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Trump Echoes Demands Omar Resign As Name Revelation Sparks Expulsion Threat

By
Madeleine Jackson
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U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush speak at the Mississippi River in Minneapolis asking for President Biden to stop Line 3 pipeline construction.

The federal investigation into Ilhan Omar has spilled into a fight over her seat in Congress.

President Donald Trump demanded the Minnesota Democrat “IMMEDIATELY resign” Thursday evening after reports highlighted a federal filing identifying her as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar.”

Now, a House Republican is threatening to pursue expulsion if immigration fraud is proven — escalating the political fallout from the investigation that brought federal agents to the progressive Squad member’s Washington home.

But the allegations remain unresolved. Omar is a naturalized U.S. citizen, has not been charged with a crime and denies wrongdoing. The filing’s use of a different name does not establish fraud or automatically disqualify her from Congress.

Trump Takes The Fight To Her House Seat

According to The Hill, Trump used a Thursday Truth Social post to accuse Omar of entering Congress under a false name and demand her departure.

“Please inform the Speaker of the House of Representatives, James Michael Johnson, that the Dumocrat Party has just conceded her seat,” Trump wrote.

The president also claimed Omar had “openly admitted to FRAUD.” The reporting provided does not establish such an admission; Omar has repeatedly maintained her innocence.

Trump carried the attack into his Iowa rally Thursday, questioning whether she could remain in office if she had been sworn in under a false name. The remarks prompted chants of “Lock her up,” The Hill reported.

His demand is political pressure, however, rather than an order removing her from office.

Fine Threatens An Expulsion Push

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital he would demand Omar’s expulsion if immigration fraud is established.

“You can’t be in Congress if you’re not a citizen of the United States, but if it isn’t automatic, I absolutely will demand expulsion immediately,” Fine said.

Fine also said he assumed Omar was not a citizen. That assertion conflicts with her established status as a naturalized American; an investigation alone does not revoke citizenship.

An expulsion effort would face a substantial hurdle. The Constitution requires support from two-thirds of House members present and voting to expel a colleague. Fine’s threat is not an announced vote or an accomplished removal.

The Name At The Center Of The Storm

The latest clash follows Fox News Digital’s Thursday report that two people familiar with the investigation, including a law enforcement source, identified Omar’s birth name as Ilhan Nur Said Elmi.

Prosecutors used that name in a Wednesday filing concerning access to sealed search-warrant records, listing Ilhan Abdullahi Omar as an alternative name.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro raised questions about the congresswoman’s immigration records during a Thursday Fox News appearance.

“So the question is, who is Ilhan Omar, and has she followed all of the laws as it relates to naturalization and immigration,” Pirro said, according to The Hill.

Investigators are reportedly examining possible false statements in immigration and naturalization documents. Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Omar’s Washington residence on October 12, seizing her cellphone and other belongings.

The name reporting has also revived the longstanding allegation that Omar married her brother for immigration purposes. She denies that allegation. A shared surname does not establish a biological relationship or a fraudulent marriage.

Omar Says She Did Nothing Wrong

Omar offered a sharply different account during Wednesday’s interview with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes, describing the investigation as political intimidation.

She said agents took 17 items and that threats following the search would force her to move from her Washington apartment.

The congresswoman told Hayes she was confident she had done nothing wrong.

For now, Trump is demanding her resignation and Fine is threatening a conditional expulsion push. Whether either effort gains traction will depend on what investigators can substantiate — and what the House chooses to do.

Former Trump Aide Calls Rumored White House Shake-Up ‘Terrifying’

By
Madeleine Jackson
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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles delivers remarks during the Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Sunday, September 21, 2025.(Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

The job isn’t open but the replacement talk is already setting off alarms.

Former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews says the prospect of Stephen Miller replacing Susie Wiles as President Trump’s chief of staff is “terrifying” — adding a sharp warning to speculation about who could run the West Wing after the midterms.

Trump has repeatedly rejected reports that Wiles is headed for the exit. But Matthews, who served during his first administration and later became a vocal critic, argued that the president’s public assurances aren’t the whole story.

