Conservative activists allied with President Donald Trump want future judges to have views that challenge current birthright citizenship rules. They aim to influence the courts because the Supreme Court recently ruled that children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status are citizens under the 14th Amendment.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected President Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship through an executive order.
The court ruled 6-3 that birthright citizenship applies to children born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' immigration status.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, believing the ruling might not last.
Conservative lawyers and Trump allies want birthright citizenship views to be part of judging future judicial nominees.
Mike Davis of the Article III Project said conservatives want more judges like Justice Alito on the Supreme Court.
The White House introduced new orders targeting "birth tourism" and other narrow areas without changing birthright citizenship rights broadly.
Conservatives see shaping the judiciary as key to revisiting the birthright citizenship issue in the future.
Similar single-issue tests have been used before by conservatives on topics like abortion and gun rights when choosing judges.
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Police in New York are searching for Thomas David Ryan, who is wanted for killing his father and setting a fire to hide the crime. Authorities warn people that Ryan is armed and dangerous and ask anyone who sees him to call 911.
Key Facts
Thomas David Ryan, 32, is wanted in connection with the death of his 70-year-old father, Robert Ryan.
The father’s body was found after firefighters put out a house fire on August 6 in Greenville, New York.
Police say the fire was set intentionally to cover up the killing.
Greenville is a rural town about 65 miles northwest of New York City; police have increased patrols in nearby counties.
Ryan is described as 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, last seen wearing black clothes.
He does not live with his father and has a history of living in shelters and traveling across the state.
Ryan has seven prior arrests in New York City and is on probation until April 2028.
He may be driving a gray 2016 Toyota Prius and is known to travel by train.
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The Senate passed a temporary government funding bill to keep the government running through December 11, delaying a possible shutdown until after the November midterm elections. The bill blocks certain White House plans, helps federal workers and social programs, and delays restrictions on hemp-derived THC products.
Key Facts
The Senate approved the stopgap funding bill with a 90-6 vote.
The bill would fund the government until December 11, postponing the shutdown deadline until after the midterms.
It blocks White House efforts to expand political appointees' control over federal grants.
The measure delays new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products until December, benefiting hemp farmers and businesses.
Federal workers avoid furloughs or unpaid work by the bill extending funding.
The bill supports nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC, which serve millions of low-income Americans.
The House passed a similar bill funding government until December 4; both chambers must agree on the final version.
President Donald Trump will need to sign the final funding bill once it is passed by Congress.
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Todd Blanche, who was previously President Trump’s lawyer, has been confirmed as the US attorney general. The Senate approved his appointment with a close vote of 50-49 amid debates about his past work at the Department of Justice and other issues.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche worked as a lawyer for President Donald Trump before his current role.
He has been confirmed as the US attorney general.
The Senate vote was very close, with 50 votes in favor and 49 against.
His appointment caused controversy related to his previous work at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
There were concerns about his involvement with files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Justice Department’s handling of a $1.8 billion fund meant to stop weapon misuse was also questioned during his confirmation.
The attorney general leads the DOJ and oversees law enforcement and legal affairs in the US.
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Voters in Hawaii are choosing their candidates for Congress in primary elections today. Two current Democratic members are running again, with one challenged by a progressive candidate trying to continue a recent trend of left-wing wins. Republicans have mostly decided their candidates ahead of November.
Key Facts
Hawaii is holding primary elections for congressional seats.
Both Democratic incumbents want to be reelected.
One Democrat is challenged by a progressive candidate.
Progressives have been winning more races in other parts of the U.S. this year.
Republican candidates have mostly been confirmed without much competition.
The winners will represent their parties in the general election this November.
This election will decide who holds Hawaii's seats in the U.S. Congress.
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Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary in Michigan but faces challenges in gaining strong support from Black voters. Many Black voters supported his main opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, who had backing from established party members.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary in Michigan.
Black voters mostly supported Rep. Haley Stevens during the primary.
Haley Stevens is backed by the Democratic Party establishment.
El-Sayed must find ways to increase support beyond his current base.
Winning over Black voters is seen as important for the upcoming general election.
The article focuses on the political dynamics within the Michigan Democratic race.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to give all its field officers body cameras by the end of August. However, ICE may decide when or if video footage is made public, especially regarding serious incidents like injuries or deaths.
Key Facts
ICE expects every field officer to have a body camera by the end of August.
The body cameras aim to record immigration enforcement activities.
ICE leadership can delay or withhold video release for investigations or privacy reasons.
A policy says footage after serious injury or death can be released if it serves ICE’s “best interests.”
ICE’s Acting Director David J. Venturella says this policy follows federal law and is like other law enforcement agencies’ rules.
Two fatal shootings by ICE officers recently were not recorded on body cameras.
ICE says it is committed to transparency and accountability.
