani, though reportedly with reservations. Schumer, however, has refrained from offering any support, a silence that prompted Omar’s criticism.

Dec. 7, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023 in Washington, D.C.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

When asked whether religion played a role in Schumer’s reluctance, Omar linked the issue to what she described as rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

“The tsunami of the anti-Muslim attacks that we are seeing is deeply concerning,” she said.

“And I would hope that the Democratic leader in the Senate would recognize that and would offer support not just to Mamdani, but the million Muslims who live in New York City and the millions who live in New York and in America.”

Omar also defended Mamdani against accusations of antisemitism after the candidate drew criticism for hesitating to condemn the slogan “Globalize the intifada.” She dismissed the concern as overblown.

“Well, everything he does or says seems to be called antisemitic,” Omar said.

“What I do know is that he has support from a broad coalition of New Yorkers. He’s got a huge coalition of Jewish voters that are supporting him. He’s got a huge coalition of Muslims of every sect. He’s got a huge coalition of young people who are supporting him.”

Zohran Mamdani at the 2025 NYC Pride March, Jun 29, 2025, NYC, NY, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com

Omar credited Mamdani’s outreach efforts for building that base, saying his campaign “took the time to listen where the policy pains were for New Yorkers” and that voters “see hope in the kind of progress that he could create for New Yorkers.”

When asked whether she would support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) if the congresswoman chose to launch a primary challenge against Schumer, Omar replied, “I would like Alex to do whatever it is that Alex wants, and I’ll be there to support her.”

Neither Schumer’s office nor Mamdani’s campaign responded to requests for comment about Omar’s remarks.

CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Fact-Checks Rep. Jasmine Crockett Over False Trump Ballroom Claim
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CNN Anchor Kaitlan Collins Fact-Checks Rep. Jasmine Crockett Over False Trump Ballroom Claim

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CNN host Kaitlan Collins corrected Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on-air Monday night after the congresswoman repeated a false claim that President Donald Trump’s top priority during the government shutdown was the construction of a new White House ballroom, as reported by The New York Post.

The exchange took place on The Source, when Crockett was asked about the ongoing shutdown but shifted the discussion to criticize Trump’s East Wing renovation project.

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – FEBRUARY 4, 2025: Kaitlan Collins speaks ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump news conference in the East Room of the White House.

“The president has time to do everything but what he needs to focus on,” Crockett said. “In fact, we heard the press secretary say his main priority is the ballroom — the ballroom that no one asked for. The ballroom that requires him to destroy historic pieces of the White House.”

Collins interjected to correct the record, explaining that Crockett’s comment misrepresented a previous statement by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“Yeah, and that context of the comment from Karoline Leavitt — she was asked if the president was working on any other renovations when it came to the White House,” Collins said. “And she was saying his focus was the ballroom.”

The fact-check followed several days of confusion over remarks Leavitt made during an October 23 White House briefing, which were later circulated in a misleading clip by Acyn Torabi of MeidasTouch, a progressive media outlet.

During that briefing, Leavitt was asked whether President Trump was pursuing “any other renovations or significant projects” beyond the new ballroom and Rose Garden patio.

She responded, “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly. And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

Torabi’s edited version omitted the question’s context and only included the line, “At this moment in time, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

The shortened clip received over two million views on X and was shared widely by Democratic officials and commentators, who accused President Trump of focusing on “vanity projects” while government operations remained halted.

Among those reacting were California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). Newsom posted, “Good to know.” Schumer wrote, “Honestly, you can’t make this sh*t up.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer holds a can of insect repellant as he speaks outside the county health department offices in Pomona Oct. 9, 2024. Schumer, along with Rockland County Executive Ed Day, was on hand to talk about mosquito control and the danger of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, the potentially fatal virus that humans can contract through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The viral post was later debunked by multiple outlets that clarified Leavitt had been referring solely to ongoing renovation work, not the president’s governing priorities. The ballroom project — estimated to cost around $300 million — is being funded entirely by private donors, according to the White House.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) joined other critics in suggesting that future Democratic administrations should “tear down” the ballroom if elected.

Crockett’s office has not commented on her remarks or the correction issued during the interview. She told Collins during the segment that she had “no idea” when the shutdown might end.

