A New York man pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 attack faces new felony charges after authorities say he threatened to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Police allege the suspect, Christopher P. Moynihan, sent text messages declaring his intention to murder the Democratic leader ahead of a planned speech in New York City.

Texts Show Clear Threats Toward Jeffries, Police Say

Christopher P. Moynihan, thirty-four, of Clinton, New York, was arrested on Sunday. Officers charged him with making a terroristic threat, a serious felony under state law. According to investigators, Moynihan sent several messages on Friday stating he planned to assassinate Jeffries. One message read, “I cannot allow this terrorist to live.” Another said Jeffries “must be eliminated.” He also wrote, “I will kill him for the future.”

Because the messages suggested an immediate danger, the FBI alerted New York State Police on Saturday. Troopers located Moynihan the next day and took him into custody in Dutchess County. He was arraigned soon after and is scheduled to return to Town of Clinton Court on Thursday.

Officials Praise Fast Action by Law Enforcement

Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said his office is reviewing the evidence “for legal and factual sufficiency.” He added that threats against elected officials or the public “will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

Jeffries thanked police and federal agents for moving quickly. He said Moynihan “made a credible death threat with every intention to carry it out,” and he warned that Trump’s decision to pardon many Jan. 6 rioters placed communities at greater risk. Jeffries argued that law enforcement now must spend extra resources preventing further violence.

Speaker Johnson Condemns Violence Across the Political Spectrum

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had not been briefed in detail on the case. Even so, he stressed that political violence is unacceptable. “We denounce violence from anybody, anytime,” he said. “Those people should be arrested and tried.”

Moynihan’s Jan. 6 Actions and Conviction

Moynihan previously served twenty-one months in federal prison for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Prosecutors said he pushed through barricades, entered the building, and reached the Senate chamber. While inside, he went through a senator’s notebook, shouted from the Senate dais, and refused to leave until officers removed him.

In 2022, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper convicted him of obstructing Congress’s certification of the 2020 election along with several related charges. When Trump returned to the White House in January, Moynihan received a full pardon, along with hundreds of other Jan. 6 defendants.

Arrest Renews Debate Over Pardons and Public Safety

Moynihan’s arrest has reignited debates over Trump’s sweeping pardons. Critics say the pardons encouraged some rioters to see political violence as acceptable. Supporters argue that the defendants were punished unfairly. However, legal experts say the latest case shows how broad clemency decisions can influence public safety and long-term accountability.

Next Steps as Case Moves Forward

Moynihan remains charged with making a terroristic threat. State prosecutors have not said whether federal charges may follow. Investigators continue to examine his communications, and they are also reviewing his recent activities to determine a possible motive. He is expected back in court later this week.

Source: AP News – Man pardoned after storming Capitol is charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries

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A Japanese court has sentenced to death a man convicted of killing four people in a 2023 gun and knife attack, a rare instance of violent crime in the country known for its strict firearm laws.

Court Rejects Mental Illness Defense

A regional court in Nagano Prefecture handed down the death penalty to Masanori Aoki, 34, who fatally stabbed two women and later shot two police officers in the city of Nakano in May 2023.
Aoki’s defense team argued that he suffered from schizophrenia and had diminished mental capacity, claiming a life sentence would be more appropriate. However, prosecutors maintained that while Aoki may have experienced delusions, he was capable of distinguishing right from wrong and committed the acts in a fit of rage.

Attack Details and Police Response

According to local media reports, Aoki was dressed in camouflage clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and a mask when he attacked two women who were walking nearby. Authorities said he believed the victims were speaking ill of him, though it remains unclear whether he knew them personally.
When police officers responded to emergency calls, Aoki opened fire using a licensed hunting rifle, killing both officers. The suspect then barricaded himself inside his parents’ home, leading to a 12-hour standoff before his eventual surrender.

Rare Gun Violence in Japan

Gun-related crimes are extremely rare in Japan due to its stringent firearm regulations. Civilians are only permitted to own hunting rifles and airguns, subject to rigorous background checks, mental health assessments, and safety exams.
The Japan Times reported that prosecutors described Aoki’s actions as showing “exceptional cruelty and cold-bloodedness,” underscoring the severity of the case.

Community Lockdown and Public Shock

During the incident, local authorities urged residents to stay indoors, issuing alerts via email and neighborhood loudspeakers. Police went door to door to ensure community safety while the standoff continued.
Aoki’s father, Masamichi Aoki, serves as the speaker of Nakano City’s assembly, drawing additional public attention to the tragedy.

