President Joe Biden hugs his family during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)
Federal judge accuses administration of “weaponization” after throwing out charges against two former FBI officials accused of misleading Congress.
A federal judge delivered a stunning setback to President Donald Trump’s Justice Department on Monday, throwing out criminal charges against two former FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about the Hunter Biden investigation — and accusing the administration of using the justice system for political purposes.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed the criminal complaint against Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides following days of contentious hearings that exposed serious questions about how the FBI investigation was launched and how federal prosecutors pursued the charges.
“What has transpired here cannot be described as anything other than weaponization,” Faruqui declared, according to Fox News and the New York Post.
The judge also characterized the prosecution as a “rush job,” taking aim at the involvement of Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel in an investigation that began years after the officials testified before Congress.
The ruling represents a high-profile defeat for an administration that has repeatedly promised to expose alleged political misconduct inside federal law enforcement.
Trump, Patel and a controversial investigation
The criminal case centered on allegations that Floris and Benavides misled congressional investigators in 2023 about their knowledge of the FBI’s handling of investigations involving Hunter Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
But testimony during last week’s hearings raised uncomfortable questions for prosecutors.
According to CBS News, FBI Special Agent Bryan Witt acknowledged that the investigation began following a July speech in which Trump revisited allegations of election interference.
Witt testified that Patel had directed the investigation and that he was concerned about its political appearance.
“I had concerns that this would be political,” Witt told the court.
The agent also described the assignment as a major distraction from his other investigative responsibilities.
The New York Post reported that Patel received weekly updates about the investigation, an unusually direct level of oversight for a case involving alleged false statements.
Prosecutors face a courtroom showdown
The controversy escalated when prosecutors attempted to introduce an additional obstruction charge through an amended criminal complaint.
Faruqui rejected that filing after determining that the government had submitted it without obtaining the necessary judicial approval.
The procedural dispute prompted a series of sharp exchanges between the judge and prosecutors, who were forced to defend their handling of the case.
According to Roll Call, Faruqui questioned why prosecutors had departed from established charging procedures and warned that their actions were strengthening the defense’s accusations of political motivation.
Monday’s ruling went further.
The judge concluded that the government had not established probable cause to support the false-statement charges, effectively ending the prosecution in its current form.
Trump administration had promised accountability
The dismissal is particularly striking given the administration’s aggressive public statements when the charges were first announced.
In an October 23 Justice Department announcement, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro argued that the allegations reflected serious misconduct by senior law enforcement officials.
“Lying to Congress by anyone strikes at the heart of our democratic system,” Pirro said.
Attorney General Todd Blanche also promised that the Justice Department would pursue government officials who broke federal law.
Patel accused former FBI personnel of engaging in political weaponization, saying his leadership would not tolerate abuses of public trust.
Those allegations remain disputed, and neither former official has been convicted of wrongdoing in the case.
Now, the administration faces a pointed accusation of weaponization from the very judge overseeing its attempt to prosecute alleged FBI misconduct.
The legal fight may not be finished.
The Justice Department could seek a grand jury indictment or pursue an appeal, according to The Washington Post. But Monday’s dismissal leaves prosecutors facing significant questions about their evidence, investigative decisions and political independence.
With control of Congress hanging in the balance, President Trump is abandoning the traditional battleground-state finale for a high-profile appearance at one of America’s most iconic landmarks.
President Donald Trump is preparing to close out the 2026 midterm campaign with an unexpected political spectacle in the heart of Washington, D.C., choosing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as the backdrop for his final appeal to voters before Tuesday’s elections.
Rather than spending Election Day eve rallying Republicans in a competitive state, Trump will deliver remarks Monday afternoon from the National Mall, highlighting his administration’s accomplishments and his sweeping efforts to transform the nation’s capital.
The White House confirmed the appearance Sunday, with the president scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. ET.
The unusual setting comes as Republicans fight to maintain control of both chambers of Congress, with the outcome potentially determining the direction of Trump’s legislative agenda during the remainder of his second term.
According to Axios, a White House official said the president would highlight the accomplishments of his administration and congressional Republicans while discussing efforts to restore Washington.
The decision also places one of Trump’s most controversial construction projects squarely in the national spotlight.
Trump Makes an Unexpected Final Campaign Move
Trump first hinted at the appearance Sunday while speaking with reporters in Iowa, where he was continuing a whirlwind campaign schedule.
“We might hold it tomorrow or something,” Trump said, explaining that the event would “show how beautiful it is,” according to the Associated Press.
The president subsequently confirmed that his Sunday evening rally in Kansas would be his final campaign stop outside Washington.
The announcement capped a monthlong political blitz that included more than 25 rallies as Trump sought to energize Republican voters ahead of a closely watched election.
But his decision to finish in Washington rather than a traditional swing state marks a striking departure from the usual campaign playbook.
Instead, Trump is using the final hours before Election Day to put his presidency—and his vision for the nation’s capital—front and center.
A Multimillion-Dollar Project Returns to the Spotlight
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become a centerpiece of Trump’s effort to overhaul Washington’s most recognizable landmarks.
