Republican senators criticized special counsel Jack Smith during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about his investigations into President Trump. The hearing included arguments over accusations, a basketball team mix-up, and debates about subpoenas for phone records tied to the investigations.
Key Facts
Jack Smith led two federal criminal cases against President Trump in 2023, both dismissed before trial.
Republican Senator Eric Schmitt wrongly accused Smith of attending an Atlanta Hawks game, when Smith had attended a University of Iowa Hawkeyes game.
Senator Amy Klobuchar said Schmitt’s false claims and insults toward Smith deserved an apology.
Republicans claim Smith targeted Trump and Republican lawmakers unfairly, including subpoenaing phone records from Congress members.
Smith said subpoenas were necessary to find evidence of Trump’s efforts to delay the 2020 election certification.
Senator John Kennedy accused the Biden administration of pressuring the Department of Justice to prosecute Trump, with no public proof; Smith said he didn’t know of any such conversations.
Kennedy made remarks comparing belief in Smith’s claims to belief in the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny.
Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Darline Graham also criticized Smith, accusing him of abusing his power and bullying Republicans.
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The Department of Homeland Security is spending $20 million of taxpayer money on ads that praise President Donald Trump. Democratic senators say these ads break laws against using government funds for political promotion, and they have asked for an explanation from the department.
Key Facts
Homeland Security is using $20 million for ads that highlight President Trump’s achievements.
The ads have been criticized by both Democrats and Republicans as misuse of taxpayer money.
Two Democratic senators wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers within 48 hours.
The money originally was meant for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The ads run on TV channels including sports programming and include campaign-like messages.
Experts say these ads don’t qualify as public service announcements because they promote a political figure instead of sharing government program info.
Republican leaders also criticized the use of government funds for these ads.
More than $2.5 million has already been spent in one week on three ads, with a potential total of $20 million committed to the campaign.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a pause on hiring civilian tenured professors at U.S. military academies. He wants the academies to focus on hiring plans that support flexibility and directly help the military’s mission.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the decision to stop hiring civilian tenured faculty at U.S. military academies.
The pause affects civilian staff in permanent teaching positions.
The goal is to create hiring plans that improve flexibility in staff roles.
Hegseth wants faculty contributions to align closely with military training and readiness.
Military Service Academies train future officers for the U.S. armed forces.
This directive aims to better support the "warfighting mission," which means preparing for combat and defense.
The order was issued on a Tuesday.
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New York prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University that happened in October 2024. Text messages between the woman involved and a defendant show confusion about the events, while a civil lawsuit names seven men accused of assaulting the woman at a fraternity house.
Key Facts
The alleged assault occurred in October 2024 at a Cornell fraternity house called Chi Phi.
The woman claims she was drugged and raped by multiple men over seven hours.
Text messages between the woman and one defendant show both had fuzzy memories and were intoxicated.
The woman said in texts that none of the sexual activity was illegal and expressed liking some of the men.
Seven men are named in a civil lawsuit for the assault; two were expelled by Cornell after an internal investigation.
The other five men received lesser punishments and continued their studies.
No arrests or criminal charges were made initially, prompting public criticism.
The district attorney reopened the case after new allegations came out in the civil lawsuit, stating the original statement from the woman described consensual behavior.
CBS News released some text messages and videos related to the case, including messages from a group linked to the fraternity.
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President Donald Trump is holding rallies this week in states that strongly support Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His visits aim to boost voter turnout in these areas rather than concentrate on more competitive states.
Key Facts
President Trump will hold rallies in Durant, Oklahoma, on October 1 and Mobile, Alabama, on October 2.
Both locations are in areas that heavily favored Trump and the Republican Party in the 2024 elections.
Durant is in Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, which Trump won by over 50 points in 2024.
Mobile, in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, was redrawn to favor Republicans after recent redistricting.
Later in October, Trump plans rallies in Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska, states with closer Senate races.
