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Trump Declares Biden Autopen Pardons ‘Void’

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Monday morning, President Trump said he plans to void all the last-minute pardons former President Joe Biden made using autopen.

“The ‘Pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen,” Trump posted on Truth Social early Monday morning.

“In other words, Joe Biden did not sign them but, more importantly, he did not know anything about them!” he said of the oldest-ever president and concerned at his age-related mental abilities at 82.

The 47th president also alleged that the pardons were not “approved” by his predecessor.

“The necessary Pardoning Documents were not explained to, or approved by, Biden,” he wrote. “He knew nothing about them, and the people that did may have committed a crime.”

Trump also warned that members of the former Jan. 6 House select committee who Biden issued pardons would be “subject to investigation at the highest level.”

“Therefore, those on the Unselect Committee, who destroyed and deleted ALL evidence obtained during their two year Witch Hunt of me, and many other innocent people, should fully understand that they are subject to investigation at the highest level,” Trump wrote Monday.

“The fact is, they were probably responsible for the Documents that were signed on their behalf without the knowledge or consent of the Worst President in the History of our Country, Crooked Joe Biden!”

Biden preemptively pardoned all nine members of the Jan. 6 Committee, including the two leaders — Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) who later pledged to vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2025 election,

On the last day of his presidency, Biden issued a string of 11th-hour pardons, including preemptive pardons to Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Trump was outraged after Biden issued the preemptive pardons, blasting the move as “disgraceful” and saying, “Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES!”

Despite Trump’s threat, it’s unclear whether any court will take steps to void Biden’s pardons over the autopen claims.

Last week, The New York Post reported that Missouri’s Attorney General Andrew Bailey suggested that dozens of executive orders signed by former President Biden were authorized with identical autopen signatures, and “if true, these executive orders, pardons, and all other actions are unconstitutional and legally void.”

“I am demanding the DOJ investigate whether President Biden’s cognitive decline allowed unelected staff to push through radical policy without his knowing approval,” Bailey said.

Report: Dem Whistleblower Informed FBI That Adam Schiff Approved Classified Leaks to Target Trump

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Photo via Gage Skidmoer Flickr

A Democratic whistleblower told the FBI that Adam Schiff approved leaking classified information in order to discredit President Donald Trump, according to newly-released documents.

The documents, which were obtained by Just The News, were recently handed over to Congress by FBI Director Kash Patel.  In the report, the intelligence staffer referred to the leaking as “treasonous” and “illegal,” in addition to being unethical. He was most recently interviewed by the FBI in 2023.

The staffer also said that he personally attended a meeting where Schiff greenlit the leak.

Fox News reports:

“When working in this capacity, [redacted staffer’s name] was called to an all-staff meeting by SCHIFF,” the documents state, per Just The News. 

“In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States DONALD J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP.”

“[The whistleblower] stated this would be illegal and, upon hearing his concerns, unnamed members of the meeting reassured that they would not be caught leaking classified information,” the report added.

John Solomon, who co-authored the piece with Just The News’ Jerry Dunleavy, appeared on Fox News’ “Hannity” to discuss the report.

“This is the first of several major leak investigations we’re going to see over the next several days,” Solomon said. “You’re going to see other major people that were clearly identified by the FBI, having leaked classified secrets.”

“Their own staff turned them in when interviewed by the FBI. Nothing, again, happened,” he added. “It’s a common pattern. The question now is, in Donald Trump’s Justice Department, does that dynamic change?”

Soon after the report was published, Patel shared it on X, saying that the FBI “found it [and] declassified it.”

Blackface Incident Threatens To Upend House Race

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Could this upend the whole race?

A recently unearthed photo of an incumbent Republican congressman in blackface as part of a Halloween costume years ago could be enough to shift the needle to Democrats in a close House race in New York. Lawler is facing off against Rep. Mondaire Jones.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.) who is white, is pictured dressed like pop sensation Michael Jackson, complete with bronzer to darken his face in an October 2006 photo reported by the New York Times.

