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    Trump Announces ‘Permanent Pause’ On Migration From ‘Third World Countries’ After DC Shooting

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald J. Trump announced Thursday that he will “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” after two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in Washington, D.C., earlier this week. “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” he wrote on his social-media platform.

    Earlier on Thursday, the administration revealed plans to re-examine green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries. The June memo lists these countries — including Afghanistan, Burma, Cuba, Somalia, Venezuela and others — as of concern.

    The sharper policy response comes after the suspect in this week’s attack was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. He entered the U.S. in 2021 under the humanitarian resettlement program launched following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

    The Washington, D.C. Shooting: What Happened

    On Wednesday afternoon near the White House, Lakanwal allegedly ambushed two West Virginia National Guard members. The victims, 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, were shot during what prosecutors are calling a “brazen, targeted attack.”

    Beckstrom died from her injuries late Thanksgiving Day, President Trump said. Wolfe remains in critical condition.

    According to prosecutors, Lakanwal drove cross-country from Washington state for the sole purpose of carrying out the ambush. He allegedly fired 10–15 rounds from a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, striking one Guardsman, then leaning over to shoot a second time, and then firing on the other. Authorities said the remaining National Guard member then returned fire, and Lakanwal was apprehended.

    This horrific attack unfolded while hundreds of National Guard troops remain deployed across D.C., under Mr. Trump’s 2025 strategy to restore public safety in the capital.

    Administration Response: Immigration Crackdown

    In response to the ambush, President Trump not only called for a complete halt to migration from unspecified “Third World Countries,” but late Thursday the administration also announced an indefinite pause on Afghan immigration. Officials said they would conduct a sweeping review of green card approvals tied to the 19 countries flagged in June.

    In his statement, Trump did not list which additional countries would be subject to the pause — though the 19-country list already includes several nations the administration deemed high risk.

    Why This Matters — and What It Signals for National Security

    Supporters of the president’s crackdown argue that the D.C. ambush underscores the danger of lax vetting under previous administrations. The suspect in this case reportedly worked in a CIA-backed unit during the U.S. war in Afghanistan, then obtained resettlement under a program from the prior administration.

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    Georgia Man Arrested Over Alleged Threats To Kill Tulsi Gabbard

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    FBI agents arrested a Georgia man after making numerous death threats against Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.

    Aliakbar Mohammad Amin, of Lilburn, Ga., was charged on Friday with “transmitting interstate threats to injure” Gabbard and her family, according to the DOJ press release.

    “Threatening to harm public officials is a criminal act that cannot be excused as political discourse,” acting U.S. Attorney Richard Moultrie, Jr. said in a statement. “Our Office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will vigorously prosecute individuals who commit these acts of violence.”

    Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Prosecutors allege Amin sent text messages between March 29 and April 1 that contained threats against Gabbard and her husband, including, “You and your family are going to die soon,” and “I will personally do the job if necessary.”

    “The home you two own . . . is a legitimate target and will be hit at a time and place of our choosing,” Amin wrote in another text, according to the DOJ.

    Other texts allegedly included, “Prepare to die, you, Tulsi, and everyone you hold dear. America will burn,” and “Death to America means death to America literally, Tulsi is living on borrowed time.”

    Federal agents later found a firearm at Amin’s house while executing a search warrant, the DOJ said.

    “The FBI sees all threatening communications as a serious federal offense. We will employ every investigative tool and resource available to identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Paul Brown, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office, said in a statement.

    “Let this arrest serve as a clear warning: if you engage in this kind of criminal behavior, you will be caught and you will go to prison,” Brown added.

    Gabbard thanked the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement on Friday after the FBI announced the arrest.

    “Thank you @FBI, @USMarshalsHQ, and local law enforcement for your service and dedication in apprehending this radicalized, dangerous criminal who repeatedly threatened the lives of me, my family, and @realDonaldTrump. Thank you for your tireless work every day keeping the American people safe,” she wrote in a post on X.