Some Democrats say Republicans are worried about losing traditional strongholds like Alabama.
Republicans argue these rallies will increase voter turnout in important neighboring states like Texas and Florida.
Experts say it is common for presidents to visit safe areas during midterms to encourage their base to vote.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to visit several states with important Senate races to support Republican candidates before the midterm elections. He will also attend fundraising events as the GOP works to keep control of the Senate.
Key Facts
John Thune is the Senate Majority Leader and a Republican senator from South Dakota.
Thune will travel to states including North Carolina, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa.
He recently campaigned in Georgia with Rep. Mike Collins, who is running against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
Thune will participate in both fundraising and media events to help Republican candidates.
Some members of the GOP and President Trump have criticized Thune, especially about the SAVE America Act, an elections-related bill.
Thune said his endorsement may not help in primary races but could be useful in general elections.
Senate Republicans have raised over $500 million to support their candidates for the midterms.
Thune described the Senate races as very close and said the outcome could go either way, depending on voter turnout and campaign efforts.
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The Department of Education clarified that it is not banning students from certain college degrees but is creating a rule to hold colleges responsible if their programs leave students with heavy debt and poor job prospects. The rule compares graduates’ earnings to those of people with less education to decide if programs qualify for federal student loans.
Key Facts
The Department of Education denied reports that the Trump administration plans to ban some college degrees.
The new rule aims to stop colleges from offering programs that leave students worse off financially than if they had not attended.
The rule compares graduates’ median earnings four years after completing a program to those with only a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree.
Programs failing this test may lose access to federal student loans.
Some degrees like social work, art, religious studies, music, teaching assistance, and cosmetology might be more affected due to lower earnings.
About 3% of programs at public and nonprofit colleges and one-third of those at for-profit colleges may fail the earnings test.
The Department of Education says this policy will protect taxpayers and help students avoid unmanageable debt.
A study showed that liberal arts degrees produce the lowest financial gains over 15 years but still return a positive benefit on average.
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President Donald Trump is choosing which government-funded ads to air on TV ahead of the midterm elections. These ads highlight his achievements and campaign messages, and they are funded by taxpayer money through the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.
Key Facts
President Trump personally selects the government-funded ads that started airing on September 23.
The ads promote Trump’s record and warnings about communism, socialism, and Marxism.
One ad mirrors a Trump campaign video but is labeled as paid for by the U.S. Government.
The Department of Homeland Security is paying for the ads using existing funds.
The ads have aired over 2,000 times on broadcast TV and over 50 times on cable.
The most aired program was Fox’s NFL coverage, with 340 showings.
Some Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, say the ads should not use taxpayer money.
Democrats criticize the ads as illegal government propaganda.
So far, about $2.5 million has been spent, which is small compared to the $100 million Trump's campaign is spending on midterm efforts.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new website called America.gov, which lets Americans apply for passports online. The website uses artificial intelligence to simplify the passport application process, replacing the older, slower system.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump launched the new artificial intelligence website for passport applications.
The website is called America.gov.
Americans can now apply for passports online through this site.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented and promoted the new website.
The new system aims to improve the previous slow and complex passport application process.
The use of artificial intelligence helps make the process easier and faster.
This change reflects an effort to modernize government services for citizens.
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President Donald Trump’s administration launched a new website called America.gov to help people find government information and services more easily. The website uses artificial intelligence (AI) to guide users to official sources and aims to let people complete some government tasks without visiting multiple agency sites.
Key Facts
America.gov is a government website designed to simplify access to official information and services.
The site uses AI technologies from Google and xAI to answer questions and direct users.
It does not store user information and follows security rules of the government agencies involved.
Users can get help with topics like passport renewal, elections, and citizenship applications.
The site was introduced by President Trump and officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
America.gov aims to let users complete government transactions directly in the future, like applying for a passport and uploading photos.
