The Justice Department is investigating the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while hosting one of his signature events at the college campus in Orem, Utah. According to sources at the event, Kirk appeared to be hit in the neck area by a single gunshot. He was hospitalized. His condition is unknown.
Shortly after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel said that federal agents were en route to the scene. 
“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected,” Patel <a href="https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1965851035467132940">posted</a>. “Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1965851035467132940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Within ten minutes of Patel’s post, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that FBI and ATF agents were at the campus. 
“FBI and ATF agents are on the scene. PRAY FOR CHARLIE,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. 
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would be investigating the attack. 
“Praying for my friend Charlie Kirk during this difficult time. The Department is actively investigating this senseless act of violence,” Blanche said. 
A spokeswoman for the university said that the suspect fired at Kirk from about 200 yards away from a building called the Losee Center, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09/10/us/charlie-kirk-shot-utah">reported</a>. The shooter remains at large, according to multiple reports. 
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that he was being briefed on “the violence directed at Charlie Kirk during his visit to Utah Valley University today.”
“Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected,” Cox added.

Press conference at White House

Feds To Take Over Investigation Of Charlie Kirk Shooting

Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)

Charlie Kirk

Department of Justice

kash patel

Pam Bondi

The Justice Department announced Wednesday a “first-of-its-kind” indictment against 22 Chinese nationals and three Americans for allegedly engaging in an international drug trafficking scheme targeting the United States. 
An indictment handed down Wednesday from a federal grand jury in Ohio takes aim at dozens of defendants and four Chinese companies for a plot to ship drug-cutting agents, used to dilute the product and increase its volume to boost profits, from China into America. All the defendants are charged with conspiring with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture and conspiring to launder money internationally.
“Today’s announcement marks a first-of-its-kind international operation for the FBI targeting the fentanyl plague that has killed tens of thousands of Americans and indicting the companies and individuals in mainland China that manufacture the precursor chemicals fueling the destruction of our communities,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. 
Prosecutors say that the companies used a number of Chinese nationals “located overseas” to negotiate for payments for illegal cutting agents to drug traffickers in Ohio. Cutting agents are often added to illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, and meth. 
The Chinese companies targeted include Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Company, Guangzhou Wanjiang Biotechnology Company, Hebei Hongjun New Material Technology Company, and Hebei Feilaimi Technology Company. 
The Americans charged in the operation include 39-year-old Eric Michael Payne of Ohio and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Auriyon Tresan Rayford. Ciandrea Bryne Davis of Atlanta was also charged for her alleged role in using cryptocurrency to pay Chinese nationals associated with companies for the drug-cutting agents. 
Payne is accused of purchasing several kilogram shipments of cutting agents from Chinese companies posing as legitimate pharmacies. He and the other Americans allegedly purchased at least 10 kilograms of fentanyl agents since 2022 that could be used in up to 150 kilograms of fentanyl mixture sold on the streets. 
“Our indictment alleges that Chinese companies and affiliated foreign nationals intentionally and openly marketed, delivered, and exported to the United States controlled substances and other compounds that they knew would be used by domestic drug dealers to increase the yield and potency of fentanyl distributed in this country,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Dominick Gerace II. “As explained in court documents, these deadly drug mixtures were then sold directly into our communities here in southern Ohio.”
The Chinese defendants were listed as Lihui Zhao, [name unknown], Shanhong Jiang, Yan Yang, Fengdi Zhang, Dehui Xia, Xing Wu Chen, Qing Lin Wang, Xiaojun Huang, Meixiang Yao, Zhanpeng Huang, Yuqing Feng, Dongjing Sun, Chengqi Nong, Tiduo Wei, Zhisong Nie, Jichao Zhu, Zhengzhe Yin, Changgen Du, Hongfei Wang, Huatao Yao, and Xuening Gao.

