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    Trump Foe Bolton Expected To Plead Guilty In Classified Docs Case: Reports

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Former National Security Adviser John Bolton — one of President Trump’s most relentless critics — is expected to plead guilty in his classified documents case, according to multiple reports Thursday.

    ABC News reported that Bolton is expected to enter a guilty plea, citing sources familiar with the matter. CNN separately reported that the former Trump adviser is expected to plead guilty to one count of illegally retaining sensitive national security documents and pay a staggering $2 million fine.

    If finalized, the plea would mark a stunning downfall for the hawkish former ambassador who spent years publicly blasting Trump after leaving the White House.

    Bolton surrendered to federal authorities in October 2025 after being hit with Espionage Act charges tied to his alleged handling of classified materials.

    Prosecutors accused Bolton of keeping and sharing highly sensitive national security information, including diary entries documenting his day-to-day activities as Trump’s national security adviser.

    According to the indictment, the notes detailed classified briefings, meetings and government operations. CNN reported that prosecutors alleged Bolton shared some of those entries with his wife and daughter.

    Federal agents raided Bolton’s Maryland home in August 2025, seizing documents marked “secret,” “confidential” and “classified,” along with electronic devices and files, according to court records.

    The former Trump adviser denied wrongdoing after the indictment, accusing Trump of pursuing a politically motivated vendetta.

    But now, according to reports, Bolton appears poised to change course.

    The reported plea deal has not yet been publicly confirmed by Bolton or the Justice Department.

    Bolton served as Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 before the relationship imploded in spectacular fashion. Since then, he has become one of the president’s most vocal Republican critics, frequently attacking Trump in interviews, books and television appearances.

    The expected guilty plea would represent a remarkable twist for the longtime Washington insider.

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    Trump To Nominate Todd Blanche As Attorney General

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he plans to nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently lead the Department of Justice, a move that will require Senate confirmation.

    Speaking during a dinner event in the White House Rose Garden, Trump told attendees that he would direct his team to begin the formal nomination process on Thursday.

    “I wanted to see how he’s received, you know, we put him as acting, and he’s done a very good job, but I’ve known him a long time,” Trump said in a pre-recorded interview with Pod Force One that aired Wednesday.

    White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino later shared video of Trump’s announcement on social media. Trump said he intended to make Blanche the “permanent attorney general.”

    Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, became acting attorney general after Trump removed former Attorney General Pam Bondi from the position in April. Before taking over as acting AG, Blanche served as deputy attorney general.

    The longtime Trump ally represented the president during his 2024 New York criminal trial involving allegations that business records were falsified to conceal hush-money payments. Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in that case before winning reelection later that year.

    Trump had hinted at the nomination earlier this week. When asked Tuesday whether Blanche would remain attorney general, the president replied, “I think he will.”

    The nomination comes as Blanche faces scrutiny over the Justice Department’s controversial $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which was promoted as a mechanism to compensate individuals whom the administration claimed had been unfairly targeted by government actions.

    After weeks of criticism from lawmakers and public controversy, Blanche told Congress on Tuesday that the department was “not moving forward with the fund,” according to ABC News.

    The decision followed opposition from several Senate Republicans, some of whom reportedly warned that the proposal could jeopardize support for Trump’s broader legislative agenda and create political liabilities ahead of the midterm elections.

    Despite Blanche’s announcement, Trump appeared uncertain about the fund’s future after a federal judge temporarily blocked the initiative.

    “I’d have to ask the lawyers. I don’t know,” Trump said when asked whether the plan was permanently dead.

    “The weaponization fund, as far as I’m concerned, was a beautiful thing,” he added.

    As acting attorney general, Blanche has also drawn attention for overseeing the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey over a social media post featuring seashells that the Justice Department alleged constituted a threat against the president.

    Blanche has repeatedly rejected suggestions that he would use the Justice Department to target Trump’s political opponents.

    His nomination could face questions in the Senate despite Republicans’ 53-47 majority. While most GOP senators are expected to support Trump’s choice, several Republicans have previously broken with the president on high-profile issues, potentially complicating the confirmation process.

    Blanche also made headlines last year when he personally interviewed convicted Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. According to reports, Maxwell told Blanche she had never witnessed Trump engage in illegal conduct during her association with Epstein. Following the interview, the Department of Justice transferred Maxwell to a lower-security federal prison facility.

