This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The discovery by FBI Director Kash Patel of a room where the bureau under Joe Biden at "hidden" evidence from sight of both the public and Congress could spur his announced investigation into the weaponization of the government against President Donald Trump.

Trump has been targeted before and during his first term, and then between his terms, by Democrat lawfare that often used the power of the government against him. For example, the SWAT team raid on his Mar-a-Lago home when the actual dispute was over custody of presidential papers – hardly a threat to life and limb.

A report at the Gateway Pundit explained, "According to a report by JustTheNews, Barack Obama, John Brennan, James Clapper, James Comey, and other high-level Obama-era operatives have been named in the investigation, which shows a coordinated criminal conspiracy to target political enemies, shield Democrat allies, and manipulate multiple presidential elections — from 2016 through 2024. But it gets better: The probe may now shift jurisdiction to Florida — thanks to none other than Special Counsel Jack Smith's own raid on Mar-a-Lago."

Just the News said the investigation is being "cheered by lawmakers" and could be helped by Patel's recent revelation about the discovery "of a room where the bureau had 'hidden' evidence from public and congressional view."

On a podcast with Joe Rogan, Patel called it a "vault" or "lockbox."

"The discovery that the FBI stashed away evidence in politically hot probes like Russiagate could help prosecutors convince a grand jury that government officials were engaged in a coverup or an effort to deprive civil liberties, experts said," according to the report.

"And while the discovery of the evidence vault and the emergence of the conspiracy probe are shrouded in some secrecy, their existence has buoyed Republicans in Congress who long believed prosecution of government actors behind scandals like Russiagate and Biden family corruption was warranted."

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said, "They put America through unbelievable, really historic political turmoil, knowing that the entire narrative was completely false. I felt these people were criminals for many years now. I mean, the fact that they knew this…the whole Russiagate was a conspiracy hatched by the Clinton campaign back in 2016. President Obama was briefed on that. I mean, they all knew."

In fact, Russiagate was created when Hillary Clinton apparently wanted to divert the public's attention away from her own scandal, in which she put government secrets on an unsecured computer server in her home. Her campaign worked with a legal team, an "opposition research" organization, foreigners and more to fabricate claims about Trump's 2016 campaign colluding with Russia, a claim for which there was no evidence.

Just this week, the FBI "quietly launched" a review of a decade of Deep State and Democratic Party activities, the report said, "ranging from ginning up the Trump-Russia collusion to examining special counsel Jack Smith's pursuit of Trump."

The result could end up being presentations to a grand jury about evidence of a criminal conspiracy to influence three straight presidential elections, against Trump.

The "grand conspiracy" case at the FBI, under way for only a few weeks, also could get a shot in the arm if Trump would declassify two "yet-classified troves of evidence that identify key pieces of the alleged conspiracy dating back to the summer of 2016," the report said.

Patel said only weeks ago even then more Russiagate information was being discovered.

He blasted the Democrat agenda under Joe Biden: "That's how vindictive and vicious the former leadership structure was. Not only did they bastardize the FISA process and lie to the American public, they withheld and hid documentation and put it in rooms where people weren't supposed to look. And it's a good thing that we're here now to clean it up, and you're about to see a wave of transparency."

The two troves of details that remain secret include information added to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz's probe of Hillary Clinton's improper email server, and another cache attached to Special Counsel John Durham's final report in 2023 about the DOJ's probe of Russiagate.

Further, CIA Director John Ratcliffe already has dispatched a criminal referral to Patel related to possible crimes by Barack Obama's CIA director, Brennan, the report explained.

Among the possible subjects for investigation are Brennan, Comey and Clapper.

Just the News noted, "All of this — combined with the secretive documents recently unearthed at the Hoover Building and brought to the attention of Patel — may provide guideposts for the newly-revealed FBI investigation. It will likely be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi to decide if a criminal prosecution — or a special prosecutor — is warranted."

Patel has confirmed he has found a lot of documentation by those allegedly scheming against Trump at the time.

"These guys were so arrogant, they would write everything down. And I found the documents. They're so arrogant, they think, 'No one's going to catch us. I'm going to write everything down. We're going to put it in a lockbox, we're going to put it in a vault, and no one's going to find it.' Well, you know what? I found the vault and now I'm going to work."

Patel also noted there's no statute of limitations if the investigation is into "an overarching conspiracy."

Trump, on his first day in office, called for an end to the weaponization of government that had developed under Democrats.

"The American people have witnessed the previous administration engage in a systematic campaign against its perceived political opponents, weaponizing the legal force of numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community against those perceived political opponents in the form of investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions. These actions appear oriented more toward inflicting political pain than toward pursuing actual justice or legitimate governmental objectives."