“He’s been doing his favorite thing, which is calling around, seeing what people think of different names that he floats if he chooses to replace her,” Matthews told MeidasTouch’s Jack Cocchiarella on Sunday, according to The Hill.

“Publicly, he said that he’s sticking with Susie, but we know that he’s making these calls, and one of those names is Stephen Miller.”

“And that is a terrifying prospect,” she added.

One Name Sets Her Off

Matthews offered little praise for Wiles, accusing her of being “complicit in the horrors of this administration.” But she drew a distinction between the current chief of staff and Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff.

“Stephen Miller is bats— crazy,” she said.

Matthews warned that elevating Miller could have consequences during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.

“The idea of someone like a Stephen Miller in charge is a very scary thing,” she told Cocchiarella.

Her comments were a political assessment of a possible personnel change, rather than an announcement that one is coming. Matthews described having occasional interactions with Miller during briefing preparations with then-press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, according to The Hill.

Why the Exit Rumors Won’t Quit

The speculation gained momentum after Politico reported Oct. 15 that Trump had been asking friends and political allies about Wiles and discussing potential successors.

According to Mediaite’s account of the Politico reporting, four people with direct knowledge described those conversations. Names reportedly floated included Miller, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Bill Pulte and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Trump disputed the report.

Another former Trump chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, predicted a departure could come after the midterms — while offering a different explanation from Matthews.

“If she leaves, and I think she probably will, it’s not necessarily because she’s fallen out of favor with Trump,” Mulvaney told NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday.

“It’s just a natural sort of time to make that change.”

Mulvaney’s forecast suggested a possible voluntary transition, rather than a firing. It did not establish that Wiles has decided to leave. AOL

Trump Says ‘Zero Chance’

Trump’s public position has been emphatic.

In a statement quoted by The Hill, he branded Politico’s reporting “TOTAL FAKE NEWS” and said Wiles had his “COMPLETE confidence.”

He reinforced that message in an Oct. 16 conversation with CNN’s Kristen Holmes, saying there was “zero chance” he was considering replacing her.

“She’s been incredible,” Trump said, according to CNN’s report. He also said Wiles would remain at the White House for a long time.

Semafor reported that nearly a dozen people close to Trump questioned reports of tension. One adviser suggested people seeking Wiles’s position were helping fuel the speculation. The outlet also reported that Wiles had indicated she intended to stay until Trump leaves office.

A New Fight Over the Reporting

The controversy has since expanded into a confrontation between the White House and Politico.

White House counsel Will Scharf demanded corrections or retractions of three Wiles-related stories, according to Just the News. The administration accused the outlet of publishing false accounts of internal conflict.

Politico subsequently corrected a separate story about former press secretary Katie Zacharia’s Fox News interview. The correction said follow-up reporting found Wiles did not directly arrange the interview, Political Wire reported. That correction concerned the interview’s booking, rather than announcing a resolution of the replacement dispute.

For now, Wiles remains chief of staff, Trump says she has his confidence, and no successor has been announced. Matthews’s warning concerns what might happen next — with the midterms approaching and competing accounts of Wiles’s future still circulating.

Also draft a version more suited for White House Watch

Trump Backs Wiles as Chief of Staff Speculation Draws Warning From Former Aide

President Donald Trump is standing behind White House chief of staff Susie Wiles as reports about her future — and potential successors — draw competing assessments from former administration officials.

Sarah Matthews, a former deputy White House press secretary during Trump’s first term, said Sunday that the possibility of deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller taking over would be “terrifying.”

Her remarks came during an interview with MeidasTouch’s Jack Cocchiarella, according to The Hill, amid speculation that Wiles could depart after the November midterm elections. Trump has repeatedly denied that he is considering replacing her.

Matthews Questions Public Assurances

Matthews argued that Trump’s public support for Wiles could coexist with private discussions about other candidates.

“He’s been doing his favorite thing, which is calling around, seeing what people think of different names that he floats if he chooses to replace her,” Matthews said, according to The Hill.

“Publicly, he said that he’s sticking with Susie, but we know that he’s making these calls, and one of those names is Stephen Miller.”