    If confirmed, Blanche would become the permanent head of the Justice Department after serving several months in an acting capacity

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    Trump-endorsed Feenstra Concedes To MAHA-backed Lahn In Primary Upset

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    President Donald J. Trump visits the El Arepazo Doral restaurant, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    A Republican primary battle in Iowa just delivered a major surprise—and a setback for President Donald Trump’s endorsement power.

    According to Fox News, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), who received Trump’s endorsement just days before Election Day, conceded Tuesday night after losing the GOP gubernatorial primary to political newcomer Zach Lahn.

    Lahn, a farmer and businessman backed by allies of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, ran on an “Iowa First” platform and overcame what many considered long odds to defeat one of the state’s most recognizable Republican figures.

    The upset is likely to fuel debate inside conservative circles about the growing influence of MAHA-aligned activists and outsider candidates within the Republican coalition.

    Feenstra entered the race with significant advantages. The congressman represented Iowa’s 4th District, enjoyed a fundraising edge, had support from prominent Iowa Republicans—including former Gov. Terry Branstad—and secured a late endorsement from Trump, who praised him as “MAGA all the way” and gave him his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

    But it wasn’t enough.

    With 99% of votes counted, Lahn held roughly a 1,600-vote lead over Feenstra, according to The Associated Press election tracker cited by Fox News.

    Despite the loss, Feenstra quickly rallied behind his opponent.

    “I just called Zach Lahn, and said, ‘Hey, you got to carry this torch. We got to keep this state red. You got to make sure you beat Rob Sand.’ And I’m all in to help him out,” Feenstra told supporters on election night, according to video shared by Iowa News Now reporter Skylar Tallal and cited by Fox News.

    Lahn’s campaign received backing from MAHA Action, a political organization aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement. He was also endorsed by the political arm of Turning Point USA, the influential conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

    On his campaign website, Lahn describes himself as a father, farmer, and businessman committed to putting Iowa interests first.

    The race opened after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek another term, creating Iowa’s first open gubernatorial contest in two decades.

    Lahn now advances to a potentially competitive general election matchup against Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa’s only Democratic statewide officeholder. Sand, who advanced through the Democratic primary unopposed, has built his reputation around government accountability and anti-corruption efforts.

    Political handicappers have already signaled that the race could be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country. Fox News noted that the Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up,” while Inside Elections continues to rate it “Lean Republican.”

    Trump Confirms Heated Call With Netanyahu Over Lebanon Strikes

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    ChatGPT Image Jun 3, 2026, 09_53_45 AM

    President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he sharply confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, acknowledging that he used profanity during a tense phone call as concerns mounted over the potential collapse of U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.

    The call, first reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, reportedly occurred after Netanyahu ordered Israeli forces to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahieh district, an escalation that threatened to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

    According to Axios, citing U.S. officials and another source briefed on the conversation, Trump referred to Netanyahu as “crazy” and demanded, “What the f— are you doing?” during the call. The report also claimed Trump reminded Netanyahu of U.S. support, allegedly telling the Israeli leader, “I helped you stay out of jail.”

    Senior officials in Netanyahu’s office disputed portions of the Axios account, calling it “inaccurate” and denying some of the personal remarks attributed to Trump.

    However, Trump later confirmed key details of the exchange during an interview with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on her Pod Force One podcast.

    “Now Axios reported that you had a phone call with Bibi Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, in which you were angry with him. You said, ‘Are you effing crazy? What are you effing doing? I helped you stay out of jail.’ Is that true?” Devine asked.

    “I did,” Trump replied.

    The president downplayed suggestions that he was furious with Netanyahu, instead describing himself as frustrated by Israel’s continued military actions against Lebanon.

    “I wouldn’t say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said. “You know, at some point I said, ‘Bibi we gotta stop this, we gotta stop it.’”

    Despite the confrontation, Trump emphasized that his relationship with the Israeli prime minister remains strong.

    “But I have a very good relationship. We’ve done well together,” Trump added. “He always says we could never have done it, but everybody knows that we could have never done it without the United States. But we’ve worked very well together.”

