Judge blocks East Potomac closure through November 28
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the Trump administration's planned November 15 closure of East Potomac Park and its golf course.
Oct 2026 news archive
126 reviewed briefs from Oct 2026 editions. Open any article for the response, sources and dates.
Oct 2026 briefs
Pentagon sends Sylvia leak allegations to Army for possible action
The Washington Post reported November 15 that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the military to explore possible disciplinary or criminal action against Army Lt. Gen.
Trump reportedly weighs holding off on new Iran attacks
Reuters reported November 14, citing three people familiar with the matter, that President Donald Trump told senior advisers he may hold off on renewed attacks on Iran if the United States faces no new provocation from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis. Reuters said he has not made a final decision.
China-US trade council meets before Trump-Xi-Putin talks
China's Commerce Ministry said U.S. and Chinese officials held their first bilateral trade-council meeting by video November 13, discussing tariffs, a reciprocal $30 billion-for-$30 billion tariff-reduction arrangement, agricultural trade and other concerns.
Judge lets Trump’s BBC defamation claim proceed, dismisses consumer-law count
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Kuntz denied the BBC's request to dismiss Donald Trump's defamation claim but dismissed Trump's separate claim under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Supreme Court lets Trump restart Big Bend border-wall work
The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's emergency request to stay a federal injunction that had halted border-barrier and related construction in Texas's Big Bend region.
Trump says Dana White press-secretary offer was a joke
President Donald Trump said November 8 that he was only kidding when he suggested UFC chief Dana White could become White House press secretary. Trump said White liked the idea but described the proposal and fighter-assistant images as fun rather than a serious personnel decision.
Rubio tightens ethics controls after Guilfoyle exit; allegations remain disputed
Reuters reported November 7 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned senior officials during a meeting the prior week that unethical conduct would bring dismissal regardless of an official's connections, and that his office now must approve political staff travel.
Judge temporarily blocks DOJ's Washington ballot demands
U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead granted a temporary restraining order in part November 5 after three civic and labor organizations sued the Trump administration.
DOJ moves to dismiss California ballot lawsuit after emergency losses
The Justice Department filed to voluntarily dismiss its California lawsuit November 6 after losing emergency-relief requests in the district court, the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court.
DOJ moves to dismiss California ballot lawsuit after emergency losses
The Justice Department filed to voluntarily dismiss its California lawsuit November 6 after losing emergency-relief requests in the district court, the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court.
U.S. attorney overseeing Trump-foes probe resigns; no charges announced
Jason Reding Quiñones, the U.S. attorney whose South Florida office oversaw the Justice Department's investigation into an alleged long-running conspiracy against President Donald Trump, resigned effective November 6.
Alaska case dismissed. DOJ’s criminal probe continues.
AP reports target letters in a separate criminal inquiry. They are not charges, and DOJ’s civil case remains dismissed for lack of standing.
Judge denies bid to block DOJ monitors but orders Election Day limits
The Justice Department's November 3 status report says the Civil Rights Division excluded FBI and Homeland Security personnel, consulted with ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service and DEA, and removed several sworn law-enforcement officers from the volunteer monitoring pool after reviewing individual positions with agency leadership.
Judge dismisses original complaint against former FBI officials
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed the original criminal complaint against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides on November 2, finding that prosecutors had not shown sufficient evidence that they knowingly made false statements to Congress, according to Associated Press and Reuters.
Judge denies Democrats' bid to block DOJ voter letters
Chief Judge James Boasberg denied the Democratic plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in DSCC v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03674.
Trump's $10bn WSJ Epstein-letter lawsuit is thrown out with prejudice
U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles dismissed Donald Trump's amended defamation complaint against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch and other defendants with prejudice on October 31.
Reuters identifies three customers paying for faster access to Trump posts
Reuters reported that Bloomberg, Susquehanna International Group and Jump Trading subscribed to Trump Media's Truth API, a paid service that provides low-latency access to posts from influential Truth Social accounts including President Trump's.
