Syrian Asylum Rejections Rise in Europe as Minority Safety Concerns Persist 
India-US Trade Talks Advance Toward $500 Billion Goal Amid Ongoing Negotiations 
U.S. Allows Iran Players in 2026 World Cup but Bars IRGC-Linked Individuals 
Virginia Redistricting Vote Boosts Democrats Ahead of Midterm Elections 
U.S. Intercepts Iranian Oil Tankers in Asian Waters Amid Rising Global Energy Crisis 
Trump Administration Considers Expanding Refugee Program for White South Africans 
Senate Republicans Push $70B Immigration Funding Plan Amid DHS Shutdown Standoff 
RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over David Geier’s HHS Role and Vaccine Review Work 
U.S. to Send Election Observers to The Bahamas Amid Fraud Concerns 
Sharif Welcomes Trump’s Ceasefire Extension in U.S.-Israel-Iran Conflict 
U.S. Raises Security Concerns Over Chinese Infrastructure in Argentina Amid Growing Regional Ties 
Zelensky Warns Ukraine Could Face Patriot Missile Supply Risks Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict 
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Law Restricting DEI Programs and Climate Initiatives 
Mexico Senate Seeks Answers on Deadly Chihuahua Crash Involving U.S. and Mexican Officials 
Israeli Airstrike in Northern Gaza Kills Five Palestinians Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz as Oil Prices Surge 
Iran Warns U.S. Ceasefire Extension Could Signal Surprise Military Strike 
The Justice Department under former President Donald Trump was often weaponized during his presidency. With the recent reports surrounding the extent of the actions taken by the Trump administration’s DOJ, one Trump-appointed Justice Department official is already set to step down from his post next week.
The Justice Department’s National Security Division head, John Demers, who was appointed by Trump, is set to step down from his position next week. Demers’ resignation follows reports that the DOJ under Trump secretly seized data from House Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, to which Demers has been involved. The report by the New York Times reveals that Demers supervised the prosecutors who carried out secretly seizing data from reporters.
However, the report by the outlet also noted that the secret surveillance on House Democrats on the intelligence committee, including their staff and family members - one of which is a minor - or at least the gag order on the surveillance, would require a signing off by the Attorney General. Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr served as Trump’s DOJ attorneys general.
“While it is common for the Justice Department to try and find out who shared classified information with the media, it is highly unusual to secretly gather records from the press and lawmakers. The prosecutors also prevented the lawyers and executives of The Times and CNN from disclosing that records had been taken, even to their newsroom leaders, another highly aggressive step,” said the NYT report.
Since the report, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded that Senate Republicans join their Democratic counterparts in subpoenaing Barr and Sessions, as well as Demers.
In other news, Trump’s refusal to accept his election loss and constant pushing of election fraud claims resulted in the January 6 riots. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol during a joint session of Congress in an attempt to derail the formal certification of electoral votes. Five people died and over 100 Capitol Police officers were injured and over 400 rioters were arrested.
A married couple who took part in the insurrection were both convicted Monday for their participation, Joshua and Jessica Bustle from Bristow, Virginia. The couple agreed to plead to a US District Court in DC for parading, demonstrating, or picketing at the Capitol building in exchange for prosecutors to drop three other charges placed against them. They are the third and fourth defendants who pleaded guilty for their involvement in the riots.