Bondi, on taking office, issued a memo calling for a review of weaponization, and an end.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is coming a new and touching story that could come from an alternative reality: It's about a businessman whose huge SUV was hit, last winter, by a tiny car driven by a teen who skidded on ice, and his decision to buy her a replacement vehicle.

The Cowboy State Daily tells of financial adviser Bryan Pedersen, whose family was with him in his huge Escalade, when Grace, 16, a teen on her way home from church, slid on ice at a Cheyenne intersection and bounced off Pedersen's vehicle.

His was dented; hers was totaled.

But, the report explains, Pedersen also was impressed with how Gracie handled the situation.

"Although visibly upset and shaky, the teen showed a lot of maturity and compassion, he said," the report explained. "She was in tears because she felt terrible that she had run into somebody. Then you start thinking about what a car represents to someone like her — growing up, independence, working for something."

Pedersen said he made sure his kids were OK, then got out, and was agitated, but looked around.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In his first public appearance at a religious event after a 23-day absence – likely due to fear of airstrikes – Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made a calculated effort to present himself as a patriotic leader. Meanwhile, just one day after the ceasefire was declared, Iran's security and law enforcement forces launched a new campaign – this time, against their own people. They set up checkpoints across the country and began widespread arrests, particularly targeting youth, often simply for having anti-regime content on their mobile phones.

Enforced disappearances of prisoners and ordinary citizens have continued, as have the arrests of foreign and dual nationals – especially Europeans and French citizens. These acts appear aimed at preventing the reactivation of the U.N. "snapback" sanctions. Simultaneously, the regime has escalated executions to an unprecedented level, aiming to stifle any and all domestic dissent.

The targeted elimination of several senior intelligence and IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) commanders has shattered the regime's image of control, which heavily depended on its intelligence apparatus. A growing atmosphere of distrust and insecurity has spread within the regime, prompting significant defections. In response, the Supreme Leader has turned to hollow displays of strength in an effort to suppress a potential uprising.

In the early 1980s, a similarly vulnerable regime sought to suppress opposition – particularly members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) – through widespread checkpoints and mass arrests. Today, the same strategy is being used to identify and detain members of the MEK-affiliated Resistance Units, which are now active throughout the country.

These units have become a nightmare for the regime. While state media entities avoid mentioning them, the regime knows its most serious threat comes not from foreign powers, but from within – namely, these Resistance Units. They have the potential to mobilize a powerful street force capable of confronting the Revolutionary Guards and security forces.

Escalating internal power struggles

As the regime's fall becomes more conceivable, internal fractures are widening. Recently, 180 economists, university professors and former officials called for a "paradigm shift" in the Islamic Republic's governance model, referencing the 12-day conflict with Israel. In stark contrast, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency praised the 1988 massacre of political prisoners – mostly MEK members – as a "successful precedent," advocating for its repetition to suppress today's dissent. Simultaneously, calls for the impeachment of newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian are gaining momentum within parts of the regime.

The third option

The regime understands that war alone will not bring about its collapse. Its only real concern is the potential targeting of Supreme Leader Khamenei's hideouts in such a conflict. This explains its behind-the-scenes efforts to initiate talks with the United States – possibly via back channels in Norway – to defuse that threat. But retreating from its core policies – from repression to executions or nuclear ambitions – is not an option. Such concessions would signal the start of reform, inevitably triggering demands for basic freedoms and accelerating the regime's downfall.

The only realistic path to democracy in Iran lies with the organized resistance movement, which has fought the regime for over four decades, weathered two mass slaughter campaigns, and continued its struggle outside the clerical system. Despite relentless repression, the resistance has built a vast network of Resistance Units inside Iran – tasked with exposing regime crimes, mobilizing citizens, directing protests and hitting the regime's centers of oppression.

Alongside these units, a broad social support base – including families of political victims, former prisoners and various civic actors – actively participates in protest efforts. This network has succeeded in obtaining highly classified intelligence from within the regime. Much of what the world knows today about Iran's nuclear and terror programs comes from this very source.

Conclusion

Iran's crisis cannot be solved by foreign military intervention or appeasement. The only sustainable solution is to support the Iranian people and their organized resistance – a path that could actually lead to democracy, equality and enduring peace.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The Department of Defense is torpedoing the career plans of a Navy admiral who was caught facilitating drag shows on the USS Ronald Reagan.

The department confirmed it is withdrawing the nomination of Rear Adm. Michael "Buzz" Donnelly over the drag performances on the vessel while under his command.

The Daily Wire reported that Donnelly was commander of the aircraft carrier from April 2016 to September 2018.

During that time, the report said, "Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley performed as a drag queen under the name 'Harpy Daniels' at a department-sanctioned 'Morale, Welfare, and Recreation' event."