Outlets allege continued White House pool exclusion after injunction
CNN, MS NOW and Politico amended their federal complaint October 28, alleging that the White House continues to exclude them from Oval Office and Air Force One coverage and press-pool rotations despite an October 13 preliminary injunction protecting their White House hard passes.
Trump welcomes Flavio Bolsonaro as U.S. promises visas after Brazil exit
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court announced that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection on October 25 with 64,256,232 valid votes (51.79%), while Senator Flavio Bolsonaro received 59,826,041 (48.21%). Bolsonaro refused to concede, but his Liberal Party recognized Lula's victory.
Judge finds Bill Essayli unlawfully serving as de facto U.S. attorney
U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Bill Essayli was unlawfully serving as the de facto U.S. attorney for the Central District of California and disqualified him from participating in or supervising the prosecutions of Jaime Hector Ramirez and Tu Anh Tran.
DOJ sues Anne Arundel school board over gender-identity policy
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division filed an eight-count civil complaint against the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County, alleging that the Maryland district's gender-identity policies violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.
States sue Treasury over beneficial-ownership reporting rollback
A coalition of 20 states and the District of Columbia sued Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Treasury Department, FinCEN and other federal officials over rules that exempt domestic companies and U.S. owners of foreign companies from beneficial-ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act.
Grand jury declines DOJ request to indict Cassidy Hutchinson
A federal grand jury in Washington declined the Justice Department's request to indict former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson over testimony she gave to the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News and The Washington Post.
Judge temporarily blocks 10-day refugee-status response rule
U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick temporarily blocked the Trump administration from implementing or enforcing a USCIS interim final rule that reduced the response period for a Notice of Intent to Terminate refugee status from 30 days to 10.
EPA proposes broad methane-rule revisions after Trump announcement
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed broad revisions to its 2024 Clean Air Act standards for methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas facilities after President Donald Trump announced the action at a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas.
Supreme Court denies stay of immigration-case closure ban
The Supreme Court denied an emergency application from Baltimore, Columbus, New Haven and Centro Legal de la Raza seeking to pause a federal district-court consent judgment that vacated a 2024 regulation allowing immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals to administratively close some removal cases.
DOJ unseals third prosecution attempt against James Comey
The Justice Department's latest criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey became public on October 26.
Neil Young sues Trump committee over rally song use
Neil Young sued Trump 47 Committee Inc. for copyright infringement in federal court in Virginia.
Trump announces $1 million voter-fraud reward without implementation details
President Donald Trump announced that a person who reports voter fraud in a past election or the 2026 midterms would receive $1 million if the information results in an arrest and conviction. He made the statement on Truth Social on October 26 and repeated it to reporters.
Judge rules Trump DOJ unlawfully fired Maurene Comey
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman held that the Justice Department unlawfully fired career federal prosecutor Maurene Comey in July 2025. The court ruled that the Civil Service Reform Act covered Comey and that DOJ did not provide the cause, notice or opportunity to respond required by law.
Six citizens sue Trump over White House press exclusions
Six citizens filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and Secret Service Director Sean Curran. Roth v.
Kennedy Center filing identifies withheld Harp and Lutnick texts
An October 25 filing by Rep. Joyce Beatty's lawyers says a privilege log identifies Kennedy Center communications withheld under claimed presidential communications privilege.
Former immigration judge alleges DOJ pressure to reverse rulings
Former immigration judge Karen Donoso Stevens told The Washington Post that a supervisor said unidentified “higher-ups” ordered her to vacate four bond decisions in September 2025 without the normal motion or appeal process.
AP maps Trump's Air Force One access circle during midterms
Associated Press reporting from aboard Air Force One describes the mix of officials, aides, strategists, lawmakers and celebrity guests accompanying Donald Trump during his October midterm campaign travel.
Trump invokes Flight 93 in attack on Muslim Senate candidate
At an October 25 rally for Michigan Republican candidates, President Donald Trump described Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as a jihadist and Muslim Brotherhood member, then compared efforts to prevent his election with Flight 93 passengers' resistance to the September 11 hijackers.
