American attorney and politician with Florida and federal roles
President has endorsed both South Carolina runoff candidates in a bid to influence the outcome of the gubernatorial race as polls show a tight contest ahead of the June 23 runoff.
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 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.
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.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has reopened a criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch. The DOJ has refused to provide unredacted documents, citing federal law and privacy protections. NM officials say cooperation is insufficient as requests have yielded heavily redacted material and few pages.
Federal subpoenas have compelled several New York Times journalists to appear before a Manhattan grand jury over reporting on security weaknesses in the Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas were signed by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and follow an FBI review; the Times says the move threatens press freedom and vows to fight the orders in court.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is questioning Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, about his past with Trump, the handling of the Epstein files, and a controversial $1.8 billion fund; Republicans and Democrats press on independence and accountability as the nomination moves forward.
Kathryn Ruemmler has testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging a long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saying he used her to legitimize his standing. She has stepped down from Goldman Sachs but remains as senior adviser. Lawmakers are pursuing further depositions and documents as part of a broad probe into Epstein’s network.
The Epstein files release has become a political liability for the Trump administration. VP has acknowledged missteps in communications, with Bondi’s comments fueling mistrust. Officials claim redactions were necessary and that full disclosure will come, but critics argue the rollout damaged transparency.
The Qatar-donated Air Force One has entered service but is undergoing security upgrades. Lawmakers have questioned funding and oversight as the jet is retrofit for presidential use, while the outgoing model remains in use for certain trips. The presidency is balancing diplomatic gifts with rigorous security needs amid ongoing scrutiny.
Western Washington U.S. attorney Roger Rogoff has been fired by the Trump administration shortly after his confirmation by district judges. Rogoff has filed suit arguing the ouster was unlawful and that judges retain appointment authority until a Senate-confirmed nominee is ready. The Justice Department says the firing is within the President’s authority and accedes to the district’s appointment process.
Epstein survivors have challenged acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during hearings and a closed-door meeting, accusing him of evasiveness and prioritising confirmation over accountability. Senate Republicans are considering whether to advance Blanche’s nomination, with a vote hinging on whether Tillis meets survivors and the handling of Epstein materials.
The Guardian reports deadly ICE incidents amid growing calls to abolish ICE and hold officials to account. Victims’ families urge prosecutions and retroactive liability, signaling a broader push for systemic reform and legal repercussions for those involved.
Ismael Zambada Garcia has received a life sentence in Brooklyn federal court for leading the Sinaloa Cartel and for racketeering and continuing criminal enterprise. Prosecutors say the cartel flooded the United States with cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs for decades, while his defense notes his age and health needs.
Daniel Siad, 69, who is linked to Epstein’s trafficking network, has been found dead in Colombes, France. Investigators are conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death while continuing to examine his alleged role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes.
Comey’s legal team has filed new motions alleging misconduct in the government’s prosecution, calling it vindictive and selective and seeking transcripts and evidence to challenge the indictment. The articles describe alleged malfeasance in how investigators handled the seashells post and related searches, with prosecutors defending the case as a lawful prosecution.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
Lawmakers have advanced a stopgap funding package to keep the government running through Dec. 11, while negotiations over full-year funding and policy riders continue. The measure blocks funding transfers to border enforcement, delays a hemp ban by one month, and avoids a government shutdown ahead of midterm elections.
New Mexico has filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging the U.S. Department of Justice is withholding unredacted materials crucial to state investigations of Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at the Zorro Ranch. The suit seeks judicial intervention to compel disclosure, as state probes press for accountability for survivors and witnesses.
The US is considering an off-ramp from the Iran conflict as officials say air strikes alone may fail to meet goals. Discussions involve top advisers and notes of potential agreements with Iran and Oman over Hormuz shipping routes. Officials deny public discussion of confidential conversations.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed 50–49 as U.S. attorney general and sworn in at the White House. He has served as acting attorney general since April, previously represented the president, and has rescinded a proposed $1.8bn compensation fund while facing criticism that he is politicising the Justice Department and presiding over mass departures.
The reflecting pool renovation has drawn criticism and spurred accusations of vandalism. President Trump has publicly blasted Pirro after she dropped charges related to alleged damage, while officials dispute the vandalism narrative and blame a botched installation for the pool’s problems. The dispute has intensified political tension surrounding a high-profile project tied to national celebrations.
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
Blanche has vowed to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor as he assumes control of the Justice Department amid a wave of firings, resignations and politically charged investigations. He has promised to listen, welcome disagreement and acknowledge that not every decision will be right.
The 28-year-old Mangione has pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges linked to the December 2024 killing of Thompson in Manhattan. He faces a maximum life sentence in federal court. He remains charged in New York state with eight felonies including second-degree murder, with a September trial date, as lawyers contend about double jeopardy across courts.
Mangione has pleaded guilty in a federal case accusing him of stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024. A state murder trial is set for September 8, while the federal case could lead to a life sentence. Prosecutors say a large trove of evidence supports the guilt, including surveillance video and a 3D-printed pistol.
Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a temporary order allowing construction on the White House ballroom to continue while the Supreme Court considers an emergency appeal. Lower courts had ordered a halt, finding the project requires congressional approval. The administration argues the work is vital to national security; preservationists say Trump acted without legal authority.
Rep. James Comer has issued a letter requesting internal DEA records on the agency’s practice of monitoring major fentanyl shipments without seizing them. The move follows New Mexico officials’ concerns and whistleblower accounts alleging orders to stand down. The inquiry mirrors a broader debate over risk-mitigation rules and the pace of seizures amid the nation’s fentanyl crisis.
The Department of Labor’s inspector general has released a 44-page report detailing a toxic workplace and misconduct claims around former Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, including pressure on staff, personal tasks during official time, and an alleged inappropriate relationship with a security detail member. She resigned earlier this year.
A US father has filed a federal lawsuit against his son’s school district, arguing that notice and opt-out requirements for LGBTQ-related lessons violate his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The district reportedly limited opt-outs, while a Pride Month presentation touched on gender identity and surgery. The case underscores parental rights in education as districts balance policy and law.
Avid social videos show a man offering free hugs in Nottingham to spark conversations about mental health. The project started after a viral post on TikTok and has grown into a daily street activity with the aim of helping strangers talk openly about their struggles.
The AP analysis shows that 102 protesters arrested on felony assault charges in four cities have not yielded felony convictions at trial. 41% were dismissed and 34% pleaded down to misdemeanors. Nine received prison time, with two cases still pending. Trials in LA and Portland will resume this fall as prosecutors contend with challenging evidence and rapid charging during protests.
The Justice Department has issued an Office of Legal Counsel opinion holding that the federal law restricting handgun sales to 18- to 20-year-olds violates the Second Amendment. The administration is not defending or prosecuting cases under the measure, and governance remains split as courts weigh the issue in the wake of a 2022 Supreme Court decision.