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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
A top official at the Department of Justice (DOJ) deleted a social media post suggesting the Trump administration might still compensate victims of claimed Biden-era "weaponization" through a different plan. This came after the acting Attorney General said the DOJ was ending the earlier plan called the "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which was part of a legal settlement involving President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The DOJ’s number three official, Stanley Woodward, posted and then deleted a message about an alternative compensation plan.
The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" was created in exchange for President Trump dropping a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and other civil claims.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress the fund would be scrapped.
Woodward responded positively to Senator Lindsey Graham’s suggestion to use the Federal Torts Claims Act for compensation instead.
Democrats raised concerns that the administration might still try to pay Jan. 6 rioters through other means.
President Trump said on a podcast that he was not abandoning the fund despite the court ruling against it.
Trump suggested those pardoned by him, likely referring to Jan. 6 rioters, should be reimbursed for damages caused by what he called a "crooked government."
DOJ has not commented on why Woodward deleted his post.
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Senator Mitch McConnell said that the director of national intelligence (DNI) should have strong experience in national security. He made this comment after President Donald Trump chose Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, for the DNI position.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell is from Kentucky and a member of the Republican Party.
McConnell stressed the importance of having extensive national security experience for the DNI role.
President Donald Trump nominated Bill Pulte for the director of national intelligence position.
Bill Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
McConnell’s comments suggested concerns about Pulte’s qualifications.
The director of national intelligence oversees U.S. intelligence agencies and reports to the president.
No official statement was made by McConnell naming Pulte directly.
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Authorities in Bakersfield, California, ended a hostage situation at a bank after the suspect held several people inside for hours. The FBI shot the suspect early Wednesday, bringing the standoff to a close.
Key Facts
The incident took place in Bakersfield, California.
A suspect barricaded himself inside a bank.
Several community members were inside the bank during the standoff.
The situation lasted for several hours.
FBI agents were involved in resolving the situation.
The FBI shot the suspect, ending the standoff early Wednesday.
Authorities provided an update on the incident on Wednesday.
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Votes from the California primary race for governor are still being counted. CBS News is reporting on important election races as they prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
The California primary for governor took place recently.
Vote counting for this race is ongoing and not yet complete.
CBS News reporter Fin Gomez has provided updates about the election.
The results will influence the 2026 midterm elections.
The article focuses on key political races in California.
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California Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Senator Marco Rubio about Mauricio Claver-Carone’s involvement in Venezuela. She said Claver-Carone, a lobbyist, has been communicating with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez and arranging private business deals.
Key Facts
Sydney Kamlager-Dove is a Democratic representative from California.
She questioned Senator Marco Rubio about Mauricio Claver-Carone’s activities in Venezuela.
Claver-Carone is a lobbyist linked to communications with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting President.
The concern involves Claver-Carone making deals with private companies in Venezuela.
The questioning took place during a CBS News segment.
Marco Rubio is a U.S. Senator and former Florida governor involved in foreign policy discussions.
Delcy Rodríguez serves as acting President of Venezuela.
The issue touches on U.S. involvement and influence in Venezuelan politics and business.
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James Gallagher, a Republican California State Assemblymember, won a special election to fill the U.S. House seat left vacant by the death of Representative Doug LaMalfa. Gallagher’s victory slightly increases the Republican majority in the House. He will represent California’s 1st Congressional District.
Key Facts
James Gallagher is a member of the California State Assembly.
The special election was to replace Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who passed away in January.
Gallagher won the election on Tuesday.
He is a Republican (GOP).
President Donald Trump endorsed Gallagher.
Gallagher’s win boosts the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Gallagher will represent California’s 1st Congressional District.
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George Santos, a former Republican representative, denied insider trading allegations after a prediction market reported suspicious bets linked to his attendance at President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. Santos said he learned about the investigation from news reports and is cooperating with officials while asking the media to stop contacting him.
Key Facts
George Santos was accused of insider trading involving bets about whether he would attend President Trump’s State of the Union address in February 2026.
The prediction market platform Kalshi alerted federal authorities after noticing unusual betting patterns about Santos’ attendance.
Federal prosecutors and regulators are investigating if Santos used private information to make profitable bets.
Santos publicly said he would attend the speech but allegedly placed bets that he would not.
Santos denies the allegations and calls them baseless, committing to cooperating with any investigation.
He was informed about the possible investigation through an NPR report and is now in contact with the Department of Justice.
Santos was arrested in 2023 for crimes including wire fraud and financial misconduct related to his congressional campaigns.
He pleaded guilty in 2024 and was sentenced to over seven years in prison, but he has not been pardoned by President Donald Trump.
