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Kash Patel calls ‘bulls**t’ on Swalwell in heated exchange over Epstein files
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FBI Director Kash Patel and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sparred over Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case files, a topic raised repeatedly on Wednesday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Swalwell, one of several Democrats to grill Patel over the Department of Justice’s handling of the files, demanded the director tell him about any mention of President Donald Trump in them. Patel was not receptive to Swalwell’s line of questioning, leading to a profanity-laced back-and-forth.
«Your fixation on this matter and baseless accusations that I’m hiding child pedophiles is disgusting,» Patel said.
DOJ BRASS VOWED FULL TRANSPARENCY ON EPSTEIN BEFORE TURNING UP EMPTY-HANDED
Rep. Eric Swalwell speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel in the Rayburn House Office Building on Sept. 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Swalwell zeroed in on Patel’s conversations with Attorney General Pam Bondi related to Trump after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump, who was once friends with Epstein, was told by the DOJ that his name appeared in the files. Trump and several other high-profile figures, including former President Bill Clinton, ran in the same affluent social circle as Epstein but have never been charged over any wrongdoing.
«The attorney general and I have had numerous discussions about the entirety of the Epstein files,» Patel said.
Swalwell repeated the question several times, before enunciating each syllable.
«Why don’t you try spelling it out if you’re going to mock me. Use the alphabet.… No? A B C, D E F,» Patel shot back.
Unsatisfied, Swalwell said he would take Patel’s «evasiveness» as a «consciousness of guilt.» Swalwell also noted how the DOJ’s unsuccessful attempts to ask the courts to unseal grand jury transcripts in both Epstein’s and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell’s case were meaningless because the grand jury material contained no new non-public information and represented only a small fraction of the broader case files.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS OPEN PROBE INTO FBI’S HANDLING OF EPSTEIN DOCUMENTS
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2025. (Annabelle Gordon/Reuters)
«Director, you’ve played this cute shell game where you say you can’t release everything because the court has said that it legally is not allowed to be released, but the court calls bulls**t,» Swalwell said.
Swalwell has long stood out as a political rival of Trump’s after serving on the House Intelligence Committee and openly accusing Trump of colluding with Russia to influence the 2016 election, a claim that was never proven following multiple federal investigations. Patel was a top staffer for Republicans on the intel committee at the same time Swalwell served on it.
In his 2023 book «Government Gangsters,» Patel named Swalwell as a «corrupt actor.» Swalwell signaled that Patel, a former MAGA firebrand, said in his book that dozens of Democrats and Republicans who fell out of favor with Trump were members of the so-called deep state. Swalwell asked Patel to recuse from investigating anyone in his book. Patel ultimately said he would not recuse himself, but not before a yelling match ensued.
«I’m going to borrow your terminology and call bullsh**t on your entire career in Congress,» Patel said. «It has been a disgrace to the American people,» he added as Swalwell shouted over him to reclaim his time and as other lawmakers called for order.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were both indicted on federal sex trafficking charges stemming from Epstein’s years of abuse of underage girls. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Swalwell was one of numerous Democrats to broach the Epstein files after the DOJ botched a rollout of them earlier this year and ultimately said it would not disclose any further nonpublic information. Patel had long said prior to becoming FBI director that the government was covering for sexual predators affiliated with Epstein.
Patel addressed the case in his opening statement, saying former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta did not, in his view, seek enough information when Epstein was originally prosecuted.
«The original sin on the Epstein case was how it was handled by Mr. Acosta when he first brought the case in 2006, seven and eight,» Patel said. «The original case had a very limited search warrant, had a very limited search window.… I would not have done it that way.»
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Epstein was later charged with trafficking underage women in 2019 and, according to authorities, died by suicide while awaiting trial.