Matthews, who has become a vocal Trump critic, described that possibility as “a terrifying prospect.” She said she occasionally interacted with Miller during briefing preparations with then-press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

Her comments expressed opposition to a potential Miller appointment. They did not establish that Trump has decided to make a change.

Reports Put Spotlight on Post-Midterm Staffing

Politico reported Oct. 15 that Trump had been consulting friends and political allies about Wiles and discussing possible replacements.

According to Mediaite’s account of the reporting, the names floated included Miller, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Bill Pulte and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Trump disputed the report.

Former acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney offered a different interpretation of a possible departure: Wiles could choose to leave after the elections without losing the president’s confidence.

Speaking on NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday, Mulvaney predicted she would probably depart and described the post-election period as a natural opportunity for a staffing transition, according to The Hill’s report carried by AOL. His assessment was a prediction, rather than a confirmed departure plan.

Trump and Advisers Push Back

Trump has publicly rejected the suggestion that Wiles’s position is in jeopardy.

In a statement quoted by The Hill, he called the Politico reporting “TOTAL FAKE NEWS” and said his chief of staff had his “COMPLETE confidence.”

Trump subsequently told CNN’s Kristen Holmes on Oct. 16 that there was “zero chance” he was considering replacing Wiles. He praised her performance and said she would remain at the White House for a long time, according to CNN’s report.

Semafor also reported that nearly a dozen people close to Trump questioned accounts of tension. The outlet said Wiles had indicated she intended to remain in her position until the end of his presidency.

White House Challenges Coverage

The administration has also formally challenged Politico’s reporting. White House counsel Will Scharf demanded corrections or retractions of three Wiles-related stories, according to Just the News.

Politico subsequently corrected a separate report concerning former press secretary Katie Zacharia’s interview with Sean Hannity. Its correction said follow-up reporting found Wiles did not directly arrange that interview, Political Wire reported.

Judge Gives Trump A Deadline In His $10 Billion BBC Battle

By
Madeleine Jackson
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President Donald Trump wants the BBC to pay billions. Now he faces a deadline to answer its lawyers’ questions.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett ordered Trump on Thursday to sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 in his $10 billion lawsuit against the British broadcaster, according to Mediaite’s account of the proceedings.

The warning carries teeth: Failure to comply could bring sanctions, including dismissal of the case, unless the court extends the discovery schedule. The current deadline for completing discovery is Dec. 18.

The showdown follows Trump’s cancellation of an Oct. 16 deposition and months of legal combat over a BBC documentary that misleadingly stitched together portions of his Jan. 6, 2021, speech.q

A Fight Over The Calendar

BBC attorneys complained that they still had not questioned the president with roughly two months remaining in discovery, according to Mediaite.

Trump’s lawyers reject the suggestion that he is ducking testimony.

In an Oct. 21 court filing, his attorneys argued that presidential responsibilities forced the cancellation, citing the conflict in Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war and other national security and economic matters.

“Defendant is wrong to claim that President Trump is avoiding his deposition in this action,” they wrote.

His team proposed rescheduling for January 2027 and argued that the court should accommodate the demands of the presidency.

The judge’s order puts a December deadline ahead of that proposed January appearance.

The Edit That Ignited The Feud

The dispute centers on Panorama’s “Trump: A Second Chance?” documentary, which aired ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The program combined remarks from different portions of Trump’s Jan. 6 speech, making his reference to walking toward the Capitol appear directly connected to his later exhortation to fight.

Mediaite previously reported that the documentary also omitted his instruction for supporters to make their voices heard “peacefully and patriotically.”

The BBC eventually acknowledged that its editing gave viewers the mistaken impression that Trump had directly called for violent action. Chairman Samir Shah sent a personal apology, and the broadcaster said the documentary would not air again in that form.

The fallout reached the top: Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness resigned amid the controversy.

But the apology came with a firm legal boundary.

“We strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim,” the BBC said in a statement reported by ITV News.

Trump filed suit in December 2025, turning the editorial scandal into a multibillion-dollar courtroom battle.

A Big Demand — And A Narrower Claim

The case has already produced another contentious fight over what Trump must disclose.

