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Congressional Investigators Issue Subpoena To Pam Bondi Over Epstein Files

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The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding she testify before lawmakers regarding the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The subpoena intensifies the growing conflict between Congress and the Justice Department over transparency and accountability.

Lawmakers say Bondi’s testimony is necessary to comprehensively review files related to the deceased sex trafficker. The resolution to subpoena Bondi was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and passed in a bipartisan 24-19 vote.

The Hill continues:

All Democrats present for the committee hearing voted in favor, with Mace and GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Michael Cloud (Texas) and Scott Perry (Pa.) joining their colleagues from across the aisle. 

The subpoena of Bondi would bring the highest-level sitting official before the House panel as it pushes ahead with its review of the files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Bondi has faced steady criticism over her handling of the files throughout her tenure as attorney general, cries that have only grown louder as the Justice Department has been accused of failing to release all the files and faced questions about how it has handled redactions.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Questions Over Missing Records

The demand comes after a CBS News report on Tuesday stating that the Justice Department had started removing documents:

After removing tens of thousands of files, the Department of Justice currently makes public about 2.7 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a CBS News analysis found, a number below the Department’s initial claim of 3 million, and a total that continues to fluctuate.

The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages. Combined with previously released materials, the Department put the total at 3.5 million pages.

And now, in part in response to widespread criticism and concern from survivors and their attorneys that the files contain nearly 100 survivors’ personal information and photos, the DOJ has scrambled to remove documents. A CBS News analysis found that as of late February, the Justice Department has taken down more than 47,000 files comprising about 65,500 pages. Links to those files now return a “page not found” error on the department’s website.

Some of those removed documents contained explicit images or survivor information — including one document with unredacted photos of 21 survivors along with most of their birthdates. But the reasons for other files’ removal is unclear, such as a call log with all names redacted and images of Epstein’s jail bunk where investigators say he hanged himself. The Justice Department appears to be putting some removed files back up.

Bondi Faces Questions

Bondi has already faced intense questioning from lawmakers during recent oversight hearings about the department’s handling of the Epstein document releases.

During those hearings, members of Congress pressed the attorney general about:

  • Extensive redactions
  • Missing records
  • Whether additional investigations tied to Epstein could still occur

Epstein, a financier with connections to powerful political and business figures, was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.

He died in federal custody later that year while awaiting trial.

His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a federal prison sentence.

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

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Report: Trump Floats Firing Kristi Noem

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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

President Donald Trump has privately asked Republican lawmakers whether he should fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a series of bruising congressional hearings this week, according to multiple GOP figures who spoke with Punchbowl News.

The conversations reportedly took place after Noem testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, where she faced pointed questioning over the administration’s immigration crackdown and a controversial government-funded advertising campaign tied to the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump was said to be particularly irritated by Noem’s exchange with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). During the hearing, Kennedy pressed the DHS secretary on whether the president had personally approved a $220 million advertising campaign that prominently featured Noem. President Donald Trump has reportedly floated Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as a possible replacement for Noem.

Kennedy repeatedly asked whether Trump had signed off on the effort and warned that the situation could politically backfire on the president. He cautioned that the campaign risked putting Trump “in a terribly awkward spot.”

The Louisiana Republican also questioned why the advertising contract was awarded to a firm run by the husband of Noem’s former DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Noem also drew criticism from Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who has publicly called for her resignation and threatened to slow Senate business until his questions about the department are answered.

Meanwhile, House Democrats pressed Noem about her relationship with senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s former campaign manager. Noem declined to engage with the line of questioning, dismissing the allegations as “tabloid garbage.”

The controversy has intensified speculation that Noem’s position in the administration may be increasingly precarious. Rumors about tension between Trump and Noem have circulated in Washington for weeks, fueled by concerns among some Republicans about the rollout of the DHS advertising campaign and the political scrutiny it has attracted.

Some GOP lawmakers reportedly worry that the issue has become an unnecessary distraction for the administration, particularly as Republicans attempt to keep focus on border enforcement and immigration policy.

At the same time, Republicans are divided over whether removing Noem would help resolve the situation. Several lawmakers told Punchbowl that forcing her out during an ongoing funding standoff involving DHS could further complicate matters.

Others have cautioned that replacing her could trigger a contentious Senate confirmation battle for any successor — a prospect that could prolong the political turmoil surrounding the department.

Trump-aligned Texas Congressman Loses Primary

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Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America,

Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas lost his primary bid Tuesday night, marking a major upset and ending the four-term lawmaker’s run for a fifth term in Congress.

