WND

(REVOLVER) – As you know, the recent plane crash in Pennsylvania caused chaos on the ground, with debris soaring through the air like shrapnel. And for one family, that chaos became terrifyingly real when the plane crashed just feet from their car—during what was supposed to be a simple trip to pick up donuts.

Out of nowhere, the plane came crashing down. It was so close; it felt like a missile had hit. But in that split second, 10-year-old Trey Howard didn’t think about himself. His only thought was protecting his little sister. In doing so, he took a piece of metal straight to the head and wasn’t expected to survive.

But thank God, after emergency brain surgery, little Trey woke up—and the very first thing he asked was if his little sister was okay.

Feb. 6, 2025: 12:57 p.m.:

DOJ has just sued the state of Illinois and the City of Chicago for interfering in ICE’s deportation operations

#NEW: The Trump DOJ has just SUED the state of Illinois and the City of Chicago for interfering in ICE’s deportation operations, as per NYP.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s laying down the law, and this is the “first of many” lawsuits to be filed, per DOJ officials.… pic.twitter.com/6RJoCy3MLj

— LeanneSpurs (@LeanneSpurs) February 6, 2025

Feb. 6, 2025: 11:50 a.m.:

Trump unloads on CBS after transcript release of Kamala Harris interview

President Trump unloads on CBS after transcript release of Kamala Harris interview https://t.co/qerAgomh0B

— Michael R Peacock (@mikepeacock09) February 6, 2025

The Office of Special Counsel has concluded that the Internal Revenue Service improperly removed agents from the Hunter Biden case, and then issued illegal gag orders to keep them quiet.

The information comes from a letter Tristan Leavitt, chief of Empower Oversight, wrote to Sen. Chuck Grassley, chief of the Senate’s committee on the judiciary.

It involves retaliation against IRS agents who had been assigned to work on the Hunter Biden case, then removed.

Hunter Biden has been involved in a long list of criminal counts in recent years. He was convicted by a jury in a case involving his illegal purchase of a gun, and he later pleaded guilty to a long list of tax charges that erupted when he refused to pay income taxes on massive amounts of revenue.

There had been evidence of political influences on the cases as they developed.

His father, Joe Biden, then issued a presidential pardon granting him a free pass on the offenses.

Now a letter to Grassley, from Empower, explains that it filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Office of Special Counsel on behalf of IRS Agent Gary Shapley 20 months ago. IRS Agent Joseph Ziegler filed a similar complaint.

“These career law enforcement officers alleged that the IRS improperly removed them from the Hunter Biden investigation in retaliation for their protected whistleblower disclosures. The removal also extended to the entire IRS International Tax and Financial Crimes (“ITFC”) group led by SSA Shapley, including case agent SA Ziegler. At long last, the career nonpartisan staff at OSC responsible for investigating whistleblower retaliation has finally reached some conclusions. OSC confirmed in a December 30, 2024 email to counsel for the whistleblowers that it found the IRS issued illegal gag orders and improperly removed them from the Hunter Biden investigation as reprisal for their protected disclosures.”

A report at Just the News explained the two agents “blew the whistle on political interference in the Hunter Biden criminal investigation” and then the IRS “wrongly retaliated.”

That included the agency’s later communications “prohibiting them from further communicating concerns about wrongdoing and political meddling in the case.”

In fact, the OSC said, “[W]e believe certain IRS communications violated 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13). In addition, at this point, we believe IRS cannot support Mr. Shapley’s removal the criminal investigation of a high-profile subject.”

The OSC said it couldn’t substantiate that Shapley then wrongly was passed over for a promotion, but it did find, “SSA Shapley CAUGHT his supervisor altering the dates of SSA Shapley’s communications to slow-walk them and make it appear to others in the agency like SSA Shapley was only making last-minute requests,” according to Leavitt.

Leavitt said some findings will be appealed to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, a personnel agency for federal employees.