When President Donald Trump nominated Donnelly for promotion to vice-admiral and an appointment to command the 7th Fleet, the Daily Wire inquired about the drag shows.

The report said the result is that "a source at the Defense Department said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is withdrawing Donnelly's nomination to lead the 7th Fleet. Hegseth is looking for a new 7th Fleet commander, the source shared."

The Daily Wire noted Donnelly drew national attention in 2023 when Sen. Tommy Tuberville held up his promotion as part of his blockade on Defense Department promotions. The Alabama Republican was challenging one part of Joe Biden's agenda to promote abortion and transgenderism.

In this fight, Tuberville opposed Biden's demand that taxpayers pay for three weeks of leave and travel expenses for military members and their dependents who demanded abortions.

The senator pointed out that the spending was completely unrelated to the department's mission of protecting the nation.

A number of legacy media outlets had highlighted the drag shows that occurred during Donnelly's tour, the report said.

Back at the time the performances were being scheduled, William Thibeau of The American Military Project at The Claremont Institute, told the Daily Signal, "Every military officer takes command of units large and small with the understanding they are responsible for everything that does and does not happen under their command. It's the basic truth of military leadership, whether you command an infantry company or an aircraft carrier."

He noted the drag shows are not "random acts of entertainment," they were "sanctioned Navy programs."

Donnelly's immediate future was unspecified in the report, but often when military commanders fail in one command, their next one is not considered a promotion.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Another legal victory for the administration of President Donald Trump was documented in the decision of a federal judge to allow the Department of Justice to rescind about $800 million in grants.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington rejected a demand for a preliminary injunction from five groups that benefited from the cash handouts.

They were objecting to the DOJ's cancellation of more than 360 grant awards, according to a report from Fox News.

The judge condemned the decision as "shameful" in his ruling, but said the court lacks jurisdiction and the plaintiffs failed to document a constitutional violation or protection.

"Defendants' rescinding of these awards is shameful. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence," the judge said. "But displeasure and sympathy are not enough in a court of law."

It was the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs that decided in April to cancel the hundreds of millions of dollars in grant handouts, describing the move as a change in priorities to include more direct support to some law enforcement groups, fight violent crime, and help American victims of trafficking and sexual assault, the report explained.

The complaint, from Democracy Forward Foundation and the Perry Law firm, claimed they were deprived of due process and the decision lacked clarity. They also said the move violated the constitutional separation of powers.

The cancellation of the handout of taxpayer money triggered layoffs and closures in various programs, the plaintiffs claimed.

But the DOJ said that no legal basis existed for the court to order the restoration of "lawfully terminated grants."

In fact, some plaintiffs in other disputes over the Trump administration's decision to cancel cash handouts have claimed that they have a constitutional right to be funded by the taxpayers.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The Australian government had cited it's "Online Safety Act" in demanding that X censor the criticism of the transgender agenda by Canadian campaigner Chris "Billboard Chris" Elston.

But that censorship scheme now has been struck down by a tribunal.

It was an Administrative Review Tribunal that ruled in favor of Elston, who in February 2024 had gone online to criticize the appointment of Teddy Cook to a United Nations post.

Cook has been described by the Daily Mail as a transgender member of a new United Nations panel that's drafting global health rules who has "a kinky track record in everything from bestiality to bondage, drugs and nudism."

"Teddy Cook, a female-to-male trans Australian activist, started work this month on the World Health Organization's 20-expert body, drafting care guidelines for trans and non-binary people," the report said. It explained Cook calls herself a "professional queer…"

ADF International, which worked on Elston's case, said the tribunal decision strikes the government order attempting to censor him.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A federal appeals court has yanked the reins on a public schoolteacher who wanted to use his captive students to promote his own gender ideology.

It is the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said the teacher is not entitled to a preliminary injunction that would allow him to promote his feminine pronouns to students, an agenda in violation of state law, while the fight continues.

Mat Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel, which has handled multiple cases involving demands from the transgender community, said, "Florida law is clear that employees, contractors, or students of a public K-12 educational institution may not be required to refer to other people using their preferred personal titles or pronouns if it does not correspond to their biological sex. In this case, the teacher's speech was government speech, not private speech, and there is no First Amendment claim against the law."

The appeals court vacated a lower court's preliminary injunction and sent the case back.

The case, Wood v. Florida Department of Education, involves a teacher at a public high school in Hillsborough County, Florida. He challenged the state law that prohibits him from using pronouns not consistent with his biological sex in the classroom.

"Wood was born a biological male but now identifies as a woman. Wood argued the law violated his First Amendment right to free speech and sought a preliminary injunction to prevent its enforcement," Liberty Counsel explained

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump, is serious about election integrity in the U.S.

It has confirmed that local elections officials who refuse to meet required security standards could face charges.