Similar agencies, like Customs and Border Protection, also delay releasing footage during investigations.
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Acting ICE Director David Venturella said the Associated Press made mistakes in its report about ICE’s body camera policy. He claimed the article wrongly described the rules about quickly releasing footage after major incidents.
Key Facts
David Venturella is the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Associated Press (AP) published a story about ICE’s body camera policy.
Venturella said the AP report gave incorrect information about the policy.
The disputed policy involves how and when ICE releases video footage to the public.
The article focused on the rule for quickly sharing footage after serious events.
Venturella publicly challenged the AP’s accuracy on this issue.
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Australia's Centrelink is trying to collect nearly $5 billion in unpaid debts, some over 40 years old, even though the government agreed to limit debt recovery to six years. Experts and advocates say many of these debts may be incorrect and that older debts should be canceled due to outdated calculations and financial hardships faced by people.
Key Facts
Centrelink pursues $4.93 billion in unpaid debts from 1.34 million cases.
Some debts are more than 40 years old; about 600 debts are over 30 years old.
The government agreed in principle to limit debt collection to debts less than six years old but has not set a date to apply this rule.
Experts say many debt calculations are unreliable and done by outdated computer systems.
Around 44,000 Australians have overpaid Centrelink debts, sometimes by more than $20,000.
Interest is charged on some debts if repayments are not kept up.
Services Australia found 147,773 debts may have been calculated wrongly using income apportionment, affecting potentially millions more.
The government has paid $92,000 in resolution payments to people affected by incorrect debt calculations.
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All Senate Democrats voted against confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General due to concerns about his actions while serving as deputy and acting attorney general. Despite their opposition, a majority of Republican senators approved his nomination early Saturday morning.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche was nominated for Attorney General.
All Democratic senators opposed his confirmation.
Democrats cited Blanche’s performance as deputy and acting attorney general over the past year.
A majority of Republican senators voted to confirm Blanche.
The confirmation vote happened in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Senate is the U.S. upper chamber of Congress.
The disagreement highlights partisan divisions over Blanche’s record.
Attorney General is a key legal and law enforcement position in the U.S. government.
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Sheriff's deputies in Pickens County, Alabama chased and captured a 1,500-pound runaway bull after a foot pursuit on a highway and in a neighborhood. The deputies used horses and lassos to catch the bull, and no one was hurt during the event.
Key Facts
The bull weighed about 1,500 pounds.
It ran through a suburban neighborhood and across a highway.
Three deputies rode horses and used lassos to catch the bull.
The bull evaded capture a few times but was eventually caught safely.
No injuries were reported to the bull or officers.
The incident occurred in Pickens County, Alabama.
The sheriff's office shared videos showing the chase and capture.
Deputies joked they were better off as law enforcement than rodeo riders.
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The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) disagreed with Associated Press reporting about ICE’s policy on releasing body camera footage. ICE’s policy allows public release of footage only when it serves the agency’s “best interests,” especially after serious injuries or deaths in custody, and aims to protect investigations and privacy.
Key Facts
ICE policy on body camera footage was adopted in February 2025, after President Donald Trump took office.
Footage is released quickly, ideally within 72 hours, only after serious injury or death in custody and if it serves ICE’s best interests.
The policy allows ICE to withhold or delay footage release if it could harm investigations or privacy, as decided by the ICE Director or their designee.
ICE is working to equip all officers and agents with body cameras by the end of August 2025.
ICE’s stance differs from some police departments that routinely release body camera footage.
The AP reported that Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ICE’s sister agency, has not released footage of a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, citing ongoing investigation.
ICE has faced increased attention after two fatal shootings by ICE officers in 2025, neither recorded on body cameras.
ICE says its policy is consistent with U.S. laws about information freedom and privacy.
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Recent polling shows that some policies supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), like universal healthcare and higher taxes on the wealthy, have broad public support beyond just left-wing Democrats. However, other DSA ideas, such as defunding police, are less popular with voters, and the overall DSA platform does not have clear national support.
Key Facts
Progressive and DSA-backed candidates have recently won important Democratic primaries, increasing attention on the party’s direction.
Some critics worry these candidates and their ideas may push the Democratic Party too far left and lose moderate voters.
Supporters argue DSA policies address everyday concerns and political frustrations.
Universal healthcare and higher taxes on wealthy Americans and corporations are among the most popular DSA proposals.
Efforts to defund or abolish police departments do not have majority support.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed independents are about evenly split in support between democratic socialist and MAGA candidates, but more independents said they would not support a democratic socialist candidate compared to a MAGA candidate.
The DSA’s full platform includes other proposals like public ownership of industries and abolishing the Senate, which have less national polling data.
The DSA has grown to nearly 130,000 members, according to co-chair Megan Romer.