The website is managed by the National Design Studio, part of the Executive Office of the President created by Trump in 2025.
The site provides accurate, neutral answers, such as confirming Joe Biden won the 2020 election and correctly naming the Department of Defense.
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A new study shows that Generation Z, people born roughly between 1997 and 2012, are more interested in marriage than older generations. The study found that 72 percent of Gen Z singles want to get married, challenging the idea that young people are against long-term commitment.
Key Facts
The study was done by Match Group and Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, surveying about 5,000 single adults in the U.S.
72% of Gen Z singles want to get married, the highest percentage among all generations.
76% of all people surveyed believe romantic love can last forever.
Many Gen Z singles feel pressure to keep relationships casual but still want long-term commitment.
Gen Z has dated less than previous generations, making relationships feel more valuable to them.
Many singles prioritize emotional stability and compatibility over just excitement in relationships.
About 71% say being open about money helps build trust, and 70% are open to prenuptial agreements.
Economic and social uncertainties make the idea of a stable, committed partner more attractive to Gen Z.
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Top Senate Democrats have contacted the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to inquire about delays in providing COVID-19 vaccines to low-income children through a federal program. They sent a letter to the CDC Director and HHS Secretary to ask for explanations and faster action.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats are concerned about slow distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to children from low-income families.
The vaccines are part of a federal program aimed at helping vulnerable populations.
A letter was sent to CDC Director Erica Schwartz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is among the lawmakers pressing for answers.
The focus is on ensuring equitable and timely access to COVID vaccines for children in need.
The action highlights ongoing efforts to manage COVID-19 vaccination for different groups.
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Senator Eric Schmitt questioned special counsel Jack Smith during a Senate hearing about whether Smith had attended an Atlanta Hawks NBA game in February 2024. Smith denied going to that game and said he had been at a University of Maryland women's basketball game instead.
Key Facts
Senator Eric Schmitt asked Jack Smith if he attended an Atlanta Hawks game in February 2024.
Schmitt showed text message screenshots as evidence suggesting Smith was in Georgia.
Smith said he didn’t attend the Hawks game and could not remember being in Atlanta at that time.
Smith said he went to a University of Maryland women’s basketball game during the same timeframe.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar corrected Schmitt by pointing out that Caitlin Clark played for the University of Iowa, not Maryland.
The questioning was part of a Senate Judiciary hearing that involved discussion of past investigations related to President Donald Trump.
Schmitt suggested that Smith might have lied under oath (perjured himself), but made mistakes about the basketball teams involved.
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The article explains how the Trump administration uses football language to describe its immigration enforcement approach. A video by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used footage of former NFL player Brian Dawkins without permission to symbolize strong border control, showing immigration policy as a battle like football.
Key Facts
DHS used a video showing former NFL player Brian Dawkins making tackles to promote immigration enforcement.
Dawkins did not give permission for his image to be used and the NFL asked DHS to remove it.
The Trump administration uses football metaphors to frame immigration enforcement as defending territory.
Football terms like offense, defense, and weapons are used to explain political actions in a simpler way.
Linguists note that football language helps create a clear divide between "insiders" and "outsiders."
This approach makes complicated immigration policies seem like a straightforward conflict to stop intruders.
Past U.S. politicians also used football language to describe politics and war, but the Trump administration makes it very direct.
Using sports metaphors helps political messages reach a large audience by simplifying complex issues.
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Quentin Williams, a Minneapolis special education assistant, filed a federal claim alleging that Border Patrol agents assaulted and wrongfully detained him outside Roosevelt High School during an immigration enforcement operation on January 7, 2026. The U.S. government denies targeting the school and says Williams attacked an officer after a driver was pursued and arrested nearby.
Key Facts
Quentin Williams says Border Patrol agents pushed, pulled his hair, tackled him, and pressed on his neck and back outside Roosevelt High School.
The alleged assault happened during Operation Metro Surge, a large immigration enforcement effort in Minneapolis starting December 2025.
