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29 House Republicans Ask Trump to End IRS Direct File via ‘Day-One Executive Order’

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Social media users are misrepresenting a report by the Justice Department inspector general's office, falsely claiming that it's proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The examined a number of areas, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Claims spreading online focus on the report's finding that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who had been tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the events. Although 17 of those informants either entered the Capitol or a restricted area around the building during the riot, none of the 26 total informants were authorized to do so by the bureau, according to the report. Nor were they authorized to otherwise break the law or encourage others to do so. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A December 2024 report released by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General is proof that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a setup by the FBI. THE FACTS: That's false. The report found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot on Jan. 6 and that none of the bureau's informants were authorized to participate. Informants, also known as confidential human sources, work with the FBI to provide information, but are not on the bureau’s payroll. Undercover agents are employed by the FBI. According to the report, 26 informants were in Washington on Jan. 6 in connection with the day's events. FBI field offices only informed the Washington Field Office or FBI headquarters of five informants that were to be in the field on Jan. 6. Of the total 26 informants, four entered the Capitol during the riot and an additional 13 entered a restricted area around the Capitol. But none were authorized to do so by the FBI, nor were they given permission to break other laws or encourage others to do the same. The remaining nine informants did not engage in any illegal activities. None of the 17 informants who entered the Capitol or surrounding restricted area have been prosecuted, the report says. A footnote states that after reviewing a draft of the report, the U.S. attorney's office in Washington said that it “generally has not charged those individuals whose only crime on January 6, 2021 was to enter restricted grounds surrounding the Capitol, which has resulted in the Office declining to charge hundreds of individuals; and we have treated the CHSs consistent with this approach.” The assistant special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office's counterterrorism division told the inspector general's office that he “denied a request from an FBI office to have an undercover employee engage in investigative activity on January 6.” He, along with then-Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D'Antuono, said that FBI policy prohibits undercover employees at First Amendment-protected events without investigative authority. Many social media users drew false conclusions from the report's findings. “JANUARY 6th WAS A SETUP!" reads one X post that had received more than 11,400 likes and shares as of Friday. “New inspector general report shows that 26 FBI/DOJ confidential sources were in the crowd on January 6th, and some of them went into the Capitol and restricted areas. Is it a coincidence that Wray put in his resignation notice yesterday? TREASON!” The mention of Wray's resignation refers to FBI Director Christopher Wray's announcement Wednesday that he at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January. Other users highlighted the fact that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on Jan. 6, but omitted key information about the findings of the report. These claims echo a advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the Capitol in a violent clash with police. The report knocks that theory down. such theories “ludicrous” at a congressional hearing last year. Asked for comment on the false claims spreading online, Stephanie Logan, a spokesperson for the inspector general’s office, pointed The Associated Press to a about the report. In addition to its findings about the the FBI's involvement on Jan. 6, the report said that the FBI, in an action its now-deputy director described as a “basic step that was missed,” failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence ahead of time. That was a step, the report concluded, “that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6.” However, it did credit the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known “domestic terrorism subjects” who planned to come to Washington that day. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general’s recommendation “regarding potential process improvements for future events.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: . By Melissa Goldin, The Associated Press

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Jimmy Butler’s time in Miami might be nearing an end. The Heat are listening to trade offers on the six-time NBA All-Star, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania . Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has told people around the league that his client would be open to moving on from the Heat to join the Warriors, Mavericks or Rockets. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra threw water on the rumors after Tuesday’s practice, although there are still roughly two months until the Feb. 6 trade deadline. “It’s been our best, most consistent stretch of the season,” Spoelstra told reporters about the trade rumors . “So anything else, any other narrative, I don’t care. Nobody should, because most of this stuff has just been all like a bunch of gibberish.” The 35-year-old Butler has a $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Previous reports revealed Butler intends to decline the option and enter free agency. The Heat and Butler did not reach an extension last summer. At the time, The Athletic reported that Butler preferred to stay in South Beach, and the team had “no interest” in dealing the superstar. Miami is 12-10 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference after winning each of their last three games. In 17 games, Butler is averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game on 55.7 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from 3 this season. Butler has led the Heat to five straight postseason berths since coming over from the 76ers, including two NBA Finals trips and another Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Now well into his 30s, Butler has had trouble staying healthy in recent years. Butler hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since 2016-17, his final season with the Bulls.

