Public figure in U.S. law; recent coverage centers on his confirmation process and related DOJ actions amid high-stakes legal-political maneuvering.
The New York Times, The Guardian, CNBC, Al Jazeera and other outlets report that Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, moving from acting to permanent head of the Justice Department. The nomination faces a Senate confirmation battle amid scrutiny of Blanche’s ties to the Epstein files, the $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund and past actions at the DOJ.
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.
President Donald Trump has walked out of an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, after she questions his claims that the 2020 election and a California vote were rigged. Welker traveled to Wisconsin for the sit-down; the exchange turned contentious as Trump calls the press crooked and ends the interview, saying he has had enough.
A federal judge in Boston has voided the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on H‑1B visa petitions, ruling the payment functions as a tax that Congress did not authorize. The administration has filed a notice of appeal, and parallel lawsuits and appeals are proceeding in other federal courts, leaving the policy's fate to the appeals process.
Haji Najibullah has been sentenced after pleading guilty to providing material support for acts of terrorism and conspiring to take hostages. David Rohde has described the kidnapping in 2008 and expressed disappointment that Najibullah refuses to take responsibility. The court spared a life sentence due to the guilty plea and mitigating factors.
The Justice Department has highlighted cases against Guatemalan nationals who allegedly exploited a U.S. sponsorship program by fraudulently caring for unaccompanied migrant children. Officials say dozens of similar “super-sponsor” schemes are being investigated as concerns grow over vetting and child protection under ongoing border policy debates.
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.
U.S. forces have carried out an airstrike that has killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, U.S. and Venezuelan officials have said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have said the operation targeted a compound in Bolívar state earlier this week and involved coordination with Venezuelan security forces.
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.
The federal government has filed a civil lawsuit alleging that New York state officials and a vendor misrepresented transition plans for the Medicaid home-care program, CDPAP, prompting broader scrutiny of Medicaid spending and vendor practices. The case centers on allegations that a single company and state leaders manipulated the transition to consolidate payroll services for roughly 250,000 recipients.
The Justice Department has moved to join a lawsuit challenging Evanston, Illinois’ reparations program, which pays $25,000 to qualifying residents and descendants for past housing discrimination. The city has distributed millions so far; critics say the policy is race-based discrimination, while supporters argue it sets a precedent for addressing historical harms.
Authorities warn that fraud, waste and abuse in state programs are prompting federal action. A labor department letter to governors signals tighter oversight and potential funding consequences for states with weak controls.
Federal authorities have disrupted a planned attack on the White House grounds ahead of a June 14 event. Falkner and Rincker have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder; a sprawling group faced investigations after encrypted messages and drone plans emerged. The case remains ongoing as prosecutors pursue additional suspects.
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.
Trump has canceled a Capitol signing of a bipartisan housing bill to pressure Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election-law package. Republicans are divided over priorities, with some backing the housing measure and others pressuring for the voter-ID legislation. The House transmitted the housing bill to the White House; Trump is underscoring the priority of election rules while signaling the timing remains unsettled.
France 24 reports that DR Congo has advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, following a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. England tops Group L after a win over Panama; Belgium faces Senegal; US advances to the Round of 16 with favorable simulations.
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.
The Supreme Court has affirmed birthright citizenship as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. The decision preserves existing policy and faces sharp reactions from Trump allies who call for drastic changes; supporters say the ruling protects immigrant families and constitutional principles. The debate is likely to intensify as lawmakers consider next steps.
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.
Lindsey Graham’s death triggers an interim appointment and a high-stakes Aug. 11 special primary to replace him. Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a temporary successor, while Republicans eye potential contenders including Darline Graham Nordone, Nancy Mace and others as the field gears up for a crowded race.
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died, and the Senate faces a scramble to fill his leadership role. The update narrows sanctions legislation, reshuffles committees, and tests bipartisan cooperation on Ukraine aid and mixed White House-Senate priorities.
A US federal judge has sanctioned Trump’s lawyers and referred one attorney to state bars amid questions over an $1.8 billion fund linked to a settlement in the president’s IRS lawsuit. The ruling casts the case as improper and possibly strategic rather than a genuine dispute.
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.
Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal lawsuit in New York alleging a conspiracy between senior Trump administration officials and pro‑Israel groups to jail and silence pro‑Palestinian activists. The suit cites the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and targets figures in the White House, Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission, and Betar USA. Khalil, a former Columbia student, is challenging deportation while continuing broader court battles.
Legislation updating Russia sanctions has gained White House backing and is advancing in the Senate, with debate centring on tariffs for the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and potential waivers. The measure has broad support and could reshape U.S. pressure on Moscow, as Graham’s legacy guides the approach.
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.
US advocacy groups have filed a federal lawsuit in New York challenging Donald Trump’s 2025 sanctions on ICC officials and related actors for alleged war-crimes investigations. The suit argues the measures violate the First Amendment and chill protected advocacy, while the administration defends them as targeting abuses at the ICC.
The Sunshine Protection Act has passed the House to make daylight saving time permanent in most of the United States. Senate consideration is uncertain and health experts warn permanent DST could disrupt sleep, while some communities push for permanent standard time. The decision hinges on balancing public health, regional impacts, and the logistics of time-zone alignment.
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 Justice Department has filed the first-ever petition to the dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court in 1996 to deport an unidentified individual linked to terrorism; a hearing has been held and additional information is requested as the court considers its path forward.
A Florida woman has been charged in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, accused of helping secure more than $32 million in COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing to Jamaica and later being captured in a US-led operation. Several co-defendants have already been convicted or sentenced in the ongoing case.
Federal officials have def rined hundreds of millions in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while reviewing alleged in-home care fraud. Governors Newsom and Walz say the move is political theater; federal reviewers cite rising in-home services spending and questions about program integrity.
The House Judiciary Committee's criminal referral to the DOJ has escalated Republican efforts to scrutinize Jack Smith. The panel alleges Smith gave false statements about accessing lawmakers' text messages during the Arctic Frost investigation. The DOJ is not required to act on referrals, but the findings have intensified political pressure and calls for accountability.
The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence, replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte. Clayton has faced questions about his stance on the 2020 election and national security credentials, while Republicans push for steadier leadership in the intelligence community as major policy debates continue.
Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, threatening to pressure Thune and potentially reshaping leadership dynamics as the August recess looms. Republicans say the votes aren’t there to end the filibuster, while Trump vows to keep the pressure on if the party fails to act.
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.
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.
Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old permanent resident, appears in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court after her relatives were convicted in Oklahoma for an ISIS-inspired plot to attack voters on Election Day 2024. The court, created in 1996, has yet to hear a petition. The government argues she pledged loyalty to ISIS and aided the conspiracy, while her counsel argues the case violates due process.
President Trump’s Cabinet meeting at Camp David has become a focal point as he faces Republican pushback on a tax-audit immunity deal and the fate of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Comments on an Anti-Weaponization Fund are circulating, while lawmakers seek written assurances from the White House. The briefing follows related talks about immunity provisions tied to the Trump family.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pressing a lawsuit against Heartbeat International and RealOptions Obria over abortion-pill reversal claims, arguing they mislead women after the 2023 suit. The case, ongoing in Alameda County, centers on whether high-dose progesterone can reverse mifepristone and whether groups adequately warn of risks; closing arguments are set for September with a ruling expected within 90 days.
Republican Rep. Max Miller faces growing accusations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, prompting calls for resignation as he campaigns for re‑election in Ohio’s seventh district. Senator Bernie Moreno has urged accountability and professional help, while Miller denies the allegations and defends his bid amid an ethics probe and mounting political backlash.
The acting attorney general has posted documents rescinding an order that created the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and clarifying tax immunity terms for Trump and affiliates. Republican senators had threatened to block Blanche’s confirmation, but an agreement appears to appease them, paving a path to a Senate vote before August recess. Democrats caution the deal may not be ironclad.
The review-backed order confirms there is no $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponisation Fund, while Blanche’s testimony and ongoing immunity shield for the President remain a political obstacle to confirmation.
The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington in a reciprocal move after Brazil declined to approve President Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasília. The Brazilian diplomat faces no expulsion, and her visa will be restored if Brazil grants agrément to the American nominee. The dispute coincides with Brazil’s October election and broader bilateral disagreements.
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.
New England plaintiffs have sued the Monterey Bay Aquarium over its Seafood Watch red list for lobster. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is evaluating whether the defamation claim may proceed, with judges debating First Amendment implications.