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    Kennedy Center Creates Trump Endowment After Court Blocks Renaming Effort

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

    The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is moving forward with a new initiative honoring President Donald Trump after a federal judge blocked an effort to rename the iconic Washington, D.C., institution after him.

    According to reporting from CBS News, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees approved the creation of a new endowment bearing Trump’s name during a board meeting Thursday. The move comes just days after a federal court ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the exterior of the building, ruling that only Congress has the authority to change the center’s official name.

    Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the new fund will focus on addressing the Kennedy Center’s “physical disrepair” and supporting long-term maintenance needs. The endowment would supplement existing private fundraising efforts as well as the center’s federal funding, which totals approximately $257 million.

    The development follows a months-long battle over the future of the nation’s premier performing arts venue.

    According to The Hill, Trump reshaped the Kennedy Center’s leadership after returning to office, removing existing leadership and appointing a slate of trustees who later selected him as chairman of the board. In December, the board voted to rename the institution “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” a move that immediately sparked controversy.

    Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who serves as an ex officio member of the board, filed suit challenging both the renaming effort and a planned two-year closure of the center for renovations.

    Last week, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in Beatty’s favor, determining that the Kennedy Center’s name can only be changed through congressional action because Congress originally established the institution as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Cooper also blocked the board’s plan to shut down the facility for renovations, finding that trustees exceeded their authority.

    Following the ruling, workers removed Trump’s name from the exterior of the building over the weekend. The Trump administration confirmed its compliance with the court order after receiving a brief extension due to weather concerns.

    The decision to create a Trump-branded endowment appears to provide the board with an alternative path to honor the president while avoiding direct conflict with the court’s ruling on the facility’s official name.

    The controversy underscores broader questions about the Kennedy Center’s mission and governance. Established in 1971 as a living memorial to President Kennedy, the institution has long served as America’s national cultural center. Critics of the renaming effort argued that attaching another president’s name to the landmark would undermine its original purpose, while supporters viewed the move as recognition of Trump’s influence over the institution’s future direction.

    The new endowment also arrives amid ongoing concerns about the condition of the Kennedy Center’s facilities and the role of taxpayer funding in supporting one of Washington’s most prominent cultural institutions.

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    Trump’s Grip On Georgia Faces Another Test As GOP Runoffs Reach The Finish Line

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    President Donald Trump’s political muscle is being put to the test once again in Georgia, where a pair of high-stakes Republican runoff elections on Tuesday will determine not only the GOP’s nominees, but also whether Trump’s endorsements still carry the decisive weight they’ve wielded across much of the MAGA era.

    In the state’s closely watched Senate runoff, Trump jumped into the race just 48 hours before voting ends, throwing his support behind Rep. Mike Collins over former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley.

    “Mike Collins is a true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR, who has been with us from the very beginning, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be your next United States Senator,” Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social.

    The endorsement escalates an already intense proxy battle between Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who backed Dooley and deployed his powerful political operation behind the former football coach.

    The race will determine which Republican takes on Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate contests. With Ossoff the only Democrat senator seeking reelection in a state Trump carried in 2024, Republicans view Georgia as one of their top pickup opportunities.

    Collins, a trucking company owner and current congressman, finished first in last month’s primary with nearly 41% of the vote but fell short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Dooley captured roughly 30% and has presented himself as a political outsider who can appeal beyond the GOP base.

    After Trump’s endorsement, Dooley responded diplomatically.

    “I have great respect for President Trump,” he wrote on X, adding that “the most important endorsement is that of the Georgia people.”

    Trump, meanwhile, contrasted the two candidates sharply.

    “I don’t know Derek Dooley, and neither does anyone else, but he seems like a nice person,” the president wrote before praising Collins as a “very successful Businessman” who is “always fighting tirelessly for our America First Agenda.”

    The clash highlights the lingering tension between Trump and Kemp, whose relationship fractured after the governor certified Georgia’s 2020 election results despite Trump’s objections.