22 Chinese Nationals Charged In International Drug Trafficking Scheme

China

Drugs

Fentanyl

Ohio

FBI Director Kash Patel gave an update on Thursday on the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, confirming that the trans-identifying gunman held both anti-Catholic and antisemitic views.
Patel said the information gathered by the FBI demonstrates that the shooting, where two children were killed and 17 other people were wounded, &#8220;was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.&#8221; Patel then provided multiple updates on the investigation.
&#8220;Subject left multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references both in his manifesto and written on his firearms. Subject expressed hatred and violence toward Jewish people, writing &#8216;Israel must fall,&#8217; &#8216;Free Palestine,&#8217; and using explicit language related to the Holocaust. He wrote an explicit call for violence against President Trump on a firearm magazine,&#8221; Patel <a href="https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1961124620595052673">wrote</a> on X.
&#8220;We will employ all of our counter-terror tools to ensure this is fully investigated and deterred,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
As we continue to investigate yesterday’s barbaric attack from Robert Westman, the male subject, our teams have gathered information and evidence demonstrating this was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.
Some updates:
-Subject left multiple…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1961124620595052673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, wrote disturbing passages in journals and recorded dark videos before opening fire on students and school staff. In one YouTube video that was posted just hours before the shooting and connected to the gunman, phrases such as &#8220;Where is your God?&#8221; and “6 million wasn’t enough&#8221; — an apparent reference to the Holocaust — were written on firearms. Patel did not reveal any information on what was written in the shooter&#8217;s manifesto that the FBI believes shows anti-Catholic and antisemitic hostility.
In some of Westman&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/entitled-penny-sniffing-ks-minnesota-gunman-railed-against-jews-in-journal?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=%E2%80%98Entitled%2C+Penny-Sniffing+K***s%E2%80%99%3A+Minnesota+Gunman+Railed+Against+Jews+In+Journal">past writings</a>, he raged against Jews, calling them &#8220;entitled, penny-sniffing k***s,&#8221; an antisemitic slur, The New York Post reported. He also wrote, “If I will carry out a racially motivated attack, it would be most likely against filthy Zionist jews [sic].”
Patel announced on Wednesday that the FBI was investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism and a &#8220;hate crime targeting Catholics.&#8221;
Westman, who began identifying as transgender as a teenager, also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wish-i-never-brain-washed-myself-minnesota-school-shooter-said-he-was-tired-of-being-trans?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=%E2%80%98Wish+I+Never+Brain-Washed+Myself%E2%80%99%3A+Minnesota+School+Shooter+Said+He+Was+%E2%80%98Tired+Of+Being+Trans%E2%80%99">wrote</a> in a journal that he was &#8220;tired of being trans,&#8221; adding, &#8220;I wish I never brain-washed myself,&#8221; according to the Post.
The shooting at Annunciation marks the second in two years where a trans-identifying gunman targeted a Christian school. In March 2023, a woman who identified as a man opened fire at The Covenant School in Nashville, killing three children and three adults before she was taken out by responding police officers.

Shooting At Annunciation School Church In Minneapolis Leaves Multiple Children Dead And Many Injured

Kash Patel Says Minneapolis School Shooting ‘Was An Act Of Domestic Terrorism’

antisemitism

Catholic

Christian

Mass Shooting

School Shooting

Terrorism

Transgender

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Thursday that the FBI was assisting local law enforcement in reviewing the writings of the transgender-identifying male shooter who opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School during a school Mass held at the church building on Wednesday. 
O’Hara gave the update during an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg5XSySV-a0">interview</a> on NBC’s “Today” show, where he discussed the latest development in the investigation into the attack that left two children dead and 17 others injured. The gunman has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-we-know-about-the-trans-identifying-gunman-who-slaughtered-catholic-school-children?author=Mary+Margaret+Olohan&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=10&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=What+We+Know+About+The+Trans-Identifying+Gunman+Who+Slaughtered+Catholic+School+Children">been identified</a> as “Robin Westman,” a 23-year-old man who identified as a woman and previously went by Robert.
Police say that Westman killed himself after he shot through the windows of the Annunciation Church, where students were attending a morning Mass. O’Hara said that police were still investigating Westman and examining what he had left behind. 
“We recovered literally hundreds of pieces of evidence in total that we have to go through. There is some additional writings, I would say, that the FBI is helping us go through,” O’Hara said. 
“Everything that we have seen so far is really a classic pathway to an active shooter,” he added. “We have seen a whole lot of hate against a whole variety of people and what we have seen so far, but nothing specific to point to as the motive for targeting this church and this particular incident.”
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Wednesday that the FBI was investigating the shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.
In previously reported writings, Westman discussed assassinating President Donald Trump, fantasized about killing children, expressed hatred toward Jewish people, and ranted about his transgender identity.
“The focus remains trying to go through everything that we possibly can, following all of the evidence to its logical conclusion to try and determine what potential motive there actually is for this shooting,” O’Hara said, saying police would try to provide answers as quickly as possible. 
He said that police would likely apply for additional electronic warrants to search through the shooter’s devices.
O’Hara also said that they believed the gunman used to be a member of the church and attend the school there. It was previously reported that Westman’s mother worked at the school. 
All of those injured during the attack are expected to survive, though some are still in critical condition, O’Hara said. He also praised the church for having security guidelines that he said helped save lives. 
“Also thankfully, due to the procedures that the school had in place, that the church had in place, after the Mass had begun, the doors to the church were locked. So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church. And we believe him not being able to get into the church likely saved countless lives,” O’Hara also said. 
During the Biden administration, the FBI also aided in the investigation into the March 2023 attack on The Covenant School in Nashville by a transgender-identifying female. During that investigation, the FBI suppressed writings that the attacker left behind, arguing that they would lead to conspiracy theories.