In August, his lawyers withdrew allegations that the documentary harmed his businesses and brand after a judge ordered financial disclosures tied to those claims, according to Mediaite’s reporting.

“It is simply the reputational injury to the president, full stop,” his attorneys wrote.

Trump continued seeking $10 billion, while the BBC questioned how he could substantiate that amount after abandoning claims of business damage.

Now the president faces a more immediate requirement: making himself available for questioning in the lawsuit he brought.

‘He Got Whacked’: Trump Pauses South Carolina Rally After Punch Thrown In Crowd

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump’s South Carolina rally took a violent turn Wednesday night when a confrontation in the crowd interrupted his speech—and prompted a running commentary from the president.

Trump was campaigning for Republican Sen. Darline Graham at Clemson University’s T. Ed Garrison Arena in Pendleton when a protester apparently drew a punch from another attendee.

“Who was the guy who threw that punch?” Trump asked, according to FOX Carolina’s reporting.

“The guy stood up and he got whacked, man.”

The president’s reaction was approving.

“That was great, man. Wow. Man, I loved that,” Trump said, according to Just the News. He compared the attendee to former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, who was also at the rally.

Watch: FOX Carolina’s video coverage of the confrontation and Trump’s response.

Hecklers Keep Interrupting

The confrontation capped a barrage of disruptions that repeatedly pulled Trump away from his campaign pitch.

Trump took the stage around 7:08 p.m. and was interrupted six times within his opening 10 minutes, FOX Carolina reported, citing the White House press pool.

Roughly 20 minutes into the speech, officers removed three more hecklers. One shouted “traitor,” while another demanded the release of the Epstein files. Another disturbance followed minutes later, when punches were thrown.

Supporters responded to the removals with chants of USA.

Just the News noted that the particular clip it linked showed a protester being escorted away but did not capture the punch itself. Its report did not identify the attendee Trump praised.

A Tightening Race Adds Pressure

The turmoil unfolded at an event with serious stakes for Republicans.

Graham is seeking a full Senate term after being appointed to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally. Her contest against Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews has become unexpectedly competitive, with Cook Political Report moving the race from likely Republican to lean Republican this week.

Wednesday’s appearance drew thousands and featured more disruptions than Trump’s earlier South Carolina rally in Myrtle Beach, according to Charleston’s Live 5 News.

Graham made the urgency plain.

“It’s close, so please do not sit this one out,” she told supporters, the station reported. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a South Carolina native, also addressed the crowd and urged Republican turnout.

Trump came to help protect a Republican Senate seat. The confrontation—and his enthusiastic response—gave the campaign stop another headline.

Vance Tells GOP To ‘Stop Whining’ As Ramaswamy Ad Sparks Ohio Firestorm

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt message Wednesday to Republicans recoiling from Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial campaign ad: Stop fighting over the commercial and start fighting to win Ohio.

The intervention came as Ramaswamy faced bipartisan backlash over an advertisement featuring Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother—and as prediction-market traders sharply marked down his chances of becoming governor.

Asked by a BBC reporter whether the ad was appropriate, Vance declined to make that judgment his priority.

“Well, I’ll be honest with you, whether the ad was appropriate or not is not really my concern,” Vance said, according to Mediaite’s account of the exchange.

Instead, he argued, Republicans should focus on who will govern Ohio and represent the state in Washington.

“But I have to admit that I’m a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America,” he said.

Vivek Ramaswamy speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

An Ad Opens A Republican Rift

The commercial features Donna Arthur, Acton’s estranged mother, attacking her daughter’s honesty and urging Ohioans not to elect her.

But the mother-daughter estrangement carries a history central to the backlash.

Acton has publicly described childhood neglect and sexual abuse by her stepfather. According to Mediaite, she and her younger brother were removed from their mother’s custody, and reporting on court records has supported her account.

Critics accused Ramaswamy’s campaign of exploiting that history by giving Arthur a platform to attack her daughter.

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was among those condemning the move.

“He’s a bad guy. It’s a shame he continues to get away with it,” Haley wrote, according to Mediaite.

Acton’s brother, Phil Stearns, responded in a video released by her campaign, describing his sister as a child who endured abuse while trying to protect him.