During a May visit to the construction site, the president offered an enthusiastic assessment of the work.
Trump argued that the restoration would leave the landmark looking better than when it was originally built in 1922.
The project, however, has attracted substantial criticism.
According to the Associated Press, the restoration was initially expected to cost approximately $1.5 million but ultimately exceeded ten times that amount.
Construction delays, algae growth and problems with the pool’s new liner forced additional work, complicating the administration’s efforts to showcase the project as a success.
The controversy also produced a legal dispute after a former Olympic canoeist was accused of damaging the pool. Prosecutors eventually dropped the case after concluding that the damage resulted from installation problems.
Despite those setbacks, Trump has remained an outspoken defender of the renovations.
During his May appearance, he said the administration’s goal was to improve the appearance and condition of Washington’s public spaces.
“Our country’s about beauty, cleanliness, safety, great people—not a filthy capital,” Trump declared.
Trump’s Bigger Vision for Washington
The Reflecting Pool is only one component of a much broader construction agenda.
The president has overseen major changes to the White House grounds, including the demolition of the East Wing to accommodate a new ballroom and the transformation of the Rose Garden into a patio.
Additional proposals have included new monuments and improvements to federal properties around Washington.
Trump has repeatedly defended his interest in architecture and construction, describing the projects as an important part of restoring the capital’s appearance.
His decision to close the campaign at the Reflecting Pool effectively connects that message to his broader argument that Republicans should remain in power.
The stakes are significant.
Democrats have sought to make the economy, rising energy costs and the administration’s handling of the Iran war central issues in the midterm elections.
Republicans, meanwhile, are hoping Trump’s late campaign appearances will motivate supporters to turn out and protect their congressional majorities.
Whether the president’s unconventional finale strengthens that effort remains to be seen.
But with Election Day only hours away, Trump is ensuring that his final campaign message unfolds against one of the most recognizable backdrops in American political history.
Rep. Haley Stevens shocked Democrats by backing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race. Now her chief of staff has quit, party leaders are furious, and President Donald Trump is praising her decision.
A stunning political defection in Michigan has erupted into a full-blown Democratic Party feud, with Rep. Haley Stevens’ chief of staff and multiple aides resigning after the congresswoman endorsed a Republican Senate candidate backed by President Donald Trump.
Stevens, a Michigan Democrat who narrowly lost her party’s Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, stunned political observers Sunday when she announced she was supporting Republican Mike Rogers just 48 hours before Election Day.
The unexpected endorsement triggered immediate backlash from Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Rep. Haley Stevens shocked Democrats by backing Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race. Now her chief of staff has quit, party leaders are furious, and President Donald Trump is praising her decision.
A stunning political defection in Michigan has erupted into a full-blown Democratic Party feud, with Rep. Haley Stevens’ chief of staff and multiple aides resigning after the congresswoman endorsed a Republican Senate candidate backed by President Donald Trump.
Stevens, a Michigan Democrat who narrowly lost her party’s Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, stunned political observers Sunday when she announced she was supporting Republican Mike Rogers just 48 hours before Election Day.
The unexpected endorsement triggered immediate backlash from Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
But the fallout didn’t stop there.
Stevens’ longtime chief of staff, Justin German, announced that he and several other members of her congressional team were resigning in protest, creating a staffing crisis just as the congresswoman approaches the end of her term.
“We are shocked and heartbroken,” German said in a statement.
The extraordinary developments have turned Michigan’s closely watched Senate race into a bitter public confrontation within the Democratic Party, with Trump himself celebrating Stevens’ decision.
Stevens’ Top Aide Quits After Eight Years
German, who served as Stevens’ chief of staff for eight years, announced the resignations Sunday in a statement circulated on social media.
Speaking on behalf of departing staff members, German declared his support for El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee whom Stevens had just rejected.
“As of this morning, many members of our team have resigned, including myself,” German said.
The statement described the staff’s disappointment with Stevens’ decision to endorse Rogers, a former Republican congressman and Trump-backed candidate.
The resignations underscore how dramatically Stevens’ political relationships have deteriorated since her endorsement.
The congresswoman had previously pledged to support El-Sayed after losing the Democratic primary and reaffirmed that position only days before switching sides.
But after a dispute over a planned campaign appearance, Stevens abruptly changed course.
Her decision has now cost her the support of senior aides who had worked alongside her for years.
Trump Praises Democrat for Breaking Ranks
President Trump wasted little time responding to the unexpected endorsement.
In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump praised Stevens as a respected Democrat who had demonstrated unusual political courage by backing Rogers.
“Haley said what few people are willing to say,” Trump wrote.
The president described her decision as an act of loyalty to Michigan voters rather than to party leadership.
“It’s a thing called bravery,” Trump added.
The endorsement provides Rogers with a notable crossover supporter during the final days of his campaign against El-Sayed.
Rogers, who previously served in Congress and chaired the House Intelligence Committee, is competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
After appearing with Stevens at Detroit’s Perfecting Church on Sunday, Rogers told reporters he was honored to have her support.
