National Politics - Page 2 of 4 - The Rapid City Post

FILE - Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Amy McGrath speaks to supporters during a rally in Danville, Ky., Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

Democrat Amy McGrath launches comeback bid in seeking the seat of retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell

October 6, 2025

Democrat and retired Marine aviator Amy McGrath has entered the Senate campaign in Kentucky. She vows to be a “bulwark against authoritarianism” in launching her campaign Monday. She’s seeking a comeback bid after being trounced by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2020. McGrath joins a growing field of Republicans and Democrats competing for the seat in the 2026 midterms. McConnell is retiring when his current term ends. Once seen as a rising Democratic star in a GOP-dominated state, McGrath touted her combat experience but lost elections for Congress in 2018 and the Senate in 2020. McGrath flew in 89 combat missions during her Marine career.

FILE - Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to mark the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, Aug. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Social Security Administrator Frank Bisignano is named to the newly created position of IRS CEO

October 6, 2025

Frank Bisignano has been named CEO of the IRS, adding to his role as Social Security Administration Commissioner. Bisignano will report to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is the acting IRS commissioner. It’s unclear if his new role requires Senate confirmation. The Treasury says Bisignano will oversee IRS operations while continuing his current duties. Bessent stated that the IRS and SSA share similar goals, making Bisignano a suitable choice. This appointment is part of ongoing leadership changes at the IRS since Trump’s term began. Bisignano joins other officials holding multiple roles, including Bessent, Marco Rubio and Russell Vought.

FILE - A sign on a door at The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is pictured at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

State supreme court battles move to Pennsylvania, where 3 Democratic justices hope to keep seats

October 6, 2025

Republicans and Democrats have begun pouring money into an election this November for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. It’s the latest example of how state high court races have become proxy battles for the biggest issues roiling the country, from abortion to voting rights to redistricting. Both parties are expected to spend millions of dollars on campaign fliers, digital and TV ads and get-out-the-vote efforts. At stake is whether the highest court in the most populous presidential swing state will keep its liberal majority. But overall spending in Pennsylvania is nowhere near the $100 million spent this year in Wisconsin — a record amount for a state supreme court race.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes part in an early morning operation in Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

ICE ad blitz aims to lure local law enforcement officers to join Trump mass deportation efforts

October 6, 2025

An Associated Press tally shows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is spending millions of dollars on TV recruitment ads targeting officers frustrated by local restrictions on immigration enforcement. The ads are airing in more than a dozen cities, including Chicago, Seattle and Atlanta. The ads aim to lure officers to join ICE’s deportation efforts. The campaign is part of a $30 billion initiative to hire 10,000 more deportation officers. ICE offers bonuses and benefits to fast-track hiring. Cities including Boston and Chicago have been criticized by President Donald Trump’s Republican administration for limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Local police departments are concerned about losing recruits to ICE due to its attractive offers.

This combination photo of candidates to replace Republican Rep. Mark Green in a Tennessee special election for the U.S. Seventh Congressional District shows Republican Jody Barrett, from top left, Democrat Aftyn Behn, Republican Gino Bulso, Democrat Darden Copeland, Democrat Vincent Dixie, Republican Mason Foley, and bottom row from left, Republican Joe Leurs, Democrat Bo Mitchell and Republicans Lee Reeves, Matt Van Epps and Tres Wittum. (AP Photo)

In Tennessee, a US House primary special election draws a crowd

October 3, 2025

A Tennessee special election to replace a Republican congressman who stepped aside this summer has attracted crowded primaries for both major parties. The departure of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green has resulted in the contested primary Tuesday in one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safe red seats in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Eleven Republicans are running in the 14-county district, with most attention centering on state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso and former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The Democratic field features state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, and businessman and political consultant Darden Copeland.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle is parked outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Broadview, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Trump administration offers migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to home countries

October 3, 2025

The Trump administration is offering migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, dangling a new incentive in efforts to persuade people to self-deport. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The Associated Press obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each. ICE said in a statement that the offer would initially be for 17-year-olds. Advocates say the sizable sum may prevent children from making informed choices.

US book publishers honor Russian dissident house Freedom Letters

October 3, 2025

The Association of American Publishers is honoring a Russian publishing house for its fight against censorship. The group announced Friday that Freedom Letters and its founder, Georgy Urushadze, will receive the International Freedom to Publish Award. Urushadze fled Russia in 2022 after opposing the invasion of Ukraine and being labeled a “foreign agent.” Freedom Letters, established over two years ago, operates mainly out of Ukraine, Latvia, and Georgia. It publishes works by anti-war writers and opponents of President Putin. The house is banned in Russia, but Urushadze says he continues to sell books there online.

The state flag of Tennessee stands outside the office of Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in Washington, Sept. 2, 2025, which has a seat that became vacant following the resignation of Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn. on July 20. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Tennessee’s special congressional election

October 3, 2025

More than a dozen candidates will compete for their parties’ nominations Tuesday to fill a vacant Tennessee congressional seat in the closely divided U.S. House. The winners will face off in a Dec. 2 special election to replace Republican former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in July. The contest in the state’s reliably Republican 7th Congressional District will likely temporarily pad the House GOP’s narrow advantage in the chamber. Republican Donald Trump carried the district in the 2024 presidential contest with about 60% of the vote, compared with about 38% for Democrat Kamala Harris.

FILE - President Russell M. Nelson, right, raises his hand during a sustaining vote with his counselor, Dallin H. Oaks, left, during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' twice-annual church conference Oct. 5, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

A well-defined leadership hierarchy makes for no surprises in next president of Mormon church

October 2, 2025

The next president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t a surprise. That’s because the church has a well-defined leadership hierarchy that has governed it for decades. Former Utah Supreme Court Justice Dallin H. Oaks is expected to ascend to the presidency after the recent death of President Russell M. Nelson, who was 101. Oaks is currently the longest-tenured member of a top body of leaders called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, making him next in line. Religious studies experts say the succession plan was created in 1889 following two years of debate and some politicking. Since then, the plan has been carried out without exception.

Vice President JD Vance, gestures as he stands with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, right, while speaking with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Both parties blame each other on 1st day of government shutdown as tourist sites close

October 1, 2025

The government shutdown has sparked intense political battles, with both parties blaming each other even as major job cuts — and major disruptions to iconic sites like the Liberty Bell and Pearl Harbor — have begun taking hold. The Trump administration falsely accused Democrats of blocking a stopgap measure to extend health coverage to people in the country illegally. Democrats countered by saying they want to renew health care subsidies to prevent insurance premium spikes. Neither side shows signs of backing down, even though the shutdown could impact many important public services. Pre-shutdown polling showed mixed opinions on who is to blame, though attitudes could shift the longer it goes.

People stand near an entrance to Zion National Park, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Springdale, Utah. (AP Photo/John Locher)

National parks will remain ‘generally’ open during the shutdown, but Liberty Bell doors are closed

October 1, 2025

Crowds of people loaded onto boats to tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with no immediate signs of the government shutdown that is triggering the furlough of about two-thirds of National Park Service employees. But in Philadelphia, tourists on Independence Mall on Wednesday were thwarted from touring the Liberty Bell. They could only steal glances of it inside a glass pavilion. A shutdown contingency plan released by the park service late Tuesday says parks will generally remain accessible to visitors. Parks without “accessible areas” will be closed, and sites currently open could close if damage is done to park resources.

A sign announces that the Library of Congress is closed, on the first day of a partial government shutdown, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Who might be blamed for the government shutdown? A poll shows voters’ complicated views

October 1, 2025

President Donald Trump got a significant amount of blame during the last partial government shutdown, which took place toward the end of his first term after he forced a shutdown over border wall funding — but with Democrats embracing the shutdown fight this time, the outcome could be different. A New York Times Poll conducted prior to the shutdown shows that most voters didn’t want Democrats to shut down the government if their demands were not met, although both parties could end up receiving some blame. About one-quarter of registered voters said they would blame Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress if a shutdown happened, while about 2 in 10 said they would place blame on congressional Democrats. About one-third said they’d blame both sides equally.