“And she was 11 and 12 years old, and to think that that’s somehow a talking point? Shame on Vivek,” Stearns said.

A Market Warning—And A Campaign Doubling Down

The controversy has coincided with another troubling development for Ramaswamy.

In its Wednesday report, Mediaite cited Polymarket prices implying roughly a 22% chance of a Ramaswamy victory, compared with 79% for Acton. Ramaswamy had briefly fallen to 21%, the outlet reported.

Those figures represent a trading-market snapshot, not voter support or a guaranteed election forecast. Mediaite also noted that his market standing had been declining before the ad controversy, making it difficult to isolate the commercial’s effect.

His campaign nevertheless plans to press ahead. Axios reported that the operation was committing $4 million to promoting the ad.

Vance, meanwhile, urged Republicans to rally behind Ramaswamy and GOP Sen. Jon Husted, arguing that the stakes justified a tougher political fight.

“Politics is a tough business,” he said.

His closing instruction left little room for ambiguity: “Stop whining about an advertisement and go win the race in 13 days.”

Katie Zacharia Reveals What Happened Behind Her Five-Day White House Stint

By
Madeleine Jackson
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White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds first press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Katie Zacharia’s time as White House press secretary ended after just five days. Now, she is offering a look at the rushed preparations and exhausting schedule behind her brief turn at the podium—and explaining why she still stands by accepting President Donald Trump’s offer.

In an interview with New York Post columnist Joel Pollak, reported by Mediaite, Zacharia said she wanted her children to see the importance of stepping forward despite criticism. Back in California, she remained supportive of Trump while acknowledging the experience had been difficult.

Her takeaway included a determination to “refuse to be defined by the critics,” she told Pollak, according to Mediaite.

A Scramble Before the Cameras

Zacharia’s October 13 debut lasted approximately 14 minutes and included questions from only three outlets. Critics focused on her nervous delivery and reliance on prepared remarks. She later described waking at 3 a.m. to prepare, with finalized materials arriving only hours before the briefing, according to Mediaite’s account of her Post interview.

The White House initially celebrated the appearance. An official release highlighted her remarks about Trump’s agenda, continued access for new media outlets and balancing the position with raising four children.

Behind the scenes, however, Zacharia described struggling to keep pace.

During a separate interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said she had received less than a day to prepare for her first briefing and used notes to navigate the limited preparation time, Mediaite reported.

“I’m just running on no sleep and high adrenaline and probably too much caffeine and no food,” she told the Journal, according to Mediaite.

Tough Questions From Familiar Territory

The pressure intensified during appearances on Fox News.

Sean Hannity questioned Zacharia about her briefing performance and legal credentials. Although she holds a law degree from Pepperdine, she acknowledged she had never passed a state bar examination. She maintained that she had consulted legal professionals before publicly describing herself as a lawyer. A subsequent appearance on “Fox & Friends” also drew scrutiny.

By Friday, October 16, her assignment was ending.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Zacharia was discussing her plans for the job with its reporters when senior Trump adviser Jason Miller interrupted and summoned her to speak with Vice President JD Vance. She did not return to the interview.

Trump publicly revealed that he had encouraged her to reconsider the position.

“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” the president recalled telling her, according to the Journal.

Still Standing by Her Decision

Zacharia’s public response remained supportive of the president. In a social media message after her departure, she praised Trump’s character and work ethic and expressed gratitude for the opportunity, the New York Post reported.

“It was an honor to work for him,” she wrote.

Vance Reveals The Conversation He Hasn’t Had With Trump About 2028

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

JD Vance believes Donald Trump would back him for president. But there’s one problem with treating that endorsement as a done deal: They haven’t discussed it.

The vice president acknowledged that uncertainty during a Monday interview with journalist Mark Halperin on 2WAY, leaving open the possibility that Trump could let a Republican primary unfold before picking a favorite.

“I think if I run, the president will endorse me,” Vance said, according to Mediaite’s account of the interview.

But when Halperin asked whether that endorsement would come immediately, the answer became less certain.

“I would think so, but I don’t know, man,” Vance replied. “I haven’t talked to him about it.”

