This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Another complaint has been filed against members of the Biden administration for using their tax-paid time for political purposes, and one critic of the agenda charges that they are treating the Hatch Act law as "a suggestion."
It is Michael Chamberlain, of the Protect the Public's Trust organization, that unleashed on the Democrats regarding the latest situation.
"The Office of Special Counsel's direction to all federal government agencies not to use the term 'MAGA' in official communications could not have been clearer. But in the Biden administration, the Hatch Act appeared to be only a suggestion, not a law," Chamberlain told Just the News.
PPT, a government watchdog group, obtained copies of communications that were passed back and forth in the Biden administration, and then identified three Biden officials in the Department of Transportation, assistant administrator for Communications Matt Lehner, press secretary Kerry Arndt and assistant to the Secretary and Director of Public Affairs Dani Simons."
The complaint has been delivered to the U.S. Office of Counsel and others.
The report explains PPT charges the various officials used "Extreme MAGA Republicans" and "Finish the Job," a Biden campaign slogan, while communicating officially with Pete Buttigieg, the transportation chief for Biden, and others.
That, the complaint assesses, likely is a violation of the Hatch Act, which is intended to stop federal workers from doing political campaigns while being paid by taxpayers.
Some of the comments apparently originated at the White House, too, the report said.
"The White House seems to have ignored OSC's mandate and advised the DOT (and perhaps many other agencies) to use that forbidden political language in a derogatory fashion in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Dutifully, DOT sent the standardized messaging to all of its political appointees. From both press secretaries to the chief of staff to numerous agency leaders and on down, contempt for the Hatch Act has permeated the federal government during the self-proclaimed most ethical administration in history," Chamberlain told Just the News.
The Office of Special Counsel had said, when Trump assembled a bid for his second term in the White House, that using "campaign slogans" was not allowed on duty.
PPT said it obtained emails that showed various political appointees referring to Republicans as "Extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress," and referencing Biden's slogan.
The report said another email pushed "investing" in America and blasted "extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress."
The OSC previously concluded White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre was in violation of the Hatch Act for using "MAGA" to describe Republicans.
Further, WND reported when Kamala Harris came under the same suspicion when Rep. Cory Mills., R-Fla., filed a complaint about her.
He wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland seeking an investigation of Harris after she made "vicious" comments about Trump, including likening him to Adolf Hitler.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Political differences, once again, have descended to physical blows as an "anti-Trump" Georgia House speaker banned a Trump-supporting senator from the House floor during a state of the state event, and he tried to enter anyway.
He was slammed to the floor by police and arrested.
Colton Moore, a Georgia state senator, had been banned from the House floor when he commented on the career, negatively, of the late House Speaker David Ralston.
He also had been dropped from the Senate Republican Caucus over his demands for a special legislative session to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who hired her paramour at the cost of $600,000 in tax money to create a failed organized crime case against President-elect Donald Trump.
She's still trying to move forward on that case, even though she and her paramour both have been thrown of the case by higher courts for the appearance of impropriety.
Social media video and explanations document how Moore "just got handcuffed & arrested by the RINO House Speaker after he tried to attend the State of the State session to do his job."
The report said, "Moore tried to enter the Chamber and got physically blocked from entering. They stationed cops and guards outside the door, and when he tried to get in, they wrestled him to the ground (LITERAL ASSAULT). Moore got suspended from the GOP Caucus last year after he called for the impeachment of Fani Willis. The State establishment led by Brian Kemp decided to put a target on his back because his advocacy to impeach Willis embarrassed them on a national stage. What just happened is super unconstitutional, and people need to get locked up."
Fox reported he was trying to attend the state address from Gov. Brian Kemp.
Moore had told an officer "This is a joint session of the General Assembly. Your House rules do not apply. I'm going into the chamber."
Moore then was pushed to the ground and surrounded by state patrol officers.
Moore's comments about Ralston came when there was a plan to name a building at a university in his memory. Moore's opinion of Ralston? "One of the most corrupt Georgia leaders that we are ever going to see in my lifetime."
Then-House Speaker Jon Burn claimed Moore was saying "some of the vilest that you can make about a good man" and ordered him banned from the House floor.
Moore's response was, "I will NEVER back down. I will ALWAYS speak the truth and represent the people of Northwest Georgia as their trusted America First Senator."
Georgia Republican chairman Josh McKoon said the arrest was "deeply" disappointing and he was "shocked" Moore was taken into custody.
"It was not only legally appropriate to admit him to today's proceedings — it was simply the right thing to do," McKoon said. "Our focus should be on the excellent agenda being outlined by Governor Kemp today to continue to make Georgia the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family — not internal conflicts."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Even Biden administration officials are admitting that it took President-elect Donald Trump wading into Israel-Hamas negotiations to close the deal and force a hostage release and cease-fire after 15 months of war, reported the New York Post.
