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    Inside The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Suspect’s ‘Manifesto’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    The man accused of opening fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner left behind a detailed “manifesto” describing his intent to target members of the Trump administration, “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” according to a copy obtained by CBS News.

    Cole Allen, 31, allegedly sent the writing to family members before the attack. In it, he stated that while law enforcement, hotel employees, and guests were not his intended targets, he was willing to harm them if necessary to reach administration officials. “I really hope it doesn’t come to that,” he wrote.

    Authorities say Allen charged a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. President Donald Trump and other officials were quickly escorted from the event, which was later canceled. A Secret Service agent who was shot during the incident, while wearing a bulletproof vest, has since been released from the hospital.

    The suspect’s brother reportedly alerted police in Connecticut after receiving the email, prompting law enforcement to intervene. Investigators later recovered additional writings from Allen’s home in Torrance, California, and his hotel room at the Hilton.

    A chilling and ironic tone

    Throughout the message, Allen adopted a matter-of-fact tone, at times veering into irony.

    “Hello everybody!” he began. “So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today.”

    He apologized to his parents “for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for ‘Most Wanted,’” and to colleagues and students for claiming he had a personal emergency. He suggested that by the time the email was read, he might already require medical attention, referring to potential injuries as “self-inflicted status.”

    Declared targets — with one exception

    Allen wrote that he chose to act because he did not want the administration’s alleged “crimes” to “coat [his] hands.” While he did not explicitly name Trump or the event, he described a plan to target officials in descending order of rank.

    He made one notable exception: “not including Mr. Patel,” he wrote, referencing the FBI director, who was also in attendance.

    Allen added that he would avoid targeting Secret Service, Capitol Police, or National Guard personnel unless necessary. “I hope they are wearing body armor,” he wrote.

    He also detailed tactical decisions, claiming, “In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).”

    Anticipating criticism

    The manifesto included a section addressing hypothetical objections to his actions, along with rebuttals.

    “As a half-black, half-white person, you shouldn’t be the one doing this,” he wrote as a potential criticism. “Rebuttal: I don’t see anyone else picking up the slack.”

    He also referenced his Christian faith, writing that some might argue he should “turn the other cheek.”

    “Rebuttal,” he continued, “Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed.”

    Allen then described various unnamed individuals experiencing hardship, in some cases attributing their struggles to the administration.

    “I don’t expect forgiveness, but if I could have seen any other way to get this close, I would have taken it,” he added.

    Criticism of security

    In a postscript, Allen sharply criticized security measures at the event.

    “PS… what the hell is the Secret Service doing? … No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event,” he wrote.

    He claimed that if he had been a foreign agent, he could have brought in heavier weaponry without detection. Officials note that while the Washington Hilton hosted the event, it remained an operational hotel with public access, and only specific areas were secured.

    Family warnings and prior behavior

    Allen’s sister reportedly told investigators that he frequently used “radical” rhetoric and had previously discussed doing “something” to address what he saw as problems in society and government.

    She also revealed her brother was a regular visitor to the shooting range, was a member of a group called “The Wide Awakes” and had previously attended a “No Kings” rally in California. 

    Political reaction and unanswered questions

    The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.

    Former President Barack Obama emphasized the lack of confirmed details while condemning political violence broadly.

    “Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night’s shooting… it’s incumbent upon all of us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama wrote. He also praised the Secret Service, calling their work “a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice” they show.

    During a “60 Minutes” interview, Trump reacted angrily after host Norah O’Donnell read excerpts from the alleged manifesto.

    “You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me,” Trump said, adding, “You should be ashamed of yourself… You’re a disgrace.”

    More than 2,500 people had gathered for the annual dinner, which celebrates the First Amendment. Trump, who has typically declined to attend during his presidency, had made a historic appearance this year and has since said he hopes to reschedule the event within 30 days.

    The Full Manifesto

    To read Allen’s full 1,052-word manifesto as published by The New York Post, with minor edits to improve profanity, see below:

    Hello everybody!

    So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today. Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused.

