THE NEWS

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Photo by William Iven, 2015)
Foreign social media accounts could be shaping negative narratives about the U.S.-Iran conflict, raising concerns about misinformation and public perception.
A report by Pew Research Center on March 25 indicates that a significant number of Americans are against U.S. military involvement in Iran. According to their survey, about 61 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict, while 37 percent express approval.
Furthermore, by a margin of almost two-to-one, more of the survey’s participants believe military action is not progressing well—45 percent compared to the 25 percent who think it is going extremely or very well.
But is someone shaping this narrative? On X, foreign users are certainly influencing the way the conflict is perceived. A recent analysis published on conservative political commentator Glenn Beck’s website of more than 1,000 viral English-language posts may offer valuable insights into who is crafting the narrative.
These posts, published between February 28 and March 13, showed a significant influence from accounts based outside the U.S. In his opinion, these accounts, along with the groups or governments behind them, are significantly steering the conversation on X, inundating it with “inflammatory and demoralizing propaganda,” which can alter public perception and sentiment.
Mauro, a national security analyst and founder of The Mauro Institute, spoke to The Gateway Pundit about his discovery. He shared that, according to his research, “more than half, specifically 559 out of 1,000, of the viral X posts written in English about Iran come from abroad. These 559 posts garnered more than 650 million views and accumulated nearly 22 million total interactions, including reposts, likes, and replies. For him, “This engagement underscores the power of social media to amplify certain narratives.”
Interestingly, a random selection of 150 posts from the thousand viral X posts showed that 108 (72%) were negative, whereas only 40 (27%) were positive. The non-U.S. portion of that random selection showed a significantly negative response, with 64 percent expressing negativity and only 10 percent showing positivity. According to Mauro, this imbalance alone raises questions about the authenticity of the discourse surrounding the issue.
“In numerous instances,” he said, “users located in the U.S. parroted messages from the Iranian government and its sympathizers. Their posts frequently cite hostile non-U.S. users and mention propagandistic content from abroad, suggesting a concerning trend of American users unwittingly sharing misinformation that aligns with foreign agendas.”
What’s more, the analysis reveals two primary narratives that arise from the negative posts. “The first suggests that a Zionist conspiracy manipulated, bribed, or coerced President Trump into initiating Operation Epic Fury,” Mauro offered.
“The second narrative claims that the military campaign serves as a deceptive ‘Wag the Dog’ distraction intended to shift focus away from purported evidence linking Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and to address his dwindling approval ratings.” Such narratives not only complicate the political landscape but also heighten tensions and deepen divisions, said Mauro.
Despite the unfavorable narrative spreading on the internet, Republicans continue to back Trump’s actions against Iran. According to The POLITICO Poll, 81 percent of those identifying as MAGA support him, while 61 percent of non-MAGA individuals also express their support. For Mauro, this steadfast backing reflects a broader divide in public opinion, with party loyalty often overshadowing the complexities of foreign policy.
Learn more about Mauro’s analysis by clicking here.
The post Foreign Influence Exposed: How Non-U.S. Social Media Accounts Shape the Narrative on Iran Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

FINAL CLUE: Ted Bundy unmasked in decades-old teen murder as cold case finally solved by DNA: reportUNDER OATH: County leaders seek advice from lawyers after Nancy Guthrie sheriff accused of perjury‘DIGITAL SPYING’: Hawaii doctor claims self-defense as prosecutors reveal wife tracking before alleged hike attackSEND US A TIP HERETUG-OF-WAR: Luigi Mangione’s federal trial stays on track as judge rejects defense push for delayWITHOUT A TRACE: Arizona girl last seen walking to stable before vanishing found alive decades later, authorities sayLISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCASTEVIL EXPOSED: Long-cold case shattered as DNA links suspect to savage attack, killing of young woman, investigators saySIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERGRAVE SECRETS: ‘Texas Killing Fields’ cold case explodes as suspect indicted in two slayings decades after 30 bodies foundLIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBCALCULATED MOVE: Suburban mom accused of killing ex, his parents after ‘hang out’ text, confession revealed in docs: report’INCONCLUSIVENESS’: Experts unload on Tyler Robinson’s ballistics claim: ‘Unable to identify is not the same as ruled out’MORBID MEMORY: Executed killer’s chilling claim about what she felt during pickax murders still haunts retired FBI agentFOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

