John Eastman, a lawyer who tried to change the results of the 2020 presidential election to benefit President Trump, has lost his law license in California. The California Supreme Court agreed with a lower court and ordered him to be disbarred, meaning he cannot practice law in the state.
Key Facts
John Eastman was involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
The goal of these efforts was to help President Donald Trump remain in office.
A lower court recommended that Eastman lose his law license.
The California Supreme Court refused to review Eastman’s appeal.
The court officially ordered Eastman’s disbarment in California.
Disbarment means Eastman is no longer allowed to practice law in that state.
The decision came on a Wednesday, as announced by the California Supreme Court.
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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for comments she made about his opinion on immigration stops by the Trump administration. She made the apology after speaking at the University of Kansas School of Law.
Key Facts
Justice Sotomayor made critical remarks about Justice Kavanaugh’s opinion on immigration stops.
The comments were made during an event at the University of Kansas School of Law.
Sotomayor expressed regret and apologized publicly to Kavanaugh.
The issue centers on disagreements about immigration enforcement during President Trump’s administration.
The apology aims to address professional respect among Supreme Court Justices.
Both Sotomayor and Kavanaugh serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized for making inappropriate public comments about her colleague Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The apology followed Sotomayor’s criticism of Kavanaugh’s opinion supporting immigration enforcement actions favored by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for hurtful comments she made publicly.
The comments criticized Kavanaugh’s opinion on immigration enforcement patrols in Southern California.
Kavanaugh’s opinion supported President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and said agents had reasonable suspicion to act.
Sotomayor’s criticism focused on the effects of immigration enforcement orders and their impact on communities.
The Supreme Court has increasingly used emergency orders to allow presidential policies while legal challenges continue.
Other liberal justices, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, have also criticized the court’s use of emergency orders.
Public disagreement between Supreme Court justices is rare, especially involving personal background or experience.
Sotomayor’s apology was seen as acknowledging that her earlier comments went too far in describing a colleague’s views.
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This article discusses how some of President Donald Trump’s former supporters, including media figures and politicians, are starting to distance themselves from him. It explains that his influence depends on loyal backing, which is now weakening, and that this shift could affect his standing within the Republican Party.
Key Facts
Several commentators and media personalities who once supported President Trump are now criticizing or mocking him.
Trump’s strength comes not just from politics, but from constant media attention and cultural presence.
Loyalty to Trump is declining as former allies hesitate or stop defending him.
Some key figures connected to Trump, like attorney general Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have left or been pushed out.
Republican politicians are beginning to speak more cautiously about Trump and look for alternative leaders.
Donors are searching for options without the controversies tied to Trump.
If the Republican Party struggles in upcoming elections, Trump may be used as a scapegoat.
The article suggests this pattern of support then rejection has happened before with Trump and could mark the end of his political influence.
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TMZ has started covering news on Capitol Hill, where the U.S. Congress is located. Their presence has caused mixed reactions from lawmakers, staff, and other reporters because TMZ is known for sensational and celebrity-focused stories rather than traditional political reporting.
Key Facts
TMZ is a media outlet famous for reporting on celebrities and sensational stories.
TMZ recently began reporting on Capitol Hill, where Congress operates.
Lawmakers, aides, and journalists have had mixed reactions to TMZ’s move.
Some people in Washington find TMZ’s style and motives unusual for political coverage.
TMZ’s arrival has created ongoing conversation among people who work in Congress.
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The US Senate voted again against a measure that would limit President Donald Trump's ability to continue military actions in Iran without Congress’s approval. Democrats plan to keep proposing similar measures to make lawmakers’ positions on the conflict clear.
Key Facts
The Senate rejected a resolution 52-47 that would have stopped US military action in Iran without Congressional consent.
The vote was mostly along party lines, with Republicans controlling the Senate and opposing the measure.
Democrats said they would continue to introduce similar resolutions each week to record lawmakers’ positions.
President Trump ordered a US military blockade of Iranian ports and has given mixed timelines about how long the conflict might last.
Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote with Democrats to stop the war, marking his fourth such vote.
Federal law limits military actions to 60 days without Congress’s approval; US-Israel strikes began February 28.
Some Republicans said they might change their vote if the conflict goes beyond the current timeline.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 sets these limits on presidential war powers to prevent long, unauthorized conflicts.
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A New York jury decided that Live Nation and its ticket-selling subsidiary Ticketmaster had a harmful monopoly over big concert venues in the United States. The jury found that Ticketmaster overcharged consumers and restricted competition, leading to possible penalties and changes to the company’s business.
Key Facts
A federal jury in Manhattan ruled against Live Nation and Ticketmaster for having a monopoly that hurt consumers.
Ticketmaster was found to have overcharged $1.72 per ticket in 22 states.
Live Nation owns, operates, or has interests in hundreds of concert venues.
The companies could face hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and penalties.
The court may order Live Nation to sell some venues or businesses to increase competition.
The case was brought by dozens of US states and began under the Biden administration’s Justice Department.
The Trump administration settled its claims with Live Nation early in the case, with some limits set on fees and ticket-selling options.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster control a large share of the concert and live event ticket market in the US.