Trump determined in an order weeks ago the U.S. lacks election security and called for enforcement of an existing ban on foreign nationals voting in federal elections.

According to a report at the Washington Examiner, he also ordered the attorney general and Homeland Security secretary to "prevent all noncitizens from being involved in the administration of any federal election."

Now, DOJ spokesman Gates McGavick confirmed that, "The president's executive order speaks for itself, and the Department of Justice will leave no option off the table when it comes to promoting free, fair, and secure elections."

Charges against elections officials are rare, but analysts confirmed they could happen.

There was immediate pushback.

"The tactics we're seeing out of DOJ right now are building on what we've seen from anti-democracy groups for years," claimed Dax Goldstein, of the States United Democracy Center "They're rooted in the same lies about elections, and they're all meant to create noise and fear and concerns about issues with our elections that just don't exist. Our elections are safe and secure, and election officials are working to keep them that way."

All states claim their elections systems are secure, including Colorado. But that state was revealed to have posted pages of election system passwords online just ahead of the 2024 vote. Investigators gave Democrat Secretary of State Jena Griswold, under whose watch the passwords were posted, a pass.

Trump has claimed the 2020 vote was "rigged" and while exactly what "rigging" went on isn't certain, there were several undue influences that are believed to have changed the results.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Religious chieftains in Iran, those purportedly directing the faith lives of millions of Iranians oppressed by the nation's Islamic regime, have issued a "fatwa" against President Donald Trump, calling him an "enemy of god," and insisting that the punishment for such an offense is "usually death."

They are insisting that Muslims worldwide rise up to enforce their ideological wishes.

They cite Trump's "threat" to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, which actually never happened. In fact, Trump has stated he deterred a plan to assassinate Khamenei.

It is the Middle East Media Research Institute that described the threats to Trump from Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a "grand ayatollah," and Hossein Nouri Hamedani, another "grand ayatollah" operating in the Islamic regime.

Shirazi "issued a fatwa stating that the punishment for U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with assassination, is the same as the punishment for muhareb – that is, a person defined as an enemy of God and Islam who is gravely threatening or conducting an armed rebellion against the Islamic public order."

The institute reported, "In Shi'ite Islam, and particularly under Iranian religious law, the punishment for this is particularly severe and is usually death; less often, it could be exile, amputation of the transgressor's right arm and left leg, or crucifixion. … It should be noted that President Trump never threatened to assassinate Khamenei and it was even reported that he had prevented such an assassination."

The demands by Shirazi, 98, an authority whose demands "obligates his followers to obey him," were echoed shortly later by Hamedani is a similar statement.

He stated, "that any harm or insult to Khamenei was fundamentally harm or insult to Islam, and that the punishment for anyone harming or threatening him was like that for a muhareb. He added that protecting Khamenei was a religious obligation for all Muslims, and that any assistance to those harming him is also considered punishable by death according to the religion."

And he actually pursued a threat against Trump, demanding his followers "are obligated to make these enemies regret their words and actions…"

Shirazi's statement was, "In the name of Allah the Merciful and Beneficent, any person or regime that threatens the leader of the Islamic ummah [Khamenei] or its religious authorities, with the aim of harming the ummah and its rule, or who actually attacks it, is considered a muhareb. Any cooperation with him [the attacker] or reinforcement of him by Muslims or Islamic governments is strictly forbidden. All Muslims around the world are obligated to make these enemies regret their words and actions, and if they must endure hardship or damage for doing so, their reward will be the same as that of a jihad fighter for Allah. May it be God's will to protect Islamic society from its enemies and to hasten the appearance of Imam Mahdi."

Reaction online confirmed "there is a lesson here" when Trump prevents an assassination attempt, then is condemned by the regime anyway.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A woman has died of injuries she suffered in the terrorism in Boulder, Colorado, when an anti-Semite attacked a cadre of Jews walking for their Middle East cause with Molotov cocktails and a homemade flamethrower, and charges over that attack now have been upgraded.

A report at the Post-Millennial explained prosecutors in the leftist state now have added to the charges against suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45.

The additional charges followed the death of Karen Diamond, 82, who the Boulder County district attorney's office said, "died tragically as a result of the severe injuries that she suffered in the attack" that happened on June 1.

"Our office will fight for justice for all the victims, their loved ones, and the community," explained DA Michael Dougherty.

Soliman now faces two counts of first-degree murder, 52 counts of attempted first-degree murder, eight counts of first-degree assault, 18 counts of attempted first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of using an incendiary device and 16 counts of attempted use of an incendiary.

He also faces one count of animal cruelty.

He could be, if convicted, sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Additionally, the federal government has delivered a 12-count indictment against him alleging federal hate law crimes and crimes of using fire in a felony.

Soliman reportedly targeted a "Run for Their Lives" demonstration over the group's advocacy for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.