The Republican candidate also emphasized that Stevens had not abandoned her Democratic identity.
The unusual alliance gives Trump and congressional Republicans a new talking point as they campaign in the final hours before Tuesday’s elections.
Sanders Slams Stevens as Democrats Turn on One Another
The backlash has extended far beyond Stevens’ congressional office.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who supports El-Sayed, publicly defended the departing staff members and sharply criticized the congresswoman.
“Rep. Haley Stevens’ staff is right to resign in disgust,” Sanders wrote on X.
He accused Stevens of putting her “fragile ego” ahead of the Michigan Senate contest and urged Democrats to unite behind El-Sayed.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who had supported Stevens during the primary, also condemned her endorsement.
“This is a despicable betrayal from Rep. Stevens,” Schumer wrote.
This is a despicable betrayal from Rep. Stevens.
Senate Democrats are united in our support for Abdul El-Sayed, because we know he will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan, unlike Mike Rogers, who is a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel went even further, declaring that Stevens would no longer have a place in the state party.
“Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future,” Hertel wrote.
The unusually public rebukes illustrate how a last-minute endorsement has reopened divisions between progressive and moderate Democrats at a critical point in the election.
Republican Congresswoman Offers Stevens a Lifeline
While Democrats criticized Stevens, at least one Republican lawmaker offered to help keep her congressional office functioning.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said her office would assist Stevens with constituent services and other responsibilities during the remainder of the 119th Congress.
“My office will happily assist @RepHaleyStevens with anything she needs,” Luna wrote on X.
My office will happily assist @RepHaleyStevens with anything she needs, including constituent services, during her remaining time in the 119th Congress.
She has done more for this country than the majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle by taking a stand and putting…
Luna praised Stevens for taking a position that crossed party lines, calling it an example of putting country ahead of party.
The offer came as questions mounted about how Stevens’ office would continue operating following the departure of senior staff.
Stevens has not announced that she is switching political parties, and she has emphasized that her endorsement of Rogers is limited to this particular election.
“I’m not turning my back on Democrats. It is this one vote,” Stevens told reporters Sunday.
Bitter Primary Feud Explodes Before Election Day
The endorsement followed months of hostility between Stevens and El-Sayed, who defeated her by less than one percentage point in Michigan’s August Democratic Senate primary.
Their disagreements centered partly on U.S. policy toward Israel and the war in Gaza.
Stevens, a strong supporter of Israel, repeatedly challenged El-Sayed over his criticism of the Israeli government and his association with progressive political commentator Hasan Piker.
The conflict intensified last week after Stevens’ fiancé, Jason Turkish, publicly announced that he would vote for Rogers.
Stevens subsequently demanded that El-Sayed condemn an advertisement produced by an independent political group linking U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery prices.
El-Sayed said the advertisement was not produced by his campaign and rejected its contents.
The two Democrats were originally scheduled to attend a church service together Sunday in what party leaders hoped would be a public display of unity.
Instead, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) asked Stevens not to attend, explaining that the dispute had become too distracting.
Hours later, Stevens appeared alongside Rogers at a different Detroit church and announced her endorsement.
The dramatic reversal reportedly surprised even members of Rogers’ campaign.
El-Sayed Brushes Off Endorsement as Election Nears
Despite the turmoil, El-Sayed has attempted to keep attention on his campaign’s economic message.
Asked about Stevens’ decision Sunday, the Democratic nominee dismissed its importance.
“At the end of the day I actually don’t think about Haley Stevens,” El-Sayed told reporters.
He said he was focused instead on the concerns of Michigan voters, particularly the cost of living.
The contest between El-Sayed and Rogers will determine who succeeds retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Michigan is among the states receiving intense national attention as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the Senate.
The last-minute endorsement has also exposed deeper disagreements within the Democratic coalition over Israel, progressive politics and the party’s direction.
For Trump and Rogers, Stevens’ decision represents an unexpected endorsement from across the aisle.
For Democrats, it has triggered resignations, public condemnations and a dispute that has overshadowed part of their final campaign push.
With Election Day arriving Tuesday, Stevens’ decision has transformed a closely watched Senate contest into one of the most unusual political stories of the midterm campaign.
But the fallout didn’t stop there.
Stevens’ longtime chief of staff, Justin German, announced that he and several other members of her congressional team were resigning in protest, creating a staffing crisis just as the congresswoman approaches the end of her term.
“We are shocked and heartbroken,” German said in a statement.
The extraordinary developments have turned Michigan’s closely watched Senate race into a bitter public confrontation within the Democratic Party, with Trump himself celebrating Stevens’ decision.
With Election Day just 48 hours away, President Donald Trump is heading to two traditionally Republican states as the battle for control of Congress enters its final stretch.
President Donald Trump is making a dramatic final-weekend campaign push, heading to Iowa and Kansas as Republicans scramble to defend key Senate seats just two days before the November midterm elections.
The president’s Sunday schedule includes rallies in Dubuque, Iowa, and Salina, Kansas, two stops that underscore how competitive the battle for control of Congress has become.
But there’s an unexpected twist.
