Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is raising concerns about what he claims could be an effort by President Donald Trump and his allies to influence the 2026 midterm elections.
Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday, Warner suggested that Trumpโs recent comments about Republicans needing to โtake overโ elections from the states could signal broader plans to challenge state-run election systems.
โIt appears there may be a coordinated effort to try to interfere in the โ26 midterms,โ Warner said. He added that he is concerned, โThey may even start to interfere in the primaries.โ
Watch:
Trump and many Republicans have argued for years that election administration should be strengthened through tighter oversight and more uniform standards, particularly after disputes over voting procedures in 2020. Democrats, however, have increasingly framed these efforts as threats to democracy.
Warner Criticizes Tulsi Gabbardโs Role in Georgia Investigation
Warner also expressed anger over Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbardโs reported involvement in a federal raid in Fulton County, Georgia, where officials seized ballots and voter information as part of an investigation.
While details surrounding the raid remain unclear, Warner compared the situation to Watergate-era abuses of power โ an analogy Democrats have frequently used in recent years when criticizing Trump.
In a clip posted to social media, Warner said:
โThe Nixon era is back. What do I mean? Richard Nixon is most infamously known for Watergate, where he intervened in a domestic political effort under the guise of the Watergate break-in. He knew what was going on before the fact. Well, it appears the same is true.โ
Trump is reviving Nixon-style scandalsโฆ and Iโm worried our elections are at risk of interference because of it. pic.twitter.com/BLsnYe1FqF
Warner claimed testimony suggested Gabbard traveled to Atlanta because Trump personally asked her to.
โIt appears the same is true. We got testimony yesterday that Tulsi Gabbard was down in Atlanta for that crazy raid on the voting machines because Trump asked her to go.โ
Warner then questioned how Trump would have known about the investigation ahead of time:
โWell, how the hell did Trump know there was about to be a warrant issued in a lame criminal investigation before the act took place? How did he let Gabbard know to go there?โ
He also criticized reports that Trump spoke directly with FBI agents involved in the case:
โThis is not how American justice should work. When, when, when will any of my Republican colleagues find a spine?โ
Democrats Claim Raid May Have Been Improper
In another clip posted Wednesday, Warner suggested the FBI raid itself may have been unlawful, pointing to leadership changes under FBI Director Kash Patel.
โWe have seen Kash Patel basically decimate the leadership of the FBI to the point that that raidโฆ the FBI agent in charge of that office got fired because I donโt believe he felt this was legal.โ
Warner also argued that Gabbard, as DNI, should not have been involved in what he called a โdomestic criminal investigation.โ
โThe director of national intelligence, who showed up at that domestic criminal investigation where she had no right to be thereโฆโ
He continued by questioning whether anyone in the administration attempted to stop Trump from contacting agents directly:
โI know Trump doesnโt know the law, but wasnโt there anybody in the White House Counsel that said, โMr. President, you shouldnโt be talking to FBI agentsโฆโโ
Warner concluded with a sharp personal attack on Gabbard:
โThis is a guy thatโs being enhanced by a rogue DNI whoโs way over her skis in terms of knowledge or competency.โ
How far is this administration willing to go to attack our free, fair, and settled elections? pic.twitter.com/LECRngoven
Warnerโs comments come as Democrats increasingly warn of authoritarianism and election manipulation, themes expected to dominate campaign messaging heading into 2026.
Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that ensuring election integrity โ including investigating irregularities and enforcing stricter standards โ is a legitimate government responsibility, not โinterference.โ
A Maryland man has been accused of attempting to murder Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, according to NewsNation.
Court records from Arlington General District Court show that Colin Demarco was arrested on Jan. 22 and arraigned the following day. Records indicate he faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, first-degree solicitation to commit murder, wearing a mask in certain places, and carrying a concealed firearm, a misdemeanor.
Demarco is accused of plotting to kill Vought, a law enforcement source briefed on the case told NewsNation.
Police say they were called to a Virginia residence on Aug. 10 after a witness reported that a man wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves appeared to be standing on Voughtโs porch while possibly concealing a firearm under his shirt.
According to authorities, the suspect approached the witness and asked about Vought before leaving the scene.
Investigators later identified Demarco as the man described and executed search warrants that reportedly uncovered evidence tying him to the alleged plot. NewsNation reported that authorities found Demarco had obtained directions to the budget directorโs home, had posted online about the victim, and had engaged in online discussions that appeared to solicit others to murder Vought.