Kamala Drops F-Bombs Over Shutdown as Democrats Refuse to Reopen Government
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Kamala Drops F-Bombs Over Shutdown as Democrats Refuse to Reopen Government

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Kamala Harris came under renewed scrutiny Thursday after she launched into a profanity-filled tirade against President Donald Trump while discussing the ongoing government shutdown.

The remarks, which circulated widely online, drew attention not only for their tone but also for their timing, as Congress remains deadlocked over efforts to pass a continuing resolution to restore federal funding.

The outburst occurred during an interview in which Harris criticized the administration’s handling of the shutdown and claimed that federal food assistance programs were on the verge of running out of funds.

“Are you f**king kidding me? This guy wants to create a ballroom for his rich friends while completely turning a blind eye to the fact that babies are going to starve when the SNAP benefits end in just hours from now!” Harris said during the exchange.

“Come on! So what, I’m not going to be distracted by, ‘Oh, does the guy have a big f**king hammer!?’ What about those babies!?”

Harris’s comments immediately drew backlash across political circles, with critics noting that her description of the situation surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not align with legislative realities.

The shutdown, now stretching into its fifth week, has persisted as Senate Democrats continue to block attempts by Republicans to pass a short-term funding bill.

President Trump has pushed for a clean continuing resolution to fund essential programs, but the measure has repeatedly stalled in the Senate.

According to congressional records, Republicans have introduced at least 13 separate proposals to reopen the government on a temporary basis.

Each has failed to advance after Senate Democrats voted to sustain a filibuster, preventing the measures from reaching the president’s desk.

Harris’s outburst comes as the former vice president has faced mounting criticism over her recent public appearances.

Earlier interviews and speeches have fueled speculation among some political observers about her judgment and temperament, particularly as she continues to comment on national issues despite no longer holding office.

The White House has argued that the shutdown’s continuation rests entirely with Senate Democrats.

Administration officials have pointed to Democratic opposition to temporary spending bills as the primary obstacle to restoring funding for federal operations, including SNAP and other assistance programs.

Republicans have also noted that Democrats previously rejected standalone measures that would have funded military pay during the shutdown.

The GOP-backed bill, introduced earlier this month, failed after Democratic leadership insisted on a comprehensive reopening package rather than targeted funding for select programs.

Harris’s remarks were met with silence from many in her own party, though some Democratic aides privately acknowledged that the tone of her comments was unhelpful as negotiations remain stalled.

Political analysts noted that the comments could further complicate Democrats’ efforts to project unity and discipline in the face of sustained criticism over the shutdown.

For the Trump administration, the controversy offered another opportunity to emphasize its position that Democrats are refusing to negotiate in good faith.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have each said in recent days that the administration stands ready to sign a bipartisan resolution as soon as one reaches the president’s desk.

Meanwhile, the standoff has continued to impact several federal programs, including those related to agriculture, transportation, and food distribution.

SNAP administrators have confirmed that contingency funds remain available for short-term use but warned that those reserves could run out if Congress fails to act soon.

Harris’s comments add another layer of controversy to an already tense political standoff.

While congressional leaders continue to trade blame, the stalemate shows no immediate sign of resolution as both chambers prepare to leave Washington for the weekend without a finalized agreement.

Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown
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Sec. Scott Bessent Blasts Democrat Senators Warren and Klobuchar as ‘Failures’ in Fiery Takedown

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized Senate Democrats on Wednesday night, taking direct aim at Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

In a statement posted to X, Bessent called both lawmakers “failures” and accused them of focusing on political posturing instead of working to reopen the government.

“@SenWarren and @SenAmyKlobuchar: you are failures,” Bessent wrote.

“You failed to derail the electoral success of one of our great allies in Latin America, President @JMilei. He won in a landslide with the poorest members of society voting for economic freedom—a notion anathema in particular to the Senate’s resident American Peronist, Senator Warren.”

The secretary’s post referenced Argentina’s recent election of President Javier Milei, a libertarian economist who campaigned on free-market reforms.

Bessent linked that development to the Trump administration’s economic policies and the president’s recent trip to Asia.

“You failed to reopen the government, preventing our Administration’s efforts to get aid to American farmers, as well as our planned activation of the Farm Credit Agency to assist our farmers with next year’s crops,” he continued.

Bessent said the administration’s agricultural initiatives would have advanced sooner if Congress had passed the necessary funding.

“Today’s announcement after his meeting with President Xi will be a resounding victory for our great farmers,” he wrote.