DOJ Is Done Releasing Epstein Files

Authored by Steve Watson via modernity.news,

In a move sparking fresh skepticism among Americans demanding full accountability, the new acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has declared the Jeffrey Epstein files chapter closed. This came just hours after President Trump reassigned Pam Bondi, with Blanche – Trump’s former personal attorney – stepping in as acting AG and signaling it’s time to move on from the scandal.

“The DOJ has now released ALL the files with respect to the Epstein saga,” Blanche stated on Fox News. He added, “I think that to the extent the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward.”

Jesse Watters pressed Blanche directly on whether he thought Bondi mishandled the Epstein files. Blanche responded, “First of all, I have never heard President Trump say that the Attorney General was, that anything that happened to her had anything to do with the Epstein files. So look, the Epstein files has been a saga that’s lasted for the entire for the past year.” He further defended the process, noting that Bondi and he “appeared in front of Congress voluntarily a couple weeks ago to answer any questions they had” and made documents available for review.

🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL: The Epstein Files are DONE, acting AG Todd Blanche announces
“The DOJ has now released ALL the files with respect to the Epstein saga.”pic.twitter.com/dT9dLvoASd
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 3, 2026
When Watters asked, “Who was Epstein spying for?” Blanche replied, “I don’t know that he was spying for anybody. Nobody’s ever said that.” He claimed there is “no evidence in the Epstein files” suggesting Epstein worked for a foreign country.

Todd Blanche wastes no time covering up for the Epstein child trafficking network and says he has no idea which country Jeffrey Epstein was working for or spying for.
He says there is no evidence in the Epstein files that proves Epstein was a spy.
JESSE WATTERS: Who was Epstein… pic.twitter.com/EtyHPLakVN
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) April 3, 2026
On the question of releasing names of men who abused girls, Blanche previously pushed back, asking “What does that mean? I don’t understand what that means.” He also stated plainly, “It’s not a crime to party with Mr. Epstein.”

Reporter: Will we learn the identities of the men in the Epstein files?
Todd Blanche, Trump’s Attorney General: “What does that mean?”
🤬It means: Who raped children, who enabled it, and who’s still being shielded?
Stop pretending the question is unclear. The cover-up is the… pic.twitter.com/i6nGtX9P74
— Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) April 3, 2026
Blanche doubled down on the administration’s position: “When Trump said let’s release the Epstein files… we did it.”

The timing aligns with Trump’s decision to move Bondi to the private sector amid reported frustrations over her pace on key matters, including the Epstein files. Critics had highlighted her earlier claims of possessing a client list and distributing repetitive binders, followed by a DOJ memo stating no such list existed.

Yet the assertion that “all files” are out faces immediate pushback. The DOJ reviewed roughly six million potentially responsive documents but released only about 3.5 million publicly, leaving millions still unreleased, redacted, or withheld.

This latest development deepens concerns over an Epstein cover up. FBI officers have raised alarms, with suspicions of document shredding after his death.

 

Separately, a foreign hacker who cracked into the FBI’s Epstein files in 2023 was reportedly disgusted at the scale of child sexual abuse material uncovered, underscoring how much sensitive content may still remain hidden.

Epstein survivor reactions and ongoing victim calls for transparency continue to highlight the stakes.

Annie Farmer, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, reacts to President Trump firing Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general. Trump said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will be acting attorney general. pic.twitter.com/MrysNjbVOA
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 2, 2026
Blanche has remained guarded on specifics. His responses often circled back to congressional access rather than new public disclosures, while emphasizing a pivot to other fraud cases nationwide.

