Attorney General Todd Blanche will speak to reporters in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday. He will take over the role of White House press secretary from Karoline Leavitt.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the current Attorney General.
He will hold a press briefing in the White House Rose Garden.
The briefing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Blanche will become the new White House press secretary.
He replaces Karoline Leavitt in this role.
This was confirmed by a White House official.
The news was reported by NewsNation and The Hill.
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The Supreme Court stopped the Trump administration from adding new rules on mail-in voting. This means states can keep sending mail-in ballots as usual before the upcoming elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s new mail-in voting rules.
These rules would have required states to give voter information, like name and address, to the Postal Service.
Postal workers would only deliver ballots to voters listed by the states.
The court said the government’s challenge to block the earlier court order is unlikely to win.
The new rules were meant to change how mail-in ballots are handled and reviewed.
Some states and groups said these rules would interfere with state control of elections and make voting harder.
This decision allows states to continue mail-in voting without the new restrictions.
President Trump has claimed mail-in voting fraud without evidence.
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The Supreme Court temporarily stopped new Postal Service rules about mail-in ballots while a legal case is ongoing. This pause affects changes that were part of President Donald Trump's plans related to voting by mail.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court acted on Monday to block new Postal Service rules about mail ballots.
These rules would have changed how mail-in ballots are handled.
The Court's decision is temporary and lasts during a legal challenge.
The change was part of President Donald Trump's efforts concerning mail-in voting.
CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson explained the ruling.
The case is still ongoing and has not been finally decided.
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The Supreme Court decided not to allow President Donald Trump’s new rules for mail-in ballots just before the midterm elections. This means states can keep using their usual mail voting process for now.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s plan to restrict mail-in voting before the midterm elections.
The plan included requiring states to use a uniform envelope and upload voter lists to an online portal.
The U.S. Postal Service could have refused to deliver ballots from states that didn’t follow these new rules.
Some states had already started sending mail ballots using the old system before the new rules could take effect.
A whistleblower warned that mistakes in the new portal could cause millions of ballots to be discarded.
Courts blocked the plan, saying the president has no constitutional power to change mail voting rules like this.
The Supreme Court allowed the government to challenge the ruling but did not make a final decision on the plan’s legality.
President Trump has criticized mail voting, wrongly blaming it for his 2020 election loss, even though he votes by mail himself.
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Two British billionaires have donated £72 million to the UK political party Reform UK, sparking debate about the rules on political donations from people living abroad. The UK government plans to limit donations from British citizens living outside the country to £100,000 per year, but this law has not yet been made official.
Key Facts
Reform UK received £72 million in donations from two crypto billionaires, Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.
The law currently allows unlimited donations to UK political parties from British citizens living anywhere in the world.
The government wants to change the law to limit donations from Brits living abroad to £100,000 per year.
The proposed law would apply retroactively starting from March 25, 2024, but it is not yet passed.
Key details like how the government will define "living abroad" or "residency" are still being decided.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, says the donations are legal under current law but questions making them illegal retroactively.
The government says anyone donating without limits must show a strong and ongoing connection to the UK.
The residency rules may require things like being on the UK electoral roll or paying UK taxes.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Congress should have a role in regulating artificial intelligence (AI), but with light rules to avoid hindering innovation. President Donald Trump, however, believes he alone should control AI regulation and dismisses concerns about its risks.
Key Facts
John Thune supports some AI rules to prevent serious risks but warns against overreaction.
President Trump claims only a strong president is needed to control AI, calling the concern a "hoax."
Democrats are urging slower AI development to avoid dangerous outcomes.
Thune is working with Senator Amy Klobuchar on a bill requiring AI companies to prevent catastrophic risks and accept federal oversight.
House GOP leaders do not plan to stay in session for more AI legislation after this week.
The AI debate has also focused on the energy use of data centers that support AI technology.
Thune has experience with AI laws, having chaired the Senate Commerce Committee.
Republicans acknowledge a race with China in AI development and the potential benefits of the technology.
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The Supreme Court blocked a new U.S. Postal Service rule about mail-in voting, stopping a plan pushed by President Trump's administration. The court said the government probably would lose if the case went forward because states need more time to prepare for the changes before the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled against the USPS rule that changed how mail-in voting is handled.
The court said the government is unlikely to win the case because states need time to implement the rule.