“While I know it will be soul-crushing for you, please re-focus your staff away from writing incoherent letters to myself and others, and instead work towards opening the government. If you decide to further add to your legacy of failure by voting to keep the government closed over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, ruining the number one travel day for American families, you should both be ashamed.”

The exchange followed a letter sent Monday by a group of Democratic lawmakers accusing Bessent of prioritizing foreign governments over domestic agriculture.

The letter cited reports that the administration was considering international financial aid programs as negotiations with China over soybean imports continued.

Speaking to FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, Bessent said China had agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans “during this season,” which he indicated would be before January.

He added that the administration expects Beijing to buy at least 25 million metric tons annually over the next three years.

Bessent also estimated that President Donald Trump’s Asia trip could yield as much as $2 trillion in new investments into the United States.

Bessent shared a photo of President Trump addressing world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, writing that it demonstrated “what successful American leadership looks like.”

In the same post, he included a pointed message to his critics: “P.S. I am happy to inform you both that the Argentine economic bridge has now turned a profit for the American people. While ‘profit’ is a private sector word that you may both be unfamiliar with, I would urge you to look past your previous experience working alongside the Biden Administration’s autopenned efforts to bankrupt the US government.”

Sen. Klobuchar responded on X late Wednesday, suggesting Bessent’s remarks were unbecoming of a cabinet official.

“At first I thought, wow, this must be a fake account given your really important job and all. But no, it’s really you. DOUBLE WOW!” she wrote.

“Since you and I have had no public or private personal ‘BEEFS’ (Argentinian or otherwise), maybe it is just your jet lag from all the overseas travel.”

Klobuchar defended the letter she co-signed as “super serious and fact-based,” saying it asked Bessent to reconsider the administration’s tariff policies and their effect on rural economies.

“While your announcement today reversing just part of your own administration’s bad policies is always helpful, there is just so much left to undo before these across-the-board tariffs upend the economy in rural America forever,” she wrote, adding a postscript that referenced ongoing budget negotiations in the House.

“P.S. thanks for sending that glam pic of the President in Asia. Here’s one of the House of Representatives this week. Love it if they came back to meet with us and your boss to do something about health insurance premiums and end the shut down.”

Earlier in October, Bessent had announced U.S. participation in a currency swap program with Argentina’s central bank aimed at stabilizing the peso.

The move was described as part of a broader effort to strengthen trade and financial cooperation between Washington and Buenos Aires.

At the time, Bessent said the Treasury Department was “prepared, immediately, to take whatever exceptional measures are warranted to provide stability to markets” and noted that up to $20 billion in new financing could be deployed through a combination of public and private funds.

The sharp exchange between Bessent and Senate Democrats marks the latest round in a series of public disputes over the administration’s trade and fiscal priorities as the partial government shutdown continues into its fifth week.

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.

Sen. John Fetterman Apologizes for Dems’ Failure to End Government Shutdown
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Sen. John Fetterman Apologizes for Dems’ Failure to End Government Shutdown

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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) issued a public apology Thursday, expressing frustration that Senate Democrats have failed to pass legislation reopening the federal government, as reported by Fox News.

The shutdown, now in its fourth week, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and is threatening key assistance programs across the country.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA, speaks at a rally with Tim Walz at the York Expo Center.

In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Fetterman said he was embarrassed that his own party had not acted sooner to end the standoff. “And like I said, to all of the viewers, I’m apologizing that we can’t even get our s— together and just open up our government,” Fetterman told CNN.

The Pennsylvania senator said the ongoing stalemate is hitting low-income Americans especially hard, citing the potential expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the shutdown continues.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that about 42 million Americans could lose access to food assistance if Congress does not approve new spending.

“I’m saying that I’ll witness it firsthand,” Fetterman said.

“My wife, Giselle, she develops the Free Store in our community. It distributes food three times a week, and her lines have already got longer. And now, I will encounter people that have no SNAP benefits starting on Saturday, and I don’t have an explanation for them.”

The senator said the lack of action in Washington represents “an absolute failure” by both parties but added that Democrats bear a responsibility to move the process forward.

“All I could say is I’m sorry. It’s an absolute failure — what occurred here for the last month — and now things are really going to land,” Fetterman said.

“Imagine being a parent with a couple kids and how you’re going to fill the refrigerator and pack their lunches and get on with their lives when the things that they’ve depended on now is gone because we can’t even agree to just open things up.”

