Kash Patel in the news as FBI director under fire over a major claim and ongoing litigation; former acting ATF head, lawyer by training, born 1980.
On April 10, 2026, Asif Merchant, a 47-year-old Pakistani national, faces life imprisonment for attempting to hire assassins to kill Donald Trump during the 2024 US presidential campaign. Merchant paid two undercover FBI agents $5,000 each as an advance for the hit. The plot was uncovered after a confidential informant alerted authorities, leading to Merchant's arrest in July 2024.
Recent attacks in the US, linked to ideological motives, highlight vulnerabilities as the counterterrorism system faces staffing and resource shortages amid escalating tensions with Iran. The FBI and other agencies are under strain following personnel purges and shifting priorities, raising concerns over national security readiness.
Recent investigations reveal disturbing child abuse cases involving social media, with suspects in the US and Malaysia. The cases include sexual exploitation, possession of child pornography, and abuse of minors, leading to arrests and ongoing legal proceedings. The stories highlight the global reach of online abuse and law enforcement efforts.
A vehicle rammed into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, causing a fire and prompting a lockdown. FBI and local authorities responded to an active shooter situation, with no confirmed injuries except potentially the shooter. The incident follows heightened tensions amid regional conflicts and anti-Semitic fears.
On March 12, 2026, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized US citizen born in Lebanon, rammed his car into Temple Israel synagogue near Detroit, firing a gun before dying by suicide after his vehicle caught fire. Armed security guards engaged him, preventing casualties among 140 children and staff inside. The FBI is investigating the attack as targeted violence against the Jewish community amid heightened tensions following the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Eight of nine defendants in Texas were found guilty of supporting terrorism, rioting, and using explosives during a July 4 attack on an immigration facility. The case marks the first terrorism prosecution targeting antifa members, amid broader government efforts to criminalize protest activities.
Recent violent incidents in the US, including a college shooting in Virginia and a synagogue attack in Michigan, are connected to Middle East conflicts. Perpetrators had terrorist backgrounds or links, raising security concerns as regional tensions escalate. Today’s date: Mon, 23 Mar 2026.
On March 17, 2026, Joe Kent, director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, resigned, opposing the ongoing war with Iran. Kent stated Iran posed no imminent threat and accused Israeli officials and American media of pressuring the US into conflict. His resignation marks the highest-profile dissent within the Trump administration over the Iran war.
An unidentified police officer was shot in Washington, D.C., while working on an investigation. The officer was hit in the shoulder, airlifted to hospital, and is in serious but stable condition. Authorities are searching for two suspects, with federal support involved.
U.S. congressional hearings are examining the Middle East conflict initiated on February 28, focusing on intelligence assessments and the resignation of Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official. Critics argue the war was unnecessary, citing lack of imminent threat from Iran, while officials defend the campaign's success.
A lawsuit challenges Trump’s plans to overhaul the Kennedy Center without proper review, citing risks to historic integrity. The case highlights concerns over potential irreversible damage and Trump’s increased influence over the venue since his return to office.
Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, testified that Iran's nuclear program was obliterated after US strikes, contradicting claims of an imminent threat used to justify the war. She emphasized Iran remains largely degraded but capable of attacks. Congress continues to scrutinize the war's justification.
Alen Zheng, 20, allegedly planted an IED at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on March 10. His sister Ann Mary Zheng, 27, helped him evade law enforcement after he fled to China. The device was later found in a secluded area. Both face federal charges; the brother remains at large.
On March 27, 2026, the pro-Iranian hacking group Handala Hack Team released personal emails and photos of FBI Director Kash Patel, dating from 2010 to 2019. The FBI confirmed the breach involved historical, non-governmental information and has taken steps to mitigate risks. The hack is linked to escalating US-Iran tensions and follows US domain seizures of Iranian hacker sites.
The US reports striking over 13,000 Iranian targets, including air defenses, navy, and weapons factories. Despite claims of significant degradation, Iran retains substantial missile and drone capabilities, with ongoing regional threats and limited destruction of underground and mobile systems. The situation remains complex as Iran continues firing missiles and drones.
Since March 2026, Iran-linked hackers have targeted US critical infrastructure by compromising programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in water, energy, and government sectors. The FBI, CISA, NSA, and others have issued urgent warnings about disruptions and financial losses. Separately, Russian APT28 has hijacked thousands of routers globally to intercept credentials, escalating cyber threats.