Lawler does not dispute the photo’s authenticity and has issued an apology to anyone who has taken offense, though he said it was not his intention to dress in blackface:

“As has been well-documented – most recently by the Daily Beast – I was a so-called ‘Super Fan’ of Michael Jackson, so much so that I was mentioned by name in his biography for my outspoken support of him and the Jackson Family.  I loved Michael’s music, was awed by him as a performer, and by his impact on pop culture,” Lawler said in a statement. “One of my greatest memories is attending his concert at Madison Square Garden before his untimely death.  

“When attempting to imitate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of black face was the furthest thing from my mind. Let me be clear, this is not that. Rather, my costume was intended as the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen.  

“I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offense to the photo, I am sorry.  All you can do is live and learn, and I appreciate everyone’s grace along the way,” he said. 

The race is one of 22 toss-up contests that may well determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year, according to Fox News’ Power Rankings.  

Cook Political Report Shifts Ratings In Trump’s Favor In 6 States

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

The Cook Political Report, widely respected across the political spectrum for its precise election forecasts, recently adjusted its presidential race ratings in six key states, all favoring former President Donald Trump.

The shift comes amidst a backdrop of national and state polls indicating a modest yet consistent increase in support for Trump over President Joe Biden.

Key State Changes

The Cook Political Report has reclassified:

  • Arizona, Georgia and Nevada from “toss-up” to “lean Republican.”
  • Minnesota and New Hampshire from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat.”
  • Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat.”

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that allocate their electoral votes by congressional district, making the competitive Omaha-based 2nd District a target for both campaigns.

Electoral Vote Implications

The changes significantly impact the electoral map, with Trump now leading in states totaling 268 electoral votes, just two votes short of the required 270 for victory. In contrast, Biden leads in states accounting for 226 electoral votes.

Expert Analysis

In a social media post, Dave Wasserman, a senior editor at Cook Political Report, argued that it was overly optimistic to label the presidential race as a toss-up even before the debates.

“Today, Trump has a clear advantage over Biden and a much more plausible path to 270 Electoral votes,” Wasserman noted.

Additionally, during an appearance on CNN, Amy Walter, Cook Report’s publisher and editor-in-chief, elaborated on the political shifts underpinning these changes.

“What we’re seeing is the real erosion of support from Biden among voters of color,” Walter explained back in May. “This is the reason he [Biden] is doing worse in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, where Hispanic and African Americans make up a significant share of the vote.” [emphasis added]

Polling Data

Supporting these insights, the latest RealClearPolitics national polling average shows Trump leading Biden by 3 percentage points. In crucial swing states, Trump’s lead is even more pronounced:

  • Arizona: +5.4 points
  • Georgia: +4 points
  • Michigan: +0.6 points
  • Nevada: +5.2 points
  • North Carolina: +5.8 points
  • Pennsylvania: +5.3 points
  • Wisconsin: +2.2 points

Conclusion

The latest adjustments by the Cook Political Report highlight a rapidly shifting landscape in the 2024 presidential race. With Trump’s increasing traction in key states and growing concerns about Biden’s ability to simply do the job, the GOP’s path to the presidency appears more wide open than ever.

READ NEXT: Trump Family Member Steps Forward As Long-Shot VP Candidate

Legal Battle Erupts After Judge Halts Virginia Redistricting Certification

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Virginia’s attorney general is appealing a court order that halted a newly approved redistricting plan, setting off another legal clash with potential ripple effects far beyond the state.

Attorney General Jay Jones said he will challenge a circuit court judge’s decision to block the measure, even after voters narrowly approved it in a statewide referendum.

“As I said last night, Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote,” Jones said. “We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court.”

Court steps in after close vote

The dispute centers on a temporary constitutional amendment that would allow Democrats to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts before the next census.

The measure passed with 51% support, compared with 48% opposed. Still, Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. moved to block it, raising concerns about how the question was presented to voters and when the vote was held.

Hurley had already tried to stop the referendum months earlier. In February, he issued an order preventing the April vote from going forward.

Twice, the Virginia Supreme Court allowed the process to continue anyway. The justices declined to weigh in fully, saying only that the process, not the outcome, could ultimately come under review.

“Issuing an injunction to keep Virginians from the polls is not the proper way to make this decision,” the court said at the time.

What the new map could do

If it stands, the plan could dramatically reshape Virginia’s congressional delegation.

Democrats currently hold a 6-5 edge. Under the proposed map, that margin could widen to as much as 10-1. The arrangement would remain in place until after the 2030 census, when an independent commission would again take over the process.

