DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into J6 Committee Star Witness Cassidy Hutchinson

 by Debra Heine via American Greatness,

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into Cassidy Hutchinson, the former White House staffer who made a number of false claims about President Donald Trump before the January 6 Committee in June 2022.

The probe, led by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, began in early April 2026 after a criminal referral from Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.).

In December 2024, the House Administration’s Oversight Subcommittee, which is chaired by Loudermilk, released a 128-page interim report concluding that the J6 star witness had lied under oath and that the Select Committee knew her outrageous claims were false when they publicly promoted her.

In a December 17, 2024  press release,  Loudermilk referred former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) to the Department of Justice for an investigation into “potential criminal witness tampering based on the new information about her communication.”

Loudermilk accused Cheney of colluding with then-media darling Hutchinson without her attorney’s knowledge.

Hutchinson had testified that President Trump was aware that his supporters had weapons on the morning of January 6 but didn’t care because they weren’t there to hurt him.

She also falsely claimed that Trump tried to seize the wheel of the presidential limo and lunged at his former security detail when the Secret Service would not drive him to join protesters at the Capitol.

Loudermilk’s report concluded:

• President Trump did not attack his Secret Service Detail at any time on January 6.

• President Trump did not have intelligence indicating violence on the morning of January 6.

• Cassidy Hutchinson falsely claimed to have drafted a handwritten note for President Trump on January 6.

• Representative Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson baselessly attempted to disbar Hutchinson’s former attorney.

Loudermilk’s report accused Cheney of “using the January 6 Select Committee as a tool to attack President Trump, at the cost of investigative integrity and Capitol security.”

As of now, the Justice Department has not announced any investigation into Cheney, and the report’s recommendations remain unacted upon by federal prosecutors.

Hutchinson’s  allegations were so flimsy even anti-Trump Special Counsel Jack Smith didn’t believe her and refused to use her as a witness in his prosecution of Trump.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation will focus on whether she committed perjury during her “bombshell” televised testimony, particularly regarding claims that Trump encouraged violence on January 6 and attempted to seize the presidential limo’s steering wheel.

The assignment of the case to the Civil Rights Division is considered highly unusual, as perjury cases are typically handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., which is run by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

The investigation will examine claims from other witnesses and internal testimony that contradict Hutchinson’s account, particularly the Secret Service’s denial of the limo incident.

During a news conference Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Trump has the “right” and “duty” to call for investigations into individuals he deems suspicious, including his former staffer turned anti-Trump fabulist.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/doj-opens-criminal-investigation-j6-committee-star-witness-cassidy-hutchinson

'Many Older Patients Can Ditch Common Thyroid Drug, Study Suggests'

 

• Under physician supervision, 26% of older adults successfully stopped levothyroxine while maintaining stable thyrotropin and free thyroxine levels for a year.
• Discontinuation was more common in patients taking lower levothyroxine doses at baseline.
• Researchers urged clinicians to reassess thyroid therapy in older adults to avoid overtreatment and its associated risks.

A quarter of older adults on hypothyroidism medication were able to wean off of it while maintaining adequate thyroid function, an open-label prospective study showed.

In patients 60 and up, a protocol for stepwise reduction in levothyroxine led to 25.7% successfully discontinuing the medication while maintaining a thyrotropin (TSH) level under 10 mIU/L and a free thyroxine level within the reference range, reported Rosalinde Poortvliet, MD, PhD, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues.

These patients maintained a median TSH level of 5.03 mIU/L and a mean free thyroxine level of 1.01 ng/dL after 1 year. Nearly half (48.4%) maintained a thyrotropin level under 4.8 mIU/L, the team detailed in JAMA.

A lower levothyroxine dose at baseline predicted successful discontinuation, with nearly two-thirds (63.6%) of patients on a daily dose of 50 µg or less able to stop treatment.

Levothyroxine is often continued indefinitely because current guidelines lack deprescribing protocols, according to the study authors. This persists even though hypothyroidism can be transient, with subclinical cases often reverting to normal thyroid function in older adults.

