Thursday, April 2, 2026

FBI Found No Probable Cause to Raid Mar-a-Lago, But Biden’s DOJ Proceeded Anyway

In early April 2026, the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch revealed findings indicating that the FBI had no probable cause to justify the raid on former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in August 2022. This raid was executed by agents directed by the Biden administration's Department of Justice (DOJ).

1. Lack of Probable Cause: Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show that FBI agents expressed doubts about the legality of the raid. A July 2022 email indicated that field agents believed no probable cause existed to conduct the search.

2. Details of the Raid: The FBI's operation involved more than 30 heavily armed agents who seized numerous boxes of records from Trump's estate. The DOJ proceeded with the raid despite objections from the FBI about the lack of sufficient legal justification.

3. Judicial Watch's Findings: Judicial Watch released 207 pages of FBI records confirming these objections. The FBI had previously suggested that the DOJ cooperate with Trump's lawyer, Evan Corcoran, rather than proceeding with a raid, which the DOJ rejected.

4. Allegations of Coordination: Additional reports suggest that Biden's White House had prior knowledge of the raid and coordinated with the DOJ. Despite public claims to the contrary from the Biden administration, emails obtained from May 2022 indicated discussions between the White House Counsel's office and the DOJ before the raid occurred.

5. Historical Context: The documents and findings have raised concerns about governmental abuse of power and have prompted calls for accountability from Judicial Watch's President, Tom Fitton. He emphasized the importance of fully understanding the motivations and actions behind the raid, which is considered one of the most contentious federal investigations in U. S. history.

The revelations concerning the Mar-a-Lago raid underscore significant internal disagreement within the FBI regarding the legal basis for the search and highlight coordination between the Biden administration and the DOJ. These findings have sparked discussions about accountability and the implications of such actions involving former presidential records. Judicial Watch continues its efforts to release more documents to uncover further details about this controversial investigation. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/fbi-found-no-probable-cause-raid-mar-lago/

Ever wonder where $7 TRILLION goes? So does the government.

A recent report by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget highlights serious economic issues in the U. S., particularly regarding national debt and fiscal response capabilities. The country faces immense challenges with a debt surpassing 130% of GDP.

1. Debt Growth: When comparing past crises, the national debt has increased significantly—35% of GDP during the 2008 financial crisis, 80% at the onset of COVID-19, and now nearly 130%. Each economic downturn deepens the debt and complicates recovery efforts.

2. Deficits: Despite economic strengths, the government has consistently run large deficits. For example, even in 2019, the deficit was $1 trillion. The pandemic pushed this to over $5 trillion, raising questions about future budgetary responses to economic downturns.

3. Proposed Solutions: The CRFB suggests drastic measures to manage future deficits, including freezes on Social Security, Medicare, and tax brackets, as well as a new surtax for higher earners. These proposals are politically sensitive and may only be implemented during a crisis.

4. Impact on Individuals: High federal borrowing affects average citizens by raising interest rates on loans, including mortgages and credit. For instance, rising interest rates since 2015 have added substantial costs to homebuying and small business loans.

5. Debt Accumulation: The rate of debt accumulation is accelerating, predicted to exceed $39 trillion soon. This rapid increase raises alarms regarding governmental financial management, as many federal programs lack clear oversight.

6. Lack of Transparency: The Office of Management and Budget has struggled to track federal spending accurately, pointing to inefficiencies in how programs are funded over time. This has led to a scenario where $7 trillion is spent yearly without a clear understanding of its allocation.

The ongoing financial situation poses real risks to individuals and the economy, with potential consequences becoming increasingly evident. While the situation isn't dire at the moment, the need for personal financial planning and preparation is crucial to mitigate the impact of future economic challenges. 

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/ever-wonder-where-7-trillion-goes-so-does-the-government-154545/

Colonial Restarts Largest U.S. Gasoline Pipeline After Georgia Damage

Colonial Pipeline's Line 1, a major gasoline artery in the United States, resumed operations after a temporary halt due to damage caused by a third-party crew in Georgia.

• Colonial Pipeline's Line 1, which transports gasoline from Texas to New York, experienced a shutdown after damage occurred in Paulding County, Georgia.

• The line halted on Thursday night, after a section was damaged by a work crew, but was quickly repaired and flows resumed within hours.

• Colonial Pipeline stated that they coordinated their response and repair efforts efficiently, minimizing the duration of disruption.

• The pipeline is vital, carrying about 1.5 million barrels of gasoline per day and feeding the East Coast market, which relies heavily on pipeline deliveries due to limited local refining.

• While other parts of the Colonial system remained active during the incident, prolonged outages could tighten fuel supplies further amid already rising gasoline prices, recently pushed over $4 per gallon due to geopolitical tensions.

• Notably, there were recent incidents at the Valero refinery in Texas, raising concerns about potential sabotage targeting energy infrastructures amidst escalating conflicts in various regions.