    “I like Bibi a lot and I’ve worked very well with him,” he continued. “We had where, you know, where I’m a wartime president, he’s a wartime prime minister. Very important part of the world, and I think we’ve done, you know, very well.”

    Watch the full interview on YouTube:

    The reported dispute came amid growing concerns that renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon could jeopardize diplomatic progress with Iran. Iranian officials accused Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington and Tehran in April and threatened to suspend negotiations with the United States.

    Following his conversation with Netanyahu, Trump announced on Truth Social that Israeli forces would pull back from Beirut and that troops heading toward the Lebanese capital “have already been turned back.”

    “Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” Trump wrote.

    The incident has also sparked political commentary in the United States. During an appearance on CNN’s OutFront, Democrat strategist David Axelrod said Trump’s frustration with Netanyahu was understandable.

    “It doesn’t sound like a very friendly call,” Axelrod said.

    Axelrod argued that Netanyahu’s actions had complicated both Israel’s international standing and Trump’s political position at home.

    “I think that the president — his analysis is not wrong,” Axelrod said. “Bibi Netanyahu has done tremendous damage, in my view, to Israel and to Israel’s standing in the world.”

    Axelrod also suggested Trump may be particularly frustrated because the conflict has become a domestic political liability.

    “What he’s mad about is Bibi has created a huge political problem for him, because the economy is the thing that is on the minds of Americans, and he has made it worse,” Axelrod added.

    While the exchange highlights growing tensions over the conduct of the regional conflict, Trump’s public comments suggest that, despite the unusually blunt language, he continues to view Netanyahu as a close ally even as he pushes for de-escalation in Lebanon.

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    Mike Lindell Taps Navy Intelligence Veteran Phillip Parrish As Running Mate In Minnesota Governor Bid

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Mike Lindell via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    MyPillow founder Mike Lindell has officially selected retired Navy intelligence officer Phillip Parrish as his running mate in Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial race, uniting two Republican candidates who have both built their campaigns around government accountability and exposing fraud.

    Lindell announced the decision Monday during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room and later confirmed the ticket on social media.

    “Just Officially Filed!” Lindell wrote on X alongside a photo of himself and Parrish. “The two best gubernatorial candidates are joining forces.”

    Parrish, who had been running his own campaign for governor, suspended that effort to join Lindell’s ticket as the Republican pair seek to challenge Democrat frontrunner Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November.

    The move brings together two outsiders in a race that political analysts currently rate as heavily favoring Democrats. The Cook Political Report recently shifted Minnesota’s gubernatorial contest from “Lean Democrat” to “Solid Democrat” following Klobuchar’s entry into the race.

    Former Navy Intelligence Officer and Fraud Whistleblower

    Parrish brings a background that differs sharply from the traditional political establishment.

    The Hill reports that retired Navy lieutenant commander, Parrish previously served as a counterterrorism and foreign policy specialist and says he spent more than a decade overseas tracking terrorist financing networks. He has also worked in education and currently serves as an administrator at a Catholic church and school.

    Parrish became widely known among Minnesota conservatives for his role as one of the state’s earliest whistleblowers on alleged fraud within Minnesota’s childcare assistance system.

    In a January interview with NewsNation, Parrish said he began documenting suspicious financial activity as early as 2016, claiming that hundreds of millions of dollars flowed through Minnesota programs before ultimately reaching al-Shabab-linked networks in Somalia.

    A former member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Parrish said his investigations traced money couriers from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport through the Netherlands and Kenya before reaching money exchanges in Mogadishu known as “hawalas.”

    Federal authorities have previously identified some hawala networks as conduits for terrorist financing. The U.S. Treasury Department designated certain Somali money-transfer operations as fronts for the al-Qaida-linked terrorist group al-Shabab in 2012.

    Lindell’s Outsider Campaign

    Lindell launched his gubernatorial campaign in December, pledging to tackle government fraud, crime, addiction, and homelessness while portraying himself as an outsider willing to challenge Minnesota’s political establishment.

    The longtime ally of President Donald Trump has built his campaign around allegations of government corruption and waste, themes that have become central to Minnesota politics following several high-profile fraud investigations involving state-funded programs.

    “I want you to know that I will stand for you as the next governor of the state of Minnesota,” Lindell said when he announced his candidacy at his MyPillow factory in Shakopee last year.