‘A Whole Lot Of Hate’: FBI Examining Writings Of Trans-Identifying Gunman In Catholic School Attack

Catholic Church

Minneapolis

Police

The FBI raided the Maryland home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton on Friday morning as part of a national security investigation involving classified information. 
The New York Post, which first <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/22/us-news/patels-fbi-raids-john-boltons-home-in-high-profile-national-security-probe/">reported</a> the raid, said that it was conducted as part of a “high-profile national security probe.” FBI agents began the search around 7:00 am at Bolton’s Bethesda home, the Post reported. 
“NO ONE is above the law…<a href="https://x.com/FBI"> @FBI</a> agents on mission,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X as the raid began. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NO ONE is above the law… <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBI</a> agents on mission
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1958847495028584529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Commenting on FBI Director Kash Patel&#8217;s social media post shortly after the news broke that said &#8220;NO ONE is above the law,&#8221; FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said &#8220;Public corruption will not be tolerated,&#8221; and Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote, &#8220;America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.&#8221;
Fox News reported that FBI agents were also seen removing boxes out of Bolton&#8217;s office in Washington, D.C.
When asked about the raid, the FBI told NBC News that it was &#8220;conducting court authorized activity in the area. There is no threat to public safety.&#8221;
The Post also reported that an official said that a previous investigation into Bolton had been quashed “for political reasons.” 
President Donald Trump said Friday morning that he did not know about the raid until he saw the news.
&#8220;I saw it on television this morning. I&#8217;m not a fan of John Bolton. He&#8217;s a real&#8230;lowlife,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;He&#8217;s not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy&#8230;we&#8217;re going find out. I know nothing about it.&#8221;
Bolton served in the first Trump administration from April 2018 until September 2019. After Bolton left the White House, he became a frequent critic of Trump. Bolton was previously the ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush. 
In 2020, he published a book called “The Room Where it Happened” that the Trump administration argued endangered national security. Trump’s Justice Department sued to block its publication and distribution, but that lawsuit was ultimately dismissed after Joe Biden became president in 2021. 
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">End of Summer Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
The book was cited as one of the reasons for the Trump administration to yank Bolton’s security clearance earlier this year. 
“The book was rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government,” the White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/holding-former-government-officials-accountablefor-election-interference-and-improper-disclosure-of-sensitive-governmental-information/">said</a>. “The memoir’s reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff.  Publication also created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed.”
Trump also moved to pull the Secret Service security detail that was assigned to protect Bolton shortly after he took office in January 2025. Last week, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/he-really-really-hates-the-president-ex-trump-chief-of-staff-unloads-on-john-bolton">slammed</a> Bolton as &#8220;dumb&#8221; in a Truth Social post written in response to criticism over his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
CNN reported that Bolton was not home at the time of the raid.