David Varela, a US Navy Reservist, has been detained in Hong Kong after fleeing the US to avoid charges related to the death of his wife, Lina Guerra Echavarria, whose body was found in a freezer in Norfolk. The case has prompted international extradition efforts and ongoing investigations into her death.
Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national and US permanent resident, has been held without bail in Los Angeles for allegedly brokering Iranian drones, bombs, and ammunition sales to Sudan. She faces up to 20 years in prison. Mafi reportedly operated through an Oman-registered company and maintained close ties with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security while facilitating arms deals fueling Sudan's civil war.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted 43 individuals tied to the Mexican Mafia in a sweeping operation across Orange County, with cases spanning murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. Authorities have seized firearms, cash and narcotics as part of the ongoing effort to disrupt the gang’s reach from prisons to the streets.
A man attempted to force entry into a Toronto synagogue during Shabbat, punching a father. The following day, a window was broken at a Jewish shop. Police are investigating, and recent antisemitic incidents have increased community fears amid a pattern of violence targeting Jewish sites across Canada.
Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke has been indicted on charges including unlawful use of confidential information, theft, and fraud after prosecutors say he placed bets on Maduro-related events on Polymarket, profiting more than $400,000 during Operation Absolute Resolve. The indictment links the trading to classified information and to efforts to conceal proceeds.
As of April 24, 2026, Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke has been charged with multiple felonies for using classified information from a US military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to place bets on Polymarket. He has reportedly profited over $400,000 and faces up to 60 years in prison. Authorities have highlighted the breach of trust and ongoing investigations.
The number of missing or dead scientists has grown to at least 12, with FBI and congressional investigations underway. Experts caution against drawing connections amid online speculation, while lawmakers and officials review potential links and motives behind the cases.
The Independent reports that Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempted assassination of a president during the Washington, D.C. White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Prosecutors say he fired a shotgun toward a Secret Service officer amid the security disruption; a agent wore a ballistic vest and survived. Allen has agreed to remain in custody as he awaits trial. Prosecutors allege he took a self-portrait minutes before the attack and left messages signaling grievances over Trump administration actions.
The U.S. attorney’s office for New Jersey has charged four noncitizens who registered and voted in federal elections between 2020 and 2024, then submitted naturalization applications claiming they had never voted. Prosecutors say each participated in at least one federal election and misrepresented their status in naturalization filings.
President Trump has completed a two‑day state visit to Beijing with US business chiefs, holding talks with Xi Jinping on trade, Taiwan, Iran and AI. Leaders have agreed to set up trade and investment councils; Trump has touted unspecified "fantastic" deals including a reported 200‑plane Boeing order while Chinese statements remain cautious.
Courts and lawmakers are negotiating mid-decade redistricting amid a Supreme Court ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act. Alabama and Florida are among states revisiting congressional maps, with August special primaries and a looming federal review of district lines.
The investigation into former CIA director John Brennan has gained momentum, with FBI agents interviewing current and former CIA officers about Brennan’s role in producing a 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that referenced the Steele dossier. Prosecutors are examining whether Brennan gave false testimony to Congress and how the dossier influenced the report.
Trump has arrived in Beijing with a tech-focused delegation for talks with Xi Jinping. Ratner accompanies the trip to scout for Rush Hour 4 filming locations, while executives from major tech firms are present. The discussions centre on trade, Iran, and Taiwan, with some hints about potential film projects pending outcomes.
Embattled Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has prompted a push by two supervisors to vacate the office if he does not resign by a Tuesday deadline. The dispute centers on alleged false testimony about his law enforcement record and a past suspension in El Paso, with supporters saying the records are irrelevant to his duties.
Since mid-May 2026, Republican-led legislatures in multiple Southern states have been moving to redraw congressional maps after a Supreme Court ruling weakened Voting Rights Act protections. Federal judges in Alabama have blocked a new map, South Carolina Republicans have delayed redistricting after defections, and state debates are shifting primary schedules and election plans ahead of the November midterms.
Gunfire near the White House has prompted a security lockdown as responders have engaged a suspect. A bystander has been wounded and the suspect has been killed by law enforcement. President Trump has not been reported harmed and remains at the White House. Journalists on scene have described a chaotic scene and accounts indicate multiple gunshots.