    The businessman has argued that Minnesota needs leadership willing to confront what he describes as widespread government failures under Democratic control.

    Challenging a Difficult Political Landscape

    Despite Lindell’s national profile, Republicans face an uphill battle in Minnesota.

    The GOP has not won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006, and the Republican primary field remains crowded. Lindell continues his campaign despite not securing the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement at the state convention, where businessman Kendall Qualls emerged as the endorsed candidate after multiple rounds of voting.

    Minnesota’s filing deadline for governor and lieutenant governor candidates is June 2, with the Republican primary scheduled for August 11.

    Under Minnesota law, governor and lieutenant governor candidates run together as a single ticket in both the primary and general election.

    Meanwhile, Democrats have largely unified behind Klobuchar, who entered the race after Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not seek another term. Klobuchar has already secured the endorsement of the state’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and enters the race as the clear favorite.

    For Lindell and Parrish, the newly formed ticket represents an effort to combine Lindell’s national name recognition with Parrish’s national-security credentials and anti-fraud reputation as they attempt to pull off one of the biggest political upsets of the 2026 election cycle.

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    Trump Taps William Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence Following Tulsi Gabbard’s Resignation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Tulsi Gabbard via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William Pulte will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who is stepping down later this month to care for her husband following a serious cancer diagnosis.

    The move places one of Trump’s most trusted allies in charge of coordinating the nation’s intelligence community, despite Pulte having no previous senior-level intelligence or national security experience.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Pulte’s leadership overseeing the nation’s housing finance system.

    “William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over 10 Trillion Dollars at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago,” Trump wrote. “During this period, he will remain Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Chairman of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Congratulations to Director Pulte!”

    Pulte will continue serving as FHFA Director while simultaneously leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in an acting capacity. The unusual arrangement has already drawn attention because the DNI is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the work of 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and other members of the intelligence community.

    Who Is William Pulte?

    Pulte is best known as a businessman, investor, and housing finance regulator rather than a national security official.

    He is the grandson of William J. Pulte, founder of homebuilding giant PulteGroup. Before entering government, Pulte worked in private equity and construction-related businesses and became widely known on social media for his philanthropic giveaways and advocacy efforts.

    Trump appointed Pulte to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where he oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored mortgage giants that support much of the U.S. housing market. Under his leadership, the FHFA has pursued reforms aimed at strengthening the mortgage system while expanding homeownership opportunities.

    Pulte has also emerged as one of Trump’s most outspoken allies in government. In recent months, he has referred several prominent Trump critics to federal authorities for investigation over alleged mortgage fraud, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Those allegations have been strongly disputed by the individuals involved.

    Because Trump designated Pulte as acting DNI rather than formally nominating him to the permanent position, observers have speculated that Senate confirmation could prove difficult given his lack of intelligence experience and the politically charged nature of his recent actions.

    Gabbard Steps Down to Care for Husband

    Pulte’s appointment follows the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who announced last month that she would leave the administration effective June 30.

    Gabbard said she made the decision after her husband, filmmaker Abraham Williams, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. (RELATED: Tulsi Gabbard Resigning As National Intelligence Director)

    The former Hawaii congresswoman and Army Reserve lieutenant colonel served as Trump’s top intelligence official beginning in February 2025. During her tenure, she oversaw the nation’s intelligence agencies and became a central figure in several administration efforts involving intelligence reform and declassification initiatives.

    In her resignation letter to President Trump, Gabbard wrote:

    “Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”

    …

    Gabbard added: “Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage — standing steadfast through my deployment to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns and now my service in this role.”

    “His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge,” she continued. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”

    She added that while significant progress had been made during her tenure, her family’s needs had to take priority during what she described as a difficult and uncertain period.

    Trump accepted Gabbard’s resignation and praised her service to the administration.

    Questions Surrounding the Appointment

    Pulte’s appointment immediately raises questions about the future direction of the intelligence community.

    Traditionally, Directors of National Intelligence have come from backgrounds in intelligence, military leadership, diplomacy, or national security. Pulte’s experience centers primarily on housing finance, business, and financial oversight.

    Supporters argue that his experience managing sensitive financial systems and large government-backed institutions demonstrates the leadership skills needed to oversee a complex bureaucracy. Critics counter that intelligence operations require specialized expertise that Pulte has not previously demonstrated.

