Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, expressed concern about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s involvement in creating a deal to protect President Trump and his family from IRS audits for several years. The deal involves the IRS, the Justice Department, and President Trump.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn is a Republican from Texas and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Cornyn is worried about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s role in the IRS settlement deal.
The deal is between President Trump, the IRS, and the Justice Department.
The agreement would prevent IRS audits of President Trump and his family for an extended period.
Cornyn’s concerns suggest potential issues with the fairness or legality of the arrangement.
Todd Blanche is currently the acting Attorney General.
The settlement relates to tax audits, which are reviews of financial records by the IRS.
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A deputy US marshal, Drew Hanson, was killed during an operation to arrest a man in Louisiana who missed his sexual battery trial. The suspect, Clarence Frazier Jr., shot Hanson and was later arrested after a standoff.
Key Facts
Deputy US marshal Drew Hanson was shot and killed in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Hanson was part of a team arresting Clarence Frazier Jr., who missed his sexual battery trial.
Authorities had a search warrant for Frazier’s home and tried to arrest him there.
Frazier barricaded himself in his bedroom and opened fire on officers.
Hanson was mortally wounded during the shooting.
Frazier was arrested after a standoff and taken to the hospital with injuries.
Frazier faces murder charges and could receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Hanson is one of over 200 US marshals who have died in the line of duty since 1794.
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The Trump administration has stopped Americans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from returning to the US during the ongoing Ebola outbreak. People who have been in the DRC must first spend 21 days in a third country before they can fly back to the US.
Key Facts
The US placed Americans in or recently from the DRC on a "do-not-board" list, preventing their immediate travel home.
The restriction comes amid an Ebola outbreak that is spreading faster than response efforts can control.
Travelers must stay 21 days in a different country before returning to the United States.
About two dozen Americans were blocked from boarding flights home after the rule was announced.
It is unclear if US government workers in the DRC, such as CDC employees, are also affected.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with body fluids of sick or recently deceased people, not through casual contact.
The CDC states that "do-not-board" lists are meant for people known or suspected to have contagious diseases, not everyone from outbreak countries.
The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak is out of control and lacks sufficient funding, partially due to the US withdrawing its membership.
As of July 14, nearly 2,000 Ebola cases and over 700 deaths have been reported in the DRC.
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Federal investigators have given Minnesota officials evidence about deadly shootings involving ICE that happened in January. The Minnesota authorities had been asking for this information for several months.
Key Facts
The evidence relates to shootings involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Minnesota.
The shootings occurred in January.
Minnesota officials requested this evidence for months before receiving it.
Federal investigators were responsible for turning over the evidence.
Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty discussed the situation on a news program.
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Nine people in the United States have died in shootings involving immigration officers over the past 18 months. Two recent deaths occurred in Texas and Maine, leading to ongoing investigations and increased attention on the actions of immigration enforcement officials.
Key Facts
Nine people were killed by immigration officers in the U.S. during the last 18 months.
Two of these fatal shootings happened recently, one in Texas and one in Maine.
The cases have raised questions about the conduct and oversight of immigration officers.
Investigations are currently underway to examine these shootings.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is involved in investigating two ICE-related deaths in Minnesota.
CBS News reporters Lilia Luciano and Ed O’Keefe covered the story.
The focus is on the scrutiny of ICE’s use of force during these incidents.
Coverage and updates are available through CBS News platforms.
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Two deadly shootings by immigration agents happened within one week, raising concerns about how the agency works under Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Some Democratic lawmakers say new rules pushing for more arrests may be causing more violence.
Key Facts
Two people were fatally shot by immigration agents in one week.
The incidents have led to more attention on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin oversees these agents.
Democratic lawmakers claim new arrest quotas might increase violence.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus spoke strongly against ICE in a press conference.
Critics say ICE is targeting Latino communities too aggressively.
The debate focuses on how immigration enforcement is conducted and its impact on affected communities.
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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill that would sanction Russian energy exports and countries trading with Russia. The bill was led by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal and has White House support; it aims to increase pressure on Russia amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Key Facts
The bill targets Russian energy exports, including oil and natural gas.