    Threats against political officials have been on the rise, during the 2024 campaign cycle Donald Trump survived multiple assassination attempts.

    A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has revealed a concerning trend: a significant portion of left-leaning Americans believe that political violence, including assassination, is justifiable against figures such as President Donald Trump and the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk. The study surveyed over 1,200 U.S. adults and found that 38% of respondents felt that assassinating Trump would be at least “somewhat justified,” with this figure rising to 55% among those identifying as left-leaning. Similarly, 31% of overall participants, and 48% of left-leaning individuals, expressed some level of justification for assassinating Musk.

    This data suggests a troubling normalization of violent political rhetoric within certain segments of the population. The NCRI report highlights that this shift has been particularly pronounced following the December 2024 assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly by Luigi Mangione. Mangione’s actions have been glamorized in various online communities, leading to a proliferation of memes and discussions that endorse political violence.

    Screenshot via X [Credit: Elon Musk]

    Capitol Police Arrest Democrat House Staffer

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    9
    Police image via Pixabay free images

    On Monday, capitol police arrested a Congressional staffer for Rep. Joe Morelle’s (D-NY) office.

    The staffer was identified in a statement as 38-year old Michael Hopkins and he was arrested for allegedly carrying ammunition, including a high-capacity magazine, into the Cannon House Office Building.

    Chad Pergram, senior congressional correspondent for Fox News. posted a statement from Capitol police to X, formally Twitter:

    At approximately 8:45 a.m., a House staffer entered the Cannon House Office Building and put his bag through screening. USCP officers noticed what appeared to be ammunition on the x-ray screen. After a hand search of the bag, officers found four ammunition magazines and eleven rounds of ammunition. The staffer told the officers that he forgot the ammunition was in the bag. 38-year-old Michael Hopkins was arrested, and he is facing charges for unlawful possession of ammunition, including one charge for possession of a high-capacity magazine.

    Fox5 Washington reported that Hopkins “has been a guest…several times over the years,” as a Democratic strategist on their show The Hill, and posted video of the staffer on-air.

    Morelle’s office also released a statement, saying they’re fully cooperating with the investigation:

    This morning, our office was informed that a member of our staff was arrested by Capitol Police. We are currently gathering more information regarding the circumstances of the arrest. Our office is fully committed to cooperating with the investigation. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Congressman Morelle is devoted to ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all.

    Illegal Immigrant Suspect Charged In Boulder Terror Attack

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    Police image via Pixabay free images

    Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman is now facing murder, assault and other charges following what the FBI called a “targeted terror attack” in Boulder, Colorado, over the weekend. 

    The violence Sunday against a pro-Israel group advocating for Hamas to release Israeli hostages left eight people, ages 52 to 88, with injuries, including one in critical condition, according to the FBI. Police responded to the area after receiving reports of a man with a weapon setting people on fire. 

    Soliman was charged with murder in the first degree – deliberation with intent; murder in the first degree – extreme indifference; crimes against at-risk adults/elderly; 1st degree assault – non-family; 1st degree assault – heat of passion; criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies; and use of explosives or incendiary devices during felony.

    The suspect in the firebombing attack targeting a pro-Israel demonstration in Colorado is believed to be an illegal alien from Egpyt who overstayed his visa after it expired.

    Several people were injured Sunday afternoon at a Boulder, Colorado, rally in support of the Israelis taken hostage by Hamas terrorists after a man set people on fire while yelling “free Palestine” and “end zionist.” Police arrived at the scene and found that victims had “injuries consistent with burns and other injuries.”

    The FBI said that six people were taken to the hospital with injuries, and that a witness said the suspect in the attack “used a makeshift flame thrower and threw an incendiary device into the crowd.”

    As of Monday morning, there have been no fatalities confirmed by either the FBI or Boulder Police Department. Soliman was booked into the Boulder County Jail on Sunday evening and remains held on a $10 million bond. 

    Authorities are now investigating the firebombing attack against the pro-Israel demonstration as an act of ideologically motivated terrorism.