An Endorsement Worth Waiting For

The admission followed Vance’s argument that Trump’s backing carries extraordinary weight with Republican voters, who trust the president’s judgment after watching him battle the party establishment.

“Obviously, the voters are gonna decide,” Vance told Halperin. “Donald Trump is only one vote of many, but I think his endorsement is still the most powerful.”

That makes the timing consequential. Vance said Trump could reasonably decide to watch candidates compete before intervening.

“Again, I think I would get his endorsement, but I also think there’s something to be said for people actually running their own race,” he said.

When Halperin suggested Vance might struggle as a presidential candidate, the vice president acknowledged the possibility.

“I might be terrible at it,” he said.

Trump Keeps His Options Open

Asked Tuesday about backing Vance, Trump praised his vice president but confirmed they had not discussed the matter. He said the immediate priority was getting through the midterm elections.

Trump’s support has helped Vance before. ABC News reported that his endorsement helped propel Vance to victory in Ohio’s 2022 Republican Senate primary.

For now, Vance says he remains undecided about running in 2028. His expectation of Trump’s support comes with a qualification: The conversation has yet to happen.

Trump Says Defendants Won’t Get A ‘Fair Shake’ From Letitia James. She’s Pushing Back.

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0

President Donald Trump has a blunt warning about Letitia James’ role in a closely watched Cornell University sexual assault investigation: He doesn’t trust her to give the accused a fair hearing.

The New York attorney general is pushing back, promising a fair investigation while defending the public comments that helped ignite the controversy.

“Letitia James is a corrupt person,” Trump said when Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to appoint her as special prosecutor.

“And I feel badly for whoever she’s looking at because they won’t get a fair shake,” Trump added, according to Fox News.

James’ response: Her office will follow the evidence.

Speaking to a reporter Friday, October 16, she pledged a fair investigation. During a campaign debate, she also rejected claims that she had already made up her mind, saying “politics stops at the door” of her office, Fox News reported.

The Post Behind The Fight

Trump isn’t the only person questioning James’ impartiality.

Lawyers for two men named in the underlying civil lawsuit — Gillio Lopes and Winston Lee — have sought her removal. Their objections focus on a social media message James published before receiving the special prosecutor assignment.

“What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable,” James wrote September 28.

“To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”

Defense attorneys argue that those words signal she accepted the allegations before conducting the investigation. James has characterized the message as an expression of “empathy,” according to Fox News.

ABC News reported that Lopes’ attorney formally asked a court to overturn her appointment. Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has rejected defense arguments challenging her account as self-serving. The accused men deny wrongdoing.

Hochul Stands By Her Pick

The case stems from allegations that a woman identified as Jane Doe was sexually assaulted by seven men at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.

Local prosecutors initially declined to pursue charges. Cornell’s separate disciplinary investigation resulted in two expulsions and two suspensions, Fox News reported.

Hochul appointed James on October 1 after raising concerns about the original investigation. Her executive order gives James authority to investigate and, if warranted, pursue criminal charges, superseding the local district attorney’s jurisdiction over the matter.

The governor has stood by that decision, saying she has “every confidence” James will “look at the facts, examine the record and draw the proper conclusions,” according to Fox News.

The dispute now reaches beyond Trump’s familiar feud with James: Defense attorneys are asking courts to determine whether her comments should disqualify her from overseeing the investigation.

Trump Announces American’s Release From Russia After Personal Appeal To Putin

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0

An American teacher held by Russia for more than four years is finally heading home — and President Donald Trump says Washington did not have to trade a prisoner to bring him back.

Trump announced Wednesday morning that Stephen Hubbard, 74, had been released after the president personally raised his case with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation last week. Hubbard’s freedom coincided with special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to St. Petersburg for talks with the Russian leader.

“There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying Hubbard was returning to the United States and would soon reunite with his family.

“Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” the president added.

The announcement marks another breakthrough in the administration’s efforts to bring detained Americans home. But other families are still waiting, and reporting before Hubbard’s release suggested Washington was pursuing a broader agreement.

