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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Former President Barack Obama said the attorney general should act as a lawyer for the people, not just as an advisor to the president. He wants the Justice Department to be independent to prevent it from being used for political purposes, which he says has happened under past presidents.
Key Facts
Barack Obama is a former U.S. president.
He spoke about how the attorney general should act.
Obama believes the attorney general should serve the people, not just the president.
He called for an independent Justice Department.
He mentioned issues with politicization during the Nixon and Trump administrations.
The term "weaponization" refers to using the Justice Department for political goals.
Obama hopes to prevent future political misuse of justice officials.
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President Donald Trump and top administration officials will attend a prayer event on the National Mall in Washington to mark America’s 250th birthday. The event is described as a "rededication" of the country under God, but some critics say it mixes religion with government in a way that could harm the separation of church and state.
Key Facts
President Trump and several high-ranking officials will join a prayer gathering on the National Mall.
The event is called Rededicate 250 and happens on the country’s 250th birthday.
It aims to "rededicate" the U.S. as "One Nation Under God."
Most of the speakers are conservative Christian clergy.
Critics say the event promotes Christian nationalism.
Christian nationalism is the idea that America’s identity should be closely linked with Christianity.
Critics worry this idea could weaken the constitutional rule that government and religion should remain separate.
The event has sparked debate over the role of religion in public life and government.
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Democrats in Congress want to reverse a new rule from the Department of Education that limits how much graduate students and parents can borrow in federal student loans. The rule, passed under President Trump, also ends some existing loan repayment plans, including the popular SAVE plan that lowers monthly payments for many borrowers.
Key Facts
The new rule will start on July 1, 2026, changing federal student loan limits and repayment options.
It caps how much graduate and professional students can borrow and limits Parent PLUS loans.
The rule replaces current income-driven repayment plans with new ones under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
Democrats want to use the Congressional Review Act to cancel the rule before it takes effect.
Reversing the rule would keep existing borrowing limits and repayment plans like the SAVE plan.
The SAVE plan reduces monthly payments and offers relief, especially for public service workers such as nurses, teachers, and firefighters.
Critics say the new caps might force some students to take private loans or avoid higher education due to higher costs.
The Education Department argues the changes aim to control excessive borrowing and improve repayment.
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An Oklahoma judge has allowed Richard Glossip, a former death row inmate, to be released on bond while awaiting a new trial for a 1997 murder case. Glossip’s original conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court due to prosecutorial misconduct, and he will wear an electronic monitor and follow strict rules while out on bond.
Key Facts
Richard Glossip was convicted in 1997 for the murder of his former boss, Barry Van Treese.
He was sentenced to death and scheduled for execution nine times but was never executed.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction last year because prosecutors allowed false witness testimony.
Judge Natalie Mai set Glossip’s bond at $500,000 and imposed conditions like electronic monitoring and travel restrictions.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond will retry Glossip but will not seek the death penalty again.
Glossip has spent nearly 30 years in jail and has support from public figures like Kim Kardashian and Susan Sarandon.
His case drew international attention and was featured in a documentary called "Killing Richard Glossip."
Glossip’s defense team continues to work on proving his innocence while he is out on bond.
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President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department over leaked tax returns. If the lawsuit settles for an amount close to the full sum, Trump’s net worth could almost double from an estimated $6.5 billion.
Key Facts
President Trump sued the IRS and Treasury for at least $10 billion in January.
The lawsuit claims the agencies failed to protect Trump's confidential tax returns.
The tax returns were leaked by a former IRS contractor who pleaded guilty.
Trump says the leak caused financial and reputational harm to him and his family.
Trump’s net worth was estimated at $6.5 billion by Forbes in March.
A settlement near $6.5 billion would roughly double Trump’s net worth.
The lawsuit raises concerns about conflict of interest since Trump oversees the agencies he is suing.
A federal judge is reviewing whether the lawsuit is valid and has asked both sides to explain their position by May 20.
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U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks told staff he is retiring from his job. He led the Border Patrol during President Trump’s second term and helped change how the agency controls the U.S.-Mexico border.
Key Facts
Mike Banks was the Border Patrol Chief, appointed by President Trump in January 2025.
Banks announced his retirement and plans to return to Texas to focus on family and his ranch.
He previously worked as Texas’ border czar and had some Border Patrol experience.
During Banks’ leadership, Border Patrol expanded immigration enforcement beyond borders into U.S. cities.
Controversial patrols in cities like Minneapolis stopped after criticism.