Trump intelligence chief warns of advanced Iranian plots
An October 23 memorandum from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that U.S. intelligence indicated Iran had substantially increased efforts to target American personnel and that lethal plots had reached advanced stages in the Middle East and certain other countries.
Musk says SpaceX restricted Ukraine's Starlink use
Elon Musk said October 24 that SpaceX closed what he described as a loophole after alleging Ukraine used civilian Starlink for offensive drone strikes in violation of its terms. Associated Press characterized the statement as Musk acknowledging that SpaceX throttled Starlink.
Appeals court revives challenge to ICE actions at houses of worship
A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit revived a challenge by 27 Christian and Jewish organizations to the Trump administration's policy allowing broader immigration-enforcement activity at or near houses of worship.
Fifth Circuit rejects constitutional bond-hearing right for detainees
The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that three noncitizens detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A) were not constitutionally entitled to individualized bond hearings on dangerousness or flight risk while their removal proceedings continued.
Ninth Circuit affirms block on Trump's California Guard takeover
A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump's 2025 federalization and deployment of 4,000 California National Guard members in Los Angeles.
Trump removes some Canadian tariffs and adds others
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation removing the additional 50% Section 338 tariff from specified Canadian products while adding other products to the same tariff list.
Judge limits DHS voter investigations in nine states
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction restricting Department of Homeland Security election-related field operations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
Trump signs housing-cost order with agency caveats
President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at lowering some costs of single-family homeownership.
Circle shareholder sues Trump over UAE-linked crypto deals
Circle Internet Group shareholder J. Benjamin Greenberg filed a derivative civil lawsuit against President Donald Trump, World Liberty Financial, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and affiliated entities.
DOJ reviews allegations against Corey Lewandowski
Reuters reports, citing three U.S. officials and another person familiar with the matter, that Corey Lewandowski is under criminal investigation over allegations that he profited from his former role at the Department of Homeland Security.
Calley Means resigns as White House MAHA adviser
Calley Means, a senior White House adviser and a prominent architect of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, announced that he was leaving the Trump administration.
New analysis puts Trump deportations below White House target
A Migration Policy Institute analysis estimates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection completed about 980,000 deportations during the first 18 months of President Donald Trump's second term.
Judge rejects DOJ bid to end xAI Clean Air Act suit
A federal judge allowed the United States, acting for the Environmental Protection Agency, to intervene in the NAACP's Clean Air Act lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI but rejected the Trump administration's attempt to dismiss the case.
Trump administration drops appeals over public-service loan rule
The Trump administration dropped two appeals of federal judgments that vacated its revised eligibility rule for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Trump super PAC reports nearly $277 million in late midterm spending
President Donald Trump's flagship super PAC, MAGA Inc., reported spending nearly $277 million since the beginning of September to support Republican candidates in the closing stretch of the 2026 midterms, according to Associated Press and Washington Post reviews of new federal campaign-finance filings.
Supreme Court leaves transgender prison-care injunction in place
The Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's emergency request to immediately enforce a Bureau of Prisons policy restricting hormone therapy, surgeries and social accommodations used to treat gender dysphoria in federal custody. The Court's October 21 order in Trump v.
Putin agrees in principle to resume trilateral Ukraine talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to resume U.S.-mediated trilateral talks with Ukraine on or after November 10, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after Putin's nearly three-hour meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on October 21.
Russia releases Stephen Hubbard after Trump pressed Putin
Russia released Stephen Hubbard on October 21 after President Donald Trump said he had asked Vladimir Putin to free the retired American teacher.
Trump and Vance launch $25 million fraud-tip reward pilot
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced a new Justice Department fraud-tip reward pilot on October 20.
Trump announces $8 billion farm-relief program; USDA confirms one-time payments
President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program during a Kansas campaign speech, and the Department of Agriculture subsequently confirmed that it will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers during the 2026 harvest season.