    I apologize to my parents for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for “Most Wanted.”

    I apologize to my colleagues and students for saying I had a personal emergency (by the time anyone reads this, I probably most certainly DO need to go to the ER, but can hardly call that not a self-inflicted status.)

    I apologize to all of the people I traveled next to, all the workers who handled my luggage, and all the other non-targeted people at the hotel who I put in danger simply by being near.

    I apologize to everyone who was abused and/or murdered before this, to all those who suffered before I was able to attempt this, to all who may still suffer after, regardless of my success or failure.

    I don’t expect forgiveness, but if I could have seen any other way to get this close, I would have taken it. Again, my sincere apologies.

    On to why I did any of this:

    I am a citizen of the United States of America.

    What my representatives do reflects on me.

    And I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.

    (Well, to be completely honest, I was no longer willing a long time ago, but this is the first real opportunity I’ve had to do something about it.)

    While I’m discussing this, I’ll also go over my expected rules of engagement (probably in a terrible format, but I’m not military so too bad.)

    Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest

    Secret Service: they are targets only if necessary, and to be incapacitated non-lethally if possible (aka, I hope they’re wearing body armor because center mass with shotguns messes up people who *aren’t*

    Hotel Security: not targets if at all possible (aka unless they shoot at me)

    Capitol Police: same as Hotel Security

    National Guard: same as Hotel Security

    Hotel Employees: not targets at all

    Guests: not targets at all

    In order to minimize casualties I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls)

    I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn’t come to that.

    Rebuttals to objections:

    Objection 1: As a Christian, you should turn the other cheek.

    Rebuttal: Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial. I’m not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration.

    Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.

    Objection 2: This is not a convenient time for you to do this.

    Rebuttal: I need whoever thinks this way to take a couple minutes and realize that the world isn’t about them. Do you think that when I see someone raped or murdered or abused, I should walk on by because it would be “inconvenient” for people who aren’t the victim?

    This was the best timing and chance of success I could come up with.

    Objection 3: You didn’t get them all.

    Rebuttal: Gotta start somewhere.

    Objection 4: As a half-black, half-white person, you shouldn’t be the one doing this.

    Rebuttal: I don’t see anyone else picking up the slack

    Objection 5: Yield unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.

    Rebuttal: The United States of America are ruled by the law, not by any one or several people. In so far as representatives and judges do not follow the law, no one is required to yield them anything so unlawfully ordered.

    I would also like to extend my appreciation to a great many people since I will not be likely to be able to talk with them again (unless the Secret Service is *astoundingly* incompetent.)

    Thank you to my family, both personal and church, for your love over these 31 years.

    Thank you to my friends, for your companionship over many years.

    Thank you to my colleagues over many jobs, for your positivity and professionalism.

    Thank you to my students for your enthusiasm and love of learning.

    Thank you to the many acquaintances I’ve met, in person and online, for short interactions and long-term relationships, for your perspectives and inspiration.

    Thank you all for everything.

    Sincerely,

    Cole “coldForce” “Friendly Federal Assassin” Allen

    PS: Ok now that all the sappy stuff is done, what the hell is the Secret Service doing? Sorry, gonna rant a bit here and drop the formal tone.

    Like, I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo.

    What I got (who knows, maybe they’re pranking me!) is nothing.

    No damn security.

    Not in transport.

    Not in the hotel.

    Not in the event.

    Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance.

    I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat.

    The security at the event is all outside, focused on protestors and current arrivals, because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before.

    Like, this level of incompetence is insane, and I very sincerely hope it’s corrected by the time this country gets actually competent leadership again.

    Like, if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed s**t.

    Actually insane.

    Oh and if anyone is curious is how doing something like feels: it’s awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, for all the people whose trust this betrays; I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.

    Can’t really recommend it! Stay in school, kids.

    John Kennedy here. The last fundraising deadline passed — and we came up short. Now the woke crowd is celebrating, saying “Kennedy’s finished.” Let’s prove them wrong. Chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to close the gap and keep fighting.