It proposes tariffs up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas.
Countries like France and Japan are exempted as they reduce their Russian imports.
China, the largest importer of Russian energy, would face a 100% tariff under this bill.
The bill would also penalize countries trading with Russia on defense items, potentially including Iran.
President Donald Trump has expressed support for the bill and a possible inclusion of Iran and Hezbollah.
The legislation was delayed for over a year but reached agreement after talks involving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Senator Blumenthal called passing the bill a tribute to the late Senator Graham, who helped negotiate it over two years.
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Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old man from Colombia, was killed by ICE agents during an immigration operation in Biddeford, Maine. Officials reported that Guerrero was not the intended target of the shooting.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Biddeford, Maine.
Joan Sebastian Guerrero was 26 years old and from Colombia.
He was fatally shot during an immigration enforcement operation by ICE agents.
Authorities said Guerrero was not the intended person they were trying to detain or arrest.
The shooting occurred during an operation focused on immigration enforcement.
Local media identified Guerrero as the man who died in the shooting.
No further details about the intended target or circumstances of the shooting were provided.
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Todd Blanche is having a confirmation hearing to become the official attorney general. He has worked as acting attorney general since April and needs full support from Republican lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee to be approved.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing began at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 15.
He has served as the acting attorney general since April.
Some key Republican senators have not yet decided whether to support his nomination.
Blanche must get all Republican votes on the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward.
His hearing will focus on the Justice Department’s investigations related to President Donald Trump’s opponents.
The committee will also consider the handling of a lawsuit settlement involving the IRS and a case about Jeffrey Epstein files.
President Donald Trump nominated Todd Blanche for attorney general.
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Representative Ro Khanna from California said he regrets not listening to his wife’s concerns about Graham Platner, a former Maine Senate candidate who is accused of sexual assault. Khanna had supported Platner’s campaign and even appeared at a rally with him last month.
Key Facts
Ro Khanna is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.
Graham Platner is a former candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine.
Platner faces accusations of sexual assault.
Khanna had publicly supported Platner’s campaign.
Khanna attended a campaign rally with Platner in the recent past.
Khanna now says he should have listened to his wife’s warnings about Platner.
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A bipartisan election panel in Wisconsin found that Elon Musk probably broke the state's election bribery law by giving $1 million in checks to voters during a Supreme Court election. The panel voted mostly in favor of sending complaints against Musk to the local district attorney for further investigation.
Key Facts
Elon Musk gave out $1 million in checks to voters in Wisconsin.
This occurred during the state’s Supreme Court election last year.
House lawmakers questioned Jeffrey Kessler, head of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), about the Trump administration’s policies on controlling exports of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips. The discussion focused on how the government manages the sale of these important technologies overseas.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Kessler leads the Bureau of Industry and Security, which controls export rules for sensitive technologies.
He appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Lawmakers asked about the Trump administration’s record on selling advanced AI chips to other countries.
The BIS is responsible for enforcing export controls to protect U.S. technology.
The committee discussed the bureau’s budget during the hearing.
Advanced AI chips are important for both commercial and security uses.
Export rules aim to prevent sensitive technology from reaching rival nations.
This hearing shows congressional interest in how export policies are managed under President Trump.
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Two Republican lawmakers have asked the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) over its recent campaign against a large veterans benefits bill. The lawmakers are concerned that VFW’s use of strong imagery and statements may violate rules for organizations that help veterans with benefits claims.
Key Facts
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost and Representative Jack Bergman requested the VA review the VFW’s actions.
The dispute is about the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, which includes over 60 veterans-related measures expanding benefits but also changing compensation for some conditions.
The VFW opposed parts of the bill, using social media posts showing veterans facing a firing squad image, prompting Republican criticism.
Lawmakers say this imagery is inflammatory and could encourage political violence.
The VFW states their campaign highlights harmful cuts to future veterans' benefits.
The investigation request asks if the VFW follows accreditation standards and if its conduct fits its role helping veterans with claims.