Both campaign stops were previously canceled before being abruptly restored to Trump’s schedule.
The last-minute changes come as Republicans attempt to preserve their narrow congressional majorities amid voter concerns about the economy, rising costs and the ongoing war with Iran.
Trump, however, is projecting confidence.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” the president told reporters Saturday while discussing the upcoming elections.
His remarks set the stage for a final campaign blitz that could have significant consequences for the remainder of his second term. ABC News+1
Trump’s Unexpected Return to Republican Territory
The president is scheduled to begin Sunday afternoon in Dubuque, Iowa, where Republicans are defending a Senate seat, the governor’s office and competitive House districts.
The Iowa Senate contest features Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.
Hinson has emphasized her willingness to support Trump’s agenda while also standing up for Iowa’s interests when necessary.
The state has become an important battleground as economic concerns and agricultural issues take center stage.
After Iowa, Trump is scheduled to travel to Salina, Kansas, where Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces a challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton.
Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 94 years, making the competitiveness of this year’s race particularly notable.
The president carried both Iowa and Kansas comfortably in 2024, but the decision to spend the final weekend campaigning there highlights the stakes facing Republicans.
The trips also mark Trump’s return to in-person campaign rallies after a one-day break Saturday. KPRC
Trump Predicts a Midterm Surprise
Despite the difficult political environment, Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence that Republicans can outperform expectations.
Speaking with reporters Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, the president said he was feeling optimistic about the election.
“I feel very good. I mean, I feel like we’re doing well,” Trump said.
He also argued that his campaign appearances were helping Republican candidates.
“We’re going to Iowa first then Kansas second,” Trump said before predicting that the results could surprise political observers.
Republicans are hoping the president’s ability to energize his supporters will help candidates in competitive races.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has emphasized that Trump’s political agenda is central to the election.
“His agenda, without any question, is on the ballot,” Scott told NBC’s Meet the Press.
That message reflects the stakes for Republicans as voters prepare to determine which party will control Congress for the next two years. ABC News+1
More Than 52 Million Americans Have Already Voted
The final campaign push comes as early voting reaches a significant milestone.
According to data cited by the Associated Press, more than 52 million Americans had already cast ballots heading into Sunday’s campaign events.
That means millions of voters have already made their choices before Trump and other political leaders deliver their final appeals.
Republicans are attempting to protect their majorities in both the House and Senate, while Democrats are targeting competitive districts and states where economic concerns have become prominent campaign issues.
Trump’s tariffs, the continuing war with Iran and the cost of living have all figured into the campaign debate.
Republicans have emphasized the administration’s policy priorities and argued that maintaining congressional control would allow Trump to continue implementing his agenda.
Democrats, meanwhile, have focused on economic dissatisfaction and their opposition to the president’s policies. KPRC+1
Control of Congress Hangs in the Balance
The stakes extend far beyond individual Senate contests.
A Democratic takeover of the House would give the opposition party control of congressional committees, opening the door to investigations of the Trump administration and greater resistance to its legislative agenda.
Republicans are also fighting to maintain control of the Senate, which plays a central role in confirming presidential nominees and considering legislation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed confidence that Republicans can overcome the historical challenges facing the president’s party during midterm elections.
But Democrats are making an aggressive final push of their own, with prominent party figures campaigning in competitive races across the country.
The November 3 results will help determine the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of Trump’s presidency. Fox News+1
Trump’s Final Push Begins
Trump’s Sunday appearances will offer one of his last opportunities to address voters before Election Day.
His decision to return to Iowa and Kansas illustrates the importance Republicans are placing on states that have historically been reliable territory for the party.
For the president, the election represents an opportunity to demonstrate continued support for his administration’s agenda.
For congressional Republicans, the immediate objective is maintaining control of Washington.
And with tens of millions of ballots already cast, Trump’s final campaign stops come as the country prepares for a consequential Election Day.
President Donald Trump gave White House trick-or-treaters an unforgettable Halloween surprise Thursday evening when the presidential aircraft soared over Washington, D.C., adding a spectacular touch to the holiday festivities.
As families gathered at the White House for an evening of costumes and candy, the massive blue-and-white aircraft made two passes over the nation’s capital, providing a memorable backdrop for the celebration.
The White House proudly shared footage of the moment, showing Trump waving as the aircraft passed overhead.
“An epic Air Force One flyover at the White House for the trick-or-treaters!” the administration wrote in a post shared by its Rapid Response 47 account.
The special flyover added an unexpected element to the White House’s annual Halloween tradition, giving young visitors a chance to see one of America’s most recognizable aircraft in action.
Earlier Thursday, Trump previewed the festivities while speaking with reporters.
“We have a tremendous number of young children there, so it’ll be nice,” the president said, according to remarks shared by the White House press pool.
The aircraft’s appearance was coordinated with federal aviation officials, according to The Washington Post, which reported that the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted departures at Reagan National Airport to accommodate the flight.
Washington’s AlertDC system also issued a notification about the planned military flyover.
A Spectacular View Over Washington
Videos circulating on social media captured the aircraft passing above the capital, offering viewers a striking perspective of the special Halloween moment.