Crenshaw was defeated by Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, a staunch conservative who successfully rallied support from the party’s most hard-line voters in the Houston-area district. The loss makes Crenshaw one of the first Republican incumbents to be ousted in the 2026 election cycle and underscores ongoing ideological divisions within the GOP.

Although Crenshaw has voted consistently in support of former President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, he entered the race as the only House Republican in Texas on the ballot without Trump’s endorsement. Toth seized on that dynamic, presenting himself as the more reliable ally of the president and the conservative grassroots base.

The contest intensified when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) publicly backed Toth’s campaign and appeared in a political advertisement promoting the challenger.

“You deserve an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Steve Toth for Congress. Steve Toth has a strong record of standing up for limited government, faith and freedom, and fiscal responsibility. Washington needs a no-nonsense Texan like Steve Toth to secure our border, fight alongside Trump, and put money back in people’s pockets. Please join me in electing Steve Toth,” Cruz said in the ad, which was funded by the Alamo Freedom Fighters PAC.

Toth also sought to portray Crenshaw as out of step with the party’s conservative base. During the campaign, he criticized the congressman for refusing to repeat Trump’s claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and for supporting a bipartisan immigration proposal negotiated toward the end of the Biden administration.

Crenshaw rejected the criticism and defended his conservative record in office.

“I’m out there defending Trump in places where Republicans are too scared to go,” Crenshaw told The New York Times during the campaign.

First elected in 2018, Crenshaw quickly became one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable figures. A former Navy SEAL who lost his right eye in Afghanistan, he built a national profile as a foreign-policy hawk and vocal advocate for military veterans. In Congress, he often supported aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia and backed tough sanctions against Venezuela’s socialist government.

Despite that record, Crenshaw’s relationship with segments of the conservative movement grew strained in recent years. His willingness to criticize some right-wing media personalities and his refusal to embrace claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent drew backlash from MAGA-aligned activists and commentators.

The congressman also faced personal controversy last year after an incident during a congressional delegation trip to Mexico. According to Punchbowl News, Crenshaw was having drinks with a group of Mexican officials when one official made a crude remark that made a woman present uncomfortable.

“During an August trip to Mexico, Crenshaw was having drinks with a group of Mexican officials,” reported Punchbowl’s Andrew Desiderio. “One Mexican official cracked a crude joke that made a woman present uncomfortable. Crenshaw toasted the remarks.”

The incident led to a tense meeting between Crenshaw, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford (R-AR). Crawford ultimately banned Crenshaw from international travel with the committee for three months, a rare disciplinary step. Crawford also sought to remove Crenshaw from the Intelligence Committee entirely, though leadership declined to do so. Instead, Johnson shut down Crenshaw’s proposed cartel task force within the committee.

Those controversies, combined with ideological attacks from the right, helped erode Crenshaw’s standing with Republican primary voters in the newly drawn district.

Dem Senator Left ‘Baffled’ By Lack of Support for Trump’s Iran Strikes and Death of ‘Evil’ Leaders

Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is expressing disbelief at fellow Democrats who have criticized President Donald Trump’s military strikes against Iran, calling the action a decisive moment for regional peace and security.

Fetterman questioned members of his own party who voiced opposition to the strikes, arguing that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon has long been a bipartisan priority.

“Every single member of the Senate has agreed that we can never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear bomb, and clearly they [Iran] were actually intending to do that. So, are you really committed to that?” Fetterman asked Monday on Hannity.

U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and government targets on Feb. 28, deploying air, sea and missile power in what officials described as a sweeping operation. The mission, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, struck more than 1,000 military, intelligence and government sites across Iran within its first 24 hours, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior regime officials were eliminated in the strikes.

Fetterman said he was “baffled” that more people were not celebrating the death of what he described as “one of the most evil men ever” and the crippling of the Iranian regime.

“It’s a good thing for the region, it’s a good thing for Israel, it’s good for America, and so, for me, that’s why I stand with the country over perhaps what the base may demand,” Fetterman said.

Watch:

He also defended the legality and strategic rationale behind the operation, pushing back on critics who questioned whether the president overstepped his authority.

“Imagine if people just listened to the conventional wisdom, that they could have possibly have acquired a bomb if we weren’t bombed back in June. So, yes, there is a threat. It’s not imminent that it could happen right now. But it’s one that I think is entirely appropriate to deal with it,” Fetterman told CNN host Dana Bash. “And that’s why I support it. So, again, people keep— describe that it was a legal war. Now read the War Powers Act. And, now, that has not been violated at this point what happened yesterday.”

