A federal appeals court has temporarily paused a lower court's ruling that would have required Texas to remove its controversial floating river barriers from the Rio Grande. The barriers, which are intended to deter migrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, were installed by the state of Texas and will remain in place for the time being. The Justice Department had argued that the barrier was a violation of the U.S. Constitution and the International Boundary and Water Commission Treaty of 1970, while Texas argued that the barrier was necessary to protect the state from illegal immigration. The appeals court's decision is only temporary, and the case will continue to be litigated in the courts.
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The U.S.-Mexico border wall constructed during former President Donald Trump's administration has caused significant damage and destruction to the environment and cultural sites, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The report outlines the environmental and cultural impacts of the wall, including desecration of Indigenous cultural sites, disruption of wildlife, destruction of vegetation, and erosion of mountain slopes. The report calls for the U.S. government to assess the impacts, develop a plan to address them, and provide resources to help Indigenous communities restore and protect their cultural sites.
Reza "Ray" Baluchi, a Florida ultra-marathoner and peace activist, was arrested last week by the U.S. Coast Guard after attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a homemade "human-powered hamster wheel". Baluchi had refused to get off the vessel and had threatened to harm himself or the crew when the Coast Guard attempted to board the vessel. This is reportedly the fourth time Baluchi has attempted to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a homemade vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard said they take "all maritime threats seriously" and will use all available resources to ensure the safety of life at sea.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accused House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of attempting to obstruct the prosecution of the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump. In a letter sent Thursday, Willis argued that Jordan's requests for information were an "unjustified and illegal intrusion" into a state criminal matter. Jordan has yet to respond to Willis' letter, leaving it unclear if he will continue to pursue his investigation or heed her warning.
Vice President Kamala Harris has dismissed Republican attacks and reassured Democrats that President Joe Biden is in good health and capable of leading the country. In an interview with CBS, Harris praised the president's "transformative" presidency and said that the Biden administration is focused on delivering on its promises and not be distracted by the attacks. She also addressed the 2024 campaign, saying that the president is in good health and will continue to lead the country.
Peter Navarro, former White House adviser to Donald Trump, was found guilty of criminal contempt of Congress on Thursday for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena related to the plot to overturn the 2020 election. He faces a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 for each count. Sentencing is set for January, and it is unclear if the conviction will lead to further legal action against Navarro or other members of the Trump administration.
A 2013 bribery and fraud case against defense contractor Leonard Francis and dozens of military officials has been dealt a major setback after a U.S. District Judge vacated the felony convictions of four former Navy officers due to prosecutorial misconduct. The judge noted that the misconduct had “tainted the entire prosecution” and that the men had been denied their right to a fair trial. The government has recovered more than $35 million in fines and restitution, but it remains to be seen how they will proceed in light of the latest development.
President Joe Biden has refused to approve certain conditions sought by defense lawyers in a possible plea bargain for the five defendants accused of planning and aiding the 9/11 attacks, complicating negotiations and raising questions about the success of the agreement. The terms under discussion would have spared the defendants from solitary confinement and provided care for the trauma of their torture in CIA custody. The plea agreement would allow the defendants to plead guilty to the charges against them in exchange for a reduced sentence.