President Trump on Saturday told the people of Iran to take over their government after the US launched strikes in Iran. 

In a video statement released shortly after the operations began, Trump announced that “bombs will be dropping everywhere,” and that people should remain sheltered.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said to the people of Iran.

“This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”

“Now you have a president who is giving you what you want—so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” Trump added.

WATCH:

Trump: To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your homes. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere.

When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.

Now you have a president who is giving you what you want—so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.

Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action.

Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of America’s Armed Forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump announced early on Saturday morning that American forces are engaged in what he described as a “massive and ongoing operation” aimed at neutralizing the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten US troops, American allies, and the homeland itself.

Israel further confirmed it had launched a pre-emptive strike on Iranian territory, joined by a broader US military offensive targeting military and nuclear sites across Tehran and other major cities, including areas near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Israeli Defence Minister declared the operation necessary “to remove threats to the State of Israel,” framing Tehran’s missile and nuclear ambitions as existential dangers.

President Donald Trump then released a video statement early Saturday morning confirming that the United States has begun what he described as “major combat operations in Iran.”

MORE:

BREAKING: President Trump Releases Fiery Late-Night Statement on Iran as U.S. Begins “Major Combat Operations”

The post WATCH: Trump Tells Iranians, “Take Over Your Government. It is Yours to Take” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

President Donald Trump stated he is considering nominating Senator Ted Cruz to the U.S. Supreme Court during his speech in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday.

Trump praised Cruz as “an amazing guy” and joked that the senator would receive unanimous bipartisan support in confirmation hearings because both Democrats and Republicans would want to get him out of the Senate.

“He is the only guy I know who will get 100% of the Democrat vote, 100% of the Republican vote,” Trump said. “They want to get him out of there. He is such a pain in the ass, but he is so good and so talented.”

WATCH:

Trump says he’s considering nominating Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court.

Follow: @AFpost

pic.twitter.com/76ZmrBjCBp

— AF Post (@AFpost) February 27, 2026

The comments drew laughter and applause from the crowd.

Cruz, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, said in January that he was not interested in a Supreme Court position.

No current vacancies exist on the court, but that could, of course, change at any time.

The U.S. Supreme Court currently has a 6-3 conservative majority.

Justices hold lifetime appointments, so departures typically occur through voluntary retirement, resignation, death, or, rarely, impeachment.

Experts have speculated that Justice Samuel Alito may retire soon, as he was appointed in 2006 by President George W. Bush and recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary in the court.

Much of the speculation centers on Alito’s upcoming book, So Ordered: An Originalist’s View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country, which is scheduled for release on October 6, just one day after the start of the court’s next term on October 5.

Many have pointed out that this timing would make it difficult for a sitting justice to promote the book.

This would allow President Trump to nominate and confirm a younger conservative successor before the November 2026 midterm elections, potentially avoiding complications if Republicans lose Senate control.

The post WATCH: Trump Says He is Considering Nominating Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The Justice Department has indicted 30 additional people in connection with the January anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, bringing the total number of defendants to 39. Nine individuals, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon, had already been charged. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents have arrested 25 of the newly indicted individuals, with more arrests expected.

The protest took place Jan. 18 after demonstrators alleged that the church’s pastor worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Earlier, a federal magistrate judge ruled there was no probable cause to arrest Lemon and others under a statute not previously used in a church protest context.

A grand jury later returned indictments against Lemon and eight others, charging conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and interfering with that right. Lemon has pleaded not guilty and claims the case has broader implications for journalists.

Prosecutors argue he crossed the line from reporting to participation. According to the indictment, Lemon allegedly took part in a pre-operation briefing where logistics were discussed and later told his audience the goal was to make the experience “traumatic and uncomfortable” for congregants.

The DOJ also alleges he warned others not to reveal details of the plan beforehand. If proven, prosecutors say this reflects operational involvement rather than independent journalism.

Separately, a Minnesota churchgoer, Ann Doucette, has filed a civil lawsuit alleging the disruption caused her severe emotional distress and interfered with her right to practice her religion. The complaint claims Lemon coordinated with demonstrators, livestreamed the incident, and “appeared to take satisfaction” in the chaos. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison. The amount sought in the civil suit has not been disclosed.

This is not the first time activists have stormed a church. The most frequently cited precedent is the 1989 “Stop the Church” protest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, organized by ACT UP and WHAM! Activists targeted Cardinal John O’Connor over the Catholic Church’s opposition to condom distribution, safe-sex education, and abortion during the AIDS epidemic. Protesters staged a coordinated “die-in” during Mass, chanting and disrupting the service, and one activist desecrated a consecrated Communion wafer.

Legally, that case was treated as a local public-order matter. Protesters were charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, low-level misdemeanors that resulted largely in community service. The current case is different. The Department of Justice is using 18 U.S.C. § 241, the Conspiracy Against Rights statute, enacted in 1870 to prevent coordinated efforts to deprive citizens of constitutional rights, including the right to worship. Unlike trespassing, § 241 focuses on agreement and intent to violate civil rights.

Lemon also faces charges under the FACE Act, which now protects houses of worship. The statute makes intentional obstruction or intimidation of congregants a federal crime. The central question is not whether he was present, but whether he participated in planning. If a journalist helps organize the timing or execution of a disruption, prosecutors argue he becomes a co-conspirator rather than a neutral observer.