    “We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence. All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a statement online. “If you have any investigative tips please contact the FBI. And if you aided or abetted this attack, we will find you. You cannot hide.”

    “This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts,” Bongino added in a subsequent post.

    Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard added that her agency is investigating the case.

    “National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7.”

    White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller slammed the Biden administration in a post calling for “suicidal migration” to be reversed after Soliman’s visa status was revealed.

    Massie Slams DOJ, Trump Administration Over Epstein Files: ‘This Is the Epstein Administration’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) delivered sharp criticism of President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi during a fiery appearance Sunday on ABC’s This Week, accusing the administration of failing to deliver real transparency on the Jeffrey Epstein files.

    Speaking with host Martha Raddatz, Massie — one of the most outspoken Republicans pushing for full disclosure of Epstein-related records — questioned Bondi’s performance during last week’s high-profile House Judiciary hearing.

    “She came with a book full of insults, one for each congressperson,” Massie said. “She obviously had one for me. And, you know, I’ve been there when [former AG] Merrick Garland was there. Obviously, politically, I don’t agree with him, but he performed much better in terms of at least not looking bad. And, unfortunately, we didn’t get the answers we wanted about the Epstein Files Transparency Act from her.”

    Massie also took aim at Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over a letter sent Saturday claiming the Department of Justice has now produced “all” Epstein files.

    “I know the DOJ wants to say they’re done with this document production,” Massie said. “The problem is they’ve taken down documents before we were able to go over to the DOJ and look at the unredacted versions. They took down some of the most significant documents. Two of them involving Virginia Giuffre’s case and other things, the picture of Epstein at — in a room where it’s got CIA written on the boxes. That’s been taken down. We want to be able to look at all these files. They can’t keep those documents down after they’ve already produced them.”

    New Report Raises Questions About DOJ’s “Full Release” Claim

    Massie’s concerns come as a new investigation by Channel 4 News is raising fresh doubts about whether the Justice Department has truly released the full Epstein archive.

    According to internal emails reviewed by the broadcaster, federal investigators expected to process between 20 and 40 terabytes of data seized from Epstein’s properties — including his Florida mansion, New York townhouse, and private island. Other early-stage emails referenced totals as high as 50 terabytes.

    In one internal email from 2025, officials reportedly said they were “looking at approximately 14.6 terabytes of archived data.”

    By contrast, Channel 4 noted that the most recent release of roughly 3.5 million documents amounted to just over 300GB — which the outlet said represents only about 2% of the data investigators were discussing.

    “They claimed that 6 million pages were identified, including duplicates — they released over 3 million,” Channel 4’s U.S. editor Asnushka Asthana said. “Both those numbers are tiny compared to the amount collected according to today’s emails.”

    One investigator described the data dump as chaotic and incomplete:

    “Imagine if we had seized the papers from approximately 100,000 filing cabinets. Then that all just got dumped in one big pile… And then any of those documents that was larger than 100 pages couldn’t be opened. That’s what we’ve got.”

    Massie Turns Fire on Trump

    Raddatz closed the interview by asking Massie directly about President Trump, who has thrown his support behind Massie’s primary challenger, Ed Gallrein, and has repeatedly attacked the Kentucky congressman over his push for transparency.

    Massie did not hold back.

    “Look, this is about the Epstein class, the people who are funding the attacks against me,” Massie said. “They may or may not be implicated in these files, but they were certainly rubbing shoulders with the people who are in these files. They’re billionaires who are friends with these people. And that’s what I’m up against in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump told us that even though, you know, he had dinner with these kinds of people in New York City and West Palm Beach, that he would be transparent. But he’s not. He’s still in with the Epstein class. This is the Epstein administration, and they’re attacking me for trying to get these files released.”

    Watch:

    Bondi Stands By DOJ Position

    Despite the mounting scrutiny, Bondi has insisted the Justice Department has complied fully with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

    In a February 14 letter to lawmakers, she stated that the department had “released all ‘records, documents, communications and investigative materials’” in its possession, along with a list of “all government officials and politically exposed persons” referenced in the released materials.

