FLASHBACK: Chuck Schumer on Trump potentially issuing preemptive pardons:
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 20, 2025
“That would be a gross abuse of the presidential pardon authority”
Any comment on Biden’s preemptive pardons @SenSchumer? pic.twitter.com/kNNRYMhpkU
Fourteen suspects were arrested overnight in the city of Beit Shemesh during a violent riot that began during police activity to arrest a suspect for committing indecent acts on 9-year-old and 4-year-old children.
Four police officers and a medical responder were injured by the rioters and property damage was caused. During the day, the police will request to extend the detention of the suspects involved.
The incident took place shortly after 1:00 A.M. Detectives from the Jerusalem District arrested a 20-year-old suspect on suspicions of sexual abuse of minors. Immediately thereafter, a riot erupted in which dozens of violent rioters tried to prevent the arrest.
Consequently, a large number of police forces from the Jerusalem District were summoned to the scene in order to restore order and complete the arrest of the suspect while transferring him to the police station for further investigation.
During the riot, stones and other objects were hurled at the police. A stone was thrown at a medical vehicle summoned to treat a policeman injured by the rioters, shattering the vehicle's windshield and apparently causing the driver to be sprayed with pepper spray. In addition, four police officers were injured as a result of the thrown objects, stone-throwing, and other violent acts, among them a police officer who was struck by a stone in the head. Damage was also caused to several police vehicles.
The rioters did not obey orders to disperse and ispersal orders and blocked the path of a police vehicle in which a detainee was being held as they tried to convince the police to release him in exchange for calming the situation down. The police employed crowd control munitions l and arrested another suspect (39 from Beit Shemesh) for assaulting police officers and disturbing the peace.
After a great deal of effort, order was restored and two detainees were transferred to the police station in the city for further investigation. During the day, as mentioned, these suspects will be brought before the court in demand to extend their detention for the purpose of exhausting the investigation in their case.
"The Israel Police will act with determination and without prejudice in all matters pertaining to the exhaustive investigation of criminal offenses and in offenses of sexual abuse of minors in particular, and against those who violate order and lawbreakers who endanger the security of the public and the police officers in general," the police stated.
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of groundbreaking executive orders prioritizing U.S. support for Israel and addressing issues concerning Jews and national security:
1. Revocation of Sanctions on Israeli Settlers: Trump repealed Executive Order 14115, lifting sanctions on Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria (the “West Bank”), reinforcing U.S. backing of Israel’s sovereignty.
2. Restoration of ICC Sanctions: Sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), removed under President Biden, were reinstated to combat perceived anti-Israel bias.
3. Foreign Aid Suspension: A 90-day halt on U.S. foreign aid programs, such as those benefiting UNRWA, accused of ties to Hamas, to reassess their alignment with administration policies.
4. Deportation of Extremism Supporters: Trump authorized the removal of visa holders engaged in pro-Hamas protests, riots, or fundraising on U.S. campuses or those who support hateful ideologies.
5. Expanded Arms Support to Israel: Restrictions on advanced weapons sales, including 2,000-pound bombs, were lifted to strengthen Israel’s defense capabilities.
These measures reflect Trump’s firm commitment to Israel, the Jewish community, and addressing global and domestic extremism.
A large number of senior career diplomats who served in politically appointed leadership positions at the State Department have left their posts at the demand of the incoming Trump administration, which plans to install its own people in those positions, according to current and outgoing U.S. officials.
Personnel changes in the senior ranks of the department, like those at all federal agencies, are not uncommon after a presidential election, and career officials serving in those roles are required, just as non-career political appointees, to submit letters of resignation before an incoming administration takes office.
In the past, some of those resignations have not been accepted, allowing career officials to remain in their posts at least temporarily until the new president can nominate his team. That offers some degree of continuity in the day-to-day running of the bureaucracy.
One senior career diplomat who will be staying, Lisa Kenna, a former ambassador to Peru who served in senior positions under Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, was appointed acting secretary of state shortly after Monday’s inauguration, officials said.
Trump, who has long downplayed the event and referred to the defendants as “political prisoners” and “hostages,” described the move as fulfilling a major campaign promise.
The move was hailed by Israeli leaders as a significant step in safety and security for Israel.
