President Donald Trump accused U.S. intelligence agencies of hiding evidence that China tried to interfere in the 2020 election by stealing millions of voter files. He said officials kept important information out of his daily briefings and claimed there was a cover-up within the FBI and intelligence community. These claims contrast with official intelligence reports that concluded China did not try to influence the election outcome.
Key Facts
President Trump made these accusations during a prime-time address from the White House.
He alleged China obtained 220 million U.S. voter records, which is close to the total number of registered voters in 2020.
Trump claimed that CIA and NSA reports about China’s election targeting were deliberately withheld from his daily briefings.
An FBI official was accused by Trump of running a "shadow government" to hide information on China’s election meddling.
Trump reduced funding and staff for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and ended its election security programs.
The Election Assistance Commission was dismantled recently during Trump’s term.
Despite these claims, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded with high confidence that China did not try to influence the 2020 election results or interfere with vote counting systems.
Intelligence reports found China aimed to increase global influence but considered the risks of election interference too high.
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A federal judge criticized President Trump, his lawyers, and the Justice Department for a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The judge expressed strong disapproval of the legal actions taken in this case.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involves President Trump and the IRS.
The Justice Department is also involved in the case.
A federal judge strongly criticized the lawsuit and those involved.
The criticism was directed at President Trump, his legal team, and the Justice Department.
The case concerns legal actions related to the IRS, the U.S. tax agency.
CBS News reported this information and provided further analysis.
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Several major U.S. news networks will not show President Trump’s speech live on their main TV channels. Instead, ABC, NBC, and CNN will provide the speech through their online streaming services or through live written updates on their websites.
Key Facts
President Trump is scheduled to give a speech on Thursday evening.
ABC News, NBC News, and CNN confirmed they will not air the speech live on their main TV networks.
These networks will offer the speech on their separate streaming platforms.
They will also provide live updates in written form on their websites.
President Trump has mentioned he will share “big news” during the speech.
The speech is expected to cover topics related to President Trump’s previous statements.
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New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez says the U.S. Justice Department is not cooperating with his ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators he will look into any new information about Epstein.
Key Facts
Raúl Torrez is the Attorney General of New Mexico.
Torrez claims the Justice Department is blocking his current investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Todd Blanche is the Acting U.S. Attorney General.
Blanche said during his confirmation hearing that the Justice Department will investigate new leads about Epstein.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender.
The conflict concerns cooperation between state and federal officials on the investigation.
Torrez spoke about this issue on the show "The Takeout."
The article was reported by CBS News.
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Since President Donald Trump began his second term, thousands of workers focused on election security have been cut from government agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This has reduced federal support to state and local election offices, raising concerns about vulnerabilities and leaving those offices to rely on other resources for cybersecurity.
Key Facts
Nearly 1,000 employees were cut or left CISA by mid-2025, reducing its workforce from about 3,400 to around 2,500.
CISA’s funding request decreased from roughly $3 billion in 2025 to $2.4 billion in 2026 under the Trump administration.
CISA stopped federal support for programs that helped state and local election offices protect themselves from cyber threats.
Some election-security employees were placed on administrative leave in February 2025, followed by an internal agency review.
The FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, which investigated covert foreign efforts to influence U.S. elections, was disbanded on February 5, 2025.
State officials have asked Congress to restore or increase federal cybersecurity support due to rising election-security threats.
The government says the cuts saved about $10 million annually and aimed to focus on core priorities but led to less federal aid for states.
After the 2020 election, President Trump fired CISA’s director Chris Krebs following Krebs’ statement that the election was secure.
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Health officials are investigating iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, supplied to Taco Bell, as a possible cause of a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US. Taco Bell has removed the lettuce from some states and plans to replace it, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to track the illness.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is a parasitic illness causing watery diarrhea.
The CDC confirmed 1,645 lab cases and 145 hospitalizations so far, with more cases pending analysis.
The outbreak is expected to continue through August and may affect more people than reported.
Cases linked to the outbreak have been found in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Taco Bell voluntarily removed the implicated lettuce from some states and is replacing it quickly.
Officials are still investigating Taylor Farms lettuce as a potential source of the outbreak.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for budget cuts affecting food safety programs, though officials say these cuts have not harmed the outbreak response.
A White House spokesperson confirmed that CDC and FDA have the resources needed for managing the outbreak.
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Ava DuVernay is making a Netflix documentary called "14th" about the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship rights to people born in the U.S. The film discusses the amendment's history and ongoing political debates, including recent challenges from President Donald Trump who tried to limit birthright citizenship.
Key Facts
The 14th Amendment was passed in 1868 to give citizenship to formerly enslaved people and others born in the U.S.
President Donald Trump signed an order to restrict birthright citizenship at the start of his second term.
The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s order in a 6-3 decision, upholding the amendment’s protections.
The 14th Amendment overturned the 1857 Supreme Court ruling that said descendants of slaves could not be citizens.
Ava DuVernay directed the 2016 documentary "13th" about the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
Her new film "14th" will include interviews with politicians, historians, and cultural figures.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that citizenship means the right to have rights and participate politically.