Demarco is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 23 for a preliminary hearing. Court records list him as being represented by a public defender.
BREAKING: A 26-year-old Maryland man, Colin Demarco, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly showing up at OMB Director Russell Voughtโs home.
The case comes amid heightened concern nationwide over threats directed at public officials. In recent years, federal authorities have warned of an increase in violent rhetoric and plots targeting government figures across the political spectrum, including presidents, members of Congress, and senior administration officials.
Earlier this week, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.
Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last year convicted him on five counts for allegedly plotting โpainstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.โ
โRouthโs crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence โ he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,โ prosecutors argued in a court filing.
Attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison + 84 months by Judge Aileen Cannonโฆ.. rot in hell POS pic.twitter.com/tPevPykrGs
During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.
Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent.
Republicans are reportedly growing uneasy in Georgiaโs 14th Congressional District, where a chaotic special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has created an unexpected opening for Democrats in what has long been considered safe GOP territory.
The anxiety comes as Republicans hold the U.S. House by just one vote, following the swearing-in of Democrat Christian Menefee earlier this week after his special election win in Texas. With margins this tight, even unlikely threats are being taken seriously. (RELATED: Another House Republican Exits As Loudermilk Declines Reelection Bid)
A Chaotic Special Election With No Primary
The March 10 special election features 21 candidates โ including 16 Republicans, three Democrats, an independent, and a Libertarian โ with no party primary to narrow the field. Because no candidate is expected to secure a majority, the race is widely expected to advance to an April 7 runoff between the top two finishers.
Why Republicans Are Worried
With GOP voters splintered among so many candidates, party activists fear Democrats could consolidate their vote and slip into a runoff slot โ or, in a nightmare scenario, win outright.
That would be a political shock in a district Donald Trump carried by a wide margin and where Greene previously won about 63% of the vote. (RELATED: Utah Republicans Sue To Block New House Districts)
Democrats Rally Around a Single Candidate
Democrats are coalescing behind retired Army Brig. Gen. Shawn Harris, who has mounted a visible campaign complete with a staffed local headquarters and an experienced political operation. His messaging has focused on affordability and health care costs, aimed at peeling off moderates and independents.
Ringgold showed up tonight! 100+ people, packed room, real energy.
Thank you to everyone in Catoosa County who came out and is ready to vote. This is how we win.
The contest shifted Wednesday night when President Donald Trump issued a โComplete and Total Endorsementโ of Republican Clay Fuller, a move widely viewed as an effort to consolidate MAGA voters and narrow the GOP field.
โClay Fuller has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Georgiaโs 14th Congressional District โ HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!โ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
๐จBREAKING: President Trump ENDORSES Clay Fuller for Congress to Represent Georgia District 14, Marjorie Taylor Greene's old district!
"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Clay Fuller, who is running to represent the wonderful people of Georgiaโs 14thโฆ pic.twitter.com/4AiF67HjBc
— ๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐๐๐ฃ ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐จ ๐บ๐ธ (@GoldenAgeTimes2) February 4, 2026
A Safe Seat โ But Not a Comfortable One
Republican strategists say Trumpโs endorsement should help restore order, but some privately warn that the unusual election format, combined with voter fatigue and GOP infighting, has made the race more fragile than expected.
Most observers still view a Democratic upset as unlikely โ but even a forced runoff would drain resources and attention as a challenging midterm cycle heats up.
MTG’s Eyes Next Steps
While Greene has framed her resignation from Congress as a rejection of Washington politics, speculation has continued to swirl within conservative circles that she may be positioning herself for a future national run. Allies and critics alike have noted that her recent media appearances, broader ideological critiques, and willingness to challenge Trump directly resemble the early stages of a potential presidential or third-party campaign.
Greene has not formally announced any plans to run for president, but she has also declined to rule it out โ fueling rumors that her break with Trump may be less about stepping away from politics and more about redefining the post-Trump conservative movement on her own terms.
According to a November report from Notus, Greene has privately expressed interest in following in Donald Trumpโs footsteps to the White House. The outlet cites four sources familiar with her thinking, saying Greene believes she represents the โreal MAGAโ faction โ the core conservative movement that has reshaped the GOP since 2016 โ and that many Republican leaders have drifted away from those grassroots values. (RELATED: Marjorie Taylor Greene Reportedly Prepping For 2028 Presidential Run)
One source told Notus that Greene feels confident she has built the national donor network and grassroots support needed to mount a serious primary campaign, especially as the GOPโs base remains loyal to Trumpโs populist agenda.