The Epstein operation represented far more than one man’s crimes — it exposed a network that reached the highest levels of power, protected for years by institutional gatekeepers. Declaring the files “done” while millions of pages stay locked away does little to rebuild trust in a system long accused of shielding the elite.

Americans who supported Trump’s mandate expect genuine sunlight on these matters, not a premature shutdown dressed as completion. The deep state’s habits of concealment die hard, and the demand for full disclosure — for the victims and the public’s right to know — will not fade quietly.

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 04/03/2026 – 16:00

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security requesting special security accommodations for the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.Fetterman cited concerns amid the ongoing Iran War for his desire for more security.”I urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to elevate the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) for the National Football League’s 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to ensure the safety of participants and fans at the event. The NFL Draft is one of the most iconic sporting events held each year,” the letter began.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM”This is the first time since 1948 that the NFL will host the Draft in Pittsburgh. It is expected to draw well over 700,000 fans to open-air events in Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, and more than 50 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch the Draft on television or online. Previously, DHS designated the Draft a Level 3 SEAR event, but I urge DHS to elevate it to a Level 2 SEAR event given the changing threat environment in the wake of the war in Iran.”A Level 2 designation would provide greater coordination and deployment of federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as counter-drone support, K9 units, and intelligence analysis and sharing. Increasing the SEAR designation for the Draft will help ensure that additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans secure and able to enjoy the Draft without fear.”TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S WORLD CUP PARTICIPATION MAY NOT BE ‘APPROPRIATE,’ WHILE ADDING MEN’S TEAM IS STILL ‘WELCOME’The draft is set to take place in Pittsburgh from April 23–25.President Donald Trump declared Iran is “essentially really no longer a threat” after a 32-day U.S. military campaign, during a primetime address Wednesday.”I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly. Very shortly, we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks,” Trump said. “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing.””We are in this military operation … for 32 days,” he added. “And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat.”The mission known as Operation Epic Fury began just more than one month ago, on Feb. 28. Since then, U.S. forces have struck more than 12,000 targets inside Iran and damaged or destroyed 155 naval ships, according to the Central Command. Thirteen U.S. service members have died in the operations, and 350 have been injured.  Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Critics called out California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office on Thursday for notably skipping former President Joe Biden in an X post that expressed nostalgia for “a president with a functioning brain.”The Governor Newsom Press Office X account, known for leaning into humor and pugnacious hot takes, shared a post encouraging other X users to repost “if you miss having a President with a functioning brain.” The post featured an image of former President Barack Obama.The message quickly went viral as users pointed out it skipped Biden’s presidency, which was specifically dogged by speculation about his declining mental acuity. NEWSOM TEAM MOCKS ‘CONSERVATIVE SNOWFLAKES’ AFTER GAY-DATING APP INSULTS SPARK HOMOPHOBIA CLAIMS”They skipped someone,” podcaster Stephen L. Miller quipped.The social media account representing the Republican Party riffed on Newsom mentioning his dyslexia and wrote, “We know you ‘can’t read’ but remember posting this?” The post showed Newsom’s account previously wishing Biden a happy birthday and credited him specifically for having a “functioning brain.”Conservative commentator Jeff Blehar shared a popular meme cartoon of a goose who pursues somebody for some glaring omission and, in this case, saying, “Who did you omit there, Gavin? WHO DID YOU OMIT?”THE MOST UNUSUAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: NEWSOM IS DYSLEXIC, STRUGGLES WITH SPEECHES, REJECTS ‘LIBERAL’ LABELAfter the backlash, the Newsom Press Office did credit Biden for something, however, but opted to praise his “empathy.””RT if you miss having a President with empathy,” the account wrote.Fox News Digital contacted Biden’s office and did not receive an immediate reply.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

A New York City jury handed down a split verdict this week in the high-profile trial of Guy Rivera, the 36-year-old career criminal charged in the 2024 shooting death of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller.
Rivera was acquitted of first-degree murder but convicted of the lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree.
The killer was also found guilty of attempted murder in the first degree for trying to shoot a second officer at the scene and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
WATCH:

BREAKING – A New York City jury has refused to hand a unanimous murder verdict to Guy Rivera in the killing of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller and instead convicted him of a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter. pic.twitter.com/oHc9ui3uiQ
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) April 2, 2026

The shooting took place on March 25, 2024, in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Detective Diller, 31, and other officers from a community response team approached an illegally parked vehicle.
Rivera, a passenger in the car, refused commands to exit and opened fire at close range, striking Diller in the torso below his bulletproof vest.
Diller was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Rivera also pointed his gun at NYPD Sergeant Sasha Rosen and pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned.
The cold-blooded killer had a lengthy criminal history with more than 21 prior arrests, including charges related to drugs and violence. He has already previously served time in state prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office released a statement and press release following the verdict.
It read in part:
“The last words Detective Jonathan Diller told his wife were ‘I love you.’ Detective Diller was a father, a husband and a son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on a uniform every day to protect our city. On March 25, 2024, Guy Rivera chose to ignore these facts, chose to ignore multiple lawful commands and chose to shoot Detective Diller. After shooting Detective Diller, he tried to shoot in the chest Sergeant Sasha Rosen. This crime stole the life of a dutiful officer and a family man and endangered the life of a devoted NYPD sergeant. I thank the members of my Homicide Bureau for prosecuting this case. We continue to stand in solidarity with Detective Diller’s loved ones, Sergeant Sasha Rosen and all the brave men and women who protect our city.”
Diller, a married father of a young son, was remembered as a dedicated officer who left behind his wife Stephanie and their child.
His funeral drew thousands of law enforcement officers in a massive procession through the streets of New York.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the not-guilty verdict on the top murder charge as a “gut punch” to the entire department and to Diller’s family in an opinion piece published by the New York Post.
Rivera is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27. He is still facing 90 years to life in prison.
The post NYC Jury Refuses Murder Conviction for Cop-Killer Guy Rivera in Point-Blank Killing of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Second US Warplane Lost: A-10 Warthog Crashes Near Hormuz Shortly After F-15 Shootdown

Update(1535ET): Friday has witnessed a sudden spate of disasters for the US Air Force over Iran. The downed F-15 situation is still ongoing, there are unconfirmed reports a Blackhawk helicopter may have been shot down, and now the NYT is confirming an A-10 Warthog crashed in the Persian Gulf region:

A second Air Force combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, and the lone pilot was safely rescued, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters.  The A-10 Warthog attack plane went down near the Strait of Hormuz about the same time that an Air Force F-15E was shot down over Iran, the officials said. In that incident, one crew member was rescued and search-and-rescue operators are looking for the second airman.

The A-10 incident has seen very little in the way of any details emerge. Currently there’s chatter that a second US crew member apparently shot down in the F-15 may have been rescued also. And..

US President Trump tells NBC News downing of US jet won’t affect Iran talks.

“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war.”

* * *

Update(11:55ET): The NY Times has cited US and Israeli officials who has given confirmation that a US fighter jet was downed and that a major rescue operation is underway, with the fate of the plane’s crew unclear:

The fate of the plane’s crew was unclear, as American officials scrambled to mount a search and rescue operation before Iran could get to any survivors, said the U.S. and Israeli officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The situation creates a military and diplomatic challenge for the United States, as President Trump has threatened in recent days to bombard Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” Over the past 24 hours, the United States and Iran have been trading attacks on military and civilian infrastructure in the region.

The U.S. jet was an F-15E, U.S. officials said, which has a standard crew of two, and not one of the stealth fighters of more recent design. Just days ago, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s air defenses were so degraded that the United States was sending B-52 bombers over the country; the F-15E is much smaller, faster and more agile, making it a tougher target.

Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency has published a video of people in southern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province “searching for American pilots”. pic.twitter.com/0i91p9y4Qt
— Ghoncheh Habibiazad | غنچه (@GhonchehAzad) April 3, 2026
There are also unconfirmed claims that a helicopter may have been shot down as it was engaged in the search and rescue mission. Supposedly state media has also issued a bounty for the capture of any US pilot by Iranian citizens.