That potential shift is drawing attention from both parties nationwide.

National fallout and political warnings

Republicans say the move could trigger similar efforts in GOP-led states.

Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested South Carolina should consider a response.

“After the Virginia Democrats’ efforts to redistrict in order to increase Democrat seats in the House of Representatives, South Carolina should consider fighting fire with fire,” he said, urging state leaders to weigh their options.

Democrats, meanwhile, argue the plan is a reaction to earlier redistricting pushes in Republican-controlled states.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger said Virginia voters understood the stakes.

“When we found the results out, I was really excited but not surprised,” she said. “Because it’s been clear for a number of months that Virginians were really motivated to take this temporary responsive stance.”

She pushed back on criticism that the process lets politicians choose their voters, pointing to public access to the maps and contrasting Virginia with states where legislatures acted without voter input.

A broader fight over redistricting

The debate is part of a larger, escalating battle over congressional maps.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries cast the Virginia vote as a direct response to pressure from President Donald Trump, pointing to his push for mid-decade redistricting in Texas as the starting point.

“It was important for Democrats to push back aggressively,” Jeffries said, adding that the party would continue to respond in kind.

But not all Democrats are comfortable with that approach.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) warned that tit-for-tat redistricting could damage the political system.

“The wrong thing doesn’t make it the right thing,” he said. “If we continue to just attack the other side … our democracy is degraded.”

What comes next

For now, the legal fight returns to the courts, where the future of the voter-approved plan remains uncertain.

At stake is more than Virginia’s map. The outcome could shape how far states are willing to go in redrawing districts mid-decade and how aggressively parties respond to each other in the process

READ NEXT: Republican Colleagues Seek Answers After Congressman Goes Missing

Tucker Carlson Predicts JD Vance As GOP 2028 Nominee

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Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

In a prediction during a recent podcast, Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, forecasted that Vice President JD Vance will emerge as the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in 2028. Carlson’s statement, made on the “VINCE” podcast, sheds light on the increasing influence of Vance within the party and the likelihood of him becoming the successor to Donald Trump’s political legacy.

Despite Donald Trump declining to endorse Vance during a February Fox News interview, where he stated there were “a lot of very capable people” in the Republican Party, Carlson is optimistic that the former president will ultimately support the vice president in 2028. Trump’s comment, which may have seemed like a rejection to some, was interpreted by Carlson as a temporary stance, not a definitive end to any future support.

“I think people want to leave a legacy, all of us do, and great men especially do. And the only person in the entire Republican Party from my position who’s capable of carrying on the Trump legacy and expanding it, making it what it should fully be, is JD Vance,” Carlson explained. He also praised Vance’s loyalty to Trump and his profound service, indicating that Trump’s current withholding of endorsement may have been a strategic decision.

Carlson’s own connection to Vance runs deep; his son, Buckley Carlson, serves as Vance’s deputy press secretary. This familial link only adds weight to Carlson’s belief in Vance’s potential as the future of the GOP.

Vince Coglianese, host of the podcast, suggested that Trump may have declined to endorse Vance to protect him from premature political pressures. This sentiment was echoed by Carlson, who agreed that Trump’s reticence could be a tactical move, keeping the focus on the current administration rather than the 2028 race. “There’s a lot that will happen between now and then,” Carlson remarked. “And I think, already, I mean, it’s a tough gig for any vice president, this one included. But he has been a powerful partner for Trump.”

The vice president’s solid performance and loyalty have positioned him as the frontrunner for 2028, at least in Carlson’s eyes. “I don’t see any other, at this point, as of today, any other conceivable option. I think JD Vance will be the nominee,” he concluded.

Amid these discussions, speculation about Donald Trump Jr.’s potential 2028 run surfaced. However, Trump Jr. strongly denied any intentions of running, responding with an impassioned statement in which he lambasted the theory that he was helping JD Vance secure a vice presidential nomination as part of a personal presidential ambition.

Political analyst Mark Halperin also weighed in on JD Vance’s prospects, highlighting the vice president’s strengths in media engagement and public appearances. According to Halperin, Vance has an advantage over other potential 2028 contenders due to his willingness to take on numerous interviews and public platforms without hesitation. Unlike Kamala Harris, who waited weeks into her 2024 candidacy to take an interview, Vance is positioned to perform strongly across a wide range of media settings.