The VA has not yet said if it will start a formal investigation.
Some observers say investigating the VFW could be a way to pressure veterans’ advocates during a benefits debate.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, stopping the twice-yearly clock changes. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its approval is uncertain.
Key Facts
The House voted 308 to 117 in favor of making daylight saving time permanent.
The bill allows states to stay on standard time if they had exemptions before the federal change.
Hawaii and most of Arizona already use standard time all year.
Supporters say permanent daylight saving time could improve sleep, health, and the economy.
Opponents worry that darker mornings in winter could harm health and safety.
The Senate passed a similar bill in 2022, but it was not approved by the House then.
President Donald Trump has expressed mixed opinions on the issue but said he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Daylight saving time was first introduced in 1918 to save energy during World War I and has changed several times since.
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Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, known for safely landing a plane on the Hudson River in 2009, has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. He shared the news on his website, saying he experiences some memory problems but is focused on speaking openly about the condition.
Key Facts
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is 75 years old.
He is famous for safely landing a damaged plane on the Hudson River in New York City in 2009.
He was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Symptoms include difficulty remembering names, forgetting recent stories, and trouble sleeping.
He described this as a new challenge that affects how he can be of service to others.
Sullenberger emphasizes the importance of talking openly about Alzheimer's disease.
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Senate Democrats blocked a $1 trillion defense bill because they oppose President Donald Trump’s ongoing war with Iran. The bill, which would raise defense spending and increase troop pay, failed to get enough votes as Democrats protested the continuing conflict.
Key Facts
The Senate vote on the defense bill was 50-46, falling short of the needed majority.
The bill is called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA includes a substantial increase in Pentagon spending and a pay raise for military members.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer opposed the bill due to the ongoing war in Iran.
The war in Iran has lasted five months without a clear plan to end it.
The White House recently announced it had resumed bombing strikes against Iran.
The renewed conflict has caused economic problems, including unstable gas prices.
Democrats say the defense bill should not approve or support further war actions.
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John Sandweg, who used to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), suggested that ICE should stop making traffic stops for now. He said this pause should last until the agency can review and improve how it handles these stops.
Key Facts
John Sandweg is the former acting director of ICE.
ICE has temporarily been making traffic stops.
Sandweg recommends pausing these traffic stops completely for now.
The pause is meant to allow time to review ICE’s traffic stop practices.
The goal is to ensure these stops are done properly and fairly.
Sandweg expressed his views publicly on Tuesday.
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President Donald Trump said Gulf leaders asked him to change his plan of charging fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Instead of tolls, they proposed making trade deals and investing billions of dollars in the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump originally planned to charge a 20% toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf state leaders, including kings and emirs, asked him to stop the toll plan.
They proposed investment in the U.S. through trade deals instead of paying tolls.
President Trump announced this change during a news briefing in the Oval Office.
The Gulf states offered to invest billions of dollars in the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route for global trade.
The president said this was a result of direct discussions with Gulf leaders.
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Darline Graham has been sworn in as a U.S. Senator to finish the term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham. The oath ceremony happened three days after Lindsey Graham passed away.
Key Facts
Darline Graham is Lindsey Graham’s younger sister.
She took office to complete the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s Senate term.
Lindsey Graham died suddenly three days before the swearing-in.
Senator Chuck Grassley administered the oath of office.
Darline Graham is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
The event took place recently, within the last day.
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A man died after being hit by a semi truck in Florida while fleeing from immigration agents during an encounter. This is the third death related to immigration enforcement in the U.S. within one week.
Key Facts
The incident happened Tuesday morning in St. Augustine, Florida, at a convenience store parking lot.
Four men were involved in an encounter with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), part of ICE.
One man ran into the busy road and was struck by a semi truck; he died at the scene.
The semi truck driver stopped and tried to help the injured man.
This death follows two other immigration enforcement-related shootings in Texas and Maine last week.
The dead man was reported to be 28 years old, but his identity has not been released.
It is unclear if the other three men fled or were arrested.
Border Patrol may have been present during the incident, but ICE has not commented.
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