The News They Tried to Bury — This Week’s Top 5

Welcome to Rift TV's Top 5 Buried Stories, where we cut through the shutdown spin and election echoes to spotlight truths the mainstream machine buries deep.

This week whistleblower leaks expose FBI overreach, indictments chase Russiagate ghosts, grand juries hunt lawfare wolves, federal families fight empty pockets, and Trump reignites nuclear fire after 33 frozen years.

Let's dive in.

1. FBI's Arctic Frost Probe Targets 160+ Republicans, Including Alex Jones

Newly declassified documents reveal the Biden-era FBI's "Operation Arctic Frost" secretly investigated over 160 Republican figures and Trump allies for alleged 2020 "election crimes," including media firebrand Alex Jones, whose phone records were subpoenaed without charges.

Launched in April 2022 by FBI agent Timothy Thibault, deployed nationwide field offices, merging with a DOJ inspector general inquiry for broader access.

Targets included Sens. Ted Cruz and Rick Scott, former aides Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, and conservative groups like Turning Point USA.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, called it a "Biden enemies list," worse than Watergate, demanding accountability from ex-Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Whistleblowers provided the files to Congress; no prosecutions ensued, but the operation fed Special Counsel Jack Smith's now-dismissed elector case.

2. Comey Indictment Heats Up: Justice Closes In on Russiagate Deceptions

Former FBI Director James Comey's September 2025 indictment for false statements and obstructing Congress — tied to 2020 testimony on Russiagate leaks— escalated this week with defense motions to dismiss, alleging vindictive prosecution under Trump pressure.

Comey, fired in 2017 amid Russia probe scrutiny, faces up to five years for denying he authorized FBI leaks on the Trump-Clinton inquiries, including anonymous sources feeding media on Crossfire Hurricane.

Arraigned October 8, he pleaded not guilty; lawyers demand a "bill of particulars" for specifics, citing bare-bones charges.

Over 100 ex-Justice officials filed amicus briefs October 27, urging dismissal as politically fueled.

AG Pam Bondi hailed it as ending "Russiagate hoax" impunity; FBI Director Kash Patel vowed exposure of "weaponized" enforcement.

Comey, in an Instagram video, called himself innocent, eyeing trial for vindication. The case revives 2016 shadows: Steele dossier handling, FISA abuses.

3. Florida Grand Jury Targets 'Lawfare' Conspiracy Against Trump

A federal grand jury empaneled in Florida's Southern District will probe an alleged decade-long conspiracy of "lawfare" against President Donald Trump, starting January 2026, allies announced October 28.

Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga's order seats the panel amid claims of coordinated Democratic-led prosecutions—from Russiagate to classified documents cases—violating Trump's rights.

Trump confidant Mike Davis, Article III Project founder, said U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones initiated it, vowing prison for "lawfare Democrats" like ex-AG Merrick Garland, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.

Critics warn of politicized justice; supporters demand accountability for probes like Operation Arctic Frost.

4. Shutdown Bites: 2.1 Million Federal Workers, Troops Go Unpaid, Straining Families

Over 2.1 million federal workers, including active-duty troops, entered a fourth unpaid week on October 31 amid the government shutdown.

Some 700,000 furloughed employees and 1.4 million essential staff face missed paychecks, delayed bills, and rising food bank use.

Military pay, temporarily funded by $8 billion in Pentagon reallocations, runs out by mid-November.

Senate Democrats blocked a GOP troop-pay bill; a bipartisan relief measure failed. Unions report severe hardship in red states like Texas and Ohio. Banks have issued $365 million in emergency loans. Retroactive pay is guaranteed by law, but families remain in limbo.

5. Trump Orders Nuclear Tests After 33-Year Freeze Amid Rival Escalations

President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Oct. 30 to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year moratorium that began in 1992.

He cited Russian and Chinese advances as justification.

The last U.S. test occurred in Nevada in 1992.

Trump announced the decision from South Korea, calling the Defense Department the "Department of War."

Experts warn of a new arms race while polls show 70% of Americans prefer de-escalation. No timeline was given.

That's our Rift TV roundup—stories that cut through the noise, exposing fractures in justice, economy and security.

As America teeters, will leaders bridge divides or widen rifts? Stay vigilant; truth demands it.