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National

Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have surrounded his home to prevent police from arresting him on terrorism charges.

Why it matters: Since being ousted in April, Khan has been mobilizing huge crowds while railing against the government and breaking a long-standing taboo by criticizing the military. The threat of arrest raises the stakes of that showdown dramatically.

Driving the news: At a rally on Saturday, Khan named a police chief and judge involved in a treason case against one of his aides, and said, "We will not spare you, we will sue you," per Reuters.

The police deemed that a direct threat and charged Khan with spreading terrorism. Pakistan's information minister accused him of "inciting the people to violence, lawlessness, rebellion and riot."

Pakistan's media regulator also banned live coverage of Khan's speeches.

Between the lines: Khan's aide, Shahbaz Gill, was arrested after calling on members of the military to reject "illegal orders" from their superiors, hinting at the idea that military leaders have turned on Khan but the rank-and-file stands behind him. 

Analysts believe the military, Pakistan's most powerful institution, helped bring Khan to power and later removed him.

Khan's removal in a no-confidence vote remains extremely contentious. 

The new government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, claims Khan's economic mismanagement was his undoing. Pakistan is in the midst of a debt crisis made worse by spikes in the cost of food and fuel.

Khan claims, without evidence, that his ouster was engineered by the U.S. because he was too close to China and Russia. The U.S. denies that, but Khan's anti-U.S. rhetoric has energized his supporters.

What we're watching: Khan is back in campaign mode with a potent sense of grievance and a devoted base of support — a role to which the former cricket star, who previously spent two decades in opposition, is well-suited.

His party won a crushing upset in regional elections last month, and Khan has been holding huge rallies to pressure the government to hold early elections.

"Every effort Pakistan's government makes to weaken Imran Khan will only end up making him stronger," contends Michael Kugelman, an expert on Pakistan at the Wilson Center. "[D]ysfunctional and repressive policies play to his strengths as a populist and enable him to channel public outrage to his advantage."

What's next: Khan's lawyer said Monday that he'd been granted three days of pre-arrest bail, likely meaning he won't be arrested in that time. However, the Islamabad High Court launched separate contempt of court proceedings over Khan's comments about the judge.

For now, Khan's supporters have vowed to remain outside his home. "Police will have to step over our dead bodies before they get to him. He is our last hope," one man told the BBC.

If Khan is arrested, "we will take over Islamabad," a former senior official from Khan's party threatened.

Worth noting: The government seems more focused on the feud with Khan than on responding to floods that have killed more than 600 people, notes Madiha Afzal of Brookings.

Pakistan on edge over terrorism case against ex-PM Imran Khan

Supporters surrounded his home to prevent his arrest.

Imran Khan at a rally in Lahore on Aug. 13. Photo: Arif Ali/AFP via Getty

Pakistan

World

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

San Francisco

Axios San Francisco

Former President Trump filed a lawsuit Monday seeking the appointment of a special master to review the materials seized during the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Why it matters: The search revealed that Trump had taken classified material from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. He is now asking the federal court to bar the FBI from examining the seized documents until a special master is appointed.

A special master, usually a third party like a retired judge, would review the material and determine whether it is protected by attorney-client privilege or other legal doctrines. 

Trump is also asking the court to require the government to provide a more detailed inventory of seized materials and return any items that do not fall within the scope of the search warrant.

What they're saying: "To date, the Government has failed to legitimize its historic decision to raid the home of a President who had been fully cooperative," states the complaint, which cited the Fourth Amendment.

"This Mar-a-Lago Break-In, Search, and Seizure was illegal and unconstitutional, and we are taking all actions necessary to get the documents back, which we would have given to them without the necessity of the despicable raid of my home," Trump claimed in a statement after the lawsuit was filed.

The big picture: The Florida judge who approved the search warrant for the Mar-a-Lago residence has given the Department of Justice until next Thursday to file a redacted version of the affidavit related to the search.

Trump files lawsuit to temporarily block FBI from reviewing Mar-a-Lago materials

The FBI search revealed that Trump had taken classified material from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Photo of Donald Trump speaking into a mic

Former President Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Aug. 6 in Dallas. Photo: Brandon Bell via Getty Images

Donald Trump

NIAID director Anthony Fauci said Monday that he plans to retire from government service in December, saying he is leaving "to pursue the next chapter of my career."

Why it matters: Fauci, 81, emerged as the face of the nation's pandemic response and has been a mainstay at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, serving as leader since 1984. 

Driving the news: "While I am moving on from my current position, I am not retiring. After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field," Fauci said. 

"I want to use what I have learned as NIAID director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats."

The big picture: Fauci, who served as President Biden's chief medical adviser since January 2021, had hinted previously at his plans to step down, saying last month that he was planning to retire by the end of Biden's term. 

Fauci has advised every president since Ronald Reagan, saying it was "the honor of a lifetime to have led the NIAID." 

What they're saying: Biden in a statement on Monday thanked Fauci, saying "his commitment to the work is unwavering, and he does it with an unparalleled spirit, energy, and scientific integrity. " 

"Because of Dr. Fauci’s many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved," Biden said. 