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New Jersey's 11th Congressional District held a special election to choose a new representative after Mikie Sherrill left her House seat to become governor. The main candidates were Democrat Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway.
Key Facts
The special election was held to fill the House seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill.
Mikie Sherrill is now the governor of New Jersey.
The district leans Democratic, meaning more voters usually support Democrats.
Democrat Analilia Mejia is a progressive organizer and former Labor Department official.
Republican Joe Hathaway serves on the Randolph Township Council.
Winning this seat could change the balance of power in Congress, where Republicans have a small majority.
The election results may signal political trends ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
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Chicago broke a rainfall record that had lasted 77 years when 2.43 inches of rain fell in one day. The heavy rain caused flooding concerns across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with flood watches and warnings still in effect.
Key Facts
Chicago’s O’Hare Airport measured 2.43 inches of rain on Tuesday.
This amount broke the previous daily record of 1.21 inches set in 1949.
The rain made it the 6th rainiest April day on record for Chicago.
Flood watches and warnings are active across several Great Lakes states.
Rivers in Wisconsin and Michigan have reached major flood stage.
The ground is already saturated, increasing the chance of flooding.
Additional thunderstorms are expected, some potentially severe.
Officials advise people near rivers to stay alert and be prepared to act.
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A new Quinnipiac University poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating among men has dropped to 41%, the lowest in his second term. The poll also reveals his overall approval rating is 38%, with many voters concerned about inflation and the war in Iran.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,028 registered voters from April 9 to April 13, 2026, with a margin of error of 3.8%.
President Trump's approval rating among men is 41%, while 52% disapprove.
His overall approval rating is 38%, with 55% disapproval nationally.
This is the lowest approval rating among men in his second term according to Quinnipiac polls.
Earlier polls show lower approval ratings in New York City men, including 32% approval in September 2026.
When Trump took office, his approval rating with men was 55%; it peaked at 57% in February 2025.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the 2024 election win shows lasting support despite these poll results.
Political analysts say the dip in male approval could influence Republican strategies and policy debates before the 2026 midterms.
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A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee, Lauren Bullis, was killed in Georgia. The Trump administration blamed President Biden’s DHS for allowing the suspect, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, who became a U.S. citizen in 2022 under Biden’s presidency, to be naturalized.
Key Facts
Lauren Bullis, a 40-year-old DHS auditor, was killed while walking her dog in Brookhaven, Georgia.
The suspect, Olaolukitan Adon Abel, is accused of violent attacks in DeKalb County.
Abel became a U.S. citizen in 2022 during President Biden’s administration.
The Trump-led DHS claimed Abel was "naturalized under the Biden administration."
Critics noted that Abel likely got his green card years earlier, possibly under the first Trump administration.
Some experts said blaming Biden’s policies is political and not based on facts.
The DHS posted about the suspect and the killing on social media.
Newsweek contacted DHS for more comment but had no further updates at the time.
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First Lady Melania Trump visited Capitol Hill to ask Congress to pass laws that help young people in foster care. She called improving the foster care system a "moral imperative" and has been working on this issue since President Donald Trump’s first term ended in 2021.
Key Facts
Melania Trump appeared on Capitol Hill to advocate for better support for youth in foster care.
She described expanding foster care services as a "moral imperative."
She began working on foster care issues after President Donald Trump’s first term ended in 2021.
This visit followed a successful effort last year to pass laws protecting women and children from online sexual exploitation.
The event included a video message and a roundtable discussion with lawmakers.
The visit happened one week after Melania Trump publicly denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein and asked Congress for hearings to help his victims.
She urged an end to false accusations linking her to Epstein.
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Russell Vought, an important official in President Donald Trump's administration, will testify before a Senate panel about the president's budget plan for 2027. The budget proposes a large increase in defense spending, aiming to nearly double it to $1.5 trillion.
Key Facts
Russell Vought is testifying before the Senate on April 16 at 10 a.m. EDT.
Vought plays a key role in efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
President Trump's budget request is for the fiscal year 2027.
The request includes a defense spending increase of nearly 50%.
The proposed defense budget would total about $1.5 trillion.
The increase is intended to help build what is called the president’s "dream military."
The hearing is part of Congress’s process to review and approve federal budgets.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it processed 1 million disability claims faster than ever in fiscal year 2026, reducing the average wait time significantly. The VA also improved the accuracy of claims decisions and lowered the backlog of pending cases, helping veterans and their families receive benefits more quickly.
Key Facts
The VA completed 1 million disability claims faster than in any previous fiscal year, reaching this milestone by February 2, 2026.
The average time to process a disability claim dropped from 141.5 days to 80.7 days, a 43% reduction.
Claims-processing accuracy reached 94.02%, the highest rate in two years.
The VA processed more than 3 million claims in fiscal year 2025 and is on track for similar numbers in 2026.
The backlog of pending benefits claims fell below 100,000 for the first time since 2020.
Processing time for initial veterans pension claims went down by 66%, from 170 days to 57 days.
Processing time for initial survivors pension claims decreased by over 55%, from 172 days to 73 days.