    Lawmaker Targets Trump’s Mental Fitness — Psaki Questions Strategy

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., CC BY-SA 2.0,

    Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is pushing back on growing calls within her own party to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump, as some Democrats continue raising concerns about his mental fitness.

    Psaki, now an MSNBC host, argued that focusing on removing Trump through the constitutional provision is both unrealistic and politically counterproductive.

    Speaking on Stephen A. Smith’s show Straight Shooter, Psaki acknowledged frustration on the left but questioned the value of repeatedly invoking the 25th Amendment.

    “I think there are times — and I can’t speak for everybody on the left, I don’t agree with everything everybody says on the left either — you know, sometimes it’s just not constructive,” Psaki said. “I mean, you’ve talked about the 25th Amendment. I have no issue with people saying they’re for invoking the 25th Amendment, but it’s not going to happen. So it’s like, why are we spending so much time, you know?”

    Her comments come as some Democratic lawmakers continue to escalate concerns about Trump’s behavior, including Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who directly confronted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a House hearing on Friday.

    During the House Education and Workforce Committee session on the HHS budget, Takano displayed large posters of Trump’s Truth Social posts, including statements threatening to destroy the “whole civilization” of Iran, attacks on Pope Leo XIV, and an AI-generated image depicting Trump as Jesus Christ.

    “Millions of Americans are questioning this president’s mental fitness, his emotional stability, and whether he can carry out the duties of his office. Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano asked Kennedy.

    After Kennedy did not immediately respond, Takano pressed further.

    “We need a commander in chief that we know has full command of his mental faculties and is emotionally stable,” he said. “Mr. Secretary, given everything that I’ve shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?”

    “Absolutely not,” Kennedy replied.

    Takano then asked whether Kennedy would support invoking the 25th Amendment if Trump were deemed unfit. Kennedy again rejected the premise, adding that “there hasn’t been a president who is more sane.”

    Takano accused him of placing loyalty to Trump above the Constitution, prompting Kennedy to fire back, “Well, you need the fundraising video.”

    Committee Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) also weighed in, noting the partisan nature of such calls.

    “I would hesitate to say something about the 25th Amendment with the last president. There was no concern there from the other side, but I won’t say that,” Walberg said.

    Calls to remove Trump through the 25th Amendment have come from more than 50 Democratic lawmakers, along with other critics, some citing his rhetoric on Iran as evidence he is unfit for office.

    But Psaki warned that the party risks undermining itself by leaning too heavily on such arguments and by narrowing its political appeal.

    “What is also true is that in order to win, you have to invite more people to the party,” she said. “So if you want to win, you have to accept sometimes that there may be people who are part of your party, or you’re going to welcome into the conversation, who you don’t agree with on 100% of issues. And I think sometimes there can be a little litmus-testy feeling about who’s allowed to be a Democrat or who can consider themselves progressive.”

    She also cautioned against a reflexive outrage-driven response to Trump.

    “And part of that goes hand in hand with feeling like you have to scream at the top of your lungs about everything that comes out of the Trump administration,” Psaki said. “And I’m outraged by a lot of it. But I don’t think screaming about every single thing is the most constructive thing.”

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    Acting ICE Director Resigns

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Indian Affairs Committee Hearings to examine Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act successes and opportunities at the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service, in Washington, DC on September 17, 2025. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Ryan Donnell)

    Todd Lyons, the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is stepping down after a turbulent tenure defined by record deportations, internal tensions, and mounting political pressure.

    Lyons submitted his resignation Thursday to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, saying he plans to remain in the role through May to help with the transition. His departure comes as Mullin takes over the department following Kristi Noem’s exit.

    “Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer,” Mullin said in a statement. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector.”

    No official reason was given for Lyons’ resignation, capping a 20-year career at the agency he joined in 2007. He was appointed to lead ICE in March of last year, replacing Caleb Vitello, and quickly became a central figure in President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation push.

    During his tenure, ICE carried out roughly 584,000 removals, a record pace that drew praise from allies and scrutiny from critics. Lyons also faced backlash over high-profile controversies, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good during Operation Metro Surge. At a January congressional hearing, Lyons declined to apologize to Good’s family.