A second video shared by MS NOW producer Peggy Helman provided another angle of the flyover.
President Donald Trump is calling for consequences after allegations surfaced that Democratic operatives tried to confuse Alaska voters by recruiting a candidate with the same name as a Republican senator.
House Republicans have launched a congressional investigation into allegations that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign helped orchestrate a plan to confuse Alaska voters and siphon support away from Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced the investigation Thursday, escalating a controversy that has already drawn sharp criticism from President Donald Trump and prompted a separate state investigation.
At the center of the dispute is an unusual political maneuver: Two candidates named Dan Sullivan appearing on the same Senate ballot.
A New York Times investigation published Wednesday reported that Democratic operatives worked to recruit another candidate sharing the Republican incumbent’s name, potentially splitting his support in Alaska’s closely watched Senate race.
Peltola’s campaign and national Democrats have denied involvement in recruiting the additional candidate.
But Comer says Congress wants answers.
“Democrats are the party of fraud,” Comer declared Thursday, accusing Democratic operatives of attempting to manipulate the election by deliberately confusing voters.
“Americans deserve answers about this latest attempt by Democrats to defraud the American people, and we will get them,” he added.
House GOP Demands Testimony Over Alleged Plot
Comer is seeking testimony from two Democratic operatives identified in reporting about the alleged recruitment effort.
The Oversight Committee sent letters to Elisa Rios, Peltola’s former campaign manager, and Jerid Kurtz, a Democratic strategist reportedly involved in the effort.
Rios has been asked to appear for a transcribed interview on November 5, while Kurtz has been requested to testify on November 6.
Both dates fall immediately after the November 3 midterm elections.
Comer warned that the committee could consider subpoenas if the two refuse to cooperate voluntarily.
The investigation follows reporting that Democratic operatives conducted what was internally described as a “ballot composition project,” seeking candidates who could draw votes away from Sullivan.
According to the New York Times investigation, operatives searched for Alaska residents sharing the senator’s name and eventually identified Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher from Petersburg.
The additional Sullivan qualified for the ballot, creating the unusual situation of two Senate candidates with nearly identical names competing in the same election.
The congressional inquiry will examine the alleged recruitment effort and the involvement of individuals associated with Peltola’s campaign.
Trump Demands Peltola Face Consequences
President Trump responded forcefully to the allegations Wednesday, accusing Democrats of attempting to interfere with the Senate race.
“The Democrats cheated!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He alleged that Democratic operatives recruited another Dan Sullivan to confuse voters and accused those involved of misleading the courts.
“She shouldn’t be allowed to run, and neither should the FAKE Dan Sullivan!” Trump declared.
In another post, Trump called the alleged operation “ELECTION FRAUD” and argued that Peltola should face legal and political consequences.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, the president went even further.
“I think she should be prosecuted criminally,” Trump said.
The president’s remarks significantly raised the stakes of the controversy, placing the White House directly into a dispute over one of the country’s closely watched Senate contests.
However, Trump’s accusations of election fraud and perjury have not been established in court, and the legality of recruiting additional candidates remains disputed.
Alaska Governor Orders Separate Investigation
The congressional inquiry is not the only investigation examining the controversy.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, has directed the state’s Department of Public Safety to investigate whether the alleged recruitment effort violated state law.
Dunleavy said officials should determine whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted.
The governor argued that voters must be able to cast ballots for their intended candidates without being misled by confusing names.
The controversy has also reached federal court.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent Alaska from certifying a Peltola victory under certain circumstances, particularly if the margin separating her from the incumbent is smaller than the number of votes received by the other Sullivan.
But legal experts have questioned whether federal authorities have grounds to intervene.
Alaska’s Supreme Court previously allowed the additional Sullivan to remain on the ballot, and state election officials have defended the legal process governing his candidacy.
Democrats Deny Involvement as Election Nears
Peltola’s campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have denied participating in the recruitment effort.
Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., the additional candidate, has also maintained that he entered the race independently.
The New York Times reported that its investigation included interviews and internal communications concerning the alleged operation.
Former campaign manager Rios told the newspaper that voters deserved a fuller understanding of how the additional candidate entered the race.
The reported strategy, commonly known as ballot stacking, involves recruiting additional candidates who might draw support away from an opponent.
Such tactics are not automatically illegal, and questions remain about whether any laws were violated in this case.
Alaska’s election system adds another wrinkle: The state uses a nonpartisan primary that advances four candidates to a ranked-choice general election, where voters can rank candidates in order of preference.
That means the presence of another candidate with the same name does not necessarily translate directly into votes lost by the incumbent. A New Election Fight for Trump and House Republicans
With the November 3 midterms approaching, the allegations have transformed Alaska’s Senate contest into a broader dispute over election integrity, campaign tactics and the limits of federal intervention.
Trump has demanded consequences for Peltola, while Comer is moving ahead with a congressional investigation that could continue well beyond Election Day.
For now, no court has established that Peltola or her campaign committed election fraud.