President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Clay Fuller on Wednesday evening to succeed former Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in the House of Representatives following her public resignation and break with the President.
Fuller, an Air National Guard officer and district attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, is one of 21 candidates competing for the open seat โ a contest that has drawn national attention because of its unusual size and the political drama surrounding Greeneโs resignation.
โHe is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Georgia, and many Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives,โ Trump wrote on Truth Social. โClay Fuller has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Georgiaโs 14th Congressional District โ HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!โ
Fuller responded immediately, thanking Trump and embracing the America First agenda that has defined the district in recent years.
โThis is the honor of a lifetime. I will not let you or Georgiaโs 14th District down,โ Fuller wrote on X. โOur work to put America first is just getting started!โ
THANK YOU, Mr. President.
This is the honor of a lifetime. I will not let you or Georgiaโs 14th District down.
Georgiaโs 14th District remains one of the most Republican areas in the country, but the special election format has raised concerns among GOP strategists. With no primary to narrow the field, all candidates โ Republican and Democrat โ will appear on the same ballot March 10.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the race will advance to an April 7 runoff between the top two vote-getters.
Fuller previously placed fourth in the crowded 2020 Republican primary when Greene first rose to prominence.
Greeneโs Sudden Departure โ And Her Falling Out With Trump
Greeneโs resignation in January shocked many conservatives, particularly given her years as one of Trumpโs most outspoken defenders in Congress.
However, the split came after what insiders described as a growing rift between Greene and Trumpworld allies. Greene reportedly clashed with Trump advisers over strategy heading into 2025, and the relationship deteriorated publicly after she criticized aspects of Trumpโs campaign operation and signaled frustration with party leadership dynamics.
The break marked a rare moment of separation between two figures long viewed as aligned in the MAGA movement.
Greene has not endorsed any candidate in the race, leaving an opening for Trump to assert influence directly.
GOP Concern Over Runoff Possibility
Trumpโs endorsement also comes as some Republicans worry that the fractured Republican field could allow a Democrat to slip into the runoff.
Democrat Shawn Harris โ who lost to Greene by roughly 30 points in 2024 โ is running again and could benefit if GOP voters split among multiple candidates.
Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority, adding urgency to the race. Speaker Mike Johnson has only a two-vote margin, meaning every seat matters in party-line fights.
Other Republicans in the Race
Fuller faces competition from several other well-known conservatives, including:
Georgia State Sen. Colton Moore
Former FEMA official Star Black
District GOP chairman Jim Tully
With the field wide open, Trumpโs endorsement could prove decisive in consolidating Republican support behind a single candidate.
In a strikingly bizarre footnote to the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a Utah man who falsely claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting has now been sentenced and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Seventy-one-year-old George Hodgson Zinn โ who dramatically approached law enforcement at Utah Valley University, yelling โI shot him โ now shoot meโ moments after Kirk was gunned down โ has now pleaded no contest to obstruction of justice and guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to court records.
While Zinnโs initial false confession drew headlines and confusion during the chaotic aftermath of the shooting โ leading some to believe he was the shooter โ investigators quickly ruled him out as a suspect in Kirkโs assassination.
During questioning at a hospital after the incident, Zinn shocked authorities by admitting he had child sexual abuse material on his phone. A warrant later uncovered more than 20 images depicting abused minors, and prosecutors charged him accordingly.
In Salt Lake County district court, Zinn was sentenced to zero to five years for obstruction and one to 15 years for each exploitation count, with the judge ordering the terms to run concurrently. The exact amount of time he will serve will be decided by the Utah parole board.
Remembering Charlie Kirk: A Conservative Voice Silenced
The backdrop to this strange prosecution is one of the most shocking episodes of political violence in recent U.S. history. On Sept. 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk โ founder and executive director of the conservative youth advocacy group Turning Point USA and a leading voice in the MAGA movement โ was assassinated by a sniper while speaking at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley University campus.
Kirk, just 31 years old, had become one of the most recognizable young conservative figures in America. He built Turning Point USA from a student organization into a powerful grassroots force shaping Republican campaigns, energizing young voters, and challenging campus liberal orthodoxy across the country.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
His death prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage from Republican leaders and conservative grassroots activists, who saw the attack as not just a crime but part of a broader pattern of hostility toward conservatives. Thousands attended memorial events, and his legacy has become a rallying point in debates over political violence and free speech on college campuses and beyond.
