The Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll concerning potential perjury. Prosecutors are specifically examining whether Carroll lied during a 2022 deposition when she stated that no one else was covering her legal fees for the lawsuits against Donald Trump. This inquiry stems from the later revelation that billionaire Reid Hoffman had provided financial support for her legal expenses.
In a heated online exchange, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller falsely claimed that Texas Senate candidate James Talarico was transgender, escalating Republican attacks against the LGBTQ+ ally. Talarico, a cisgender and heterosexual Democrat who has advocated for LGBTQ+ equality, has been targeted with a barrage of unsubstantiated claims by Republicans, including being called “Talafreako” by Ken Paxton and accused of supporting the mutilation of children, despite Talarico’s consistent defense of dignity and respect for all individuals. These attacks come as Talarico poses a significant challenge to flipping Texas blue, with Talarico himself accusing Paxton of using children as a political talking point while his office has been criticized for leniency in a child abuse case.
Despite optimistic pronouncements regarding negotiations with Iran, a recent report indicates President Trump’s peace initiatives are faltering due to a demand that allies have dismissed. Trump insisted that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan immediately sign the Abraham Accords, a move that has been met with derision by many Arab officials who view it as a simplistic and unworkable condition for regional stability. This demand, coupled with news of ongoing U.S. airstrikes in Iran, has made imminent peace appear increasingly unlikely, with some suggesting it is a political tactic rather than a genuine diplomatic offer.
A southern California man, Kerry Sheron, a 69-year-old US Army veteran, has died following an assault outside his Escondido home. Authorities have arrested 32-year-old Thomas Butler in connection with the attack, which reportedly involved a single punch to the jaw followed by further blows to the head. While investigators are still examining the motive, which has not yet been determined to be political, Sheron’s family and some public officials have suggested his support for Donald Trump may have played a role in the “brutal and unprovoked attack.” Butler faces charges including attempted murder and elder abuse and is currently in custody.
Since assuming the role of editor in chief, Weiss’s leadership at CBS News has been marked by disputes with seasoned journalists. A significant conflict arose in December 2025 when a report detailing the plight of Venezuelans deported to CECOT prison was halted due to concerns about balance, with a suggestion to interview a key figure in the deportation policies. This decision, which reporter Alfonsi characterized as political rather than editorial, led to an angry email criticizing the move and asserting the report’s factual accuracy after multiple internal reviews.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reportedly developing plans to halt the processing of international flights into cities with “sanctuary city” policies, citing recent protests outside an immigration detention center as justification. This proposed action stems from disruptions experienced by federal employees attempting to carry out their duties, with the secretary arguing that such cities should not benefit from international arrivals if they obstruct immigration enforcement. Critics, however, warn that such a move would lead to widespread flight cancellations and significant economic disruption, affecting all cities and having no meaningful impact on immigration policy.
Despite member countries pledging billions, US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has received no cash in its official Gaza reconstruction fund, a source familiar with the board stated. This lack of deposited funds is attributed to the fund’s design for a reconstruction and development phase that has not yet been reached. Major European nations have notably shunned the board, which is seen as unilaterally led by the United States and President Trump himself. While the board’s charter requires member payments, and individual countries pledged significant contributions, the reconstruction fund remains empty.
Despite pledges totaling $17 billion from the US and other world leaders, the World Bank-established fund for Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has received no funding, with reports indicating that any donations have been channeled directly through the board’s JPMorgan account. This account operates independently of the World Bank’s reporting requirements, and the Board of Peace has stated that contributors have opted for alternative funding mechanisms, acknowledging that while the board is being funded, these specific channels are not yet utilized. The Board of Peace asserts that a significant portion of its planned operations are contingent on its physical presence in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, which has not yet occurred, and acknowledges a lack of systems to manage the envisioned flow of services and goods.
Bondi’s transition from the Department of Justice to the private sector has been marked by her appointment to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. This council, often referred to as PCAST, represents her initial foray into public service outside of her previous departmental role. Her inclusion on this prestigious body signifies a new chapter in her career following her departure from the Department of Justice in early April.
As the Obama-era negotiations demonstrated, Iran has previously agreed to significant limitations on its enriched uranium stockpiles. This included downblending its then-existing eight tons of uranium to levels suitable for fuel, and shipping the majority to Russia, retaining only a small amount for low-level enrichment. Such measures effectively extended Iran’s potential timeline for producing weapons-grade material from weeks to a full year.
John Q. Hosedrinker