    But the Senate race isn’t the only place Trump’s influence is being tested.

    In Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, Trump has repeatedly endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, calling him “my good friend and your next Governor.”

    Yet Jones faces a formidable challenge from billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who has poured more than $100 million of his own fortune into the race.

    Adding another wrinkle, Trump’s son appeared to break from his father’s preferred candidate on the eve of the election.

    Donald Trump Jr. stopped short of endorsing Jackson but issued a lengthy statement praising the businessman as a “patriot” and highlighting his investments in domestic manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

    “Regardless of what happens in the Georgia Governor’s race tomorrow, we should celebrate the patriots building up MAGA and an America First economy like Rick Jackson has,” Trump Jr. wrote.

    He later clarified: “This is not an endorsement of Rick and I think Burt Jones is a great guy too. My only point is that no matter who wins tomorrow, it’s a victory for MAGA.”

    Jones has also received backing from Kemp, who argued Monday that Republicans must nominate candidates capable of winning in November.

    “My mission is to make sure that we have the best folks at the top of the ticket that can win in November,” Kemp said. “That’s why I’m supporting Burt Jones for governor.”

    Meanwhile, Jackson has assembled his own coalition of national conservatives. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed him Friday and campaigned with him ahead of the runoff.

    “Rick has an extraordinary record, an extraordinary life story,” Cruz told Fox News. “I also think he’s positioned to win. The stakes are too high. We can’t afford to lose Georgia.”

    Cruz rejected suggestions that his support for Jackson represented a break with the president.

    “The president and I agree on the vast majority of races,” Cruz said. “What I try to do in every race is endorse the strongest conservative who can win.”

    The twin runoffs have become a measuring stick for the competing forces shaping the modern Republican Party: Trump’s personal endorsement power, Kemp’s entrenched state-level machine, and the growing influence of self-funded outsiders willing to spend enormous sums to bypass traditional political structures.

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    FBI Foils Alleged Drone-and-Sniper Plot Targeting White House UFC Spectacle

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

    The FBI says it thwarted a chilling attack plot aimed at President Donald Trump’s blockbuster UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn — an alleged scheme involving explosive drones, sniper teams, and even a planned rush on the White House gates.

    FBI Director Kash Patel revealed Tuesday that federal agents and law enforcement partners disrupted the plot just days before the historic event, which drew thousands of spectators to Washington, D.C., over the weekend.

    “Multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said in a statement released Tuesday.

    According to reporting first detailed by Fox News Digital, investigators uncovered an alleged plan to launch explosive-laden drones at buildings near the UFC Freedom 250 venue, triggering panic and forcing a mass evacuation. Authorities say the conspirators allegedly intended to funnel fleeing crowds toward a pre-positioned sniper team waiting to open fire.

    Even more alarming, officials told Fox News Digital that a “second wave” of attackers allegedly planned to storm the White House gates amid the chaos.

    The FBI first learned of the threat on June 10 and quickly launched a multi-state investigation. One suspect was arrested in Cincinnati after investigators established probable cause, while additional arrests followed as agents unraveled what officials described as a broader network spanning multiple states. Five suspects were in custody as of Monday, and investigators identified at least 23 individuals allegedly discussing operational plans in encrypted Signal chats.

    According to Fox News Digital, investigators discovered messages detailing pre-operational activity and travel plans to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where some suspects allegedly intended to prepare for the attack.

    One suspect reportedly told investigators that potential targets included “capitalist elites,” billionaires, and politicians who had received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), according to Fox News Digital.

    The operation involved at least a dozen FBI field offices and close coordination with the Department of Justice and U.S. Secret Service. Secret Service Director Sean Curran praised agents who worked “around the clock” to identify those responsible and prevent the alleged attack.

    Patel said the case demonstrated the FBI’s ability to move quickly when credible threats emerge against large public events.

    “We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight,” Patel said.

