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Thursday, October 9, 2025

Trump Announces Breakthrough on Israel-Hamas Deal

The president on Monday evening: I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Truth). Jerusalem Post: The agreement means that Hamas will release all of the remaining 20 living hostages within the next 72 hours. A Hamas source told al Araby al Jadeed that all of them will be released in a single batch during the first phase of the deal. The deal is expected to be signed in Egypt on Thursday afternoon, sources in the Hamas terrorist organization told Lebanese outlet al Mayadeen (JPost). Benjamin Netanyahu: With the help of the Name – we’re bringing everyone back (Netanyahu). Pictured above: Secretary of State Rubio interrupting President Trump during the roundtable discussion on Antifa (see story #4 below). If the deal goes through, it’ll be a photo for the ages.

Could Trump Have Successfully Pressured Qatar to Stop “Playing Both Sides”

As we watch Qatar in the context of the Israel-Hamas deal, a twist of the adage from Reagan would be in order. The Gipper, of course, famously used the line, “trust, but verify.” Here: We’d all do well to, “distrust—and verify.” Natalie Ecanow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Amit Segal writes that “change is afoot,” as Doha is finally pressing Hamas to accept the Gaza peace deal President Trump has put on the table (“Why Qatar Changed Course on Hamas,” op-ed, Oct. 1). Qatari support for the proposal is a positive development, but the U.S. should be cautious it isn’t fleeting. Doha has played double games before, and unless it sustains its pressure on Hamas, this may prove to be another one…. A divorce with Hamas would unravel decades of support. The relationship dates to the 1990s, when Qatar’s former emir offered Hamas members sanctuary after they were expelled from Jordan. In 2003 Hamas officials reportedly met in Qatar after Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin. At the time, Israeli media reported that Qatar had influence on the group’s decision-making because the regime gave it “a significant portion” of its funding. By the outbreak of the current war, Qatar had pumped approximately $1.8 billion into Gaza while funneling millions “discreetly” to Hamas’s leadership (Wall Street Journal). Jonathan Schanzer: Qatar reportedly firing the top echelon of Al-Jazeera execs. Waiting for official confirmation (Schanzer).

Former FBI Director James Comey Formally Indicted

A historical first—and a needed precedent if the agency is going to be realigned with its law enforcement mission. Matt Margolis of PJ Media: Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, marking a dramatic development in one of the most politically explosive feuds in modern American history. The move comes just days after President Donald Trump publicly demanded his Justice Department act “now” to pursue Comey and other political rivals, escalating what critics already describe as a clear weaponization of federal law enforcement. The charges stem from Comey’s congressional testimony back on September 30, 2020, when he defended his handling of the Russia probe. Prosecutors allege that he lied to lawmakers about his management of that investigation, though the case has long been seen as shaky at best. Even Justice Department officials acknowledged deep misgivings. Several prosecutors questioned whether there was sufficient evidence to sustain charges at trial and warned of the obvious ethical concerns attached to such a politically targeted case. “No one is above the law. Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement on X. “We will follow the facts in this case” (PJ Media). The former FBI director has entered a “not guilty” plea.

Trump Hosts Roundtable on Antifa

Elite outlets tried to frame it as though the president was giving a platform to wannabe reporters who didn’t deserve a platform. Just one example, from the Guardian: White House gives platform to conservative influencers to air grievances during ‘antifa roundtable’ – live (Guardian). In fact: These reporters have been placing themselves at risk to raise awareness on Antifa—and their radical, violent modus operandi. Joining them was Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod: I’m a reporter in Seattle, and frankly, I could not care any less what any of you have to say about this meeting could not care any less. We’re not here for you. I’m not here to convince any of you that Antifa is a real thing because if you have not come to that conclusion by now, you are never going to come to that conclusion because you don’t want to see it. And you’re going to go and you’re going to say it’s a bunch of right-wing conservative influencers who are here spinning a tail. I was one of you. I was a mainstream reporter in Seattle for 10 years. I was a TV reporter on the streets doing my job, and I was still assaulted by Antifa. So it’s not about being conservative, it’s about people who go there and show what they’re doing. And when I saw after all those years that the media wouldn’t be honest about what was happening, that democratic politicians wouldn’t be honest about what was happening, I thought, well, gosh, if they’re not being honest about that, maybe they’re not being honest about President Trump either. And it opened my mind to just looking at things for what they were. And now I find you quite funny actually. Now, like I said, I’m much happier about it (X).

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Illinois Election Law

Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch calls it “the most important Supreme Court election law case in a generation.” Fitton: Too many courts have denied candidates their right to challenge unlawful election rules such as the outrageous act of counting ballots that arrive AFTER Election Day! Illinois is blatantly violating fed law by counting ballots that arrive 14 days AFTER Election Day—inviting fraud and eroding voter confidence! @JudicialWatch sued to stop this outrage on behalf of @RepBost and 2 voters, but lower courts shamefully blocked them from challenging this illegal law…. Today, the Supreme Court stepped up and granted cert to our case and decide if candidates can use federal courts to protect election integrity and uphold the LAW! (Fitton). The broader issue here has to do with standing, i.e., can a candidate challenge election law? New York Post: Bost’s case had been rejected by the lower courts, including the Chicago-based US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, which determined the lawmaker — who represents a deep-red district in Southern Illinois — lacked standing on the grounds that his lawsuit was speculative and showed no evidence of harm. “What you’re sketching out for us is a potential disaster,” Chief Justice John Roberts told an attorney for Illinois who questioned whether candidates likely to win could challenge election laws they found unjust. “In other words, you’re saying, ‘If the candidate is going to win by 65%, no standing,’ but the candidate you know hopes to win by a dozen votes … then he has standing. But we’re not going to know that until we get very close to the election” (New York Post).