Multiple insiders and officials in both Israel and the U.S. told The Post that it was Trump's impending inauguration – combined with the efforts of his Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who finally solved a problem which had proved intractable for President Biden and his team.
A source with Trump's transition team described the conversation last weekend between longtime Trump pal Witkoff and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "straightforward, no phony platitudes and very direct."
Another official told Reuters: "Witkoff was able to pressure Netanyahu into accepting the deal and moving quickly. It's that conversation that shifted everything into motion."
Waltz: U.S. will back Israeli action in Gaza if Hamas breaks ceasefire
Incoming U.S. National Security Advisor Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said on Wednesday the Trump administration will support renewed Israeli military action against Hamas in Gaza if the terrorist group violates the terms of the ceasefire, according to the Jewish News Syndicate.
"We've made it very clear to the Israelis, and I want the people of Israel to hear me on this – if they need to go back in, we're with them. If Hamas doesn't live up to the terms of this agreement, we are with them," the Republican representative from Florida's 6th District, whom President-elect Donald Trump tapped for the NSA role in November, told Fox News anchor Bret Baier.
"Hamas is not going to continue as a military entity and it certainly is not going to govern Gaza," Waltz stressed.
Report: Two dual citizen U.S.-Israeli hostages thought to be released Sunday in first phase of deal
Five Israeli female soldiers will be released from Gaza on Sunday, coinciding with the first day of a planned ceasefire – according to a report by KAN news, a senior U.S. official announced Wednesday night.
The exchange will include Palestinian prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, reported the Jerusalem Post.
"I am disappointed that this agreement does not talk about all the hostages. It is unacceptable that the second phase is not defined in a way that shows when my son will be released from captivity," Ruby Chen, the father of American-Israeli IDF Sgt. Itay Chen, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
Israel rebuffs Erdogan over Syria warning
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel must withdraw its forces from Syria or it will cause "unfavorable outcomes for everyone," according to the Times of Israel.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Not many American taxpayers would refuse this deal: Their boss says they can cut their work time by 20% and keep the same pay and benefits.
But likely not many would demand that.
But a coalition of "progressive" staff members on Capitol is making that exact demand, a plan that would cost taxpayers the same in salary and benefits but would dramatically reduce the work load, by giving those employees a 32-hour work week instead of 40.
The Washington Examiner has documented that the "Congressional Progressive Staff Association" has written to Congress to insist on less work for the same pay.
The letter claims the move would increase staff retention, prevent burnout and serve as a national model.
The Examiner said it obtained a copy of the letter that explains that congressional work is "demanding and intensive" because they have to draft legislation, and analyze it. And meet with people, and communicate with constituents.
The report explained, "The association is an official staff organization to advance the progressive movement and advocate for Capitol Hill employees. The group formed in 2021 and currently has a membership of over 1,500."
The organization previously worked to orchestrate a $45,000 salary floor.
The letter complains some staff members already are looking for other jobs "earlier than they would in a more predictable and sustainable work environment."
The move comes after leftists in Congress, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., have made similar proposals legislatively.
The staff association claimed, "Working 32 hours, employees have a more substantial reprieve from work and therefore are able to complete the same tasks in less time."
Social media concluded that the association's members were "tone-deaf and lazy."
"Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek? I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek," said Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – Middle East/Israel Morning Brief
Gaza hostage, ceasefire deal on brink of finalization
Talks for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas continued in earnest with officials from both sides and from mediating countries estimating that a landmark agreement to end the 15-month war was near-finalized, with multiple outlets reporting details of its content.
Key mediator Qatar said Tuesday that a day earlier it had presented both parties with a "final" draft of the agreement. Israel's Channel 12 news reported Monday, Jerusalem considered it broadly acceptable, and senior Israeli officials said they were waiting for Hamas's reaction.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Hamas accepted the deal as well, citing two officials involved in the talks. However, CNN later cited an Egyptian official as saying the mediating countries – Qatar, Egypt, and the United States – had not yet received a response from the Palestinian terror group.
Pro-Hezbollah imam to deliver prayer at Trump inauguration
A Muslim cleric who refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist organization and has a "significant history of extremism" has been tapped to deliver a benediction at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, the New York Post reported.
Husham Al-Husainy, the imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, Mich., is among four religious leaders listed in an Inauguration Day program, obtained by the Washington Reporter on Monday, who are scheduled to speak immediately after Trump's Jan. 20 address.
ICJ judge who pushed back against South Africa's claims of Israeli 'genocide' poised to take over court's presidency
In a significant shift at the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, Judge Julia Sebutinde is poised to assume the presidency, marking another milestone in her groundbreaking career, Israel Hayom reported.