    A month later, he said two ICE officers involved in a separate January shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant had made “untruthful statements” under oath. Both officers were placed under investigation by the Justice Department.

    Behind the scenes, Lyons navigated reported divisions within the Department of Homeland Security. He was closely aligned with Border Czar Tom Homan on deportation strategy, while other officials, including Noem and former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, took different approaches. The split fueled ongoing reports of internal friction.

    Homan defended Lyons’ record on Thursday, telling NBC that under his leadership, “ICE achieved a record number of removals in the first year of this Administration, despite unprecedented challenges.”

    “I commend him for a distinguished law enforcement career and the countless contributions he has made to protect our country and advance its interests,” Homan added.

    Lyons also faced intense pressure from the White House, where Trump and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller pushed for daily deportation targets in the thousands.

    “Todd is a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader who has been at the center of President Trump’s historic efforts to secure our homeland and reverse the Democrats’ sinister border invasion,” Miller said.

    The strain appeared to take a toll. Lyons was hospitalized at least twice in recent months, and current and former officials described him as “visibly upset and struggling” under the weight of the administration’s demands.

    His tenure also drew legal challenges. In January, a federal judge ordered Lyons to appear in court to explain why ICE repeatedly failed to carry out court-ordered bond hearings for detained immigrants.

    Now, as Lyons prepares to step down, ICE faces another leadership transition at a time when immigration enforcement remains one of the administration’s most politically charged priorities.

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    Trump Says He Is ‘Prepared’ To Nominate New Supreme Court Justice 

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    President Trump said he is “prepared” to nominate another Supreme Court justice if an opening emerges, a remark that is already fueling renewed speculation about potential retirements among the court’s oldest members.

    No justice has indicated plans to step down from a lifetime appointment. Still, attention has increasingly turned to Justice Samuel Alito, 76, who was hospitalized in March, as well as Justice Clarence Thomas, 77, the court’s two oldest conservatives.

    “It could be two, could be three, could be one. I don’t know — I’m prepared to do it,” Trump told Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired Wednesday.

    The president singled out Alito for praise, calling him “one of the great justices of all time.”

    “Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice and a brilliant justice and he gets the country,” Trump said. “He does what’s right for the country.”

    While Trump acknowledged he is unsure whether a vacancy will arise this year, he said he is already considering potential nominees. Reports have suggested Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is among those on his shortlist, though Trump did not confirm specific names in the interview.

    Any opening would carry major political stakes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said this week that Republicans would be prepared to move quickly to confirm a nominee if a vacancy occurs before the midterm elections, according to Politico. With the GOP currently holding the Senate, confirming a justice before that balance potentially shifts would be a priority.

    Trump also pointed to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a cautionary example in discussions about timing a retirement. Ginsburg declined calls to step down during former President Obama’s second term, when Democrats controlled the Senate, and remained on the bench until her death in 2020 at age 87. Her passing allowed Trump to nominate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, solidifying a conservative majority on the court.

    “She decided that she was going to live forever, and about two minutes after the election, she went out and I got to appoint somebody,” Trump said. “So, you know, you make the case that at a certain time you give it up … so that your ideology, your policies, your everything, would be of the kind that we like.”

    For now, no vacancy is imminent. But Trump’s comments underscore how quickly the conversation can shift — and how closely Washington is watching the court’s senior members for any sign of change.

    Police Officer Chance Bretches was awarded a Lifesaving Medal with Valor for rescuing someone from a burning vehicle…But now radicals are trying to ruin his life just for doing his job. Officer Bretches and his family need your help.[Support Police Officers HERE]

    Report: United CEO Pitches Merger to Trump That Would Create World’s Largest Airline

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Image via Pixabay

    United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is reportedly floating a blockbuster idea inside the Trump orbit: a potential merger with American Airlines that would create the largest airline in the world — and instantly reshape the U.S. aviation industry.