Supreme Court declines review of Trump's firing of NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear former National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox's challenge to President Donald Trump's January 2025 removal of her. The Court's October 19 order list places Wilcox v.
Trump signs women's-health order shaped by Melania Trump, with Wiles and Kennedy leading task force
President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Women's Health Division within an appropriate National Institutes of Health institute or center within 90 days and creating a White House Women's Health Task Force.
Zelenskyy says Hegseth missile sign-off remains pending
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said October 26 that Ukraine had waited nearly a month for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to sign off on Patriot and NASAMS missiles purchased under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, and that he instructed his team to raise the matter again with U.S. officials.
Zelenskyy says Russia struck energy targets 76 times after Trump's ceasefire claim
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia deliberately attacked Ukraine's energy, oil and gas sectors 76 times during the week after President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire.
Vance denies seeing Trump corruption and condemns selling White House access
Vice President JD Vance told a CBS News town hall that he had never seen President Donald Trump's official decisions influenced by business interests and said he did not see evidence of corruption by Trump or the administration.
FEC lacks quorum as Trump-linked campaign-finance complaints remain unresolved
The Federal Election Commission remains without the four-member quorum required to exercise its core statutory powers during the 2026 midterm cycle.
Trump waives new Russia sanctions and tariffs before implementation
President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving the duties, sanctions and restrictions created by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 before they were scheduled to be implemented.
Reuters reports Trump faulting Blair and other aides over midterm strategy
Reuters reported that President Donald Trump has been faulting senior aides and political operatives as Republican midterm prospects weaken, with much of the friction centered on James Blair, who runs MAGA Inc., and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Trump political operation turns inward after advisers' foreign consulting controversy
Reuters reports that President Donald Trump is questioning campaign spending and blaming senior political aides as Republican midterm prospects weaken.
Judge rejects Trump administration bid to disqualify Susman Godfrey
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali denied the Trump administration's motion to disqualify Susman Godfrey from representing the American Bar Association in its lawsuit over the administration's campaign against major law firms.
Trump Media shares close at record low as TAE merger remains pending
Trump Media & Technology Group shares closed October 16 at $6.99, down about 5.5 percent from the prior close and below the company's previous closing lows. The Wall Street Journal described it as an all-time closing low.
Senate Democratic report links Trump pharma holdings to Medicare drug carveout
Democratic staff on Congress's Joint Economic Committee reported that President Donald Trump's certified financial disclosures showed pharmaceutical stock holdings with reported maximum values totaling about $56.2 million at the end of 2025, up from about $1.7 million in 2024.
Nine FBI staffers say the Trump probe cost them their jobs. Now they're suing.
Nine former FBI employees sued in federal court in Washington after being fired in February over work connected to the Mar-a-Lago classified-documents investigation.
Trump's DOJ took NYC to court over sanctuary laws. A judge tossed its case.
A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking to invalidate New York City laws that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Trump cancels Hegseth's execution livestream, not the execution.
President Donald Trump canceled the Pentagon's plan to livestream the scheduled firing-squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, reversing a proposal announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump's ballroom: a reported $333M pledge list, with $77M from unnamed donors.
Internal fundraising records obtained by The Washington Post reportedly list $333 million in commitments for President Donald Trump's White House ballroom.
Kushner's volunteer envoy role faces a lawsuit over power and financial disclosure
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington sued Jared Kushner and administration entities and officials on October 14, seeking to halt his exercise of diplomatic authority and require public financial disclosures.
AP: Court extends block on taxpayer-funded Trump ads through November 8
AP reports the ad restrictions were extended through November 8 and a preliminary-injunction hearing was set for November 4. The underlying October 11 order in Common Cause v.
Germany and Britain back Zelenskyy after Trump calls for his replacement
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul publicly backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to replace him, Reuters reported.
Zelenskyy offers reciprocal energy truce after Trump demands refinery strikes stop
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is prepared to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, answering President Donald Trump’s demand that Kyiv unilaterally end the refinery campaign.
