The House Ethics Committee is investigating Congressman Jimmy Gomez for alleged sexual misconduct involving a House staffer. Gomez admits to making personal mistakes but says the actions were consensual and plans to cooperate with the investigation.
Key Facts
The House Ethics Committee is looking into claims that Rep. Jimmy Gomez engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
Gomez acknowledges mistakes outside his marriage but says his actions did not break laws or House rules.
The committee gave few details but confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Gomez was reportedly involved in a 2023 relationship with an aide who worked for another lawmaker.
Current House rules do not ban relationships between members of Congress and staffers of other offices.
A bipartisan task force is considering whether to ban all relationships between lawmakers and staffers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson supports banning such relationships to keep the workplace appropriate.
Several other lawmakers have faced sexual misconduct allegations and investigations this year, leading to resignations or ethics reviews.
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The House Ethics Committee is investigating Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez for alleged sexual misconduct involving a House staffer. Gomez admitted to past personal mistakes but denied breaking any laws or House rules and said he will cooperate with the investigation.
Key Facts
The investigation was confirmed by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee.
Allegations include inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
The committee said investigating does not mean wrongdoing has been proven.
The inquiry began after a news report about Gomez kissing a younger aide in 2023.
Gomez acknowledged mistakes outside his marriage but denied legal or ethical violations.
He apologized to his family and said he is working to heal relationships.
Gomez promised to cooperate fully with the Ethics Committee.
The committee can recommend punishments if rules or laws are broken.
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The Trump administration has temporarily stopped building a border wall project in Big Bend National Park in Texas. Rodney Scott, head of Customs and Border Protection, is visiting the area to review the project in person before deciding how to proceed.
Key Facts
Construction on the border wall in Big Bend National Park is paused temporarily.
Rodney Scott, leader of Customs and Border Protection, is conducting an on-site evaluation in Texas.
The project has faced opposition due to environmental concerns and the belief that the area's natural terrain already limits migration.
Congress approved $46 billion for border wall construction last summer.
The administration has been working quickly and reducing regulations to build the wall faster.
Scott expects to complete the first layer of the wall by the end of next year.
Opposition is particularly strong in Texas near Big Bend National Park and a nearby state park.
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A man named Duane "Keffe D" Davis is on trial for planning the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Prosecutors say Davis ordered the shooting in revenge after Shakur’s crew attacked his nephew, while Davis denies the charges.
Key Facts
Duane Davis is accused of murder with a deadly weapon and gang-related intent in Tupac Shakur’s killing.
The shooting happened two and a half hours after Tupac’s crew beat Davis’s nephew, Orlando Anderson.
Davis allegedly gave a gun to someone else to shoot Tupac in a drive-by shooting from a white Cadillac.
Davis pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.
Tupac Shakur was killed in 1996 and is a famous rapper, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Prosecutors plan to call 35 to 45 witnesses during the trial, while the defense will call a few.
Tupac’s family and fans are attending the trial, seeing it as important despite being difficult emotionally.
The trial opened on August 17, 2026, in Las Vegas and could last several weeks.
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The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Todd Blanche, has created a new rule allowing some people with felony convictions to apply to restore their gun ownership rights. This process reviews cases carefully to ensure public safety while giving eligible people a chance to regain their legal right to own firearms.
Key Facts
The rule allows certain people barred from owning guns due to felony convictions to apply for restoration of gun rights.
Attorney General Todd Blanche supports restoring rights while protecting public safety.
The rule uses an online application system to handle requests.
People convicted of violent crimes or registered sex offenders are generally not eligible to have rights restored unless there are extraordinary reasons.
The Trump administration has been easing firearm restrictions through several recent actions.
Congress had blocked the federal agency from processing such applications since 1992, so this rule creates a new path.
Gun safety advocates are reviewing the new rule, concerned about risks to public safety.
The restoration of rights will be decided on a case-by-case basis, considering the individual’s history and risk.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci said he will not take part in a written interview with Senator Ron Johnson's Senate committee about his work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci’s lawyers said he plans to use his Fifth Amendment right to avoid answering questions.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci was the White House’s main COVID-19 advisor during the pandemic.
Senator Ron Johnson is leading a Senate committee investigation into the government’s pandemic response.
Johnson requested a transcribed interview with Fauci for this investigation.
Fauci declined to participate in the written interview.
Fauci’s lawyers sent a letter to Senator Johnson explaining the refusal.
Fauci plans to invoke the Fifth Amendment, which protects people from self-incrimination in legal matters.