    The UFC Freedom 250 event was one of the biggest spectacles ever held on White House grounds. Staged on the South Lawn as part of celebrations surrounding America’s upcoming 250th anniversary and Trump’s 80th birthday, the event attracted roughly 4,300 attendees, including approximately 1,200 active-duty service members.

    Trump himself attended the fights and later praised the event as “incredible,” calling it “one of the most exciting days in the history of the White House.”

    When asked about the alleged plot while attending the G7 summit in France, Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the details.

    Vice President JD Vance reacted to the revelations Tuesday morning, describing the allegations as “very, very dark stuff” and warning that heated political rhetoric can fuel violence.

    “This is what happens when people turn the rhetoric up so loud that disagreeing with somebody is a cause for violence,” Vance said during an appearance on Fox & Friends.

    The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say additional charges and court filings could reveal more details in the coming days.

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    Mitch McConnell Hospitalized as Retirement Nears

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Mitch McConnell via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was admitted to a hospital Sunday morning, according to his office, marking the latest health-related setback for the 84-year-old Kentucky senator as he prepares to leave public office.

    “Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care,” a spokesperson said in a brief statement. The senator’s office has not disclosed the reason for his hospitalization or provided details about his condition.

    McConnell’s hospitalization comes just four months after he spent more than a week in the hospital for what aides described at the time as “flu-like symptoms.” His office later said he had been discharged and was recovering while working from home.

    The Kentucky Republican has faced a series of highly publicized health challenges in recent years, including a concussion and broken ribs after a 2023 fall, multiple additional falls, and several incidents in which he appeared to freeze during public appearances. McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, has also acknowledged mobility issues and has at times used a wheelchair at the Capitol.

    Despite those concerns, McConnell has remained active in the Senate and continues serving out his seventh term. He announced last year that he would not seek reelection and plans to retire when his term expires in January.

    Have you abandoned MAGA too? Or can Trump still count on you? He needs an answer NOW.

    Trump Celebrates 80th Birthday With Iran Deal

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    President Donald Trump got exactly what he wanted for his 80th birthday Sunday: a peace deal with Iran — and a massive UFC event on the White House lawn to celebrate it.

    After weeks of promising that an agreement was just around the corner, Trump announced Sunday afternoon that the United States and Iran had finalized a deal to end the 108-day conflict that erupted after the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury and killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

    “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” Trump declared on Truth Social.

    The president initially announced that he was authorizing the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ending the U.S. naval blockade, telling the world: “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

    Less than an hour later, Trump clarified that the strategic waterway would officially reopen Friday after the agreement is signed, allowing time for mine-clearing operations.

    “This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region,” Trump wrote. “Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me.”

    The timing could not have been sweeter for Trump, who spent the day celebrating his milestone birthday while hosting the highly publicized “Freedom 250” UFC event on the White House grounds.

    According to Mediaite, the president had hoped to announce the agreement Sunday, but those plans nearly unraveled after Hezbollah launched projectiles into northern Israel, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes in Beirut.

    Trump reportedly exploded behind the scenes when he learned of the Israeli response.

    “Why did Bibi have to do a f’ing attack?” Trump told Axios. “I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no f’ing judgement.”

    The flare-up threatened to derail negotiations that Trump had repeatedly insisted were nearing completion. As Mediaite noted, the president has spent weeks predicting that a deal was imminent, at one point declaring in May that an announcement would come “shortly.”

    The Hill reported that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate negotiations, announced that a formal signing ceremony will take place Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance later told Fox News that he plans to attend and suggested Trump may join him.

    Reports indicated the deal specifically says that Iran would agree not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons and would halt further uranium enrichment and expansion of nuclear facilities. In exchange, the United States would begin releasing up to $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, although details remain unclear and administration officials have described the arrangement as “performance-based.”

    Iran has not yet publicly confirmed the agreement, and the White House has released few specifics about the final terms.

    Still, the announcement marks a dramatic political victory for Trump, whose administration has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was its primary objective.