The quick restoration of service on Colonial Pipeline’s Line 1 is reassuring for East Coast drivers, but the recent series of incidents, including industrial accidents and potential sabotage, raises important questions about the security of energy infrastructure in the current geopolitical climate. Further scrutiny may be warranted to assess the safety and integrity of critical energy supply systems. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/first-valero-refinery-now-largest-us-gasoline-pipeline-damaged-georgia

Trump: War Objectives Have Been Achieved, Iran ‘No Longer A Threat’

In a recent national address, President Trump stated that the U. S. is nearing the end of its military operations in Iran, claiming that Iran is "no longer a threat" following over a month of fighting. He indicated that America's key military and strategic goals in the conflict have been largely achieved, including the destruction of Iran's nuclear development sites. Trump noted that U. S. forces would soon withdraw, leaving control of the crucial Strait of Hormuz to other nations.

Despite Trump's assertions of victory, the administration's mixed messages regarding the war's end goals—such as the need for potential "regime change" or "unconditional surrender"—remain unclear. Trump's approval ratings have dropped significantly, raising concerns for Republican candidates facing upcoming midterm elections. He did not address how the U. S. would manage its relationship with Israel, which has its own conflicting objectives in the ongoing war.

The address emphasized that the U. S. had achieved "overwhelming victories" and was intent on swiftly concluding military actions. Trump's comments reflect the administration's belief that it has decisively weakened Iran both militarily and economically.

President Trump’s statements regarding the Iran conflict, the U. S. military stance, and the implications for future relations and domestic politics. 

https://thefederalist.com/2026/04/01/trump-war-objectives-have-been-achieved-iran-no-longer-a-threat/

News roundup:

 Vice mayor of Florida city found dead in ‘domestic violence incident’: Police

4.9 magnitude earthquake rattles Northern California

Trump: U.S. will bomb Iran “back to stone ages” over next 2-3 weeks

More students in these majors are switching due to AI: poll

Republicans announce plan to end record-long DHS shutdown

Trump Says Core Objectives of Iran War Nearing Completion

Florida Governor Candidate Rep. Byron Donalds Reports $22.2 Million First-Quarter Fundraising Haul

Judge Tosses IRS Agreement Allowing Churches to Endorse Political Candidates

Constitution is on Trump’s side in Supreme Court birthright citizenship case

Fort Hood soldiers shift to underground training to prepare for battlefield medical care

Artemis II launches astronauts around the moon in first deep space mission since Apollo

European allies react with ‘shock and anxiety’ to Trump threat to withdraw from NATO

Trump tells Erika Kirk to ‘sue’ critics who have defamed her since husband’s assassination: Report

Democrats sue Trump administration over mail-in-voting order

Hershey Going Back To Classic Reese’s Recipe After Backlash

Audit Records, Indictments Show $180 Billion ‘Empire of Fraud’ In California: Report

The Supreme Court Established 140 Years Ago That Foreign Nationals Born in the U.S. Are Not Citizens

The debate surrounding birthright citizenship in the United States has resurfaced, particularly in relation to recent comments made by former President Trump. The focus is on an 1884 Supreme Court case, Elk v. Wilkins, which addresses whether foreign nationals born in the U. S. are entitled to citizenship.

• Elk v. Wilkins Case: In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that an American Indian born on a reservation was not a U. S. citizen because he was not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. The ruling emphasized that citizenship requires voluntary acceptance by the individual and the U. S. government, negating automatic citizenship by birth alone.

• Interpretation of Jurisdiction: The phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof," part of the 14th Amendment, is critical. It implies that only those fully under the jurisdiction and allegiance of the U. S. can claim citizenship at birth. Therefore, children of foreign nationals do not automatically acquire citizenship.

• Naturalization Process: Becoming a U. S. citizen is described as a mutual process requiring consent from both the individual and the state. The notion that individuals born in the U. S. to non-citizens or undocumented immigrants can force naturalization is deemed incorrect.

• Historical Context: The discussion reflects on past rulings, including Wong Kim Ark v. United States, highlighting contradictions in citizenship determinations that arose due to perceived racial biases in legislation.

The Supreme Court's decisions from over a century ago continue to inform current debates about citizenship laws in America. The case of Elk v. Wilkins is significant in understanding the legal principles surrounding birthright citizenship and the jurisdictional requirements necessary for citizenship acquisition in the U. S. The interpretation of "jurisdiction" remains a contentious point in discussions concerning immigration and citizenship. 

https://www.frontpagemag.com/the-supreme-court-established-140-years-ago-that-foreign-nationals-born-in-the-u-s-are-not-citizens/

EV power consumption a costly mystery

The significant data gap regarding the electricity consumption of electric vehicles (EVs) and its impact on the electric power grid. Currently, there is no precise data on when and where EVs consume electricity, primarily because their charging often goes untracked at homes and workplaces.

• There are approximately 7 million EVs in the U. S., contributing to unknown impacts on the electric grid.

• Estimated EV energy consumption from the U. S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows rapid growth, with 2025 projected consumption at about 23.5 million MWh.

• Despite the growth in consumption, EVs make up a small percentage of total energy use, leading to misconceptions about their grid impact.

• The more critical factor for the grid is peak power demand (MW) rather than total energy consumption (MWh). EVs can significantly increase peak demand during charging times.

• Hypothetical scenarios indicate that if many EVs charged simultaneously, the demand could exceed current grid capacity, posing potential risks.

• Additionally, local power networks may need costly upgrades to support EV charging, which could be contributing to rising electricity prices.

The hidden nature of EV power usage could obscure significant and escalating issues within the electric grid that need urgent attention to ensure reliability and affordability. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for future planning. 

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/04/01/ev-power-consumption-a-costly-mystery/