Trump said he will nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chairman, as director of national intelligence. The move follows backlash over Bill Pulte’s acting appointment and comes as a key surveillance authority is set to expire.
Posts tagged as “Billy Sullivan”
President Donald Trump said he will nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chair, as director of national intelligence. Trump urged the Senate to confirm Clayton quickly as his acting pick, Bill Pulte, faces criticism on Capitol Hill.
Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary and will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race Democrats see as key to control of the Senate. Tuesday’s primaries also showed Donald Trump’s continued sway in Republican contests in South Carolina and Nevada.
The Senate rejected a Democratic bid to block the Justice Department’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund as Republicans push a $70 billion ICE and Border Patrol funding bill. The vote exposed GOP divisions over the fund, which Trump has praised despite administration testimony that it is not moving forward.
American pastor Josh Sullivan was rescued in South Africa after being kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in Motherwell Township. The rescue operation, led by the Hawks, involved a shootout at a safe house in Gqeberha, resulting in the deaths of three suspects. While the motives behind the kidnapping remain unclear, the successful rescue highlights the challenges faced by religious communities and the efforts of South African authorities to combat organized crime.
The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by Steve Wynn, which sought to challenge the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan decision that requires public figures to prove "actual malice" in defamation lawsuits. Wynn's case aimed to lower the threshold for public figures to pursue defamation claims, potentially altering media law, but the court's decision leaves the existing standard intact. This decision highlights the ongoing influence of the Sullivan ruling in protecting news organizations under the First Amendment, despite some calls to revisit the precedent.
As lawmakers left Washington for a recess, the Democratic Party faced internal challenges and questions about its leadership, particularly concerning Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent decisions. This period of reflection highlighted a broader uncertainty within the party about its strategic direction and effectiveness, as evidenced by evasive responses at Democratic town halls across the country. Meanwhile, political engagement remained high nationwide, with citizens actively participating in events and scrutinizing both Democratic and Republican lawmakers during the recess.
Two senior federal judges, Jeffrey Sutton and Richard Sullivan, have raised concerns about the increasing threats against the judiciary, emphasizing the potential risks to judicial independence and safety. Judge Sullivan highlighted the impact of budget cuts to the U.S. Marshals Service, which is crucial for protecting judges and courthouses, and stressed the importance of prioritizing judicial security. The judges also discussed the negative effects of political criticism and impeachment threats on the judiciary's role, underscoring the need for vigilance and support to maintain its integrity and independence.