At the close of the hearing, Democrats held a vote to subpoena four banks associated with Epstein, whose massive wealth remains a point of scrutiny. Republicans countered the effort by voting to table the motion.
fbi,house of representatives politics,congress,kash patel,politics
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Flotilla a Gaza: todas las miradas convergen sobre los 55 barcos con 630 personas que se acercan a la zona de riesgo
Las miradas del mundo convergen sobre la Flotilla Global Sumud, que avanza desarmada hacia las aguas territoriales de Gaza para consignar ayuda a los palestinos. Siguen navegando 44 barcos que llevan a bordo alrededor de 630 personas, entre ellos varios parlamentarios italianos y figuras como la sueca Greta Thunberg y un nieto de Nelson Mandela.
La ansiedad crece, mientras se activan todos los sistemas de comunicaciones y algunos de los viajeros confiesan que no duermen de noche. «Tememos que nos vuelvan a atacar como hace cinco días, lo que obligó a retirarse a nuestro barco principal”.
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El curso de la flotilla internacional con ayuda para Gaza
La más grande de las dos naves de guerra italianas que siguen a la Flotilla le hará de escolta hasta las 120 millas marítimas de distancia de Gaza. Después se retirará y la Flotilla quedará completamente a merced de los militares israelíes.
El ministro de Defensa, Guido Crosetto, dijo que “doy por descontado que los activistas serán arrestados”. “Pondría la firma para que suceda solo esto, sin ningún tipo de consecuencias.”
En uno de sus últimos posteos en la cuenta oficial de Instagram, la Flotilla marcó su ubicación y reclamó «un paso seguro».
«El fracaso de los gobiernos ha obligado a la ciudadanía a asumir riesgos extraordinarios simplemente para cumplir con sus obligaciones legales y morales: entregar ayuda humanitaria y abrir un corredor marítimo tan necesario. El asedio mortífero impuesto a Gaza desde 2007 ha devastado todos los ámbitos de la vida. Hoy, la situación es catastrófica. Como mínimo, los gobiernos deben exigir un paso seguro para esta misión legal y, sobre todo, vital», escribieron.
Uno de los viajeros confiesa al “Corriere della Sera” en una comunicación que “tengo una ‘fifa’ (miedo) negra. El ataque con los drones israelíes el 23 de septiembre fue espantoso y estamos ahora por pasar la llamada línea de riesgo. Soy un no violento».
El activista pilotea el barco a vela Morgana que hospeda también al senador Marco Moratti y la europarlamentaria de Verdes e Izquierda, Benedetta Scuderi.
Los que dialogan con la prensa no niegan que algunos han partido de regreso, pero se dan ánimo para seguir. El lunes comenzaron a practicar simulaciones de los escenarios que podrían enfrentar.
En 2010, en la “zona de riesgo” a más de cien millas de las aguas territoriales, soldados israelíes atacaron una Flotilla que transportaba también vituallas para los palestinos de Gaza. Diez voluntarios que estaban en la nave principal murieron y nueve soldados de Israel resultaron heridos.
Irene Soldatti, de 40 años, de Bolonia, que navega en la nave “Aurora”, uno de los barcos más grandes, dijo a la prensa que “queremos encender una mecha de paz, no de guerra”. “Lo único que tenemos es el cuerpo”.
La variante más tranquilizadora es que una vez capturados, los que viajan en la Flotilla serán arrestados y procesados.
La intervención israelí se produciría entre las 100 y 120 millas náuticas (entre 185 y 222 km) de las aguas territoriales.
Nadie confirma nada, pero la primera ministra Giorgia Meloni habló por teléfono del tema al presidente Donald Trump y le pidió su colaboración para evitar un final sangriento.
“Debemos asegurarnos que no haya consecuencias letales”, insistió el ministro de Defensa Guido Crosetto, que recibió a representantes del Movimiento Global en Gaza.
También se habría pedido una intervención al presidente de Israel, Isaac Herzog, amigo de Italia que estuvo hace poco en Roma por una entrevista con el Papa.
