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Blinken Says Biden Laid Groundwork for Trump’s Gaza Plan

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    Joe Biden via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced his support this week for a Gaza plan laid out by President Donald Trump, saying it was in line with a deal he pursued under former President Joe Biden.

    “I do think it’s cause for some hope. I certainly hope that the plan gets fully accepted, fully adopted and fully implemented,” Blinken said.

    “This is essentially the plan that developed over many months and more or less [was] left in a drawer for the incoming administration, and I’m very, very glad they picked it up,” he told the podcast of former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara.

    But he also acknowledged risks in the framework, including allowing Israel to determine when the situation allows it to withdraw fully from Gaza.

    “There’s some loopholes that they could drive a truck through if they wanted to,” Blinken said of Israel.

    Blinken traveled a dozen times to the Middle East after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, eventually seeking to press both sides to accept a ceasefire as Israel waged a relentless retaliatory offensive.

    Presidentย Donald Trumpย announced that Israeli Prime Ministerย Benjamin Netanyahuย agreed to his plan to end Israelโ€™s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip during a press conference at the White House that followed a meeting between the two leaders on Monday.

    The United States released Trumpโ€™s 20-point plan in full moments before Trump and Netanyahu stepped out in front of reporters for the press conference.

    โ€œI also want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to the plan, and for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that weโ€™ve seen for so many years decades, even centuries. And begin a new chapter of security, peace, and prosperity for the entire region,โ€ said Trump in his opening remarks.

    Read Trumpโ€™s peace plan, in full, below:

    1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.

    2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

    3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

    4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

    5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

    6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

    7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.

    8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.

    9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the โ€œBoard of Peace,โ€ which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trumpโ€™s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.

    10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.

    11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.

    12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.

    13. Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

    14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.

    15. The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.

    16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.

    17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.

    18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.

    19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

    20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

    Conservative Activist Uses Pepper Spray During Confrontation At DCโ€™s Union Station

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      Arrest image via Pixabay

      A tense confrontation at Washington, D.C.โ€™s Union Station went viral this week after conservative activist Cam Higby pepper-sprayed a woman who was caught on video lunging at him and striking him with his MAGA hat. Higby says the incident proves why his โ€œFearless Tour,โ€ inspired by the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is needed now more than ever โ€” to confront political hostility head-on while encouraging open and peaceful debate.

      Higby and his team had stopped at Union Station on Wednesday after hosting a debate event at the University of Maryland. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he said they were quietly sitting and talking with nearby protesters when a woman approached and became combative.

      “At some point, she dropped to her knees, intentionally โ€ฆ and she started yelling at us and started touching us,” Higby recalled. “I told her to back up and stop touching me, and she lunged at me and attacked me.”

      Video footage shows the woman shoving Higby back in his chair, seizing his MAGA hat, and hitting him with it before falling into a bush โ€” at which point Higby deployed pepper spray to stop the attack.

      Higby noted he couldnโ€™t tell if the woman was armed because she kept her hands in her pockets for much of the encounter. After being sprayed, she was seen being helped by fellow protesters, who poured water on her eyes and called the police.

      While officers initially appeared unlikely to make an arrest, the situation escalated when U.S. Park Police arrived. According to Higby, the woman turned aggressive again, resisted arrest, and even assaulted officers.

      “At this point now, she’s struggling with federal police, and then they tried to arrest her,” Higby said. “Her dad is yelling at us, โ€˜why did you spray my daughter,โ€™ as she’s actively fighting with federal police. In my head, I’m thinking, this is why she got sprayed. It took four federal police officers to hold her down, and finally they loaded her into the back of the police car.”

      Police reports listed Higby and his colleague as victims, and the woman is expected to face federal charges.

      Growing Concerns About Violence Toward Conservatives

      The confrontation highlights a troubling trend: the increasing threat of political violence, particularly against conservatives. In recent years, Republican candidates, activists, and everyday voters have reported intimidation and harassment, from attacks on campaign volunteers to threats at events and rallies. Several high-profile incidents โ€” including assaults on GOP canvassers and confrontations on college campuses โ€” have raised alarm about whether conservatives can safely express their views in public. Free speech advocates warn that political polarization, combined with media narratives that vilify right-of-center voices, may be fueling hostility and emboldening bad actors.

      Despite criticism that his style provokes confrontation, Higby emphasized that his teamโ€™s approach is about debate, not violence. His group often sets up discussion tables on college campuses with signs such as โ€œThe left is violent! Letโ€™s Debate!โ€ โ€” but he pointed out that at Union Station, there was no signage, and the only identifying factor was their MAGA hats.