The Ugandan jurist, who recently made headlines for her robust defense of Israel against South Africa's genocide allegations in the Gaza war, will take the helm following current President Nawaf Salam's departure to form Lebanon's next government.
Sebutinde's journey to The Hague reflects a remarkable career in international justice. Her ascent began with her 1996 appointment to Uganda's Supreme Court, where she distinguished herself by leading three pivotal anti-corruption investigations in her homeland.
The judge's international prominence grew with her 2005 appointment to the Special Court for Sierra Leone war crimes tribunal, where she played a crucial role in the landmark trial of Liberian President Charles Taylor. Her appointment to the ICJ in February 2012 broke new ground as she became the first woman from Africa to serve on the court.
Israeli official: Hostage deal won't include return of Sinwar's body
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – With a hostage deal apparently as good as done, although intense public scrutiny and the myriad of messages emanating from Israel, the United States, Hamas, and Qatar and others, has yet to produce concrete results, the prospect of the agreement's signing has shifted some of the focus in Israel to what will happen within the country if it is finally done.
From a practical political perspective, two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition partners – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – whose removal of their 13 combined seats in the Knesset (out of a total of 120) from the government, would almost certainly trigger new elections in the near future.
The country had barely recovered politically from the five elections it held in four years, before it was plunged into its current and longest war following the Hamas-led massacres of Oct. 7, 2023. And while it is difficult to predict which way the electorate might go, the full effects of the war will likely not redound to Netanyahu's benefit.
Indeed, if his right-wing abandons him, Netanyahu will either be forced to try and create a ruling coalition with ideological and personal opponents (although he has plenty of those on the right too), or be forced to call for new elections.
Chiefly, Netanyahu's most fervent right-wing antagonist is Ben Givr, who only a day or so ago baldly admitted he torpedoed potential hostage deals multiple times over the last year. Considering the outline of the deal which has been released does not seem significantly different from those previously outlined, some uncomfortable truths emerge.
Primarily, it shows how beholden Netanyahu was (presumably still is) to an individual whom he said he would never allow to sit in Israel's government due to his extremism. After all the name of his party – Otzma Yehudit – Jewish Power – is based on asserting control of Jewish control over the entirety of greater Israel, and very much including Judea and Samaria.
Even if we take it as a given that Ben Gvir has a deep ideological opposition to what amounts to capitulation to terrorists, his pressure to not do a deal has lengthened the war and cost the lives of both hostages and soldiers. And people were not being wise after the event; Ben Gvir was a known quantity, and some of the vociferous push-back against him was because large numbers of people thought him unfit for high office.
This situation also shows the limits of Netanyahu's relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. And as an aside, it would be ironic if it was the Trump administration that caused Bibi's fall, considering the Biden administration – and senior congresspeople, such as Chuck Schumer, D–N.Y. had so publicly and obviously tried to maneuver his ouster over the last four years.
The expectation in Israel had been that Biden's White House staff and those at the State Department, who had proved both wrong and meddlesome, would be replaced with bureaucrats who would allow Israel to finish the job – as Vice President-elect J.D. Vance recently intimated on Fox News.
Netanyahu will point to the multiple victories the IDF and Mossad among others have scored over the months since the last hostage deal was thought to be close over the summer. These include the elimination of Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar, the pager operation in Lebanon and Syria, and the extirpation of the entirety of the upper echelon of the Hezbollah leadership structure, especially arch-terrorist Hassan Nasrallah.
While Netanyahu has been in numerous political scrapes over the last two-and-a-half decades and managed to emerge from them, it feels as though there is real jeopardy attached to his current predicament. There are large swaths of the population who will never be able to forgive that Oct. 7 occurred on his watch, no matter his attempts to deflect to the intelligence community and the top brass of the IDF for their own failures – which were similarly and unforgivably catastrophic.
Perhaps the last words should be reserved for the hostage families. It is difficult to adequately put into words how on a macro level the kidnap of hostages, the youngest – Kfir Bibas, who if he is still alive will now be turning two – has ripped the country asunder.
So, how much more painful must it be for the families themselves whose most fervent desire is to see and hold their stolen loved ones again? Most of the families are in favor of the deal, however, there is a smaller group – haunted by the Gilad Shalit exchange deal in 2011, which released convicted murderer (of Palestinians) Yahya Sinwar, and ultimately led to the Oct. 7 massacre.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Joe Biden is taking full credit for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, even though his administration was unable to break through for a deal for a year, and the movement started only after President-elect Donald Trump suggested "hell to pay" should Hamas not start releasing hostage by the time he takes office Monday.