The new findings show that "carefully selected patients aged 60 years or older may not require lifelong levothyroxine treatment and could benefit from a supervised trial of discontinuation, particularly in those taking a dose of 50 µg/d or lower," Poortvliet told MedPage Today.

Levothyroxine ranks in the top three most commonly dispensed medications in the U.S., and older age is a predictor of initiation, noted Maria Papaleontiou, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Anne Cappola, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

"Up to 60% of adults are prescribed levothyroxine for subclinical hypothyroidism ... or for non-evidence-based indications," the duo wrote in an accompanying editorial.

Overtreatment with levothyroxine is a growing concern, with past research linking longer-term use to increased risks for fractures, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive disorders, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

"Clinicians should reassess the necessity of thyroid hormone therapy to minimize overtreatment and its associated risks, embracing a strategy of patient-centered, evidence-based deprescribing," advised Papaleontiou and Cappola.

"In parallel, clinicians need clear, straightforward guidance on when to prescribe levothyroxine. Prevention of inappropriate levothyroxine prescribing would significantly reduce the need to consider deprescribing. When an initial thyrotropin test is elevated in a nonpregnant adult, the first step is to repeat the test," they added.

The open-label, prospective study followed 370 community-dwelling adults at primary care practices in the Netherlands from January 2020 to December 2023.

Inclusion required a stable levothyroxine dose (≤150 µg per day) for at least 1 year with TSH levels under 10 mIU/L. Exclusion criteria included a history of thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine treatment, neck irradiation, and congenital or secondary hypothyroidism.

The study cohort had a median age of 70, and 80% were women. At baseline, the median TSH level was 2.20 mIU/L, and free thyroxine averaged 1.21 ng/dL. The average levothyroxine dose was 84 µg per day.

The protocol called for general practitioners to review TSH and free thyroxine levels at each visit and reduce the levothyroxine dose if the TSH level was less than 10 mIU/L and free thyroxine level was greater than or equal to the lower limit of the reference range. When those criteria were met, the doctor cut the dose by 12.5 μg to 50 μg per day at baseline, 25 μg to 38 μg per day after 6 and 12 weeks, and 25 μg per day after 18, 24, and 30 weeks. Thyroid function testing was performed at least 6 weeks after each dose reduction.

Among the participants who remained on the medication, most ceased dose reductions because their TSH levels rose to 10 mIU/L or above.

While a TSH threshold of 10 mIU/L "may be reasonable" after levothyroxine discontinuation, Papaleontiou and Cappola pointed out that some clinicians and patients may not be comfortable with TSH levels exceeding the reference range to that extent.

"It has been suggested that treatment with levothyroxine may be considered in patients aged 65 years or older with subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH range 7.0-9.9 mIU/L) based on observational data supporting an increased risk of mortality from coronary heart disease in this TSH range," they noted.

Thyroid-related quality of life didn't differ significantly between those who successfully discontinued the drug and those who didn't.

A total of 17 serious adverse events occurred (15 unplanned hospitalizations and two deaths), but none were considered related to the study intervention.

There was a lack of data regarding the indication for levothyroxine treatment and measurement of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, Poortvliet's group noted, which limits the translation of the results to specific subgroups.

Disclosures

The RELEASE trial was supported by research grant from ZonMw for the Primary Care and Elderly Care program.

Poortvliet and co-authors reported no disclosures.

Papaleontiou and Cappola reported no disclosures.

Primary Source

JAMA

Source Reference: Ravensberg J, et al "Discontinuation of levothyroxine in adults aged 60 years or older" JAMA 2026; DOI: 10.1001/jama.2026.2864.

Secondary Source

JAMA

Source Reference: Papaleontiou M, Cappola AR "Navigating thyroid hormone deprescribing in older adults" JAMA 2026; DOI: 10.1001/jama.2026.3530.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/thyroid/120661

New Jersey Governor Sherrill Lifts 40-Year Nuclear Moratorium

 Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation that scraps New Jersey’s 40-year de facto moratorium on new nuclear power plants, clearing the way for expanded baseload generation in a state long plagued by some of the nation’s highest utility bills. 