Several other high-ranking immigration officials in the Trump administration have left recently.
Banks served 10 years in the U.S. Navy.
President Trump’s administration prioritized tightening border security and increasing deportations.
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The U.S. Justice Department is suing the Washington, D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel because it took disciplinary action against two allies of President Donald Trump, Jeffrey Clark and Ed Martin. Clark is known for urging the Justice Department to investigate alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the Washington, D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
The lawsuit challenges disciplinary actions against Jeffrey Clark and Ed Martin.
Jeffrey Clark worked at the Justice Department and pushed for investigations into the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Ed Martin is also an ally of President Donald Trump connected to these issues.
The disciplinary proceedings began after events related to efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election.
The case involves disputes over the authority and actions of legal and ethical oversight bodies in Washington, D.C.
These events relate to larger questions about election integrity and the roles of former and current DOJ officials.
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The U.S. Supreme Court is nearing the end of its current term and is expected to issue several important decisions soon. These rulings could have significant effects on American law and society.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court’s term is almost finished.
Several major rulings are still pending.
The decisions will likely affect various areas of law.
The court’s work is closely watched by the public and media.
CBS News is reporting on the approaching end of the term and upcoming rulings.
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The CEO of a healthcare software company, Brett Blackman, was convicted of running a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme that targeted Medicare patients to receive unnecessary medical products like braces. The scheme involved fake doctors' orders and illegal payments to telemedicine doctors and pharmacies, resulting in over $450 million paid out by Medicare and other federal programs.
Key Facts
Brett Blackman, 42, was the CEO and owner of HealthSplash, a healthcare software company.
He and co-conspirators targeted hundreds of thousands of Medicare patients to accept unnecessary medical equipment.
They used a platform called DMERx, bought by HealthSplash in 2017, to coordinate illegal kickbacks.
Fake doctors' orders were created to bill Medicare for products without real doctor-patient visits.
Medicare and other federal programs paid out over $450 million due to the fraud, which totaled more than $1 billion in false billing.
Blackman was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and other charges, facing up to 20 years in prison.
The scheme was called one of the worst fraud cases in Florida history by the Acting Attorney General.
Targeting healthcare fraud is a top priority for President Trump’s administration, including creating a Fraud Division and a task force led by Vice President JD Vance.
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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has asked the state legislature to hold a special session to redraw the congressional district map. This is part of ongoing efforts to adjust political boundaries in Georgia.
Key Facts
Governor Brian Kemp is leading the effort to redraw Georgia’s congressional districts.
He has requested a special session of the state legislature to work on the new map.
Redistricting changes the boundaries of political districts for elections.
These changes can affect how voters are grouped and represented in Congress.
The move comes after recent population and political shifts in Georgia.
The state legislature will review and approve the new district boundaries during the session.
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Democrat Roy Cooper is leading Republican Michael Whatley in a recent poll for North Carolina’s 2026 Senate race. Cooper has gained support while Whatley’s approval ratings and name recognition remain lower. The race is important because the current Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not running again, and the state is a key battleground.
Key Facts
Roy Cooper, a Democrat and former governor, leads Michael Whatley, a Republican and former RNC chair, by about 11 points in the latest poll.
The poll surveyed 600 likely North Carolina voters in May 2026 with a 4-point margin of error.
Cooper is better known with nearly 50% of voters having a favorable opinion; over half of voters are unfamiliar with Whatley.
Incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis will not seek re-election in 2026.
President Donald Trump has a low approval rating in North Carolina, with about 42% approval and 57% disapproval.
North Carolina has voted Republican in recent presidential and Senate races but has elected Democrats for governor.
Rising gas prices and economic concerns have negatively impacted Trump’s popularity, which may affect Republican candidates.
The race is considered one of the best chances for Democrats to win a Senate seat in North Carolina, a state they haven’t won in a Senate election since 2008.
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Senators voted unanimously to stop their own pay during future government shutdowns. This rule aims to make shutdowns more costly for lawmakers and encourage them to avoid such situations.
Key Facts
Senators approved a resolution on Thursday to withhold their pay during government shutdowns.
The vote was unanimous, meaning all senators agreed.
The measure applies only to future government shutdowns.
Federal government shutdowns have been longer and more common recently.
Lawmakers hope this rule will create financial consequences for shutdowns.
The resolution has support from both political parties.
The goal is to hold Congress accountable for preventing shutdowns.