Tighter Gun Laws After the Attack

Following the 2023 killings, Japanese lawmakers tightened restrictions on “half-rifles,” a type of hunting weapon similar to the one Aoki used. The move came amid growing public concern after several high-profile acts of violence, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.

Japan’s death penalty remains legal and is carried out by hanging, though executions are infrequent. The government has faced ongoing international debate over the use of capital punishment.

Sourcing and Attribution

Information for this report was compiled from Japan Times, The Mainichi, and Reuters, alongside official statements from Japanese authorities.

Source: BBC – Death penalty for Japan man who killed four in gun and knife attack

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As the Justice Department faces mounting pressure to release Jeffrey Epstein files, a bombshell claim from attorney general Pam Bondi sparks confusion—and skepticism—over evidence that no one has seen.

Bondi Alleges FBI Holds Massive Trove of Epstein Videos

A startling claim from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has deepened the mystery surrounding the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi told reporters earlier this year that the FBI is reviewing “tens of thousands of videos” involving Epstein, including footage she alleged shows “children or child porn.”

The remarks, made publicly at the White House and privately to a woman with a hidden camera, have fueled public speculation and conspiracy theories already surrounding Epstein’s long history of sex trafficking and his high-profile connections.

But weeks after Bondi’s declaration, the Justice Department has refused to confirm or elaborate on what she meant—leaving even those familiar with the case baffled.

No Known Evidence Supports Bondi’s Statement

The Associated Press reviewed hundreds of court documents and spoke with attorneys involved in both Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s prosecutions. None said they were aware of any video archive resembling the one Bondi described.

No federal indictment, trial transcript, or detention memo has ever referenced the existence of such extensive footage. Moreover, neither Epstein nor Maxwell were charged with possessing child sexual abuse material—charges that would typically be easier to prosecute if that kind of evidence existed.

Jeffrey Pagliuca, who defended Maxwell during her 2021 trial, said:

“We were never provided with any of those materials. If they existed, we would have seen them.”

Epstein’s Estate May Have Discovered Unreleased Material

A possible clue comes from a 2023 civil court filing, where lawyers revealed that Epstein’s estate had located unspecified video and photographic content that “might contain” child sexual abuse imagery. The estate alerted the FBI and was ordered by a judge to review the materials under a protective protocol.

Still, it remains unclear if this material is what Bondi was referencing. Attorneys involved in that civil case say they’re bound by a court order and cannot discuss the contents.

Jennifer Freeman, a lawyer representing one of Epstein’s accusers in a separate lawsuit, said she’s trying to find out what Bondi meant:

“I want to know what she’s addressing, what is she talking about—I’d like to know that.”

FBI and DOJ Decline to Clarify

The Justice Department has declined multiple requests from the AP to clarify Bondi’s comments. Officials have not said where the videos allegedly came from, when they were discovered, or whether they are part of an active review.

A DOJ spokesperson issued a vague statement:

“Outside sources who make assertions about materials included in the DOJ’s review cannot speak to what materials are included.”

The lack of transparency has only intensified suspicion among those who believe crucial evidence about Epstein’s crimes—and potentially incriminating information about other powerful figures—has yet to be disclosed.

Fallout from a Failed Epstein File Release

Bondi has come under fire from conservatives and far-right influencers after a much-hyped release of Epstein-related materials in early 2024 failed to reveal new information.

During a Fox News appearance, she hinted at possessing an Epstein “client list.” Soon after, declassified binders were distributed at the White House to selected figures in conservative media. The documents largely contained public records that had already been available for years. No client list was released, and no major revelations emerged.

Commentators like Laura Loomer accused Bondi of misleading the public, calling her a “total liar.”

In an apparent effort to regain credibility, Bondi later claimed an FBI source told her about “thousands of pages” of new records and video evidence. She said she instructed the bureau to deliver the “full and complete Epstein files.”

But with no timeline for release and no evidence to support her claims, frustration has only grown.

FBI Director Casts Doubt on Video Claims

Further muddying the narrative, recent comments from FBI Director Kash Patel in an interview with Joe Rogan appear to contradict Bondi’s assertion. When asked about alleged incriminating videos, Patel dismissed the idea:

“If there was a video of some guy or gal committing felonies on an island and I’m in charge, don’t you think you’d see it?”

When Rogan asked if the story of hidden Epstein videos was likely inaccurate, Patel replied, “Exactly.”