Some justices disagreed, believing the Postal Service might have the authority but the timing was not right.
A lower court judge blocked parts of the rule, saying it was likely unconstitutional.
The USPS was trying to allow states to submit ballot envelopes for review voluntarily.
There are concerns about the USPS rushing to build the ballot system too quickly, risking mail ballots.
President Trump's administration has tried several other election-related changes, some stopped by courts.
The decision likely ends the debate over this rule for the upcoming election.
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Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky was seen in public in Washington, D.C., on Monday for the first time since June. This marked his return after several months away from public appearances.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell is a Republican Senator from Kentucky.
He had not been seen in public since June.
McConnell appeared publicly in Washington, D.C., on a Monday.
The article does not provide details on why he was absent.
His public appearance was reported by CBS News.
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Senate Republicans are doubtful about President Trump’s plan to send $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans keep control of Congress. They want more details on how the plan would be paid for and are concerned about adding to the national debt.
Key Facts
President Trump proposed giving $5,000 checks to Americans, called the "Trump Dividend."
Senate Republicans said they need more information on how to pay for the plan before supporting it.
Some senators are worried about increasing the U.S. debt, which is already very high.
The total cost could be about $1.3 trillion if all adults in the U.S. receive the checks.
Vice President Vance suggested that wealthy Americans might not get the checks.
Congress, including Speaker Mike Johnson, must approve any payments.
There is no detailed plan yet explaining who qualifies or where the money will come from.
Some members recommend saving the money to handle possible inflation.
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The Supreme Court stopped new U.S. Postal Service rules about mail-in ballots from taking effect just before the November midterm elections. The court delayed the rules while a legal fight continues over whether the Postal Service can set these mail voting rules.
Key Facts
The Postal Service created new rules for mail-in ballot envelopes, including unique barcodes and online tracking of voters receiving mail ballots.
The Supreme Court agreed with a lower court and blocked these rules from being used in the upcoming elections.
The rules were meant to reduce potential fraud in mail voting, but no wide evidence of fraud has been shown.
President Donald Trump’s administration supported the rules, calling mail voting fraud a serious problem.
Some states and voting rights groups said these rules interfere with state control over elections and are impossible to follow before the midterms.
Two conservative justices disagreed with blocking the rules, while a third conservative justice thought the rules might be valid but were unfairly timed.
Election officials worried that enforcing the new rules could cause confusion and stop many people from voting by mail.
The Postal Service said ballots not meeting the new rules would be returned, possibly delaying votes.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign received almost $54 million from a political group tied to the Senate Leadership Fund. The money came through a Texas-based political action committee (PAC) connected to the Senate Leadership Fund, according to government filings.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General and a Senate candidate.
His campaign received about $54 million from a Texas PAC linked to the Senate Leadership Fund.
The donation totaled more than $53.8 million.
The Senate Leadership Fund is a Republican-aligned political group.
The funding was disclosed in a filing to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The PAC is based in Austin, Texas.
This financial support is aimed at helping Paxton’s Senate campaign.
The Senate Leadership Fund works to support Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate.
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The Supreme Court decided not to allow President Trump’s plan to use mail-in voting for the midterm elections. This means a judge’s earlier decision blocking the plan will stay in place. Two conservative justices disagreed with the Court’s ruling.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s request to reinstate his mail-in voting plan for the midterm elections.
A lower court judge had already blocked this mail-in voting plan, calling it unlawful.
This is the third time the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to review this issue on an emergency basis.
Two conservative justices on the Supreme Court disagreed with the decision not to restore the mail-in voting plan.
The decision means that voting by mail under this plan will not be allowed in the upcoming midterm elections.
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Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the U.S. Senate after being away for three months following a fall and hospital treatment. He said he is still recovering but wants to take part in important Senate votes before his term ends in January.
Key Facts
McConnell is an 84-year-old Republican senator from Kentucky and the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.
He was absent since mid-June due to a fall at home and mild pneumonia.
His health has caused concern due to previous falls and hospital stays in recent years.
McConnell appeared in a wheelchair when leaving his home but later joined Senate sessions.
He is not running for re-election, and his current Senate term ends in January 2025.
His return comes as the Senate resumes work before the November midterm elections.
McConnell is aiming to participate in tough votes despite not feeling fully recovered.