The suspect in the shooting โ 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson โ was later arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the national attention still focused on the case.
What This Means Going Forward
Zinnโs sentencing closes one strange chapter in the unfolding story of the Kirk assassination, but it also highlights the turmoil that followed one of the most prominent conservative leaders of his generation. A man who tried โ for reasons still unclear โ to throw law enforcement off the trail of the real shooter now faces prison time for his own criminal behavior.
President Donald Trump personally called the family of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to inform them that their son would be awarded the Medal of Honorโthe nationโs highest military decoration.
The emotional phone call, captured on video, shows Ollisโ father, Robert, answering the call on speakerphone, visibly stunned as the president delivers the news.
โWeโre very nervous,โ Robert Ollis says at the start of the call.
โYou should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,โ President Trump replied. โThere is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.โ
Robertโs disbelief quickly turned to joy, his mouth hanging open before breaking into a wide smile as the weight of the moment set in.
โHeโs looking down at you right now,โ Trump told the family. โHeโs saying, โWell, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well.โโ
โThank you so much, Mr. President. You have no idea the happiness we have,โ Robert responded.
Ollisโ mother, Linda, expressed gratitude not only for the recognition, but for the years-long effort it took to make it happen.
โThank you for facilitating this! This is so wonderful,โ she said, explaining that the family had advocated for years, reaching out to countless officials and organizations to ensure their sonโs heroism was properly recognized.
President Trump acknowledged that persistence, noting that grassroots advocacyโoften led by families and veteransโis essential to ensuring acts of valor are not forgotten.
โOtherwise, how are we going to know, right?โ Trump said. โPeople donโt know. So I think thatโs fantastic.โ
The decision comes after sustained advocacy from veteransโ groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community, all of whom argued that Ollisโ actions clearly met the standard for the Medal of Honor.
Staff Sgt. Ollis, a U.S. Army Ranger from Staten Island, was killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013. During a suicide bombing, the 24-year-old soldier threw himself over a Polish army officer, sacrificing his life to save that of an allied servicemanโan act emblematic of the selflessness and courage that define Americaโs warriors.
We were notified by the White House that Staten Islandโs hometown hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism. In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage,โฆ pic.twitter.com/FMogM3eWFP
The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts that go far beyond the call of duty, recognizing โconspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,โ according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. While criteria have evolved, the standard has always reflected extraordinary courage. The current guidelines were formalized during the Vietnam War in 1963.
As the call continued, President Trump reflected candidly on the magnitude of Ollisโ sacrifice.
โI read what your son did, and itโsโI wouldnโt do it, Linda,โ Trump said.
โIโm not brave enough either,โ Linda replied softly.
โNeither am I,โ Robert added. โEven though Iโm a Vietnam vet, I still wouldnโt have done it.โ
Trump urged the family to come together and celebrate their sonโs legacy, telling them that Michael Ollis would be proud of them.
Near the end of the call, a woman could be heard excitedly shouting in the background: โYes, weโre going to the White House, we love you, weโre praying for you every day. Yes, letโs do this MAGA.โ
Robert identified the woman as his daughter, gently signaling for her to calm down.
โHey Robert, bring them all down,โ Trump said, inviting the family to the White House before ending the call.
Ken Griffin, the billionaire founder of Citadel and one of the Republican Partyโs most influential donors, delivered a sharp warning this week about the direction of the Trump administration, accusing it of ethical lapses and raising concerns about government pressure on corporate America.
Speaking Tuesday at a Wall Street Journalโhosted conference in West Palm Beach, Griffin said the administration has blurred the line between public service and private enrichment.
โThis administration has definitely made missteps in choosing decisions or courses that have been very, very enriching to the families of those in the administration,โ Griffin said. โThat calls into question: is the public interest being served?โ
Griffin emphasized that public trust depends on leaders acting with integrity and restraint.
โOne of the things that you want to believe is that those who serve the public interest have the public interest at heart in everything they do,โ he added.
Concerns Amid New Reporting on Trump Family Finances
Griffinโs remarks come as new reporting has intensified scrutiny of the Trump familyโs business dealings. According to recent coverage, Trump and his sons reportedly received a $500 million investment connected to the United Arab Emirates for their cryptocurrency venture shortly before Trumpโs second inauguration.