También el pontífice está moviendo los hilos diplomáticos de la Iglesia para convencer a los israelíes de asegurarse que no haya víctimas cuando los soldados israelíes asalten los barcos. Se espera una intervención pública de León XIV en cualquier momento para evitar un choque sangriento.
El lunes, 18 parlamentarios de Estados Unidos pidieron a su gobierno que garantice la seguridad de los civiles a bordo de la Global Sumud Flotilla. Es el nombre internacional de la Flotilla. La palabra “Sumud” significa resistencia, resiliencia.
“La amenaza de violencia por parte de Israel planea sobre el viaje”, señala el mensaje de los parlamentarios de Estados Unidos.
Los 18 legisladores norteamericanos revelaron que a bordo de las naves de la flotilla viajan 24 ciudadanos estadounidenses.
La Flotilla informó este martes que se aproxima a la zona de alto riesgo “donde anteriormente se interceptaron otras flotillas”.
“En este punto, la vigilancia y la solidaridad internacionales son más necesarias que nunca”.
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Israeli diplomat blasts ‘staged walkout’ ahead of Netanyahu speech, talks holiday scheduling controversy
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Israel’s top diplomat at the United Nations dismissed delegates who walked out before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address and blasted the international body for holding key Middle East talks during a Jewish holiday, leaving Jerusalem’s delegation without representation.
«It was a staged walkout. Most of the people were not diplomats. They were staffers from hostile missions,» Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon told Fox News Digital.
He noted that Netanyahu was the first speaker of the day, meaning the diplomats who stormed out of the hall arrived only to participate in the walkout.
«I told them, ‘get out and don’t come back,’ and I meant it. If they cannot listen to the words of the prime minister representing Israel and the Jewish people, I don’t think they have a place in this hall,» he said.
UN DELEGATES WALK OUT OF NETANYAHU ADDRESS AFTER CHEERING PALESTINIAN LEADER DAY BEFORE
Delegations walk out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Sept. 26, 2025. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
Danon added that most delegations stayed in the room and respected both Netanyahu and the state of Israel.
Netanyahu may have been speaking to a smaller audience within the hall, but his address was broadcast on speakers in Gaza and on Gazans’ cell phones, something the prime minister revealed while on stage. Danon said that the prime minister would often consider how to carry the message and the «brilliant idea» of broadcasting it so that the Palestinians could hear his speech was an extension of that.
Danon told Fox News Digital that Netanyahu’s address was not directed at Hamas leaders, who, he argued, «don’t care» and only understand the language of tanks and aircraft. Instead, he said, the message was meant for the people of Gaza and for the hostages who have been languishing in the enclave for nearly two years.
Danon also lamented that the U.N. scheduled key talks on the Middle East during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
«They had a discussion about the Middle East, about Israel, without Israel. I think it shows the hypocrisy of the United Nations,» Danon told Fox News Digital. «Some leaders care more about hearing themselves rather than actually rewarding a dialogue.»
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the 80th session of The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 26, 2025, in New York City. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
ISRAEL CALLS UN PUSH FOR PALESTINE STATEHOOD A ‘CHARADE,’ WARNS OF ‘CONSEQUENCES’ FOR RECOGNITION MOVES
Danon said that he spoke to the head of the U.N. Security Council about rescheduling the discussion but was not successful in getting the date changed. It is unclear which delegation was at the helm of the council, as it rotates monthly.
While Israel was not able to participate in talks during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, it remained one of the central issues of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly. Israel also faced pressure outside official U.N. discussions, with several delegations moving to recognize a Palestinian state.
Danon dismissed the declarations of France, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada recognizing Palestinian statehood as «empty.»
«We spoke with many delegations. Without naming names, we had successes that a few countries did not join this circus, those empty declarations, and we are grateful for that,» Danon said. He added that he believes «overall everybody knows that it’s not going anywhere.»
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks to members of the media before the U.N. Security Council meeting on Oct. 2, 2024. (REUTERS/Stephani Spindel)
NETANYAHU BROADCASTS UNITED NATIONS MESSAGE INTO GAZA ACCUSING WORLD LEADERS OF APPEASING ‘EVIL’
When asked why some delegations were so intent on recognition, he chalked it up to leaders needing domestic wins and using the Middle East conflict to galvanize supporters.