Jane Fonda revives Cold War-era activist group to defend free speech

October 1, 2025

Jane Fonda has revived an activist group from the Cold War era, originally backed by her father, Henry Fonda. On Wednesday, she announced the launch of a modern version of the Committee for the First Amendment. This group was initially formed in 1947 to support screenwriters and directors targeted for alleged Communist ties. The new mission statement is signed by Florence Pugh, Sean Penn, Billie Eilish, Pedro Pascal and hundreds of others. The Fondas have a long history of activism, with Jane opposing the Vietnam War and Henry supporting Democratic candidates.

Paola Freites, who asked to be identified by her middle name and second last name to protect her family's safety, stands inside the two-bedroom mobile home where she lives with her husband and three children after fleeing persecution in their native Colombia, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Apopka, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Florida was a top destination for immigrants who came to the US under Biden

October 1, 2025

Florida has seen a significant increase in immigration, with thousands of migrants arriving under former President Joe Biden. Government data obtained by The Associated Press shows that no state was more affected by the immigrant surge under Biden. Florida had 1,271 migrants who arrived from May 2023 to January 2025 for every 100,000 residents, followed by New York, California, Texas and Illinois. Many immigrants have settled in areas like Orlando, drawn by the Latino community and job opportunities. The influx has boosted Florida’s economy, with immigrants contributing to various sectors. However, with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, many now fear detention. Community organizations have expanded to support the growing immigrant population.

Hotels and highways are seen around Universal Volcano Bay water park, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla., which saw an influx of migrants in recent years drawn by warm temperatures, a vibrant migrant community, and plentiful job opportunities. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Where immigrants went during an unprecedented influx at the US border, by the numbers

October 1, 2025

Salt Lake City, Denver and Fort Myers, Florida, were hot places to settle. California lost some of its appeal. The Associated Press obtained data by state and metropolitan area on self-reported destinations of nearly 2.5 million people who were released in the United States for humanitarian reasons or with notices to appear in immigration court to pursue asylum. They crossed illegally or they came legally through an online appointment app called CBP One. While many may have moved, the data opens a window into how an unprecedented surge in immigration played out across the U.S.

FILE - The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers is seen in the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Todd Richmond, File)

Conservative Wisconsin appeals court judge Maria Lazar is running for state Supreme Court

October 1, 2025

A conservative Wisconsin appeals court judge is running for an open seat on the battleground state’s Supreme Court. It is currently controlled 4-3 by liberals. Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar becomes the first conservative to enter the race. Liberal Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Democratic state lawmaker, is also running. The race is open after incumbent Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announced in August that she would not seek another 10-year term. Conservative candidates for the court have lost each of the past two elections by double-digit margins. Both of those races broke national spending records. The liberal candidate won in April despite heavy spending by billionaire Elon Musk.

A landslide on a coastal bluff is shown from an aerial view on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Hundreds of feet of coastal bluff in California fell toward the ocean in landslide-stricken town

September 30, 2025

A wealthy enclave in Southern California that has been threatened for years by worsening landslides faced more land movement this week, but it suffered minimal damage. Four backyards in Rancho Palos Verdes were damaged Saturday evening by significant soil movement from the sinking land, but there was no structural damage to homes and no injuries reported. City officials said the event was unrelated to the continual land movement known as the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, about 4 miles away, that has wreaked havoc on scores of multimillion-dollar homes perched over the Pacific Ocean. The movement’s cause is still under investigation.

FILE - Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., listens before a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Capitol Hill, March 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Rep. David Schweikert joins Trump-backed candidates in GOP primary for Arizona governor

September 30, 2025

Rep. David Schweikert is joining an already crowded field in the GOP primary for Arizona governor. The race includes two Donald Trump-backed candidates — lobbyist and housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson and House Freedom Caucus member Andy Biggs. Schweikert tells The Associated Press that he’s running in part because he can do more good leading Arizona than trying to work in a dysfunctional Congress. The GOP primary winner will likely face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in the general election. Schweikert’s seat is one of the few that’s highly competitive, raising Democratic hopes of flipping the narrow GOP House majority next year.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing that President Donald Trump's presidential library be built in a parking lot that is currently used by Miami-Dade College staff and faculty and is adjacent to the Freedom Tower, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Florida officials gift prime Miami real estate for Trump’s presidential library

September 30, 2025

Florida officials have agreed to set aside nearly three acres of prime real estate in downtown Miami for the future presidential library of President Donald Trump. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the members of the Florida Cabinet approved the move Tuesday. The Miami-Dade County property appraiser values this property now slated for Trump’s post-administration archives at more than $66 million. It’s in an iconic area, next to the historic Freedom Tower along a palm tree-lined stretch of Biscayne Boulevard, overlooking the bay. The land had been owned by Miami Dade College and used as a parking lot for employees.

FILE - President Donald J. Trump's name is printed on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the new coronavirus outbreak in San Antonio, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

US government is phasing out paper checks. Here’s what that means for you

September 30, 2025

The U.S. government is phasing out paper checks for most programs. The change starts Tuesday and affects recipients of benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and tax refunds. Nearly 400,000 Social Security and SSI recipients still rely on paper checks. The director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says many of these people lack access to digital services. President Donald Trump’s Republican administration says electronic payments and collections will speed up processing and cut costs. The Social Security Administration says it will continue issuing paper checks if a beneficiary “has no other means to receive payment.”

FILE- Christian musician Sean Feucht of California preaches to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)

Worship leader Sean Feucht mismanaged millions in ministry funds, former associates say

September 30, 2025

Worship leader Sean Feucht’s meteoric rise to prominence began in 2020 during the pandemic. His mask-free concerts defied public health rules and drew thousands, boosting his ministry’s revenue from $243,000 to $5 million. Now, several former associates are accusing him and his organization of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and mistreatment of volunteers. His real estate acquisitions have raised questions not only among former associates, but also Christian watchdog groups. Feucht has dismissed these allegations as false and has questioned the credibility and ethics of those who have made these allegations.

Erika Kirk reacts as she prepares to speak at a memorial for her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Turning Point, moving forward without Charlie Kirk, makes first return to Utah since his killing

September 29, 2025

Turning Point USA’s college tour is returning to Utah for the first time since founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier this month. Kirk was killed Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. His death has galvanized conservatives, who vow to continue his mission of encouraging young voters to embrace conservatism. The tour is now headlined by other prominent conservatives. Tuesday’s event at Utah State University will feature speakers like podcaster Alex Clark and a panel with Sen. Mike Lee and Gov. Spencer Cox. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, has pledged to continue the organization’s work.

The Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, with just days to go before federal money runs out with the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, Sept. 30. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

What will happen if there’s a government shutdown at day’s end

September 29, 2025

Washington is just hours away from yet another federal government shutdown. Prospects are looking rather bleak for a last-minute compromise in Congress to avoid federal closures beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. A lot of government would continue during a shutdown. FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers and agents manning airport checkpoints continue to work. So do members of the Armed Forces. But they won’t get paid until the lapse in federal funding ends. In a provocative move, the White House is also threatening the mass firing of federal workers if a shutdown begins Wednesday.

FILE - President Donald Trump address the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

From all over the planet, they came to the UN with a message: Fix things, particularly yourself

September 29, 2025

World leaders have spent the past week at the United Nations often criticizing the U.N. itself. They told each other and those who administer the planet’s most prominent global institution that most parts of the metaphorical house of nations are outdated and not in good working order. Some version of this happens every year. Leaders point out the U.N.’s flaws and tell it to buckle down and get things done. But at the end of speeches they congratulate themselves for doing important work, This year, the critiques from dozens of nations feel even more prominent and pointed than usual.

