This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Stops law that would have forced Catholic priests to choose fines and jail or excommunication
A federal court ruling has blocked a scheme by leftists to do violence to the church confessional practice.
The new law in Washington state would have forced Catholic priests to choose fines and jail time or excommunication from their faith.
The law, set to take effect in just a week, "threatened to impose penalties of up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and potential civil liability on priests who uphold the seal of confession and obey God's command."
The church has confirmed that priests who violate the secrecy of the confessional can be excommunicated.
That secrecy has been allowed for generations in order to allow people who have committed crimes to reconcile with God, through the church, without being reported to police.
"Although the state claims the law was designed to protect minors, it still permits attorneys and others to maintain confidentiality when given identical information," according to a statement from Becket, which has worked on the case.
The Catholic Church in the state already has strengthened protections of children with required reporting of suspected abuse and more.
However, the exception for the sacrament of confession has been maintained.
"This ruling confirms what has always been true: In America, government officials have no business prying into the confessional," said Mark Rienzi, president of Becket. "By protecting the seal of confession, the court has also safeguarded the basic principle that people of all faiths should be free to practice their beliefs without government interference."
"The First Amendment did its work today in protecting the confessional, and I am proud of the Church for its continued support of the reporting law's application outside of that context," noted Hiram Sasser of First Liberty Institute, which also has worked on the case.
Following a hearing just days ago on the fight, the court ruled the state was unable "to explain why the language … of the bill doubled down on singling out clergy."
First Liberty explained, "For centuries, the Catholic Church has upheld the belief that confession is holy and must stay private. This principle—known as the seal of confession or sacramental seal—requires absolute secrecy from priests about anything said while administering the sacrament. A priest has a sacred obligation to keep everything he hears during the sacrament of confession completely confidential. The seal is so vital to the Catholic faith that any priest who violates it faces automatic excommunication.
"Over the centuries, priests have been imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for upholding the seal. Penitents today need the same assurance that their participation in a holy sacrament will remain free from government interference."
"For centuries, Catholic faithful around the world have sought reconciliation with God through the sacrament of confession," said Jean Hill of the Washington State Catholic Conference. "This ruling protects that sacred space and ensures that Washingtonians of all religious stripes can live out their beliefs in peace."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Scandal has enveloped appointee over building renovation costs exploding by $700 million
The chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, who has been under fire for refusing to nudge interest rates lower amid a booming economy, a move that actually costs American consumers billions through higher interest, has been referred to the Department of Justice for investigation and possible prosecution.
The confirmation came from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna online:
She referenced the "crazy" $2.5 billion building, which actually is a renovation of the Fed's facilities in Washington that are being refurbished. The problem is the project already is $700 million over budget and is years from completion.
Bill Pulte, the chairman of the board of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, had predicted the move was coming.
Powell has been under fire from Trump for his insistence on keeping interest rates higher than the president thinks are reasonable given the low inflation rate, high income surges, and booming economy.
The president's tariffs program is expected to generate tens of billions of dollars for the nation even as they still are being applied.
WND reported that while there have been reports Trump would fire Powell, he said such a removal of the "knucklehead" isn't likely, unless "there's fraud involved."
"I don't rule out anything, but it's highly unlikely, unless he has to leave for fraud. I mean it's possible there's fraud involved."
The New York Times had reported only this week Trump had drafted a letter to fire Powell, and asked Republicans if he should send it.
Trump said of Powell, "He's always been too late, hence his nickname 'Too Late.' He should have cut interest rates a long time ago. Europe has cut 'em 10 times in a short period of time. We cut 'em none.
"I think he does a terrible job. He's costing us a lot of money, and we fight through it. It's almost, the country's become so successful it doesn't have a big impact. But it does hurt people wanting to get a mortgage, people want to buy a house. He's a terrible Fed chair."
In fact, some members of the Federal Reserve also have been calling for an interest rate cuit.
Trump, speculating about whether Powell should resign, or be fired, cited the explosion in costs at the Fed's building.
"But you know, there are many people who say he should be removed because of the fraud of what he's doing at the Fed, with regard to the $2.5 billion he's spending, $2.5 billion to, I guess it's a renovation. I don't know. I'm very good at that stuff. I should go look at it," Trump said.
