đ¨ FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Discovery of Major Antifa Funding Streams
FBI Director Kash Patel stated in a recent interview that the bureau has uncovered significant funding sources linked to Antifa activities, including streams that may involve U.S.-based nonprofit groups with tax-exempt status and possibly foreign contributions. He indicated that investigators are tracing these financial networks under directives like NSPM-7 to target support for violence disguised as peaceful protest, with some arrests already underway and more details potentially forthcoming in the coming months. The claims focus on mapping donor-to-organization flows to disrupt what the administration views as organized left-wing extremism, though no specific names of funders or exact amounts were disclosed in the reports.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The Washington Examiner
đş The Federal Communications Commission Probes ABCâs âThe Viewâ Over Equal Time Rule Compliance
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr confirmed on February 18, 2026, that the agency has an active enforcement action underway examining whether ABCâs daytime talk show âThe Viewâ violated the equal time rule. This stems from appearances by Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on February 2 and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, another candidate in the same race. The rule requires broadcasters to provide comparable airtime to opposing candidates if one appears, unless the program qualifies for a âbona fideâ news interview exemption. Recent FCC guidance under the Trump administration has narrowed such exemptions for talk shows potentially driven by partisan motives, and no evidence has shown âThe Viewâ qualifies for the carve-out. Carr, who previously called such scrutiny âworthwhileâ given the showâs frequent criticism of Republicans, described the probe as routine accountability for broadcasters.
Sources: The Washington Times, The New York Post
âď¸ California Court Grants Mental Health Diversion to Activist Who Threatened Council Members
A California superior court judge in Kern County has approved mental health diversion for Riddhi Patel, an activist who made criminal threats against Bakersfield City Council members during a 2024 public meeting over their refusal to pass a Gaza cease-fire resolution. Patel, originally charged with 21 felony counts, including intent to terrorize and criminal threats after stating she would murder council members at their homes, underwent psychological evaluations that identified a treatable mental disorder contributing to her actions. Judge John Brownlee ruled her eligible for a court-supervised treatment program in early 2026, allowing her to avoid traditional prosecution and potentially have all charges dismissed upon successful completion, with a status hearing set for March 6, 2026.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit,
đłď¸ Colorado Ballot Push Aims to Override Independent Redistricting for Democratic Advantage
A Democratic-aligned group called Coloradans for a Level Playing Field launched a ballot initiative effort on February 18, 2026, seeking voter approval in November to temporarily suspend Coloradoâs independent congressional redistricting commission. The proposal would install a new map for the 2028 and 2030 elections, favoring Democrats, potentially flipping up to three Republican-held seats and shifting the stateâs eight-member House delegation to as lopsided as 7-1 in Democratsâ favor, before reverting to the independent process after the 2030 census. Backers frame the move as a necessary counter to Republican-led mid-decade redistricting in states like Texas, North Carolina, and others, claiming it levels the playing field amid national partisan map battles, though critics might see it as abandoning Coloradoâs voter-approved reform for short-term gain in a state that leans Democratic but maintains a balanced delegation.
Sources: The Washington Times, ColoradoPolitics.com
đŚ Jay Bhattacharya Tapped as Acting CDC Director in Latest HHS Shake-Up
National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya will take on the additional role of acting director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stepping in after the recent dismissal of Jim OâNeill by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Bhattacharya, a longtime critic of COVID-era lockdowns and mandates who already heads NIH under the Trump administration, will hold both positions temporarily until a permanent CDC director is nominated and confirmed by the Senate. This marks yet another leadership change at the CDC amid broader turbulence in federal health agencies, with OâNeill reportedly slated to take over the National Science Foundation instead.
Sources: Just The News, NBC News
âď¸ Democrats Launch Populist Push Against Trump Tax Cuts
Some left-leaning outfits are retooling their message with fresh names and a new PAC to hammer home the idea that recent Republican tax changes amount to a sweetheart deal for the ultra-wealthy, aiming to rally voters around soaking billionaires instead. Fair Share America has ditched its old branding for Families Over Billionaires and rolled out the Stop the Billionaire Bailout PAC, which intends to pull in $3 million to press the case. The shift ramps up Democratic economic populism following President Trumpâs signing of the 2025 tax law, with the groups citing fresh polling that shows broad public appetite for hiking taxes on the rich and big corporations to offset what they portray as favors to the top tier while shortchanging working families.
Sources: Semafor, Yahoo News
â Chicago Teacher Loses Job Over Simple âGo ICEâ Facebook Comment
A veteran physical education teacher in West Chicago, James Heidorn, was effectively pushed out of his 14-year career after posting the two-word phrase âGo ICEâ on his personal Facebook account in late January, in response to a news story about local police cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The comment sparked immediate backlash from community activists and local officials in the heavily Hispanic school district, leading to his placement on administrative leave, community outrage, and pressure that resulted in his resignationâtwiceâbefore any full investigation concluded, costing him his teaching position, a coaching gig, and the chance to properly say goodbye to students; Heidorn described the ordeal as professionally and personally devastating, highlighting what he sees as a double standard since other educators have expressed opposing views on immigration without similar repercussions.
