Federal trial courts with limited jurisdiction
The federal case against Decarlos Brown Jr. for the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska has been paused as Brown is found not competent to stand trial. He will receive treatment in a federal facility for up to four months to restore competency, while a parallel state case remains on hold.
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.
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.
The East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. is set for major renovations, with President Trump stating plans to begin Sept. 1. A court case challenges the overhaul, and officials say plans are still under review. The project is part of a broader push to reshape public spaces in the capital.
The SAVE income-driven repayment plan has ended and servicers have begun notifying roughly 7–7.5 million borrowers that they have 90 days from their notice to choose a replacement. New Department of Education rules that took effect on July 1 have created a Repayment Assistance Plan and a Tiered Standard plan, tightened graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing caps, and added a temporary autopay interest discount.
E. Jean Carroll has received $5,625,005.48 that a 2023 jury awarded after finding Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The funds had been held in a court-controlled escrow account while Trump exhausted appeals and sought last-minute delays; his legal team is continuing challenges tied to a separate $83.3m judgment.
A Washington judge has ruled that the Defense Department’s media escort policy violates the First Amendment and has issued a preliminary injunction preventing its enforcement while The New York Times pursues its legal challenge. The Times, which has sued the department twice in five months, says the decision upholds press rights to cover Pentagon operations.
The government has dismissed Jan. 6 riot prosecutions after President Trump has granted sweeping clemencies and pardons to those involved, including cases tied to emissions-control devices. The judge has described the events at the Capitol as a perilous attack on the Constitution, while outlining the ongoing legal fallout as some cases are dismissed and others are clarified.
Eight men across multiple states have been charged in two conspiracies related to plans to provide material support to terrorists and to murder a federal official during a UFC event on the White House lawn. Investigators say they planned explosive drones and sniper attacks, targeting high-profile figures; arrests span Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Washington, California and West Virginia.
Apple has filed a federal lawsuit accusing OpenAI, its hardware arm io Products and two former Apple engineers of misappropriating confidential hardware designs, supplier details and manufacturing techniques to speed OpenAI’s push into consumer devices. Apple has asked the court for injunctions, return of materials and unspecified damages.
Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier and author Scott Turow have filed a federal lawsuit in New York accusing Google of copying millions of copyrighted books — from Google Books, Play and web scrapes — and using them without permission to train its Gemini AI, seeking damages and an injunction while alleging Google hid identifying copyright data.
Maduro and his wife Flores have been moved to New York and face drug-trafficking charges tied to decades-long alleged cocaine shipments. A trial is scheduled for June 2027, with sovereign-immunity motions likely to shape proceedings.
The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas targeting The New York Times and other outlets in a case linked to reporting on a Qatar-donated Air Force One. Judge Arun Subramanian has criticized the government’s approach, saying subpoenas are a last resort. Newsrooms say the move preserves First Amendment protections while the investigation continues.
The Department of Justice has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas that sought New York Times reporters' testimony and phone records after a federal judge sharply questioned the government's handling of the leak probe into reporting about President Trump's new Air Force One. The DOJ has said the investigation remains ongoing.
The Supreme Court has been asked to pause a large damages judgment against the Palestinian Authority and the PLO as they appeal a 2025 reinstatement of a case tied to 2002-04 Jerusalem attacks. Lower courts previously voided the verdict, then Congress updated the Anti-Terrorism Act; the high court’s action could impact funding for West Bank services.
The indictment unsealed in Chicago alleges Cloth solicited over $100 million from investors for film and entertainment projects, but diverted funds to other ventures and to repay earlier investors. He faces seven counts of wire fraud and forfeiture of more than $12 million; investors are urged to contact the FBI if they believe they were harmed.