"I extend my deepest thanks for his public service. The United States of America is stronger, more resilient and healthier because of him," Biden said.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra also thanked Fauci for his service in a statement, saying: "I quickly came to rely on Dr. Fauci’s wisdom and counsel in our [COVID-19] response, and along with his scientific acumen, I treasure his ability to break down complex science in simple terms to the American people to save lives."

"His selfless passion to bring hope and healing to people fighting for their health knows no bounds," Becerra said. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

Fauci stepping down in December

"I will be leaving these positions in December of this year to pursue the next chapter of my career."

Anthony Fauci

The U.S. health system faces critical questions about cost, access and equity. Technological advances and new discoveries about diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are transforming patient care and reshaping public health.

Health

Denver

Axios Denver

A state senator in Colorado is resigning from the Republican Party and becoming a Democrat, citing the party's complicity in the Jan. 6 insurrection and 2020 election denial as the reason.

"I cannot continue to be a part of a political party that is okay with a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election and continues to peddle claims that the 2020 election was stolen," Sen. Kevin Priola said in a statement.

He also cited his party's lack of action on climate change, saying his GOP colleagues "consistently and proudly seek to impede progress ... and I can't, in good conscience, be silent about that."

Why it matters: The announcement represents a stark rebuke of former President Trump and the national Republican Party.

It also deflates the GOP's hopes of retaking the Democratic-controlled Colorado Senate, one of the most targeted legislative battles in the country. Democrats now hold a 20-15 advantage, making a flip less likely.

Priola went out of his way to advocate against his party in the 2022 midterms, saying: "Democrats in charge because our planet and democracy depend on it."

Between the lines: Priola is a political moderate, often siding with Democrats on major legislation as the chamber's most bipartisan member. 

Yes, but: He still votes with Republicans 90% of the time, and said he "will not be changing the way I vote on legislation."

Priola has previously voted against abortion rights and efforts to regulate guns. 

Context: The Henderson lawmaker won re-election in 2020 in a tight battle in which he was targeted by Democrats. He is term-limited in 2025. 

Earlier this year, he led an effort to strengthen election security in Colorado.

What they're saying: Democratic Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement welcoming Priola to the party.

"We are a broad tent party, always seeking good ideas from the left and right to move [Colorado] forward," he said. "Senator Priola is a strong leader on climate issues and will hopefully be even more effective on the Democratic side of the aisle.

The other side: Sean Paige, a former spokesperson for the state Senate GOP caucus, said Priola's switch is not surprising. "He's beyond just a big phony; he's a squirrely and calculating opportunist. But I'm glad, for his conscience, that he finally came out of the closet," Paige said.

A prominent Republican activist said voters should recall Priola after the switch.

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Colorado lawmaker leaves GOP citing Jan. 6 attack and Trump

"I cannot continue to be a part of a political party that is okay with a violent attempt to overturn a free and fair election."

State Sen. Kevin Priola, left, talks to Gov. Jared Polis, center, in 2019. Photo:  AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images

State Sen. Kevin Priola, left, talks to Gov. Jared Polis, center, in 2019. Photo: AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart on Monday filed a written order reiterating his intent to unseal portions of the Mar-a-Lago affidavit.

Driving the news: "Given the intense public and historical interest in an unprecedented search of a former President’s residence," the government has not provided sufficient reasoning to justify sealing the affidavit, Reinhart wrote. 

"I therefore reject the government’s argument that the present record justifies keeping the entire Affidavit under seal," he wrote.

Between the lines: In the court filing, Reinhart also mentioned the possibility of extensive redactions presented by the government.

"I cannot say at this point that partial redactions will be so extensive that they will result in meaningless disclosure, but I may ultimately reach that conclusion after hearing further from the Government," he wrote. 

He also gave insight into his reasons for not unsealing the affidavit completely.

"Given the public notoriety and controversy about this search, it is likely that even witnesses who are not expressly named in the Affidavit would be quickly and broadly identified over social media and other communication channels, which could lead to them being harassed and intimidated,” Reinhart wrote.

The big picture: Reinhart during a hearing last week signaled his openness to unseal at least parts of the affidavit when he gave the Department of Justice this week to file a redacted version of the document. 

The Justice Department has argued for the affidavit to remain sealed, contending that its release "would provide a road map and suggest next investigative steps we are about to take," the Washington Post reports.

What to watch: The Justice Department has until Thursday to file its redacted affidavit, which could provide new details of the investigation, including the probable cause that warranted the search. 

Reinhart also said Monday that the government can provide "any additional evidence or legal argument" relevant to its opposition to unsealing.

Go deeper: Florida judge orders government to submit redacted Mar-a-Lago affidavit

Florida judge outlines intent to unseal parts of Mar-a-Lago affidavit

"I ... reject the government’s argument that the present record justifies keeping the entire Affidavit under seal."

Axios

Monday's top stories

Pakistan on edge over terrorism case against ex-PM Imran Khan

Trump files lawsuit to temporarily block FBI from reviewing Mar-a-Lago materials

Fauci stepping down in December

Colorado lawmaker leaves GOP citing Jan. 6 attack and Trump

Florida judge outlines intent to unseal parts of Mar-a-Lago affidavit

Polls reveal Trump's FBI search bump

Business economists give soft landing the side-eye

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan charged under antiterrorism act

Arkansas officers suspended after video of arrest emerges

Kansas vote recount confirms results backing abortion rights