Fetterman also criticized Senate Democrats for failing to reach an agreement with Republicans on a spending measure to fund the government.

“If a Democrat — you know, we’re not allowed to just open this up, I mean, then our party has bigger problems than I thought we might have already,” he said.

“It’s like, that’s not controversial. Pay everybody.”

He added that many federal workers have had to borrow money just to pay their bills, calling the situation “a failure.”

The government shutdown, which began at the start of the fiscal year, continues to affect federal agencies, contractors, and public services nationwide. Lawmakers remain divided over budget priorities, and there is still no clear timeline for reopening the government.

Trump EPA Slashes 12 Years Off California Sewage Disaster Cleanup Timeline
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Trump EPA Slashes 12 Years Off California Sewage Disaster Cleanup Timeline

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Donald Trump announced Thursday that it has significantly accelerated the cleanup timeline for the decades-long sewage crisis impacting Southern California’s coastline, as reported by Fox News.

The cross-border contamination from Tijuana, Mexico, has plagued San Diego communities and military training operations for years.

“The Trump Administration is doing everything in its power to urgently and permanently deliver the 100% solution to the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis that the residents of Southern California have demanded for decades,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement released Thursday.

The EPA completed a 100-day review of ongoing border infrastructure projects and determined that it had shortened construction timelines by an additional nine months for two major initiatives in Mexico — the rehabilitation of Pump Station 1 and the reconstruction of the Tijuana River Gates.

According to the agency, the latest changes bring the total timeline reduction to approximately 12 years.

For decades, untreated sewage from Tijuana has flowed north into San Diego County, polluting beaches and threatening public health.

The crisis has affected tourism and local businesses while also sickening Navy SEALs stationed at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, who spend hours in contaminated ocean water during training.

The problem stems from outdated wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana, where population growth has overwhelmed the city’s treatment systems.

Data from the Mexican government and local universities show the city’s population has surged by about 188% between 1990 and 2025.

Zeldin has made resolving the sewage crisis one of his top priorities since becoming EPA administrator.

In April, he traveled to San Diego and Mexico to assess the situation firsthand and meet with local officials.

By July, Zeldin and Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate the two nations’ efforts under the existing Minute 328 agreement.

The 2022 Minute 328 agreement, facilitated by the International Boundary and Water Commission, established 17 joint sanitation infrastructure projects to address the sewage flow.

However, the Trump EPA concluded the plan “did not go far enough” and initiated a full review aimed at speeding completion and achieving what it calls a “100% solution.”

Under the revised MOU, Mexico committed millions of dollars in unused Minute 328 funds to accelerate the ongoing projects.

Both nations also agreed to a firm deadline of December 31, 2027, for completing all related construction.

“Reducing timelines for existing infrastructure projects is a sign of great progress and demonstrates how both the United States and Mexico are faithfully upholding their agreed-upon responsibilities from July’s MOU,” Zeldin said.

“Through intensive collaboration, we were able to cut through red tape, identify efficiencies, and overcome bureaucratic hurdles. While substantial construction work lies ahead, this represents a crucial step in our commitment to protect American communities from cross-border pollution.”

FBI Director Patel Purges Leadership After Arctic Frost Scandal Exposed
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FBI Director Patel Purges Leadership After Arctic Frost Scandal Exposed

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FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly removed one of the senior agents who led the controversial “Operation Arctic Frost” investigation into President Donald Trump.

The move follows recent disclosures from Senate Republicans detailing the scope of the Biden-era probe, which targeted President Trump, his associates, and multiple conservative organizations.

According to reports from MSNBC, Patel has ousted Aaron Tapp, a Special Agent in Charge who led the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office and played a central role in the Arctic Frost operation.

Tapp has served with the FBI for more than two decades and described himself on his LinkedIn profile as a “Senior FBI Executive with more than twenty-seven years of combined experience leading people, conducting and supervising complex investigations.”

He also wrote that he was “a natural collaborator focused on building and motivating cross-functional and integrated teams who consistently achieve excellence.”

“Driver of organizational and cultural change through innovation, transparency, communication and partnership,” Tapp’s profile stated.

“Currently leading the FBI San Antonio Field Office.”

The Arctic Frost investigation began in April 2022 under the Biden Justice Department and was launched in connection with the 2020 alternate electors dispute.