Improvements were achieved through leadership, increased overtime, returning employees to office work, and better electronic health record systems under President Trump’s administration.
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Billionaires like Stephen and Susan Mandel are giving large amounts of money to Democratic candidates for the 2026 midterm elections. Meanwhile, wealthy donors have given billions in recent years to both political parties, with Republicans currently having more cash available for campaigns.
Key Facts
Stephen and Susan Mandel are billionaires who have donated millions to Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The Mandels have given nearly $10 million to support Democrats running for federal office in 2024 and plan to give more for the 2026 midterms.
Ultra-wealthy donors spent over $3 billion on the 2024 elections, with Elon Musk giving over $290 million to President Trump and other Republicans.
These donors gave about five times more money to Republican groups than Democrats in 2024.
Republican-related groups had over $600 million on hand in early 2024, compared to under $200 million for Democratic groups.
The Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions can give unlimited money to political causes, increasing election spending.
Billionaires fund many political organizations with unclear sources of money, raising questions about "dark money" and disclosure rules.
Groups like Majority Democrats PAC and The Bench work to support new Democratic candidates, backed mostly by the Mandels and other wealthy donors.
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The Republican-led Senate rejected a Democratic resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict in Iran unless Congress approves further action. This was the fourth time this year the Senate voted to allow President Donald Trump to continue military operations without new congressional authorization.
Key Facts
The Senate vote was 47 against and 52 in favor of the resolution to rein in U.S. military action in Iran.
The resolution aimed to force U.S. troops to withdraw until Congress approved more military action.
This is the fourth Senate vote in 2024 on limiting President Trump's war powers in the Iran conflict.
Democrats say the war in Iran is illegal and should be stopped.
Republicans support President Trump’s handling of the conflict because of concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
Some Senate Republicans want the conflict to end eventually and may challenge the president if it continues too long.
The vote shows ongoing disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over war powers and U.S. involvement in Iran.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about reforms to the United Nations. During the hearing, some Democratic senators expressed frustration that President Trump's administration has not fully informed Congress about military actions involving Iran.
Key Facts
Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The hearing focused on reforms to the United Nations.
This was the highest-level U.S. official testimony since U.S. and Israeli strikes began a conflict with Iran.
Several Democratic senators, including Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, and Tim Kaine, spoke during the hearing.
These senators criticized the Trump administration for not consulting or briefing Congress on military actions against Iran.
Senator Chris Murphy specifically mentioned the lack of open hearings on the conflict in both the Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees.
The hearing included discussions about ongoing U.S. actions in the region.
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The US Senate voted against a resolution that aimed to limit President Donald Trump’s power to wage war on Iran for the fourth time. The vote happened soon after a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon, though efforts for a longer peace deal have stalled.
Key Facts
The Senate rejected a resolution that would limit President Trump’s authority to conduct war with Iran.
This was the fourth time the Senate voted on such a resolution, with lawmakers planning to introduce it weekly.
The vote took place after a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
The resolution mostly failed along party lines, 47 in favor and 53 against, including one Republican supporting and one Democrat opposing it.
Supporters say President Trump acted without Congress’s approval when starting the conflict.
The US Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, while the President can act only in cases of immediate self-defense.
Some senators criticized the war as mismanaged and lacking transparency, while others defended the President’s authority.
The US Navy reported that no ships had passed the US blockade near Iranian ports in the last 48 hours.
The War Powers Act requires Congress to approve ongoing military actions after 60 days; this deadline will come soon.
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President Donald Trump criticized Fox News for highlighting billionaire Tom Steyer after a new poll showed Steyer leading Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor race. Trump expressed frustration that Fox News was promoting a Democrat instead of Republican candidates like Hilton, whom he supports.
Key Facts
A new poll showed Tom Steyer leading Steve Hilton in the California governor race by 21% to 18%.
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race after sexual misconduct allegations.
President Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Fox News for airing a story about Steyer.
Trump endorsed Steve Hilton for governor earlier this month.
Steyer responded to Trump’s criticism by reminding voters of Trump’s record on gas prices.
The last Republican governor of California was Arnold Schwarzenegger (2003–2011).
Trump has recently expressed dissatisfaction with Fox News despite praising it previously.
Specific Fox News hosts, including Shannon Bream and Jessica Tarlov, were publicly criticized by Trump last week.
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California Republican governor candidate Steve Hilton criticized Democrats for supporting Eric Swalwell despite sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell denied the claims, ended his gubernatorial campaign, and resigned from Congress amid the scandal.
Key Facts
Eric Swalwell faced allegations of sexual assault and harassment from multiple women.
Swalwell denies all wrongdoing and has not been proven guilty in court.
After the allegations, Swalwell quit the governor race and resigned from Congress.
Some Democratic leaders and organizations initially backed Swalwell but later distanced themselves.
Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate and former Fox News host, accused Democrats of hypocrisy and protecting Swalwell.
Hilton received an endorsement from President Donald Trump to boost his campaign.
Polls show billionaire Tom Steyer leading the Democratic governor race, with Hilton close behind.
Hilton said voter frustration with Democrats could lead to a Republican win regardless of the Democratic nominee.
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