Trump said he will keep challenging the Supreme Court’s ruling on birthright citizenship.
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Heavy rain has caused flooding in Central Texas, resulting in the deaths of at least two people. Authorities have urged residents to move to higher ground for safety as the rain continues.
Key Facts
At least two people have died due to flooding in Central Texas.
The flooding is caused by several days of heavy rain.
Local officials have warned residents to seek higher ground immediately.
The rain and flooding are ongoing at the time of the report.
Emergency teams are monitoring the situation and issuing safety alerts.
The storm has disrupted daily life and caused dangerous conditions in the area.
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Heavy flash floods in Texas have killed two people and forced hundreds of rescues in the Hill Country region, which was also severely flooded last year. Rescue teams have saved over 200 people, and officials warn that more rain and flooding may continue.
Key Facts
Two people have died due to flash floods in Texas, including one swept away while driving and another found near a mobile home.
Over 200 people have been rescued by boats and helicopters in affected areas.
The floods hit many areas that suffered devastating floods a year ago, especially in the Hill Country region.
Some rivers, like the Guadalupe River, have risen more than 30 feet in some places.
About 28 inches of rain fell in Uvalde County over three days, and other areas received around a foot of rain.
More than 2,000 first responders were deployed to assist with rescues and evacuations.
Authorities issued urgent warnings and evacuation notices early to help people move to safer areas.
The floods affected multiple counties close to the Mexico border and near San Antonio.
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Wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota has caused unhealthy air across many U.S. states from the Midwest to the East Coast. Officials have advised people to stay indoors or wear masks because the smoke can harm lungs and cause serious health problems.
Key Facts
Smoke from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota is affecting air quality across many U.S. states.
Air quality levels are unhealthy to hazardous, meaning everyone is at risk from breathing the air outside.
The smoke is trapped close to the ground by a weather pattern called a high pressure system.
Visibility has dropped in some areas, such as Detroit, making it hard to see far distances.
Health risks from smoke include lung damage, heart problems, and long-term diseases.
Cities like New York and Chicago have taken steps such as handing out masks and canceling outdoor events.
Experts say the smoke problem may continue for weeks or months until snow helps put out the fires.
Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to hold an early vote next week on a short-term government funding bill, even though the government won’t run out of money for more than two months. This vote may fail, which could help Johnson use a different budget process called reconciliation later to fund government spending and military needs.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson wants to vote soon on a short-term spending bill called a continuing resolution (CR).
The government has money until September, so the early vote is unusual.
If the CR vote fails, Johnson might use reconciliation, a budget process that needs fewer votes, to fund government spending and military munitions.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune does not agree with rushing into a third reconciliation bill.
Using reconciliation could pressure the Senate to accept the House’s spending plan or be blamed for a government shutdown.
Some Republicans fear a government shutdown could hurt them in upcoming elections.
Democrats are unsure if they will support the short-term funding bill and warn against a rigid approach.
Some conservatives want a specific bill (SAVE America Act) included with funding; Johnson has not decided on this.
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A nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by a parasite, has sickened thousands of people in the U.S. Officials are investigating a lettuce supplier from Mexico, Taylor Farms, which provided lettuce to Taco Bell locations where some sick people ate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the source while Taco Bell has temporarily removed some ingredients at certain restaurants.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite cyclospora and leads to diarrhea.
The outbreak began in early May and has spread to 34 states.
At least 1,645 people have been sickened and 141 hospitalized, but some states report higher numbers.
Michigan reported over 4,300 cases and more than 100 hospitalizations.
FDA traced the lettuce used by Taco Bell in five affected states to Taylor Farms in Mexico.
Taco Bell voluntarily removed some ingredients at select restaurants as a safety measure.
Taylor Farms is a major producer of salads and fresh foods, supplying many restaurant chains across North America.
Taylor Farms was linked to a previous food outbreak involving onions last year.
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A bill called the Sunshine Protection Act is moving through the U.S. Senate after passing the House. It would make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more clock changes twice a year. Veterinarians say this change could temporarily disrupt pets' routines since animals rely on consistent schedules for feeding, walks, and medication.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act would keep the U.S. on daylight saving time all year, eliminating the switch back to standard time.
Pets like dogs and cats do not follow clock time but depend on regular routines for eating, walking, and sleeping.
Sudden changes in owners’ schedules could confuse pets for a few days.
Pets most affected include senior animals, puppies, kittens, those with anxiety or dementia, and pets on timed medications.
Medication schedules for pets should be adjusted gradually with a vet’s help to avoid problems.
Longer evenings may shift dog walks later, which could raise heat illness risks during summer for vulnerable breeds like bulldogs and older or overweight pets.
Darker mornings might lead to more early walks, increasing safety risks due to lower visibility.
Owners should take precautions when walking pets in low light to stay safe.
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President Donald Trump will give a speech from the White House on July 16, 2026, focusing on election issues and new claims that China accessed U.S. voter data. He continues to say the 2020 election was stolen, although officials say no foreign country interfered with vote counting or ballots.
Key Facts
President Trump’s speech is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on July 16, 2026, at the White House in Washington, D.C.