FILE - George Soros, founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundations, attends the Joseph A. Schumpeter award ceremony in Vienna, Austria, June 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File)

Progressive nonprofits condemn Trump’s targeting of George Soros and his foundations

September 29, 2025

Dozens of progressive nonprofits condemned President Donald Trump’s general attacks on his political opponents and a specific report of a potential investigation into billionaire George Soros’ philanthropy. The statement follows a New York Times report that the U.S. Department of Justice directed prosecutors to consider possible charges against Open Society Foundations. The foundations have rejected Trump’s accusations that they fund violent protest. Interfaith Alliance was one of the nonprofits that signed onto the statement. Its president and CEO, Paul Brandeis Raushenbush said nonprofits, and especially religious groups, need to stand up for the people and groups that the administration targets.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson speaks at a news conference in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, after Republican President Donald Trump said he would send troops to the city. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)

Things to know about federal law enforcement activity in Portland, Chicago, Memphis

September 28, 2025

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will send troops to Portland, agents clashing with protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago, and the expected arrival of the National Guard in Memphis are the most recent examples of federal law enforcement crackdowns in U.S. cities. Trump said on social media Saturday that he was directing the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland.” Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. His announcement was met with pushback from Oregon’s Democratic governor.

Star-studded Global Citizen Festival reminds attendees of their power with million-dollar pledges

September 28, 2025

Global Citizen surpassed its fundraising goals at its annual music festival in New York’s Central Park. Headlined by Shakira and Cardi B, the event focused on Amazon rainforest protection, African energy access, and community education. More than 60,000 attendees heard from celebrities and diplomats. The festival secured commitments to provide clean energy for 4.6 million African homes. The European Union pledged over $638 million for climate-friendly energy. Global Citizen also announced over $280 million toward Amazon protection. The event emphasized global responsibility and the power of collective action to drive change.

Maine’s food pantries stare down volunteer shortage while anticipating cuts

September 28, 2025

Maine has one of New England’s highest food insecurity rates. Directors of its food pantries say it’s getting harder to make sure people are fed not just because of diminishing federal assistance for food banks and increasing demand. Many of the organizations also overwhelmingly rely on aging volunteers who can’t drive long distances or carry heavy boxes of food. More and more younger volunteers now seek out what the Minnesota Alliance of Nonprofit Advancement calls “event-based” volunteering. These are one-time efforts with no commitment to future shifts.

FILE - Kilmar Abrego Garcia joins supporters in a protest rally outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Aug. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia transferred to Pennsylvania detention facility

September 27, 2025

A man who was wrongfully deported from the United States to his native El Salvador has been moved from a Virginia detention center to a facility in Pennsylvania. Court records show Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Friday that he was transferred to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Phillipsburg. The agency said that location would make it easier for his attorneys to access him. However his lawyers raised concerns about conditions at Moshannon. Abrego Garcia’s case has become a flashpoint over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

FILE - Amelia Earhart poses for photos as she arrives in Southampton, England, after her transatlantic flight on the "Friendship" from Burry Point, Wales, June 26, 1928. (AP Photo/File)

Trump says he’s ordered the declassification and release of all government records on Amelia Earhart

September 26, 2025

President Donald Trump says he has ordered the government to declassify and release all records on missing aviator Amelia Earhart. He made the announcement Friday after returning to the White House from a golf tournament in New York. Trump wrote on his social media site that Earhart’s fate is an “interesting story” and that people have been asking him about whether he’d consider declassifying and making public everything the government knows about her, including her final flight. Earhart’s plane vanished during her attempt to fly around the world in 1937. Trump says her disappearance has “captivated millions.”

FILE - Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey pushes back after GOP questions her service record

September 26, 2025

The Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey in this year’s high-stakes race is defending her Navy service amid questions surrounding a cheating scandal during her time at the Naval Academy, and pushing back against the Trump administration’s release of her mostly unredacted military records. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill says she wasn’t involved in the scandal but refused to turn in some of her classmates. She and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are competing to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jersey, one of just two states electing a governor this year. The other is Virginia.

Wisconsin Republican Bill Berrien quits governor’s race amid fallout over sexually explicit links

September 26, 2025

Wisconsin business owner Bill Berrien has ended his Republican campaign for governor, days after it was reported that he followed numerous sexually explicit accounts online, including a nonbinary pornography performer. Berrien is a former Navy SEAL and one of three announced prominent Republican candidates. He issued a lengthy statement Friday saying, “I had no idea that running for political office could be almost as dangerous” as “hunting down war criminals in Bosnia.” Berrien said he concluded he could not win the Republican primary. Berrien’s departure leaves U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who got into the race on Tuesday, and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann as the only Republican candidates. There are numerous Democrats running.

FILE - Construction continues at the Lithium Nevada Corp. mine site Thacker Pass project, April 24, 2023, near Orovada, Nev. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Trump moves toward deal to give US an equity stake in company developing Nevada lithium mine

September 26, 2025

The White House is moving forward with a deal that would allow the U.S. government to take a small equity stake in a Canadian company that is developing one of the world’s largest lithium mines. The Department of Energy and Lithium Americas, developer of the proposed Thacker Pass lithium mine and processing plant in Nevada, have agreed on changes to a $2.3 billion federal loan that could allow the project to move forward to extract the silver-white metal used in electric vehicle batteries. The proposed equity stake in Vancouver-based Lithium Americas is the latest example of President Donald Trump’s administration intervening directly in private companies.

FILE - Security guards stand outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building at 26 Federal Plaza, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith, file)

In rare rebuke, federal officials discipline ICE officer for shoving woman in New York

September 26, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security says it is relieving an immigration officer from his current duties after he shoved a woman to the floor at an immigration court in Manhattan. The agency in a statement Friday called the officer’s conduct “unacceptable.” Videos of the altercation show a woman pleading with the officer in a crowded hallway before he pushes her through a group of photographers into a wall and then onto the floor. It is extremely rare for the Trump administration’s DHS to discipline its immigration officers for aggressive tactics.

President Donald Trump addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Trump officials urge nations to join global effort to restrict the asylum system

September 25, 2025

The Trump administration has pitched several other countries on its view that the global asylum system has been rampantly abused and urged them to join the United States in cracking down on such migration. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau led the discussion on Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly alongside representatives from Kosovo, Bangladesh, Liberia and Panama. Landau’s gathering allowed American officials to gauge early support and interest in what could be a massive overhaul of the asylum system that has been in effect since World War II. Human rights groups watched from the sidelines with unease.

Chinese premier says US and his country need to ‘work in the same direction’

September 25, 2025

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has told a group of American business executives that the U.S. and his country need “to work in the same direction” to further what he called the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Li met Thursday in New York executives and others interested in U.S.-China relations. He said that their insights were valuable and their actions crucial. The largely closed-door hosted by two nonprofit groups, the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Li was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly’s annual meeting of world leaders.

Trump says he was victim of ‘triple sabotage’ at UN and Secret Service is looking into the matter

September 24, 2025

President Donald Trump said on his social media site that he was the victim of “three very sinister events” during his time at the United Nations on Tuesday and that the Secret Service will be looking into the issues. First, the escalator came to a “screeching halt” with the president and his entourage on it, an event that Trump called “absolutely sabotage.” Second, Trump said his teleprompter went “stone cold dark” during his address to the U.N. Third, Trump said that the sound was off at the U.N. as he spoke and that people could only hear his remarks if they had interpreters speaking into earpieces.

