Former FBI Director James Comey has been officially charged by a federal grand jury. The charge relates to a 2025 Instagram post that prosecutors say encouraged violence against President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
James Comey is the former head of the FBI.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday.
The indictment concerns a social media post from Instagram made in 2025.
Authorities claim the post encouraged violence against President Trump.
The case is being reported by CBS News legal correspondent Katrina Kaufman.
This is a legal matter happening within the United States.
President Donald Trump is the current U.S. President as of this news.
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The Trump administration has fired multiple members of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). The White House said the move relates to legal questions about the board's authority, but the NSF's work will continue without interruption.
Key Facts
The National Science Board (NSB) governs the National Science Foundation (NSF), a $9 billion federal agency funding scientific research.
The board has 25 members, 24 of whom are appointed by the president from academia and industry.
Members received emails on Friday stating their positions were terminated immediately.
The White House cited a 2021 Supreme Court case about constitutional questions over non-Senate confirmed appointees exercising authority.
The NSF funds over 11,000 grants annually across nearly 1,900 colleges and research institutions.
Board member Keivan Stassun expressed disappointment and said no formal explanation was given for the firings.
The NSB advises the president and Congress on science and engineering policies and helps set NSF agency policies.
The NSF uses a merit review system involving 50,000 independent reviewers to decide grant awards.
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A federal judge in New York denied Sam Bankman-Fried’s request for a new trial after his conviction for financial fraud. Bankman-Fried, the founder of crypto exchange FTX, is serving a 25-year prison sentence and was ordered to forfeit $11 billion.
Key Facts
Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering related to FTX’s collapse.
He is serving a 25-year prison sentence and must forfeit $11 billion to help compensate victims.
Bankman-Fried requested a new trial, claiming new witnesses could help his case.
The judge ruled these witnesses were not new and could have been presented before the trial.
There is no evidence these witnesses would support Bankman-Fried’s claim that FTX was solvent or that victims were fully compensated.
Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried used customer deposits for his hedge fund losses, loans, and personal real estate purchases.
The judge described the request for a new trial as an attempt to repair Bankman-Fried’s reputation after FTX’s bankruptcy.
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A 64-year-old man named James Lawhead was arrested for the murder of Cindy Wanner, which happened in 1991 in California. Lawhead was found using modern DNA analysis and police records, and he is now facing charges for murder and kidnapping.
Key Facts
Cindy Wanner disappeared on November 25, 1991, from her sister’s home in Granite Bay, California.
Her body was found three weeks later, 40 miles away, and she died from strangulation.
James Lawhead, 64, was arrested recently and linked to the crime through DNA evidence.
Lawhead had a past conviction for sex crimes and was released from prison in early 1991.
He had not been seen publicly since 2005 and was believed to live under a new name in Arizona.
Police arrested him at his Arizona home and found $15,000 and a burner phone.
Lawhead’s sister was also arrested for helping him and claimed not to have seen him for over 20 years.
The arrest shows how modern technology, like DNA analysis, can help solve cold cases.
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President Donald Trump signed a law that removes environmental protections from a wilderness area in Minnesota. This change allows mining companies to operate around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a protected natural region.
Key Facts
President Trump signed a resolution on Monday to reduce protections around a Minnesota wilderness area.
The measure was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The protected area is near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.
The change reverses protections that were put in place during President Biden’s administration.
The new law opens the region to mining activities.
The Boundary Waters area is known for its natural environment and outdoor recreation.
The decision allows mining companies to explore and extract minerals in the area.
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King Charles III gave a speech to the United States Congress, highlighting the strong partnership between the UK and the US. He said the two countries face big challenges that no single nation can handle alone. This was the first speech by a British monarch to Congress since Queen Elizabeth II spoke in 1991.
Key Facts
King Charles III addressed the U.S. Congress in person.
It was the first time a sitting British monarch spoke to Congress since 1991.
Queen Elizabeth II was the last monarch to address Congress, during President George H.W. Bush’s term.
King Charles emphasized the importance of the UK-US partnership.
He said global challenges require cooperation between nations.
Members of Congress responded with applause and standing ovations.
The speech combined humor, history, and a look at future challenges.
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Several Republicans, including Senator Rick Scott, support building a new secure White House ballroom but oppose using taxpayer money for it, saying the project is already privately funded. The debate intensified after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ dinner, which raised concerns about security and led some Senators to propose public funding for the project.
Key Facts
A shooting at the White House Correspondents’ dinner forced President Donald Trump and others to evacuate.
The Trump administration says a new secure White House ballroom is necessary for safety reasons.
Construction of the $400 million ballroom started in September 2025 and involves demolishing part of the East Wing.
The project is currently funded by private donations, not taxpayer money, according to officials.
Some Republican Senators introduced a bill to provide $400 million from the Treasury for the ballroom and related security improvements.
Senator Rick Scott supports the project for safety but opposes using government funds since private funding is available.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is suing to stop the construction, but a court allowed it to proceed for now.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman also supports completing the ballroom, helping Republican efforts.