This refusal is part of ongoing tensions between Fauci and some lawmakers about pandemic policies.
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President Donald Trump dismissed reports about poor conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln as false. During an event honoring a teenage lifeguard, he interrupted and criticized a CNN reporter who asked questions about the ship's situation.
Key Facts
President Trump called reports of problems on the USS Abraham Lincoln "fake."
He said an admiral and people on the ship confirmed the conditions were good.
The USS Abraham Lincoln had been at sea for over 265 days in the Middle East.
Trump said the ship would be replaced soon by the USS George Washington.
The president interrupted a CNN reporter and called her "fake news" and a "fake reporter."
The exchange occurred while Trump honored Ryder Williams, a teen who saved a boy from drowning.
Families of sailors had expressed concerns about food and hygiene aboard the ship.
Trump said those families were not worried about the conditions.
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Police in Muscatine, Iowa, are searching for Mark Lee Jackson, 59, who is accused of shooting a police officer after fleeing a traffic stop on Friday. Jackson remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
Key Facts
Mark Lee Jackson is wanted for attempted murder after shooting a Muscatine police officer in the elbow.
Jackson fled a traffic stop by a sheriff’s deputy, driving recklessly before crashing his vehicle.
After the crash, Jackson ran on foot and fired at officers pursuing him.
No children or bystanders were injured during the shooting.
The injured officer is recovering at home and expected to fully recover.
Jackson has active warrants including parole violation and theft charges.
Police are using K-9 units, drones, and aviation support in the ongoing manhunt.
Jackson is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 145 pounds, with blue eyes and thinning gray hair.
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President Donald Trump said on Monday that people who do not support his plan to build a ballroom at the White House are disloyal to the United States. He made these remarks while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office.
Key Facts
President Trump is proposing to build a ballroom at the White House.
He spoke about this on Monday in the Oval Office.
Trump said that those who oppose the ballroom are disloyal to the country.
He expressed confidence that the country is doing well overall.
The comments were made during a news interaction with reporters.
The ballroom project has faced criticism from some people.
Trump linked support for the project to loyalty toward the United States.
This statement reflects ongoing discussions regarding White House renovations.
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The Justice Department under President Trump has started a new federal process that lets some people barred from owning guns apply to have their gun rights restored. This process had been mostly unavailable for over 30 years and involves a detailed review to ensure applicants do not pose a danger to public safety.
Key Facts
The new process allows some people previously banned from owning firearms to apply for restoration of gun rights.
The system will evaluate applicants case-by-case, considering criminal history and behavior since losing gun rights.
Restoration of rights is not automatic; applicants must prove they are unlikely to threaten public safety.
The Attorney General, Todd Blanche, finalized a regulation to oversee this application process.
The move reverses a long-standing halt that began in the early 1990s when funding was blocked for such applications.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is no longer responsible for reviewing applications; that responsibility shifted to the Attorney General.
The Supreme Court decision in 2002 had reinforced the inactive status of the previous process by ruling courts could not grant relief without ATF action.
Supporters believe this restores rights for non-violent offenders, while critics worry about potential public safety risks.
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The Trump administration has temporarily stopped building the border wall at Big Bend National Park in Texas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott paused the work to personally review the situation and talk with local people and law enforcement.
Key Facts
Border wall construction at Big Bend National Park has been paused temporarily.
The pause was announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Scott said he will visit the site to evaluate the construction and meet with local stakeholders.
The wall project has faced criticism from both political parties.
Critics say the construction is rushed and harms the environment.
Local law enforcement will be part of the discussions during Scott’s visit.
The situation is developing, and more information will be provided later.
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President Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and the 10-year-old boy he rescued, Nathaniel Rai, to the Oval Office. Williams saved Nathaniel from a dangerous rip current in Santa Cruz, California, and was praised by the President for his bravery.
Key Facts
Ryder Williams is 16 years old and saved Nathaniel Rai, who is 10, from a rip current on July 25.
Nathaniel was caught in strong waves near Santa Cruz, California.
Williams held onto Nathaniel and brought him safely to shore despite the rough water.
President Trump praised Williams publicly for his heroic actions.
Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, expressed deep gratitude for the rescue.
Nathaniel’s 11th birthday was coming up shortly after the rescue.
Williams said he relies on his training to stay calm in dangerous situations.
Ryder Williams hopes to become a firefighter in the future.
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President Donald Trump met with 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who saved a 10-year-old boy from rough water on a California beach. During the Oval Office meeting, the president answered questions from reporters about Iran, the USS Abraham Lincoln, and other topics.