Sources: ABC7 Chicago, The New York Post
đ¸ Illinois Governor Pritzker Proposes Monthly Fee on Social Media Platforms
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has rolled out a proposed fee targeting large social media companies to generate roughly $200 million annually for education funding. The plan, part of his $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget addressing a projected $2 billion-plus shortfall and federal funding uncertainties, would impose a tiered monthly charge on platforms collecting data from more than 100,000 Illinois users. Rates start at 10 cents per user above the threshold for smaller qualifying companies, scaling up to $165,000 plus 50 cents per user over one million for the biggest players like Metaâs Facebook and Instagram. Companies cannot pass these costs to users, and the fee aims to offset harms from addictive algorithms and youth surveillance while avoiding broader tax hikes.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, Bloomberg
âď¸ California Court Grants Mental Health Diversion to Activist Who Threatened Council Members
A California superior court judge in Kern County has approved mental health diversion for Riddhi Patel, an activist who made criminal threats against Bakersfield City Council members during a 2024 public meeting over their refusal to pass a Gaza cease-fire resolution. Patel, originally charged with 21 felony counts, including intent to terrorize and criminal threats after stating she would murder council members at their homes, underwent psychological evaluations that identified a treatable mental disorder contributing to her actions. Judge John Brownlee ruled her eligible for a court-supervised treatment program in early 2026, allowing her to avoid traditional prosecution and potentially have all charges dismissed upon successful completion, with a status hearing set for March 6, 2026.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, Bakersfield Now
âŞď¸ NYC Mayor Mamdani Appoints Cofounders of Muslim Group That Blamed Oct. 7 Attack on Israeli Policies
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has placed three cofounders of the Muslim Democratic Club of New YorkâFaiza Ali, Aliya Latif, and Ali Najmiâin key administration roles, including commissioner of immigrant affairs, executive director of faith-based partnerships, and leader of the judiciary advisory committee. The group, which they established in 2012 alongside Linda Sarsour, released a statement on October 9, 2023, attributing the Hamas-led October 7 attack to â75 years of Israeli occupation and oppressionâ and describing Israel as an âapartheid regimeâ that has confined Palestinians in Gaza to an âopen air prisonâ since 2007, while expressing concern over support for Israel amid the violence and calling for an end to the occupation. These recent appointments fit a broader pattern in Mamdaniâs administration of selecting staff with ties to pro-Palestinian activism, though no responses came from the mayorâs office or the appointees when queried about the connections.
Sources: The Washington Free Beacon, The Algemeiner
đ US Plans Additional Missile Deployments to the Philippines Amid China Tensions
The United States intends to send more advanced missile systems and unmanned platforms to the Philippines this year as part of stepped-up defense cooperation with its treaty ally, aimed at countering what both countries describe as Chinaâs illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive behavior in the South China Sea. This follows recent high-level talks in Manila and builds on prior temporary deployments like the Typhon mid-range system in 2024 and an anti-ship launcher in 2025, which have stayed in place despite Beijingâs protests and demands for their removal; officials discussed upgraded variants that Manila might later acquire, though specifics on numbers, types, or permanence remain undisclosed, all while China views these moves as threats to regional stability.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The Military Times
âŽď¸ Trump Convenes Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting as Gaza Reconstruction Remains Tied to Hamas Disarmament
President Donald Trumpâs newly formed Board of Peace held its first meeting in Washington on Thursday, bringing together representatives from dozens of countries to discuss a multibillion-dollar framework for rebuilding Gaza following the ceasefire. The gathering focused on pledges totaling around $7 billion from nine member nations for reconstruction efforts, plus commitments from five countries to contribute troops to an international stabilization force aimed at maintaining security. Trump also announced a U.S. contribution of $10 billion to the boardâs initiatives. Central to the discussions was the requirement for Hamas to disarm fully, a key Israeli demand and cornerstone of the broader peace plan, though the militant group has shown little willingness to comply so far, raising doubts about when actual rebuilding can begin in the war-devastated territory.
đ Peruâs Congress Boots Interim President Over Shady Chinese Businessman Meetings
Peruâs Congress has ousted interim President JosĂŠ JerĂ after only four months in office due to his failure to disclose secret meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang, whose companies hold state concessions, including an energy project. The scandal, nicknamed âChifagateâ for the late-night restaurant rendezvous where JerĂ showed up hooded, sparked corruption probes and cross-party backlash. Lawmakers censured him by a 75-24 vote with three abstentions on February 17, 2026, stripping him of power in a move that continues Peruâs chaotic streak of revolving-door presidenciesâJerĂ himself had stepped in after predecessor Dina Boluarteâs removal last October. This leaves the country facing yet another leadership vacuum just weeks before scheduled elections.
đ UN Report Finds Al-Qaeda Retains Taliban Patronage Amid Rising Global Jihad Risks
A recent United Nations monitoring team assessment confirms that Al-Qaeda continues to benefit from ongoing protection and support from Afghanistanâs Taliban authorities, despite Kabulâs repeated denials of hosting terrorist groups. The report highlights Al-Qaedaâs role as a key trainer and advisor to outfits like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, with senior figures integrated into Taliban structures and receiving welfare payments, while the group maintains training camps and a resilient presence in multiple provinces. This relationship persists even as the Taliban cracks down on rivals like Islamic State Khorasan. Meanwhile, the UN warns of a âmultipolarâ jihadist threat that has grown more complex and intense across regions, including West Africa, the Sahel, and South Asia, with Al-Qaeda affiliates expanding influence, exploiting new technologies like commercial satellites and AI for operations and propaganda, and showing sustained interest in high-profile external attacks.
Sources: Just The News, The Arab News
đ Former Prince Andrew Arrested at Sandringham on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former Prince Andrew and brother of King Charles III, was arrested Thursday morning at his residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, on his 66th birthday. Thames Valley Police took him into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offense that can carry a life sentence, related to allegations that he shared confidential government information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy from 2001 onward. Officers conducted searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The arrest stems from recent Epstein file revelations but is not connected to sexual offense claims. King Charles expressed deep concern and emphasized that the law must take its course, marking this as the first arrest of a senior royal in centuries. Andrew has denied wrongdoing in past Epstein matters and remains in custody.
Sources: The West Australian, BBC News