Members of Congress listen as President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s Rose Garden Club: A lavish new hangout for political allies and business elites

September 24, 2025

Washington’s hottest new club has everything: Cabinet secretaries, a new stone patio, meals from the White House kitchen and even a playlist curated by President Donald Trump. But good luck getting on the guest list. So far, only some of the Republican president’s political allies and business executives have been invited. The White House Rose Garden is now the Rose Garden Club. Trump has turned the lawn outside the Oval Office into a taxpayer-supported imitation of the patio at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump debuted the Rose Garden Club name during a dinner there earlier this month and is hosting another event there on Wednesday.

FILE - Ibrahim Almadi holds a photo of his father Saad Almadi graduating from college in 1984, in Washington, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/John McDonnell, File)

Ruling bans Florida retiree from leaving Saudi Arabia until 2026 over critical social media posts

September 23, 2025

A Florida retiree has been convicted of cyber crimes and blocked from leaving Saudi Arabia until next year over social media posts critical of the kingdom’s crown prince. That’s according to the man’s son. A Sept. 14 ruling says Saad Almadi was found guilty of distributing online content that undermines public order. The conviction spares him additional prison time after he spent more than a year behind bars following his arrest in 2021. Instead, it blocks Almadi from leaving until March. The Saudi government didn’t respond to a request for comment. It doesn’t recognize dual citizenship and regularly rejects criticism of its actions, saying they’re part of a multiyear crackdown on corruption, terrorism and other security threats.

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, candidate for Senate in 2026, speaks in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, where he endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy, candidate for Ohio Governor in 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

He planned to run for Ohio governor. Now Jon Husted could be in the US Senate’s toughest 2026 race

September 23, 2025

Jon Husted planned to run for Ohio governor next year. But his political path took an abrupt turn in January, when Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance. In just days, the longtime lieutenant governor went from a low-profile state office to one of the most powerful seats in Washington. Now Republicans are counting on Husted to defend the Senate seat in a race with national implications. Democrats recruited former Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio’s best-known Democrat, making it a competitive contest. Brown is among the candidates giving Democrats hope about gaining ground in the Senate next year, even as the 2026 map will make retaking the majority difficult.

Julio Torres poses for a photo by a cross in an open field, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Terrell, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Veterans who lack citizenship fear being swept up in Trump’s deportations

September 23, 2025

Veterans like Julio Torres are often promised that military service will be a fast-track to U.S. citizenship for themselves and their family members. But as President Donald Trump aggressively pursues a mass deportation agenda, veterans like Torres increasingly fear they may not be allowed to remain in the United States. Democratic Rep. Mark Takano of California is introducing a bill that aims to address that by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to identify whether immigrants are U.S. military veterans and provide them with an opportunity to apply for lawful immigration status. The legislation is also being supported by Republican Rep. Elvira Salazar of Florida.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (Bing Guan/Pool Photo via AP)

Rubio meets Syria’s leader in New York as the country’s isolation eases further

September 22, 2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in New York. The meeting Monday expands Syria’s relations with the West and further eases its global isolation. Al-Sharaa is in the U.S. as he becomes Syria’s first leader to take part in the annual U.N. gathering of world leaders in nearly 60 years. In a separate talk, he praised U.S. President Donald Trump for taking a “bold decision” on lifting many sanctions against Syria that were imposed under ousted leader Bashar Assad. Al-Sharaa urged the United States to remove the remaining sanctions, saying Syria needs help as it comes out of war and crisis.

FILE - A vacant lot is on 1st Avenue by the United Nations building in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

There will be no casino in Manhattan after all proposals are rejected by locals

September 22, 2025

Plans to build the Big Apple’s first full-service casino in the heart of the city have run out of luck. A local panel on Monday rejected the last of three Manhattan proposals vying for one of up to three new state licenses to operate a casino in the lucrative New York City market. The proposal was for a six-acre project near the United Nations headquarters dubbed “Freedom Plaza.” A Jay-Z-backed plan to build a Caesars Palace in Times Square and another proposal for a resort on Manhattan’s West Side were both voted down by two other local boards last week. Five proposals still remain in the race for up to three gaming licenses.

FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks, Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Conservative lawyer is new top federal prosecutor for office probing Letitia James after resignation

September 20, 2025

A conservative lawyer who has said she was falsely accused of being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been tapped to serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Virginia office that was thrown into turmoil when its U.S. attorney was pushed out on Friday. Mary “Maggie” Cleary said in an email to staff on Saturday that she had been named acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, according to a copy viewed by The Associated Press. She replaces Erik Siebert, who resigned Friday evening amid a push by Trump administration officials to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a monthslong mortgage fraud investigation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents make an arrest during an early morning operation in Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

ICE denies using excessive force as it broadens immigration arrests in Chicago

September 20, 2025

An immigration enforcement operation in the Chicago area is troubling immigrants and activists because of what they say are increasingly aggressive tactics. But top official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement denies that officers are using excessive force. The operation began Sept. 8 and has led to the arrests of nearly 550 people. The aim is to enforce President Trump’s immigration policies in a city known for strong laws against local cooperation with federal immigration efforts. A Chicago alderman accuses immigration enforcement agents of trying to provoke activists into overreacting in order to justify calling in a greater use of force such as National Guard troops.

FILE - The symbol of the United Nations is displayed on the main gate outside UN headquarters, Feb. 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, file)

Big foundations and nonprofits still flood to the sidelines of a diminished United Nations

September 20, 2025

The United Nations will draw foundations and nonprofits to New York for a packed schedule of events on the sidelines of its General Assembly next week. But uncertainty over its future and foreign aid commitments have already had an impact. The Gates Foundation has delayed an annual report about progress toward global development goals. The Clinton Global Initiative is changing its format to focus on new programs. Despite these challenges, Kevin Sheekey, a senior adviser to billionaire Mike Bloomberg., says the U.N. General Assembly is still the only place that the whole world gets together and that is valuable.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions after signing legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Why Newsom’s push for new House maps isn’t a sure thing, even in heavily Democratic California

September 19, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot to reshape California’s U.S. House districts to add five Democratic seats in advance of the 2026 midterm elections is not a sure sale, even in a state where Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2-to-1. Democrats accustomed to handily winning elections in California year after year are getting antsy. The Democratic governor told supporters in an email “I wish I could tell you this election was going to be easy, but it won’t.” Campaigns are often quick to alarm supporters in hopes of shaking loose donations. But there are several factors that could lead to a surprisingly close or unexpected result on Newsom’s proposed constitutional amendment, from voter confusion to an aversion to change.

An American flag stands outside the office of the Arizona's 7th Congressional District, which has had a vacant seat since March 13 following the death of Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Arizona’s special congressional election

September 19, 2025

Voters in southern Arizona will send a new representative to Congress after Tuesday’s special election. The election is to replace the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died in March of complications from cancer treatment. The winner will serve out the remaining 15 months of Grijalva’s term in the 7th Congressional District, which stretches from Yuma to Tuscon and hugs almost the entire length of Arizona’s border with Mexico. The seat will not decide control of the U.S. House. But the seat is one of two remaining Democratic vacancies that will likely chip away at Republicans’ slender majority in the chamber.

FILE - Brendan Carr listens during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 24, 2020. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via AP, File)

Kimmel’s future hangs in balance after ABC suspends his late-night show over Charlie Kirk comments

September 18, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel’s television future is hanging in the balance after ABC suspended his late-night show following the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing. The comments prompted dozens of stations to say they wouldn’t air the show, a move that was cheered on by a top federal regulator. The veteran late-night comic made several remarks on Monday and Tuesday about the reaction to the conservative activist’s assassination, including saying that “many in MAGA land” were working to capitalize on Kirk’s killing. ABC has aired “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” since 2003. The network acted soon after Nexstar Communications Group said it would pull the show starting Wednesday.