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    Secret Service Investigating Former FBI Director Over Alleged ‘Assassination’ Threat

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    A former FBI official is being investigated over his alleged threats against President Trump.

    Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem accused former FBI Director James Comey of calling for President Trump’s “assassination,” saying federal law enforcement authorities are now investigating the “threat.”

    “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of @POTUS Trump,” Noem wrote on the social platform X on Thursday evening.

    “DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately,” she added.

    Comey, a longtime critic of Trump’s, posted a photo earlier Thursday on Instagram of seashells on a beach arranged to form the numbers “8647.” The post garnered significant blowback from much of Trump’s base, with many understanding the numbers to be a call for violence against the 47th president, Trump. Others suggested the “86” could be calling for the president to be impeached or removed from office.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

    Comey removed the photo Thursday evening and clarified in a new post that he did not intend to call for violence and didn’t realize his message would be interpreted that way.

    “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey wrote on Instagram.

    “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence,” he continued. “It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”

    In a statement to The Hill, a spokesperson for the Secret Service said the agency “vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees.”

    “We take this responsibility very seriously and we are aware of the social media posts in question,” the spokesperson continued. “Beyond that, we do not comment on protective intelligence matters.”

    FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the matter in a post Thursday.

    “We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump,” Patel wrote on X.

    “We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support,” he continued.

    Republican Congressman Calls For Swift Investigation Following Disturbing Office Discovery

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) is calling for a full investigation after a disturbing image surfaced showing what appeared to be an altered American flag — twisted into a swastika — displayed behind one of his staffers during a virtual meeting.

    The image, first reported by Politico and amplified on social media by an Ohio blogger, quickly drew outrage. But Taylor’s office says it may not be what it appears.

    “I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office,” Taylor said in a statement. “The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms.”

    Taylor emphasized that he acted immediately, directing Capitol Police to investigate what he described as a potentially malicious act.

    “Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside Capitol Police, which remains ongoing,” the statement continued.

    A spokesperson for the congressman suggested the image might have been the result of “foul play or vandalism,” not any endorsement of the offensive imagery by his staff. The photo appeared to show Angelo “AJ” Elia, a legislative correspondent who joined Taylor’s office in January, sitting at his cubicle with the doctored flag visible behind him.

    Elia — who recently earned a master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University — has not commented publicly. Taylor’s office has not said whether any personnel actions have been taken while the investigation proceeds.

    The controversy comes amid renewed scrutiny of conservative youth organizations after Politico reported on leaked Telegram messages allegedly showing racist and anti-Semitic comments from some Young Republican leaders. The timing of the leak, combined with the sudden surfacing of the photo from Taylor’s office, has raised questions among some Republicans about whether politically motivated actors are attempting to smear conservatives ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

    The image was first posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Ohio blogger DJ Byrnes, who claimed a friend had a Zoom meeting with Taylor’s office and noticed the symbol. “A friend in DC had a Zoom call with Congressman Dave Taylor’s office today … Taylor’s legislative correspondent, Angelo Elia, had what can only be described as an American swastika flag prominently displayed in his background,” Byrnes wrote Wednesday.

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    Musk Trolls Trump Over Epstein Case As Feud Escalates

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    0
    UK Government, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Détente is over…

    Elon Musk reignited his very public, and very messy, feud with President Donald Trump, announcing plans to launch a third major political party just hours after Trump signed the $3.3 trillion One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law.

    But Musk didn’t stop there.

    By early Monday, the billionaire tech mogul was back to openly mocking the president following new reporting on the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s death.

    On X, the platform he owns, Musk posted a meme titled “The Official Jeffrey Epstein Pedophile Arrest Counter.” The image read “0,” with Musk captioning it:

    “What’s the time? Oh look, it’s no-one-has-been-arrested-o’clock again …”

    The DOJ and FBI concluded their joint probe into the disgraced financier’s 2019 death, reaffirming the official narrative that the child sex offender died by suicide and that there’s no evidence of a blackmail scheme or a so-called “client list.” The two-page memo, first reported by Axios late Sunday, noted that no further arrests are expected.

