Author: Andrew Rogers

Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was among six people indicted last week by a federal grand jury for allegedly obstructing a federal agent during a protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Chicago. According to documents unsealed Wednesday, Abughazaleh and five others “physically hindered and impeded” a federal agent and a government vehicle on September 26 in Broadview, Illinois. Prosecutors say the vehicle had to move at a “very slow rate of speed” to avoid hitting any of the protesters. The indictment also alleges that the group banged on the government vehicle, wrote the word “PIG”…

The US military conducted a strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, killing four people, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed. “This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth said on X. He noted that US forces were not harmed during the operation. This strike marks the 14th known US military action against alleged drug-smuggling vessels, with a total of 61 people killed across 15 boats. The campaign reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration…

Bill Essayli has made it clear he has no plans to step down after a federal judge ruled that he was illegally serving as Los Angeles’ top prosecutor. The decision, he said, only confirmed the Trump administration’s power to select the attorneys it wants leading major offices. “We’re actually quite relieved,” Essayli said in an interview Wednesday. “The judge has made it clear that regardless of my title, I’m cleared to keep running the office. I’m very happy with the outcome.” U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, appointed by former President George W. Bush, ruled that Essayli could continue overseeing…

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has instructed the U.S. Defense Department to immediately restart nuclear weapons testing. The move marks a major shift in American defense policy, ending more than three decades of self-imposed restraint on nuclear explosive testing. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, saying the decision was driven by the actions of other nations. “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he wrote. “That process will begin immediately.” The statement came just hours before Trump’s scheduled…

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that “it’s too bad” he cannot run for a third presidential term, acknowledging the limits set by the Constitution while hinting at continued political ambitions. “If you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Japan to South Korea. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.” Trump’s remarks follow comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said it would be impossible for Trump to remain in the White House beyond two terms. Johnson noted that the 22nd Amendment bars a third term and that changing it would…

The White House reportedly urged U.S. Navy officials to use live 2,000-pound bombs instead of dummy explosives during a military demonstration for the Navy’s 250th anniversary, which President Donald Trump attended on October 5. Officials involved in planning said the White House wanted Trump to “see explosions” rather than just a “big splash.” The demonstration, held aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in Norfolk, Virginia, was originally planned using dummy bombs. A White House spokesperson, however, denied any switch occurred. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said live munitions were always part of the plan, as is typical for training exercises.…

President Donald Trump is poised to gain political leverage regardless of who wins New York City’s mayoral race. If Zohran Mamdani wins, Trump gains a hard-left target to criticize and could use federal authority to challenge city policies. If Andrew Cuomo returns, Trump gains leverage over an old rival facing potential federal scrutiny. Trump has already influenced the race. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption charges were dropped this year after aligning with the White House, which deepened his unpopularity and removed him from the contest. “Trump is in a good position no matter what happens on Nov. 4,” said…

Republican efforts to stop California Proposition 50 have nearly vanished one week before voters head to the polls. The Democratic-backed ballot measure, which would reshape California’s congressional districts, now appears on track for an easy victory. The California Prop 50 campaign once promised a fierce political battle over redistricting. Early polls suggested a close race, and Republican leaders spoke confidently about raising millions to defeat the initiative. But as the election nears, the campaign’s funding, leadership, and visibility have all but disappeared. Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Yes on 50” movement continues to flood television and social media with ads, while opposition…

A US federal appeals court has agreed to reconsider a ruling that temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard in Portland, Oregon. The decision keeps a ban in place while a larger panel of judges reviews the case. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announced on Tuesday that it would hear the issue “en banc,” meaning before 11 judges instead of the usual three. This move voids last week’s decision from a smaller panel that briefly sided with the Trump administration. The case centers on whether a sitting president has the authority to federalize state National Guard…

Israeli warplanes struck targets across Gaza late Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of breaking the ceasefire agreement. The strikes marked the biggest challenge to the 18-day truce brokered by the United States. Witnesses in Gaza reported multiple explosions in Gaza City and Khan Younis shortly after Netanyahu’s order for “powerful strikes.” Medical workers confirmed at least seven people were killed, including two children. The Israeli government said the airstrikes were a direct response to what it called a “clear violation” of the ceasefire by Hamas. The attack came hours after reports of a gun battle between Israeli…