FILE - Alex Soros, left, on behalf of his father George Soros, in the East Room of the White House, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

George Soros’ philanthropy reaches for new ideas as it grapples with the limits of its power

September 18, 2025

The family philanthropy of hedge fund billionaire George Soros has consistently been one of the largest funders of human rights organizations around the world. But what that means has changed in recent years, with a new focus on addressing inequality. Leonard Benardo is senior vice president at Open Society Foundations. He said the new emphasis comes from a recognition that inequality erodes democracy. He said the foundations continue to also support key parts of the human rights ecosystem. But that the rise of authoritarianism has forced them to grapple with the limits of what they foundations can achieve.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for a protest in front of the Associated Press offices, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

More Americans say Israel has ‘gone too far’ in the Gaza conflict, according to new AP-NORC polling

September 18, 2025

A new poll finds more U.S. adults view Israel’s military action in Gaza as excessive than at the beginning of its war with Hamas. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey shows nearly half of U.S. adults say the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip has “gone too far.” That’s up from November 2023, when 40% said Israel’s military action had gone too far. But at the same time, Americans overall, particularly Republicans, are less likely to say negotiating a ceasefire in the conflict should be a high priority for the U.S. government than they were just a few months ago.

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris, right, next to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, speaks during a plenary session of the US-ASEAN Summit, May 13, 2022, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Harris says Buttigieg was her ‘first choice’ for 2024 running mate but the pairing was too risky

September 17, 2025

In an excerpt of former Vice President Kamala Harris’s new book, she says she would have picked Pete Buttigieg as her running mate last year but America wasn’t ready for the pairing. In an excerpt of “107 Days” published Wednesday in The Atlantic, Harris calls former President Joe Biden’s transportation secretary her “first choice” and writes that he “would have been an ideal partner— if I were a straight white man.” She writes about her love of working with Buttigieg but that the two of them on the Democratic ticket would have been too risky. The book is scheduled to be published on Tuesday.

FILE - In this June 20, 2019, file photo, tourists visit Times Square in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Jay-Z-backed plan for Times Square casino loses bid for NYC license amid Broadway opposition

September 17, 2025

A proposed Caesars Palace casino in Times Square that’s backed by Jay-Z has lost its bid for a lucrative New York City-area gambling license amid fierce opposition from the Broadway theater industry. A state-commissioned community advisory committee on Wednesday rejected the $5.4 billion plan to redevelop an office tower into a Caesars-branded hotel, gambling and entertainment complex. Local board approval was required for the proposal to be considered by the state Gaming Commission. Developers envisioned the Caesars gambling hall becoming one of the world’s preeminent resort casinos. But Broadway theater owners and producers said it would destroy their industry.

FILE - Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump's nominee to be director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arrives to testify before the Senate HELP Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Former CDC chief Susan Monarez set to testify RFK Jr. fired her over vaccine science

September 17, 2025

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez is testifying before the Senate health committee. Monarez claims Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired her for refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations without reviewing scientific evidence. Monarez will say Wednesday that Kennedy demanded she “preapprove” recommendations from a CDC panel or face termination. The panel is expected to vote on new vaccine guidelines this week in Atlanta. Monarez argues she was fired for maintaining scientific integrity. The hearing will explore the impact of this turmoil on public health and address Kennedy’s claims about Monarez’s dismissal. Kennedy denies Monarez’s accusations he ordered “rubber-stamped” vaccine recommendations.

Law enforcement officer from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) walking back to their vehicle after responding to a emergency call in Franklin Park in downtown Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

A law enforcement surge has taken a toll on children of immigrants in Washington schools

September 17, 2025

An immigration crackdown in Washington has taken a toll on children attending the district’s schools. Some children have had their parents swept up in the law enforcement surge. Other students fear they or their family members could be next. Mindful that some parents were afraid of leaving home, volunteers began organizing “walking buses” to accompany groups of children by foot from apartment buildings to schools. Research has linked immigration raids near schools to lower academic outcomes. The scenes are likely to be replicated elsewhere as President Donald Trump dispatches federal agents to the streets of other big cities. Department of Homeland Security officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have not entered schools to make arrests.

FILE - Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger participates during an election forum, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Republican Brad Raffensperger to run for Georgia governor after defying Trump over 2020 election

September 17, 2025

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says he’s running for governor in 2026. The Republican made the announcement Wednesday. He famously rejected Donald Trump’s request to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, a state he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Raffensperger is likely to aim his appeal at Republicans who have at times been lukewarm on Trump. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr are already seeking the GOP nomination. Raffensperger won reelection in 2022 despite Trump’s opposition. Although he starts later than other major candidates, voters already know who Raffensperger is. Plus the engineering entrepreneur can self-finance his campaign.

FILE - Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., speaks as members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus tell reporters about allegations that the government spies on Americans, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Trump’s call to end mail-in voting creates a dilemma for GOP candidates who benefit from it

September 16, 2025

President Donald Trump has vowed to do away with voting by mail, but some of his Republican allies in battleground Arizona are taking a more cautious approach. The dilemma highlights another challenge they will confront heading into next year’s midterm elections, which historically check the party controlling the White House. Karrin Taylor Robson and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs are seeking to balance their allegiance to Trump with the desire of many Republican voters for the convenience of voting by mail. Biggs has encouraged in-person voting, but still supports mail voting. Taylor Robson has sidestepped the question.

Fired CDC chief will testify Kennedy pressed her to endorse vaccine recommendations without evidence

September 16, 2025

Former CDC director Susan Monarez will accuse Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of pressuring her to endorse vaccine recommendations without scientific evidence when she testifies before senators. That’s according to a copy of her prepared remarks obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. Monarez, fired last month, will tell senators Wednesday that Kennedy demanded she “preapprove” recommendations from a controversial advisory panel or face termination. The panel, set to vote on new vaccine guidelines this week, includes members who question vaccine safety. Kennedy denies the allegations but admits to ordering Monarez to fire several top CDC officials.

FILE - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the California Democratic Party's 2025 State Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., on May, 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic VP candidate, says he’ll seek a third term as Minnesota’s governor

September 16, 2025

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he’ll seek reelection to a third term in the 2026 elections. He’s hoping to beat the odds to become the longest-serving governor in a state where voters have usually said two terms were plenty. Walz was picked by then-Vice President Kamala Harris to be her running mate on the 2024 Democratic ticket. He’s been a sharp critic of President Donald Trump since then. In a campaign video posted on YouTube, Walz said he’s running because his work isn’t done and he wants to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks during a meeting of leaders of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

US designates Colombia as failing to cooperate in the drug war for first time in nearly 30 years

September 15, 2025

The Trump administration has added Colombia to a list of nations failing to cooperate in the drug war for the first time in nearly three decades. But the U.S. also issued a waiver blocking any major aid cut to the staunch ally. The move Monday reflects a decade-long boom in cocaine production in Colombia and a slowdown in coca eradication under President Gustavo Petro’s leftist administration. The U.S. last added Colombia to the list in 1997 when the country’s cartels had infiltrated the highest levels of power. Since 2000, U.S. administrations have sent billions of dollars in aid to Colombia. The cooperation began to unravel a decade ago when a program to spray coca fields with glyphosate was suspended.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, joins University of Southern California interim president Beong-Soo Kim for a conversation on democracy and Schwarzenegger's opposition to Proposition 50, a California ballot measure to redraw U.S. House maps to boost Democrats, at the USC campus in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Arnold Schwarzenegger enters fight on US House control, urges vote against new California districts

September 15, 2025

Arnold Schwarzenegger is entering the national battle over U.S. House control. The former Republican California governor and action-movie star is urging the state’s voters to reject a November ballot proposal to rejigger districts that he said would erode democratic principles. Schwarzenegger said Monday that the Democratic-backed Proposition 50 is “insane.” The proposal championed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom would temporarily set aside districts crafted by an independent commission and replace them with y reshaped districts designed to benefit the party’s candidates in the fight for House control. The move is similar to a GOP-led effort in Texas pushed by President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Air Force One, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Trump says the US military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela

September 15, 2025

President Donald Trump says the U.S. military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel. Trump announced the strike in a posting on social media. The strike comes two weeks after another military strike on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from Venezuela that killed 11.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before he departs on Air Force One at Morristown Airport, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Morristown, N.J. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump suggests deal reached over the future of TikTok as he announces call with Xi

September 15, 2025

President Donald Trump has suggested a deal has been reached over the future of TikTok as he announces call with China’s President Xi Jinping. There has been no confirmation from China on Monday.