Aznar Inaugurates The ‘faes Campus 2024’ On The Renewal Of The European Union

FBI Raids Home Of Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton

classified documents

Donald Trump

John Bolton

Maryland

The Justice Department announced Monday that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will step into the Trump administration as co-deputy director of the FBI, a move that reshapes bureau leadership amid reported internal disputes.
Bailey, who stepped down from his role as attorney general effective September 8, will hold his newly-created position alongside current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and serve under FBI Director Kash Patel.
“I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI. He has served as a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service,” Attorney General Pam Bondi <a href="https://ago.mo.gov/missouri-attorney-general-andrew-bailey-announces-resignation-in-order-to-accept-federal-position/">said</a>. “His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission. While we know this is undoubtedly a great loss for Missouri, it is a tremendous gain for America.”
Bongino, who has reportedly clashed with Bondi over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, welcomed Bailey to the FBI in a social media post. After the reported tension, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hes-in-good-shape-trump-speaks-with-bongino-after-flare-up-with-bondi?author=Daniel+Chaitin&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=‘He’s+In+Good+Shape’%3A+Trump+Speaks+With+Bongino+After+Flare-Up+With+Bondi">said</a> that Bongino was in “good shape” and that he had complete faith in Bondi.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Welcome. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/nui5E7nWAt">https://t.co/nui5E7nWAt</a>
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1957572352889283039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bailey, who has served as Missouri&#8217;s attorney general since 2023, reflected on his role in a post on X.
“To Missouri, thank you. My tenure as Attorney General has been the honor of my professional career, but what has made it truly meaningful has been the opportunity to serve my home state,” Bailey <a href="https://x.com/AGAndrewBailey/status/1957574008381272245">wrote</a>. “Together, we have defended the rule of law and safeguarded our freedoms. I am forever grateful.”
&nbsp;
<div class="c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text">
<div class="c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text" data-qa="message-text">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer" data-qa="block-kit-renderer">
<div class="p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first">
<div class="p-rich_text_block" dir="auto">
<div class="p-rich_text_section"><a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-6481">End of Summer Sale &#8211; Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Bailey will not need to be confirmed by the Senate to take the role. Missouri Republican Governor Mike Kehoe will appoint Bailey&#8217;s replacement in the coming weeks. 
During his time as Missouri&#8217;s attorney general, Bailey challenged the Biden administration and filed a variety of culture war suits. For example, he sued multiple companies like International Business Machines (<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/missouri-attorney-general-sues-tech-giant-ibm-alleging-discrimination-against-whites-asians-men">IBM</a>) and <a href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-files-suit-against-starbucks-for-race-and-sex-based-discrimination/">Starbucks</a> over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. He also launched an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/missouri-attorney-general-launches-investigation-into-trans-center-for-harming-hundreds-of-children">investigation</a> into the Pediatric Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and <a href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-demands-millions-in-suit-against-national-planned-parenthood-for-deceiving-women-about-the-dangers-of-the-abortion-drug/">sued</a> Planned Parenthood over its promotion of the abortion drug mifepristone. Bailey also sued to stop the student loan cancellation plan pushed by the Biden administration and sued the Department of Homeland Security for data on whether illegal immigrants were being relocated to Missouri.

CPAC-DC-2024

Red State Attorney General Named FBI Co-Deputy Director Alongside Dan Bongino

Dan Bongino

General

Missouri

Politics

The FBI will help track down the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas in a bid to stop their state legislature from enacting a GOP redistricting plan, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said on Thursday.
Cornyn made the announcement two days after sending a <a href="https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Letter-to-FBI-on-Texas-Legislators.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to FBI Director Kash Patel requesting that the bureau help Texas state law enforcement locate or arrest the Democrats after they potentially broke the law.
&#8220;I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,&#8221; Cornyn said in a <a href="https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/fbi-grants-cornyn-request-to-hold-fleeing-texas-legislators-accountable/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. &#8220;I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.&#8221;
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment when The Daily Wire reached out to the bureau.
President Donald Trump is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-gop-can-get-five-more-house-seats-redistricting-just-one-state" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushing</a> Texas and other states to redraw their congressional maps with the expectation that Republicans would gain seats. In retaliation, Democrats have rallied for mid-decade redistricting in blue states. Shifting lines could give either party an edge in the 2026 midterm elections.
Dozens of Democratic Texas state lawmakers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-dems-cant-win-redistricting-fight-so-they-bravely-turn-tail-and-flee-the-state" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went AWOL</a> over the weekend with a stated purpose of preventing the state legislature from passing a new redistricting plan that could lead to Republicans gaining as many as five seats in the U.S. House. They are doing so by denying the quorum needed to conduct business for a special session.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has <a href="https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-orders-texas-department-of-public-safety-to-arrest-delinquent-house-democrats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ordered</a> the arrest of the Democrats who have refused to return and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/abbott-moves-to-oust-democrat-who-led-texas-walkout-stunt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed</a> suit to remove Democrat House Caucus Chair Gene Wu from office after he led the walkout effort.
In his letter to Patel, Cornyn wrote, &#8220;Abbott and Texas state law enforcement officers are doing what they can within the confines of the law, but federal help may be necessary. These legislators have committed potential criminal acts in their rush to avoid their constitutional responsibilities and must be fully investigated and held accountable.&#8221;
Cornyn made the request for FBI support as he runs for another six-year term in the Senate. He is facing a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/5437325-texas-democrats-paxton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> that he will begin removing the Democratic lawmakers from office if they do not meet a Friday deadline set by the state House speaker. Paxton also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/beto-orourkes-pac-bankrolls-texas-democrats-escape-from-redistricting-standoff" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> an investigation into a group led by Democrat Beto O&#8217;Rourke that is bankrolling the runaway Democrats.
Democrats have criticized the GOP&#8217;s reaction to what they argue is an effort to stop gerrymandering. That includes former Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), who is also running in the 2026 Senate race against Cornyn and Paxton after losing to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in a 2024 contest.
&#8220;This isn&#8217;t about &#8216;locating&#8217; anyone — they&#8217;re not hiding,&#8221; Allred said in a <a href="https://x.com/ColinAllredTX/status/1953463307433545882" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on X in response to Cornyn&#8217;s announcement on Thursday. &#8220;It&#8217;s about silencing dissent and weaponizing law enforcement. Cornyn is deputizing the FBI and Paxton is trying to expel lawmakers because they&#8217;re both too weak and corrupt to stand up to Washington. Enough is enough — Texans deserve better.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-nationwide-redistricting-war-is-brewing-this-bill-seeks-to-stop-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RELATED: A Nationwide &#8216;Redistricting War&#8217; Is Brewing. This Bill Seeks To Stop It.</a>