    According to reports, Kirby raised the possibility toward the end of a White House meeting focused on the future of Washington Dulles International Airport. The timing is notable. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has already launched an initiative to “revitalize” Dulles, signaling a broader push to strengthen major U.S. travel hubs and compete globally.

    And the stakes are massive. Data from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority shows that a dominant 68.5 percent of commercial passengers at Dulles in December flew United — underscoring just how much influence one airline already holds at a key East Coast gateway.

    Now imagine that power combined.

    In 2023, United and American ranked first and third, respectively, in revenue by passenger miles among U.S.-based airlines, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. A merger between the two wouldn’t just be big — it would create an aviation giant unlike anything seen before, potentially giving the U.S. a dominant global carrier at a time of rising international competition.

    Kirby, who knows both companies well, previously served as president of American Airlines after its 2013 merger with U.S. Airways before joining United in 2016 — adding another layer of intrigue to the reported pitch.

    Not surprisingly, the reaction from Washington’s political class — especially on the left — was immediate and hostile.

    Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) fired off a blunt response on X, writing, “That’s gonna be a no.”

    Matt Stoller, a researcher at the anti-monopolist American Economic Liberties Project, went even further, calling the idea “corporate crime” that is “now legal.”

    But behind the outrage is a deeper policy divide. Under Trump appointee Andrew Ferguson, the Federal Trade Commission has taken a more business-friendly approach than it did under former Chair Lina Khan, whose aggressive antitrust stance often targeted large corporate mergers. For many conservatives, that shift reflects a broader belief that American companies need scale to compete with state-backed foreign rivals — particularly in industries like aviation.

    Still, even some legal experts say the proposal would face an uphill battle.

    Antitrust lawyer Seth Bloom told Reuters the deal would be unlikely to survive regulatory scrutiny, warning that it could hit consumers where it hurts most: prices.

    “The administration has said it really cares about the issues that affect the consumer’s pocketbook, and this would give the airlines more pricing power,” Bloom said.

    That tension — between building a stronger, more competitive American airline industry and protecting consumers from higher costs — is likely to define the debate if this idea gains traction.

    For now, Kirby’s reported pitch remains just that — a pitch.

    FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.

    Eric Swalwell Resigns From Congress

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell has officially announced he will resign from Congress in the wake of disturbing sexual misconduct allegations against him.

    “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members,” Swalwell said. “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”

    He added that he plans to work with his staff in the coming days to ensure they are able to continue serving California’s 14th Congressional District effectively in his absence.

    Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for governor of California, just over 48 hours after multiple reports surfaced alleging sexual assault and misconduct involving a former aide and other women.

    “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote in a post on the social platform X. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

    The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Friday that Swalwell allegedly sexually assaulted a former aide in 2019 and 2024, incidents in which the woman was said to be too intoxicated to give consent. CNN later reported that four women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including one who alleged rape.

    Swalwell forcefully denied the claims.

    “They are absolutely false. They did not happen,” Swalwell said in a video posted on X on Friday. “They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California.”

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

    Obama-era CIA Director Pushes Fringe Trump Ouster Plan

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    7
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Former CIA Director John Brennan is calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office, backing a long-shot push to invoke the 25th Amendment as outrage grows over Trump’s threats toward Iran.

    Brennan, who served under former President Barack Obama and is now under investigation by the Justice Department, made the remarks during an appearance on MS NOW with Ali Velshi—warning that Trump’s rhetoric has pushed the country into dangerous territory.

    The 25th Amendment, Brennan argued, “was written with Donald Trump in mind.”

    “Allowing someone like this to continue to be the commander in chief and to control the tremendous capabilities of the U.S. military, including our nuclear weapons capability, which he seemed to allude to when he said he’s going to just eliminate a entire civilization,” Brennan said. “Again, we really are in very, very troubling times.”

    His comments come as more than 70 lawmakers are now calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, following a series of escalating threats Trump made on Truth Social aimed at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

    The president first issued a warning on Easter Sunday, giving Iran a hard deadline to reopen the critical shipping lane. As the clock ticked down, Trump posted that “a whole civilization will die tonight.”