Kalshi investigates bets placed before Trump’s press-secretary announcement
Prediction-market operator Kalshi is investigating trades that correctly anticipated President Donald Trump’s selection of Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary before the announcement, Reuters reported, citing The Wall Street Journal and a Kalshi spokesperson.
Trump Justice Department opens antitrust probe of White House television pool
The Trump Justice Department said its Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated federal competition law when the television networks temporarily suspended pooled White House coverage.
Trump asks Supreme Court to revive dismissed Clinton lawsuit
President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his dismissed civil lawsuit accusing Hillary Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey, the Democratic National Committee and others of conspiring to damage his 2016 campaign by linking it to Russia, Reuters reported.
Trump considers joining Saudi strikes on Houthis after Riyadh airport attack
President Donald Trump said the United States may join Saudi Arabia's strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement after another attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Trump calls for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy after Russian diesel deal
President Donald Trump said Ukraine should get a new president, arguing that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had failed to make a peace agreement with Russia. Trump also blamed Zelenskyy and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for pressure on U.S. diesel prices.
Taxpayer-funded Trump ads kept airing after private-funding pledge
Taxpayer-funded television advertisements promoting President Donald Trump and his administration continued airing through October 9 after Trump said on October 5 that he or MAGA Inc. would pay for future spots, according to the Financial Times.
Trump-backed Medicaid limits remove coverage from refugees and other legal immigrants
A Medicaid eligibility provision in President Donald Trump's 2025 tax-and-policy law took effect October 1, ending federal matching funds for full Medicaid and CHIP benefits for many refugees, people granted asylum, trafficking victims and other lawfully present immigrants unless they qualify through another covered status or exception.
Trump DOJ ends federal registration enforcement for silencers and certain short-barreled firearms
The Trump Justice Department says ATF will no longer enforce National Firearms Act requirements that individuals obtain prior approval or register suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and certain other concealable weapons for which Congress reduced making and transfer taxes to zero.
Court filing outlines possible removal of 529 trees at East Potomac golf course
A new National Park Service filing in federal court says crews will begin a phase removing 169 trees at East Potomac Golf Links, followed by a 90-tree phase, with as many as 529 trees potentially removed.
Trump administration suspends Microsoft and seven IT firms from PERM processing
The Trump administration announced that the Labor Department will not accept new or process pending Permanent Labor Certification applications involving Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
Trump approves Army firing-squad execution for Nidal Hasan
Reuters and AP report that Trump approved execution by U.S. Army firing squad for former Army Maj. Nidal Hasan after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended it.
Trump names Trump Media adviser Katie Zacharia White House press secretary
President Donald Trump announced that Katie Zacharia will serve as White House press secretary, succeeding Karoline Leavitt. Reuters and the Associated Press identify Zacharia as a senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group and Truth Social, Trump's social-media platform.
Trump asks Supreme Court to revive dismissed Clinton lawsuit
President Donald Trump and attorney Alina Habba asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the dismissal of Trump's 2022 civil lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, former FBI Director James Comey and others, and to overturn sanctions approaching $1 million.
Trump announces Russian diesel deal as Treasury eases sanctions
President Donald Trump said after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets, followed by 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons afterward and potentially 3 million more tons depending on Russian refinery conditions.
Trump administration sanctions the International Criminal Court itself
President Donald Trump's administration designated the International Criminal Court as an institution under Executive Order 14203.
Judge vacates Trump DOJ voter-list maintenance policy
U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan vacated the Justice Department Civil Rights Division's voter-list maintenance policy, which sought unredacted state voter rolls, shared them with the Department of Homeland Security and used the SAVE database to identify people DOJ considered potentially ineligible.
Trump creates committee to investigate Fed Governor Lisa Cook
President Donald Trump established a three-member committee to investigate allegations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook made false statements in connection with one or more mortgage instruments.
Reuters: Trump envoy Barrack advocated for business partner's firm in $15 billion pipeline plan
Reuters reports that Thomas Barrack, President Donald Trump's special envoy to Iraq and Syria and ambassador to Turkey, pressed Iraqi and Syrian officials to include TI Capital in plans to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline.
