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Since mid May, multiple outlets have reported that the Justice Department has reached a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and barring existing IRS audits of Trump, his family and affiliates. Critics, courts and lawmakers have raised legal and ethical objections; separate reporting shows Trump is also directing high-profile public-works projects and White House renovations that are drawing criticism over cost and optics.
Jill Biden has said she was "frightened" watching Joe Biden's June 2024 debate performance and thought he might be having a stroke, according to excerpts from her memoir View from the East Wing and a CBS News interview. The book has recounted concerns about his health before the debate and the chain of events that led to his withdrawal from the 2024 race.
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.
A review of internal documents shows the White House ballroom project has a rising price tag, with private donations expected to cover most of the cost while public funds support security upgrades. Officials acknowledge escalating figures and ongoing disputes over funding sources.
The Reflecting Pool renovation has exposed persistent problems after a $14.8 million upgrade. Algae blooms and peeling blue coating persist as authorities investigate possible vandalism and operational issues. Nano-bubble ozone tech and hydrogen peroxide are being deployed to address algae while investigators review security and contracting decisions.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Land Command, is relinquishing his post on July 2 as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s drive to trim senior ranks. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will oversee duties in the interim. Donahue’s departure follows praise for his Afghanistan evacuation leadership and comes as the Army weighs downgrading Europe/Africa from four-star to three-star command.
The Kennedy Center has named Bill Maher the Mark Twain Prize for Humor, as legal battles over the venue’s leadership and a planned two-year closure unfold. Trump’s influence on the center’s governance has dominated the narrative, with a gala featuring Maher and other celebrities taking place as the center navigates the controversy.
OpenAI has shut Atlas, its AI-powered browser, and is redistributing its browser-like capabilities into the ChatGPT desktop app and a Chrome extension. The move follows leadership direction to trim side projects while preserving browsing intelligence within ChatGPT. Atlas-related tasks will now be handled inside Chrome and the desktop app, offering users in-page summaries, questions about pages, and task automation.
OpenAI has rolled out GPT‑Live 1 and GPT‑Live 1 mini to all ChatGPT Voice users, enabling full‑duplex, hands‑free conversations that can be interrupted mid‑sentence. Paid tiers get the larger model, while free users access the lighter version.