Federal officials said they will find and punish whoever damaged the grass on the National Mall by marking it with the numbers "8647," which some people link to President Donald Trump. The U.S. Park Police are investigating the case after discovering the numbers on the west lawn of the Washington Monument.
Key Facts
The vandalism happened on the west lawn of the Washington Monument around 11:30 a.m.
The numbers "8647" were marked in the grass, causing discoloration that officials are testing.
The Department of Interior called the vandalism "deranged" and said threats against the President are taken seriously.
This incident happened just days before a large event in Washington for UFC and President Trump's 80th birthday.
The number "8647" has been used by some critics of President Trump as a symbol, including former FBI Director James Comey.
James Comey was indicted after posting a photo with "8647" and later deleted it, apologizing for any violent connotation.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said threatening the President’s life is a serious crime and that people making such threats will be held responsible.
The investigation into the vandalism is ongoing, and officials have collected grass samples for testing.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an agreement with the UFC to form a public-private partnership. This deal comes just before UFC cage fights are set to take place on the White House South Lawn.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is the Secretary of State.
He signed a memorandum of understanding with UFC on a Thursday.
The agreement creates a public-private partnership involving UFC.
UFC is a company that organizes mixed martial arts fights.
The partnership was signed ahead of cage fights planned at the White House South Lawn.
Rubio called UFC the “United Nations of fighting.”
The fights will happen during this weekend.
The event is connected to the White House setting.
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Republican senators added a change to a wildfire prevention bill that would remove long-standing forest protections from 59 million acres of land. Democrats oppose this change and say it will make it harder for the bill to pass.
Key Facts
The bill focuses on preventing wildfires.
Republicans added an amendment to remove forest protections.
These protections date back to the Clinton administration.
The amendment would affect 59 million acres of national forest land.
Democrats oppose the change and are less likely to support the bill because of it.
The disagreement is slowing down the progress of the wildfire prevention legislation.
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President Donald Trump said he will nominate Jay Clayton to be the director of national intelligence. Clayton is currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and was previously chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This nomination comes after pressure from Congress following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard and controversy over an acting director.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to nominate Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence.
Jay Clayton is the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Clayton was formerly the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as national intelligence director last month.
Trump faced criticism for naming Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Democrats said they would block renewal of foreign intelligence powers unless Trump withdrew Pulte’s nomination.
There is currently a standoff between Congress and the White House over this issue.
The nomination aims to install a permanent head for U.S. intelligence agencies.
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The Senate Republican campaign group asked the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate an Alaska Senate candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan. They say this candidate has the same name as Senator Dan Sullivan and are concerned about the election process.
Key Facts
The complaint was filed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
Daniel J. Sullivan is running for Senate in Alaska as a Republican.
Senator Dan Sullivan is the current Alaska senator, also a Republican.
The NRSC wants the FEC to look into potential issues caused by the candidates sharing the same name.
The complaint was submitted on a Wednesday.
The investigation request focuses on election rules and fairness.
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Numbers reading "86 47" were seen marked on the grass of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Federal authorities came to investigate, but it is unclear who made the markings or how. The numbers have been linked to political messages related to President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The markings "86 47" were spotted on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial.
Photos of the markings were taken from the top of the Washington Monument.
The number "8" is the clearest, while "6," "4," and "7" are fainter.
The phrase "86" is slang for "throw out" or "get rid of," commonly used in restaurants.
The numbers "86 47" have recently been connected to a political message involving President Trump, who is the 47th president.
Former FBI Director James Comey shared a similar "86 47" message on Instagram and was later charged with making threats against President Trump.
The National Mall is a prominent public place in Washington, D.C., often called "America's Front Yard" and is a site for major national events.
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President Donald Trump has asked Republicans in Congress to quickly pass a $350 billion spending bill through a special budget rule to fund defense and new voting restrictions. Some Republican leaders have criticized using this rule, saying it risks unstable funding and may not succeed in the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Congress to approve a $350 billion Reconciliation Bill that includes defense spending and the Save America Act, which proposes new voting rules.
He posted on Truth Social urging Republicans to pass the bill immediately without delays or compromises.
The Save America Act aims to change election laws but faces little chance of Senate approval.
Budget reconciliation lets Congress pass certain spending and tax bills with a simple majority, avoiding a Democratic filibuster.