A Personal Appeal — And A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

According to ABC News, Putin told Witkoff that Hubbard had been taken to St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff thanked the Russian president and conveyed Trump’s appreciation, according to a Kremlin account of their meeting.

Trump had publicly signaled progress Tuesday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he had pressed Putin to release Hubbard.

“I’d love to get him back. It’s time. It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back,” Trump said, according to ABC News.

Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, was living in eastern Ukraine when Russian forces detained him in 2022. A Russian court sentenced him in 2024 to six years and 10 months in prison on accusations that he had fought as a mercenary for Ukraine. His family disputed that account, describing him as a pacifist.

The United States formally designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained in January 2025, according to an August statement from U.S. senators.

Other Americans Are Still Waiting

Hubbard’s release follows negotiations that extended beyond his case.

ABC News reported Tuesday, citing two U.S. officials and another source familiar with the discussions, that Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been leading talks aimed at freeing multiple Americans. Those sources cautioned that the arrangement’s scope could change before anything was finalized. Wednesday’s announcement confirmed Hubbard’s release; it did not establish that the other detainees covered by those discussions were also coming home.

Americans identified in ABC’s Tuesday reporting as still detained included Gordon Black, Michael Leake, Robert Woodland, David Barnes and Eugene Spector. Families have urged the State Department to grant additional wrongful-detention designations and make their relatives’ cases a priority.

For those families, every release brings renewed hope.

After former Marine Robert Gilman was freed in August, Barnes’ sister, Carol Barnes, told ABC News: “I’m happy for them, but I want to be happy for all the Americans to come home.”

Advocates have also raised concerns about serious health problems among Americans remaining in Russian custody.

A Growing Record Of Releases

Hubbard joins several Americans freed from Russian detention during Trump’s second administration.

Teacher Marc Fogel returned home in February 2025 after more than three years in Russian custody. His release was secured through an exchange involving Russian cryptocurrency figure Alexander Vinnik, ABC News reported.

Russian-American ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina followed in April 2025. She had received a 12-year treason sentence over a donation to a charity helping Ukraine. Her release came through a prisoner exchange involving German-Russian national Arthur Petrov, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Gilman was released on humanitarian grounds on Aug. 11, 2026, amid severe concerns about his health. The State Department said his release involved neither a prisoner exchange nor other concessions — an earlier example of an American returning from Russia without a swap.

Hubbard’s freedom gives another family the homecoming it has waited years to celebrate. For the Americans still behind bars, the administration’s next challenge is turning ongoing negotiations into more flights home.

Trump Hints At Russia Breakthrough As Secretive Talks Near Finish Line

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump offered a brief hint Monday: His administration was trying to secure the release of someone held overseas whom the United States had sought to bring home for years.

Now, a new report suggests the negotiations could bring back several Americans from Russia.

The administration is nearing a deal with Moscow to release multiple detained U.S. citizens, ABC News reported, citing two U.S. officials and another source familiar with the matter.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are leading the negotiations, which the sources described as being in their final stages.

But a crucial question remains unanswered: What would Russia get in return?

A Retired Teacher At The Center

The discussions have focused on Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired teacher, as well as several other Americans imprisoned on charges the administration considers dubious, according to ABC News.

Hubbard is the only American held in Russia officially designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department, the outlet reported. His sister has previously pleaded for his return.

Trump did not name Hubbard when discussing the effort Monday.

He said he was “trying to get a hostage that the country has been after for a long time,” apparently referring to the retired teacher, according to ABC News.

“Let’s see what happens,” Trump added. “That’ll be soon.”

Moscow Acknowledges Talks

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed Tuesday that discussions were continuing, while offering little about their substance.

“Dialogue on all these issues is ongoing through intelligence service channels,” he said.

Ryabkov called Hubbard’s name “certainly familiar,” but said he had “nothing to report.”

The negotiations come as Trump faces scrutiny over recent Russia policy decisions, including his waiver of newly imposed sanctions targeting Russian officials and oligarchs.

ABC News did not establish that those decisions were part of a prisoner-release agreement. The terms of any potential exchange remain unknown.

Officials also warned that the deal is unfinished: It could collapse, or its scope could change before an announcement.

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