Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray refused to testify publicly Thursday before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing.The annual hearing is typically attended by the heads of the DHS and the FBI, but Mayorkas and Wray decided to opt out, ending an over 15-year tradition and igniting frustration on both sides of the political aisle.'I look forward to Director Wray's resignation.'Their refusal to testify about national security threats is set against the backdrop of several contentious events, including a scandal involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the conviction of the illegal alien who murdered Laken Riley, and President Joe Biden's go-ahead for Ukraine to deploy American long-range missile systems against Russia. Senators torched Mayorkas and Wray for denying Americans the opportunity to hear from them amid many current hot-button issues facing the country.The Democratic chair of the committee, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), rejected their excuse that they could testify only in a classified hearing."In a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security Secretary and the FBI Director have refused to appear before the Committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on Threats to the Homeland," Peters wrote in a prepared statement.He accused Mayorkas and Wray of dealing "a serious blow to trust in our government.""Their claims that they can only relay such information and respond to questions in a classified setting are entirely without merit," Peters added.He called on the two men to reconsider and participate in the public hearing. In statements to reporters, Peters explained that the hearing traditionally includes a closed session after public testimony. He also noted that the DHS released a 40-page document on threats to the homeland, which the committee had intended to discuss.Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called their refusal to testify "unacceptable.""The American people deserve to hold these officials accountable for their actions under the Biden Administration," Paul said.Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for Wray to resign."Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray's refusal to testify publicly today in the Senate is an outrage – and a brazen attempt to avoid oversight for the political abuses at FEMA, the FBI and more. I look forward to Director Wray's resignation," Hawley stated.The hearing has been postponed until December.In a statement to The Hill, the FBI said, "The FBI has repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to responding to Congressional oversight and being transparent with the American people.""We remain committed to sharing information about the continuously evolving threat environment facing our nation and the extraordinary work the men and women of the FBI are doing — here at home and around the world — to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States," the statement continued. "FBI leaders have testified extensively in public settings about the current threat environment and believe the Committee would benefit most from further substantive discussions and additional information that can only be provided in a classified setting."A DHS spokesperson told The Hill, "DHS and the FBI already have shared with the Committee and other Committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment. DHS takes seriously its obligation to respond to Congressional requests for testimony; in fact, Secretary Mayorkas has testified 30 times during his tenure."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Comedian and host of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart, is still reeling from the mandate Donald Trump received from the American people, who voted to put him back in the White House as the 47th president of the United States. From Stewart’s unfunny jokes to his pathetic political analysis, Mark Levin knows what he is: a part of “the phony corporate media,” who deserves a good roast. “This guy pretends to be some kind of intellectual. Based on what? ... He also pretends to be a comedian. Based on what?” Levin asks. “I notice when he debates people, he gets in their face, and he yells at them, like he's a tough guy,” but, “He's a shrimp.” “He’s very upset his Kamala lost. He can’t understand why,” says Levin. “Because you’re out of touch, you jacka**, that’s why.” Following Trump’s victory, Stewart said to his audience, “We're all going to have to wake up tomorrow morning and work like hell to move the world to the place that we prefer it to be.” “In other words, to try and destroy the Trump presidency, to double down on this stuff that is tearing this country apart,” Levin corrects. Stewart then laughed at the idea that Barack Obama’s 2008 victory signaled that we were “moving towards a post-racial America” — “That lasted a day!” “What would [Democrats] do without racism? What would they do without the allegation of racism?” Levin asks. “There'd be no Project 1619, there'd be no CRT or DEI or ESG.” “The greatest country on the face of the Earth, the most beneficent country, the most diverse country on the face of the Earth, where specifically people who are minorities — whether skin color, whether other physical aspects and characteristics, whether faith — this is the place to be,” he adds, “but with these clowns on the left, everybody's a victim.” Stewart also condemned Trump’s comments about illegal immigrants from Mexico and expressed his disbelief that Hispanic voters voted red in record numbers. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime; they’re rapists,” Trump said during one presidential campaign announcement. Stewart couldn’t fathom how such a racist message could possibly be “the winning message.” “Maybe Jon Stewart doesn't know anybody who died from fentanyl; maybe Jon Stewart doesn't know any of the women who were sold into slavery; maybe Jon Stewart can help us find one of 325,000 unaccompanied miners who've gone missing,” says Levin. “Do you realize how irrelevant the phony corporate media are in this country?” he asks. To hear more of Levin’s roast, watch the clip above. Want more from Mark Levin?To enjoy more of "the Great One" — Mark Levin as you've never seen him before — subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

The superintendent of a Michigan public school district told Blaze News that the United States Secret Service launched an investigation after one of the district's elementary school teachers replied inappropriately to a social media post referencing an assassination — the day after Donald Trump won back the White House earlier this month.The assassination post — and the teacher's reply to it — got fast attention after Libs of TikTok published a screenshot of the post Tuesday, along with the teacher's apology.'If the teacher is charged with a felony, she will be dismissed.'The initial post — which was not from the teacher in question — reads "nothing an assasination [sic] can't take care of."The reply from Ashley Parker — who teaches elementary art for Farwell Area Schools — reads as follows: "Normally I would never wish this on anyone, but now... and let's hope for a 2fer... We have ALL lost. Just many of us don't realize it yet..."Parker on Nov. 14 posted an apology on the school district's Facebook page. It reads as follows:Dear FAS Community, I am deeply sorry for the comment that I posted the morning after the election. As the parent of a young child and as an educator, I know that my words and actions are closely watched by those around me, and I am fastidious about my behavior at all times because of this fact. I am ashamed that I let my emotions get the better of me in that moment. I am not that person. I understand that my actions may have broken your trust, and for that, I am truly sorry. Those who know me, know my strength of character, and know the kind of person that I aspire to be in this world. I made an egregious error, one that will not happen again. I take full responsibility for my words and I am willing to reflect on this experience and learn from it, so that I can become a better person. I am committed to upholding the values and standards that I strive to live by. I hope that you can find it within yourself to forgive me and my actions. Thank you.— Ashley Parker, K-5 ArtWhile the district's Facebook post indicated on Wednesday afternoon that more than 230 comments have come in, only a handful are visible.Parker's apology also was posted on the district's website last week.District superintendent speaks outSteve Scoville, superintendent of Farwell Area Schools, told Blaze News on Wednesday that the issue was brought to the school's attention the day after the election, and he believes the screenshot of the social media exchange is accurate."An investigation by the Clare County Sheriff's Department and the United States Secret Service was conducted, and to my knowledge, no charges have been filed," Scoville told Blaze News. "If the teacher is charged with a felony, she will be dismissed. At this point, it doesn't appear that she will be charged with a felony, but I have to wait for the process to run its course. I do believe that all U.S. Citizens are innocent until proven guilty."Scoville added to Blaze News that he performed a risk assessment — which is used whenever staff, students, or community members make a threat — and that "the staff member in question has no credible plan or means to carry the threat out."He noted to Blaze News that the risk assessment finding doesn't mean the teacher's post was acceptable: "Neither the original post [nor] Ashley's response were appropriate."However, Scoville told Blaze News he's hoping to turn this negative into a positive."Mrs. Parker has been doing a great job with our students, and it is truly unfortunate that her actions have clouded her otherwise outstanding performance. Dismissing Mrs. Parker would very likely discontinue our K-5 Art Program for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, as we had zero highly qualified applicants. The teacher shortage in central Michigan area is very real!" he told Blaze News. "My fear is that dismissal may punish our students more than the individual that made the post. Although dismissal would be the easiest course of action, I am not sure it is the correct or best action for our students."Scoville added to Blaze News that while the district has taken disciplinary action against Parker, she "has not been terminated. Doing the right thing is not always doing the easy thing." He also told Blaze News on a Wednesday phone call that despite Parker having "threatened [the] candidate I voted for," it "wouldn't matter" if the threat was against