An appeals court on Thursday ruled to scrap the appointment of a special master to review documents seized from former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.
Why it matters: It's a major defeat for Trump and a victory for the Department of Justice, which has pushed to end the third-party review. The decision allows the DOJ to continue its probe into the former president's handling of classified documents.
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to lift an injunction temporarily blocking President Biden's student debt relief program and agreed to hear the case in February.
Why it matters: The prolonged uncertainty of the program's future has left millions of borrowers in financial limbo as litigation from several challengers plays out. Biden has said he believes the program is legal.
President Biden defended his administration's economic policies during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, but vowed that he would not do so "at the expense of Europe."
President Biden vowed that the U.S. and France would work alongside their allies to hold Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine during a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
Joel Greenberg, a former associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday for sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes, AP reports.
Why it matters: Greenberg had been a central figure in a federal sex crimes investigation involving Gaetz, though the representative has not been charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing.
After a delay, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's signature will very soon appear on the U.S. dollar.
Driving the news: During an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Wednesday night, Yellen said next week she plans to visit a plant where the first sheets of currency bearing her name have been printed — following plenty of time practicing her signature.
The British royal family is facing backlash this week over another racism controversy after a longtime royal aide was accused earlier this week of repeatedly questioning a Black charity head about their origins.
Why it matters: This is not the first time the royal family has faced accusations of racism.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was elected assistant minority leader on Thursday, the No. 4 position in House Democratic leadership, after Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) dropped his unexpected challenge.
Why it matters: Cicilline's surprise announcement on Wednesday that he was taking on Clyburn came amid grumbling from some younger members about the 82-year-old Democratic whip's decision to stay in leadership.
Republican Herschel Walker’s closing argument against Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) before the Dec. 6 runoff includes amplifying the GOP's attacks on transgender athletes.
Driving the news: While Warnock's closing message targets Walker's "character and competence" and split-ticket voters, one of Walker's final ads features former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines — an advocate for "fairness in women's sports" who has campaigned with Walker repeatedly.
Elon Musk's public musings over the last six months have cemented an unmistakable new reality: The world's richest man, and owner of the de facto public square, has become more and more Republican.
Why it matters: It's a stunning political transformation for the Obama, Clinton and Biden-voting CEO of the most successful electric-vehicle company on Earth. And it's one with major real-world implications, given the significant influence Musk now wields in shaping the rules of online public debate.
Republican lawmakers and some Tech CEOs are rallying behind Elon Musk's public attacks on Apple, alleging its control over its App Store amounts to an abuse of power.
Why it matters: By wading into the Apple debate, Musk has reignited concerns about whether Apple's App Store policies — which include a 30% commission on most charges for apps or services within apps — put competitors at a disadvantage.
The PGA Tour is enlisting one of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy’s closest friends and confidants to help it beat back a new competitor that's in business with Donald Trump, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: This fight between professional sports leagues is about politics as much as business or athletics.
The Biden administration's request to halt a Texas judge's ruling blocking its student debt relief program was denied by a federal appeals court on Wednesday night.
The big picture: The Biden administration has indicated it will appeal the decision of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to the Supreme Court, per Bloomberg.
Driving the news: "Targets of potential violence include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, the LGBTQI+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents," the bulletin reads.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday that the Department of Justice is seeking access to "all the transcripts and all the other evidence" collected by the House Jan. 6 committee to use as part of the DOJ's own investigation.
Why it matters: His comments follow a monthslong effort to secure witness testimonies obtained behind closed doors. The DOJ previously suggested that the committee's failure to hand over witness transcripts undermines the federal investigation into the Capitol insurrection.
Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) voted Tuesday night to protect marriage equality rights — a reversal from 26 years ago, when they voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
Why it matters: The striking shift in Congress reflects the broader trend of the American public now overwhelmingly supporting marriage equality, just nine years out from the Supreme Court's historic ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
Newly elected Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has been sitting down with leading House progressives, including at least three members of the "Squad," as he prepares to lead the caucus into the post-Pelosi era, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: A major task Jeffries will have as minority leader will be maintaining unity within his caucus — a fractious array of business-friendly moderates and urban progressives that spans a range of demographic divides.
Michigan is inching closer to joining the early 2024 Democratic presidential primary window, a major shakeup after months of intense lobbying and an official vote in the state Senate backing the effort.
Why it matters: The calendar change, if supported at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws committee this weekend, would have seismic implications for President Biden's party.
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