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Indo-US nuclear deal high point of PM Manmohan Singh's tenureA Department of Justice (DoJ) investigation aimed at finding leakers during Donald Trump’s first presidency resulted in invasive searches of congressional staffers’ phone and email records, often without specific cause or the prior approval of the attorney general, a report published on Tuesday has found. In findings that may trigger concerns of how Trump’s incoming administration will behave, the department’s inspector general concluded that DoJ lawyers overreached their authority in their inquiries aimed at discovering who was leaking classified information in 2017, in the early phases of the president-elect’s first stint in the White House. The phone records of two Congress members and 43 staffers – including 21 Democrats and 20 Republicans, along with two holding non-partisan roles – were sought in an aggressive effort to find the source of leaks following the firing of James Comey, the former FBI director, who was ousted by Trump. Although Michael Horowitz’s 96-page report did not identify those whose records had been searched, CNN reported that they included Kash Patel, whom Trump has nominated to be the next FBI director. Patel was a staff member of the House of Representatives’ intelligence committee at the time of the DoJ leak inquiry. Others included the then House member, and recently elected Democratic senator, Adam Schiff – branded as an “enemy within” by Trump in his successful recent presidential election campaign – and Eric Swalwell, another Democratic representative. DoJ prosecutors also sought the records of journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN as part of the investigation. The subpoenaing of reporters’ records during the first Trump administration has been previously reported and was described as “simply, simply wrong” by Joe Biden in 2021, leading to the DoJ announcing it would no longer seek a legal process to find out journalists’ sources. Since his first presidency, Trump has pledged to jail reporters who do not divulge their sources on stories he considers to have national security implications – a threat now carrying greater weight with his imminent return to the White House. Horowitz said many of the congressional records had been obtained without just cause and, as such, put Congress’s constitutional oversight function of the executive branch at risk. “[D]ozens of congressional staffers became part of the subject pool in a federal criminal investigation for doing nothing more than performing constitutionally authorized oversight of the executive branch,” he wrote. “We believe that using compulsory process to obtain such records when based solely on the close proximity in time between access to the classified information and subsequent publication of the information – which was the case with most of the process issued for non-content communications records of congressional staff in the investigations we examined – risks chilling Congress’s ability to conduct oversight of the executive branch.” The report said DoJ prosecutors did not take into account important constitutional principles governing the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. The subpoenas requested records of whom staff had spoken to and for how long, rather than the content of their conversations. However, even such limited requests amounted to an encroachment on Congress’s constitutional powers, the report suggested. It stated: “Even non-content communications records – such as those predominantly sought here – can reveal the fact of sensitive communications of members of Congress and staffers, including with executive branch whistleblowers and with interest groups engaging in First Amendment activity.” Criticism of the department for over-zealousness during Trump’s first administration seems ironic given his insistent claims that it was weaponised against him after he left office to press criminal charges that he has dismissed as a political witch-hunt and which he has demanded be purged. It may also foreshadow developments in his forthcoming presidency after he nominated a staunch loyalist, Pam Bondi, as attorney general, after his original pick, Matt Gaetz, stepped aside amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to bring the DoJ under direct White House control, in contrast with the quasi-independent status it has held since the Watergate era. He has also spoken of using it to pursue his political opponents and enemies.This low-key approach feels worlds away from their explosive 2022 Netflix series Harry & Meghan , which thrust the couple’s personal lives and family tensions into the spotlight. Instead, Polo is more about the sport, its cultural impact, and its charitable ties. With Polo , Harry and Meghan seem to be recalibrating their narrative approach. Rather than leading with controversy, they’re leaning into purpose; using their platform to spotlight causes they care about. Archewell Productions, their production company, appears to be finding its footing after mixed results since the couple signed their £80 million (AUD $160 million) Netflix deal. For Harry, this series is clearly a passion project; a love letter to polo and its potential to make a difference through charity. For Netflix, it’s an opportunity to showcase the Sussexes’ star power in a more subdued, meaningful way, moving beyond the divisive drama of their earlier projects. Even with limited screen time, Polo reminds us of Harry and Meghan’s ability to remain relevant. While the series doesn’t include explicit sponsorships, it shines a light on the luxury brands and cultural cachet that come with the world of polo. For