Amid questions about the costly renovation project, Powell launched a defense, explaining the project is "large … because it involves the renovation of two historic buildings on the National Mall and that were first constructed in the 1930s."
The sites in question are the Eccles Building and 1951 Constitution Avenue Buildings.
Powell said the work is making the buildings, safe, healthy and effective places to work, and includes removal of asbestos and lead contamination.
Trump has described the renovation project as similar to creating a "palace."
Senate lawmakers already have grilled Powell over what they saw as lavish upgrades, including fountain and marble upgrades, special elevators and such.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The news has been filled in recent months with instances of federal judges delivering attacks on the administration of President Donald Trump, releasing rulings that take control of Executive Branch decisions, restrict Trump's programs to secure the border and remove illegal alien criminals from U.S. shores.
Those cases have involved cutting federal spending, removing illegal aliens, eliminating destructive DEI programs, protecting children from transgender ideologies, and mutilations, stopping anti-Semitism and much more.
There has been the appearance of bias in the judiciary.
The news has been filled in recent months with instances of federal judges delivering attacks on the administration of President Donald Trump, releasing rulings that take control of Executive Branch decisions, restrict Trump's programs to secure the border and remove illegal alien criminals from U.S. shores.
Those cases have involved cutting federal spending, removing illegal aliens, eliminating destructive DEI programs, protecting children from transgender ideologies, and mutilations, stopping anti-Semitism and much more.
There has been the appearance of bias in the judiciary.
Further, Boasberg also was at the center of activism before President Trump's first term when he was under attack in the fabricated Russiagate conspiracy theory launched by the Hillary Clinton campaign and others with lies about Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
Boasberg was chosen for his job by leftist Barack Obama, who now is just one subject of a congressional investigation into a vast conspiracy that developed in Washington targeting Trump.
Boasberg, in fact, when sentencing an ex-FBI lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, who admitted doctoring a 2017 email regarding Deep State's work against Trump, refused to give him any prison time but told him to do community service.
Boasberg ruled against Trump in one deportation dispute and told him to order airplanes carrying illegal aliens out of the United States to turn around mid-air and come back.
The White House responded that the jets, carrying the "terrorist alien" individuals, already had left U.S. airspace and the judge had no jurisdiction there.
Federal judges already have heard hundreds of claims by those wanting to stop Trump's agenda to remove unneeded personnel from federal payrolls, stop handing billions of tax dollars to unfriendly foreign interests and more.
As a result of the campaign by district judges to target Trump's actions, the Supreme Court intervened and said they were misusing their offices by repeatedly ordering nationwide injunctions against Trump's agenda. The court said those judges haven't been granted the constitutional authority to do that.
The Federalist reported it obtained access to a memo from a recent Judicial Conference meeting in Washington.
That group is the national policymaking body for federal courts.
"That Judge Boasberg and his fellow D.C. District Court judges would discuss how a named Defendant in numerous pending lawsuits might respond to an adverse ruling is shocking. Equally outrageous is those judges' clear disregard for the presumption of regularity — a presumption that requires a court to presume public officials properly discharged their official duties," the Federalist reported.
At the meeting, the report said, "a side conversation at the group's most recent meeting revealed a disturbing detail — the predisposition of supposedly unbiased judges against the Trump Administration."
The memo explained, "District of the District of Columbia Chief Judge James Boasberg next raised his colleagues' concerns that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis."
The Federalist noted the memo continued, "Chief Justice Roberts expressed hope that would not happen and in turn no constitutional crisis would materialize."
The report pointed out, "Donald Trump, however, is not merely the president: He is a Defendant in scores of lawsuits, including multiple cases in the D.C. District Court. As such, this conversation did not concern generic concerns of the judiciary, but specific discussions about a litigant currently before the same judges who expressed concern to the Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court that the Trump Administration would disregard the court's orders."
The report noted, "Judge Boasberg's comments reveal he and his colleagues hold an anti-Trump bias, for the Trump Administration had complied with every court order to date (and since for that matter). The D.C. District Court judges' 'concern' also went counter to the normal presumption courts hold — one that presumes public officials properly discharged their official duties. Apparently, that presumption does not apply to the current president, at least if you are litigating in D.C."