But the allegations have already triggered investigations at both the state and federal levels, a lawsuit involving the Justice Department and renewed scrutiny of Democratic campaign operations.
The immediate question is whether investigators can establish who recruited the second Dan Sullivan, what role Peltola’s campaign played and whether any laws were broken.
Nearly 10 years after losing the White House to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton is still revisiting the FBI controversy that rocked her campaign. Now, the former director at the center of it is facing fresh legal trouble.
Hillary Clinton is taking another shot at former FBI Director James Comey, admitting she wishes she had confronted him more aggressively before her stunning 2016 election defeat to President Donald Trump.
The former secretary of state made the surprising admission during a Wednesday appearance on Kara Swisher’s High Stakes podcast, accusing Comey of breaking Justice Department norms and suggesting he was trying to win favor with Republicans.
“I wish somebody had told me that I needed to take on Jim Comey,” Clinton said.
Her remarks come at a particularly explosive moment for Comey, who is now battling fresh federal allegations brought by Trump’s Justice Department over an alleged leak of sensitive national defense information.
And the timing is difficult to ignore: A decade after Comey’s actions helped ignite a political firestorm surrounding Clinton, both are once again making headlines over the same turbulent election year.
Clinton Admits She Wishes She Had Fought Back
Clinton’s latest criticism centers on Comey’s controversial decision to reopen scrutiny of her private email server just days before the 2016 presidential election.
On October 28, 2016, Comey notified Congress that the FBI was reviewing newly discovered emails potentially connected to its investigation into Clinton’s handling of government communications.
The announcement landed just 11 days before Election Day, thrusting the email scandal back into the national spotlight as Clinton battled Trump for the presidency.
Although Comey informed Congress on November 6 that the FBI’s findings remained unchanged and criminal charges were not warranted, Clinton has repeatedly argued that the political damage was already done.
Now, 10 years later, she says she should have gone on the offensive.
“Did I want to pick a fight with the director of the FBI? Well, in retrospect, yeah, I did,” Clinton acknowledged.
She also accused Comey of making a calculated political decision that violated the Justice Department’s longstanding practice of avoiding interference in elections.
Clinton suggested that her unwillingness to confront the FBI director reflected a broader failure to recognize how dramatically American politics had changed.
“I’ve been the do-right person for way too long when it comes to not fighting back,” she said.
The comments mark another chapter in Clinton’s long-running criticism of the FBI’s handling of the investigation, which became one of the defining controversies of Trump’s first presidential victory.
Trump’s Bitter Feud With Comey Takes Another Turn
Comey’s political troubles did not end with Clinton’s defeat.
Although Trump initially praised the FBI director’s decision to revisit Clinton’s emails, their relationship quickly deteriorated after Trump entered the White House.
Comey continued overseeing the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, including possible connections involving members of Trump’s campaign.
In May 2017, Trump fired Comey, setting off a political firestorm that ultimately led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller.
Mueller’s investigation documented Russian election interference but did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
Comey subsequently became one of Trump’s most outspoken critics, frequently challenging the president’s conduct and defending his own leadership of the FBI.
Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused Comey of misconduct and questioned his integrity.
That bitter feud has now spilled into another federal courtroom battle.
Trump’s DOJ Targets Comey Over Alleged 2016 Leak
On Monday, the Justice Department revealed a new criminal case against Comey involving allegations that he improperly disclosed national defense information while serving as FBI director in October 2016.
According to newly unsealed court documents, federal prosecutors allege Comey directed FBI personnel to share sensitive information with a New York Times reporter while attempting to correct reporting about a government surveillance operation.
Prosecutors filed a two-count criminal information accusing Comey of unlawfully transmitting national defense information and conspiring to disclose it.
The filing represents the Trump administration’s third attempt to pursue federal criminal charges against the former FBI director.
But the latest case has already encountered a major legal fight.
Rather than obtaining a grand jury indictment, prosecutors filed a criminal information in an effort to preserve the allegations before the statute of limitations expired.
Comey’s attorneys argue that the maneuver is legally invalid and that prosecutors cannot proceed with the felony allegations without securing an indictment.
The Justice Department has defended its approach, maintaining that the procedure is permitted under federal law.
Comey has denied wrongdoing and accused the administration of pursuing a politically motivated prosecution.
“I’m still innocent. I’m not afraid of these people,” Comey said in a video statement Monday.
His attorneys have also pointed out that earlier federal investigations into the alleged disclosure did not result in charges.
A federal judge has yet to resolve the latest dispute over whether prosecutors can move forward.
Trump Delivers Another Blunt Verdict
Trump has made no secret of his contempt for the former FBI director.
Asked about the latest legal proceedings this week, the president said he was unfamiliar with the specifics of the new case but offered a harsh assessment of his longtime adversary.
“He’s a dirty cop, James Comey,” Trump told reporters, according to reporting published Wednesday.
The president’s remarks underscore just how deeply the animosity between the two men has persisted since Comey’s dismissal nearly a decade ago.
Comey also faces a separate federal case stemming from a social media post featuring seashells arranged to spell “8647,” which prosecutors interpreted as a threat against Trump. Comey’s attorneys dispute that characterization and are seeking dismissal of the case.