The War Powers Act requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing U.S. military forces. The Trump administration notified the “Gang of Eight” — the bipartisan group of top congressional leaders and intelligence committee chairs — before the strikes but did not seek formal authorization.

Fetterman noted that Trump had previously attempted diplomacy before resorting to military action.

“Well, what is true is that President Trump tried to negotiate that and tried to find a firm kinds [sic] of agreements, absolutely. And they refused to those basic, basic kinds of things: remind everybody, you are never allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. And, clearly, they was [sic]. And I absolutely supported what happened last June,” Fetterman continued.

Fetterman is one of the few Democrats who backed Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities ordered by President Trump. While most of the Democratic caucus condemned that action, Fetterman later voted as the lone Democratic senator against a war powers resolution seeking to curb the president’s authority following the operation.

Former President Clears President Trump of Epstein Wrongdoing In House Testimony

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By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143417695

Former President Bill Clinton told lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee that he does not recall President Donald Trump ever saying anything that would have linked him to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal conduct.

During a deposition as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein and his associates, Clinton was questioned extensively — particularly by Democrats — about Trump’s past interactions with the disgraced financier and sex trafficker.

Clinton made clear that, based on his personal knowledge, he never heard Trump suggest or imply any improper involvement.

“I hate this because I don’t think I should inject anything, but I do not want to leave the impression… He, the president, never — this is 20-something years ago — never said anything to me to make me think he was involved with anything improper with regard to Epstein,” Clinton told investigators.

At another point in the deposition, Clinton reiterated his position.

“As I said earlier, the only conversation I had with President Trump about this was in the early 2000s and I have no information that he did anything wrong,” Clinton said.

Clinton further stated that he has not spoken to Trump about Epstein since the early 2000s.

“It’s the truth,” Clinton added.

The deposition comes as lawmakers continue to sift through documents related to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein maintained a high-profile social circle that included prominent political leaders, business executives, and international figures, among them Clinton, Trump, Bill Gates, and the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew.

Democrats on the committee have focused in part on Trump’s past social interactions with Epstein, though Trump has consistently and publicly denied any wrongdoing or involvement in Epstein’s crimes. He has repeatedly stated that he had a falling out with Epstein years before the financier’s legal troubles became public.

Clinton, who himself appears in several materials released by the Department of Justice — including one photograph showing him in a pool with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and another individual whose identity was redacted — emphasized that his own priority is full transparency.

“I just want it all out there. I want everybody to get it all out there and let everybody see where we are,” Clinton said.

The House Oversight Committee’s investigation remains ongoing as lawmakers continue reviewing records and testimony related to Epstein’s network and activities.

MTG Accuses Trump Of Implementing ‘Manufactured Crisis’ To Cancel Midterm Elections

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said Sunday that she could envision President Donald Trump declaring a “national emergency” tied to Iran or another crisis, responding to speculation that such a move could affect the upcoming midterm elections.

The comments came after conservative podcaster Shannon Joy posted on X, “Trump doesn’t seem to care about the midterms. Who wants to bet he’ll declare a ‘national emergency’ because of Iran (or some other manufactured crisis) and try to cancel the elections in November?”

Greene replied, “Yeah, I could see it. INSANE.”

Her response follows a recent public break with the president over U.S. military action against Iran. Greene has sharply criticized the strikes in multiple social media posts, arguing they run counter to the “America First” platform that helped elect Trump.

“The Trump admin actually asked in a poll how many casualties voters were willing to accept in a war with Iran???” Greene wrote Saturday on X. “How about ZERO you bunch of sick f*cking liars. We voted for America First and ZERO wars.”

In another post, she added: “This is NOT freeing the Iranian people!!! This is murdering their children!!! WTF are you insane people doing??? AMERICA DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS!!!”

The exchange comes amid debate within Republican circles about the administration’s decision to strike Iran. Critics have questioned the timing, noting that Trump said in June that prior U.S. strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

In an interview Sunday with Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich, Trump defended the latest action, saying that without U.S. and Israeli missile strikes, Iran “would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks.”

However, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) offered a more measured assessment during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”

“I don’t have present-day intelligence on what progress they had made toward rebuilding nuclear weapons since we bombed their facilities,” Cruz said. “I have no indication that they were anywhere close to getting nuclear weapons, because our bombing was devastating… That’s one of the reasons I urged President Trump, ‘Now is the time’” to strike.