Trump filing lists Nvidia trades as he honors company CEO alongside other tech leaders
President Donald Trump's periodic transaction report lists 517 securities transactions for August. Reuters found purchases of as much as $1.6 million and sales of as much as $1 million in Nvidia stock.
Trump says U.S. will not resume strikes on Iran before November 3 midterms
President Donald Trump said the United States will not resume military strikes on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections and asserted that his administration is having productive discussions with Tehran.
Kennedy relatives seek to join lawsuit against Trump's 250-foot arch
Nine relatives of President John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy filed a November 10 motion asking to join the consolidated federal litigation over President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot monumental arch at Memorial Circle.
Reports: Grand jury hears evidence in DOJ probe of Cassidy Hutchinson
CBS News and The Washington Post independently report that federal prosecutors have presented evidence to a grand jury in Washington on whether former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson may have lied to Congress in testimony about the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Roberts temporarily lifts FCC deadline in political-ad rate fight
Chief Justice John Roberts on October 8 stayed a divided Fourth Circuit judgment that required the Federal Communications Commission to decide by noon EDT Friday, October 9, whether the full commission will review a Media Bureau notice on discounted broadcast-advertising rates.
Trump pairs disaster-aid announcements with Republican endorsements and campaign appeals
The Associated Press reports that President Donald Trump has repeatedly brought disaster relief into the final weeks of the midterm campaign, including by announcing federal assistance alongside endorsements of Republican candidates.
Rubio says new $100,000 donor-access allegation involving Guilfoyle has not been vetted
The Associated Press reports that The Wall Street Journal alleged U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor and supporter to pay a $100,000 credit-card bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing and promised him access to Trump administration officials if he did.
Trump says nearly 70 million children now have investment accounts after automatic enrollment
President Donald Trump announced October 7 that nearly 70 million tax-advantaged investment accounts now exist for children under 18 with valid Social Security numbers, including more than 60 million created through automatic enrollment.
Trump backs proposal for permanent presidential retreat at his privately owned golf club
President Donald Trump publicly backed a proposal to turn part of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach into a permanent, Camp David-style retreat for current and future presidents and visiting foreign leaders.
Two lawsuits seek to stop taxpayer-funded television ads promoting Trump
Two federal lawsuits filed October 7 seek to stop the Trump administration from using taxpayer money for television advertisements promoting President Donald Trump.
Trump administration proposes $70,000 university fee for each international student's first OPT work authorization
The Department of Homeland Security proposed requiring colleges and universities to pay $70,000 for every international student making an initial application to Optional Practical Training, or OPT, and $30,000 for each renewal.
White House says Trump's funding shift does not promise repayment for nearly $12 million in government ads
The Associated Press reports that nearly $12 million in Department of Homeland Security-funded advertisements featuring President Donald Trump has already aired under a $20 million campaign.
PhRMA sues Trump administration over Medicare GLOBE drug-pricing rule
Reuters reports that PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry's trade group, sued the Trump administration October 7 in federal court in Washington over the Medicare GLOBE drug-pricing rule. PhRMA argues that CMS exceeded its authority to test payment models.
DOJ confirms Trump ally Kurt Olsen has no active department security clearance
Reuters reports that Kurt Olsen, a Trump ally and Justice Department lawyer, had his department security clearance terminated in September after failing a polygraph, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Reuters tallies $2.35 billion in Trump administration payments before midterms
Reuters calculates that the Trump administration is sending $2.35 billion in direct payments to Americans in the weeks before the November 3 midterm elections: $90 each to about 20.8 million eligible Medicare Part B enrollees and $500 each to about 950,000 qualifying users of the federal health-insurance marketplace.
Reuters review finds 41 of 62 Republicans in competitive races creating distance from Trump
Reuters reports that 41 of 62 Republican candidates in competitive U.S. House and Senate races had either diverged from President Donald Trump on at least one policy or played down ties to him. The review examined voting records, public statements and campaign materials.