Sen. John Cornyn

FBI Assisting Texas In Hunt For ‘Runaway’ Democrats, GOP Senator Says

FBI Assisting Texas In Hunt For 'Runaway' Democrats, GOP Senator Says

Congress

John Cornyn

Ken Paxton

Redistricting

Texas

Documents that indicate Hillary Clinton <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hillary-clinton-greenlit-russia-hoax-to-hide-email-scandal-declassified-docs-reveal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> a Russia collusion hoax against her rival Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign were &#8220;buried in a back room,&#8221; FBI Director Kash Patel said on Thursday.
He made the comment after the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-durham-bombshell-obama-era-fbi-allowed-trump-russia-hoax-to-fester" target="_blank" rel="noopener">release</a> of a newly declassified annex from former Special Counsel John Durham that discussed how the Obama-era FBI appeared to ignore intelligence that indicated Clinton&#8217;s campaign, its supporters, or Russian disinformation fueled allegations of ties between Trump&#8217;s 2016 campaign and Moscow in order to distract from the controversy over her unauthorized use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.
&#8220;We uncovered this annex, along with thousands of other documents, buried in a back room at the FBI,&#8221; Patel <a href="https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1951012713930354869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post on X. &#8220;It revealed a highly classified piece of the Durham report: evidence that the Clinton campaign plotted to frame President Trump and fabricate the Russia collusion hoax. We worked with Chairman Grassley and declassified the documents immediately. And now the American people can see the truth for themselves. The Russia hoax was a disgrace that President Trump and our country should’ve never been put through.&#8221;
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a lead Russia-gate investigator who pushed for the declassification of the annex, released the document on Thursday.
&#8220;This political weaponization has caused critical damage to our institutions and is one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history,&#8221; Grassley said in a statement. &#8220;The new Trump administration has a tremendous responsibility to the American people to fix the damage done and do so with maximum speed and transparency.&#8221;
Attorney General Pam Bondi has already initiated a new &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/justice-department-to-form-strike-force-to-assess-weaponization-of-intel-community" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strike force</a>&#8221; tasked with evaluating the evidence relating the Obama administration&#8217;s efforts to drive the Russia collusion allegations in response to various documents the Trump administration has been releasing to the public, such as findings that allegedly show officials in the Obama administration <a href="https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2025/4090-pr-18-25" target="_blank" rel="noopener">manufactured and manipulated</a> intelligence regarding Russia to undermine Trump.
The declassified <a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/declassified_durham_annex_released_by_chairman_grassley.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">annex</a>, which still contains some redactions, spoke of how the FBI received information detailing a plan that Clinton purportedly approved to use firms to spread disinformation through media, expecting the bureau to &#8220;put more oil into the fire&#8221; and distract from her email scandal. Durham also wrote how it seemed the FBI &#8220;dismissed&#8221; the intelligence as &#8220;not credible without any investigative steps actually having been taken to either corroborate or disprove the allegations.”
Former President Barack Obama and top national security veterans from his administration have <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/opinion/trump-obama-treason-russia-miller.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushed back</a> on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/obama-denies-bizarre-trump-claims-of-2016-election-hoax" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claims</a> of there being a &#8220;treasonous conspiracy,&#8221; but the Trump administration has pledged to keep on digging into the matter.
&#8220;This should be a step toward justice,&#8221; Patel said in his post on X. &#8220;There will be more to come. Your FBI will keep being relentless to get the truth out. We’re thankful for federal partners [at the Justice Department, CIA] and more. And thank you [Grassley] for your tireless investigative work.&#8221;

FBI Director Kash Patel

Evidence Of Clinton Russia Hoax Was ‘Buried In Back Room’ At FBI: Kash Patel

2016 Election

Hillary Clinton

John Durham

Russia

Russia Collusion Hoax

U.S.