    According to the memo, surveillance footage revealed no unauthorized access to Epstein’s cell, aligning with the medical examiner’s determination of suicide. The administration is also releasing footage showing no movement in Epstein’s section of the jail the night of his death.

    But millions remain skeptical.

    Dr. Michael Baden — a former New York City chief medical examiner hired by Epstein’s brother — disputes the ruling. Baden said several fractures in Epstein’s neck, including to the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage, were “extremely unusual” in suicide cases and more consistent with homicide. He also said he had never seen injuries like Epstein’s in his 50 years of investigating prison deaths.

    Despite that, the DOJ insists the matter is closed.

    Musk himself added to the speculation last month, claiming in a now-deleted tweet that Trump was implicated in the Epstein files.

    “[Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk wrote.

    He followed with: “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”

    Trump has vigorously denied any involvement with Epstein’s nefarious activities, insisting, “I was never on Epstein’s Plane, or at his ‘stupid’ Island.”

    Responding to Musk’s Epstein files claim, the president reposted a statement from Epstein’s former lawyer David Schoen, who insisted Epstein had “no information to hurt President Trump.”

    While Trump’s name does appear in Epstein’s flight logs, no documented evidence of impropriety has emerged. Trump has acknowledged a past friendship with Epstein, which he says ended in the mid-2000s.

    Unlike last month’s spat, Trump hit back immediately at his former ally.

    In a post Sunday, the president called Musk’s behavior “off the rails,” accusing him of becoming a “TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.” He slammed third parties as agents of “Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS” and said the U.S. system isn’t built to accommodate them.

    “We have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats, who have lost their confidence and their minds!” Trump wrote.

    Trump turned up the heat over the weekend, threatening to revoke Musk’s government contracts — a bold strike at the heart of his rival’s wallet.

    So far, Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

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    Trump Breaks Silence On Request From Lindsay Clancy Lawyer

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    President Donald Trump answers questions from members of the media aboard Air Force One en route to Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, for a rally on the economy, Tuesday, December 9, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump is refusing to intervene in the explosive Lindsay Clancy case, telling reporters that the fate of the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children must remain in state hands.

    Trump addressed the extraordinary pardon request Sunday after Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, publicly urged the president to get involved following her mistrial.

    “It’s a very sad situation,” Trump said. “There is no winner there—there’s no win no matter what you do; three children are dead.”

    “It’s actually a state situation, not a federal,” the president added, according to The Daily Wire.

    When a reporter asked whether Trump would instead pressure Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, the president again kept his distance.

    “I hope they can work it out,” Trump responded. “That’s something they have to work out. There is no win there.”

    Trump also described Reddington as a “good attorney” but stopped short of offering the political intervention the defense lawyer had sought. The president delivered the remarks while leaving Ireland following a two-day visit, according to CBS News Boston.

    Lawyer Wanted White House Pressure

    Reddington initially appealed directly to Trump during a “Good Morning America” interview after Clancy’s trial ended in a hung jury.

    “Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she’s been through, and consider a pardon,” Reddington said.

    The request immediately ran into a constitutional roadblock. Clancy is charged with murder under Massachusetts law, while the president’s pardon power applies only to federal offenses.

    Pressed about that limitation during a subsequent interview, Reddington acknowledged that Trump could not directly pardon his client. He said his real objective was to persuade the president to exert pressure on Cruz, a fellow Republican.

    “Trump would be able to reach out to one of his Department of Justice people, maybe talk to Tim Cruz, and maybe bring some pressure,” Reddington said.

    When questioned about asking a president to pressure a local prosecutor, Reddington did not back down.

    “I don’t care if Mahatma Gandhi came down and pressured him into doing something,” he said, arguing that he does not believe Clancy’s prosecution is “righteous.”

    Trump’s response effectively closed the door on both proposals, leaving any decision about a retrial or negotiated resolution with Massachusetts authorities.