    “They’ve taken a pounding,” Trump said last week while discussing renewed military pressure on Tehran. “They’ve taken a pounding like very few people could take. And they want to make a deal a lot more than I do.”

    The agreement is already drawing scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

    Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday that any nuclear-related agreement with Iran should be submitted to Congress for review.

    “I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” Graham wrote on X.

    Democrats offered a more mixed reaction.

    Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) welcomed the prospect of peace while arguing the reported terms resemble the Obama-era nuclear agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term.

    “The war was a costly lesson for the US,” Khanna wrote. “But today, we can be relieved that gas and food costs will start coming down for Americans. And that no more American or civilian lives will be lost.”

    After months of war, weeks of tense negotiations, and a last-minute scare involving Israel and Hezbollah, the president finally got to make the announcement he had been teasing for weeks — on his birthday, with a UFC crowd cheering just steps from the Oval Office.

    Not a bad birthday present for President Trump.

    Powerless families don’t stand a chance against government corruption without supporters like you. Read her story today — then join the fight and protect this mother.

    Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Proposed $1.8 Billion Anti-Weaponization Fund

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    A federal judge on Friday issued an injunction preventing the Trump administration from moving forward with its proposed $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” citing concerns that administration officials have not formally committed to abandoning the initiative.

    According to ABC News, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema questioned why Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not provided a sworn statement confirming that the Department of Justice will not establish the fund. During a court hearing, Brinkema repeatedly emphasized that Blanche’s refusal to make such a commitment under penalty of perjury left a significant gap in the government’s position.

    The fund was announced by the Department of Justice last month and was intended to compensate individuals who claim they were improperly targeted by the Biden administration. Critics have argued that the proposal could result in taxpayer funds being used to compensate some individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

    Brinkema pointed to recent comments by President Donald Trump that appeared to support compensation for Jan. 6 defendants. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press that aired earlier this month, Trump said, “If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed.”

    The proposed fund was part of a settlement arrangement under which Trump agreed to drop a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, along with two separate civil claims totaling approximately $230 million related to the Russia investigation and the 2022 FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago residence. The arrangement sparked bipartisan criticism and allegations of self-dealing.

    Justice Department attorneys have argued that the lawsuit challenging the fund is now moot because the government does not intend to move forward with the program. However, during Friday’s hearing, Brinkema repeatedly pressed DOJ attorney Andrew Block about why Blanche had not rescinded the order establishing the fund.

    When asked whether he knew why Blanche had not withdrawn the directive, Block responded that he did not and could not speak on the acting attorney general’s behalf.

    Brinkema expressed frustration with that response, stating that the government’s unwillingness to provide a definitive answer created a “huge gap in the record.” She added that issuing an injunction would cause no apparent harm to the government if officials truly had no intention of implementing the fund.

    The judge gave the administration one week to submit a formal declaration, signed under penalty of perjury, stating that the Anti-Weaponization Fund will not be established. Brinkema indicated that such a filing could pave the way for the case to be dismissed.

    Throughout the hearing, Brinkema cited Trump’s recent public statements regarding the fund, including criticism directed at her after she temporarily halted the initiative earlier this month. Trump referred to Brinkema as a “radical left judge” following that decision.

    “When the president of the United States says he’s disappointed that something is not going forward,” Brinkema said, it raises concerns that the proposal could return in the future.

    The judge also revealed that an individual had recently submitted an application seeking compensation from the proposed fund directly to the court, underscoring public confusion surrounding the initiative.

    “We had to send it back,” Brinkema said.

    Brinkema additionally questioned the legality of the settlement arrangement that created the fund, referencing a recent order from a federal judge in Florida requiring Trump’s attorneys to respond to allegations that they may have misled the court.