Republicans used reconciliation last year for immigration policies, tax cuts, and cuts to health and food aid programs.
Recently, Republicans passed $70 billion for immigration enforcement through reconciliation.
Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins oppose using reconciliation for the full defense funding, citing risks of unstable funding.
The House approved $1.15 trillion for defense via the usual process, but $350 billion more is proposed through reconciliation, causing party disagreement.
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The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC has been renovated, costing $14.2 million and including a new filtration system. Opinions on the renovation’s appearance and cost are mixed, with some visitors liking it and others questioning the expense and contractor choices.
Key Facts
The reflecting pool renovation cost $14.2 million, much higher than the initial estimate of $1.8 million.
The pool holds about 6.75 million gallons of fresh water.
A new nanobubbler filtration system was installed to control algae growth.
Some visitors praised the pool’s new look, describing it as beautiful and reflecting well.
Others felt the pool looked similar to before and questioned the large cost.
The contract was given without bidding to Atlantic Industrial Coatings Ltd, a company with no prior government work but connections to President Trump.
Algae appeared briefly after filling, explained as normal during startup by the Interior Department.
President Donald Trump described the renovation as a lasting, industrial-strength improvement expected to last 100 years.
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President Donald Trump announced he is nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence. Jay Clayton is a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Key Facts
President Trump chose Jay Clayton for the director of national intelligence position.
Jay Clayton was the chairman of the SEC, a government agency that regulates financial markets.
He is currently the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The director of national intelligence oversees all U.S. intelligence agencies.
This nomination was announced on a Thursday by President Trump.
Jay Clayton has experience in both financial regulation and federal prosecution.
The nomination may require approval by Congress before taking effect.
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An NHS inquiry found that a GP clinic in Brighton gave puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones to dozens of children, including some under 13, without proper checks or specialist support. NHS England has ordered the clinic to stop new prescriptions for children and suspended one doctor while investigations continue.
Key Facts
The WellBN clinic in Brighton prescribed gender-related medication to 78 young patients from 2023 to 2025.
More than 20 children received medication without having a face-to-face appointment.
Some children under 13, including one aged 11, were given puberty blockers.
Cross-sex hormones, which cause physical changes, were given to 51 children aged 16 and under.
None of the clinic’s clinicians were qualified to start children on these medications.
Necessary blood tests were often missing, increasing health risks.
NHS England referred clinicians involved to medical regulators and suspended one doctor.
The clinic was created partly to reduce long waits for specialist gender services.
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Jacob Reses, who has worked as Chief of Staff for Senator Vance since his campaign and took office with him in January 2025, will leave his position at the end of the summer. Reses has been a close aide to Vance throughout his public service career.
Key Facts
Jacob Reses serves as Chief of Staff for Vice President Vance.
He has worked with Vance since the Senate campaign.
Vance took office alongside President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Reses will leave his role at the end of the summer.
He has been a key aide during Vance’s public career.
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President Donald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton to be the top intelligence official in the United States. This came after criticism of Trump’s earlier choice, Bill Pulte, for the same position.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Jay Clayton to be the head of US intelligence.
Jay Clayton is a former chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Clayton also worked as a US attorney for the southern district of New York.
Trump faced criticism for initially choosing Bill Pulte as acting director of National Intelligence.
Trump asked the Senate to confirm Jay Clayton quickly.
The National Intelligence Director is the leading official in charge of US intelligence agencies.
The original nominee, Bill Pulte, was a controversial choice because of his close ties to Trump.
Details about the nomination process and next steps are still developing.
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The Trump administration spent $750,000 to charter a private yacht to evacuate an American woman from a remote island after she was exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship. The costly evacuation added strain to the State Department’s emergency budget, which is also handling other urgent evacuations from conflict and disease outbreaks.
Key Facts
An American woman exposed to hantavirus aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius was evacuated from Pitcairn Island, a remote place with about 50 people and no airport.
The Trump administration paid $750,000 to charter a private yacht for her evacuation.
The MV Hondius cruise ship had a hantavirus outbreak causing illness and at least three deaths among passengers.
The woman traveled from the cruise ship to San Francisco, then to Pitcairn Island via Tahiti before the evacuation.