Surveillance Speculation and Missing Evidence

Although no such videos have surfaced publicly, suspicions that Epstein recorded illicit encounters have circulated for years.

Police searches of his Florida and New York homes revealed hundreds of nude and seminude photographs of young girls. Court records also note that investigators found disconnected surveillance equipment, including computer monitors and keyboards, at his Palm Beach mansion in 2005—but no functioning cameras or recording devices were recovered.

A 2020 Justice Department report hinted that video evidence may have once existed, but there’s no indication that prosecutors ever located any during subsequent investigations.

Epstein’s Death Cut Prosecution Short

Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in August 2019, just weeks after his arrest. His death ended the possibility of a public trial that could have revealed more about the scope of his crimes.

While his former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted of sex trafficking, no new video evidence emerged in that case either. Her defense team says they never received or heard of any salacious footage.

In a 2020 court filing, prosecutors did mention providing “thousands of images and videos” from Epstein’s electronic devices. But defense attorney Pagliuca said most were of Epstein himself, “musing into a recording device”—not the kind of incriminating content Bondi described.

Civil Suits Continue to Seek Evidence

The search for hidden Epstein material continues in multiple legal arenas, including civil cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands and New York.

In one lawsuit, Epstein accuser Jane Doe 1 subpoenaed the estate for any relevant media. That prompted the estate to notify the court and FBI about potentially abusive material.

It remains unclear how many files were found or whether these include the “tens of thousands” of videos Bondi referenced. The Justice Department has not clarified their relevance or status.

Freeman, the attorney pursuing a new suit on behalf of another Epstein accuser, referenced Bondi’s comments in her complaint. Still, like others, she has seen no definitive proof of the videos’ existence.

Key Takeaway: Unanswered Questions Remain

Pam Bondi’s explosive remarks have stirred intense public interest—but also raised serious doubts.

Despite years of investigations, thousands of court filings, and several criminal prosecutions, no conclusive evidence of an extensive video archive involving Epstein and underage victims has been produced.

Until the Justice Department or Epstein’s estate provides answers or releases verifiable materials, the claims remain unsubstantiated—and the public, once again, is left waiting in the dark.

Source: AP News – Mystery surrounds the Jeffrey Epstein files after Bondi claims ‘tens of thousands’ of videos

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Two men at the center of the deadliest human smuggling attempt in U.S. history have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the horrific deaths of 53 migrants who suffocated in a sweltering trailer in Texas.

On Friday, Felipe Orduna-Torres, 32, and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, 55, were handed decades-long sentences by a federal judge in San Antonio after a jury convicted them in March. The June 2022 tragedy near San Antonio shocked the nation and became a grim symbol of the human cost of border smuggling.

Deadly Journey in Triple-Digit Heat

The case stems from a gruesome event: 66 people were packed into a tractor trailer without air conditioning, as temperatures outside soared past 100°F (38°C). By the time the vehicle reached San Antonio, 48 migrants were already dead. Five more died after being taken to hospitals. In total, 53 people lost their lives, including six children and a pregnant woman.

Court documents detailed how some of the trapped passengers lost consciousness, while others clawed at the trailer walls in desperation. The victims hailed from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador—most hoping for a better life, only to face unimaginable suffering.

Victim Impact: “It Is Like I Am Dead, Even Though I Am Living”

Heart-wrenching testimony in court drove home the human toll. One of the most moving statements came from Marcos Antonio Velasco, the mother of an 18-year-old victim from Mexico.

“This is the greatest pain of my life… it will never go away… I can’t believe I had to bury my own son,” she said. “It is like I am dead, even though I am living.”

Life Sentences and a Stern Warning

Orduna-Torres, who was in the U.S. illegally, was sentenced to two life terms plus an additional 20 years, to be served consecutively. Gonzalez-Ortega, also undocumented, received 87.5 years. Both were also fined $250,000 each by Judge Orlando Garcia, who made his stance clear:

“You will never see the light of day. Such a shame. You could’ve been doing other things,” Garcia said.
“To people out there who are smuggling people—if there’s a death and an injury, you will get sentenced for a very, very long time.”

Part of a Larger Smuggling Operation

Authorities said the two men were part of a larger smuggling network that had illegally brought more than 1,000 migrants into the U.S. A third suspect, Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, described as a ringleader, was recently extradited from Guatemala and now faces federal charges, including conspiracy and aiding smuggling resulting in death.

