Executive department overseeing federal criminal law and justice administration
A coalition led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a federal lawsuit to block Paramount’s planned $110–111bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the merger will raise prices, reduce content and harm movie theaters and cable distributors. The companies have cleared many regulators and the DOJ approved the deal in June; the states are asking the firms to pause closing.
The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship for those born in the United States, rejecting Trump’s bid to end the policy. Trump pledges to seek a rehearing and to press Congress on immigration. The development comes after a series of related legal actions and ongoing political maneuvering.
A former Police Scotland officer has been convicted of multiple sex offences against women in Lewis, Inverness and elsewhere. He has resigned from the force and faces a long custodial sentence. The case highlights issues of trust and misconduct in policing.
The New York Times reports that federal subpoenas have been issued to several reporters to testify before a Manhattan grand jury, as the Justice Department investigates leaks related to security concerns over a Qatar-donated Air Force One. The White House says journalists are not targets; the case centers on leaks. The Times notes taxpayers funded upgrades to the new jet, which reportedly lacks some defenses of the old plane. Several outlets confirm the subpoenas and the broader crisis of press freedom.
The OUT Museum, created by Chen in San Francisco’s Chinatown, has opened with a small exhibit of Chinese queer art, as activists and artists push for broader recognition of LGBTQ+ voices in China and the diaspora. The project began in China via Kickstarter and now thrives in a city navigating policy changes around LGBTQ+ rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after an eight‑month probe, concluding the merger is unlikely to harm competition in streaming, linear TV or theatrical film markets. The transaction still faces reviews by U.K. and EU regulators and possible lawsuits from state attorneys general.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has extended an injunction blocking the administrations proposed $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and has ordered the Justice Department to file a response by July 17. Brinkema has said she will only dismiss the suit if senior officials sign sworn declarations that the fund will not proceed; DOJ lawyers have refused, citing separation-of-powers concerns.
Multiple investigations into former Rep. Eric Swalwell have intensified as California’s 14th district special election watch tightens. Wahab leads with about 42% of ballots counted; Hernandez is second, with Singh in third. The FEC has demanded Swalwell return campaign funds after suspending his gubernatorial bid amid misconduct allegations. Runoff on August 18 remains possible.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to explain why scaffolding and a tarp remain on the Kennedy Center after workers removed President Trump’s name under a court order. The judge has demanded a status report by 31 July and has blocked the center’s planned two‑year closure while legal appeals proceed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have contacted friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been handling separate inquiries that began with local whistleblower tips, including probes into the first partner’s taxes and former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges.
AP and FRONTLINE investigations have shown that U.S. AI models, cloud and internet providers and satellite services have been used to run industrial-scale romance and investment scams based in Southeast Asian compounds. The tools have enabled multilingual fake personas, automated replies and performance tracking; device and routing data tie much traffic to U.S.-registered firms and to Starlink connections in Myanmar.
The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits challenging state laws that bar federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks and restrict 287(g) agreements, arguing these measures threaten federal officers’ safety and interfere with federal operations. Virginia and New York are among the states facing suits; Maryland faces a separate challenge by sheriffs opposing a new immigration-cooperation law.
The MLB controversy over Pride-themed hats has prompted a Justice Department probe and an EEOC reference, as Giants players voiced their beliefs with Bible verses while others opted out. MLB has cautioned players for modifying their caps, saying it violates league rules; officials stress religious liberty and accommodations are at stake. Developments have intensified political and legal scrutiny of sports’ role in Pride celebrations.
A wave of articles, led by commentary from the New York Times and coverage in the New York Post, examines the tradwife phenomenon, its portrayal in media, and the political angles surrounding women’s roles in the home and public life. The discourse intersects with rising discussions about family, policy, and leadership amid broader fertility and demographic concerns.
AP and partner outlets reveal that DEA agents monitored but did not seize fentanyl shipments in New Mexico to build cases against traffickers. Whistleblower testimony has sparked investigations from the inspector general and state authorities, while New Mexico’s governor and attorney general demand accountability.
A Swansea University study finds warning labels on SUV adverts raise awareness of risks to pedestrians and cyclists but barely alter consumers’ intent to buy. The research suggests stronger interventions may be needed as SUVs dominate European sales and cities consider penalties.
Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to a 2024 cyber-attack on Transport for London that disrupted Oyster services and affected millions of customers. The defendants, linked to the Scattered Spider group, face sentencing in July after admitting conspiring to unauthorised acts against TfL’s systems and, in one case, additional charges relating to US healthcare firms.