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Republicans have redrawn voting districts in several states before the 2026 midterm elections, aiming to gain more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. While these new maps could give Republicans up to 16 extra seats, political factors and past election trends still make it uncertain if the GOP will keep control of Congress.
Key Facts
Republicans redrew congressional districts in eight states, including Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, potentially adding up to 16 seats for their party.
Democrats created new districts in California and Utah that might give them up to six extra seats.
About 145 million Americans live in states with new congressional districts for the 2026 elections.
President Donald Trump encouraged Republican efforts to redraw districts in 2025 to gain an advantage in the midterms.
Several states did not complete redistricting due to political disagreements or court decisions, such as Kansas, Illinois, Virginia, and New York.
Historical trends show the party holding the White House often loses House seats in midterm elections.
Republicans already control the majority in the House, but Democrats only need to gain a few seats to take over the chamber.
New district maps may influence election results but do not guarantee control due to wider political factors.
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Scott Pelley, a longtime journalist for the TV program 60 Minutes, was fired after a conflict with new leadership. Pelley said the new management wanted him to include false information and bias, while the new editor-in-chief said the team needed trust and respect to work well together.
Key Facts
Scott Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes after a meeting with new executive producer Nick Bilton.
Bilton said Pelley’s negative attitude toward the future of the show led to his immediate termination.
Pelley claimed management asked him to add falsehoods and bias to a politically sensitive story, prompting his departure.
New CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss said trust was broken, and attempts to resolve issues with Pelley failed.
Several other 60 Minutes reporters and producers were also recently fired or left amid concerns about political bias.
Some journalists expressed worry that editorial independence at CBS is being reduced and fear of censorship is growing.
This series of changes comes after Bari Weiss’s appointment as editor-in-chief and a recent merger involving CBS’s parent company.
The controversy involves accusations that critical stories about the Trump administration’s immigration policies were delayed or altered.
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Senator Marco Rubio stated during a congressional hearing that the war in Iran has ended. Representative Sara Jacobs questioned him about the war and who won based on his comments.
Key Facts
Senator Marco Rubio spoke before lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Rubio claimed that the war in Iran is over.
California Representative Sara Jacobs asked Rubio about the war and the outcome.
The discussion took place during an official testimony.
The news was covered by CBS News.
The exact details of the war or conflict involving Iran were not detailed in the article excerpt.
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Senate Republicans removed a proposal to allocate up to $1 billion for security upgrades to a large White House ballroom from a budget bill. They agreed to take this money out before the Memorial Day break.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans initially included up to $1 billion for security upgrades to a White House ballroom.
The ballroom in question is 90,000 square feet in size.
This funding was part of a revised budget reconciliation bill.
Before Memorial Day recess, Senate Republicans decided to remove this funding from the bill.
The ballroom is associated with President Donald Trump’s White House.
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The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday with many events, including a long state fair, a fireworks show, and a UFC fight at the White House lawn. Some events are organized by a group created by President Donald Trump, which has caused some artists to cancel performances and raised questions about politics in the celebrations.
Key Facts
The 250th birthday events include a 16-day State Fair on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10.
All 56 US states and territories will be part of the State Fair exposition.
Some singers canceled their shows after learning about the event’s connection to President Trump’s group, Freedom 250.
President Trump suggested replacing the concerts with a "Make America Great Again" rally.
A UFC fight is planned for June 14 on the White House South Lawn, coinciding with President Trump’s 80th birthday.
The UFC fight is organized by Freedom 250 but paid for by the UFC company.
A 40-minute fireworks show on July 4 in Washington will feature over 860,000 fireworks, much larger than a typical display.
Celebrations will take place nationwide, including a ball drop in Times Square on July 4.
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The Trump administration has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries due to concerns that they do not adequately prevent goods made with forced labor. Some affected trading partners, including the European Union, have rejected these claims and called the tariffs unjustified. The U.S. Trade Representative opened a public comment period ahead of the potential tariff imposition.
Key Facts
The U.S. plans tariffs up to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries accused of not stopping forced labor goods.
The tariffs follow a legal review under Section 301, a U.S. law addressing unfair trade practices.
A previous set of Trump administration tariffs was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.
Countries like Canada, the EU, Mexico, and others may face 10% tariffs, while China, India, and others face 12.5%.
The EU criticized the U.S. investigation as "utterly absurd" and said their own laws ban forced labor goods.
The USTR will accept public comments until July 6, with a hearing on July 7.
The action supports President Trump’s goal to protect American workers from unfair global competition.
The new tariffs come before a previous temporary 10% tariff expires on July 24.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reviewing contracts signed by his predecessor Kristi Noem that might involve her allies. He told a House committee he will provide a list of any contracts that have been canceled.
Key Facts
Markwayne Mullin is the current Homeland Security Secretary.
He is examining contracts made during Kristi Noem’s time in the position.