    Governor Says She Cannot Issue Pardon Either

    Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has also addressed the pardon controversy, saying she cannot grant clemency while Clancy’s prosecution remains unresolved.

    “I don’t have the authority to pardon,” Healey said. “It’s in the middle of the court case, so there’s no existing conviction.”

    That leaves Clancy’s future with the courts and Cruz’s office, which has not announced whether it will pursue a second trial.

    Defense Prepares Another Legal Fight

    Clancy was charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of her 5-year-old daughter Cora, 3-year-old son Dawson and 8-month-old son Callan at the family’s Duxbury home in January 2023.

    She has admitted killing the children but pleaded not guilty by reason of a lack of criminal responsibility. Her defense maintained that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and the effects of multiple medications. Prosecutors argued that she acted deliberately and understood what she was doing.

    The jury deliberated for approximately a week before Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on Sept. 4. Reddington and several jurors have said the panel was divided 11-1 in favor of acquittal, with the lone holdout allegedly refusing to apply the reasonable-doubt standard as the other jurors understood it.

    Reddington now plans to ask Sullivan to block another trial on double-jeopardy grounds, arguing that there was no “manifest necessity” to declare a mistrial. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will retry Clancy.

    Clancy is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29, when the next stage of the bitterly contested case could begin—without help from the White House.

    GOP Split Emerges Over Potential Maxwell Pardon In Epstein Investigation

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    4

    A Divided Republican Conference

    Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are facing an internal divide over a sensitive and politically risky question: whether Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, should be considered for a presidential pardon in exchange for cooperation with investigators.

    The discussion has largely taken place behind closed doors, but it reflects a broader tension between uncovering new information and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

    Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) acknowledged the split, noting that some Republicans believe Maxwell could provide valuable testimony about Epstein’s network if offered clemency. Still, Comer made clear he is not among them.

    • He warned that a pardon “looks bad” politically and ethically
    • He emphasized Maxwell’s central role in the underlying crimes
    • He argued that granting leniency could undermine trust in the investigation

    Comer summed up his position bluntly, describing Maxwell as one of the most culpable figures in the case.

    Democrats Firmly Opposed

    Democrats on the committee are unified in rejecting any potential deal.

    Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) strongly criticized the idea, arguing that offering clemency to Maxwell would be offensive to victims and damaging to the integrity of the investigation.

    Key concerns raised by Democrats include:

    • The impact on survivors of Epstein’s abuse
    • The credibility of any testimony obtained through a pardon
    • The risk of public perception shifting toward a “cover-up”

    Garcia warned that even considering such an arrangement could erode confidence in the process and send the wrong signal about accountability.

    Maxwell’s Leverage and Conditions

    Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s trafficking operation. So far, she has declined to cooperate with congressional investigators under existing conditions.

    Her legal team, however, has signaled a willingness to engage if circumstances change.

    According to her attorney:

    • Maxwell would be willing to testify “fully and honestly”
    • Any cooperation would be contingent on clemency
    • She is positioned as a key source of information about Epstein’s network

    Her attorney has also claimed that Maxwell could shed light on the involvement, or lack thereof, of high-profile figures, including former presidents. Those assertions have not eased skepticism among lawmakers.

    The Political and Legal Stakes

    President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of granting clemency, leaving the issue open and politically charged.

    The debate highlights a difficult tradeoff:

    • Potential benefit: New details about Epstein’s network and associates
    • Potential cost: Perceived erosion of justice and accountability

    For many lawmakers, the question is not just what Maxwell might reveal, but whether the price of that information is too high.

    Why This Matters

    At its core, the disagreement reflects a broader challenge facing investigators and policymakers:

    • How far should the government go to obtain critical information?
    • Can justice and transparency be balanced in a case with this level of public scrutiny?

    There is no clear consensus, and the path forward remains uncertain.

    What are your thoughts? Should a pardon be considered if it leads to new information about Epstein’s network? Share your perspective in the comments below.

    READ NEXT: Case Against Leading Trump Opponent Abruptly Dropped

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