A federal judge has ruled that grand jury subpoenas in a Minnesota immigration probe were issued to coerce officials into aiding civil-immigration enforcement and to harass political opponents. The decision unseals findings that the subpoenas targeted Gov. Walz and other state and local leaders.
A U.S. district court has ruled that upgrades to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) unlawfully centralized Americans’ personal data, warning it could purge eligible voters from rolls. The decision complicates President Trump’s push to tighten voter verification and leaves the program’s future uncertain as states access the database.
Poetica Coffee has refunded Rep. Dan Goldman and barred him from its Brooklyn and East Village outlets after a social-media post accused him of being a “genocide juice” target. The Civil Rights Division is examining possible public-accommodation discrimination, and Goldman says he visited the shop with his daughter to use the restroom and bought a coffee in gratitude for staff’s kindness.
A growing class-action suit accuses major gas retailers of using Kalibrate's AI pricing to coordinate higher gas prices across more than 1,700 California stations. The suit cites six-cent average increases, up to 30 cents in dense Kalibrate usage areas, and potential billions in annual driver costs.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Helms-Burton does not shield Cuban state agencies from certain lawsuits, allowing Americans to sue entities profiting from confiscated Cuban assets. ExxonMobil is seeking compensation for properties confiscated after the Cuban revolution. The decision could impact U.S.-Cuba relations as the Trump administration applies pressure on Havana.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act does not permit lawsuits for monetary damages against prison staff, even when a prisoner’s religious rights are violated. The decision maintains that liability cannot attach to individual employees who did not consent to be sued.
A federal crackdown targets healthcare fraud across the United States. More than 450 defendants, including doctors, nurses and clinic owners, are charged in schemes that falsified records, billed for unrendered or unnecessary care, and laundered funds. Several defendants have faced seizures and high-value assets, with charges spanning Medicare and TRICARE programs.
A series of 6-3 rulings across several federal circuits has reinforced broad presidential authority in immigration and asylum matters. The courts have allowed mass detention and swift enforcement actions under executive orders, while some panels require bond hearings for detainees. The fabric of due process and administrative power is being tested as the administration pushes sweeping policy changes.
Federal court in Fort Worth has handed down lengthy prison terms to nine protesters linked to the July 4 Prairieland protest outside a Dallas immigration detention center. Defendants face sentences from 30 to 100 years after being convicted or pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges amid a government push to curb anti-ICE protests. The cases are seen as a potential test of First Amendment rights for protesters nationwide.
The Trump administration has withdrawn subpoenas targeting Washington Post and Wall Street Journal reporters amid a broader crackdown on leaks. While officials say investigations into classified disclosures continue, critics warn the move signals aggressive government pressure on press freedom. The Justice Department reaffirmed that reporters are not targets, even as it backs investigations.
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed former Apollo CEO Leon Black to produce nondisclosure agreements and to return for a sworn deposition on July 16 after he declined to answer questions about NDAs during a closed-door interview. Committee chair James Comer says the NDAs may connect Black to Jeffrey Epstein; Black denies wrongdoing.
The Giants have faced backlash over Pride Night after pitchers wore Bible verses on rainbow caps. Posey has declined to revisit the topic, stating the focus remains on team matters while a broader controversy surrounding rights and identity swirls around MLB.
The Financial Conduct Authority has had parts of its £9.1bn motor‑finance compensation scheme suspended after legal challenges from Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes‑Benz Financial Services, Crédit Agricole Auto Finance and consumer group Consumer Voice. The Upper Tribunal has set hearings for December or February; lenders will not need to calculate or pay redress while legal proceedings continue, delaying mass payouts until at least 2027 if the scheme survives.
The federal government has reached a settlement with Chemours over PFAS discharges, requiring a $22.5 million civil penalty and about $450 million in cleanup and compliance measures across West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey. The agreement allows continued PFAS production for commercial and military use while installing pollution controls and providing drinking-water protections.
Federal judges in multiple courts have halted President Trump’s efforts to tighten mail‑in voting. A D.C. judge has sided with the NAACP to block a USPS rule that would return ballots unless states hand over voter lists; a Massachusetts judge has barred key parts of an executive order that would force federal citizen lists and limit post‑Election Day ballot delivery.
A CNBC-led review shows women continue to earn less, provide more caregiving, and save differently, widening retirement gaps. While Social Security decisions and new accounts nudge savings, experts warn the gap remains and growth in annuity options is gradual.