By framing the prosecution as a threat to journalism, Lemon suggests a press role shields him from liability. But the right to worship is a settled constitutional protection, and courts have historically been reluctant to allow a press claim to override another person’s First Amendment right to practice religion on private property.

The federal prosecution of the Cities Church “takeover” comes at a pivotal moment for religious liberty in America. While the First Amendment is often cited to protect the right to protest, it equally guarantees the right to the free exercise of religion without fear of intimidation. Supporters of the DOJ’s aggressive stance, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, argue that for too long Christian congregations have been treated as “soft targets” for political activists.

The Biden administration invoked hate-crime legislation when prosecuting attacks on other minorities or religions, but not Christianity. In February 2025, President Trump established a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. The administration argues that the previous DOJ ignored hundreds of attacks on Catholic churches and pro-life centers while aggressively prosecuting pro-life activists under the FACE Act.

Now Christians are being defended by the current administration, and Democrats are furious.

The post More Indictments in Don Lemon Church Assault, And Don Lemon Sued appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Crystal Mangum, who falsely accused players of the Duke lacrosse team of rape in 2006, has been released from prison after serving time for murdering her boyfriend.

The New York Post reported that Mangum was spotted leaving the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women on Friday after serving a 14-year sentence for the stabbing death of Reginald Daye in 2011.

In 2006, Mangum made national headlines after she accused Duke Lacrosse players Collin Finnerty, David Evans, and Reade Seligmann of rape 2006.

Mike Nifong, the District Attorney of Durham County, later charged the lacrosse players with first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, and kidnapping.

The players were later declared innocent by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, who dropped all charges.

The New York Times reported in 2024 that Mangum admitted she had made the entire rape accusation up.

Ex-stripper who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape walks free years after killing boyfriend https://t.co/myDoxWVe0b pic.twitter.com/1jezU1rh6F

— New York Post (@nypost) February 27, 2026

Per ABC 11:

Crystal Mangum was released from prison Friday morning after a murder conviction.

She was convicted of second-degree murder in 2013 for the 2011 stabbing death of her boyfriend, Reginald Daye, and sentenced to 14 to 18 years. Mangum claimed the stabbing was in self-defense.

This followed an earlier attempted murder charge in 2010 involving another boyfriend, Milton Walker, which was later dropped.

Mangum was at the center of a high-profile Duke lacrosse sexual assault case that made national headlines in 2006. The State Attorney General’s Office later found no credible evidence of an attack, and all charges against the players were dropped in 2007.

One of the most vocal defenders of the Duke lacrosse team’s innocence was current White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller.

Miller, a columnist for the Duke student newspaper, called out the mainstream media for rushing to judgment before the facts of the case were revealed.

WATCH:

18 years ago, only one Duke student went on mainstream media to defend the Duke lacrosse players

His name is Stephen Miller

Next year, he will become the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump White House pic.twitter.com/PkPnKwuo8w

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) December 14, 2024

The post Woman Who Falsely Accused Duke Lacrosse Players of Rape Released After Serving Time for Boyfriend’s Murder appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has revealed that both Bill and Hillary Clinton indicated that they do not believe Jeffrey Epstein killed himself during their recent depositions before the House Oversight Committee.

The congresswoman detailed the discussions during an interview on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Friday.

Luna first described Hillary Clinton’s response when asked about Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody.

“She mentioned that Epstein died in ‘mysterious circumstances,’” Luna stated.

Regarding Bill Clinton’s testimony earlier that day, Luna said he was uncomfortable.

“President Clinton’s response was very uncomfortable. He said, ‘I’ll yield to the autopsy reports.’ You could tell that was not what he felt the truth to be. You’ll see that in the recorded deposition,” Luna said.

Luna also suggested Epstein may have operated as an “intelligence asset” in a “honey pot operation” targeting figures like the Clintons.

The lawmaker explained the need for transparency, noting the committee’s subpoenas to Epstein’s lawyer and accountant, who are set to testify next week, as well as to other key figures, including former attorneys general and FBI directors.

WATCH:

BREAKING: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna just revealed that Bill and Hillary Clinton do NOT believe Epstein killed himself following their testimonies

“She mentioned that Epstein died in ‘mysterious circumstances.’ Today…President Clinton’s response was VERY uncomfortable.”

“He… pic.twitter.com/73zUgxaUtx

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 28, 2026

Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing, stating he had “no idea of the crimes” Epstein was committing and ended his association before Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

Bill Clinton personally demanded to bring Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell as his plus-ones to the King of Morocco’s wedding in 2002.

They flew on the Lolita Express together.

Clinton, Epstein, and Maxwell sat with the king at the formal dinner.

Chelsea insisted on a… https://t.co/SxGtleyZ75 pic.twitter.com/11Ba5l6cR7

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 28, 2026

Hillary Clinton similarly testified that she did not recall meeting Epstein and had no knowledge of his activities.

Strange answers, given that Ghislaine Maxwell was at her daughter’s wedding and her husband is seen in compromising photos in the Epstein files.

The post WATCH: Rep. Luna Reveals Bill and Hillary Clinton Indicated They DO NOT Believe Epstein Killed Himself During Their Testimonies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.