FBI Director Kash Patel found a trove of classified documents related to the Trump-Russia probe buried inside &#8220;burn bags&#8221; in a secret room at FBI headquarters, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/patel-found-thousands-sensitive-trump-russia-probe-docs-inside-burn-bags-secret-room-fbi">reported</a> on Wednesday.
Among the thousands of documents discovered was the classified annex of special counsel John Durham&#8217;s final report on the Russian collusion conspiracy, according to multiple sources cited by Fox News. Durham&#8217;s classified annex reportedly contains the purported evidence against President Donald Trump that he reviewed. The burn bags found by Patel are used to destroy classified documents.
Sources told Fox News that the classified annex contains evidence from &#8220;credible foreign sources&#8221; indicating that the FBI might have played a role in spreading the Trump–Russia collusion conspiracy before it launched the Crossfire Hurricane probe.
&#8220;Ultimately, the release of the classified annex will lend more credibility to the assertion that there was a coordinated plan inside the U.S. government to help the Clinton campaign stir up controversy connecting Trump to Russia,&#8221; said one source who spoke to Fox News on condition of anonymity.
The Trump administration is in the process of declassifying Durham&#8217;s annex as Patel coordinates with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and acting National Security Agency Director William Hartman. The report comes shortly after Gabbard <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-receives-tusli-gabbards-criminal-referral-for-obama-russia-intel-controversy-report">released documents</a> indicating that the Obama administration knew it had no evidence to pin Trump on the bogus Russian collusion charges, but pushed the narrative forward anyway.
Gabbard <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gabbard-obama-launched-years-long-coup-treasonous-conspiracy-against-american-people?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Gabbard%3A+Obama+Launched+%E2%80%98Years-Long+Coup%2C%E2%80%99+%E2%80%98Treasonous+Conspiracy%E2%80%99+Against+American+People">said</a> that the evidence points to former President Barack Obama &#8220;leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment.&#8221; President Trump accused Obama of committing “criminal acts” over the Russiagate hoax, adding that the former president, along with other Democrats, should face &#8220;severe consequences.&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-scotus-immunity-ruling-could-protect-obama-he-owes-me-big">said</a> earlier this week, however, that the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity last year would likely shield Obama from prosecution.
The FBI has opened <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-doj-puts-brennan-and-comey-under-investigation-for-russiagate-report">investigations</a> into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey over their role in the Trump-Russia probe.
Patel and his team reportedly found the documents in a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) that was previously undisclosed in the FBI headquarters. The FBI director hinted at finding a secret room at the bureau&#8217;s headquarters during a June interview with podcast giant Joe Rogan, but he did not reveal what documents the room contained.
&#8220;Just think about this,&#8221; Patel said during the interview. &#8220;Me, as director of the FBI, the former &#8216;Russiagate guy,&#8217; when I first got to the bureau, found a room that Comey and others hid from the world in the Hoover Building, full of documents and computer hard drives that no one had ever seen or heard of. Locked the key and hid access and just said, &#8216;No one&#8217;s ever gonna find this place.'&#8221;

Kash Patel

Kash Patel Finds Secret FBI Room Filled With Thousands Of Trump-Russia Docs In ‘Burn Bags’

Kash Patel Finds Secret FBI Room Filled With Thousands Of Trump-Russia Docs In 'Burn Bags'