    At one point during the proceedings, Brinkema cited an amicus brief filed by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) urging the court to permanently block the fund because of concerns that it could benefit individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

    According to ABC News, Brinkema said the filing demonstrated strong public interest in preventing the fund’s creation and questioned whether nearly $1.8 billion should be directed toward a relatively small group of individuals whose compensation would be opposed by many Americans.

    The injunction will remain in place while the administration decides whether to provide the sworn assurances requested by the court.

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    Trump Abruptly Calls Off Planned Iran Strikes After Touting Major Diplomatic Breakthrough

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has canceled planned U.S. military strikes against Iran just hours before they were reportedly set to begin, citing what he described as a major diplomatic breakthrough.

    In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said negotiations with the Islamic Republic had been elevated to “the highest level of Iranian leadership” and had received approval from key regional powers.

    “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump wrote.

    The announcement comes after a volatile 48-hour period that saw U.S. forces conduct strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Trump repeatedly warned that additional military action could follow as soon as Thursday night.

    According to Trump, negotiators have reached an agreement “in both concept and great detail” on a framework that has been approved by multiple nations, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.

    The president did not disclose specific terms of the proposed agreement but suggested a final accord could be signed in the near future.

    “Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” Trump said.

    Despite calling off the planned strikes, Trump emphasized that U.S. pressure on Iran is far from over. He announced that the naval blockade imposed in April will remain in place until an agreement is finalized.

    “The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized,” he wrote.

    The sudden reversal marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s earlier rhetoric. Just hours before announcing the cancellation, the president had threatened another round of military strikes against Iran, raising fears that the region was on the verge of a broader conflict.

    READ NEXT: Trump Signals Additional Strikes on Iran, Renews Threat to Seize Key Oil Hub

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    Trump Nominates Next Director of National Intelligence

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    On Thursday, President Donald Trump said that he is nominating Jay Clayton to become the next permanent Director of National Intelligence.

    Clayton is a longtime Trump ally who served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2020. Trump has repeatedly praised Clayton’s tenure and later tapped him for other high-profile roles, including U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

    Clayton’s nomination comes just weeks after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation, citing her husband’s diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer and saying she would leave government service to support his treatment and recovery. Gabbard’s resignation was scheduled to take effect June 30.

    This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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    VP’s Chief Of Staff To Leave Trump Administration

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    Vice President JD Vance’s chief of staff, Jacob Reses, is expected to leave the Trump administration at the end of the summer, according to a report from NBC News.

    Reses, one of Vance’s closest and longest-serving political advisers, has served as chief of staff since President Donald Trump and Vance took office in January 2025. According to NBC News, Reses informed Vance of his plans several months ago after learning that his wife was pregnant with their first child.

    His next professional move has not yet been publicly disclosed.

    “Jacob’s been by my side for my whole career in public life,” Vance said in a statement first shared with NBC News. “I can’t imagine having been on this life-changing journey without him. From day one of my time as a Senator-elect, I could not have asked for a more loyal and discerning advisor and friend as my chief of staff. I’ll miss him dearly, but he won’t be far, and I plan to keep his counsel close until our paths cross again.”

    The departure marks a significant change inside the vice president’s office. Reses has been one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in Vance’s political rise, helping guide his successful 2022 Senate campaign in Ohio before remaining at his side during Vance’s ascent to the vice presidency.

    Prior to joining Vance’s team, Reses worked for Heritage Action, the advocacy arm affiliated with the conservative Heritage Foundation, and later served on the staff of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). He became a familiar presence during the 2024 presidential campaign after Trump selected Vance as his running mate, frequently accompanying the vice president on the campaign trail.

    NBC News reported that Reses developed strong relationships throughout the administration and earned praise from senior White House officials and Cabinet members.

    “Jacob has been an important part of our White House leadership team and has served the Vice President with absolute distinction,” White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told NBC News. “From diplomacy and war, to complicated matters, to the most minute logistics, there has been no task too big or too small for him to tackle.”

