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The Affogato: China, Israel-Iran War, and First Meetings

Plus, Day 12 of Where in the World is John Zmirak?

By Gayle McQueary Published on June 18, 2025

What happens when you lie to Congress? That’s our question after finding out that the FBI knew as far back as August 2020 that China was planning to subvert the presidential election that November. Didn’t former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and former FBI Director Christopher Wray both say under oath that Chinese election interference was a conspiracy theory?

China and the 2020 U.S. Election

Late Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel provided Congress with a declassified intelligence report from August 2020 alleging that China mass-produced fake U.S. driver’s licenses to facilitate fraudulent mail-in ballots to help Joe Biden win the presidential election.

Just the News reports:

The newly declassified intelligence reports from August 2020 weren’t corroborated or fully investigated and instead were recalled from intelligence agencies at about the time that then-FBI Director Chris Wray testified there were no known plots of foreign interference ahead of the 2020 election in which Biden defeated Donald Trump.

The report, based on a fairly new confidential source at the time, claimed the CCP aimed to create voter identities for Chinese residents in the U.S. to vote via fake ballots — specifically designed to benefit Biden, according to the source. U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted nearly 20,000 fake licenses at a time, which possibly corroborates the information in the report.

The documents were handed over to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) after he raised concerns that the intelligence wasn’t fully vetted in 2020. Patel told Just the News, “Thanks to the oversight work and partnership of Chairman Grassley, the FBI continues to provide unprecedented transparency at the people’s Bureau.”

For all the warnings Wray issued that the Chinese Communist Party, even into January 2024, poses a threat to the U.S., why did he not send this report to Congress? Wouldn’t this qualify as election inference?

Please, No Wars with Iran

It’s the inevitable outcome no one wanted, but President Donald Trump hinted yesterday on social media that the U.S. might get involved in the Israel-Iran war. He called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and later said the U.S. has “complete and total control” of Iran’s skies.

He also stated that the U.S. knows the exact location of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling him an “easy target.” However, he’s not currently slated for assassination, Trump said: “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The White House and Pentagon did not immediately clarify whether these statements confirm that the U.S. military is currently active in Iranian airspace. The White House only confirmed that Trump has never wavered in his stance that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, and gave examples of him repeatedly this pledge both in office and on the campaign trail. Perhaps Vice President JD Vance’s social media post can bring comfort as well as insight into the situation:

Please keep praying for peaceful negotiations and that World War III will be averted.

First Meeting of the Religious Liberty Commission

Last month, we shared the news of Trump establishing a Religious Liberty Commission to

produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, the impact of religious liberty on American society, current threats to domestic religious liberty, strategies to preserve and enhance religious liberty protections for future generations and programs to increase awareness of and celebrate America’s peaceful religious pluralism.

The commission’s first public meeting took place Monday at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.; attendees discussed the history of religious liberty in the U.S. and the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting the constitutional right to the free expression and exercise of religion. The commission aims to protect religious freedoms for all Americans, said Paula White, a senior adviser to the White House Faith Office and commission member.

First Liberty President and CEO Kelly Shackelford is also on the commission. After the meeting, he said, “Our republic is built on the foundation of religious liberty. Today’s experts confirmed through their testimony that our First Freedom is the foundation for all of our other rights. It is paramount that judges and elected officials follow the intent of our Founders and the history and tradition of religious liberty in our nation. After today’s meeting, I am even more excited about what the Commission is doing and the impact we will make on religious freedom.”

Other high-profile members of the commission include Attorney General Pam Bondi, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (who is the chairman). Ben Carson, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Bishop Robert Barron, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and Franklin Graham are also members.

Isn’t it great to have a bird’s-eye view on these things now?

Where in the World Is John Zmirak?

The Affogato summer series game: Where in the World Is John Zmirak?

From the 1200s to 1835, this place housed The Royal Menagerie, the first zoo in this city. Look out for the lions and polar bears, John!

John is almost home, and that means our game is almost over. Remember, the person with the most correct (or close to correct) submissions about the locations he’s visited will get a free gift from us at the end of the month.

Do you think you know where John is in this photo? Send your guesses to us at [email protected] or visit our Facebook page.

Along The Stream…

In case you missed it yesterday, Amine Ayoub opened our eyes to “The Hidden Crisis of Christianity in Algeria – Time for Global Attention.”

Later this morning, Daniel Schmid from Liberty Counsel will give us some details about how “Parental Rights in Education on Trial in Back-to-Back Showdowns at the Supreme Court.”

 

Gayle McQueary is The Stream’s social media specialist. She has a background in production and is a scary judge of what happens when public officials lie to the American people.