another candidate; it's unacceptable either way.Scoville also told Blaze News that after he made it clear to Parker that the district doesn't condone her comment, he hopes Parker has a "chance to recover and move forward."He also told Blaze News that Parker has received threats after her comment began getting attention, and her address has been doxxed. In addition, Scoville said, "The amount of hate that has been directed at our staff is incredible and terribly sad. I find it ironic that so many people upset by Mrs. Parker's inappropriate post have chosen to share their own version of hate and direct it at the staff member who answered their [phone] call."On the subject of hatred, Scoville emphasized the following to Blaze News:I served with U.S. Army for 18 months in the Balkans. An interesting fact is that Serbians and Albanians have hated each other 1,300 years. (This led up to the Balkans War where neighbor butchered neighbor.) Although when you asked either side, they knew that they were supposed to hate the other side but really couldn't give you a reason. It is my hope and prayer that this nation steps back from the level of hate that we are at. We can agree to disagree with each other. We have to stop looking at the other side as bad people with bad ideas and start looking at them as people with bad ideas (or at least ideas we disagree with).Anything else?Blaze News has been covering the ever-growing subject of teachers reacting badly to Trump's presidential win:A teacher allegedly departed from class at Cerritos High School in Southern California because a student was wearing "Make America Great Again" attire.An English teacher from Chino High School in Southern California was placed on administrative leave after freaking out in class over a student wearing a Trump hat.An Advanced Placement world history teacher from Valley View High School in Southern California was placed on administrative leave after going on a profane rant in class against Trump.A woman who reportedly began a monthlong stint as a substitute teacher at Beverly Hills High School on Nov. 4 — the day before the presidential election — said last week she was fired for her "private FB posts criticizing [Make America Great Again] & the behavior of students at their MAGA rally on campus."Outside the Golden State, a Connecticut elementary special-ed teacher threatened Trump voters in a viral video and then tried to explain herself in a tearful, on-camera interview after resigning from her position.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The National Football League issued a warning to all 32 football teams after two players' homes were robbed by what officials believe to be an organized transnational crime ring. The security alert was sent to the team security directors and the players' union on Wednesday, according to the league's website. 'It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players.' Last week, Kansas City law enforcement officials said that the homes of two star players on the Chiefs team were robbed on consecutive days. WDAF-TV reported that about $20,000 was stolen from the homes of Travis Kelce and that quarterback Pat Mahomes' home was also robbed. Sources told NFL.com that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into the robberies and that the group might be connected to a crime syndicate in South America. "It's legit," a source familiar with the situation told NFL.com. "It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country." The report said that the burglars are very sophisticated and use social media to track players and their families to determine when their homes will be empty. They find the homes using public records and then conduct surveillance to gather information on their habits. A spokesperson for the FBI Office of Public Affairs denied the existence of the investigation after citing existing policy. Former FBI agent Brad Garrett told ABC News that sports players are prime targets for robberies because of all the publicly available information about them. “Their schedules were going to be published when they’re going to play a game, so it makes it easy when to go to the house,” said Garrett. “These high-profile folks are really ripe targets.” Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Jussie Smollett's conviction for his headline-grabbing hate crime hoax has been dismissed.The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday — in what WLS-TV said was a "surprising" 5-0 decision — ruled that an agreement between the former "Empire" actor and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to drop criminal charges in exchange for a fine and community service should have stood.Smollett claimed the two men wearing ski masks beat him up, put a rope around his neck, poured bleach on him, and hollered, 'This is MAGA country!'"We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust," the court said in its ruling, according to WLS. "Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied."The station added that the court referred to Bill Cosby's case in Pennsylvania as part of its decision.As the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently stated when enforcing a prosecutorial promise not to prosecute, "It cannot be gainsaid that society holds a strong interest in the prosecution of crimes. It is also true that no such interest, however important, ever