Trump’s reluctance to endorse JD Vance could also be influenced by the strained relationship he experienced with his first vice president, Mike Pence. The fallout between Trump and Pence, especially following the 2020 election, was widely publicized and has been a point of contention within the Republican Party ever since. January 6th, 2021, marked a significant turning point in their partnership. Given this history, Trump may be cautious about offering early or public endorsements to his current vice president, JD Vance, fearing the possibility of another strained relationship down the line. By withholding an endorsement, Trump might be taking a more measured approach, wanting to avoid prematurely putting his full support behind Vance in case any future disagreements arise.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid After Court Clears Path Despite Conviction

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

PARIS — French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she will run for president in 2027 after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her sentence and shortened her ban from holding public office, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

The ruling preserves one of Europe’s most consequential political candidacies at a time when Le Pen and her National Rally party are leading opinion polls ahead of next year’s election. With President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, the race is widely viewed as the strongest opportunity yet for France’s nationalist movement to capture the presidency.

Court Upholds Conviction, Reduces Penalty

The appeals court affirmed Le Pen’s conviction for diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees instead of parliamentary assistants.

Judges sentenced her to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine. The court also shortened her period of political ineligibility, clearing the way for her presidential campaign.

Le Pen immediately vowed to challenge the decision before France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

Under French law, that appeal suspends enforcement of her sentence — including the electronic monitoring requirement and political restrictions — while the case is reviewed, allowing her to campaign without immediate legal constraints.

‘Tonight, I Am a Candidate’

Appearing on French television shortly after the ruling, Le Pen left little doubt about her intentions.

“Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election,” she declared, while maintaining that she had committed no crime and describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

WATCH:

The legal battle is expected to continue for months, but the appeals ruling removes the most immediate obstacle to her fourth presidential campaign.

Polls Show National Rally in Strong Position

Le Pen enters the race from a position of unusual political strength.

Recent polling by major French firms has consistently placed either Le Pen or her National Rally protégé, Jordan Bardella, between roughly 31% and 36% in first-round voting — historically high numbers this far ahead of a presidential election. Pollsters say National Rally has never polled this strongly so early in a campaign.

Several surveys also indicate Le Pen would be highly competitive in a second-round runoff against leading centrist contenders, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

Relationship With Trump Has Changed

Although Le Pen praised Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory and was once viewed as one of his closest political allies in Europe, she has deliberately distanced herself from the president in recent years.

As she works to broaden her appeal among mainstream conservative and center-right French voters, Le Pen has sought to present National Rally as a governing party rather than a protest movement.

That strategy has included publicly criticizing Trump on several occasions. During a dispute last month between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Le Pen sided with Meloni and described Trump’s remarks as “very insulting.” She has also broken with the president on aspects of U.S. military intervention and European defense policy.

Legal Battle Continues

The case stems from allegations that National Rally improperly used millions of euros in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff working in France rather than parliamentary assistants assigned to Brussels.

Le Pen has consistently denied intentionally violating the rules and says the prosecution reflects an effort to sideline one of France’s leading opposition figures.

Whether France’s highest court ultimately upholds or overturns the conviction remains uncertain. For now, however, the appeals ruling has ensured that the country’s leading nationalist candidate will remain in the race, setting up what is expected to be one of Europe’s most closely watched elections in a generation.

READ NEXT: Man Sentenced In Deadly ‘Mister Rogers’ Dispute

One Trump Endorsement Just Ended This Governor’s Race

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President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

President Donald Trump’s political muscle was on full display Monday in Michigan.

Just hours after Trump issued a full-throated endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. John James, one of James’ top primary rivals suspended his campaign and fell in line behind the president’s choice.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”

The endorsement landed like a political thunderbolt in a Republican primary where Trump’s backing was widely viewed as the single most valuable prize.

James quickly celebrated the endorsement, calling Trump “the greatest President of my lifetime.”

Then came the shockwave.

Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who had been running against James for the GOP nomination, abruptly suspended his campaign and endorsed James.

“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” Nesbitt said. “Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor.”

“A divided primary only helps Democrats. It’s time to unite,” he added.