The bill, S3870/A4528, amends the Coastal Area Facility Review Act to remove an outdated permitting roadblock tied to Nuclear Regulatory Commission waste-disposal rules that no modern project could satisfy.

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection can now approve permits based on proven, NRC-compliant storage methods that have maintained a 100% safety record.

Speaking after a tour of the Salem Nuclear Power Plant, Sherrill launched the state’s new Nuclear Task Force by executive order.

The group, which includes officials from PSEG Nuclear, labor unions, business groups, and environmental stakeholders, will focus on five priorities: financing, supply chains and technology, workforce development, regulatory streamlining, and public trust. 

“For costs to come down, we need more energy supply,” Gov Sherrill said.

“By lifting outdated barriers and bringing together leaders across government, industry, and labor, we’re setting the stage for our state to pursue new advanced nuclear power.”

Existing reactors at Salem and Hope Creek already supply more than 40 percent of the state’s electricity and roughly 80 percent of its pollution-free power.

A 2020 Brattle Group analysis found those plants save ratepayers more than $400 million annually while running at 90-95 percent capacity on just 740 combined acres.

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/new-jersey-governor-sherrill-lifts-40-year-nuclear-moratorium

Netanyahu orders rare talks with Lebanon, sets focus on disarming Hezbollah

 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed his cabinet to begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” following repeated requests from Beirut for direct talks.

The planned discussions will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries, Netanyahu said, welcoming the Lebanese prime minister’s call to demilitarize Beirut.

However, Axios cited an Israeli official as saying there is no ceasefire in Lebanon despite talks planned in the coming days.

Trump asks Netanyahu to scale back Lebanon attacks to help Iran talks - NBC

US President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the talks with Iran, NBC News reported citing a senior administration official.

While the United States and Israel have both said Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire with Iran, Israel agreed “to be a helpful partner,” the official was quoted as saying.

Iran says no peace talks with US unless Lebanon issue resolved - Fars

With attacks on Lebanon ongoing, Iran considers negotiations “strategically meaningless and futile," a source cited by the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency said, ahead of peace talks slated for Friday in Pakistan.

“The issue of Lebanon and a ceasefire in that country are a firm and non-negotiable precondition of the Islamic Republic of Iran for entering any new negotiation process," the source was quoted as saying.

The source added that Tehran had refused to accept a ceasefire until the United States, including President Donald Trump, formally acknowledged the overall framework of a proposed 10-point package.

The source emphasized that senior officials of the Islamic Republic are in full agreement on the issue, signaling a unified and coordinated stance from Tehran.

According to the source, Tehran's message is clear: unless the situation in Lebanon is resolved, there will be no negotiations.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604067622

First round of Israel-Lebanon talks slated to be held in Washington - Axios

 

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will begin next week, with the first meeting slated to be held at State Department in Washington, Axios reported citing a senior Israeli official.

Lebanon needs the United States as the guarantor of any deal with Israel, Reuters reported citing a senior Lebanese official.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604067622

Iran appears to tie talks to Lebanon as Trump signals force if truce fails

 Summary

• US ships, aircraft and military personnel would remain in and around Iran until Tehran fully complied with a deal, President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

• Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has entered its 41st day, with disruption exceeding 960 hours, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks.

• Iran’s nuclear chief said on Thursday that demands by adversaries to limit the country’s uranium enrichment program would fail.

• No Iraqi oil tanker has passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire between Iran and the United States was announced, Iraq’s oil ministry said on Thursday.

• The Strait of Hormuz has been fully closed, forcing oil tankers to turn back, Iran's state-run Press TV reported on Wednesday.

• Vice President JD Vance said Tehran’s negotiators thought the US-Iran ceasefire agreed on Tuesday included Lebanon, but Washington had ​in ⁠fact not ‌agreed to ​that.

• Iran’s parliamentary speaker said several key clauses of Tehran’s proposed framework for negotiations with the United States have already been violated, casting doubt on the basis for talks expected to begin in Pakistan.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604067622

Congress must stop immigrant welfare madness since Supreme Court won’t

 More than half of immigrant households in the United States use welfare, costing taxpayers billions and making the programs less sustainable for Americans in need of help.