The Federalist noted just days later, "Boasberg, in a case in which he completely lacked jurisdiction, as the Supreme Court would later confirm, entered a lawless order commanding the Trump Administration to halt removals to El Salvador. So, one of the judges concerned about Trump following the law, ignored the law."
He went even further in his agenda, the report said: "Boasberg would later find 'the Trump Administration committed criminal contempt of court' by failing to turn the planes around or fly the gang members back to the U.S., even though the court's written (and unlawful) injunction ordered neither."
Cleveland explained that Boasberg and his colleague "prejudged Trump as a scofflaw," even though that's not the case.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
John MacArthur, founder of Grace to You and long the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has died at the age of 86.
He spent more than 50 years preaching and only relinquished the pulpit this year because of health challenges. He recently had contracted pneumonia.
"Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run," his ministry, Grace to You, posted.
Tom Patton, staff minister at Grace Community told members of the congregation on Sunday, "You need to know that this week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia. He was admitted in a hospital, and may be in the presence of the Lord soon.
"We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits his final comment to be in his presence forever."
CBN reported H.B. Charles Jr., pastor-teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida, filled in for MacArthur during Sunday's service and told the congregation that his ministry was a direct result of MacArthur's teaching.
MacArthur became a pastor-teacher in 1969 and has preached more than 3,000 sermons.
Grace to You reaches thousands through radio and digital media, and his books, dozens of theological tomes and biblical commentaries, reach thousands more.
He made headlines in 2020 when a judge allowed him to continue holding in-person church services despite orders from leftist Gov. Gavin Newsom to shut down church events during COVID-19.
This year, he addressed the congregation, explaining, "I'm not ill at all… my heart is probably stronger now than it's been in the last decade of my life. I'm just thankful I see the good and gracious and kind and providential hand of God in every vicissitude in my life."
Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, wrote, "John leaves behind a powerful legacy: his beloved family, his faithful congregation, his far-reaching media ministry, and of course, his epic library of biblical commentaries that will continue to impact generations. But above all his greatest legacy is this—he lived a life well-lived. He was faithful to the very end. He will be deeply missed, but I'm confident he has already heard those words we all long to hear: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' (Matt. 25:23)."
Prestonwood Baptist senior pastor Jack Graham said, "Well done, good and faithful servant. John MacArthur inspired millions with his clear proclamation of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
PALM BEACH, Florida – Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly ready to testify before the U.S. Congress, potentially exposing the depths of the sordid pedophile network the pair ran.
According to Britain's Daily Mail, the 63-year-old Maxwell who is the only person behind bars in connection with the Epstein's network of underage girls, "is willing to speak in front of Congress."
A source told the paper: "Despite the rumors, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal. She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story.
"No one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows. She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth."
Maxwell is currently incarcerated in Tallahassee State Prison in Florida, serving 20 years for child sex trafficking as she groomed underage girls for both Epstein and his group of powerful elites, though to date not a single purported client of the former Palm Beach resident has faced criminal charges.
The Daily Mail reported:
A source close to Maxwell told Daily Mail that the former girlfriend of Epstein – who continues to protest her innocence – would "welcome the chance to sit in front of Congress and tell her story."
The source said: "Congressional hearings have been held into everything from JFK's assassination to 9/11. The Epstein Files rank up there with those cases. Ghislaine would be willing to speak before Congress and tell her story."
Maxwell is also fighting to have her appeal heard by the Supreme Court. On July 14, lawyers for the U.S. government will submit their response to her plea for the Supreme Court to take up her case.
President Trump's former "First Buddy" Elon Musk sensationally claimed there is a cover-up because Trump is mentioned in the Epstein Files, something sources close to Maxwell say "is a false flag."
"President Trump was photographed with Epstein several times and they ran in the same circles but Trump was one of the first to break all contact with Epstein because they fell out over a business deal and Epstein's treatment of women," the informed source said.
"There are no big shocks about President Trump in the Epstein Files. But there are a lot of powerful men involved and a lot of money and it will come down to following the money."
Over the weekend, as WorldNetDaily reported, President Donald Trump voiced his extreme displeasure with ongoing controversy over Attorney General Pam Bondi's refusal to release files on the convicted pedophile, amid rumors FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino may resign over the issue.