Elections

John Brennan

Obama Administration

Russiagate

Trump Administration

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that he&#8217;s been &#8220;shocked&#8221; by what he&#8217;s learned so far during his time with the Bureau, specifically with regard to the politicization and &#8220;weaponization of both law enforcement and intelligence operations.&#8221;
Bongino, who left a lucrative career in talk radio to take his post at the FBI, shared his observations in a lengthy post on X, promising to follow the investigations wherever they might lead in order to ultimately get &#8220;the answers WE ALL DESERVE.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
During my tenure here as the Deputy Director of the FBI, I have repeatedly relayed to you that things are happening that might not be immediately visible, but they are happening.
The Director and I are committed to stamping out public corruption and the political weaponization…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1949125573055332672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;During my tenure here as the Deputy Director of the FBI, I have repeatedly relayed to you that things are happening that might not be immediately visible, but they are happening,&#8221; Bongino began, referring to his routine updates informing his followers of the work he and FBI Director Kash Patel are doing behind the scenes.
&#8220;The Director and I are committed to stamping out public corruption and the political weaponization of both law enforcement and intelligence operations. It is a priority for us,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;But what I have learned in the course of our properly predicated and necessary investigations into these aforementioned matters, has shocked me down to my core. We cannot run a Republic like this. I’ll never be the same after learning what I’ve learned.&#8221;
Bongino concluded with a promise to get to the bottom of the issues at hand, no matter what the outcome, because he said the people deserved to know the truth.
&#8220;We are going to conduct these righteous and proper investigations by the book and in accordance with the law. We are going to get the answers WE ALL DESERVE. As with any investigation, I cannot predict where it will land, but I can promise you an honest and dignified effort at truth. Not &#8216;my truth,&#8217; or &#8216;your truth,&#8217; but THE TRUTH,&#8221; he said. &#8220;God bless America, and all those who defend Her. Respectfully, Dan.&#8221;

‘Shocked Me To My Core’: Dan Bongino Rattled By What He’s Uncovered At FBI So Far

'Shocked Me To My Core': Dan Bongino Rattled By What He's Uncovered At FBI So Far

Corruption

A poll from Reuters/Ipsos conducted this week showed that a large majority of Americans believe the federal government is hiding information on the Jeffrey Epstein case, as President Donald Trump calls those continuing to focus on the case &#8220;pretty bad people.&#8221;
The <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-TRUMP/EPSTEIN-POLL/zjvqoexxgvx/">poll</a>, which surveyed 1,027 U.S. adults and ran on Tuesday and Wednesday, found that 69% of respondents said that the federal government is covering up details about Epstein&#8217;s alleged client list. Only 6% said there was no cover-up, and 25% said they were unsure or did not answer. The survey results also showed that around two-thirds of Republicans believe the government is hiding something about Epstein&#8217;s supposed clients.
On Epstein&#8217;s death, 60% of Americans said the federal government is hiding information from the public, including 55% of Republicans.
Trump has been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-epstein-story-is-kept-alive-by-pretty-bad-people-including-fake-news?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Says+Epstein+Story+Is+Kept+Alive+By+%E2%80%98Pretty+Bad+People%2C+Including+Fake+News%E2%80%99">asked</a> about the case multiple times this week, and on Wednesday, he lashed out at his &#8220;past supporters&#8221; who he says have fallen for a &#8220;hoax&#8221; pushed by Democrats.
&#8220;Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this &#8216;bulls***&#8217; hook, line, and sinker,&#8221; he wrote on Truth Social. &#8220;They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.&#8221; He added that he no longer wants the support of those who continue to focus on the Epstein case.
In a press gaggle on Tuesday night, Trump told reporters, “I don’t understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. It’s pretty boring stuff. It’s sordid, but it’s boring, and I don’t understand why it keeps going. I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.”
The Trump administration&#8217;s handling of the case has sparked controversy among the president&#8217;s base as Republicans and Democrats gear up for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats have already <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/democrats-put-previous-misgivings-hit-trump-jeffrey-epstein-files-rcna218608">latched</a> onto the issue to attack Trump, voting in the House to release the Epstein files, a move that Republicans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-gop-rejects-claims-of-blocking-epstein-files-a-misunderstanding">called</a> a political stunt and a power grab.
Among all of the issues respondents were asked about in the Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump scored the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-faces-backlash-69-believe-epstein-details-concealed-reutersipsos-poll-2025-07-17/">worst</a> on his handling of the Epstein case, with just 17% of Americans approving of the job his administration has done on the issue. Thirty-five percent of Republicans said they approved of Trump&#8217;s handling of the Epstein case compared to 30% who disapproved. The rest of the Republicans polled either said they were unsure or didn&#8217;t answer the question.
Conservatives have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-shapiro-pam-bondi-botched-epstein-rollout-eight-ways-from-sunday">blasted</a> Attorney General Pam Bondi&#8217;s handling of the Epstein case after the Department of Justice said last week that it did not find evidence of a client list existing and concluded that Epstein committed suicide in his jail cell in 2019. Bondi said in February that she had the client list sitting on her desk, but months later, she clarified that she meant that she was reviewing the Epstein files.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino were also reportedly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bondi-or-bongino-bongino-wont-remain-at-fbi-if-bondi-keeps-job-source-says">frustrated</a> with Bondi&#8217;s handling of the case, and Bongino considered resigning if Bondi remained in her position. Trump said that Bondi did &#8220;very well&#8221; handling the Epstein case, and is also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hes-in-good-shape-trump-speaks-with-bongino-after-flare-up-with-bondi">continuing</a> to back Patel and Bongino as the White House attempts to smooth things over. Bongino has not resigned, and Trump said on Sunday that he&#8217;s &#8220;in good shape.&#8221; Bongino&#8217;s official X account, which is usually active, has not <a href="https://x.com/FBIDDBongino/with_replies">posted</a> since last Wednesday.
Some right-wing political commentators and Republican lawmakers have urged the administration to be more transparent with the details surrounding the Epstein case. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/15/politics/epstein-files-trump-bondi">said</a> earlier this week that he&#8217;s &#8220;for transparency&#8221; on the issue.
“It’s a very delicate subject. We should put everything out there and let the people decide it,” Johnson said.

