Author: Mandy Matthews

President Trump warned of rising antisemitism on Capitol Hill as he hosted a Hanukkah reception Tuesday evening in the White House’s East Room. The event brought together lawmakers, community leaders, and guests to mark the holiday and to call attention to a growing problem. The tone mixed celebration with a clear warning that tolerance cannot be taken for granted. President Trump warned of rising antisemitism on Capitol Hill as he hosted a Hanukkah reception Tuesday evening in the White House’s East Room. The remark landed in a room full of lawmakers and advocates who have watched incidents and threats gain…

President Trump filed suit against the BBC on December 15, 2025, alleging a misleading edit in the BBC documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” distorted his January 6, 2021, remarks and damaged his reputation, and he is seeking $5 billion in damages. President Trump launched the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, saying the BBC smeared him with an edited clip from his January 6 speech. The filing claims the broadcaster chose a version that turned a political rally line into an accusation of incitement. This legal move reflects how seriously Trump and his team view the edit and…

The newly released emails show FBI agents flagged doubts about having probable cause before the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search, while DOJ officials pushed ahead, raising serious questions about politicized decision making and institutional accountability. Emails disclosed by Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office reveal a tense back-and-forth between FBI investigators and Department of Justice attorneys in the run-up to the Mar-a-Lago search. Those messages indicate FBI staff raised concerns about whether the evidence available met the traditional probable cause threshold. Despite those concerns, the operation went forward, which Republicans say points to political influence at the highest levels. The documents add another layer…

The U.S. military said Monday that it attacked three boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of eight people while scrutiny over the strikes intensifies. The announcement came on Monday and confirmed that three vessels believed to be involved in drug smuggling were engaged by U.S. forces in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Authorities said eight people were killed in the strikes, and those numbers have become a central point of attention as questions pile up. The situation is drawing both praise from supporters of strong law enforcement and sharp criticism from those demanding answers…

This piece examines concerns about how the U.S. Postal Service handles ballots, why limited citizen oversight creates risks, and what practical, accountable reforms could help secure absentee and mailed voting without upending the system. Election officials and voters alike rely heavily on the Postal Service to carry ballots across the country, yet that reliance creates a national security problem when oversight is thin. “USPS is the largest ‘precinct’ in federal elections, yet has no citizens conducting oversight to prevent ballot tampering or loss.” That reality deserves a clear-eyed look from the perspective of safeguarding ballots and voter confidence. Relying on…

At least 15 people were murdered at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday after two alleged Islamic terrorists opened fire. One of the suspects, Sajid Akram, moved to Australia in 1998 on a student visa before becoming a permanent resident, while his son, Naveed Akram, was born in Australia, according to reports. The attack shook the local community and prompted an immediate law enforcement response while investigations continue. The shooting took place during a Hanukkah gathering near Bondi Beach, a normally peaceful stretch of coastline known for public events and tourists. Witnesses described chaos as people…

A high-stakes court fight in Washington centers on Judge James Boasberg and the Trump administration over deportation flights, alleged violations of a court order, whistleblower claims, DOJ counterattacks, and Republican demands for accountability and impeachment. The dispute kicked off after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act in March to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members as part of a wider immigration push. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg moved to stop those deportation flights, and the administration pushed back hard. A federal appeals court has now paused contempt hearings while it reviews the government’s request to remove Boasberg from the case.…

Sen. Bill Cassidy called out the lack of focus on abortion drug safety, arguing federal agencies should be tougher on oversight and transparency to protect women and uphold standards. Republicans who care about both life and safety are pushing back because oversight can’t be an afterthought. The discussion isn’t just ideological; it’s about making sure medicines have clear guidelines, accurate risk information, and reliable monitoring when they are used outside traditional clinical settings. “Sen. Bill Cassidy said Sunday the Trump administration isn’t treating abortion drug safety as a priority.” That line caught attention because it comes from a lawmaker who…

The raccoon that broke into a Virginia liquor store last month is a repeat offender at the same strip mall, also hitting the Department of Motor Vehicles and a karate studio. A raccoon slipped into a Virginia liquor store last month and, according to reports, it isn’t the first time this animal has caused trouble at that strip mall. Locals say it has been spotted entering multiple businesses, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and a karate studio. The pattern has raised eyebrows and a few nervous laughs around town. Store owners describe the visits as odd and disruptive, but…

A volatile turn in eastern Congo left Uvira under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23, driving civilians into fear and chaos while diplomacy struggles to keep pace. A climate of fear reigned Saturday in Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Congo, days after it fell to the Rwanda -backed M23 group, as fighting in the region escalated despite a U.S. mediated peace deal. Local residents described checkpoints and armed patrols, and many families fled toward safer towns or across the lake. The city’s fall shifted the frontline and complicated humanitarian access for relief organizations trying to reach frightened civilians. Uvira…