The midterm elections, scheduled for November, are expected to be closely contested, with some political analysts projecting potential Republican losses in key districts. Greene’s comments reflect broader concerns among some conservatives about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and their potential domestic political implications.

A January report from Roll Call cited a prior Oval Office meeting in which Trump discussed elections during wartime. According to the report, during an Aug. 18 meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the conditions required to restart elections in Ukraine.

“So you say, during the war, you can’t have elections,” Trump mused, according to the report. “So you mean if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections. I wonder what the fake news would say to that.”

Trump Vows To ‘Avenge’ Dead Troops In First Video Since Iran Strikes

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By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

President Donald Trump released a six-minute video message on Truth Social on Sunday, delivering his first address to the nation since announcing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran early Saturday morning.

During the video, the president confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed in action and five others were injured.

“Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved,” Trump said. “We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn’t get there.”

Earlier Sunday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the deaths. In his address, Trump honored the fallen and expressed support for their families.

A fourth U.S. servicemember has been killed in action as part of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command announced Monday.

The servicemember, who has yet to be identified, was among those seriously wounding during Iran’s initial counterattacks after the U.S. and Israel launched the operation on Saturday.

“As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” CENTCOM wrote on X. “Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” it added.

“Earlier today, CENTCOM shared the news that three U.S. Military service members have been killed in action,” Trump said. “As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives.”

“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” he continued. “And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is, likely be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”

The president vowed a forceful response to those responsible.

“But America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization. They have waged war against civilization itself,” Trump said.

Trump emphasized what he described as renewed American strength and resolve, aligning the U.S. and Israel in their shared objectives.

“Our resolve, and likewise that of Israel, has never been stronger. America is now again the richest, most powerful nation in the world by far,” he said. “But the only reason we enjoy the quality of life that we do, and the freedom and security as we have done, things that others are unable to do. But it’s because of warriors who are willing to lay down their lives, to do battle with our enemies, and they do battle better than anybody. An Iranian regime armed with long range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American.”

Watch:

In remarks published shortly before the video address, Trump told The Daily Mail that the military campaign — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — is expected to “take four weeks — or less.”

As U.S. strikes continued throughout the weekend, the president warned that operations would not slow.

“Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved,” he reiterated. “We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn’t get there.”

Trump appeared to reference negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials that took place as recently as Thursday in Geneva, suggesting the conflict could have been avoided.

He also claimed that Iranian leaders “by the thousands” are attempting to contact the United States seeking immunity, though he did not provide additional details.

In a direct appeal to the Iranian people, Trump called on citizens to act in the wake of what he described as a weakened regime following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He pledged American support for those seeking change.

“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you. We’ll be there to help,” Trump said.

The president concluded by reaffirming that U.S. forces will continue operations at “full force” until mission objectives are met, underscoring what he characterized as a decisive effort to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime.

Trump Says He Is ‘Not Happy’ With Iran Negotiations

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump said Friday he is dissatisfied with the ongoing negotiations with Iran, signaling growing frustration as diplomatic talks continue and speculation mounts about potential U.S. military action.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said Iran has not yet met key U.S. demands.

“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. So I’m not thrilled with that,” Trump said. “We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later. We’ll have some additional talks today. But, no, I’m not happy with the way they’re going.”

The comments come as the administration weighs its next steps in dealing with Tehran, amid longstanding concerns among U.S. officials and allies about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, and support for terrorist proxies across the Middle East.

Trump said he has not made a final decision on whether the United States will carry out a military strike against Iran, an option that has drawn heightened attention in recent days.

When asked by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy about the potential consequences of such action, including the risk of a prolonged regional conflict, the president acknowledged the inherent uncertainty surrounding military engagements.

“I guess you could say there’s always a risk. You know, when there’s war, there’s a risk in anything — both good and bad,” Trump said.

Trump pointed to actions taken during his first term as evidence of his administration’s willingness to use force when necessary. In 2020, the U.S. carried out a drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force. The strike was praised by many Republicans as a decisive move that reasserted American deterrence after years of what critics described as weak enforcement of red lines under previous administrations.

The president also referenced Operation Midnight Hammer, launched last summer during his second term, as part of broader efforts to counter Iranian-backed threats in the region. Trump said that, to this point, “everything’s worked out.”