Donald Trump and Pam Bondi

More Than Two-Thirds Of Americans Believe Government Is Hiding Details On Epstein Case: Poll

Democrats

Jeffrey Epstein

Poll

Republicans

Director of the FBI Kash Patel broke his silence on Saturday over the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files, asserting that related &#8220;conspiracy theories just aren&#8217;t true.&#8221;
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced there was no evidence to prove that Epstein had a client list, had blackmailed powerful people, or had been murdered. The revelations have come under fire from some politicos and others online who suggest government officials are not revealing the full trust or misled the public with past statements.
Additionally, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bondi-or-bongino-bongino-wont-remain-at-fbi-if-bondi-keeps-job-source-says?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Mary+Margaret+Olohan+and+Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=BONDI+OR+BONGINO%3A+Bongino+Won’t+Remain+At+FBI+If+Bondi+Keeps+Job%2C+Source+Says">it&#8217;s been rumored</a> that Patel, along with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, do not want to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi and were considering leaving if she remains at her post.
&#8220;The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been,&#8221; Patel said Saturday on X. &#8220;It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States [Donald Trump] — and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.&#8221;
Patel has <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fbi-director-kash-patel-shoots-down-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theory-in-senate-testimony/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">said</a> numerous times publicly that he believes Epstein committed suicide in the Metropolitan Detention Center.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been. It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> — and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kash_Patel/status/1944101148903760317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
Patel also re-posted a message from his girlfriend, country singer and conservative activist Alexis Wilkins. False rumors began circulating about the 26-year-old following the DOJ&#8217;s announcement about Epstein, she says.
&#8220;I’ve spent my career saying no to anything that would compromise my character and working to restore America,&#8221; Wilkins wrote on X. &#8220;It’s disappointing to see people with no real contribution to political discourse spin ridiculous conspiracy theories out of thin air.&#8221;
&#8220;These accusations are obviously insanely ridiculous and coming from accounts that are farming because their engagement dried up after Trump’s win,&#8221; she charged. &#8220;I would encourage anyone interested to actually research the facts of my life — they’re readily available. My happy relationship, my work, my Christian Faith, and my integrity speak for themselves.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’ve spent my career saying no to anything that would compromise my character and working to restore America. It’s disappointing to see people with no real contribution to political discourse spin ridiculous conspiracy theories out of thin air. These accusations are obviously…
— Alexis Wilkins (@AlexisWilkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexisWilkins/status/1943050167130746916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
The heat over the handling of the Epstein files has been largely targeted on Bondi.
Bongino is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bondi-or-bongino-bongino-wont-remain-at-fbi-if-bondi-keeps-job-source-says?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Mary+Margaret+Olohan+and+Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=BONDI+OR+BONGINO%3A+Bongino+Won’t+Remain+At+FBI+If+Bondi+Keeps+Job%2C+Source+Says">reportedly</a> furious over Bondi&#8217;s handling of the files, and allegedly stormed out of a closed-door meeting on the matter. A source <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bondi-or-bongino-bongino-wont-remain-at-fbi-if-bondi-keeps-job-source-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Daily Wire on Friday that Bongino has threatened to not return to his post if Bondi remains as attorney general.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/details-emerge-from-bonginos-reported-tense-meeting-with-bondi-trump-chief-of-staff?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Details+Emerge+From+Bongino’s+Reported+Tense+Meeting+With+Bondi%2C+Trump+Chief+Of+Staff">Details Emerge From Bongino’s Reported Tense Meeting With Bondi, Trump Chief Of Staff</a>

FBI Director Kash Patel Responds To Controversy Surrounding Epstein Files

Menu