«I think they have domestic interests. Take, for example, President Macron. He has so many domestic problems and issues with the economy, with immigration, with the parliament. So, it’s easier for him to come to the U.N. and to pretend that he’s actually leading something. He knows better than that,» Danon said.
President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House as the pair looked to reach a peace deal in the Gaza war. ( Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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On Monday, after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, Netanyahu accepted a U.S.-backed Gaza deal to end the nearly two-year-long war. French President Emmanuel Macron, who recognized a Palestinian state last week, said that he welcomed the plan and expected Israel to «engage resolutely on this basis.» He added that «Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.»
It remains to be seen whether Hamas will accept the deal and, if it does, whether it will stick to the terms.
israel,united nations,middle east
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The Trump administration on Monday said it has started a new process to block Harvard University’s eligibility for federal grant money and its ability to enter into new federal contracts — yet another salvo from Trump officials as they continue to target the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.
The Department of Health and Human Services notified Harvard President Alan Garber in a letter Monday that it has initiated the debarment process for the university — a move that would render the school ineligible to receive federal grant money or enter into new federal contracts.
HHS officials cited allegations of antisemitism brought against the university and what Trump officials argued is the school’s failure to comply with recommendations from a federal antisemitism task force earlier this year.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ATTEMPT TO FREEZE MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN HARVARD FUNDS
Harvard President Alan Garber addresses the crowd during the university’s 373rd commencement ceremony. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The familiar refrain has been at the center of a months-long legal fight between Trump officials and Harvard lawyers, who sparred over efforts to comply with recommendations from a federal task force earlier this year.
Trump officials have argued the school has not done enough to comply with the task force recommendations; Harvard has countered that the effort amounts to an unconstitutional «pressure campaign» from the administration to influence and exert control over its academic programs.
It’s unclear how long the debarment process will take, and these efforts are often preceded by a shorter-term period of suspension, according to data from HHS’s Office for Civil Rights.
Still, if successful, the effort could threaten billions of dollars in funding for Harvard at an already vulnerable time for the university.
The debarment process, if successful, could eventually «blacklist» Harvard from doing business with the government in any capacity — including blocking its ability to accept billions in federal research funds and to sign new contracts with federal agencies.
CONTINUED COURT FIGHTS COULD PUT HARVARD IN UNWINNABLE POSITION VS TRUMP
Graduates celebrate during Harvard University’s 374th commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Harvard’s lawyers have reportedly struggled to negotiate with the Trump administration in ongoing settlement talks, weeks after a judge in Boston sided with Harvard and ordered the administration to restore billions in funding to the school.
The news comes just weeks after a federal judge in Boston sided with Harvard in ruling that the Trump administration had acted illegally in freezing more than $2.2 billion in federal research funding that had been allocated to Harvard.
In an 84-page summary judgment earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs rejected the Trump administration’s assertion that it was attempting to strip Harvard of billions in federal funding due to allegations of antisemitism, or the university’s failure to comply with the recommendations of a federal antisemitism task force.
«A review of the administrative record makes it difficult to conclude anything other than that defendants used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities,» Burroughs said in her decision.
HARVARD PRESIDENT SAYS HE HAS ‘NO CHOICE’ BUT TO FIGHT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
Hundreds of graduates walk out of Harvard’s 2024 commencement in Harvard Yard to call attention to the plight of Palestinians on May 23, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Harvard lawyers sued the Trump administration in April over its attempts to freeze billions in federal funding and block other grant money — which they argued in court amounts to an unconstitutional «pressure campaign» designed to influence and exert control over its academic programs.
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The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is likely to appeal the ruling, though the time frame for the appeal and the next steps for challenging the summary judgment remain unclear.
politics,donald trump,white house,national security,education,federal courts
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