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Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from Maine, became involved in politics after participating in a protest against Canadian loggers nearly 30 years ago. He is now the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate and will challenge longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson is from Maine and comes from a family of loggers.
About 30 years ago, he joined a protest blocking trucks at the Quebec border.
The protest was against Canadian loggers who worked for lower wages, taking jobs from local workers.
The blockade did not stop the issue, leading Jackson to enter politics to make change from within.
Jackson is now the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine.
He will compete against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
This Senate race is important and could affect which party controls the Senate after the election.
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Hunter Biden updated the public on President Joe Biden’s cancer, saying it is “debilitating” and has spread to his bones. He also spoke about his father’s poor performance at a 2024 presidential debate, which happened before the cancer diagnosis was known.
Key Facts
President Biden was diagnosed in May 2025 with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
Hunter Biden described his father’s condition as very painful and wishes he would express more about his health struggles.
Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race about 10 months before the diagnosis.
During the June 2024 presidential debate, Biden appeared confused and unsteady, which surprised his family and viewers.
Biden’s debate performance has been questioned in relation to his health, with Hunter suggesting the cancer may have affected him.
President Donald Trump won the 2024 election, earning a second term.
Hunter Biden faced legal issues in 2024, including felony convictions related to gun ownership and drug use.
The health and debate incidents remain a topic of discussion within the Democratic Party.
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Vice President Vance said the United States is making progress in talks with Iran but the conflict is far from over. The Trump administration is asking Iran to make more concessions to help end the conflict.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance spoke about U.S. negotiations with Iran.
The U.S. has made some progress in talks with Iran.
Vance said the situation is still "in the middle of the game," meaning it is not near resolution.
The Trump administration is leading the negotiations with Iran.
The U.S. wants Iran to give more concessions to end the conflict.
The talks aim to bring an end to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
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A federal appeals court blocked President Donald Trump's $400 million plan to build a ballroom at the White House, rejecting his claim that it is needed for national security. The court said the president cannot make major changes to the White House without Congress’s approval, although some underground security work may continue.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to build a $400 million ballroom on the White House South Lawn.
The project includes security features like bomb shelters, medical facilities, military-grade steel, and drone-proof ceilings.
A federal appeals court blocked most of the ballroom construction, ruling that Trump lacks authority to make such changes without Congress’s approval.
The court judges said the president cannot ignore laws and courts to alter national landmarks.
A dissenting judge argued the government shouldn’t have to wait on court approval for security upgrades.
Underground work related to security facilities is still allowed to continue.
President Trump promised to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The ruling does not take effect for two weeks, giving time for the appeal process.
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Hunter Biden praised Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie for their recent actions against President Donald Trump. He expressed support for their outspoken stance during a promotion for his appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show.
Key Facts
Hunter Biden is the son of President Joe Biden.
He spoke positively about Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia.
He also supported Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky.
Both Greene and Massie recently criticized President Donald Trump.
Hunter Biden made these comments while promoting his appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show.
Tucker Carlson is a former Fox News host.
The article focuses on political figures in the United States.
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The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a close 50-49 vote. Some Democrats criticized the decision, saying Blanche’s close ties to President Donald Trump could weaken the Justice Department’s independence.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, was confirmed as attorney general.
The Senate vote was very close, with a 50-49 result.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy’s support was crucial to Blanche’s confirmation despite opposition from Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.
Blanche has been acting attorney general since April after Pam Bondi was removed from the role.
Democrats argue Blanche’s loyalty to Trump could compromise the Justice Department’s independence.
Blanche’s handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein is part of the controversy.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that confirming Blanche gives Trump "an excuse" to continue corruption.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Blanche’s confirmation as a win for the country and law enforcement.
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Hawaii’s Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District is a close race between Representative Ed Case, a long-time incumbent, and state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, who represents a younger, more progressive wing of the party. Polls show Case leading overall, but recent surveys indicate Keohokalole has gained ground, making the outcome uncertain.
Key Facts
The primary race is between Ed Case, age 73, and Jarrett Keohokalole, age 43.
Case is a moderate incumbent with nearly 20 years in Washington, while Keohokalole positions himself as a progressive seeking change.
Poll averages show Case leading with about 40% support versus 27% for Keohokalole, but some recent polls show Keohokalole ahead.
Case emphasizes his seniority and committee roles to bring federal resources to Hawaii.
Keohokalole wants stronger action on issues like healthcare and affordability and criticizes Case’s past votes supporting some Trump-backed election laws.
The district is safely Democratic; Case won reelection in 2024 with 72% of the vote, and Vice President Kamala Harris received 62% in the same area.
Both candidates have raised and spent similar amounts of campaign money, though Case has more cash left.
The race reflects a larger trend of progressive challengers trying to unseat veteran Democrats across the country.
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