    “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will,” Trump wrote.

    Just before the deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. But tensions flared again days later, when he revealed the U.S. Navy would begin blocking all ships entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz—raising fresh fears of a wider conflict.

    Brennan has been a frequent and vocal critic of Trump’s handling of the war, previously calling him “flailing” and “clueless” in media appearances.

    His call for removal adds fuel to an already intensifying political firestorm in Washington.

    Impeachment efforts are once again swirling around Trump, with multiple Democrats introducing articles against both the president and top administration officials. Some lawmakers have accused the administration of war crimes tied to strikes in Iran, while others argue Trump has overstepped constitutional war powers.

    Trump, for his part, has repeatedly predicted Democrats will try to impeach him again if they regain control of the House—framing the push as inevitable political retaliation.

    Brennan’s intervention is particularly striking given his own legal troubles. The Justice Department launched an investigation into him in July 2025 over his role in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian election interference.

    That report controversially included the Steele dossier—a now-debunked set of memos alleging Trump colluded with Russia. Brennan has denied wrongdoing, insisting the dossier “was not in any way used as a basis” for the assessment.

    House Republicans, however, have accused him of misleading Congress. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan recently said the probe is “heating up” and predicted Brennan will face “accountability.”

    Brennan’s lawyers say he has been identified as a target but have not been given any “legally justifiable basis” for the investigation.

    Even so, the former spy chief is now stepping back into the political spotlight—calling for the extraordinary step of removing a sitting president, as impeachment threats, war tensions, and constitutional battles collide.

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    Court Gives Trump a Temporary Win on White House Ballroom Fight

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    Construction on Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom is back on—at least for now.

    A federal appeals court on Saturday paused a lower court order that had halted the project, giving the administration a short window to keep building while the legal fight plays out. The pause runs through April 17.

    The D.C. Circuit’s 2–1 ruling doesn’t settle the dispute. Instead, it sends the case back to the trial judge, asking for clarity on a key question: does the injunction leave enough room to address what the administration calls urgent security risks?

    That’s the crux of Trump’s argument. Officials say stopping construction midstream creates vulnerabilities at the White House—and that the ballroom itself is part of a broader security design.

    The appeals panel wasn’t convinced either way—yet.

    “We cannot fairly determine,” the judges wrote, whether the lower court’s safety exception actually covers those risks, especially on such a rushed record.

    Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, dissented, going further than her colleagues. She argued the lawsuit shouldn’t even be in court, saying preservationists lack standing—and that the president has the authority to build.

    Opponents see it differently. The National Trust for Historic Preservation says the fight isn’t about security upgrades—it’s about process. Their argument: the ballroom needs congressional approval before construction can move forward.

    Notably, they aren’t challenging everything. The group says it has no issue with the underground bunker described in filings—only the above-ground ballroom itself.

    Meanwhile, the National Capital Planning Commission has already signed off on the project, pointing to past White House expansions as precedent.

    There was one dissent there too. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson voted no, warning the plan has evolved and shouldn’t be approved in pieces.

    Bottom line: construction continues for now, but the legal fight—and bigger questions about presidential power—are far from settled.

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    Judge Dismisses Trump’s Wall Street Journal Defamation Suit

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    A federal judge on Monday dismissed President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a report detailing a letter Trump allegedly sent to disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.

    Trump has denied writing the letter and claims it was fabricated. But U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that the president failed to meet the high legal standard required for public figures to pursue defamation claims—specifically, showing “actual malice.”

    “The Complaint comes nowhere close to this standard. Quite the opposite,” Gayles wrote.

    Gayles, who sits on the federal bench in Miami and was appointed by former President Obama, said Trump may attempt to amend and refile the lawsuit.

    The suit stems from a July filing after The Wall Street Journal published a report about a 2003 letter Trump allegedly sent to Epstein. The letter reportedly included several lines of text “framed by the outline of a naked woman” and ended with the message, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

    Trump has said he warned the Journal the letter was fake before publication and argued the outlet should have known the story was false. The Journal has stood by its reporting.