Blame birthright citizenship for a big part of the cost.

But don’t count on the Supreme Court to fix it.

Republicans in Congress need to act, and they should do it quickly while they’re still in the majority.

A rally in support of birthright citizenship in front of the Supreme Court on April 1, 2026.Photo by Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty Images

Federal law bars legal immigrants from taking welfare benefits until they’ve been in the country five years, and bars illegal immigrants from benefits completely.

But both groups manage to circumvent that law and qualify for a wide range of costly handouts, including subsidized housing, Medicaid and food assistance.

The biggest loophole is that they can take benefits on behalf of their American-born children, who are citizens because of birthright citizenship.

Last week, when the  Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara — the birthright citizenship case — they were emphatic that their ruling would rest on history and legal precedent, not modern-day problems.

When President Donald Trump’s solicitor general D. John Sauer argued that we are living in a “new world” with immigration laws and problems such as birth tourism and illegal border crossings, Chief Justice John Roberts snapped back that the world may be new but it’s “the same Constitution.”

That indicates birthright citizenship is likely here to stay.

The president is taking major steps to reduce the burden on Americans by closing the border and attempting to enforce existing laws that already bar immigrants who may become “public charges” from getting green cards to stay permanently.

But Congress must act. It’s long past time to change US immigration law to favor admitting legal immigrants who are educated and have earning potential. 

The US could boost its economy, drastically reduce its spending on welfare and ease cultural stress by admitting immigrants based on their likely economic value. 

Think of a points system that rewards English proficiency, formal education and work history.

A typical 30-year-old immigrant with a bachelor’s degree will reduce the national debt by $1.6 million over the next 30 years, estimates Manhattan Institute’s Daniel Di Martino. 

But an immigrant without even a high-school diploma costs the Treasury an estimated $130,000 over that same time.

Right now, US policy favors family attachments and sheer chance — a lottery — instead of a sane policy of prioritizing self-sufficient immigrants.  

The immigrants who come to America are, in general, not lazy. They’re more likely to be employed than American citizens.

But lack of education keeps them stuck in low-paying jobs. After they get here, they have children they are unable to support and turn to the welfare system.

Denying medical and food benefits to families with children is understandably unpopular. The smarter approach is to revamp our immigration laws. 

Republicans likely to favor the change are in a slim majority in Congress. But the budgetary impact of the change is so large that the legislation should be eligible for “reconciliation status,” meaning it can be enacted as part of the federal budget with a simple majority instead of 60 votes in the Senate. 

They should get busy and pass a change before the midterm elections.

Today, 53% of immigrant households consume welfare benefits paid for by taxpayers, compared with 37% of households headed by an American-born adult. 

Immigrants who have been here 10 years or more are just as likely to be taking benefits as those newly arrived. 

That is economic suicide for our country. It must be changed.

In the meantime, Trump is using his executive powers to stop the flow of welfare-dependent immigrants into the country and deny permanent green-card status to immigrants already here who depend on welfare for themselves or their children.

In 2019, he invoked a long-ignored federal law against admitting anyone likely to become a “public charge.”

He told consular officers around the globe to require economic self-sufficiency before granting visas, and ordered the Department of Homeland Security to deny permanent status to anyone who had used benefits for themselves or family members after entering the US.

President Joe Biden revoked Trump’s order, but Trump restored it in November 2025.

Immediately, immigrant-advocacy groups sounded the alarm that Trump’s rule “could jeopardize the use of public benefits by the US-citizen children of immigrants.”

That’s absolutely true. And it’s the right thing to do.

American taxpayers have had enough. But to make the changes permanent, Congress needs to act. 

Otherwise a future president, with Joe Biden’s “give away the store to immigrants” mentality, will doom us to ever higher taxes to support a growing population of foreign-born dependents and their American-born children.

Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York.

https://nypost.com/2026/04/09/opinion/congress-must-stop-immigrant-welfare-madness-since-supreme-court-wont/