Kremlev says Trump Jr. repaid wedding-celebration expenses
The Associated Press reports that Umar Kremlev, the Russian boxing official who paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward Donald Trump Jr.'s May wedding celebrations in the Bahamas, said Trump Jr. has repaid him.
Most Port Shuaiba families absent from White House reception amid invitation concerns
The Associated Press reports that only one family member among the families of six U.S. soldiers killed in the March 1 Iranian drone strike at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, confirmed plans to attend Trump's October 6 White House reception for Gold Star families.
Vance says Iran must cut enrichment capacity to end war
In a Reuters interview, Vice President JD Vance said Iran must significantly reduce its uranium-enrichment capacity to end the war with the United States.
Trump touts $6.6 billion Anduril-Navy submarine shipyard project
Reuters, the Associated Press and Maryland officials report that Anduril Industries plans to invest $3.7 billion in a software-defined shipyard at Sparrows Point, Maryland, while the Navy has awarded a contract worth up to $2.9 billion for Virginia-class submarine components including torpedo tubes and doors.
ABC asks court to block FCC's early license review; judge has not ruled
Associated Press reports that ABC asked a federal judge to stop the Federal Communications Commission from conducting an unusually early review of eight ABC-owned stations' broadcast licenses.
Trump administration asks court to shield records from EEOC's law-firm DEI probe
Reuters reports that the Trump administration asked a federal judge to allow the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to withhold a significant amount of information about its examination of diversity, equity and inclusion practices at 20 major law firms.
Hearn's lawyers seek watchdog probes of Reflecting Pool project and dismissed case
Reuters and AP report that lawyers for former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn asked the Justice and Interior departments' inspectors general to investigate his now-dismissed Reflecting Pool prosecution and the Trump administration's renovation project.
Trump says Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego; officials condemn remarks
At an October 5 campaign rally, Trump said wartime price increases were a small cost for keeping the country safe, then said Iran could attack a city and named Los Angeles and San Diego. A public C-SPAN clip confirms the words.
Trump orders temporary dyed-diesel tax relief, subject to Treasury finding
Trump signed an executive order directing the Treasury secretary to decide within five days whether federal law authorizes temporary relief for highway use of dyed diesel.
Judge blocks Trump administration's migrant-fine program
Reuters reports that a federal judge blocked Trump administration policies used to impose civil fines of up to $1.8 million on migrants with final removal orders.
Trump tells supporters they may vote by mail while repeating fraud claims
Reuters reports that Trump encouraged supporters to vote by mail or in person ahead of the November 3 midterms, a change in tone after years of attacking mail voting as rife with fraud.
Alito voices concern over Trump's Supreme Court rhetoric as emergency appeals surge
AP reports that Justice Samuel Alito said rhetoric about the Supreme Court from Trump and his administration does not sit well with him. AP says emergency applications have risen sharply during Trump's second administration and now rival the annual number of fully briefed cases.
Nearly $12M in taxpayer-funded Trump ads has aired; repayment remains unresolved
AP reports that nearly $12 million worth of promotional television ads featuring Trump had aired using federal funds by October 6, part of a $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract.
Reuters relays NYT report of proposed Lukoil deal in Ukraine talks
Reuters, citing the New York Times, reports that Ukraine talks include a proposed purchase of Lukoil's international assets by a group with business ties to U.S. negotiators' families. The proposal requires U.S. and Kremlin approvals.
Trump announces $90 Medicare payments weeks before the midterms
AP reports that the administration announced one-time $90 payments for more than 20 million eligible Medicare Part B enrollees, weeks before the midterm elections. The White House says the money will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund.
CNN traces Kushner firm’s Phoenix stake; Kushner disputes conflict implication
CNN's October 1 broadcast traced Affinity Partners' stake in Phoenix Financial and Phoenix's investments in military suppliers. Affinity does not directly own the nine suppliers identified in CNN's report, and Phoenix is a financial institution, rather than a weapons manufacturer.