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Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Maine to talk about the Trump administration’s efforts to fight fraud before the state's primary elections. His visit focuses on promoting the work of the government’s anti-fraud task force, especially concerning government health program fraud.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance will speak in Bangor, Maine, about anti-fraud efforts ahead of the June 9 primary elections.
Vance chairs the Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force.
This visit is the first that focuses specifically on anti-fraud efforts, rather than economic topics.
The visit follows concerns about alleged fraud in Maine’s government health programs raised by Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Maine Governor Janet Mills called the fraud investigation a “political attack.”
Maine’s primary election will select candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House seats.
Governor Mills recently dropped out of the Senate race, leaving progressive Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate.
The Maine Senate seat is seen as important for control of the U.S. Senate, making the race highly competitive.
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The U.S. Senate approved a plan to hold back senators' pay during government shutdowns. This rule will start after the November 3 election and aims to make lawmakers face financial consequences when the government stops working due to budget disputes.
Key Facts
Senators voted unanimously to withhold their own pay during government shutdowns.
The pay would be kept by the Senate secretary until government funding is restored.
The measure takes effect the day after the November 3, 2026, general election.
Recent shutdowns caused long funding lapses, including a 76-day partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security.
The longest full federal government shutdown lasted 43 days in the last year.
The U.S. Constitution requires lawmakers to be paid even during shutdowns.
Some senators, like Lindsey Graham, have proposed constitutional amendments to stop pay during shutdowns, but these are harder to pass.
The resolution applies only to the Senate, with no similar rule currently for the House of Representatives.
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The Senate unanimously passed a rule to stop paying senators during future government shutdowns. This change aims to encourage senators to avoid delays in approving government funding.
Key Facts
The Senate approved the resolution on Thursday.
The measure was introduced by Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana.
It stops senators’ pay during times when the government shuts down.
The vote was unanimous and done by voice.
The goal is to motivate senators not to block funding bills.
This rule applies to future government shutdowns only.
The Senate is the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress.
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A recent poll shows Representative Thomas Massie is behind challenger Ed Gallrein in the Kentucky 4th Congressional District Republican primary. Gallrein has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who supported him during a disagreement with Massie.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Quantus Insights on Monday and Tuesday.
908 people participated in the survey.
Ed Gallrein received 48.3% support from those surveyed.
Thomas Massie is currently the incumbent representative for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
President Donald Trump endorsed Ed Gallrein last year.
The endorsement followed a public disagreement between President Trump and Thomas Massie.
The Republican primary is scheduled for May 19.
The poll results were released just days before this primary election.
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Vice President JD Vance will visit Bangor, Maine, to talk about the Trump administration’s work to fight fraud ahead of the state’s primary elections. He will speak at Bangor International Airport about these efforts.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance will appear in Maine on Thursday.
His visit aims to highlight the administration’s fight against election fraud.
The event is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EDT at Bangor International Airport.
Vance is the chair of the administration's anti-fraud task force.
The White House and Maine Republican Party announced the visit.
Vance is seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate for 2028.
This visit focuses on fraud prevention, unlike earlier visits that focused on the economy.
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Abdul Halim Khan, an imam in East London, was convicted of sexually abusing seven girls and women, some as young as 12, over 11 years. He used claims of supernatural powers and threats of black magic to control and silence his victims. Khan was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years.
Key Facts
Abdul Halim Khan was a Muslim faith leader in East London.
He abused seven females, aged between 12 and early teens, from 2004 to 2015.
Khan claimed he had supernatural powers and was "curing" the victims of bad spirits.
He threatened that harm would come to victims or their families if they spoke out.
Khan used isolated places like cars and flats to assault his victims.
The abuse was reported to police in 2018 after a victim told a school therapist.
He was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Khan received a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years in prison.
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A Labour MP, Josh Simons, has said he will resign, creating a special election that may allow Andy Burnham to return to Parliament and run for Labour leader. Burnham was previously blocked from running by current Labour leader Keir Starmer, but party support for Burnham is growing.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham wants to return to Parliament and become the next Labour leader.
Keir Starmer, current Labour leader, stopped Burnham from running in an earlier byelection.
Josh Simons, Labour MP for Makerfield, announced he will stand down, triggering a byelection.
Makerfield is a Labour-held seat with a majority of about 5,000 votes.
Labour’s national executive committee blocked Burnham's earlier attempt to stand.
There is growing support within Labour for Burnham to have a chance to lead.
Recent local election losses have weakened Starmer’s authority and led to resignations.
Many Labour MPs, including some senior figures, want Burnham to get an opportunity.
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