In a lengthy post Saturday on Truth Social, Trump said: "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening.
"We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again."
Investigative journalist Alex Jones on Sunday said the Trump administration's reversal on releasing the Epstein files is "the mother of all scandals."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump is expressing his extreme displeasure with ongoing controversy over Attorney General Pam Bondi's refusal to release files on convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, amid reports FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino may resign over the issue, and reaction from Trump supporters is not positive.
In a lengthy post Saturday on Truth Social, Trump said: "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening.
"We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again.
"Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 'Intelligence' Agents, 'THE LAPTOP FROM HELL,' and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called 'friends' are playing right into their hands.
"Why didn't these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn't they use it? They haven't even given up on the John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Files. No matter how much success we have had, securing the Border, deporting Criminals, fixing the Economy, Energy Dominance, a Safer World where Iran will not have Nuclear Weapons, it's never enough for some people.
"We are about to achieve more in 6 months than any other Administration has achieved in over 100 years, and we have so much more to do. We are saving our Country and, MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, which will continue to be our complete PRIORITY.
"The Left is imploding! Kash Patel, and the FBI, must be focused on investigating Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020, and arresting Thugs and Criminals, instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!
"The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 — That's what she is looking into as AG, and much more. One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Supporters of Trump expressed their own outrage at the president's remarks.
One woman who calls herself a "Magadonian wife and mother" indicated: "This statement breaks my heart, Mr. President. I have four daughters, and live in Texas, where families lost little children. I can't even begin to comprehend the flipped narrative that 'it was so long ago' 'why are we still talking about this' and 'nobody should care.' These victims were someone's daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughter. Someone's child. Please reconsider, sir.
"I voted for everything you are doing! Accountability was not something negotiable. I, my family, and those we convinced to give you a chance are all counting on you to bring sick perversion to account. Otherwise it will continue to happen. If we are not the voice of the victims then who? Respectfully and with much gratitude for all the promises you keep. Please let this one be one, as well. ~Much love to you and yours."
Another told Trump: "We want the ELITE PEDOS exposed! You promised us that. Pam promised us that. Kash [Patel] promised us that. Now it's OUR fault [because] we want that promise fulfilled and call Pam out every time she lies? What else has she lied to us about?"
As WorldNetDaily reported, there have been numerous reports that if Bondi remains as attorney general, then either FBI Director Kash Patel or Bongino may quit.
Journalist and Trump ally Laura Loomer said: "We might not have a Deputy FBI Director by Monday. We could possibly see a weekend resignation from the FBI by Dan Bongino.
"Source tells me Kash Patel agrees with Bongino's sentiment and also agrees that Blondi needs to be removed from her post as AG.
"Now it's up to President Trump to step in. The MAGA base would like to see Trump FIRE Blondi. She is a massive liability to this otherwise great administration."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
In the wake of President Donald Trump's weekend comments about the Jeffrey Epstein files, investigative journalist Alex Jones is saying: "This is the mother of all scandals."
"President Trump now claims the Epstein list is real, but the Democrats have doctored it," Jones said on X, along with a video clip expressing his perplexity.
"After years of saying they were releasing the Epstein file or list, suddenly they're not going to. We're told it doesn't exist," Jones said.
"But then Trump comes out last night and says, well, it DOES exist, but the Democrats had control of it, manipulated it, which is actually true. They've had control of it, they would destroy anything they didn't want in there, leave what they wanted in there, that their investigators could plant.
"People say, 'Whose side are you on?' This is a giant fiasco. I'm trying to call balls and strikes. I'm trying to look at every angle of this and understand what's happening, understand why the Trump administration did a 180 the last few months and particularly last week, and did this and then blames loyal supporters who support the overall agenda as being traitorous for doing this.
"Now we all know what triggered this. It was Elon [Musk] two months ago, saying look, Trump's in the list, and that big break-up there. And then Trump wants it closed. He wants it shut down, which looks extremely, extremely incriminating. But from all of my deep research, I never saw Trump involved in any illegal activity with Jeffrey Epstein. …
"This is the big story," said Jones, "and this has put the Trump administration into a mega-massive crisis. And Trump at press conferences … saying don't ask questions … it's insane. So I don't know where in the world they're coming up with that plan."