    In his ruling, Gayles emphasized that the court was not deciding whether Trump actually wrote the letter.

    “Because the Court finds that the Complaint fails to adequately allege actual malice, it declines to address these issues at this juncture,” Gayles wrote. “Moreover, whether President Trump was the author of the Letter or Epstein’s friend are questions of fact that cannot be determined at this stage of the litigation.”

    The judge also noted that even if Trump had successfully alleged actual malice, his claims for special damages would still fail.

    A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team said the president plans to continue pursuing the case.

    “President Trump will follow Judge Gayles’s ruling and guidance to refile this powerhouse lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and all of the other Defendants,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “The President will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in Fake News to mislead the American People.”

    The lawsuit names The Wall Street Journal, the two reporters who wrote the story, News Corp, its CEO, Dow Jones, and Rupert Murdoch as defendants.

    The case comes amid renewed attention on Epstein and his past associations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said the two had a falling out years ago.

    Last week, First Lady Melania Trump also addressed the issue from the White House, denying any connection to Epstein and claiming she was being defamed.

    “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect,” she said from the Grand Foyer. “I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

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

    Police Officer Chance Bretches was awarded a Lifesaving Medal with Valor for rescuing someone from a burning vehicle…But now radicals are trying to ruin his life just for doing his job. Officer Bretches and his family need your help.[Support Police Officers HERE]

    Trump Rival Eric Swalwell Suspends Campaign

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for governor of California, just over 48 hours after multiple reports surfaced alleging sexual assault and misconduct involving a former aide and other women.

    “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote in a post on the social platform X. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

    The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Friday that Swalwell allegedly sexually assaulted a former aide in 2019 and 2024, incidents in which the woman was said to be too intoxicated to give consent. CNN later reported that four women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including one who alleged rape.

    Swalwell forcefully denied the claims.

    “They are absolutely false. They did not happen,” Swalwell said in a video posted on X on Friday. “They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California.”

    His attorney has also sent cease-and-desist letters to several of the accusers, according to CNN.

    Despite those denials, political support for Swalwell unraveled rapidly. Within hours of the initial reports, his campaign co-chairs — Reps. Adam Gray (D-Calif.) and Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) — publicly urged him to exit the race. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a longtime power broker in California politics, also called for him to drop out and said the allegations should be “appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability.”

    An unsigned letter from members of Swalwell’s congressional office and campaign described the allegations as “abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians,” according to Politico.

    Calls for his resignation from Congress have also grown, spanning both parties.

    Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she plans to file a motion to expel Swalwell from the House. Expulsion would require a two-thirds vote, meaning significant Democratic support would be necessary. Some Democrats have already indicated they would back such a move if Swalwell does not step down.

    Separate investigations may further complicate his situation. The Department of Homeland Security said Sunday it is probing allegations that Swalwell illegally employed a nanny, while Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed it is reviewing the sexual assault claims.

    Before the allegations emerged, Swalwell had been widely viewed as a leading contender in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. He had secured endorsements from major groups, including the California Teachers Association and the California Medical Association — both of which have since rescinded their support.

    “CTA’s democratically elected board has voted unanimously to rescind our endorsement of Representative Eric Swalwell in his campaign for Governor of California. We withdraw all support,” the California Teachers Association wrote on X.

    The race is now far more uncertain. Democratic strategists say candidates such as billionaire Tom Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) could gain traction as voters reassess their options ahead of the June 2 primary.

    Swalwell’s political downfall marks a dramatic turn for a congressman who rose to national prominence as one of former President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. A frequent presence on cable news, Swalwell served as an impeachment manager during Trump’s first Senate trial and was a vocal advocate for investigations into Trump’s conduct and associates.

    The two have traded barbs for years, with Trump repeatedly targeting Swalwell in speeches and on social media, often mocking him personally and politically. Swalwell, in turn, built a national profile by positioning himself as a leading Democratic counterweight to Trump, including during his brief and unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.

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