The State Department’s emergency budget, known as the “K Fund,” is at its lowest level in seven years due to multiple expensive evacuations.
The department is considering moving up to $50 million from other accounts to replenish the emergency fund but has not made a final decision.
The evacuation efforts also include U.S. citizens leaving the Middle East due to the Iran conflict and possible evacuations from Ebola-affected countries.
The State Department said it provides help when Americans abroad face risks and cannot access normal travel options.
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President Donald Trump plans to nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chairman, as director of national intelligence. This nomination comes after controversy over the acting director Bill Pulte and pressure from Congress to name a permanent replacement.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton currently serves as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
He previously was chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
President Trump announced the nomination on social media.
The previous director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned last month.
Trump had named Bill Pulte as acting director, which caused pushback in Congress.
Democrats in Congress refused to renew certain foreign intelligence powers without a permanent director.
President Trump praised Clayton as highly respected in the legal community.
Trump urged the Senate to confirm Clayton quickly.
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Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old from Texas, was convicted of murder for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison and has been transferred to the Wallace Pack Unit, a medium-security state prison, while his lawyers prepare an appeal.
Key Facts
Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
He stabbed Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.
Anthony will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence (17.5 years).
He has been moved to Wallace Pack Unit in Grimes County, Texas.
Wallace Pack Unit is a medium-security prison opened in 1983 with about 1,400 inmates.
The prison has faced lawsuits for extreme heat and unsafe drinking water in the past.
The prison had to install air conditioning and replace its water supply following court rulings.
The legal team for Anthony has already filed a notice to appeal the verdict.
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President Donald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, who once led the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to be the director of national intelligence. This nomination follows criticism after Trump had appointed Bill Pulte as the temporary head of the U.S. intelligence community.
Key Facts
President Trump chose Jay Clayton for director of national intelligence.
Jay Clayton used to be the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Before this, Bill Pulte was acting head of the intelligence community.
Trump faced pressure to change his choice after appointing Pulte.
The director of national intelligence oversees the U.S. intelligence agencies.
The announcement aims to provide stable leadership for the intelligence community.
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President Donald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence. Clayton is currently the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and was formerly the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Key Facts
President Trump announced Jay Clayton as his nominee for director of national intelligence.
Jay Clayton currently serves as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Clayton was previously the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The president asked the Senate to confirm Clayton quickly.
Bill Pulte is the current acting director of national intelligence but faces criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Democrats are refusing to approve an extension of a key intelligence authority until Pulte’s role is resolved.
Bill Pulte will take over from Tulsi Gabbard on June 19.
President Trump emphasized Clayton’s respected legal background and his cabinet-level appointment.
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President Donald Trump said he will nominate Jay Clayton, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the permanent Director of National Intelligence. Clayton would take over from Bill Pulte, who is currently acting in the role.
Key Facts
President Trump announced Jay Clayton as his nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
Jay Clayton is currently the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Clayton would replace Bill Pulte, the acting Director of National Intelligence.
Critics say Bill Pulte lacks enough experience for the job.
The position became open after former Director Tulsi Gabbard resigned.
The Director of National Intelligence leads the U.S. intelligence community.
This role is important for national security and intelligence matters.
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Senate Democrats stopped a quick extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows certain government spying activities. Senator Tom Cotton requested to extend this law until July 2, but Senator Ron Wyden and other Democrats opposed it.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats blocked a short-term extension of Section 702 of FISA.
Section 702 lets the government collect foreign intelligence by monitoring communications.
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, asked for a quick extension until July 2.
Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, opposed the extension.
The extension was sought through unanimous consent, meaning no senators objecting would pass it quickly.
The disagreement reflects ongoing debates about government spying and privacy protections.
The vote delayed the continuation of these spying authorities until a broader agreement or vote is reached.
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The U.S. Supreme Court gave decisions on three legal cases related to criminal trial locations, bankruptcy courts, and rules for investment. These rulings are part of the court’s important decisions near the end of its current session.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made rulings on three cases on Thursday.
One case involved where criminal trials can be held.
Another case dealt with how bankruptcy courts handle certain issues.
A third case focused on rules that affect investment regulations.
These decisions are part of the final major rulings before the court’s term ends.
CBS News legal correspondent Jan Crawford provided explanations about the rulings.
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