    For now, Trump appears to be relying on a trusted ally to temporarily fill one of the government’s most sensitive positions while maintaining leadership at the FHFA.

    Pulte is expected to assume his intelligence responsibilities following Gabbard’s departure on June 30.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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    Trump Reportedly Plans To Scrap Controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump is expected to abandon his controversial $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund following mounting backlash from Republicans, according to a report from Axios’ Marc Caputo.

    An administration source told Axios that the fund is “dead for now.”

    The fund was announced by the Department of Justice last month after the Trump administration settled the president’s lawsuit against the IRS. According to a DOJ press release, the fund was intended to “provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare” and would have the authority to issue “formal apologies and monetary relief owed to claimants.”

    Critics quickly labeled the initiative a “slush fund” for Trump allies.

    Former Vice President Mike Pence called on Trump to eliminate the fund during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press over the weekend.

    “Let’s get rid of this fund,” Pence said. “I mean, it’s deeply offensive to me that you could have a fund that could even possibly compensate people who assaulted police officers or vandalized the Capitol on January 6th.”

    According to Mediaite, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) discussed the fund with Trump at the White House on Monday as criticism intensified on Capitol Hill.

    The development comes after U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered the Justice Department on Friday not to establish the fund while litigation surrounding the proposal remains ongoing.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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    Tina Peters Released From Prison

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    Image via Pixabay

    Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released from prison Monday after serving less than a quarter of her controversial nine-year sentence for election-related charges stemming from the aftermath of the 2020 election.

    Peters, 70, became a national symbol for election integrity advocates after being prosecuted for allowing an outside computer expert access to Mesa County’s election system during a 2021 software update. Prosecutors claimed the move violated election security laws, while supporters argued Peters was trying to preserve evidence amid widespread concerns about election transparency.

    Her release comes weeks after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence, calling the punishment “extremely unusual and lengthy” for a first-time, non-violent offender. Polis acknowledged Peters committed “serious crimes” but said the sentence went too far.

    President Donald Trump had repeatedly championed Peters’ cause, publicly urging Polis to grant clemency and criticizing Colorado officials over the case. Because Peters was convicted under state law, Trump could not issue a pardon himself. (RELATED: Trump Targets Colorado Officials Over Jailed Election Clerk)

    According to Newsmax, the Colorado Department of Corrections would not disclose the exact timing of Peters’ release, and her attorney indicated she would not be speaking to reporters after leaving prison.

    After nearly two years behind bars, Tina Peters is finally free.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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    DOJ Wants Georgia Judge Booted From Election Case Over Alleged Fani Willis Ties

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    The Justice Department is demanding that a federal judge step aside from a high-profile Georgia election records fight after reports linked her to a judicial misconduct scandal — and to an event honoring embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

    In a bombshell filing Friday, DOJ lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross to recuse herself from a lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over access to state voting records, arguing that her alleged attendance at a political event celebrating Willis creates the appearance of bias.

    “A judge who attended a party celebrating the election of a Democrat best known for prosecuting a Republican President for alleged election interference cannot then preside over a case concerning that President’s efforts to ensure election integrity,” DOJ attorneys wrote.

    The filing follows reports identifying Ross as the unnamed federal judge who received a private reprimand from the 11th Circuit earlier this year after investigators found the judge engaged in sexual activity with a high-ranking police officer inside courthouse chambers and later made false statements during the investigation. The court never publicly identified the judge, but the DOJ cited media reports linking Ross to the disciplinary matter.

    Willis Connection Draws Fire

    The Justice Department’s recusal request centers on findings that the judge attended an event connected to Willis’ campaign. According to reporting on the disciplinary investigation, the judge acknowledged attending a private mixer with former colleagues from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, but investigators concluded the gathering was part of a larger partisan political event sponsored by Willis’ campaign.

    The connection is particularly sensitive because Ross previously worked in the Fulton County DA’s office, where she overlapped with Willis before either woman rose to national prominence.

    Ross is currently overseeing the DOJ’s legal battle with Raffensperger over access to Georgia voter records. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, though the Justice Department has asked that it be delayed pending the recusal fight.

