The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel

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In a first step toward a federal law punishing criticism of Israel, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a massive defense budget that would bar companies engaged in “politically motivated” boycotts of the country from Pentagon contracts.

The bill would effectively ban contractors boycotting Israel from tapping most federal contract dollars, since more than half of the $755 billion the U.S. government spent on contracts last year flowed through the Defense Department.

The ban, the latest legislative attempt to target the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel’s human rights violations, or BDS, would still have to pass the Senate. The upper chamber was debating its own version of the budget bill on Thursday that does not include an anti-BDS provision.

Critics predict a court challenge if the anti-boycott provision makes it into law.

“This amendment is really designed to shield Israel from any accountability by penalizing those who protest its violations of Palestinian human rights through boycotts, which should be protected by the First Amendment,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, the legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. (Read more from “The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel” HERE)

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A New Bill Could Let Marco Rubio Strip U.S. Citizens of Their Passports — for What They Say About Israel

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A bill making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives is raising red flags among civil rights advocates, who warn that it could give Secretary of State Marco Rubio the unchecked power to revoke U.S. passports — not for crimes committed, but for political beliefs expressed. The legislation, quietly introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), is set to be discussed in committee this week.

At first glance, the bill claims to target individuals providing “material support” to designated terrorist organizations. But a closer look reveals language so vague — and so sweeping — that experts say it could allow the government to strip passports from U.S. citizens simply for expressing dissent, especially dissent related to Israeli policy.

One section of the bill permits the secretary of state to deny or revoke a passport from anyone convicted — or even charged — with material support for terrorism. But the more controversial provision goes further, empowering the secretary to deny travel documents to anyone they believe has “knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support” to a foreign terrorist group.

Rep. Mast, the bill’s sponsor, is no stranger to controversy. A former soldier for the Israeli military, Mast once stated publicly that babies in Gaza were “not innocent Palestinian civilians.” He has openly called for expelling “terrorist sympathizers” from the United States — a label he’s used to describe college students protesting U.S. military aid to Israel.

And what qualifies as “support,” anyway? In the current political climate, even calls for ceasefires, criticism of Israeli policy, or support for Palestinian rights are frequently met with accusations of antisemitism or terrorism sympathy. That’s not a hypothetical — it’s the framework Rubio and Mast are already operating within.

The broader implications are chilling. If a student writing an op-ed or a protester chanting at a demonstration can be labeled a threat to national security, then the U.S. passport — a core proof of citizenship and international identity — becomes a political weapon, one that can be revoked for holding the wrong opinion.

And if this bill becomes law, the person wielding that weapon will be Marco Rubio.

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Russia Is Losing the War in Ukraine, U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg Says

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Special Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg on Monday said he and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently advised President Trump that Russia is losing its war on Ukraine — as Moscow has seen more than 1 million casualties while taking less than 1% of Ukrainian territory since November 2022.

Speaking at the Yalta European Security Conference in Kyiv, Kellogg revealed he and the chairman, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, each reassured the president of Moscow’s wilting position roughly six weeks ago — shortly before Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

“If Putin thinks Russia is winning, his definition of winning and my definition of winning are absolutely two different things,” Kellogg said. “If he was winning, he’d be in Kyiv. If he’s winning, he’d be west of the Dnipro River. If he was winning, he’d be on Odessa. If he was winning, he would have changed the government.

“Russia is, in fact, losing this war,” he added.

The two military experts gave their assessment in response to Trump’s then-prodding as to whether Putin’s grandstanding of supposed success in Ukraine was true, Kellogg said, giving a rare glimpse into private discussions at the White House. (Read more from “Russia Is Losing the War in Ukraine, U.S. Envoy Keith Kellogg Says” HERE)

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Sheriff: Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Under ‘Special Watch’ in Jail

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The man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is under special watch while sitting in jail, according to law enforcement.

Utah County Sheriff spokesperson Sergeant Raymond Ormond told TMZ on Saturday the suspect, Tyler Robinson, is being evaluated in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) while under “Special Watch” so he can be monitored 24/7.

Following his arrest, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) indicated the suspect “will be held accountable,” per Breitbart News.

Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. As news spread of the horrific murder, people across the nation and around the world are mourning his loss.

TMZ said Robinson was booked on charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a weapon causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. (Read more from “Sheriff: Charlie Kirk Assassination Suspect Under ‘Special Watch’ in Jail” HERE)

Report: U.S. Revokes Visa of Brazilian Neurosurgeon Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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The U.S. has reportedly ordered the revocation of a visa for Brazilian neurosurgeon Ricardo Barbosa after he very publicly celebrated the murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

In a post that has since been deleted, Barbosa engaged in a vile public celebration, applauding the shooter’s “impeccable aim,” adding, “cervical spine.”

“Of all the depraved online content I’ve seen, this one may be the most chilling,” Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau said.

“This is a NEUROSURGEON from Brazil. He not only commends Charlie Kirk’s assassin for his ‘impeccable aim,’ but then with surgical precision specifies ‘cervical spine.’ This is a licensed professional who took the Hippocratic Oath? ‘Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick, and I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm,’” Landau exclaimed, revealing he has “personally directed the head of Consular Affairs to revoke his U.S. visa if he has one and to place an alert on him to make sure he never receives one.”

He also urged the Brazilian licensing authorities to take a look into this neurosurgeon who evidently “publicly wishes death on people with whose political views he disagrees.” (Read more from “Report: U.S. Revokes Visa of Brazilian Neurosurgeon Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Assassination” HERE)

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Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan Join Republicans to Block Release of Epstein Files in Narrow Senate Vote

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In a sharply divided Senate, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan — both Republicans from Alaska — voted Wednesday night in favor of tabling an amendment that would have required the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to release case files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The amendment, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.), was narrowly defeated 51–49.

Schumer’s amendment, attached as part of debate over the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sought to force disclosure of Justice Department and other federal records in the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. Supporters of the amendment argued that the public, especially survivors of Epstein’s abuse, deserve full transparency.

All Senate Democrats voted in favor of releasing the files, joined by Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rand Paul of Kentucky. The rest of the GOP, including Murkowski and Sullivan, joined in voting to table (set aside) the amendment, blocking its consideration.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R‑Alaska) said she voted against the motion to release the files not because she opposes transparency per se, but because she viewed Schumer’s amendment as a last‑minute procedural surprise. She called it a “political stunt” and said the process was flawed.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R‑Alaska) defended his vote similarly, saying that while he believes as much information as possible should be released in a way that protects survivors, he opposed Schumer’s approach of forcing the issue into the defense bill knowing it might be stripped out in later negotiations.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer pressed repeatedly for the files’ release, arguing that Republicans have long claimed support for transparency but now had a moment to prove it. He criticized what he described as obstruction, cover‑ups, and misinformation.

The Alaska Democratic Party sharply criticized Murkowski and Sullivan, accusing them of being complicit in a “cover‑up” and failing to respond to both survivors and constituents who want disclosure.

The vote has heightened scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s past promises. During the 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to release Epstein‑related files; however, after entering office, his administration has declared that no comprehensive “client list” exists and has resisted further disclosure.

This vote goes beyond procedural maneuvering. For many, it symbolizes a larger struggle over how much of the Epstein case — including possible connections to influential individuals — remains hidden from public view.

As Schumer put it on the Senate floor:

“The American people deserve transparency…. If Republicans vote no, you’ll be saying to the American people that they should not see the Epstein files.”

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Newsmax Host Asks Netanyahu If Israel Is Behind The Killing Of Charlie Kirk

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A Newsmax host asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reply to fringetheories that Israel was behind the killing of Charlie Kirk ― and got an earful from the leader on the “ridiculous,” “insane” and “stupid” rumors.

Greta Van Susteren prefaced the question Thursday by noting the “absurdity” of the claims.

“Before I let you go, I want you to address one thing, and it’s just the absurdity of it,” Van Susteren said. “Some of the internet rumors that somehow Israel is behind the Charlie Kirk murder, and you know, I don’t believe it for one second, but I want you to, you know, make a statement. It’s so absurd.”

Netanyahu laughed ruefully before proceeding.