Republican lawmakers have largely backed Trump’s hardline approach, arguing that sustained economic pressure, clear red lines, and credible military deterrence are essential to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and destabilizing U.S. allies such as Israel. Critics of Tehran have long contended that previous diplomatic agreements provided sanctions relief without permanently dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

As talks continue, administration officials have emphasized that the president’s priority remains preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while protecting American interests and personnel in the region. For now, Trump indicated that discussions are ongoing — but made clear he expects more from Iran at the negotiating table.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Report: Federal Judge Clears Path For Trump’s $400M White House Ballroom

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A federal judge on Thursday denied a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project, clearing the way for construction to move forward on the estimated $400 million expansion.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected an injunction sought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which had asked the court to halt demolition work tied to the project. The organization sued the Trump administration in December, arguing that officials failed to complete required federal reviews and did not obtain congressional approval before proceeding with plans that include demolishing portions of the East Wing.

In his ruling, Leon said the preservation group was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims. He wrote that the plaintiffs relied on a “ragtag group of theories” under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Constitution.

Leon determined that the challenge fell short in part because “the White House office in question is not an agency” under the APA, limiting the court’s ability to review the actions at issue. He also wrote that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient legal grounds to challenge the president’s statutory authority to complete the project using private funds without explicit congressional approval.

The decision marks a significant legal victory for the administration and allows work on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom to continue. According to Trump, the facility is intended to host large-scale events such as state dinners, official receptions, and potentially inauguration-related gatherings — functions that often require temporary structures on the White House grounds due to space limitations.

Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, emphasizing that the project would not rely on taxpayer funding.

“Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction,” Trump wrote. “As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent, but rather, all money necessary to build this magnificent building is being put up by Patriot Donors and Contributors.”

He added that construction is “ahead of schedule and under budget.”

The administration has said the ballroom will be funded entirely through private donations, a structure supporters argue avoids additional strain on federal budgets. Critics, however, have raised concerns about precedent, transparency, and the potential long-term impact on the historic White House complex.

The White House has undergone numerous expansions and renovations throughout its history. The West Wing was added in 1902 under President Theodore Roosevelt, and the East Wing was constructed in stages beginning during World War II. Major structural renovations were also undertaken during the Truman administration after engineers determined the building was at risk of collapse.

Legal disputes over executive authority and historic preservation are not uncommon when changes to federally owned landmarks are proposed. The National Trust argued that federal preservation laws and administrative procedures required more extensive review before demolition could proceed. The court’s ruling suggests that, at least at this preliminary stage, those arguments did not meet the threshold necessary to stop the project.

Further legal action remains possible, though the denial of the injunction allows construction to continue while the case proceeds.

If completed as planned, the ballroom would represent one of the most significant additions to the White House complex in decades, reshaping how large official events are hosted at the executive residence.

FBI Reportedly Fires at Least 10 FBI Agents for Investigating Trump

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Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

FBI Director Kash Patel has dismissed at least 10 bureau employees connected to the federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, according to multiple news outlets.

The personnel moves followed an internal review ordered by Patel into the FBI’s actions during former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s retention of classified materials after leaving office in 2021.

Patel initiated the review after learning that the FBI had obtained subpoenas for his own phone records, as well as those of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, during the time both were private citizens. In a statement, Patel described the subpoenas as “outrageous and deeply alarming,” arguing they were issued on “flimsy pretexts” and without sufficient oversight.

His comments were made public Wednesday, just hours before CNN, CBS, and Reuters reported that multiple agents connected to Smith’s probe had been removed from their posts.

The reported dismissals include personnel from several field offices. In recent weeks, senior leaders in the Atlanta and New Orleans field offices, the acting assistant director overseeing the New York field office, and six agents in Miami — all described as having ties to one of Smith’s investigations involving Trump — were also let go.

The moves come amid continued debate over the scope and conduct of the special counsel’s investigations into the president.

Smith, who previously testified before Congress, defended his decisions in bringing charges against Trump.

“I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the decision to bring charges against President Trump,” Smith said in his opening statement. “Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity.”

A federal grand jury had indicted Trump on 40 felony counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents following a 2022 FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago residence. Authorities said classified materials were discovered in areas of the property accessible to others. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing and characterized the investigation as politically motivated.

Smith ultimately dropped the classified documents case after Trump won election to a second term.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, blocked the Justice Department from releasing portions of Smith’s report related to the classified documents probe, siding with the president and his co-defendants.

Patel’s actions mark a significant leadership shift at the FBI as the bureau continues to face scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and voters who have raised concerns about its conduct in high-profile investigations involving Trump.