He will address allegations that China accessed U.S. voter data and may have tried to influence elections.
U.S. intelligence agencies say no foreign countries interfered with actual voting or vote counts in 2020.
Trump is promoting the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID at voting.
The SAVE America Act also seeks to ban mail-in voting and restrict transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Critics warn the bill could prevent millions of eligible voters from casting ballots.
The bill has passed the House but lacks enough support in the Senate to become law.
Intelligence agencies differentiate between “election influence” (spreading messages to affect voters) and “election interference” (changing votes or counts), finding only influence occurred in 2020.
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President Donald Trump is preparing to give a primetime TV speech about election security in the United States. He plans to claim that China meddled in U.S. elections and is supporting a new law that would require voters to show photo ID and proof of citizenship.
Key Facts
President Trump will give a primetime speech focused on U.S. election security.
He is expected to allege that China interfered in the U.S. elections.
President Trump supports a voting law that requires a national photo ID for voters.
The proposed law would also require proof of citizenship to vote.
The information comes from unnamed sources who spoke to CBS News.
The speech links to concerns about protecting election integrity in America.
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A new poll shows Democrat David Jolly slightly leading Republican Byron Donalds in the race for Florida governor. The survey found Jolly ahead by six points among likely voters, but the contest is still early and may change before the general election.
Key Facts
David Jolly, a former Republican turned Democrat, leads Byron Donalds 46% to 40% in the latest poll.
The poll was conducted by Change Research, a firm known to lean Democratic.
Previous polls showed a smaller gap or had Donalds slightly ahead.
President Donald Trump won Florida by 13 points in 2024, and no Democrat has been governor there for over 20 years.
About 45% of voters have heard of David Jolly, while 19% of voters say they are not familiar with Donalds.
Only 31% of likely voters approve of Donalds’ job performance in Congress.
Donalds’ campaign criticized the poll, claiming it was inaccurate based on past errors.
The poll surveyed 1,348 registered Florida voters, with 1,004 likely voters, and has a margin of error of 2.8%.
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President Donald Trump is scheduled to give a televised speech amid ongoing military strikes against Iran that he authorized. Some TV networks will not air the speech live to avoid spreading unproven election fraud claims, while Democratic leaders criticize Trump for questioning 2020 election results and warning about interference in future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump will address the nation following US military strikes on Iran for the sixth day in a row.
The strikes targeted locations near Tehran and a ship accused by US officials of trying to break a US blockade.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US allies in the region.
Some TV networks like NBC and ABC plan to stream Trump’s speech online but not broadcast it live on traditional TV.
Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, and Angela Alsobrooks, have criticized Trump’s focus on election fraud claims.
They say there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election and accuse Trump of trying to undermine future elections.
Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended his focus on election concerns, citing support from many Americans.
The conflict with Iran has lasted 139 days, with no ceasefire or peace talks in progress, and gas prices rising.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on countries to work together against what he described as a rising threat from far-left extremist groups. The Trump administration hosted a meeting in Washington focusing on far-left terrorism, especially targeting groups like Antifa, while not addressing far-right threats.
Key Facts
Rubio urged global cooperation to share information about far-left extremism.
The meeting included officials from over 60 countries, including many European, Latin American, and Asian nations.
The Trump administration has labeled Antifa and other left-wing groups as terrorist organizations.
Visa restrictions were announced against members of far-left groups involved in activities like economic sabotage.
Democrats criticized the focus on left-wing groups as politically biased and warned it could affect lawful protests.
Four European left-wing groups have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. government.
Reports show a complex picture of terrorism in the U.S., with some saying far-left threats have risen, while others emphasize far-right violence.
A recent U.S. Justice Department study indicating far-right extremists were responsible for most ideologically motivated deaths was quietly removed from the public website.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This meeting comes after senators urged action and is happening while Blanche’s confirmation is still pending.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently the Acting Attorney General.
He is meeting with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of sex offenses.
Senators have pushed for this meeting to happen.
Blanche’s official confirmation as Attorney General has not yet been completed.
The meeting is taking place on a Thursday.
CBS News reported the meeting with information from sources.
Nicole Killion is the reporter covering the story.
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Many top U.S. universities have received millions of dollars from foreign groups on U.S. government watch lists, according to recent funding records. Officials are now warning universities that accepting money from these sources could risk losing federal funds due to national security concerns.
Key Facts
U.S. universities received about $27.6 million last year from foreign entities on government watch lists.
These watch lists are managed by agencies like Treasury, Defense, and State to monitor groups with ties to foreign governments.
A Chinese company connected to the military gave over $7 million to three U.S. research universities.
Bryant University signed a 50-year contract worth $22.6 million with Beijing Institute of Technology, a Chinese institution.
The State Department sent a letter to 187 top research universities to increase caution in accepting foreign funding.
Total foreign funding to American universities reached $1.5 billion in 2022, less than 2% of all university research funding.
Universities must report foreign gifts over $250,000, but checks against watch lists were not always done before.
The new focus aims to prevent universities from receiving money connected to foreign military interests to protect national security.
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