Protests outside Poetica Coffee in Park Slope have escalated after a social media post accused the shop of banning a Jewish congressman over his support for Israel. The Justice Department has opened a civil-rights investigation into the incident as demonstrators clash with counter-protesters. The controversy has drawn national attention and sparked debate about discrimination and free speech.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that Hawaii’s private-property gun-in-venue permit requirement imposes a new burden on the Second Amendment. Private property owners may still prohibit guns, but the court has shifted the default away from a blanket access rule. The decision aligns with Bruen-era tests and signals ongoing shifts in how states regulate guns in public.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has pleaded guilty in a Maryland federal court to illegally retaining classified information. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 28, with a maximum five-year sentence and a $2.25 million fine. He has agreed to debriefing, community service, and forfeiture of his federal pension.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on any country that implements a digital services tax on US tech companies, saying the levy would "supersede" trade deals and be applied immediately. European officials have warned they will respond to unilateral measures; legal and practical hurdles make the timetable for any US action unclear.
Recent reporting shows Donald Trump has publicly labeled Democrats and candidates allied with democratic socialism as “communists,” arguing this stance threatens religion and the American way of life. He cites New York primary victories by Mamdani-backed progressives as evidence of a leftward shift, while analysts warn the tactic risks conflating democratic socialism with communism.
Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, has been arrested in Mogadishu in a pivotal phase of the Feeding Our Future fraud case. Indicted in 2022 on 31 counts, he allegedly helped run a $250 million scheme that stole federal meal funds and laundered proceeds. Authorities say he recruited sites and exploited shell companies to siphon millions from the program.
Pride events across the US and Europe proceed as leaders push back on transgender rights and DEI policies. In New York and San Francisco, parades highlight activism over corporate spectacle, with hospitals facing pressure over gender-affirming care and organizers weighing participation amid federal subpoenas.
An Australian man has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Thunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, Thailand. The body was found in a suitcase near railway tracks. Police say he denies the charges, claiming self-defence, while investigators consider potential links to two similar suitcase deaths in the region. Consular matters are under way.
The Supreme Court has ruled that geofence warrants—used to identify suspects by collecting location data from people in a crime scene area—are subject to Fourth Amendment protections. The justices have affirmed that location data collected by third parties still warrants a warrant, focusing on privacy expectations in the digital age. The decision sends the case back to lower courts for further analysis.
A federal judge has ordered the release of roughly $5.8m that Donald Trump deposited after a 2023 jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The Second Circuit denied an emergency stay; Trump has appealed and signalled further legal challenges. Carroll's separate $83.3m defamation award remains under appeal.
Buffett has postponed his annual Berkshire Hathaway stock donation to the Gates Foundation while awaiting the outcomes of an external review into past ties between the foundation and Jeffrey Epstein. The Gates Foundation has engaged WilmerHale for the probe, and findings are expected this summer; Buffett’s decision may align with the review’s results and the broader scrutiny surrounding Bill Gates.
The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil, rejecting Trump’s bid to limit citizenship based on parents’ status. The decision maintains the 14th Amendment’s promise, even as the administration vows to pursue further restrictions through legislation and enforcement.
Airlines and hotel groups warn that reducing Customs and Border Protection staffing at major U.S. airports could devastate international travel during a FIFA World Cup window, while the administration weighs options and cities push back on immigration policy. The debate comes as industry groups warn of operational disruption and a drop in international visitation.
Three major egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova and Hickman’s Egg Ranch—have agreed to a civil settlement with the DOJ and 17 states over alleged price manipulation. The deal requires them to pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs to food banks, with court approval pending. They deny wrongdoing and will adopt antitrust compliance programs.
The Supreme Court has struck down the administration’s birthright citizenship order. Trump urges Congress to act while officials warn that redefining citizenship faces constitutional hurdles. Analysts say the issue remains politically charged as lawmakers weigh legislative routes amid ongoing legal battles.
Advocates warn that a shift of special education oversight from Education to Health and Human Services and a DOJ memo on Olmstead interpretation signal a broader push to roll back rights for people with disabilities. Critics describe the moves as a return to a medical model and a threat to integrated living and schooling.
Brennan has filed a federal lawsuit asserting that records must be preserved as part of a potential vindictive-prosecution defense if he faces future indictment. The suit names Donald Trump and top law-enforcement officials as defendants and argues that recent DOJ record-keeping changes threaten due-process rights.