      “We want people fired up. We want people to be excited to talk about political issues, but what we don’t invite people to do is touch us, and that’s the problem,” Higby said. “I think most of my takes are pretty reasonable. That’s your problem, not my problem โ€” if you have such low impulse control that you can’t stop yourself from using physical violence.”

      Supreme Court Intervenes In Trump Plan To Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook

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      Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

      The Supreme Court stopped Presidentย Donald Trumpย from firing Federal Reserve governorย Lisa Cookย on Wednesday, pausing her removal until the court can hear the case.

      The Supreme Court denied Trumpโ€™s request and saidย Cookย canย remainย in her position through January, when the court is likely to make a final ruling on the issue.

      Trump fired Cook from her position after his Federal Housing Finance Agency chief,ย Bill Pulte,ย accused her of mortgage fraud

      The update comes roughly two weeks after Trump officials appealed the case to the high court for emergency review. 

      Oral arguments are expected to be closely watched, given the unprecedented nature of the case, and the seismic shift that any ruling could have on U.S. economic decisions. 

      In appealing the case to the Supreme Court, lawyers for the Trump administration argued that the Fed’s “uniquely important role” in the U.S. economy only heightens the governmentโ€™s and public’s interest in reviewing the case.

      This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

      Former Trump Campaign Manager Registers As Foreign Agent For Israel

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      President Trumpโ€™s former campaign managerย Brad Parscaleย has registered as a foreign agent for Israel.

      Parscale was hired to create digital campaigns combating antisemitism and targeting young Americans in a contract worth $6 million.

      Parscale signed a Foreign Agents Registration Act form this month, informing the Department of Justice that he and his business Clock Tower X LLC were now representing Israelโ€™s Ministry of Foreign Affairs โ€œto develop and execute a nationwide campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism.โ€

      In another registration form, Parscale also disclosed his partnership with Germanyโ€™s HAVAS Media Network as part of the arrangement.

      Asked whether the agency was โ€œsupervised by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal,โ€ Parscale ticked the box โ€œYes,โ€ explaining that the agency was being โ€œsupervisedโ€ by the โ€œState of Israel.โ€

      According to Parscaleโ€™s contract, his company is hired to create content where at least 80 percent โ€œis tailored to Gen Z audiences across platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, and other relevant digital and broadcast outlets.โ€ 

      The contract also states that โ€œAgency shall provide strategic communications, planning, and media services in support of Clientโ€™s engagement by the State of Israel to develop and execute a nationwide campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism.โ€

      Parscale will also reportedly work to influence AI models such as ChatGPT.

      Parscale served as the Trump campaignโ€™s digital media director in 2016, before going on to become Trumpโ€™s campaign manager in 2020.

      Antisemitism has risen dramatically in the U.S. amid two years of Israelโ€™s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, triggered by the U.S.-designated terrorist groupโ€™s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The Anti-Defamation League recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2024, the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking incidents 46 years ago. 

      The ADL said that for the first time in the history of the audit, a majority (58 percent) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or Zionism.

      Cuban Regime Finally Loses a Longtime Fugitive: Joanne โ€œAssataโ€ Shakur Dies in Havana

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      Havana, Cuba โ€” On September 25, 2025, Cubaโ€™s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Joanne Deborah Byron โ€” better known by her aliases Joanne Chesimard and Assata Shakur โ€” died in Havana at the age of 78 due to health complications and the rigors of old age.

      This news brings to a close a decades-long saga in which a convicted murderer escaped justice, was shielded by a hostile foreign regime, and became a symbol for radical causes.


      A Fugitiveโ€™s Origin: From Violent Crime to Escape to Cuba

      In 1977, Chesimard was convicted on multiple serious charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and other felonies after a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that left State Trooper Werner Foerster dead.

      She escaped prison in 1979, spent years underground, and resurfaced in 1984 under asylum in Cuba โ€” a regime that refused U.S. extradition requests.

      For decades, the United States and New Jersey authorities pushed Cuba to hand her over. She carried the dubious distinction of being the first woman ever placed on the FBIโ€™s Most Wanted Terrorists list, with a $1 million reward for her capture.


      A Death Without Accountability

      Her passing in Havana presents a bitter irony: after decades of immunity facilitated by a foreign government, she dies free โ€” far from the prison cell where she was supposed to serve life in the U.S.