advertisers and media professionals, it’s a subtle demonstration of how their presence can elevate both causes and commercial opportunities. Their Netflix partnership was always more than just a content deal; it’s about building a global platform for their brand. Whether they’re highlighting philanthropy, supporting businesses, or simply staying in the public eye, Harry and Meghan continue to blend personal influence with professional ambition. While Polo may not generate the same level of buzz as their earlier Netflix ventures, it signals a strategic shift. By stepping back from the spotlight and focusing on causes close to their hearts, the Sussexes are rebranding themselves as quieter yet still influential cultural figures. For Netflix, the series represents another way to maximise their investment in the couple’s high-profile partnership. Whether this strategy resonates with audiences remains to be seen. But with Polo , Harry and Meghan appear to be playing the long game; one focused less on making noise and more on leaving a lasting impact. Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.OTTAWA — Canada’s financial intelligence agency says it is modernizing with the aim of providing valuable information to police and security officials in real time — or as close to that goal as it can get. In its newly released annual report, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada says it is working with businesses and federal partners to move more quickly in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The agency, known as Fintrac, identifies money linked to illicit activities by electronically sifting millions of pieces of information each year from banks, insurance companies, money services businesses, real-estate brokers, casinos and others. In turn, it discloses intelligence to police and security agencies about the suspected cases. In 2023-24, Fintrac produced more than 4,600 financial intelligence disclosure packages for recipients including the RCMP, municipal and provincial police, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canada Revenue Agency. In a message in the report, Fintrac director Sarah Paquet says the agency aims to harness modern skills, tools and technologies to analyze data and produce intelligence in real time. Paquet said such swiftness could be a game-changer, for example, in the agency’s efforts to track financial transactions related to human trafficking for sexual exploitation. “It will allow us to proactively identify and assist law enforcement in disrupting networks much quicker,” she said. “This will mean rescuing victims sooner, saving them from prolonged abuse. It will mean supporting survivors sooner, getting them the assistance they need in a more timely fashion. And it will help law enforcement target, arrest and charge the traffickers sooner, preventing the abuse of new victims.” Fintrac’s digital strategy includes advancing automation, analytics and the use of artificial intelligence, Paquet said. In a bid to “stay ahead of the bad actors,” Fintrac has created a digital acceleration and modernization team “to experiment with, and exploit, the latest technologies.” Transnational organized crime groups and professional money launderers are the most prominent threats to Canada when it comes to illicit cash transactions, the report said. “At the same time, while the threat of terrorist financing is not as pronounced in Canada as it is in other regions of the world, there are networks operating in our country that are suspected of raising, collecting and transmitting funds abroad to various terrorist groups.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense has ignited considerable debate as liberal critics scrutinize his qualifications and use “unnamed sources” to disparage his alleged past conduct . But Hegseth’s nomination is an opportunity this country cannot afford to miss. I’ve had the privilege of working with Pete at Fox News for seven years, and he’s the right person to bring sanity back to our military. Our armed forces have been derailed in recent years, taken hostage by a relentless march of wokeness — with policy decisions based on social agendas rather than military effectiveness. But our military is not some social experiment. Pete knows this firsthand as a soldier who served on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. He understands what it takes to lead, and knows how dangerous it is when leadership loses sight of the mission. When he recently met with Sen. Joni Ernst (the likely key vote in his confirmation), he didn’t just ask for her support — he laid out a vision for what the military should be. After their meeting, Ernst, herself a combat veteran, hinted at her approval . This is good news for the country. Pete doesn’t just win people over with charisma (though he has plenty of it); he wins them over with substance. He is committed to restoring our military’s focus, and he’s not afraid to challenge the sacred cows of political correctness to do so. We need that desperately. As one might expect, critics have dredged up his past and taken some of his comments out of context. Pete has mounted a vigorous defense: In an exclusive interview with my dear friend, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Pete rightly called out the Democratic Party and the media for the show trial they are attempting. Make no mistake about it: The media, which has become largely an extension of the Democratic Party, will lie, attack, and misconstrue the words of all of Trump’s nominees, not just Pete. That’s, unfortunately, how polarizing our politics has become. But I know Pete. His integrity is unmatched, and his commitment to our country is unwavering. He’s not in this for a line on his resumé. He’s in this because he believes deeply in the mission of the US military and its critical role in defending freedom worldwide. That’s why he’s earned the support of veterans and active-duty soldiers alike — and of his coworkers, too. I’m not the only one at Fox. Far from it. Fox News host Will Cain, another veteran, recently summed it up perfectly on his show: “Pete Hegseth is exactly what the Pentagon needs: A leader who prioritizes strength over optics and results over rhetoric.” Jesse Watters didn’t mince words on “Fox News Primetime”: “Hegseth has the courage to call out what’s wrong and the experience to make it right.” Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary and Fox News host, added on “Outnumbered,” “He stands firm in his values, and he’s not afraid to challenge bureaucracy when it fails our service members.” Brian Kilmeade spoke up on “Fox & Friends.” “Pete understands the mission of the military better than anyone. He’s been there, he’s led, and he knows how to bring us back to what matters: strength and readiness.” And Laura Ingraham emphasized the importance of Trump’s pick. “Pete Hegseth isn’t just a choice for Secretary of Defense — he’s the only choice if we want to restore America’s standing on the world stage,” she declared. All of this support against those notorious — and all-too-common these days in liberal-controlled establishment media — “unnamed sources.” The stakes are too high to let this nomination get bogged down in petty politics or ideological grandstanding. Pete isn’t about maintaining the broken system; he’s about fixing it. He’s about taking on the wokeness that has infected the military, refocusing on readiness, and ensuring that the armed forces are prepared for the real threats we face — not imaginary ones dreamed up in think tanks. At a time when global threats are multiplying, from an aggressive China to a belligerent Russia, we need someone like Pete at the helm. The US Senate should confirm Pete Hegseth without hesitation. This isn’t just about filling a role; it’s about restoring the integrity and strength of our military. Anything less would be an affront to the men and women who serve — and to the nation they protect. Gianno Caldwell is founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety and a Fox News political analyst.X: @GiannoCaldwell

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that "several" wounded North Korean soldiers died after being captured by Ukrainian forces, as he accused Russia of throwing them into battle with "minimal protection". Ukraine and its western allies say North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to support Russia's army, in what is seen as a major escalation in the nearly three-year war following Moscow's 2022 invasion. "Today there were reports about several soldiers from North Korea. Our soldiers managed to take them prisoner. But they were very seriously wounded and could not be resuscitated," Zelensky said in an evening address posted on social media. South Korea's spy agency said earlier on Friday that a North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine had died of his wounds. Zelensky did not specify how many North Koreans had died after being captured by Ukrainian troops. Zelensky had earlier said that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been "killed or wounded" so far as they joined Russia's forces in combat in its western Kursk border region, where Ukraine mounted a shock incursion in August. South Korea's intelligence service had previously put the number of killed or wounded North Koreans at 1,000, saying the high casualty rate could be down to an unfamiliar battlefield environment and their lack of capability to counter drone attacks. The White House on Friday confirmed the South Korean estimates, saying that Pyongyang's troops were being sent to their deaths in futile attacks by generals who see them as "expendable". "We also have reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian forces, likely out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea in the event that they're captured," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defence pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force this month, with Russian President Vladimir Putin hailing it as a "breakthrough document". North Korean state media said Friday that Putin sent a New Year's message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying: "The bilateral ties between our two countries have been elevated after our talks in June in Pyongyang." Seoul's military believes that North Korea was seeking to modernise its conventional warfare capabilities through combat experience gained in the Russia-Ukraine war. NATO chief Mark Rutte had also said that Moscow was providing support to Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes in exchange for the troops. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that Pyongyang is reportedly "preparing for the rotation or additional deployment of soldiers" and supplying "240mm rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery" to the Russian army. Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine had prompted warnings from Seoul. South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently suspended, said in November that Seoul was "not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons" to Kyiv, which would mark a major shift to a long-standing policy barring the sale of weapons to countries in active conflict. hs/bjt/mlm/gv/rlpNone

Canada's financial intelligence agency aiming to provide crucial info in real timeJudge grants dismissal of election subversion case against Trump