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Senator Kevin Cramer said he hopes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will leave his position when his term ends on May 15. Powell has indicated he plans to stay on as a board member until certain issues are resolved.
Key Facts
Jerome Powell is the current Chair of the Federal Reserve.
Powell’s term as Chair ends on May 15.
Senator Kevin Cramer wants Powell to leave the Federal Reserve when his term ends.
Powell plans to remain a board member after his chair term ends, at least temporarily.
The Federal Reserve is the U.S. central bank that manages the country’s money supply and interest rates.
Powell’s future role may depend on resolving ongoing matters related to the Fed.
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A recent poll shows President Trump's approval rating has fallen to 34 percent, the lowest in his current term. Many people blame him for how he is managing the rising cost of living, which has worsened due to the conflict involving Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump’s approval rating is now at 34 percent.
This is the lowest rating during his second term.
The poll was conducted by Reuters and Ipsos.
Rising living costs are a main concern for voters.
The conflict with Iran is seen as a cause of these rising prices.
The poll results were released on Tuesday.
The survey reflects public opinion on President Trump’s handling of the economy.
Approval ratings have dropped by 2 points since the previous poll.
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Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a U.S. special forces soldier, pleaded not guilty to charges involving the illegal use of secret military information to bet over $400,000 on a prediction market about the capture of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro. He is accused of using inside knowledge about the military operation, which captured Maduro on January 3, to make bets and earn profits.
Key Facts
Van Dyke is a 38-year-old U.S. special forces soldier stationed at Fort Bragg.
He allegedly used classified information about Maduro’s capture operation for personal gain.
He placed around $33,000 in bets predicting Maduro would be out of power by the end of January.
These bets earned him more than $404,000 in profits.
Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements related to the Maduro mission.
He pleaded not guilty to charges including unlawful use of government information, theft of nonpublic information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and unlawful monetary transactions.
Van Dyke was granted bond in North Carolina and will face further court proceedings in New York.
A pretrial court conference is scheduled for June 8.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized efforts in Florida to change congressional district boundaries, saying it would be a mistake to proceed. This comes shortly after Virginia approved a new map that favors Democrats, and could be one of the last times states redraw districts before new federal rules take effect.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom is against Florida’s plan to change its congressional districts.
Florida is currently pushing to redraw its district boundaries, known as redistricting.
Virginia recently approved a new congressional map that benefits the Democratic Party.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing district lines for political representation.
This redistricting effort in Florida might be the last chance before new federal regulations begin.
Governor Newsom expressed his opinion publicly on the issue.
The changes affect how voters are grouped to elect representatives to Congress.
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The author wrote a rap song called "CHANGE" to express the personal impact of immigration enforcement, especially the fear and pain experienced by families affected by ICE raids and separations. The song aims to add a human voice to the wider protests and efforts against harsh immigration policies in the United States, highlighting the moral questions behind the laws.
Key Facts
The song "CHANGE" was inspired by the author's family's immigration experiences and current stories of ICE enforcement.
ICE raids and family separation cause fear and anxiety in immigrant communities.
Music, especially hip-hop, has a history of giving voice to social and political struggles.
The author believes that people often ignore or "look away" from the suffering caused by immigration policies.
Over 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., contributing significantly to the economy and society.
The author stresses the need to balance law enforcement with humanity and compassion.
The song questions how religious faith aligns with treatment of immigrants, asking "What would Jesus Christ do?"
The song is part of a larger national conversation and movement resisting harsh immigration enforcement practices.
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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging federal officials to help borrowers affected by the end of the SAVE student loan repayment plan. The plan, introduced in 2023, lowered monthly payments for millions, but a court ruling forced its end, leaving many borrowers facing higher payments and uncertainty.
Key Facts
The SAVE plan cut student loan payments to as low as 5% of income or even zero for some low earners.
SAVE offered interest subsidies and faster loan forgiveness for borrowers with smaller balances.
A federal appeals court ended the SAVE plan after lawsuits from Republican-led states.
Over 7 million borrowers are now required to leave the SAVE plan and select a new repayment option.
Borrowers have 90 days from July 1 to choose a new repayment plan or will be placed in a standard plan.
Senator Gillibrand wants borrowers to keep credit for time spent in SAVE’s forbearance period and avoid sudden payment increases.
Critics say borrowers made financial choices based on the SAVE plan being permanent, now disrupted by its end.
Other repayment options include Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR).
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started a fast review of ABC’s local TV station licenses to investigate if ABC broke rules about unfair treatment connected to its diversity and inclusion policies. This review is unusual and comes amid tensions between ABC, its parent company Disney, and President Donald Trump’s administration over ABC’s broadcast content.
Key Facts
The FCC is investigating ABC’s local stations for possible violations of rules preventing unlawful discrimination tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
This is the first time the FCC has ordered such a broad review linked to a network’s DEI practices.