McConnell has had lingering effects from childhood polio that complicate recovery.
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Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky came back to Congress after being away for about three months. His return marks the end of his long absence from Capitol Hill.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell is a Republican from Kentucky.
He was absent from Congress for around three months.
McConnell returned to Capitol Hill on a Monday.
His return was covered by CBS News.
The absence was noted as a significant break from his duties.
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Workers in lower-paying jobs who switch to new jobs are getting the biggest pay increases seen in over three years. This shows that changing jobs can help some workers earn more money faster.
Key Facts
Lower-paid workers who change jobs are seeing faster wage growth than before.
Their pay raises are the largest in more than three years.
The trend suggests that job switching is helping these workers increase their earnings.
The information comes from a report covered by CBS News MoneyWatch.
The report highlights a recent change in the U.S. labor market for lower-wage workers.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said that mail-in voting has a higher chance of fraud compared to voting in person with an ID. When asked for proof, he said it was just "common sense."
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke about mail-in voting fraud risks.
Blanche claimed mail-in voting is more likely to have fraud than in-person voting.
He did not provide specific evidence to support his claim.
When asked for proof, Blanche replied it was "common sense."
The interview was conducted by CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga.
The discussion focused on voting security and fraud concerns.
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Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, sued Columbia University for not protecting him and other pro-Palestinian students from harassment. The lawsuit claims the university ignored their reports and retaliated, which led to personal information being shared online and Khalil being detained by immigration officials.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil filed a civil rights lawsuit against Columbia University.
The lawsuit says the university failed to stop harassment against pro-Palestinian students.
It claims the university was "deliberately indifferent" to their complaints.
The harassment included doxing, which means sharing private information online.
Khalil was detained by immigration agents following the harassment.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in New York City.
It accuses the university of retaliating against students who reported the harassment.
The affected group is part of a pro-Palestinian campus organization.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state officials to punish datacenters that do not report their water usage as required by Texas law. This move comes as Texas faces drought and a rapid increase in datacenter construction, which uses large amounts of water.
Key Facts
Governor Abbott directed the Texas Water Development Board to penalize datacenters not sharing complete water use data.
The Texas Water Code requires datacenters to provide accurate water usage surveys.
Abbott said some datacenters may have broken civil and criminal laws by failing to report water usage.
An audit is underway to check datacenter water consumption and efficiency efforts.
Datacenters must complete this audit or risk being denied access to the Texas power grid.
Texas has 335 datacenters and plans more, possibly becoming the state with the most datacenters worldwide.
In 2025, Texas datacenters used about 25 billion gallons of water; this could rise to 161 billion gallons by 2030.
The water used by datacenters may equal about 2.7% of Texas’s total water use, similar to the amount used by 1.3 million U.S. households.
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Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina said that part of their May wedding in the Bahamas was paid for by Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch connected to President Vladimir Putin. The couple called the gift generous, but ethics groups raised concerns about the close ties between a U.S. president’s son and a foreign national linked to Russia.
Key Facts
Bettina Trump confirmed on Instagram that Umar Kremlev helped pay for two nights of their wedding celebrations.
The wedding took place on a private island in the Bahamas and included expensive events like a $70,000 fireworks display.
Umar Kremlev is a Russian oligarch, leads the International Boxing Association, and has close ties to Putin, including receiving a top state honor.
Donald Trump Jr. is a private citizen, so accepting gifts from foreigners is not illegal for him.
Ethics groups say accepting such gifts can still create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The wedding was attended by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who has worked on U.S. diplomatic talks.
Kremlev and Trump Jr. say they have a personal friendship but no business deals.
The Trump family’s connections to Russia were previously investigated during the 2016 election.
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President Donald Trump’s administration has removed most federal climate regulations for power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new rule that greatly reduces restrictions aimed at lowering pollution from these plants.
Key Facts
The Trump administration’s EPA issued a final rule cutting most climate regulations for power plants.
The new rule eliminates many previous limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants.
Some regulations remain, but they are much weaker than before.
The change reflects the administration’s priority of supporting fossil fuel industries over climate protections.
The updated rule replaces earlier regulations designed to reduce global warming pollution.
Critics worry this move will increase air pollution and harm climate goals.
Supporters claim it will reduce costs for power plants and boost energy production.
The rule is a key part of President Trump’s approach to energy and environmental policy.
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