A Nebraska man pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to sharing classified information about Russia's war on Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform while working as a civilian Air Force employee, per multiple reports.
The big picture: Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, is accused of sending intel to someone claiming to be a woman living in Ukraine from February-April 2022 — a period during which he was attending classified briefings, per the indictment.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and his wife Nadine Menendez were charged with obstruction of justice in another superseding indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Why it matters: The indictment, which builds on earlier bribery charges, comes as the embattled New Jersey Democrathas gottenpressure from many in his party to step down from Congress.
The U.S. Department of Education said Tuesday that Liberty University has agreed to pay $14 million for violating a federal law regarding campus safety and for its "treatment of sexual assault survivors."
The big picture: This marks the largest fine ever imposed via the federal law — known as the Clery Act — according to the department.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) will not seek a second term, she announced Tuesday after more than a year of side-stepping questions about her political future.
Why it matters: Her exit clears the way for a likely matchup between Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in a contest that could determine control of the Senate.
One of the few Latino journalists to win the Pulitzer Prize has released a new collection of his book reviews, criticisms and assessments of contemporary American politics.
A group of Colorado Republicans are threatening Secretary of State Jena Griswold with a formal recall effort after the Supreme Court struck down a liberal organization's attempt to block former President Trump from the primary.
Why it matters: The effort shows how Republicans are hoping to galvanize support after Trump's big court win, particularly after his recent legal losses.
Joe Wall — a longtime, well-known Goldman Sachs official in Washington — will join BlackRock in late spring as head of U.S. government affairs and public policy, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: BlackRock is working to "expand coverage and deepen our impact" with policymakers, John Kelly, BlackRock's global head of corporate affairs, says in a forthcoming announcement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has invited the parents of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter imprisoned in Russia, to attend President Biden's State of the Union address on Thursday.
Why it matters: March 29 is the one-year anniversary of Gershkovich's arrest by Russian authorities on charges of espionage. Both the Wall Street Journal and the 32-year-old journalist vehemently deny the allegations, and the U.S. government considers him wrongfully detained.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban lambasted former President Trump on Tuesday as a "snake oil salesperson" while explaining his decision to back President Biden in the upcoming election.
Why it matters: The endorsement from one of America's most high-profile businessmen comes as the 81-year-old president struggles in the polls amid swirling questions about his age and his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
There are now four octogenarians and one nonagenarian in the U.S. Senate, where more than half of the chamber is over 60.
The big picture: Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California died in office at 90 last year,as America's aging leaders have been on display, prompting conversations around fitness for office, term limits and ageism.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has decided to run for the No. 2 Senate GOP leadership position this year, rather than joining Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) in a bid for leader, Axios has confirmed.
Why it matters: Barrasso was favored by the more conservative bloc in the Senate, and has the closest relationship with former President Trump of the "three Johns." His exit could pave the way for a new conservative contender.
A federal appeals court in Florida blocked enforcement of employer provisions in a law state Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) dubbed the "Stop WOKE Act" in a unanimous ruling on Monday.
The big picture: In upholding an earlier ruling, the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in an opinion Monday said the legislation "exceeds the bounds of the First Amendment."
A Californian man pleaded not guilty on Monday after being arrested and charged for allegedly smuggling greenhouse gases from Mexico into the U.S. and selling them for profit, prosecutors said.
Why it matters: Michael Hart, 58, of San Diego, faces the first-ever prosecution in the U.S. to include charges related to the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 (AIM Act) for allegedly smuggling hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Tuesday night's biggest stakes are in California, where two prominent House Democrats are scrambling after a late surge by a Republican former Dodgers star.
Why it matters: Both Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff would have the opportunity to channel their national profiles into political stardom in the Senate, particularly in a second Trump administration.
Some Democratic lawmakers are publicly and privately hailing the Supreme Court's ruling restoring former President Trump to the ballot in Colorado.
Why it matters: While on its face the ruling seems like a loss for Democrats, some in the party are breathing a sigh of relief that a potential political liability has been defused.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday temporarily put on hold a Texas law that would allow local authorities and judges to arrest anddeportimmigrants suspected of illegally crossing the U.S. border.
Why it matters: The move comes after civil rights groups and the Department of Justice together sued in an effort to stop the law from going into effect, arguing it is unconstitutional and could lead to racial profiling.