An earlier prosecution involving Comey’s congressional testimony was dismissed after a court found that the prosecutor who brought it had been unlawfully appointed.
The latest legal challenges have placed the former FBI director back at the center of the political battles that defined Trump’s first administration.
Clinton’s 2016 Grievances Refuse to Fade
Clinton’s latest comments also revive a familiar debate over why she lost an election that many political observers expected her to win.
While Clinton has repeatedly criticized Comey’s actions, Republicans have pointed to other factors, including her campaign strategy, failure to visit Wisconsin during the general election and controversial remarks about Trump supporters.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha dismissed her latest complaints, arguing that confronting Comey would not have erased the mistakes that contributed to her defeat.
Concha also criticized Clinton’s handling of classified information and suggested she was attempting to portray herself as a victim of the controversy.
Clinton, however, appears increasingly convinced that she should have taken a more combative approach.
Her latest remarks arrive as Trump prepares for another midterm election and his administration continues pursuing legal action against one of his most prominent former adversaries.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC via Wikimedia Commons
Conservative investigative journalist James O’Keefe set out to expose alleged vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s election system. Now, he’s facing felony charges over the very operation he filmed.
O’Keefe, 42, and fellow conservative commentator Cam Higby, 26, were charged Wednesday with unlawful voting and identity theft following an undercover investigation at Minneapolis polling places during Minnesota’s August primary.
The charges come just days before the November midterm elections, raising the stakes in an already heated national debate over election security.
🚨 BREAKING: Journalists James O’Keefe and Cam Higby have been hit with TWO FELONY CHARGES in Minneapolis for their video EXPOSING vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s elections
This is TOTAL LAWFARE!@camhigby walked in wearing a burqa to show they’d let him vote with a WOMAN’S name…
The controversy began August 11, when O’Keefe and Higby entered several Minnesota polling locations wearing what they described as Muslim clothing and speaking in fabricated accents.
Armed with hidden cameras, the pair attempted to demonstrate potential weaknesses in Minnesota’s voter registration system.
Their target was a decades-old state law allowing registered voters to vouch for the residency of other eligible voters who lack conventional proof of residence.
But prosecutors say the operation crossed a legal line.
According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, O’Keefe and Higby identified themselves to election workers using the names of actual registered voters without those individuals’ permission.
Neither man ultimately cast a ballot or signed the required voter oath.
Prosecutors argue that distinction doesn’t erase the alleged violation.
“The fundamental issue here is you cannot go into a polling place and misidentify yourself and use other people’s identity,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said during Wednesday’s announcement, according to The Hill.
Prosecutors Say The Sting Went Too Far
Moriarty insisted the charges had nothing to do with the men’s political beliefs, disguises, or motivation for investigating election procedures.
Instead, she argued that Minnesota law prohibits intentionally misrepresenting one’s identity while applying for a ballot, regardless of whether a vote is ultimately cast.
Each charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to The Washington Post.
However, Moriarty told FOX 9 that probation would be the presumptive sentence under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines.
O’Keefe’s Ally Fires Back
Higby is already pushing back, accusing Minnesota authorities of using the criminal justice system to punish independent journalists who challenge election procedures.
In a statement reported by The Washington Post, Higby maintained that he never voted, signed an affidavit, or broke the law.
He also characterized the prosecution as an attempt to discourage scrutiny of Minnesota’s election system.
Higby has launched a legal defense fundraiser, according to Mediaite.
The pair’s undercover videos were intended to raise questions about Minnesota’s voter-vouching process, which allows a registered voter to verify another eligible voter’s residence.
Critics have argued the provision creates opportunities for abuse. State election officials maintain that safeguards exist to prevent fraudulent voting.
According to Moriarty, vouching accounted for approximately 0.6% of votes cast in Minnesota during the 2024 election.
One Voter Says The System Worked
The sting also drew scrutiny from voters whose identities were allegedly used without authorization.
CBS News Minnesota previously interviewed William Pomeranz, a registered voter whose name O’Keefe allegedly used during the operation.
Pomeranz said he learned about the impersonation after someone alerted him to the footage.
Despite the incident, he was able to cast his ballot without difficulty.
“Kudos to the poll workers. They reported it afterwards,” Pomeranz told CBS News Minnesota.
The encounter has become a central point of disagreement: O’Keefe and Higby sought to highlight vulnerabilities, while Minnesota officials argue the episode demonstrates that election safeguards functioned as intended.
Court Showdown Looms Before Midterms
The timing adds another layer of controversy.
With Election Day less than a week away, the prosecution puts one of conservative media’s best-known undercover operatives at the center of a fresh election-security battle.
Moriarty maintains the timing of the charges was coincidental.
O’Keefe and Higby have not been taken into custody and are scheduled to make their initial court appearances November 16.
For now, an operation intended to expose alleged flaws in Minnesota’s voting system has turned into a legal fight over how far undercover investigators can go before their methods become criminal conduct.