His advice to Trump is to "release everything" because "this is not going away."
Jones was reacting to Trump's extreme displeasure with ongoing controversy over Attorney General Pam Bondi's refusal to release files on the convicted pedophile, amid reports FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino may resign over the issue.
In a lengthy post Saturday on Truth Social, Trump said: "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening.
"We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again.
"Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 'Intelligence' Agents, 'THE LAPTOP FROM HELL,' and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called 'friends' are playing right into their hands.
"Why didn't these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn't they use it? They haven't even given up on the John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Files. No matter how much success we have had, securing the Border, deporting Criminals, fixing the Economy, Energy Dominance, a Safer World where Iran will not have Nuclear Weapons, it's never enough for some people.
"We are about to achieve more in 6 months than any other Administration has achieved in over 100 years, and we have so much more to do. We are saving our Country and, MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, which will continue to be our complete PRIORITY.
"The Left is imploding! Kash Patel, and the FBI, must be focused on investigating Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020, and arresting Thugs and Criminals, instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!
"The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 — That's what she is looking into as AG, and much more. One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Democrats have erupted in rage at a raid on a California marijuana farm operation by agents for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement but are facing backlash because the operation was caught exploiting children for its labor.
A report at the Hill said the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that undocumented minors were found working at the cannabis scheme in the raid.
KTLA reported federal immigration officers and National Guard members carried out raids at two cannabis farm locations and arrested dozens, including illegal alien children.
Hundreds of protesters staged obstructive maneuvers during the law enforcement operation, and there were some violent clashes with law enforcement.
The two sites where operations were held were Glass House Farms locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed, "Federal agents are executing a search warrant at this marijuana farm. Agents have already arrested multiple individuals for impeding this operation and will continue to make arrests. Don't interfere. You will be arrested and charged with a federal offense."
Luis McArthur, Oxnard's mayor, went online to complain the ICE raid on one location was "unjust and unwarranted," prompting criticism for his advocacy for "CHILD LABOR."
Law enforcement eventually used tear gas as protesters decided to obstruct the officers by blocking roadways.
One person apparently shot at federal officers, and on Friday was being sought for investigation of possible federal charges. The FBI offered a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction in that case.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott revealed that 10 undocumented minors were found working at Camarillo, eight of them unaccompanied.
That opened an investigation into the corporation for child labor violations.
Fire department workers responded to several people affected by the tear gas.
At the Carpinteria operation, state Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, tried to force his way past federal agents, but was turned around.
His later statement claimed he was troubled by a lack of transparency in the DHS.
"I will be demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security to find out who they detained and where the detainees are being taken," he said. "These militarized ICE raids are not how you keep our communities safe. This kind of chaos only traumatizes families and tears communities apart."
Gov. Gavin Newsom posted a statement online calling President Donald Trump "the real scum," triggering responders to question him why there were children working marijuana fields.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported leftists were left "fuming" over the raid.
It reported Newsom posted, "Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields. Trump calls me Newscum — but he's the real scum."
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego charged, "Instead of prioritizing dangerous criminals Trump is targeting families that have been here for years picking our food. The public outcry and protests are occurring because the American public knows this is wrong."
That triggered a flood of comments pointing that that marijuana is not considered "food."
Also misunderstanding was Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who said, "How many MS-13 gang members are waking up at 3 a.m. to pick strawberries? O'yeah, zero! Trump said he'd go after 'bad hombres,' but he's targeting the immigrant farm workers who feed America."
DHS responded, "At the California marijuana facility, [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and CBP law enforcement rescued 8 unaccompanied migrant children from what looks like exploitation, violation of child labor laws and potentially human trafficking or smuggling. Yet, Gavin Newsom, Ruben Gallego and other politicians continue to demonize and attack the law enforcement officers who bravely rescued these children."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The fallout from the stunning reversal by some key GOP leaders about the Jeffrey Epstein case, highlighted by the DOJ statement that he did commit suicide and there's likely no more information coming out about the convicted sex offender's "business," is far from over.
