Federal Government Watch – Mostly Clueless in Washington
VCA Editor’s Note
Federal Government Watch continues to track how U.S. officials respond—often inconsistently—to Islamic ideologies and jihad-linked movements at home and abroad. Their analysis helps expose ongoing blind spots in our national security and diplomatic institutions.
For VCA readers, these stories underscore that the political and legal system of Islam—sharia—stands in direct conflict with Western liberty, individual rights, and the foundations of our civilization, and therefore demands clarity, courage, and unwavering discernment.
1. Planned Jihad Attack Hidden in Plain Sight
“FBI thwarts planned Halloween jihad massacre in Michigan”
Averting this planned jihad massacre in Michigan is to the credit of the FBI, certainly. But the point that Robert Spencer makes here is that while the Justice Department said the plot was “tied to international terrorism”, neither the DOJ nor the FBI clearly stated that the plot was an Islamic terror (jihad) operation.
Why this matters:
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Federal agencies still avoid naming jihad even when evidence is explicit.
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When ideology is unnamed, patterns stay hidden and lessons go unlearned.
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Christians must recognize the spiritual and doctrinal roots of jihad to discern the times (1 Chron. 12:32).
2. Naive Diplomacy Meets Hamas Reality
“Witkoff’s ‘Palestinian’ adviser claims Hamas only has to give up ‘heavy weapons”
No, President Trump’s 20-point plan states clearly that HAMAS must disarm or be disarmed completely; there is no provision for HAMAS to keep any weapons at all. Of serious concern here is that US envoy Steve Witkoff’s ‘Palestinian’ advisor, Bishara A. Bahbah, who issued this statement, formerly was an advisor to Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
UPDATE: “Steve Witkoff: Hamas Promised Me It Would Disarm”, by Hugh Fitzgerald at Jihad Watch, November 9, 2025
Amazing how naive some of our senior administration people are about HAMAS & Islam!
Why this matters:
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Senior officials continue underestimating Hamas’s theological commitment to jihad.
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Islamic movements cannot be understood apart from ideology—something U.S. diplomacy routinely ignores.
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Naiveté at high levels puts both American and Israeli lives at risk.
3. How Did This Nominee Get Through?
“Bipartisan senators criticize Trump’s nominee for Kuwait over accusations of antisemitism”
At the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on 23 October 2025, both Republican and Democrat members opposed Amer Ghalib, President Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to Kuwait, because of his history of antisemitic comments and positions. How President Trump was advised to even nominate such an individual for this important post is not clear but would seem to demonstrate problems within the administration with regard to vetting for personnel nominations.
Why this matters:
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Vetting failures elevate individuals with hostile ideological backgrounds.
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Persistent antisemitism within diplomatic circles reveals deeper worldview confusion.
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Christians must pray for leaders to exercise discernment and moral clarity (1 Tim. 2:1–2).
4. Visa Failure Exposed by Citizen Journalist
“DHS Revokes Visa for British Journalist Accused of Supporting Terrorism”
Although this case ended appropriately with the revocation of this British journalist’s visa and himself taken into ICE custody for deportation, the fact that he obtained an entry visa in the first place is troublesome.
More here: “Sami Hamdi, British Muslim journalist, detained by ICE at SFO after visa revoked” by Cynthia Dizikes at The San Francisco Chronicle, October 26, 2025
It’s interesting that it took Laura Loomer, an investigative reporter and podcast host, to alert authorities to Hamdi’s problematic profile.
Why this matters:
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A problematic figure passed through U.S. entry screening unnoticed.
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Independent journalists caught what federal systems missed—highlighting systemic weaknesses.
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Ideological allegiances often slip through bureaucratic cracks.
5. DHS Finally Cuts Off the Brotherhood
“Dozens of Muslim groups blocked from receiving federal security grants: Report”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seems finally to be on the right track in identifying Muslim Brotherhood front groups such as the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and others and cutting them off from receiving USG grants.
More here: “FEMA Funding Controversy: Security Concerns and Discrimination Claims Against Islamic Organizations” at Mezha.net on 11 October 2025
Why this matters:
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Cutting Muslim Brotherhood–linked groups from federal funding is long overdue.
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These organizations seek legitimacy and influence through grants and government partnerships.
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Christians should understand the Brotherhood’s long-term goals to shape culture and policy.
6. A Sharia Ban We Can’t Enforce?
“Republicans Launch New Front in Immigration Fight: Banning Immigrants Who Follow Sharia Law”
The intentions here may be good ones, but the fact is that Rep. Chip Roy’s proposed ‘Preserving A Sharia-Free America Act’ is already unnecessary, given that Article VI of the US Constitution states that the ‘Supreme Law of the Land shall be the Constitution of the U.S. and the laws derived from it’. It is also unclear how an intending immigrant’s adherence to Islamic Law (sharia) would be determined, especially given that under sharia, faithful Muslims are obligated to lie to infidels when the issue at hand itself is obligatory (like jihad).
Why this matters:
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Sharia law is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution, but enforcement is unclear.
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Religious deception tied to the doctrine of jihad complicates screening efforts.
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This debate shows the seriousness of the issue and the limits of legislative solutions.
Christian Worldview Reflection
Scripture calls believers to remain sober-minded, discerning, and alert (1 Peter 5:8). The cases above reveal a consistent pattern: governmental institutions hesitate to speak plainly about the ideological nature of Islamic jihad. As Christians, recognizing truth is part of our calling to love our neighbor, defend the innocent, and steward the freedoms God has entrusted to this nation. These stories remind us that clarity, courage, and biblical wisdom must govern our engagement with both government and culture.
Call to Action
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About the Author
Clare M. Lopez is a career intelligence professional, former CIA operations officer, national security analyst, and widely respected expert on Islamic law, jihad doctrine, and Middle East geopolitics. Her decades of experience help expose ideological and strategic realities many in government continue to overlook.