can eclipse society's interest in ensuring that the constitutional rights of the people are vindicated. Society's interest in prosecution does not displace the remedy due to constitutionally aggrieved persons." Cosby, 252 A.2d at 1147.The court said it has remanded the Smollett case back to the circuit court to enter a judgment of dismissal, WLS reported, adding that two of the seven state supreme court justices didn't take part in the arguments or decision.An Illinois appeals court in December upheld Smollett's disorderly conduct conviction by a 2-1 vote, the station said, adding that Smollett then appealed to the state supreme court.What's the background?Smollett — who is black and gay — made national headlines for claiming a pair of supporters of then-President Donald Trump physically attacked him near his apartment in Chicago in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019.Smollett claimed the two men wearing ski masks confronted him as he was leaving a Subway restaurant around 2 a.m. in below-freezing conditions and yelled, "Aren't you that f***ot 'Empire' n*****?" before beating him up, putting a rope around his neck, pouring bleach on him, and hollering, "This is MAGA country!" — a reference to Trump's red "Make America Great Again" hats.But once a police investigation began, Smollett's story began to crumble.Chicago police caught the two suspects in the crime, Nigerian-born brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo — aspiring actors whom Smollett knew from the Chicago set of "Empire" and from a gym. The brothers told police that Smollett paid them to stage the attack in an effort to boost his career. In fact, then-Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Smollett used a check to pay the brothers $3,500 to pull off the staged attack. Johnson added that Smollett's hoax "pissed everybody off."Detectives said surveillance video and in-car taxi videos corroborated the Osundairo brothers' claims, as did telephone logs, rideshare records, and credit card records, according to a case summary document prosecutors released.Smollett was arrested in February 2019 and charged with felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report — but that same year, he and Foxx in reached an agreement to drop charges against him in exchange for $10,000 bond and community service.However, in February 2020, a special prosecutor tasked with investigating the handling of the Smollett case indicted him. Interestingly, the state supreme court refused to throw out charges against Smollett a month later.A jury in December 2021 found Smollett guilty on five of six counts of felony disorderly conduct for staging a hate crime against himself and then lying to police about the hoax.During that trial, prosecutors alleged the actor arranged a "dry run" of the hoax with his co-conspirators days prior to it taking place — and that the practice session was captured on surveillance video.The Osundairo brothers testified against Smollett in the trial, each taking the witness stand to repeat their claims that Smollett told them to place a noose around his neck and shout racial and homophobic slurs while roughing him up in view of a street camera.'Your very name has become an adverb for lying.'Smollett testified in his own defense and maintained that “there was no hoax" and that the brothers are “liars” who attacked him over homophobia and tried to extort money from him after the fact.Lead prosecutor Dan Webb wasn't buying it, saying Smollett's lies cost the Chicago Police Department resources and caused racial division.“Besides being against the law, it’s just plain wrong for Mr. Smollett, a successful black actor, to outright denigrate something as serious, as heinous, as a real hate crime. To denigrate it and then make sure it involved words and symbols that have such horrible historical significance in our country," Webb said according to the Chicago Sun-Times.Smollett in March 2022 was sentenced to 150 days in jail.In an address before issuing his sentence, Cook County Judge James Linn eviscerated Smollett, calling him a "charlatan" and telling him "your hypocrisy is astounding"; "you wanted to make yourself more famous" through the elaborate, "premeditated" caper, and then "you threw a national pity party for yourself." But the worst part, the judge said, was that Smollett lied to authorities about it all."Your very name has become an adverb for lying," Linn said.Smollett hollered in court, "I am not suicidal, and I am innocent." He added that "I did not do this" and that "if anything happens" to him while in jail that he didn't do it to himself.Smollett's defense lawyers pushed for a new trial, but the mountain of evidence against their client was too high, and Linn — who presided over Smollett's trial in December 2021 in which he was convicted — denied the new trial request.Prior to sentencing, the prosecution read a victim impact statement from the city of Chicago that blasted Smollett for making it less likely that actual victims of hate crimes will come forward to law enforcement. The city also requested just over $130,000 in restitution for the resources they said Smollett wasted.You can view a video report here about the Illinois Supreme Court's decision to dismiss Smollett's conviction.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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