The review was accelerated after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump criticized ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a controversial joke.
ABC’s licenses for local stations, which need renewal every eight years, were originally set to be renewed between 2028 and 2031.
The FCC’s investigation focuses on whether ABC violated a vague "public interest" rule.
National networks like ABC do not hold licenses; only local stations do, so the FCC can only review those local licenses.
Press freedom experts say such investigations may be used to pressure networks airing content the president opposes.
Disney says ABC has always complied with FCC rules and will defend its license qualifications legally.
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President Trump is trying to rename, close, and renovate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A lawsuit led by Representative Joyce Beatty challenges these actions, saying they break the law and go against the center's purpose as a memorial to President Kennedy.
Key Facts
President Trump is chairman of the Kennedy Center board and supports renaming it the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit to stop the renaming, closure, and renovation.
Beatty says the changes violate the law and the center's role as a memorial to President Kennedy.
The Kennedy Center board voted to close the center for two years for renovations.
Beatty argues that closing the center for that long breaches the board’s duties to keep the center active.
The Department of Justice says renovations are needed to improve the center and reduce safety risks and costs.
A federal judge ruled Beatty must be allowed to participate in board meetings but did not decide on her voting rights or the legality of the changes.
The lawsuit reflects ongoing debate over who controls the Kennedy Center—Congress or President Trump.
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Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about President Trump and Melania Trump at a White House Correspondents’ dinner. The White House and President Trump reacted strongly, asking for Kimmel to be fired after the joke, which came before an attempted attack on the president.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel told a joke about Melania Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The joke mentioned Melania having the “glow” of “an expectant widow.”
This joke was made shortly before someone tried to attack President Trump.
The White House and President Trump responded by demanding Kimmel be fired.
The incident has renewed tensions between President Trump’s administration and Jimmy Kimmel.
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James Comey, the former FBI director, has been charged by the Department of Justice over a photo he posted showing the numbers “86 47” spelled out with seashells. Some supporters of President Donald Trump said the numbers were a call to harm the president, but Comey denied this meaning.
Key Facts
James Comey posted a photo last year with “86 47” spelled out in seashells on a beach.
The numbers “86” and “47” were interpreted by some as a threat to President Trump, the 47th U.S. president.
The Department of Justice charged Comey regarding the meaning of this photo.
“86” is slang that usually means to stop or get rid of something, and can mean to eject someone.
There are several possible origins of “86,” including a Prohibition-era bar address and naval codes.
Some sources say “86” can mean “to kill,” but this use is rare and not fully accepted.
The charge against Comey is part of actions by the Justice Department under President Trump targeting his political opponents.
The number “86” has also been used by Republicans to symbolically call for the removal of President Joe Biden, the 46th president.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and FBI Director Kash Patel both said they played key roles in a major law enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Federal agents searched several businesses as part of an investigation into widespread fraud involving U.S. taxpayer money.
Key Facts
The operation took place in the Minneapolis area.
Multiple businesses were raided by federal agents.
The raids were part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
The fraud involved misuse of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars.
Governor Walz and FBI Director Patel each claimed credit for the operation.
The search warrants were criminal in nature, aimed at uncovering illegal activity.
This is a coordinated effort between state and federal officials.
The investigation targets widespread fraud affecting public funds.
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The U.S. State Department will release a special 250th anniversary edition of the American passport, which will include a portrait and signature of President Donald Trump on the inside pages. This new design will be available at the Washington Passport Agency without extra cost, while other locations will continue using the current passport design.
Key Facts
The new passport design celebrates the United States' 250th anniversary in July.
It features President Donald Trump’s portrait and signature over text from the Declaration of Independence.
This change marks a shift from traditional passport artwork that showed historical scenes and landmarks.
The redesigned passport will be the default option at the Washington Passport Agency.
Other passport offices and online applications will keep using the existing passport design.
The State Department confirmed the passports will have the same security features as current passports.
Plans to use President Trump’s image in public programs and commemorative items are part of his second administration.
Examples include renaming public institutions, a special visa program, currency with Trump’s signature, and a gold coin featuring his image.
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A U.S. special forces soldier pleaded not guilty in court to charges that he used secret information about a mission to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. He allegedly made over $400,000 by betting on a prediction market called Polymarket using that insider knowledge.
Key Facts
The soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, is 38 years old and serves at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He was charged with illegal use of confidential government information, theft of nonpublic info, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and unlawful monetary transactions.
Van Dyke placed bets totaling $33,000 related to Maduro being out of power by January 31, which earned him over $400,000 in profits.
Polymarket detected the suspicious bets and reported them to the government.
Van Dyke entered a not guilty plea in Manhattan federal court and was released on $250,000 bail with travel restrictions.
The case involves evidence like grand jury subpoenas, cryptocurrency records, search warrants, and social media data.
Courts will continue to review the case, with a pretrial conference scheduled for June 8.
The situation has raised concerns about insider trading in prediction markets, which allow people to bet on real-world events.
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