“That’s insane,” he said. “Israel also changes the orbit of the moon. Israel pushes the sun. I mean, the whole thing is not only insane, I think it’s so absurd, so stupid, and so ridiculous. You can’t believe that people are saying that.”

(Read more from “Newsmax Host Asks Netanyahu If Israel Is Behind The Killing Of Charlie Kirk” HERE)

U.S. Congressman Demands New Investigation After Speaker’s ‘FBI Informant’ Assertion in Trump‑Epstein Case

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Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D‑Fla.) is calling for a renewed congressional investigation into President Donald Trump’s alleged cooperation with law enforcement in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, following a surprising claim from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.) that Trump acted as an FBI informant during his past interactions with Epstein.

On September 5, Speaker Johnson told reporters that Trump “was an FBI informant to try to take this stuff down,” referring to the Epstein case. The statement sparked confusion, backlash, and urgent questions about what exactly Johnson meant.

Within days, Johnson’s office attempted to clarify the remarks. He said he may have used the wrong terminology and that he meant Trump cooperated to some extent—not that he held the classic role of an informant. Johnson emphasized that Trump had never impeded the Epstein investigations and had, in fact, expelled Epstein from his Mar‑a‑Lago property when rumors of wrongdoing emerged.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz described the Speaker’s claim as a “significant event” and argued that it falls squarely within the House Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction. He questioned whether the FBI, under Director Kash Patel, has verified any such informant status.

Moskowitz also raised the possibility that Trump’s alleged informant status could have come about if Trump was “turned” — i.e. that he may have been compelled to cooperate in order to avoid repercussions for complicity or for knowledge of wrongdoing.

With Epstein’s case involving high‑profile individuals, the public is demanding clarity. If the Speaker of the House makes such a claim, many believe Congress has a responsibility to verify it. Moskowitz has emphasized this point.

The claim — and the backtracking — have added fuel to already heated debates over Trump’s relationship with Epstein, the release of Epstein‑related files, and accusations from both sides about cover‑ups and political exploitation of the case.

This issue remains fluid. As more evidence emerges — whether in public documents, DOJ statements, or Congressional testimony — key questions are likely to stay in the spotlight: What did Trump actually do?

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox: Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin Tyler Robinson Messaged Roommate About ‘Need to Retrieve a Rifle’

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) indicated during a Friday morning press conference that alleged assassin Tyler Robinson messaged his roommate on the Discord platform about the “need to retrieve a rifle.”

Cox noted that one family member disclosed Robinson had become “more political in recent years.”

The family member stated there was a recent dinner in which Robinson came to the table “and, in the conversation with another family member, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk was coming to [Utah Valley University].”

The family member said Robinson had explained why he “did not like [Kirk]” or his viewpoints.

Cox said investigators then “identified an individual as the roommate of Robinson,” and that roommate indicated Robinson “made a joke on Discord.”

The roommate showed investigators several messages on Discord, one of which “stated a need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush.” (Read more from “Utah Gov. Spencer Cox: Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin Tyler Robinson Messaged Roommate About ‘Need to Retrieve a Rifle’” HERE)

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‘Bella Ciao’ Inscription on Charlie Kirk Assassin’s Ammo References Song Idolized Among Antifa

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One of the inscriptions on an ammunition casing of alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson is a clear reference to the song “Bella Ciao,” which is idolized in Antifa circles.

At a press conference Friday morning, Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) detailed the pro-Antifa inscriptions on ammunition recovered from the gun used by Kirk’s assassin. One message on an unfired casing read, “O Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao.”

The words are the chorus to “Bella Ciao,” a famous Italian song that dates back to World War II, and was popularized by the Italian partisans, or communists, who were against dictator Benito Mussolini. In English, “bella ciao” translates to “goodbye beautiful.”

As journalist Jack Posobiec pointed out Friday on Steve Bannon’s War Room, the song has become a worldwide left-wing antifa anthem, though it remains popular for other reasons too.

According to Cox, a fired casing had the message, “Notices bulges OwO, what’s this?” which is reportedly a reference to homosexuality associated with “furry” fetishes or attraction to cartoon animals.

(Read more from “‘Bella Ciao’ Inscription on Charlie Kirk Assassin’s Ammo References Song Idolized Among Antifa” HERE)

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