Reports that a pilot has been located and rescued, via CBS, WSJ and others:

Two U.S. officials have confirmed that one member of the crew of an American F-15E shot down over Iran has been rescued. The status of the second crew member is unknown. A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing.

BREAKING: One of two crew members of a U.S. fighter jet that was shot down over Iran was located and rescued by U.S. special forces and the search for the second is ongoing, sources tell Axios. https://t.co/ZXndzj9n5I
— Axios (@axios) April 3, 2026
Below: unconfirmed but widely circulating images…

🚨UNCONFIRMED: Initial reports from Iran indicate the successful targeting of an American helicopter during search operations of downed F-15 fighter jet earlier today. pic.twitter.com/vhZvAn7ZsJ
— Clash Observer (@clashobserver) April 3, 2026
In the meantime Iran’s parliament speaker and the man who appears to be de facto running the day-to-day of the country is trolling the United States:

After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from “regime change” to “Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?🥺”
Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 3, 2026
Reports of people shooting at helicopters/planes with small arms from the ground:

Iranian farmers were shooting at American search and rescue helicopters with rifles in a desperate attempt to down them, but according to CNN’s guest, perhaps Iranians helped the fighter pilot because they’re “happy that he’s there.” https://t.co/JpvkB9VMpT
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 3, 2026
*  *  *

Iranian media has announced that national forces have shot down a US fighter jet, and a US search and rescue effort is is active over Iran in an effort to locate two crew.

Israeli media as well as Axios are also reporting it, with emerging photos and videos suggesting it is an F-15 fighter jet. “Iranian state media published pictures and videos that allegedly show parts of the downed plane and one of the ejection seats,” Axios writes. Photos initially released via state Fars:

BIG: Iranian state media released images of debris from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet.
Iran initially claimed it had shot down an F-35, but the wreckage shown clearly matches an F-15E. pic.twitter.com/JMQvv0h2yo
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 3, 2026
There are also emerging reports that Iran may have captured one of the pilots, while separately Israel’s N12 reports that the US has sent “large forces” to rescue the crew. Presumably this is an aerial mission, including spotter aircraft and helicopters – leading to potential greater exposure to ground fire.

It is possible that US Special Forces operators could also be involved in the rescue mission, but CENTCOM within the opening hours of the incident has not confirm anything.

A McDonnell-Douglas ACES II (Advanced Concept Ejection Seat) from a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle has been found by residents in Southern Iran, the whereabouts or status of the pilot and weapons officer is currently unknown:

DropSite News, which maintains sources inside Iran, writes the following:

An Iranian official told Drop Site News that a U.S. F-15 warplane struck by Iranian forces went down over southern Tehran Province, with intense fire reported at the crash site. The official said the nature of the strike prevented the pilot[s] from ejecting before the aircraft crashed. No remains have been found.

There have been images and footage also circulating showing very low flights by potential US military spotter aircraft, likely looking for surviving crew of the F-15.

A US Air Force HC-130J “Combat King II” Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft seen flying extremely low over the countryside of Southern Iran.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J “Combat King II” Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Aircraft seen flying extremely low over the countryside of Southern Iran, as the search continues for the crew of a downed American F-15E Strike Eagle. pic.twitter.com/vQL7umqmYy
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026
Evidence of low-flying helicopters deployed as part of the recovery efforts…

Crazy, scenes from the ongoing US search operation in the Dehdasht area of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, southwest Iran. pic.twitter.com/Leksyki4Xu
— War Flash (@WarFlash_2630) April 3, 2026
After more than a month of Trump’s Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon has lost a slew of aircraft, including heavy refueling tankers, drones, and even three F-15s downed over Kuwait (which CENTCOM claimed was a ‘friendly fire’ incident). A stealth F-35 was also damaged, resulting in an emergency landing in a Middle East country.