Biden called a question about whether Trump should be credited a "joke."
The Washington Examiner pointed out the "deal" involving Israel and Hamas was 15 months in the making after the terrorists from Gaza launched a war against Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping 250 in one day's attack.
Biden conceded it was "at long last" that he was confirming a ceasefire and hostage release plan.
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been trying to find a deal to which Hamas and Israel could agree for months.
The Examiner reported, "The first phase of the deal includes Hamas releasing a number of hostages, including women, in addition to older and wounded hostages, as Israel starts to withdraw from Gaza. In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners and send humanitarian aid to Gaza."
A second phase is for the war to end and more prisoners exchanged. A third involves reconstruction.
Biden took credit for the structure of the agree, proposed by the U.S. last year.
He did admit Trump will have to manage the end result of the work. But asked if Trump should be credited with helping the deal advance, he said, "Is that a joke?"
Trump had warned Hamas that there would be "hell to pay" should there be no movement on releasing the hostages by Monday.
Trump earlier had confirmed the ceasefire plans on social media.
"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly," he said.
He added, "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
WND previously reported that Vice President-elect JD Vance told "Fox News Sunday" what was his interpretation of Trump's threat there would be "hell to pay" for Hamas if the terrorist group did not release the remaining 99 hostages – both dead and alive – before his Jan. 20 inauguration.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A Deep Stater in the Washington federal government complex who boasted about secret meetings with retired military members to "protect" the American people from President-elect Donald Trump, in fact, orchestrating a resistance, has been fired.
Confirmation comes from O'Keefe Media Group with had released an undercover video of Jamie Mannina, an "adviser" to the Department of Defense, who revealed the skullduggery that was going on.
Mannina explained he works, now worked, at a "top consulting firm" for the Pentagon, after time in the FBI.
"During the meeting with an undercover journalist, Mannina revealed that he had a 'huge, huge meeting with military leaders in a very secure room called the Tank,'" reported the Gateway Pundit.
"So we have a Tank meeting with all of the top, top leaders of the United States' Military tomorrow on my topic that I prepared," he said, explaining he's "a little worried," and he'll try to do what he can with retired generals to "stop the Trump administration."
Mannina was recorded explain the information was "sensitive" and would have to be kept "between us."
It wasn't long before the next chapter in the scandal was released by OMG:
Mannina had lashed out at Trump, calling him a "sociopathic narcissist who is only interested in advancing his name, his wealth, and his fame."
Incidentally, Trump has confirmed plans that he will "redirect," his $400,000 presidential salary, donating it to various government program recipients, during his second term as he did during his first.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social:
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
"With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!
"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Joe Biden has released a "farewell" letter, given that his term in the White House expires on Monday, and he also had his tax-paid staffers compile some 26,000 words of talking points about which he brags.
He also takes a swipe at President-elect Donald Trump, claiming the protest-turned-riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was the "worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War."
In fact, a few hundred Trump fans, concerned about irregularities in the 2020 election, rioted and did vandalism in the building, and members of Congress retreated, only to take up their regular business hours later.
Biden, who campaigned on bringing America together in recovery from the pandemic of the COVID-19 China virus but then imposed multiple divisive agendas on the people, said "we came together as Americans, and we braved through it."
He claims America now is "stronger, more prosperous and more secure."
The letter includes Biden's claims, "I have given my heart and my soul to our nation. And I have been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people."
A congressional report also confirmed that the Biden family has profited by tens of millions of dollars in what essentially was described as an influence peddling operation that apparently has been in existence during his years as vice president, then as president.
Biden said, "Wages are up. Inflation continues to come down. The racial wealth gap is the lowest it's been in 20 years. We're rebuilding our entire nation—urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities. Manufacturing is coming back to America. We're leading the world again in science and innovation, including the semiconductor industry."
Biden, who once delivered a special address in Philadelphia to talk about the "soul" of America, said that's still his concern because "the very nature of who we are" was at stake.
He also charged that America "never" has lived up to the idea that "we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
His staff, he said, compiled a list of his accomplishments, which he posted online. It was described in one published report as "massive lies."
In it, he claims credit for imposing COVID shots, which now are known to cause side effects up to and including death, on 230 million Americans.
And he spent trillions of tax dollars on his "recovery" efforts, triggering inflation that reached 9.1% at one point, and has accumulated to more than 20% over his tenure, although his list does not include those facts.
He claims to have "added" 16.6 million jobs, although millions of those simply were restored from what was precipitously lost because of government shutdown orders during COVID.
The Biden checklist includes claims for "improvements on over 200,00 miles of roads," "450 rail projects," and massive spending for his climate change agenda, which tried to force American industry and residents into electric vehicles, a move that is collapsing now.