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Reses’ “intellect, leadership, and humor,” while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described him as “invaluable” in advancing the administration’s economic agenda. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called Reses “tough, smart, hardworking, and loyal — the perfect combination to succeed in the Trump White House.”

    Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff also highlighted Reses’ role in several high-profile diplomatic efforts.

    “Don’t let Jacob fool you — beneath his kind exterior he’s a killer,” Witkoff told NBC News. “It’s been a delight to get to know him through the Vice President, and our foreign adventures from Israel to Pakistan have been historic.”

    Reses’ departure comes amid broader personnel changes within the vice president’s office. NBC News noted that Vance has already cycled through two deputy chiefs of staff since taking office, while top legal adviser Sean Cooksey departed earlier this year to join a lobbying and public affairs firm.

    Despite the planned exit, sources close to Vance told NBC News that Reses is expected to remain closely connected to the vice president and could potentially return to the office in some capacity in the future.

    As Vance continues to emerge as one of the most prominent figures in the Republican Party — and a potential contender for the 2028 presidential nomination — the loss of one of his most trusted advisers will be closely watched both inside the administration and among conservative political circles.

    Some politicians answer to consultants but this one answers to YOU and he has a special message for your eyes only.

    Trump Administration Asks Judge to Reject Bid to Halt White House UFC Event

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    The Trump administration is urging a federal judge to reject a last-minute lawsuit seeking to block this weekend’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn, arguing that preparations are too far advanced to stop the highly publicized spectacle.

    In a court filing submitted Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the court to deny a request for a temporary restraining order filed by two Virginia residents who are challenging the legality of the event. According to the filing, planning for the UFC card has been underway since President Donald Trump announced it last year, with more than $60 million already invested and thousands of spectators expected to attend.

    “All these hopes could be dashed at the very last moment, however, by the whim of two people who believe they have superior taste and want to spoil the event for everyone else,” DOJ attorneys wrote in the filing, according to The Hill.

    The lawsuit was brought by retired Air Force Sgt. Paul Romano and political activist Susan Douglas, represented by the Public Integrity Project. The plaintiffs argue that federal agencies failed to comply with environmental review requirements and did not obtain congressional approval for structures associated with the event, including a temporary 92-foot-tall arch known as “The Claw” that is being erected on White House grounds.

    The complaint also contends that the event improperly uses federal property for a private, commercial enterprise and alleges that the administration is using America’s 250th anniversary celebration as a pretext to bypass normal permitting requirements.

    The administration has rejected those claims, arguing that the UFC event is an official component of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations and therefore does not require a traditional permit. DOJ attorneys further argued that the plaintiffs lack standing and are unlikely to succeed on the merits of their case.

    “It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend,” the DOJ filing stated. “Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America.”

    The event, dubbed “UFC Freedom 250,” is scheduled for Saturday on the South Lawn and coincides with Flag Day, President Trump’s 80th birthday, and broader America 250 celebrations. Organizers plan to host six prime-time bouts inside a temporary Octagon constructed on White House grounds, while ceremonial weigh-ins are scheduled to take place at the Lincoln Memorial.

    According to court filings, the administration expects attendance in the thousands, while tens of thousands more spectators are expected to gather in surrounding areas. Construction crews have already begun assembling the temporary venue.

    The White House has described the event as one of the centerpiece attractions of the America 250 celebration. President Trump recently told reporters that interest in the UFC card has surpassed any other event held during his presidency.

    “I’ve been involved in a lot of big events. I have never had an event that has had more interest than the UFC fight we have right at the front door,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office.

    Trump has maintained a longstanding friendship with UFC President and CEO Dana White, who has been a prominent supporter of the president and frequently appears at political events. Trump has also attended numerous UFC events during both his first and second terms in office.

    A federal judge has not yet ruled on the plaintiffs’ request to halt the event, but with the fights scheduled to begin this weekend, the administration is pressing for a swift dismissal of the challenge.

    Some politicians answer to consultants but this one answers to YOU and he has a special message for your eyes only.
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