Miranda-Orozco allegedly organized the fatal trip for at least three of the victims, charging each migrant’s family between $12,000 and $15,000.

More Arrests and a History of Tragedy

Several others connected to the case have also been charged in Mexico and Guatemala, while five men—including truck driver Homero Zamorano Jr., who was found hiding in nearby bushes—have pleaded guilty. Zamorano faces a potential life sentence.

This is not the first tragedy of its kind in the San Antonio area:

• In 2017, 10 migrants died after being trapped in a trailer parked at a Walmart.
• In 2003, 19 migrants were found dead in a sweltering truck southeast of the city.

A Grim Reminder

This case is a brutal reminder of the human suffering behind smuggling networks and the tragic consequences of policies and desperation that drive people into the hands of profiteers. For now, two of those responsible will never walk free again—but the impact of that June day will haunt families and communities for years to come.

Source: FOX News – Human smugglers sentenced in horrific Texas truck deaths of 53 migrants

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Just days into her new role as Washington, DC’s top federal prosecutor, Jeanine Pirro faced a harrowing challenge — leading the investigation into the brazen daylight murders of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

The victims, 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim and her boyfriend, 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky, were gunned down in what authorities are calling a targeted killing. The tragic event marked Pirro’s first major public test — and her first appearance on the national stage not as a Fox News host, but as a high-ranking law enforcement official.

A Commanding Start

Pirro’s prompt and composed response to the double homicide drew praise from Justice Department insiders. Prosecutors under her leadership expressed cautious optimism, appreciating her decisive presence and clear break from her polarizing predecessor, Ed Martin.

Martin, known for his erratic emails and controversial political threats, had alienated many within the department. In contrast, Pirro’s more disciplined approach was seen as a breath of fresh air.

“Whew, thank goodness,” one DOJ official reportedly said about Pirro’s handling of the case.

Behind the Scenes: Quiet Leadership at the Crime Scene

While Pirro initially maintained a low profile, sticking to social media posts and official statements, her actions spoke volumes. On the night of the murders, she quietly arrived at the scene with Attorney General Pam Bondi — no press, no spectacle. She stood silently behind Bondi during a press briefing, visibly shaken but resolute.

That quiet professionalism resonated within the U.S. Attorney’s Office. One staffer noted that Pirro’s presence without fanfare helped reassure a department still reeling from the previous administration’s chaos.

Strong Message, Personal Reflection

By Thursday, Pirro addressed the press from her office, reflecting on the tragedy with emotion and conviction:

“A young couple at the beginning of their life’s journey, about to be engaged in another country, had their bodies removed in the cold of the night in a foreign city in a body bag,” she said, her voice steady but solemn.

Pirro, drawing from her decades of experience, acknowledged the broader weight of the case:

“This is the kind of case that picks at old sores and old scars. It reminds us of what has happened in the past — things we must never forget.”

Her remarks made clear she understands the historical and emotional context behind this act of violence.

An Ongoing Investigation, A High-Stakes Case

The case remains in its early stages, but federal authorities are considering hate crime or terrorism charges against the suspect, Elias Rodriguez. If those charges stick — and especially if prosecutors pursue the death penalty — the case could become a political flashpoint in a city largely opposed to capital punishment.

The District of Columbia hasn’t seen a federal death penalty trial since 2003. Any attempt to prosecute Rodriguez under that sentence would mark a dramatic legal test for Pirro and her office.

For now, a team led by seasoned national security prosecutor Jeffrey Nestler is overseeing the case. Nestler was reportedly on-site within hours of the attack, ensuring proper evidence collection. His involvement has bolstered confidence in the office’s ability to navigate what could be a long and politically sensitive trial.

Rodriguez has yet to enter a formal plea.

A New Era for the DC U.S. Attorney’s Office?

Though still early in her tenure, Pirro’s first days on the job have shown a measured and determined approach — one that has been welcomed by many inside the Justice Department. A spokesperson for the office said Pirro brings over three decades of crime-fighting experience and expects her team to meet the same high standards.

“Her job right now is to bring law and order to DC and make it safe for everyone,” the spokesperson said.

Whether this case becomes a defining moment or one of many difficult chapters, Jeanine Pirro has already demonstrated that she intends to lead not through bombast, but through action — and that, for now, is exactly what her office needs.

Source: CNN – Jeanine Pirro steps into spotlight with response to murders of Israeli Embassy staffers

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