      New Jersey officials immediately expressed outrage. They reiterated that justice was never fully served for Trooper Foersterโ€™s family.

      Cubaโ€™s complicity in harboring Chesimard has long been roundly condemned by American leaders. Senator Marco Rubio recently denounced Havana for providing โ€œa safe haven for terrorists and criminals, including fugitives from the United States.โ€

      What She Represented โ€” and What the U.S. Must Learn

      For defenders of law and order, her story is a cautionary tale of diplomatic failure and ideological double standards.

      • Rule of Law Must Be Absolute: A convicted cop killer escaping and living with impunity is a stain on the integrity of the justice system.
      • Foreign Regimes Should Not Shield Criminals: Cubaโ€™s refusal to extradite Chesimard fashioned her into a political symbol, rather than merely a criminal. That sets a dangerous precedent.
      • Consistency in Foreign Policy Matters: If the U.S. does not forcefully demand accountability from regimes that shelter fugitives, it weakens its moral and strategic footing.

      Now that she has died abroad, the question of bringing her remains home may arise. But more importantly, the memory of Trooper Foerster โ€” his sacrifice and service โ€” must remain central. And the mission remains: to hold foreign governments accountable when they interfere with American justice.

      Sinclair Ends Jimmy Kimmel Ban

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      The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

      A quick turnaround…

      On Friday, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it will end its preemption of ABCโ€™s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and the show will return on Friday.ย 

      “Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience. We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming,” Sinclair said in a statement.

      “Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento. These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important,” the statement continued. “In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman.”

      Sinclair added that proposals “were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network.”

      “While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability,” the company said. 

      “Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content,” Sinclair continued. “As a company rooted in local stations, Sinclair remains committed to serving our communities with programming that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue. We look forward to continuing to work with ABC to deliver content that serves a broad spectrum of our communities.”

      This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

      Media Personality Claims Tucker Carlson Is Frontrunner to Succeed Trump

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      Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      Swisher and Galloway were discussing the decline of television in the wake of Kimmelโ€™s suspension from ABC when the conversation turned to podcasters.

      โ€œI think, look, we got to just burn those ships and move on. Thatโ€™s the thing, because this is how Trump lives. He lives in the 80s in his head, so CBS, ABC, and NBC are the be-all and end-all,โ€ Swisher argued.

      โ€œBut theyโ€™re not. Theyโ€™re not influential anymore. We should just move along and make our stuff. We should grow and conservative outlets should grow, whatever it happens to be. I was, although I think Tucker Carlsonโ€™s reallyโ€“ somethingโ€™s going on with him. When heโ€™s articulated, it was absolutely right,โ€ Swisher added.

      โ€œWe both have our issues with Tucker. I think Tucker right now is the most likely nominee for the Republican nomination. I think he has been very good lately,โ€ Galloway replied โ€” referring to Carlsonโ€™s warning against any kind of free speech crackdown following Kirkโ€™s murder.

      โ€œWell, heโ€™s consistent at least,โ€ Swisher agreed.

      โ€œAbout housing, for young people, he comes across as intellectually honest. He comes across as courageous, not afraid to go against his own party. And I realize Iโ€™m talking our own book here,โ€ Galloway continued, adding:

      Our downloads are up 10 percent in the last 30 days. And guess what? Everyone fromย Megyn Kellyย toย Joe Rogan, youโ€™re going to see a lot, increasingly people turn to podcasts likeย The Daily, becauseย The New York Timesย is fearless and does the work.

      Youโ€™re just going to see media that is not scared ofย Brendan Carr,ย or canโ€™t be controlled byย Brendan Carr.ย Boom, because people are really interested in whatโ€™s going on, and they like fearless. You know, Iโ€™ll give you an example,ย Don Lemon.

      Watch:

      Former FBI Director Indicted But Trump Remarks Signal Potential Problems

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      Image via Wikimedia Commons

      A grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey.

      Comey was reportedly indicted on one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice for allegedly lying under oath to Congress. The 12 grand jurors reportedly declined to indict on additional charges.

      Comeyย declared heโ€™s โ€œnot afraidโ€ in aย videoย posted to his Instagram responding to hisย historic indictmentย on two charges.