But one key Republican in the fight, deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, reportedly has suggested he may walk over the issue.
Newsweek reported Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and talk-show host, is considering such a move because of the dispute between the FBI and the Department of Justice over the release of information about Epstein.
There apparently have been words between Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose agency issued the statement that no more details are coming, and Bongino.
The fight, politically, is over a supposed "client list," of those high-profile personalities Epstein is known to have met. Epstein has been vilified since his 2019 death in a New York jail awaiting more sex charges for allegedly facilitating meetings between his "friends" and underage girls.
Longtime legal activist Alan Dershowitz was caught up in the dispute when he was falsely accused, and has confirmed there is a list of so-called clients. GOP officials long had promised to move to make those names public, until last week's abrupt reversal.
Reports at CNN revealed that "Bongino did not come to work Friday" and that fueled "speculation he had quit over the issue. One source said as of Friday afternoon he had not left his position."
"The whole thing has been a complete mess and no one is happy," a source briefed on the matter told CNN.
A report at the Gateway Pundit pointed out that FBI Director Kash Patel also is reportedly frustrated with Pam Bondi and considering resigning if Dan Bongino leaves.
A further Newsweek report said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche rebuked the idea there was any "daylight" between the DOJ and FBI on the issue.
"Blanche said that President Donald Trump's DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, worked closely with FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, on the unsigned memo that concluded that the convicted sex offender had died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 and did not have a 'client list,'" claimed the report.
While authorities say there was no evidence of foul play in Epstein's death, theories long have suggested he was killed to prevent a list of names from becoming public, and supporters cite factors including a malfunctioning security camera outside his cell, the absence of a cellmate and the failure of guards to check on him.
Media personality and influencer Laura Loomer said on social media, "@FBIDirectorKash and @dbongino are LIVID with @AGPamBondi over her DOJ Memo and the lack of transparency from her office regarding the Jeffery Epstein files. Source tells me Dan Bongino is taking the day off today from his job as Deputy Director of the FBI, and there's now speculation on whether or not he will return to his job at the @FBI over his disgust with Blondi's lack of transparency and handling of the Epstein files. Pam Blondi has brought total embarrassment to President Trump, @JDVance ,@dbongino and @Kash_Patel."
She continued, "She has also LIED to the American people. I'm told Kash and Bongino are furious with Blondi and the blowback she has caused them with her lack of transparency. Kash Patel and Dan Bongino should call for Blondi's public resignation today to save themselves and to also push for full transparency into the Epstein files. This is an issue the American people care deeply about. Someone needs to be fired for this. Giving Blondi courtesy to resign is more than she deserves. Trump should just FIRE her."
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said he thinks those documents regarding Epstein all were destroyed by the Biden administration.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
In what some might call a Johnny-come-lately move, congressional Democrats are calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the Jeffrey Epstein files – because they supposedly mention President Trump.
The demand letter arrived Tuesday, the same day Trump upbraided a reporter asking about the Epstein files during a Cabinet meeting before allowing Bondi to respond. For days now, Trump supporters have condemned the attorney general for releasing a two-page memo Sunday claiming there is no Epstein "client list" and that there is no question he commit suicide in jail.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Democratic Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman led Committee Democrats in a letter demanding that Bondi release any Epstein-related evidence allegedly referencing Trump that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI have withheld.
The letter charged that Bondi's conduct was "worrisome" and that the DOJ was potentially being employed to cover up wrongdoing by the president, "including information allegedly contained in the Epstein files."
"In February 2025, you came under intense public criticism after releasing the 'first phase' of roughly 200 pages of the Epstein files that consisted largely of information that was already public," the lawmakers wrote, adding that Bondi reportedly redirected hundreds of FBI agents to review the files.
"In April, you claimed the FBI was reviewing 'tens of thousands of videos' of Mr. Epstein 'with children or child porn,'" they continued.
The letter then addressed the recent announcement on Epstein: "This raises the question of whether the White House has moved to prevent the declassification and public release of the full Epstein files because they implicate President Trump, and whether these massive redaction efforts and the withholding of the files were intended to shield your boss from embarrassing revelations within those files."
The letter also noted that former DOGE chief Elon Musk had claimed in a now-deleted X post that Trump was in the Epstein files.