Fetterman Only Dem Who Opposed Party’s Iran ‘War Powers’ Push
Once again, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania defied the rest of his party, this time by opposing an attempt on Wednesday to pass a war powers resolution that would force President Donald Trump to limit actions against Iran.
Supporters of the measure, along with a related one in the House known as war powers resolutions, recognized that they faced significant challenges due to the near-unanimous backing for the war among the Republicans who control Congress. However, they emphasized that the votes were still important as a way to test lawmakers, especially considering Trump’s opposition to seeking congressional approval for the joint Israeli-American operations against Iran.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on another measure this Thursday, which also encounters significant hurdles. This is partly because a small group of pro-Israel Democrats has introduced competing legislation, The Intercept reported.
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While Fetterman opposed the Senate bill, one Republican – Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky – sided with Democrats in supporting it.
Fetterman said on Wednesday that Trump’s actions to destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions was “entirely appropriate” and that U.S. and Israeli forces should continue to target whoever is selected to succeed slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Just keep killing them until they’re gone,” Fetterman told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on CNN News Central.
“I absolutely support that. I think that’s entirely appropriate until hopefully they’ll pick someone that realizes that they need to live and coexist in peace in the region and stop trying to destroy Israel and to stabilize the region,” he added.
Khamenei, who served as the supreme leader for over three decades, was killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes early Saturday morning that targeted his compound and Iran’s nuclear program.
Some international media reports indicate that Iran’s Assembly of Experts chose Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor on Tuesday; however, this has not been confirmed by state media, The Hill reported.
An Israeli airstrike reportedly struck the building during a meeting of officials who were voting.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Wednesday that any leader appointed by the regime would be “an unequivocal target for elimination.”
“It does not matter what his name is or the place where he hides,” Katz wrote in a post on the social platform X, describing the plot as an “integral part of the objectives” of the ongoing military operation.
“We will continue to act with full force, together with our American partners, to crush the regime’s capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow it and replace it,” Katz continued.
Israel has clearly stated its goal of pursuing regime change in Iran, while U.S. officials have emphasized that nation-building is not part of their agenda. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have described the mission as focused on eliminating nuclear and missile threats, despite President Trump encouraging the Iranian people to “take over” their government.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump mentioned that “most of the people” he envisioned leading Iran next are already deceased. He cautioned that the worst-case scenario would be a successor who is as extreme or even more extreme than Khamenei.
“I guess the worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person, right? That could happen, we don’t want that to happen, it would probably be the worst,” he said.
Pennsylvania’s other senator, Dave McCormack, a Republican, also voted against the Democrat-led war powers resolution.
Iranian officials told U.S. negotiators ahead of military operations that the country had managed to hide its nuclear weapons development from international monitors while enriching enough uranium for at least 11 bombs.
Report: It’s Revealed Who Adam Schiff Was Leaking Classified Info To
Newly declassified FBI interview records have revived allegations that Senator Adam Schiff authorized the leaking of classified information during the height of the Trump–Russia investigation.
According to documents obtained by Just The News, an unidentified whistleblower — described as a Democratic intelligence officer who worked for the House Intelligence Committee — repeatedly told the FBI between 2017 and 2023 that Schiff approved leaks of classified material in an effort to politically damage then-President Donald Trump. At the time, Schiff was the ranking House Democrat on the committee and later became its chairman.
The whistleblower alleged that Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California was likely the direct source of the leaks, which they said were aimed at advancing the so-called “Russiagate” narrative.
“When working in this capacity, [redacted staffer’s name] was called to an all-staff meeting by SCHIFF,” one FBI interview summary states. “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States DONALD J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP.”
Swalwell has denied any such implication and cast aspersions at FBI Director Kash Patel.
The whistleblower also told agents that Schiff had been promised the position of CIA Director if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 presidential election. That promise never materialized after Clinton’s loss, but the whistleblower claims Schiff continued to push for leaks that would undermine Trump’s presidency.
The same source claimed they personally witnessed Schiff approve such leaks and raised their concerns to federal authorities. However, according to the declassified records, Justice Department officials showed little interest in pursuing a probe into Schiff’s alleged conduct. The whistleblower says they were abruptly terminated from their position after alerting the FBI.
These newly public claims appear to track with past reporting by conservative outlets such as The Gateway Pundit, which has long documented Schiff’s media leaks during the Trump–Russia inquiry.
The allegations gained another dimension Monday when investigative journalist Paul Sperry of RealClearInvestigations suggested that Schiff’s leaks may have been funneled to Washington Post national security reporter Ellen Nakashima. Sperry pointed to past reporting that described Nakashima as a key media contact for senior intelligence officials, including former CIA Director John Brennan, during the early years of the Russiagate controversy.
Declassified records reviewed by Sperry indicate that Brennan and other intelligence figures used Nakashima to plant at least three major news stories related to the Russia investigation. Those stories, published between 2016 and 2017, helped shape the public perception that Trump’s campaign was under serious suspicion of collusion with Moscow — a narrative that persisted for years despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller ultimately finding insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy.
Critics argue that if Schiff indeed authorized the leaking of classified material to the press, it would represent a serious breach of national security and a potential criminal offense. The Intelligence Committee’s work often involves access to highly sensitive information, and its members are bound by law to protect classified data from unauthorized disclosure.
So far, Schiff’s office has not issued a public response to the latest allegations. In the past, he has denied leaking classified information, accusing his critics of attempting to discredit legitimate oversight of the Trump administration.
The revelations also underscore longstanding partisan disputes over how intelligence and law enforcement powers were used during the 2016 election and its aftermath.
Whether the new disclosures will result in any formal charges remains unclear. For now, the most explosive charge is that the decision to leak classified material was not the act of a rogue staffer, but, according to the whistleblower, was explicitly approved in a committee-wide meeting led by Schiff himself. If substantiated, such an allegation could have significant legal and political repercussions, particularly given Schiff’s current role as a U.S. senator.
My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