A fiery confrontation at the United Nations has ended with the Trump administration ordering a Cuban diplomat out of the United States after he allegedly shoved an American official during a heated exchange with U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz.
Waltz revealed Tuesday night that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signed paperwork to expel the Cuban representative following a chaotic shouting match on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly.
The confrontation erupted as Waltz criticized Cuba’s communist leadership, prompting an angry response from Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and other members of the country’s delegation.
Appearing on Fox News’ Hannity, Waltz made clear that the Trump administration would not tolerate the alleged physical confrontation.
“He’s gone. He is going to be on a plane to Havana within the next 24 hours,” Waltz told host Sean Hannity, according to Mediaite.
“You lay a hand on an American here in the United States, President Trump, Secretary Rubio and myself, we’re not going to stand for it,” he added.
Heated UN Showdown Spirals Out of Control
The diplomatic fireworks began Tuesday as Waltz addressed the General Assembly ahead of a vote on a resolution condemning the longstanding U.S. economic embargo against Cuba.
During his remarks, Waltz accused Cuba’s ruling elite of enjoying lavish lifestyles while ordinary citizens struggled with poverty, shortages and economic hardship.
His criticism quickly drew an angry response.
Members of the Cuban delegation began shouting objections and demanding that Waltz be called to order. Rodríguez Parrilla eventually approached the front of the assembly, accusing the American ambassador of lying.
Waltz refused to back down.
“I’m the representative of the United States of America. Back up,” Waltz declared, according to The National.
“This isn’t Havana. You’re not going to intimidate me,” he added.
The confrontation grew so heated that General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman temporarily suspended proceedings to restore order.
Cuban Diplomat Accused of Crossing the Line
But the shouting match was only part of the controversy.
Waltz later accused another member of the Cuban delegation of physically confronting an American diplomat who was documenting the incident.
Video shared by the ambassador appeared to show a Cuban official placing his hand over an American diplomat’s phone as the confrontation unfolded.
Waltz alleged that the representative also attempted to intimidate UN personnel into cutting off microphones during his speech.
According to Waltz, the official was the first secretary of Cuba’s delegation and had shoved and attempted to assault an American diplomat.
The ambassador said Rubio had already authorized the official’s removal from the country.
The reported expulsion represents a significant escalation in the dispute. Waltz’s announcement established that the administration had ordered the diplomat’s departure, although his actual departure had not yet been independently confirmed.
Washington and Havana Face Off Again
The confrontation comes amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Cuba’s communist government.
Washington has intensified economic pressure on Havana, including measures targeting countries that supply the island with oil.
Cuba has blamed American sanctions for worsening economic conditions, while U.S. officials argue that decades of government mismanagement and repression are responsible for much of the country’s suffering.
The dispute has also spilled into the United Nations, where Cuba has repeatedly sought international condemnation of the American embargo.
The General Assembly was scheduled to vote Wednesday on its annual resolution calling for an end to the restrictions. Although the measure is nonbinding, it has historically attracted overwhelming international support.
Tuesday’s confrontation followed another public clash between American and Cuban representatives at the UN the previous week, underscoring the increasingly hostile relationship between the two governments.
For Waltz, however, the latest episode was about more than diplomatic disagreements.
The ambassador said Cuban representatives had attempted to intimidate American officials on U.S. soil — and warned that the Trump administration was prepared to impose consequences.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis welcomed President Donald Trump to Florida on Friday with an unusual gift: a gold coin depicting the president raising his middle finger beneath a profane message.
The inscription reads, “YOU MISSED BITCHES.”
DeSantis presented the coin as Trump arrived for a campaign appearance in Fort Myers on October 23. Trump subsequently displayed the gift to reporters, according to The Hill’s reporting, republished by AOL.
The governor said he obtained the coin from a friend. Explaining how he requested one, DeSantis recalled saying, “I need to get this to the president. Can I please have one to give to him?” the Washington Examiner reported.
A Message Against The Backdrop Of Political Violence
The New York Post interpreted the inscription as a message to Trump’s would-be assassins. The Hill, however, noted that its precise meaning was unclear. Neither interpretation establishes an explanation from Trump or DeSantis.
Trump survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign.
On July 13, a gunman opened fire during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was struck by a bullet, the FBI confirmed in congressional testimony later that month. The shooting killed attendee Corey Comperatore and wounded David Dutch and James Copenhaver.
A second attempt unfolded September 15 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to the Justice Department, a Secret Service agent patrolling ahead of Trump spotted Ryan Wesley Routh aiming a rifle from a concealed position along the course’s fence line. The agent fired, and Routh fled before being apprehended.
Routh was convicted in September 2025 and sentenced February 4, 2026, to life in prison plus seven years, the department said.
Former Rivals Meet Before Florida Rally
Friday’s exchange also brought together two Republicans whose relationship has weathered a bitter presidential primary.
Trump backed DeSantis for governor in 2018. DeSantis later challenged him for the 2024 Republican nomination before withdrawing and endorsing Trump, The Hill reported.
Trump’s latest Florida visit included campaigning for Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican seeking to succeed the term-limited governor, according to the Washington Examiner.