Key Facts
President Trump met Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old lifeguard hero.
Ryder saved a 10-year-old boy struggling in rough ocean waves in California.
The meeting took place in the Oval Office.
President Trump took questions from reporters at the meeting.
Topics included Iran and conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
The event was covered by CBS News.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
The meeting highlighted both a local hero and current U.S. political and military issues.
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A homeowner in Pasadena, California, scared off four masked burglars who tried to break into his house late at night. The burglars fled after the homeowner yelled at them and a home alarm sounded, but no one was caught.
Key Facts
The incident happened around 11:15 p.m. on a Friday in Pasadena, California.
Four masked men approached and entered the backyard of the home, with a fifth person waiting in a car nearby.
Motion lights and a security system warned the burglars, but they continued until confronted by the homeowner.
The homeowner and his wife were inside watching TV when they heard the gate slam and saw the intruders on security cameras.
The burglars ran away when the owner yelled and an alarm went off inside the house.
Pasadena police arrived quickly but did not catch the suspects or get descriptions.
This neighborhood still has many vacant homes being rebuilt after the Eaton Fire, which may have attracted the burglars.
The homeowner and neighbors plan to be more watchful to prevent future break-ins.
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The Trump administration is temporarily stopping border wall construction in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The pause happens while the leader of Customs and Border Protection visits the area to evaluate the project.
Key Facts
The border wall project is located in Big Bend National Park in southern Texas.
The Trump administration received $46 billion from Congress last year to build a wall along the southern border.
Construction in Big Bend faces strong opposition because people worry it will harm the natural environment.
The area’s rugged terrain is already seen as a natural barrier to migrants and smugglers.
Rodney Scott, head of Customs and Border Protection, announced the pause on social media platform X.
Scott is conducting an in-person review of the project in Texas before construction continues.
The administration aims to complete the first layer of the wall by the end of next year.
The project has faced bipartisan criticism, meaning both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns.
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New estimates show that President Donald Trump has more approval than disapproval in only three states: Wyoming, Idaho, and West Virginia. In the other 47 states and Washington, D.C., more people disapprove of his job performance. These approval ratings are important because they could affect the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Wyoming has the highest net approval of President Trump at +14, followed by Idaho (+9) and West Virginia (+6).
All other states and Washington, D.C. show net disapproval of Trump’s performance.
Washington, D.C., Vermont, Maryland, Hawai'i, Washington state, and Illinois have the lowest approval ratings.
Trump’s approval is lower in some battleground states that voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The data comes from projections by The Economist using polling from YouGov and other sources.
Net approval is calculated by subtracting disapproval share from approval share.
Polling results are estimates and can change as new information is added.
The midterm elections will decide control of the U.S. Congress and may be influenced by Trump’s approval ratings.
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Duane "Keffe D" Davis went on trial accused of planning the 1996 shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Prosecutors say Davis arranged the attack in retaliation after Shakur and his group beat up Davis' nephew earlier that day. Davis reportedly gave a recorded statement about the case years later while facing other drug charges.
Key Facts
Duane Davis is on trial for his role in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 shooting death.
Prosecutors claim Davis planned the shooting but did not fire the gun himself.
The shooting was said to be revenge for a fight involving Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson.
Tupac and his group attacked Anderson in a casino, which was caught on video.
The case involves a rivalry between two gangs: Mob Piru and South Side Compton Crips.
Davis spoke to federal investigators in a secret recorded interview years after the shooting.
In the interview, Davis shared details about the shooting and named others involved.
Davis’ lawyer disputes the prosecutors’ claims, saying there are no facts to support them.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting Iowa to speak to veterans and support Republican candidates in key elections. This move is unusual because defense secretaries rarely campaign for candidates while in office, amid tight races for Congress and state offices in Iowa.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, is traveling to Iowa to campaign for Republican candidates.
Other top officials from President Donald Trump’s administration have also visited Iowa recently for campaign and official reasons.
Iowa holds several competitive races, including two U.S. House seats, a Senate seat, and the governor’s office.
Republican Rep. Zach Nunn and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks hold two contested House seats that Democrats aim to win.
Nunn is a colonel in the Air Force Reserve and won his last race by a small margin.
Miller-Meeks won her last election by just 798 votes against Democrat Christine Bohannan.
It is uncommon for a sitting Defense Secretary to participate in political campaigns.
Hegseth recently attended Republican events in South Carolina and Kentucky, supporting GOP candidates endorsed by President Trump.
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