The operation involved seizing government-issued cell phones belonging to both Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence and conducting numerous interviews across multiple states.

The probe reportedly examined hundreds of individuals and organizations linked to the 2020 election.

Senate Republicans have accused the Justice Department of using Arctic Frost to target political opponents. Newly released documents referenced by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley indicate that the investigation went far beyond individual cases.

Grassley revealed that former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw portions of the operation, issued an extensive number of subpoenas during the investigation.

“I’ve obtained through legally protected whistleblower disclosures,” Grassley said Wednesday, “197 subpoenas were issued by Jack Smith and his team. These subpoenas were issued to 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions.”

Grassley said the investigation had “targeted the entire Republican apparatus,” including conservative groups such as Turning Point USA and the Republican Attorneys General Association.

Grassley’s office also confirmed that the Senate Judiciary Committee has received whistleblower materials documenting extensive surveillance activity and information requests directed at right-leaning organizations and donors.

The committee is now reviewing whether federal agencies exceeded their legal authority under the Biden-Harris administration.

Patel’s decision to remove Tapp comes shortly after those disclosures were made public.

Senate Republicans have said that Tapp appeared in internal documents connected to the Arctic Frost operation, though the FBI has not issued an official statement about his departure.

President Trump addressed the matter Wednesday evening, calling for investigations into officials and prosecutors involved in both Arctic Frost and the earlier Russia collusion probe.

“Former FBI Agent Walter Giardina is a DIRTY COP! He should be, along with Deranged Jack Smith, the sinister team of Lisa Monaco and Andrew Weissmann, Liddle’ Jay Bratt, Norm Eisen and his FAKE Charity, CREW, Christopher Wray, Merrick Garland, Thomas Windom, who dreamt up the corrupt J-6 Witch Hunt, should be investigated, immediately,” Trump said in a post to his Truth Social account.

“They are a disgrace to our Nation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.

The Justice Department has not commented publicly on the removal of Aaron Tapp or on the current status of Operation Arctic Frost.

Patel’s leadership team at the FBI has reportedly been conducting an internal review of high-profile investigations launched prior to his tenure to determine whether any agents engaged in misconduct or politically motivated activity.

The Arctic Frost probe remains one of several overlapping investigations carried out between 2020 and 2023 that have faced criticism from congressional Republicans for alleged bias in federal law enforcement.

Federal Agents Investigate Where Black Lives Matter’s Millions Really Went
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Federal Agents Investigate Where Black Lives Matter’s Millions Really Went

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Federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into senior leaders of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) amid allegations that tens of millions of dollars raised during the 2020 protests were mishandled, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke with Fox News.

The probe, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, is reportedly focused on whether officials with the organization or its affiliated groups improperly used charitable donations collected following the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

The foundation reported raising more than $90 million that year as demonstrations spread across the United States.

Investigators have issued subpoenas and executed at least one search warrant as part of the ongoing inquiry, according to the report.

No criminal charges have been filed at this time, and the Department of Justice has not commented publicly on the case.

The Associated Press first reported on the investigation, noting that it began during the Biden-Harris administration but has continued under President Donald Trump’s Justice Department.

The inquiry reportedly also encompasses other Black-led activist groups that gained prominence during the 2020 protests.

In a statement to the Associated Press, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation denied that it is the subject of a federal criminal investigation.

“We remain committed to transparency and accountability,” the organization said.

Questions about BLMGNF’s finances have persisted for years. In early 2022, several state attorneys general launched inquiries into whether the organization had properly disclosed its financial activity and charitable status.

Tax filings released later that year showed that the group had paid millions of dollars to firms linked to individuals with ties to the organization, prompting renewed scrutiny from watchdog groups and lawmakers.

The latest federal probe comes after a series of internal disputes and lawsuits involving BLM-affiliated entities.

As reported by The Post Millennial in February, documents showed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) issued a $24.7 million grant to the George Soros–funded Tides Center during the same period the foundation was raising record sums.

The Heir: Inside the (Not So) Secret Network of Alex Soros

Of that amount, more than $12.6 million was later directed to BLM Grassroots, a separate organization connected to local Black Lives Matter chapters.

The revelation followed a lawsuit filed by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation against the Tides Center in California, accusing the nonprofit of withholding $33 million in donations.