James wasted no time framing the move as proof of Trump’s influence.

“When President Trump endorsed this campaign, Aric Nesbitt did exactly what a true Michigan CONSERVATIVE should do,” James wrote on X. “He united behind the President and our mission to Save Michigan from the Libs and the RINOs destroying our Republic!”

The rapid surrender underscores a political reality Republicans have understood for years: in many GOP primaries, Trump’s endorsement can instantly reshape the field.

The Michigan governor’s race had been viewed as one of the nation’s most important Republican contests heading into 2026. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, creating an open-seat battle that Republicans believe offers a major pickup opportunity.

Trump’s endorsement carried even more weight because Michigan Republican voters have consistently indicated they place enormous value on the president’s recommendations. Prior polling found overwhelming majorities of GOP primary voters saying they would be more likely to support a Trump-endorsed candidate.

Not everyone was impressed.

Businessman Perry Johnson, another Republican candidate still in the race, blasted Trump’s decision.

“President Trump received bad advice yet again,” Johnson said. “John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before.”

Johnson pointed to James’ unsuccessful U.S. Senate bids in 2018 and 2020, arguing Republicans need a different nominee to win statewide.

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox also declined to step aside.

“Like @POTUS, I’ve won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders who are sick of being screwed by the elites,” Cox wrote on X, adding that he looks forward to becoming “President Trump’s favorite Governor when I win.”

The endorsement marks a notable shift for Trump.

Last year, Trump publicly questioned whether James should leave Congress to run for governor, expressing concerns that Republicans could lose his competitive House seat and weaken the GOP majority in Washington.

Those concerns appear to have been put aside.

With Trump’s backing now secured and one major rival already gone, James enters the next phase of the race as the clear Republican frontrunner.

And if Monday was any indication, Trump’s endorsement may have effectively ended the primary before most voters even cast a ballot.

Polls Show Third-Party Candidates Sinking Biden In Swing States

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Bad news for Biden…

A recent poll showed that Independent candidates appear to be hurting President Joe Biden and boosting former President Donald Trump when on the ballot in four critical battleground states.

Trump’s leads grow against Biden among likely voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina when Robert F. Kennedy Jr., independent Cornel West, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein are on the ballot, according to The Cook Political Report/BSG/GS Strategy Group survey.

With Kennedy and the other third-party candidates included in the poll, Trump’s margins grew from one to four points in Arizona; from two to three points in Michigan; from three to four points in Georgia; and from seven to eight points in North Carolina.

The poll found Kennedy notching 10% in Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia; 7% in Pennsylvania and Michigan; 8% in North Carolina; and 9% in Wisconsin.

The RealClearPolitics averages for each battleground state suggest Trump’s leads grow against Biden when Kennedy, West, and Stein are on the ballot in Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Trump lost Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan last cycle after having won them all in 2016. Nevada voted Democratic in both cycles, while Trump secured North Carolina in 2016 and 2020.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

Former Trump Adviser Sued by Biden’s Justice Department

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[Photo Cred: Office of the President of the United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro.

The lawsuit alleges Navarro used personal email accounts to conduct official White House business, “constituting presidential records.” The DOJ also accused the former Trump adviser of violating federal record-keeping laws when he didn’t copy the emails into an official government account or respond to the National Archives requests for the messages.

“Mr. Navarro is wrongfully retaining Presidential records that are the property of the United States, and which constitute part of the permanent historical record of the prior administration,” the lawsuit states. “Mr. Navarro’s wrongful retention of Presidential records violates District of Columbia law, federal common law, and the [Presidential Records Act].”

The Justice Department said officials initially approached Navarro about handing over the missing emails, but he refused “absent a grant of immunity for the act of returning such documents.”

Navarro’s attorneys, John Irving and John Rowley denied withholding the messages.

“As detailed in our recent letter to the Archives, Mr. Navarro instructed his lawyers to preserve all such records, and he expects the government to follow standard processes in good faith to allow him to produce records,” Navarro’s lawyers told POLITICO. “Instead, the government chose to file its lawsuit today.”

The civil lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton.

The lawsuit marks the latest in a string of public battles between the former Trump adviser and the U.S. government. In June, Navarro was charged with contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with the January 6th panel’s subpoena requests.