    The Long Trump-Willis War

    The dispute lands in the middle of one of the most explosive political feuds in America.

    Willis became a national figure in 2023 when she indicted Donald Trump and 18 allies under Georgia’s racketeering law, accusing them of participating in a scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. Trump repeatedly blasted the case as politically motivated and vowed to fight it.

    But the prosecution later unraveled after revelations that Willis had a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had appointed to lead the case. A Georgia appeals court ultimately removed Willis from the prosecution, citing an “appearance of impropriety.” The case was later dropped, marking a major victory for Trump.

    The fallout didn’t end there. Willis also faced court sanctions in separate records disputes, with judges criticizing her office’s handling of public records requests and ordering payments of attorneys’ fees.

    Now, the Trump Justice Department is arguing that any judge linked to a political event celebrating Willis cannot fairly oversee litigation tied to election integrity issues stemming from the same broader political battle.

    The election records lawsuit itself is part of a broader push by the administration to obtain voter-registration and election materials from multiple states. Georgia officials have argued that portions of the voter data sought by federal officials are protected under state law and cannot be released without satisfying legal requirements.

    Whether Ross remains on the case could now become the next flashpoint in the years-long legal war between Trump and the Georgia officials who helped drive the investigations into his efforts to challenge the 2020 election.

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    Federal Judge Blocks Trump-Led Effort To Rename Kennedy Center, Rules Congress Holds Final Authority

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    admin
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    1
    Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

    A federal judge has halted efforts to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and blocked plans for a lengthy closure of the institution, ruling that neither action can proceed without authorization from Congress.

    In a decision issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper found that the Kennedy Center’s board lacked the legal authority to rebrand the federally chartered institution as the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” ordering officials to remove the name from signage and official references within 14 days.

    The ruling marks a major setback for President Donald Trump’s broader effort to reshape one of the nation’s most prominent cultural institutions.

    Court: Congress Created The Kennedy Center — And Only Congress Can Rename It

    The controversy began after trustees voted in December to add Trump’s name to the institution, citing his fundraising efforts and support for future renovations.

    The move quickly triggered lawsuits from lawmakers, members of the Kennedy family, historians, and arts organizations, all arguing that the board had exceeded its authority.

    Among those challenging the decision was Rep. Joyce Beatty, who argued that Congress established the Kennedy Center as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and never authorized adding another president’s name to the institution.

    Judge Cooper agreed, writing that the board cannot override federal law through an internal vote. Because Congress created and named the Kennedy Center in federal statute, any official name change would require congressional action.

    Planned Closure Also Put On Hold

    The ruling also blocks a separate proposal to suspend Kennedy Center operations for two years beginning in July 2026 while extensive renovations were completed.

    The administration had argued that a prolonged closure was necessary to modernize the facility, but the proposal drew opposition from artists, preservation advocates, and lawmakers concerned about the impact on performances and cultural programming.

    During court proceedings, Cooper questioned whether the executive branch possessed the authority to make such sweeping changes to a congressionally chartered institution without legislative approval.

    The court ultimately concluded that major structural and operational changes of that scale require congressional involvement, preventing the administration from moving forward unilaterally.

    Fundraising Argument Falls Short

    Kennedy Center officials had argued that keeping Trump’s name attached to the institution was critical to maintaining donor support.

    Executive Director Charles Matthew Floca told the court that Trump’s involvement had already generated tens of millions of dollars in commitments and could attract substantially more private funding in the future.

    According to court filings, officials warned that removing Trump’s name could jeopardize those fundraising efforts and create financial challenges for the institution.

    The judge rejected that argument, concluding that fundraising considerations cannot supersede federal law.

    Latest Clash In Fight Over Cultural Institutions

    The Kennedy Center has emerged as a major battleground in the administration’s effort to influence the direction of prominent cultural organizations.

    Since gaining influence over the board, Trump allies have pursued leadership changes, programming adjustments, and initiatives aimed at reducing what they describe as politically driven or “woke” content.

    Those efforts have prompted resignations, canceled appearances, and public criticism from some artists and performers.

    While appeals are expected, Friday’s ruling delivers a clear message: Congress named the Kennedy Center after President John F. Kennedy, and any effort to change that designation must begin—and end—on Capitol Hill.

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