Tides officials responded that the disputed funds had been designated for BLM Grassroots and other racial justice initiatives rather than the foundation itself.

The dispute between BLMGNF and BLM Grassroots has shown the internal divisions that have emerged since the 2020 protests, as competing factions have accused each other of financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.

Public records indicate that some local BLM chapters distanced themselves from the national organization following questions over how donations were being distributed.

The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, founded in 2013, became one of the most prominent activist organizations in the country after Floyd’s death, with its leadership publicly pledging to use the surge in donations to support local initiatives, voter mobilization, and policy advocacy.

However, the group has faced ongoing criticism over its lack of financial transparency and organizational structure.

Federal investigators have not announced a timeline for the completion of the probe, and it remains unclear whether any charges will be brought.

The inquiry marks the most significant federal action to date involving the organization’s finances since its rapid rise to national attention five years ago.

Obama Caught on Camera Pushing Government Control of ‘Facts’ on Social Media
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Obama Caught on Camera Pushing Government Control of ‘Facts’ on Social Media

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Former President Barack Obama this week called for new government regulations on social media platforms, arguing that the federal government should play a role in determining how online platforms handle political and journalistic content.

The comments, delivered during a recent forum on media and technology, come as lawmakers move to address concerns about federal involvement in information control.

“Part of what we’re going to have to do is to start experimenting with new forms of journalism and how we use social media in ways that reaffirm facts and separate facts from opinion,” Obama said.

“We want diversity of opinion. We don’t want diversity of facts. That, I think, is one of the big tasks of social media. By the way, it will require some government, I believe, some government, um, regulatory constraints around some of these business models in a way that’s consistent with the First Amendment but that also says, look, uh, there is a difference between, uh, these platforms letting all voices be heard versus a business model that elevates the most hateful voices or the most polarizing voices or the most, uh, dangerous, in the sense of inciting violence, voices.”

Obama’s comments reignited debate over how far the government should go in overseeing online speech and the role of social media companies in determining what constitutes misinformation.

His remarks drew particular attention from critics who argued that such regulatory “constraints” could enable federal involvement in suppressing dissenting opinions or politically inconvenient narratives.

The former president’s position also renewed scrutiny of a controversial law he signed in 2012 — the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act — which removed a decades-old restriction preventing the federal government from distributing propaganda domestically.

Originally enacted in 1948, the Smith-Mundt Act prohibited U.S. agencies such as the Voice of America from broadcasting government-funded messaging intended for foreign audiences inside the United States.

The 2012 revision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, effectively lifted that restriction.

The issue resurfaced this month when Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced new legislation aimed at repealing the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act.

Massie said his proposal, formally titled HR 5704 — the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, would restore the original prohibition on domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda.

“Today, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced HR 5704, the Repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013, to protect American audiences from the domestic dissemination of federally funded propaganda by the State Department, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and their component networks,” Massie’s office said in a press release.

“The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, legislation that ended a prohibition on the federal government exposing American audiences to its propaganda.”

The proposed repeal would, according to Massie’s office, “restore the longstanding firewall prohibiting federal domestic propaganda,” and “stop the domestic dissemination of propaganda by the State Department, United States Agency for Global Media, and their component networks.”

The bill also includes provisions designed to ensure congressional oversight while maintaining transparency for legitimate foreign communication efforts.

It would “create a secure mechanism for oversight by allowing Members of Congress and accredited media to review propaganda materials sent overseas, without enabling those materials to be exploited against the American people.”

Additional measures in the proposal would “prevent clandestine online influence operations by prohibiting the State Department and USAGM from creating covert social media accounts, websites, or podcasts to target Americans.”

It also requires that propaganda materials be archived at the National Archives with a 20-year delay before public access, along with clear disclaimers identifying the U.S. government as the source.

Obama’s renewed call for regulation has added momentum to a larger debate over the intersection of free speech, government oversight, and media control in the digital age.


His comments drew reactions from lawmakers, journalists, and policy analysts who say that calls to regulate social media often blur the line between curbing harmful content and policing political discourse.

The timing of Obama’s remarks — coinciding with the introduction of Massie’s repeal bill — highlights the growing divide in Washington over how far the federal government should go in managing information flow, both online and through traditional media.

While the administration has not signaled support or opposition to Massie’s bill, the debate over free expression and government influence on public communication continues to escalate as lawmakers weigh new legislative responses.


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