Some contracts might have connections to Kristi Noem’s allies.
Mullin spoke about this during a House panel hearing.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, asked questions about these contracts.
Mullin promised to share a list of contracts that were canceled or rejected.
Kristi Noem was Mullin’s predecessor in the Homeland Security role.
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The Trump administration reduced funding and resources for public health, which weakened the U.S. ability to respond to the Ebola outbreak. Experts say Congress needs to take specific actions to rebuild the country’s capacity to handle such health emergencies and protect people’s lives.
Key Facts
The Trump administration cut funding for public health programs.
These cuts have damaged the U.S. ability to control Ebola outbreaks.
The current Ebola outbreak shows the effects of reduced public health resources.
Congress is urged to take immediate action to improve outbreak response.
Restoring outbreak control is crucial to save lives.
Experts have outlined six key steps Congress should follow.
Strong public health infrastructure is important to manage infectious diseases.
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A new Gallup poll shows that support for same-sex marriage in the U.S. has dropped to 65 percent, down from a recent high of 71 percent. This marks the first decline in years after steady growth since 1996, with decreases seen across political groups, especially among Republicans.
Key Facts
Support for legal same-sex marriage fell from 71% in 2022-2023 to 65% in 2026.
The poll shows 62% of Americans now say gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable, the lowest since 2016.
Declines in support occurred among Democrats, independents, and Republicans, with Republicans dropping sharply to about 37% support.
Democrats still show strong support at 87%, with only a slight decrease recently.
The survey was conducted in May 2026 with over 1,000 U.S. adults.
The decline interrupts more than 20 years of growth in acceptance of same-sex marriage.
Experts say some people may be less willing to express their views publicly due to political or social pressures.
Reduced LGBTQ representation in media may also influence public attitudes.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating on how he handles inflation has dropped sharply according to three recent polls. Inflation remains a top concern for voters, and these low ratings could cause problems for Trump and the Republican Party in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Three polls from Marquette Law School, The Harris Poll and HarrisX, and The Economist/YouGov show Trump's net approval on inflation at -56, -30, and -48 respectively.
The Economist/YouGov poll found only 24% approve and 72% disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation.
Inflation is a key issue for voters and is seen as important ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Gas prices have risen due to a conflict involving Iran, and grocery prices remain high despite some slowing of inflation.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index showed prices rose 0.6% in April, pushing annual inflation to 3.8%, the fastest during Trump’s terms.
Polls also show Trump’s overall approval ratings are negative, with net approval scores ranging from -10 to -26 in these surveys.
A CNN poll in May found 66% disapprove of Trump’s overall performance, the highest in his two terms.
White House spokesperson stated President Trump was working on jobs, inflation, and housing affordability, highlighting achievements.
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California State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin is likely to replace Representative Julia Brownley in the U.S. House of Representatives. Irwin secured one of the top two positions in the primary election for California’s 26th Congressional District and will advance to the November general election.
Key Facts
Jacqui Irwin is currently a member of the California State Assembly.
Julia Brownley, the current representative for California’s 26th Congressional District, is leaving her seat.
Decision Desk HQ reports Irwin has about 40% of the vote in the primary election.
Irwin is one of the top two candidates moving on to the November election.
The November election will decide who fills Brownley’s vacated seat.
The race is for California’s 26th Congressional District.
Both Irwin and Brownley are members of the Democratic Party.
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During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Representative Ted Lieu questioned Senator Marco Rubio about President Donald Trump’s health. Lieu showed videos that seemed to show President Trump sleeping during meetings and raised concerns about his mental and physical condition.
Key Facts
Representative Ted Lieu asked Senator Marco Rubio questions about President Trump’s health.
Lieu showed video clips where President Trump appeared to be asleep during meetings.
The discussion took place at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.
Lieu mentioned President Trump’s repeated medical visits.
The exchange focused on concerns about President Trump’s mental alertness and physical health.
Senator Rubio was challenged to respond to these concerns in the hearing.
The event was covered by CBS News.
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A large severe weather system is moving across the central United States, threatening over 25 million people with damaging storms, large hail, flash flooding, and possible tornadoes. The storms will continue to shift eastward through the Plains and Midwest over several days, potentially disrupting travel and daily activities.
Key Facts
More than 25 million people are at risk from severe storms in the central U.S.
The storms include threats like large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes.
The weather system is driven by a dip in the jet stream, warm air, and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
The highest risk area extends from New Mexico and Texas through the Dakotas.
Severe weather is expected to move east into states like Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.
Past days have seen golf ball-sized hail in places like Denver, Colorado.
Weather forecasts warn of repeated rounds of storms over several days.
Officials advise people to stay alert, seek shelter indoors, avoid flooded roads, and monitor weather updates.
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