      โ€œMy family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up toย Donald Trump, but we couldnโ€™t imagine ourselves living any other way. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldnโ€™t either,โ€ began Comey. โ€œSomebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant and sheโ€™s right. But Iโ€™m not afraid and I hope youโ€™re not either. I hope instead you are engaged. You are paying attention. And you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.โ€

      โ€œMy heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and Iโ€™m innocent,โ€ he concluded. โ€œSo letโ€™s have a trial and keep the faith.โ€

      Comeyโ€™sย son-in-law, a senior federal prosecutor, abruptly resigned Thursday just hours after the former FBI director was indicted on charges of false statements and obstruction.

      Troy A. Edwards Jr., a national security prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, stepped down Thursday night with a brief note to his boss.

      โ€œTo uphold my oath to the Constitution and country, I hereby resign as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in the Department of Justice effective immediately,โ€ Edwards wrote in the letter, posted to X.

      The case followsย the firingย of Comeyโ€™s daughter,ย Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor who has sinceย suedย the Justice Department, claiming retaliation tied to her family name.

      Presidentย Donald Trumpย unloaded onย James Comey, deeming him a โ€œdestroyer of livesโ€ in an early morning Truth Social post Friday that also saw him brand the former FBI director a โ€œDIRTY COP.โ€

      On Friday morning, the president unleashed on Comey as โ€œcorrupt,โ€ insisting that the former FBI boss โ€œliedโ€ in his testimony and demanding he pay โ€œa very big priceโ€:

      Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I canโ€™t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED! It is not a complex lie, itโ€™s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one. There is no way he can explain his way out of it. He is a Dirty Cop, and always has been, but he was just assigned a Crooked Joe Biden appointed Judge, so heโ€™s off to a very good start. Nevertheless, words are words, and he wasnโ€™t hedging or in dispute. He was very positive, there was no doubt in his mind about what he said, or meant by saying it. He left himself ZERO margin of error on a big and important answer to a question. He just got unexpectedly caught. James โ€œDirty Copโ€ Comey was a destroyer of lives. He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid! President DJT

      Trump followed minutes later with an all caps quip:

      JAMES COMEY IS A DIRTY COP. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

      Since the indictment, some legal analysts have warned that Trumpโ€™s social media posts about Comey could arm the defense with an argument for a selective prosecution motion to dismiss the indictment.

      Longtime White House Advisor Announces Exit

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        Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich is reportedly leaving the White House, according to reports.

        Budowich’s departure at the end of the month marks one of the highest profile departures from the Trump White House. Budowich oversaw communications, cabinet affairs and speech writing.

        Budowich, a longtime Trump aide, played a large role in the presidentโ€™s political operation after he left office in 2021. Throughout 2023 and most of 2024, Budowich oversaw the main pro-Trump super PAC. His departure was earlier reported by Axios.

        He plans to return to the private sector after years at Trumpโ€™s side, including helming the main pro-Trump super PAC through most of 2023 and 2024, according to Axios and The New York Times.

        The departure is unexpected, given his close relations with Chief of Staff Susie Wilesโ€™ operation, and his years leading Trumpworld messaging.

        โ€œTaylor is a dear friend, and I know that President Trump holds him in very high regard. I hate to see him go, personally and professionally, but obviously wish him well in whatever he decides is next,โ€ Wiles told Axios.

        Stephen Miller, a fellow deputy chief of staff, also praised him for his loyalty to Trump.

        Another deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, described Budowich as a โ€œvital asset in Trump 2.0.โ€

        His exit follows a string of high-profile departures from Trumpโ€™s second term.

        The White Houseโ€™s principal deputy communications director, Alex Pfeiffer, quietly made his exit last week after joining the White House in January.

        Verdict Reached In Attempted Trump Assassination Trial

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        Just in…

        A jury has reportedly reached a verdict in the trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate then-candidate Trump on his golf course.

        Routh was found guilty on all charges. Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen after learning the verdict. Multiple court marshals were needed to de-escalate the situation and temporarily removed Routh from the courtroom.

        The case was heard by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who denied a motion from Routhโ€™s defense team seeking her recusal. A Trump appointee, Cannon was randomly assigned to the case.

        Federal prosecutors alleged Routh camped near Trumpโ€™s golf course for 12 hours with a rifle and aimed at a Secret Service agent before being forced to drop the weapon. Investigators later discovered a letter in which Routh expressed regret that he failed to kill Trump, as well as evidence he sought anti-aircraft weapons and surveillance of Trumpโ€™s flights weeks before his arrest.

        Routh was found guilty of the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun violations โ€” crimes carrying potential life sentences.

        Routh faces up to life in prison. Routh pleaded not guilty to all charges.

        This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.