The casket containing the body of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed on Wednesday is removed from Air Force Two at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Blame game after acts of political violence can lead to further attacks, experts warn

September 14, 2025

From the moment conservative icon Charlie Kirk was felled by an assassin’s bullet, partisans have fought over who’s to blame for his death. But experts on political violence say many of those who commit such crimes don’t fit neatly into a particular bucket. Instead, they seem to act on beliefs that don’t map clearly onto partisan lines. They say what’s more important than the attackers’ state of mind is the broader political environment: The more heated the atmosphere, the more likely it will lead unstable people to commit acts of violence.

Kash Patel speaks at a news conference, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Orem, Utah, as Utah department of public safety commissioner Beau Mason, left, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox listen. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe and turmoil at FBI

September 13, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel is bracing for scrutiny over his leadership of the Charlie Kirk investigation and other areas when he appears before Congress this coming week for oversight hearings. He raised eyebrows hours after Kirk’s killing when he posted on X that “the subject” in the killing was in custody when he in fact remained on the loose. That confusion was an early misstep in an investigation that has become the most consequential test of Patel’s young career as director. The hearings are expected to give a glimpse into the sustained tumult at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency.

FILE - New York City Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa pets one of his cats as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his apartment, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)

Trump dismisses cat-loving NYC Republican candidate for mayor as ‘not exactly prime time’

September 12, 2025

President Donald Trump says the Republican candidate for New York City mayor is “not exactly prime time.” Trump made the comment about Curtis Sliwa on Fox & Friends on Friday and also disparaged the candidate’s plan to house rescue cats at the mayoral mansion if he wins. The remarks come as pressure mounts for opponents of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani to drop out of the race. Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign says it’s polling voters to gauge his support — though continues to insist he is still running for reelection. Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, but Cuomo is now running as an independent.

FILE - People attend a candlelight vigil for former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were fatally shot, at the state Capitol, June 18, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Nikolas Liepins, File)

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Minnesota House special election

September 12, 2025

Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives will once again be at stake Tuesday in a special election to replace Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic state House speaker who was slain along with her husband at their home in June. The election takes place three months after the fatal shootings. The shooting suspect faces federal and state murder charges that could result in the federal death penalty. Republicans now hold a 67-66 edge in the state House. If Democrats hold Hortman’s seat in the heavily Democratic district, the chamber will once again be tied at 67 seats.

Vice President JD Vance, right, Second Lady Usha Vance, center, and Erika Kirk deplane Air Force Two, carrying the body of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, after landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Vance arrives in Arizona with Charlie Kirk’s casket aboard Air Force Two

September 11, 2025

Vice President JD Vance flew to Salt Lake City aboard Air Force Two to pick up Charlie Kirk’s casket and transport it to his home state of Arizona. Also aboard the plane Thursday were Kirk’s widow, Erika, and second lady Usha Vance. Kirk was assassinated while speaking on a college campus in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. Vance helped carry Kirk’s casket with uniformed service members on the tarmac when it was loaded onto the plane. Vance shared on social media that his friendship with Kirk began several years ago and deepened after beginning his political career. Last year, Kirk advocated for Vance to be Donald Trump’s choice for vice president.

A police officer walks near the scene of the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Charlie Kirk’s open-air debates made him a draw on college campuses. They also made him vulnerable

September 11, 2025

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, was fatally shot Wednesday during an event at a Utah university. Kirk was known for his open and engaging approach, inviting debate from passersby with the prompt “Prove me wrong.” His assassination raises concerns about political violence and campus safety. Universities are now questioning whether more security is needed for controversial speakers. Some fear Kirk’s assassination could stifle free speech on campuses, while others see it as a call for more open dialogue. College leaders are urging a reaffirmation of free speech rights, emphasizing the importance of discourse over violence.

Flags and flowers are placed in the inscribed names at the National September 11 Memorial in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Donald King)

US marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks

September 10, 2025

Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims. At the World Trade Center site in New York City, the nearly 3,000 victims’ names will be read aloud. At the Pentagon in Virginia, a memorial service will honor the 184 service members and civilians killed. And near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony honors the victims of Flight 93. The remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions. The 9/11 anniversary comes a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a college in Utah.

Invasive, disease-carrying tick found in Maine, the farthest northeast it has been spotted

September 9, 2025

Researchers say they have confirmed the presence of an invasive species of tick in Maine for the first time, marking the farthest northeast in the U.S. where the pest has been discovered. The University of Maine and state conservation officials say Monday they confirmed the presence of the Asian longhorned tick in the state in July. The tick is native to east Asia, where it is capable of spreading tickborne infections such as spotted fever. The tick was first confirmed in the United States in New Jersey in 2017 and it has since spread to more than 20 states, clustering mostly around the eastern third of the country.

FILE - In this photo illuminated by an off-camera flash, a woman walks past a homeless person's tent with a chair in downtown Los Angeles, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Most US adults think individual choices keep people in poverty, new AP-NORC/Harris poll finds

September 8, 2025

A new AP-NORC poll finds that most U.S. adults think personal choices are a major driver of poverty and homelessness, while fewer blame a lack of government support. However, most also think the government doesn’t spend enough on those in need, the survey shows. The poll comes as homelessness is on the rise and as officials across the country, including Republican President Donald Trump in the nation’s capital, push to clear encampments where unhoused people live. At the same time, the GOP tax and spending cut bill signed into law by Trump in July is expected to reduce benefits for low-income people.

Demonstrators protest against President Donald Trump's use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the city during a protest at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Photos of protests during fourth week of Trump’s DC crime crackdown

September 8, 2025

WASHINGTON Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Washingtonians are responding with protests during the fourth week of National Guard troops and

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani greet the crowd during a town hall on Saturday, Sept, 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

What Americans think about socialism and capitalism, according to a new Gallup poll

September 8, 2025

A new Gallup poll finds that Democrats view socialism more positively than they did in the past, while their views of capitalism are more negative. Sixty-six percent of Democrats now have a positive image of socialism compared to only 42% who view capitalism favorably. This marks a shift over the past 15 years, with socialism rising as capitalism falls. Some Democratic politicians worry that embracing socialism might alienate moderates, while others see it as a way to address issues like the cost of living. Meanwhile, views on capitalism and big business have soured, especially among Democrats and independents. Bernie Sanders has helped rebrand socialism, inspiring a movement that includes figures like Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

FILE - New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a campaign launch rally at City Hall, Thursday, June. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

NYC Mayor Eric Adams says he won’t quit the race and is the only one who can beat Mamdani

September 5, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said again that he won’t end his reelection campaign. During a hastily convened news conference Friday, Adams stressed that he will remain in the race as reports swirl that he’s been approached about possibly taking a job in the Trump administration. He told reporters “I am running for reelection” and vowed to defeat the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani. The mayor has spent the week fending off news reports that intermediaries for President Donald Trump have contacted people in his orbit to talk about whether he would consider abandoning his campaign to take a federal job.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears greets voters at her military-themed rally at Saucy’s Sit-Down Bar.B.Q in Hopewell, Va., on Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Diaz)