The report described the result as a “major win for the whistleblowers, whose protected disclosures to the House Ways and Means Committee transformed the Biden family corruption investigation and blew up a planned plea deal that would have spared President Joe Biden’s son prison time.”

That deal was a plea bargain that was worked out in his gun case, a bargain that a federal judge rejected as being too lenient.

That plea bargain, of course, was made completely unnecessary by Joe Biden’s later issuance of a blanket pardon.

The OSC findings also have raised concerns that the IRS tried to gag Ziegler and Shapley.

In fact, one IRS email claimed, “There should be no instances where case related activity discussions leave this field office without seeking approval from your direct report.”

Leavitt also urged Grassley to pressure the new Trump Justice Department to pursue prosecutions and other forms of accountability on those who interfered in the Hunter Biden case or retaliated against the whistleblowers, the report explained.

“If real corrective action is not taken soon, the message to future whistleblowers will be crystal clear: keep your mouth shut,” Leavitt wrote. “If IRS senior management can bully and ruin the careers of these public servants with no consequence for the retaliators and no meaningful remedy for the whistleblowers, no one will ever speak up again.”

“Fox & Friends” panelists predicted Thursday that Democratic lawmakers’ complaining about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will backfire on them in future elections.

A handful of Democratic lawmakers declared they were “at war” with Musk over his decision to disband USAID during their Tuesday protest in front of the Department of Treasury building, threatening to conduct a “hostile takeover” and set “fire” to the Republican Party. Fox News host Lawrence Jones said that Democrats may face electoral consequences from voters over this type of rhetoric.

“Now you’ve got [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer, Maxine Waters who is ranking member on financial service, you’ve got all of your leadership out there screaming. I don’t know how they recover from this. Nobody is gonna vote for crazy,” Jones said.

USAID wasted billions of dollars on left-wing causes on a global scale in the past several years, including its plan in August 2024 to spend $1.5 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean on LGBTQ causes. C0-host Brian Kilmeade argued it is a “gift” for Musk to reduce the size of the government and the amount of federal spending.

WATCH:

“This is a gift to have a forensic accountant go in there, the most talented businessman we have, adopted from South Africa, but they’re actually saying apartheid because he’s from South Africa? Are you crazy?”

President Donald Trump appointed Musk to lead the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) in order to fulfill his campaign promise of cutting wasteful spending. Trump and Musk, who have been a frequent critics of USAID, called for the agency to be shut down on Monday, informed staff to work remotely and appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be acting director at the agency.

In response, Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar warned they may “actually see someone get killed” and Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said they have to “fight in the streets.” Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley further threatened to set “fire” to the Republican Party and called Musk a “Nazi nutball baby” and a “godless, lawless billionaire.”

Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters went on a four minute tirade about how much she dislikes both Trump and Musk at the protest.

WATCH:

Rep. Robert Garcia: “Every single time that Elon Musk and his DOGE crew try to go to another agency, we got to be there–at the agency–stop them, and tell them ‘hell no’.” pic.twitter.com/gE0oApQ8u2

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 5, 2025

ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON: “The Trump Administration–including the Musk shadow government–seems intent on dismantling much of the federal government and the vital services it provides, in violation of the Constitution….” pic.twitter.com/Ki7rhWpA43

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 5, 2025

 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the Democrats’ rhetoric “unacceptable” and called on them to be held accountable during a Wednesday briefing.

This story originally was published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Feb. 6, 2025: 10:00 a.m.:

Trump learned his lesson; that’s why he’s cleaning house

When Donald Trump entered the White House eight years ago, his inexperience showed. The bureaucrats and political holdovers undermined and sabotaged his administration. Trump learned his lesson well. This time, upon entering office, he immediately cleaned house.