Florida Man Arrested Over Palisades Fire

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli: Today we are announcing the arrest of 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht on a criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what became the Palisades Fire in January. The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht’s started a fire in Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day — a blaze that eventually turned into one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, causing death and widespread destruction (Essayli). New York Post: Rinderknecht, who lived in the area at some point, allegedly ignited the flames near a popular hiking trail in the hillside of a state park overlooking the neighborhood at about 12:12 a.m. on New Year’s Day – just moments after dropping off his Uber passengers. The passengers later recalled Rinderknecht appearing “agitated and angry,” the feds said. After arriving at the hiking trail, Rinderknecht allegedly filmed the scene on his phone and listened to the rap song “Un Zder, Un The,” by French artist Josman, whose music video features him setting a series of blazes, the criminal complaint states (New York Post). Los Angeles Times addresses questions that many readers have: The revelations … raise questions about what the Los Angeles Fire Department could have done to prevent the conflagration in the days leading up to the expected windstorm on Jan. 7 and the extraordinary fire risk that would come with it. “This affidavit puts the responsibility on the fire department,” said Ed Nordskog, former head of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s arson unit. “There needs to be a commission examining why this rekindled fire was allowed to reignite.” He added: “The arsonist set the first fire, but the Fire Department proactively has a duty to do certain things” (Los Angeles Times).

On Palisades Fire, Media Parotted “Climate Change;” Now We Know: It Was Arson

Or at least: It’s clear that the most plausible explanation for the apocalyptic fire was arson. Thomas Catenacci of Free Beacon: Democrats and media outlets were quick to blame climate change and oil companies for the devastating Palisades Fire that ravaged Los Angeles earlier this year. But that narrative crumbled on Wednesday when federal law enforcement officials charged a man for deliberately starting the fire…. The charge—which Essayli said was informed by witness statements, video surveillance, cell phone data, and an analysis of fire dynamics conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—cuts against the narrative prominent Democratic lawmakers and media outlets pushed following the tragic event. “If you don’t believe in science, believe your own damn eyes,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D., Calif.) wrote in a post with photographs of the Los Angeles fire. The post came in response to news that President Donald Trump would withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords in January (Free Beacon).

LePen’s Moment in France?

An opportunity to “upend the traditional EU order.” With Macron struggling to hold a government together, the speculation is that he may, in fact, step aside. If there’s a new election, LePen and her conservative National Rally party look strong. New York Sun: With pressure rising on President Emmanuel Macron to step down, the political spotlight at Paris is fixed on the head of the rightist National Rally, Marine Le Pen, and her lieutenant, Jordan Bardella. Can they rise to the occasion? The mood of the nation has tilted toward the right, with polls showing the National Rally in first place in the event of new elections. It marks an opportunity to reform not only France but Europe as a whole. Mr. Bardella, who is being eyed as a possible prime minister in the event the National Rally succeeds in legislative elections — or if Madame Le Pen captures the presidency — appears to grasp the weight of the moment. He links his party’s momentum in France to “his ability to upend the traditional EU order too,” Politico reports. “France is in the process of freeing itself from Macronism; it is time to break with Macron’s Europe as well,” he said (New York Sun).

Report: NY Police Officers to Resign if Mamdani Wins Mayoral Election

Olivia Reingold of Free Press: A lieutenant with 19 years on the job remembers hearing nervous laughter when he walked into his New York Police Department command post the morning after Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral nomination in June. “Everyone was like, ‘Get ready to retire,’ ” he told me. “It was definitely like the sky was falling…. ” Many cops say that if you stay for 25 or 30 years, you might never have to work another day in your life. The pension is that good. Now, he isn’t sure if it’s still worth it. “It’s shaken me to my core,” he said of Mamdani’s unexpected victory in June. “The absolute dread I feel is palpable.” … “Who will even want this job anymore?” he asked. “Will I?” “Is he going to cut a billion dollars out of our budget?” the lieutenant wonders. Other NYPD cops also told me that they are considering retiring if Mamdani, who once advocated for “a socialist city council to defund the NYPD,” wins the election. Polls show Mamdani with a double-digit lead (Free Press).

10.

Nobel Prize Committee to Announce Recipients on Friday; Will Trump Receive the Honor?

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday at 5 a.m. ET (Nobel). The question many are asking: Will Trump be a recipient? Senator Bernie Moreno yesterday: President Trump has once again delivered on his promise to achieve peace through strength. An incredible feat that will go down in history. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE! (Moreno). The Financial Times points out why they do not see it as likely: The reasons range from Trump’s own behaviour at home and abroad to the fact that the prize is meant to honour actions in 2024 — when he was elected but not yet in office…. Even those who have derided some of Trump’s recent peace efforts — such as repeatedly confusing Albania with Armenia — say that his attempt to end the war in Gaza could be a significant argument in his favour. “It has been hard to take some of his proclamations seriously — but this is different. Gaza would be a big deal,” said one European diplomat…. A European diplomat also pointed to Trump recently renaming the defence ministry the Department of War. Him winning the peace prize “would send out a strange signal”, the diplomat said. “But we all live in Trump’s world now. This Nobel discussion only highlights that” (Financial Times).

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