Neither the US military nor the White House have immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 04/03/2026 – 15:30

An Arizona girl whose 1994 disappearance was long treated as a possible abduction has been found alive more than three decades later and investigators now say she left voluntarily.The Gila County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this week that Christina “Tina” Marie Plante, who vanished from Star Valley at age 13, has been located alive at 44, bringing a decades-old case to a close.But new details shared by a lead investigator are shifting the narrative behind her disappearance.Capt. Jamie Garrett, a cold case investigator who ultimately identified and contacted Plante, said she was surprised to learn the teen had run away rather than being taken.ARIZONA GIRL LAST SEEN WALKING TO STABLE BEFORE VANISHING FOUND ALIVE DECADES LATER, AUTHORITIES SAY”I guess she wasn’t happy with where she was living and who she was living with, and she ran away,” Garrett told NewsNation on Thursday.”I was dumbfounded,” Garrett added. “I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. OK, so you ran away.’ I told her … ‘You know, we were under the impression that somebody kidnapped you. It was deemed a criminal offense.’”Plante was last seen around midday on May 15, 1994, leaving her home in Star Valley on foot. According to her missing person flyer, she told others she was heading to a nearby horse stable but never returned. Investigators at the time classified the case as “missing/endangered” under suspicious circumstances.REALTOR’S COLD CASE MURDER FINALLY SOLVED AFTER 15 YEARS, POLICE SAYShe was described as having blue eyes and dark blonde hair and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, multicolored shorts and black tennis shoes.Her disappearance prompted an extensive search effort, but authorities were unable to develop meaningful leads. Over time, the case went cold, though it remained open and was periodically revisited by investigators.Garrett said he recently focused on a lead involving an adult woman he believed could be Plante and reached out directly. The woman confirmed her identity, according to Garrett.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XThe investigator said Plante indicated she left on her own with help from relatives she had been in contact with at the time.SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER”She said that was a long time ago, that was an old life,” Garrett said. “She’s in her adult life. She has her family now. That’s not something she even thinks about.”SEND US A TIP HEREGarrett also told NewsNation that he does not believe there are immediate family members currently in the Star Valley area still searching for Plante.LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCASTAuthorities have not released further details about where Plante has been or the circumstances surrounding her departure, citing privacy considerations.LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBThe development marks a significant shift from the assumptions that guided the early investigation, which for years centered on the possibility that Plante had been abducted.Fox News Digital reached out to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. 

The parents of the suspects connected to the foiled explosive attack outside MacDill Air Force Base in Florida last month are illegal immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security announced, adding that the case underscores the dangers of birthright citizenship.ICE agents took the parents, identified as Qiu Qin Zou and Jia Zhang Zheng, into custody on March 18, days after their son, Alen Zheng, allegedly planted an explosive device outside the base.Officials said the parents illegally entered the United States and applied for asylum in 1993, but an immigration judge denied those claims and ordered both Zheng and Zou removed from the U.S. in 1998.The Board of Immigration Appeals denied multiple attempts by the pair to reopen their case, but they remained in the U.S. for decades despite the removal order.MIKE DAVIS: SANITY MUST BE RESTORED TO BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIPThe arrests add a new dimension to the case, as the Trump administration argues it underscores national security risks tied to birthright citizenship, an issue now before the Supreme Court.Their children — Alen Zheng and his sister, Ann Mary Zheng — were both born in the U.S. and are citizens.Federal authorities allege Alen Zheng planted an improvised explosive device outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitor center in Tampa on March 10, while his sister later helped cover up the crime.Prosecutors said Ann Mary Zheng “assisted after the fact” and tampered with evidence to hinder her brother’s arrest.Federal investigators believe Alen Zheng fled to China and remains there. His sister was arrested after returning to the U.S. through Detroit.The explosive device, described by officials as potentially “very deadly,” failed to detonate and was discovered six days later by an Air Force airman.Investigators later linked the device to materials recovered from Zheng’s home and a burner phone used to place a cryptic 911 call warning about the bomb.DHS officials said the case highlights broader concerns about immigration enforcement and citizenship laws, as the Supreme Court weighs the scope of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.”Automatically granting citizenship to children of illegal aliens born in the U.S. … poses a major national security risk,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “This incident underscores the severe national security threat that illegal immigration and birthright citizenship pose to the United States.”The agency noted that the suspects were born in the United States after their parents entered the country illegally.President Donald Trump moved to restrict birthright citizenship through an executive order signed on his first day in office, arguing the current interpretation of the Constitution is flawed.The policy is being challenged in the Supreme Court, setting up a major legal battle over the scope of the 14th Amendment.Federal prosecutors have charged Alen Zheng with attempted destruction of government property by fire or explosion, as well as weapons-related offenses, which could carry up to 40 years in prison.Ann Mary Zheng faces charges of accessory after the fact and evidence tampering, with a potential sentence of up to 30 years.Officials have not publicly identified a motive or confirmed any connection to the Chinese government.MacDill Air Force Base houses U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, making it one of the most strategically significant military installations in the country.Fox News’ Alex Nitzberg and Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