The operation involved over 3,000 ICE and Homeland Security agents targeting alleged fraud in the Somali immigrant community.
The incident followed the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in January 2026.
DHS states the agents were pursuing a driver who led them on a 5-mile chase and that the school was not the target.
DHS claims Williams assaulted a Border Patrol agent and that agents used crowd control after objects were thrown at them.
Williams says agents entered school property while dismissal was happening, ignored school staff requests to leave, and behaved aggressively.
The federal claim seeks compensation and represents Williams’ account but is not a proven court finding.
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A government report found that more than half of work-related deaths of children under 18 in the US lack detailed information about the cause or industry involved. The report highlights problems in data collection and enforcement of child labor laws, with many violations occurring in industries like food services and agriculture.
Key Facts
From 2013 to 2023, an average of 24 children under 18 died each year from work accidents.
Over half of the 260 child death cases had missing details about cause of death or the work industry.
Of the deaths with reported industries, 75% happened in agriculture.
Two-thirds of deaths with known causes were due to transportation incidents.
Since January 2025, the Department of Labor's cooperation with other federal agencies on child labor enforcement has decreased.
Most child labor law violations between 2015 and 2025 involved 14- and 15-year-olds working longer or later than allowed.
62% of violations occurred in the accommodation and food services industry.
The number of minors working illegally rose from 1,012 in 2015 to 5,272 in 2025.
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Maine Senator Susan Collins is gaining support among women voters ahead of the midterm elections, but she still trails Democrat Troy Jackson. Collins’ previous vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which contributed to overturning Roe v. Wade, remains a key issue in the race.
Key Facts
Recent polls show Susan Collins has improved her standing with women voters but still trails Troy Jackson 47% to 51%.
Collins’ favorability among women moved from 34% in July to 40% in September.
Susan Collins voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh, a decision linked to the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Collins expressed no regret for her vote, despite earlier confidence Kavanaugh would not overturn Roe.
Planned Parenthood is spending over $600,000 on ads criticizing Collins’ anti-abortion votes.
Democrat Troy Jackson has full backing from pro-choice groups and a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund since 2017.
The Maine Senate race is seen as important for the control of the U.S. Senate during President Donald Trump’s term.
Polls show the race is close and could be decided by small shifts in voter support.
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Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee say the White House used money meant for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to run political ads before the November midterm elections. The ads feature President Trump and promote his messages.
Key Facts
Democrats claim the White House spent CBP funds on political advertising.
The ads aired weeks before the November midterm elections.
President Donald Trump appears in a 30-second commercial.
The ad includes statements against communism and socialism.
The issue has caused criticism from Democratic lawmakers.
CBP funding is typically used for border security and customs operations, not political campaigns.
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Americans’ confidence in the economy dropped to its lowest point in over ten years due to high prices and slow wage growth. The Consumer Confidence Index fell in September amid rising inflation and ongoing worries about the economy.
Key Facts
Consumer confidence fell 6.7 points to 81.9 in September, the lowest since April 2014.
Views of current economic conditions dropped by 7.9 points; future outlook fell 5.9 points.
Inflation remains high, with the consumer price index up 3.4% compared to last year.
Gas prices average $4.46 per gallon, contributing to rising costs for many goods and services.
The Federal Reserve raised its interest rate to about 3.9% to help fight inflation.
Job growth was strong in August with 162,000 new jobs, though unemployment held at 4.1%.
Average hourly wages rose 3.1% year-over-year, the slowest increase since May 2021.
The ongoing conflict in Iran is linked to rising energy prices and economic concerns.
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Kristi Noem, who used to be the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has filed for divorce. Court papers reveal that the filing took place earlier this year.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is a former Secretary of Homeland Security.
She has filed for divorce.
The divorce filing happened earlier in the current year.
This information comes from court documents.
No further details about the reason or outcome are provided.
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