Separately, The New York Times reported last month that Trump and his family have earned at least $1.4 billion since returning to officeโa figure the paper described as a conservative estimate.
The White House rejected Griffinโs criticism. Spokesman Kush Desai told the Financial Times that the administrationโs record speaks for itself:
โThe only special interest guiding the Trump administrationโs decision-making is the best interest of the American people. The fact that major stock indexes have hit multiple all-time highs, real wages have grown, and inflation has cooled since President Trump took office is proof that this administration is delivering for every American.โ
A Free-Market Conservative Pushback
Griffin, who donated tens of millions of dollars to Republican candidates in 2024 but declined to formally endorse Trump, has increasingly positioned himself as a free-market conservative skeptical of government overreach and protectionism. He has been especially critical of tariffs, warning they place the U.S. economy โon a slippery slope to crony capitalism.โ
That concern extends to what Griffin sees as an unhealthy dynamic between Washington and the private sector.
โGriffin said the dynamic has generated concerns that the US would enter a continuous cycle of corporate leaders needing to pander to whomever is in power, instead of relying on the success of their business,โ the Financial Times reported.
Griffin put it more bluntly during the conference:
โMost CEOs just donโt want to find themselves in the business of having to in some sense suck up to one administration after another to succeed in running their businesses.โ
President Donald Trump said he is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University, blasting the Ivy League institution as โStrongly Antisemiticโ and accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students on campus.
In a late-night series of posts on Truth Social Monday, Trump said Harvard should be facing criminal charges, not just civil penalties, for what he described as the universityโs inability โ or refusal โ to rein in antisemitism.
Trump also took aim at The New York Times, which reported earlier that he had โbacktrackedโ in his administrationโs dispute with Harvard.
According to the Times, Trump had dropped his administrationโs demand for a $200 million payment to the federal government โin hopes of finally resolving the administrationโs conflicts with the university, according to four people briefed on the matter.โ
Trump called that reporting โcompletely wrong.โ
He accused the paper of being run by โfraudstersโ who intentionally misrepresent him โ something he said the public will soon recognize as he pursues a $15 billion lawsuit against the newspaper.
โI hereby demand that the morons that run (into the ground!) the Times change their story, immediately,โ Trump posted.
That message came roughly 40 minutes after Trump unleashed a separate post sharply criticizing Harvard itself.
He said the university has been โbehaving very badlyโ and has been feeding โnonsenseโ to the Times for some time. Trump accused Harvard of attempting to escape accountability by offering superficial policy changes that failed to seriously address antisemitism on campus.
Here is the key section of Trumpโs post:
โThey wanted to do a convoluted job training concept, but it was turned down in that it was wholly inadequate and would not have been, in our opinion, successful. It was merely a way of Harvard getting out of a large cash settlement of more than 500 Million Dollars, a number that should be much higher for the serious and heinous illegalities that they have committed.โ
Trump added:
โThis should be a Criminal, not Civil, event, and Harvard will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings. In any event, this case will continue until justice is served.โ
The president also criticized Harvard President Dr. Alan Garber, saying:
โDr. Alan Garber, the President of Harvard, has done a terrible job of rectifying a very bad situation for his institution and, more importantly, America itself. He was hired AFTER the antisemitism charges were brought โ I wonder why???โ
Trump concluded by announcing he is โnow seeking One Billion Dollars in damagesโ from the university.
He also quoted the same New York Times report he had criticized, which said many Harvard employees believe the school has โno option but to eventually cut a deal.โ
Trumpโs comments follow a federal task force report last year that accused Harvard of โdeliberate indifferenceโ and โwillful participationโ in antisemitic harassment of students and faculty.
According to the administration, the university became a hotbed for anti-Israel protests and antisemitism following Hamasโs October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel.
โThis hostile environment includes harassing speech, threats, and intimidation targeting Jewish and Israeli students, including calls for genocide and murder,โ the administration said in a June report. โThe findings also extensively detail acts of physical intimidation and violence between students. This hostile environment denied, and continues to deny, studentsโ fundamental educational opportunities.โ
Trumpโs administration previously attempted to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard over the allegations, but a federal judge blocked the move in September.
On Wednesday, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.
Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last yearย convicted him on five countsย for allegedly plotting โpainstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.โย
โRouthโs crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence — he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,โ prosecutors argued in a court filing.
Attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison + 84 months by Judge Aileen Cannonโฆ.. rot in hell POS pic.twitter.com/tPevPykrGs
During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.ย
Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent.
โRouthโs crimes of conviction reflect careful plotting, extensive premeditation, and a cowardly disregard for human life,โ prosecutors wrote. โRouthโs motive for his crimes was unconscionable โ preventing the American people from electing the candidate of their choice for President. Routhโs gloss on his crimes has always been that anything he may have done was justified by events in Ukraine or American domestic politics.โ
Since his conviction, Routh was appointed an attorney and has requested a 27-year sentence that would allow him to โexperience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.โ His lawyer argued that Routh could not have a fair trial because he represented himself, even though Routh made that decision after repeated warnings about the potential consequences.ย
Routh represented himself at trial and attempted to argue that he never intended to harm Trump or the Secret Service agent, claiming his actions were a form of protest
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, dismissed the criminal case against the president in 2024ย related to his handling of classified documents.ย Routh unsuccessfully attempted to have Cannon removed from the case by arguing her appointment by Trump is a conflict of interest.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
On Tuesday, Michael Cohen, once President Donald Trumpโs personal lawyer and later one of his fiercest critics, appeared on Dan Abramsโ SiriusXM show to discuss a wide range of topicsโfrom his treatment in prison to a plea for pardons.
During the interview, Cohen revealed that he has written letters to both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump urging sweeping clemency for Americans with criminal records who have paid their debt to society. Reading from the letter he sent to Trump, Cohen said:
โIt is urged clearly, unequivocally, and without delay that the president issue an executive order granting a full and unconditional pardon to all non-violent felons who have completed their sentences. This act would be more than a gesture of compassion.โ
He continued:
โIt would be a defining stroke of moral leadership. Over 70 million Americans carry the lifelong burden of a criminal record, despite having fulfilled their legal debt to society. They are our neighbors, coworkers, parents, veterans, and citizens who live under silent exile, denied employment, housing, education, and the right to fully participate in the country they call home. With a single act, the burden can be lifted.โ
Cohen even coined a name for the plan: โTEPO, the Trump Emancipation Proclamation Order.โ He argued that such a move could be โthe single most important act of kindness that any president can bestow on 70 million Americans and their families.โ
While this appeal may surprise some given their adversarial past, it comes amid a historically expansive use of Trumpโs clemency powers in his second presidential term. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Trump has issued thousands of pardons and commutations, including blanket clemency for roughly 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol events and a number of high-profile figures such as Ross Ulbricht and others.
Trumpโs defenders argue these pardons are part of his ongoing fight against what he describes as a politicized justice system, correcting overreach and restoring fairness where the courts or prosecutors exceeded their bounds. Opponents often frame the clemency spree as politically motivated, though Trumpโs supporters see it as a restoration of constitutional pardon authority to benefit everyday Americans and loyal citizens alike.
Cohenโs Prison Treatment and Claims About Bill Barr
Cohen also recounted his own prison experience after being sentenced in 2018 to three years for tax evasion, bank fraud, and lying to Congress. He described harsh conditions and claimed that then-Attorney General Bill Barr had him sent back to prison under what he characterized as โdraconian conditions,โ with extreme cold and heat in holding areas that made his time there especially difficult.
Break with MeidasTouch and Media Fallout
Cohen addressed his recent departure from the MeidasTouch Network, a left-leaning media company that cut ties with him after a Substack post in which he suggested prosecutors coerced him into testifying against Trump. Cohen insisted:
โIt is true, not personal. โฆ I specifically state that I am not here to defend Donald Trump. That is not the intention of this statement which I wrote or my Substack article.โ
He described the split as a misunderstanding driven by headlines rather than the full context of his words.
The TrumpโCohen History
The rift between Trump and Cohen runs deep. Once a loyal lawyer who said he would โtake a bulletโ for Trump, Cohen later turned on his former boss, cooperating with prosecutors and ultimately testifying in Trumpโs New York criminal caseโwhere Trump was convicted on business-record charges related to reimbursements made to Cohen during the 2016 campaign.
At the time Cohen was seeking a pardon from Trump, that relief never materialized. Trump publicly brushed off questions about pardoning Cohen, reportedly saying, โmost people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble.โ