— Chip Beaman (@ChipBeaman) February 6, 2025

Feb. 6, 2025: 9:54 a.m.:

Press Sec. continues readout of a “long list of crap”

‘CUT’ IT OUT! White House Press Sec. @karolineleavitt gives sour Democrats a reality check, highlighting “the long list of crap” the Trump administration will no longer be funding as they prioritize Americans’ needs. pic.twitter.com/W3eXdOFIIS

— Manuel Gallego (@ManuelGall75383) February 6, 2025

Bishop Mariann Budde, who famously criticized Trump during an inaugural prayer service, has been found to have pocketed a staggering $53 million in taxpayer funds through her organization, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM).

This bombshell comes as no surprise to those who see through the sanctimonious veneer of left-wing religious leaders who preach compassion while filling their coffers with public money.

Bishop Budde, during an inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, implored President Trump to show compassion towards vulnerable groups, including illegal aliens and members of the LGBTQ community.

“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” Budde began. “As you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God.”

“And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings…They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation,” she added.

“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors…May I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away,” she concluded.

Trump responded to Budde’s antics in a late-night post to Truth Social, asserting that she and the church owe the public an apology.

The post read:

The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.

She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.

Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!

Budde’s moral posturing conveniently omits the fact that the Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM), the federal contracting arm of her church, has been profiting immensely from taxpayer-funded government programs aimed at resettling migrants.

In 2023 alone, EMM raked in $53 million to resettle 3,600 individuals, according to the New York Post.

The news outlet added that in 2024, EMM “sponsored” 6,400 individuals from 48 countries, including Afghans under a special humanitarian program and refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These new arrivals are immediately eligible for all forms of welfare, such as Medicaid and cash assistance, on the same basis as U.S. citizens. Further, they can sponsor friends and relatives under a recent Biden expansion of the refugee resettlement program.

More from the New York Post:

Since EMM’s ability to lobby is restricted, the Episcopal Church itself, being a separate legal entity from EMM, lobbies in D.C. for more programs that benefit EMM.

EMM brings in LGBTQ refugees and asylees in a special federal refugee program started during the Obama administration called “Preferred Communities.”

This program pays a premium over standard refugee resettlement for contractors that resettle “refugees experiencing social or psychological difficulties, including emotional trauma resulting from war and/or sexual or gender-based violence; survivors of torture; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) refugees; refugees who are HIV positive; populations with physical disabilities or other medical conditions.”

Then there is the public-private partnership program misnamed “Matching Grant.”

To get $1 of Department of Health and Human Services money, EMM must contribute just 10 cents, along with 90 cents worth of used cars, furniture, and monetized volunteer time.

The Episcopal Church also earns a commission for collecting on travel loans made to refugees resettled by EMM.

Here’s how it works: The U.S. taxpayer funds the International Organization for Migration, which loans money for airfare for the refugee’s flight to America. If the refugee pays the interest-free loan back, the church (not EMM) pockets 25% of the money. If the loan is not paid back, no one is the worse off, except the taxpayer.

Read more here.

Archbishop Vigano wrote an op-ed suggesting that these leaders, including those in the Catholic Church and other denominations, are part of a globalist agenda that benefits them financially and socially while contradicting their stated values and institutional roles.

He wrote:

When the servants of the globalist elite placed at the top of the institutions – both civil and religious – talk about welcoming illegal immigrants, they do not tell you that they make huge profits from the management of immigrants.

When they talk about the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, they do not tell you that they have a conflict of interest since they themselves are involved.

When they talk about going green, they do not tell you about their non-disinterested investments in the alternative energy sector.

This betrayal of their institutional role is what unites them: they earn money and increase their social power to the extent that they support the globalist agenda.

[Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Gateway Pundit.com]

Trump’s newly-confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy annihilated twice-failed presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton on Wednesday after she launched an attack on the agency.

Secretary Duffy said he spoke with Elon Musk’s DOGE team to help upgrade the aviation system after do-nothing bureaucrats destroyed the US’s infrastructure over the years.

“Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system,” Secretary Duffy said on Wednesday.

Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 5, 2025

Elon Musk said his DOGE team is working with Secretary Duffy to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.

“Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours,” Elon Musk said referring to NOTAM’s failure over the weekend.

With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.

Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!https://t.co/WHwNNBN0Zd https://t.co/fwOJ9BUBX5

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2025

Hillary Clinton responded to Secretary Duffy and attacked the young Gen Z whiz kids working on Elon Musk’s DOGE team.

“They have no relevant experience,” Hillary Clinton said taking a shot at the young geniuses. “Most of them aren’t old enough to rent a car.”

“And you’re going to let them mess with airline safety that’s already deteriorated on your watch?” Clinton added.

They have no relevant experience.

Most of them aren’t old enough to rent a car.

And you’re going to let them mess with airline safety that’s already deteriorated on your watch? pic.twitter.com/l0fFTrYMG2

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 5, 2025

Secretary Sean Duffy hit back hard.

“Madam Secretary, with all due respect, “experienced” Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out,” Secretary Duffy said.

Madam Secretary, with all due respect, “experienced” Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out. pic.twitter.com/6IhE5xLxV8

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 5, 2025

[Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Gateway Pundit.com]

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt about the Democrats’ threats of violence over President Donald Trump and Elon Musk disbanding the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

A handful of elected Democrats have suggested that they are “at war” with the current administration and may witness people get killed due to Trump and Musk’s calls on Monday for USAID to be shut down after it wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on left-wing causes globally. Leavitt told Doocy that the Trump administration has no interest in going to war with Democrats and deemed the rhetoric as “unacceptable.”

“Some elected Democrats are so steamed about [Department of Government Efficiency] DOGE. [Democratic New Jersey] Congresswoman LaMonica McIver says ‘we are at war.’ [Democratic Minnesota Rep.] Ilhan Omar says ‘we might actually see someone get killed,’ and [Democratic Maryland Sen.] Chris Van Hollen says ‘we have to fight this in Congress, we have to fight this in the streets.’ So, what now?” Doocy asked.

“And may I just point out that if you heard that type of violent, enticing rhetoric from our side of the aisle, from Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, I think there would be a lot more outrage in this room today. It’s unacceptable, the comments that have been made by these Democrat leaders and frankly, they don’t even know what they are talking about because President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American people to make this government more efficient. He campaigned across this country with Elon Musk vowing that Elon was going to head up the Department of Government Efficient and the two of them, with this great team they have around them, were going to look at the receipts of this federal government and ensure it’s accountable to American taxpayers.”

“For Democratic officials to incite violence and encourage Americans to take to the streets, is incredibly alarming and they should be held accountable for that rhetoric,” Leavitt continued.

WATCH:

USAID poured billions of taxpayer dollars into aiding foreign nations for several years, planned to spend $1.5 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean on LGBTQ causes and sent 65.5 million condoms, 9.8 million injectable birth control products and 334,000 IUDs to foreign countries in the fiscal year 2022.

DOGE, the agency overseen by Musk to reduce the federal government, called for major changes to be implemented on USAID and plans were announced that it was being shut down Monday. The administration then announced all staff to work remotely in an email and appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be the agency’s acting director.

Democrats gathered outside of the Department of Treasury building Tuesday to demand that the fight back against Musk’s said “hostile takeover” of the federal financial systems. McIver called for the U.S. Senate to be “shut down” and declared that she will not take “this shit” from Musk and Trump, while Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley stated she would bring “fire” to the Republican Party.

“Elon Musk is a Nazi nutball baby. A godless, lawless billionaire. No one elected Elon. This is the American people. This is not your trashy cyber truck that you can just dismantle, pick apart and sell the pieces of,” Pressley said. “I want to say to our Republican colleagues — pay attention. We’re here today in the hopes that you will see the light. But if you do not see the light, we will bring the fire. Resist.”

Protesters could also be heard chanting, “Elon Musk has got to go!” during the demonstration. McIver further urged supporters to “mobilize” and “fight back” against the president and Musk.

Democrats have repeatedly accused Republicans, particularly Trump, of inciting violence during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and have accused the president of being a “fascist” due to his alleged conduct that day.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.