Democrats, GOP test their playbooks as Trump looms over elections in Virginia and New Jersey

September 5, 2025

Democrats and Republicans are testing dueling playbooks in fall elections that will decide the leadership of Virginia and New Jersey — and perhaps a new direction for the parties heading into next year’s midterms. In both states, Democratic candidates for governor are distancing themselves from their party’s far-left wing in campaigns focused instead on rising costs and the economy under President Donald Trump’s leadership. The move reflects what some see as a critical lesson from the 2024 national elections, in which Democrats faced a backlash for supporting so-called “woke” social policies. Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey are largely unwilling to separate themselves from Trump.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro speaks with reporters as President Donald Trump, from left, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Two DC teens arrested in congressional intern’s fatal shooting

September 5, 2025

Two teenagers have been arrested on murder charges in the killing of a congressional intern who was struck by stray bullets during a shooting in the nation’s capital. It’s a crime that President Donald Trump cited in announcing a law-enforcement surge in Washington. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts, was fatally shot on the night of June 30. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Friday’s arrests. She said both suspects in his killing are 17-year-old juveniles but are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed. Police were searching for a third suspect whose name and age weren’t immediately released.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein speaks at the Land of Sky Regional Council, Aug. 20, 2025, Fletcher, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A Democrat governor, a Republican legislature: How Josh Stein is navigating North Carolina politics

September 4, 2025

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is taking a more collaborative approach with Republican opponents in his first eight months in office despite disagreeing with them on many issues. Stein succeeded fellow Democrat Roy Cooper in January. He aims to work with the GOP-controlled General Assembly and has built dialogue with them. Stein’s approach contrasts with Democratic governors elsewhere who have taken more combative stances against President Donald Trump and the GOP. Republican leaders have said they appreciate the open lines of communication with Stein. Still, the new governor has vetoed 15 bills, with lawmakers so far overriding eight of them.

FILE - Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy speaks during a dinner meeting with President Donald Trump and other business leaders on Aug. 7, 2018, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Fox News thrives two years after court settlement, but 2020 election coverage fight goes on

September 4, 2025

Fox News seemed to be dealt a crippling blow in a $787 million settlement of a libel lawsuit more than two years ago, but has instead thrived. Fox’s ratings are at a high when most television networks are sliding, including news rivals CNN and MSNBC, and Fox is the go-to source to distribute news for the new Trump administration. Yet court cases regarding coverage of the 2020 election aftermath involving outlets where Trump supporters gather are continuing. In its own recent settlement of a libel case, the conservative Newsmax network has learned that expressing regrets or apologizing doesn’t pay.

FILE - Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of State, answers journalists' questions, Nov. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ben Gray, File)

Republican Gabriel Sterling, defender of 2020 Georgia election, runs for secretary of state

September 4, 2025

Gabriel Sterling, known for defending Georgia’s 2020 election results, is running for the state’s secretary of state. The 54-year-old Sterling announced his candidacy Thursday. He was a key figure in debunking election fraud claims and has been a close aide to Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Sterling’s campaign emphasizes maintaining the security of Georgia’s elections. He faces competition from Republicans Kelvin King and Tim Fleming. Both have appealed to Trump supporters who may dislike the record of Sterling and Raffensperger. The Republican primary will test whether Sterling can attract voters who approve of his handling of elections despite criticism from Trump.

Robin Rothove, left, and Paula Smith, right, demonstrate outside the Missouri Capitol as lawmakers prepare to conduct a committee hearing inside to consider redrawing the state's U.S. House districts, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Trump-backed plan to redraw Missouri congressional districts draws opposition at first hearing

September 4, 2025

Some Missouri residents are denouncing a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts at the urging of President Donald Trump. Dozens of people attended the first public hearing for the plan on Thursday in the Missouri Legislature, speaking against it. Republicans are pressing ahead with a proposed map that would split up a Kansas City district to give the GOP a shot at winning seven of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats. Missouri is the third state to join a national battle over redistricting, following Texas and California. More states could follow. Nationally, Democrats need to gain three seats in next year’s elections to win control of the House.

FILE - Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, smiles during a walkthrough on stage during the second day of 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Navy reverses demotion of Rep. Ronny Jackson, former White House doctor

September 3, 2025

Rep. Ronny Jackson has announced that the Navy has restored his retired rank of rear admiral. This overturns a 2022 demotion that followed a scathing investigation that found major issues with his behavior while he was the top White House physician. The Texas Republican on Wednesday posted a June 13 letter from Navy Secretary John Phelan saying he had reinstated Jackson to the retired rank of a one-star admiral following a “review of all applicable reports and references.” The Navy confirmed the move. Following his 2019 retirement from the Navy, Jackson was retroactively demoted in the wake of a yearslong investigation into his behavior.

Brothers of Virginia Giuffre, Daniel Wilson, left, and Sky Roberts, second from left, Amanda Roberts, second from right, and Annie Farmer, right, listen during a Stand with Survivors Rally on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Publisher agrees to changes in Virginia Giuffre’s memoir after family objections

September 3, 2025

The publisher of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, “Nobody’s Girl,” has finalized a draft with her family after they raised concerns. Giuffre, an accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, died by suicide in April. Her family worried the book portrayed an overly positive view of her marriage, which ended before her death. Knopf, the publisher, says they worked with Giuffre’s family to ensure her voice is heard. The book is set to be released on October 21. Giuffre had alleged she was part of Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring and was exploited by powerful men, including Prince Andrew.

FILE - New York Mayor Eric Adams arrives at his campaign launch rally at City Hall, June. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

NYC Mayor Eric Adams insists he isn’t ending his reelection campaign

September 3, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is insisting that he isn’t dropping his reelection campaign after reports he had been approached about potentially taking a job with the federal government. A person familiar with those conversations says intermediaries with President Donald Trump’s administration recently reached out to people close to Adams, a Democrat, to discuss whether he would be open to abandoning his reelection campaign to take a federal job. It was unclear how far those talks progressed. But as media reports about them multiplied, Adams insisted in interviews and through a spokesperson on Wednesday that he had no intention of dropping out of the contest

FILE - A worker passes a Dominion Voting ballot scanner while setting up a polling location at an elementary school in Gwinnett County, Ga., outside of Atlanta on Jan. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Ben Gray, File)

Justice Department requests access to Dominion voting equipment used in Missouri in 2020

September 3, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has requested access to voting equipment used in the 2020 election in two Missouri counties in what appears to be a wide-ranging effort to more closely monitor election processes around the country. A memo from the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities that was shared Wednesday with The Associated Press says a DOJ official in August contacted the county clerks and asked for access to their Dominion Voting Systems equipment. Both clerks declined, with one issuing a statement noting that state and federal law prohibits election officials from giving unauthorized access to election equipment. The unconventional requests signal how the DOJ is seeking a closer watch over how states run their elections.

FILE - A Seattle police officer walks past tents used by people experiencing homelessness, March 11, 2022, during the clearing and removal an encampment in Westlake Park in downtown Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Federal judge ends 13-year oversight of Seattle Police Department after use-of-force reforms

September 3, 2025

A federal judge has returned full control of policing practices to the Seattle Police Department. On Wednesday, the judge approved a request to end over a decade of oversight aimed at addressing excessive force by officers. The Department of Justice found in 2011 that Seattle officers used too much force, too quickly. A consent decree was established in 2012 to address these issues. The ruling marks a new chapter for the department, giving it full autonomy over policing decisions. The DOJ described this as the “successful completion” of the 13-year consent decree. The department has expanded training and rerouted some 911 calls to civilian first responders.