Judge James Boasberg on Friday rejected the Justice Department’s request to revive the subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve.
Last month, Judge Boasberg, an Obama appointee, quashed the Justice Department’s subpoenas issued to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
Boasberg previously blasted Trump and US Attorney Pirro and said the subpoenas were improperly issued after the president pressured Powell to lower interest rates.
The Justice Department appealed Judge Boasberg’s decision.
On Friday, Boasberg again rejected the DOJ’s request to issue subpoenas.
CBS News reported:
A federal judge on Friday rejected efforts by the Justice Department to revive two subpoenas it served to the Federal Reserve as part of its criminal investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell and the Fed’s building renovations, after the judge had quashed them on the grounds they were pretextual and not based on evidence of a crime.
“The Government’s arguments do not come close to convincing the Court that a different outcome is warranted,” wrote Chief Judge for the District of Columbia James Boasberg.
In January, Powell revealed that the Federal Reserve had received grand jury subpoenas from the Justice Department as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into him.
The subpoenas threatened a criminal indictment related to Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June 2025, according to Powell. The chairman — who has drawn President Trump’s ire for declining to rapidly slash interest rates — said the probe centered on his comments about a years-long renovation project at the Federal Reserve’s office buildings. The investigation has not resulted in any criminal charges.
Federal investigators in January opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
Powell is under fire for the cost of renovating the Fed’s DC headquarters. The cost ballooned from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion.
“Powell has asked the central bank’s inspector general to conduct an additional review of the ongoing renovation, CNN previously reported. Last month, some Senate lawmakers grilled Powell over what they depicted as lavish upgrades to its DC headquarters at Powell’s semiannual monetary policy hearing,’ CNN previously reported.
“The Fed’s renovation project was approved by its board in 2017 and originally cost $1.9 billion in 2019. Construction began in 2021, but the cost swelled to $2.5 billion because of “unforeseen conditions” requiring more spending to rectify, such as “more asbestos than anticipated, toxic contamination in soil, and a higher-than-expected water table,” according to the Fed’s website,” CNN reported.
Last July, Jerome Powell was criminally referred to the Justice Department for prosecution.
GOP Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna sent a letter to the DOJ accusing Powell of perjury.
US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro blasted Judge Boasberg during remarks last month.
“This judge has put himself at the entrance door to the grand jury, slamming that door shut, irrespective of the legal process, and thus preventing the grand jury from doing the work that it does!” Pirro said.

BOMBSHELL: Jeanine Pirro is holding a press conference after Boasberg, the RADICAL ACTIVIST, blocked a subpoena into Jerome Powell, and IT’S ON!
“This is UNTETHERED from the law.”
Jerome and Boasberg are currently the “ANTITHESIS OF JUSTICE.”
“It is NOT how our criminal… pic.twitter.com/yUS4ViBdU9
— Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) March 13, 2026

The post Corrupt Judge Boasberg Rejects DOJ Request to Revive Subpoenas Issued to Fed Chair Jerome Powell appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.