Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
UAE Plans Temporary Housing Complex for Displaced Palestinians in Southern Gaza 
U.S. Sanctions on Russia Could Expand as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue, Says Treasury Secretary Bessent 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Rejects Putin’s New START Extension Offer, Raising Fears of a New Nuclear Arms Race 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
Over the weekend, most of the Senate Republicans voted to block the formation of a commission that will look into the events of January 6. Following the obstruction, West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin ripped into the GOP for voting against the proposal.
Manchin released a video statement criticizing the Senate Republicans who voted to oppose the January 6 commission. The bipartisan commission proposal passed the House with several Republicans voting in favor. In the Senate, the Democratic lawmakers failed to reach the number of votes needed despite six GOP Senators voting in favor of the commission.
“Choosing to put politics and political elections above the health of our democracy is unconscionable. And the betrayal of the oath we each take is something they will have to live with,” said the West Virginia lawmaker. “This was our chance to have a bipartisan commission that would allow for an impartial investigation into the events of that horrific day so that we are better able to prevent another attack on our nation.”
Manchin also mentioned the Capitol Police officers, many of whom were severely injured from the insurrection that occurred as well as the Congressional staff, the press, and the American public in his video statement. One Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, was killed during the insurrection. The West Virginia Democrat apologized on behalf of his Republican colleagues for failing to vote in support of the commission out of “political fear” that kept them from voting with their conscience.
The vote to filibuster the commission was widely criticized, not just by Manchin and other prominent figures. Retired Colonel Alexander Vindman, a key witness during Donald Trump’s impeachment trials, who also drew the ire of the now-former president, criticized the failure of the commission to pass the Senate.
Vindman criticized the GOP lawmakers who voted against the commission on Twitter. The former military official said all the Republicans who voted against the commission should be branded for not wanting to hold Trump accountable for what he had incited. Vindman also called the GOP “extremist” for their refusal to support an investigation into an incident for the sake of national security.