New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa is interviewed in a subway entrance as he campaigns, in New York, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Red beret-wearing Republican Curtis Sliwa likes his chances in a crowded NYC mayor’s race

September 2, 2025

Curtis Sliwa is the bombastic creator of New York City’s Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol group who lost his last election battle with Mayor Eric Adams by almost 40 percentage points. This time around, the red beret-wearing Republican believes the race is very much up for grabs. Even in a city where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans, the math is different from the two-man race in 2021. With three polarizing candidates potentially splitting the Democratic vote, the 71-year-old hopes to maintain the 28% he secured last time around while picking up some backers from the other side of the aisle with his message that he’s best positioned to handle crime in the city.

FILE - Kari Lake speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Trump is cutting 500-plus jobs at Voice of America and its parent agency despite legal challenges

August 30, 2025

The agency that oversees Voice of America and other government-funded international broadcasters says it’s eliminating jobs for more than 500 employees. That word came late Friday and could ratchet up a monthslong legal challenge over the news outlets’ fate. A federal judge on Thursday had blocked the administration from removing Michael Abramowitz as VOA director. And the same judge earlier in the week had ruled that the Trump administration had failed to show how it was complying with his orders to restore VOA operations.

FILE - Judge Rebecca Bradley speaks as she kicks off her campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Milwaukee, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Greg Moore, File)

A conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice won’t run again, creating an open seat

August 30, 2025

A conservative justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court says she will not seek reelection, creating an open race for a seat on the court that’s controlled 4-3 by liberals. Justice Rebecca Bradley’s decision announced Friday not to run for a second full term comes after conservative candidates for the highest court in the battleground state have lost each of the past two elections by double digits. The open race, to be decided in April, comes as a number of high-profile issues could make their way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming months, including abortion, collective bargaining rights, congressional redistricting and election rules.

FILE - A Homeland Security vehicle, right, is parked outside the Moakley Federal Courthouse, April 19, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Federal judge issues order blocking Trump effort to expand speedy deportations of migrants

August 30, 2025

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants detained in the interior of the United States. It’s a setback for the Republican administration’s efforts to remove migrants from the country without appearing before a judge first. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb wrote in a 48-page opinion issued Friday night that the effort is based on the argument “that those who entered the country illegally are entitled to no process under the Fifth Amendment, but instead must accept whatever grace Congress affords them.” The administration says the judge’s ruling ignores federal law and Trump’s power under the Constitution.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Big money and names power the campaign to influence California voters over a new congressional map

August 30, 2025

California voters will decide in November whether to OK a new congressional map that would benefit Democrats. The campaign to influence voters has already begun. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic allies want voters to approve the new districts to stop what they say are President Donald Trump’s attempts to rig elections. Republicans and others say it’s a Democratic power grab. Days into the campaign, supporters and opponents each brought in more than $10 million. That’s a fraction of the $100 million-plus expected to be spent to win over voters. The contest also is drawing some high-profile names, including actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The Chicago city skyline is seen from Diversey Harbor, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago is in the Trump administration’s sights for its next immigration crackdown

August 29, 2025

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to send officers to Chicago for an immigration crackdown. That’s according to two U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity Friday to discuss plans that had not been made public. It’s the latest move by the Republican president to expand the federal law enforcement presence in major Democratic-run cities. Chicago has strong rules against cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, often clashing with the Trump administration’s deportation agenda. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies will participate. The operation is focused on immigration and isn’t expected to rely on the National Guard like in the federal police takeover in Washington.

FILE - Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Sen. Ernst of Iowa is expected to announce next month that she won’t run for reelection in 2026

August 29, 2025

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is expected to announce next month she won’t seek reelection, leaving another vacancy in an Iowa seat that could have ripple effects down the ballot as Democrats look to the state for pickup opportunities. As Senate Republicans work to maintain their majority in the chamber, Ernst is joining a wave of her peers making headaches for the party. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina turned down a reelection bid after clashing with President Donald Trump. Ernst plans to announce in September she’ll opt out of the race for a third term. That’s according to four people familiar with her plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday to preview the announcement.

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives for the March on Wall Street, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is working to woo Black voters away from Adams and Cuomo

August 29, 2025

New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is out courting Black voters, trying to do better with them in the general election than he did in the primary. Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral primary in June, but polls show he has plenty of room to improve his performance in the city’s predominantly Black neighborhoods. Mamdani and his supporters say he’s working to grow trust with Black New Yorkers. He’s running against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in the general election. Both Cuomo and Adams have years of experience campaigning and building relationships in the city’s Black neighborhoods and churches.

FILE - The Voice of America building is photographed June 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Federal judge blocks Trump administration from removing Voice of America director

August 28, 2025

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from removing Michael Abramowitz as director of Voice of America. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Thursday that Abramowitz cannot be removed without the approval of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. In June, layoff notices were sent to over 600 employees of Voice of America and its overseeing agency. Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave along with most of the staff. Kari Lake, whom President Donald Trump tapped to be a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, told a congressional panel that the agency is “rotten to the core.”

Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett (right) speaks outside the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, while her colleague, Commissioner Mo Ivory, looks on. (AP Photo/Kate Brumback)

Georgia’s Fulton County fined $10,000 a day for not appointing Republican election board nominees

August 27, 2025

A judge has ruled that Georgia’s Fulton County must pay $10,000 daily until it appoints two Republican nominees to its election board. Superior Court Judge David Emerson found the county’s Board of Commissioners in contempt for not complying with an earlier order to appoint the nominees. The fine begins Friday. The county’s Democratic commissioners had refused to approve the nominees, citing concerns about their suitability. The Republican Party sued, arguing the law requires the appointments. The judge agreed, stating the commissioners lack discretion to reject qualified nominees.

FILE - NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson speaks before President Joe Biden addresses the crowd, at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Texas election map for 2026 is racially biased, voting-rights advocates say in lawsuit

August 26, 2025

Voting-rights advocates are suing to overturn all of the redistricting plans drawn by Texas Republicans meant to favor Republicans in 2026 midterm elections, saying the map weakens the electoral influence of Black voters. The NAACP and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed the lawsuit in Texas Tuesday. They accuse Texas legislative leaders of engaging in gerrymandering to prevent Black voters from electing candidates of their choice. Black residents for decades have overwhelmingly favored Democratic candidates. The NAACP says since the Voting Rights Act was adopted the state of Texas has been found to have discriminated against Black and/or Brown citizens after every cycle of redistricting.

Armed members of the South Carolina National Guard patrol inside the metro system, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in downtown Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Photos of week three of Washington’s federal takeover, as troops on patrol start carrying guns

August 26, 2025

WASHINGTON The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Washingtonians are in their third week of National Guard troops and federal law

FILE - Heather Honey, a conservative election researcher, leaves the federal courthouse in Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo, File)

Researcher who has distorted voter data appointed to Homeland Security election integrity role

August 26, 2025

A conservative election researcher whose faulty findings on voter data were cited by President Donald Trump as he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss has been appointed to an election integrity role at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s website shows Pennsylvania activist Heather Honey is now serving as the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity. The political appointment shows how self-styled election investigators who have thrown themselves into election conspiracy theories since 2020 are now being celebrated by Trump’s administration. Her new role also comes as Trump has used election integrity concerns as a pretext to try to give his administration power over election administration that the Constitution does not give to presidents.

President Donald Trump speaks with members of law enforcement and National Guard soldiers, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

What Trump’s crime crackdown in DC looks like in photos

August 26, 2025

WASHINGTON Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Pedestrians walk their dogs past parked military vehicles. Commuters move past National Guards at

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