Adam Smith

The unit was created after Watergate to oversee criminal prosecutions of federal public corruption cases.

Local Republicans appear to have made good on a pledge to contest every municipal race in the city of Pittsburgh this year, and they have also fielded a candidate in the race for Allegheny County sheriff.

Other Justice Department officials were placed on leave.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) joined KING 5 Weekend Mornings to discuss actions during the Trump Administration's first month of a second term.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives in his wheelchair for the cloture vote on FBI nominee Kash Patel on Thursday. McConnell has been the strongest GOP opponent of President Donald Trump's shifts in Russia policy.

The race to replace disgraced former San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres has become a fight for the future of downtown on issues like homelessness and crime. But one candidate sees it as something else: A chance to rebuild trust with the LGBTQ+ community. San Jose Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos nabbed the endorsement of Equality...The post Statewide LGBTQ+ group endorses San Jose council candidate appeared first on San José Spotlight.

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday brought bleak news for congressional Democrats: Just 21 percent of voters approve of the way they are doing [...]The post At the Races: Dems the breaks appeared first on Roll Call.

A retired, longtime law enforcement officer believes he is the right person to restore integrity to the San Jose District 3 office

Thousands of federal government employees have been shown the door in the first month of Trump’s administration.

Multiple high-ranking officials who oversaw the Justice Department’s public integrity section, which prosecutes corruption cases, have resigned.

This will be an actual All-Star matchup. On one side, there's a team with 86 combined All-Star selections, $2.7 billion in on-court earnings and where every single player on the team is either an NBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist, or both.

A large crowd of mourners turned out for former Councilman Bobby Ryan's funeral at the Masonic Cemetery.

Another American has been released from captivity abroad. CBS News reports Adam Boehler, the US envoy for hostages, confirmed that an American who was being held in Belarus was released on Wednesday, but that the person's name "at this point needs to remain private." Two others being held in Belarus...

Some officials tasked with purging the Justice Department of individuals involved in Jan. 6 investigations actually played a role in that day's events themselves, according to a report.Acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove has led a purge of FBI agents and officials who took part in those cases — despite helping those same investigators when he headed the counterterrorism unit in the U.S. attorney’s office for New York’s southern district at the time of the Capitol riot, reported CNN.Some other Donald Trump appointees are also playing dual roles, according to the report.“There is a reason that the legal ethics codes and the conflict-of-interest rules don’t contemplate this specific scenario, and that is because this specific scenario could have never been imagined until it became our reality,” said James Sample, a law professor at Hofstra University.ALSO READ: 'Hero': Latest school shooter celebrated as followers float copycat plansLegal experts say those senior officials might not be required to recuse themselves from investigating Trump prosecutors after defending him in those same cases, but they said it creates, at the very least, the appearance of conflict of interest."Todd Blanche, Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general, defended the president in three of his four criminal cases. And John Sauer, who won the presidential immunity case at the Supreme Court, was chosen for the role of solicitor general," CNN reported. "And while Attorney General Pam Bondi never represented Trump in court, she defended the president during his first Senate impeachment trial and was one of a number of pro-Trump lawyers who signed on to an amicus brief with the federal appeals court on the Trump classified documents case."Trump appointed former "Stop the Steal" activist Ed Martin as interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., and he hasn't recused himself from Jan. 6 probes despite being listed as an attorney for several of those defendants, and despite claiming that he hasn't been involved with any of them for 18 months.That dual role raised ethical questions.“Whether one categorizes it as a formal ethical violation or as an astounding abuse of discretion and a betrayal of traditional norms, the optics are not good,” Sample said. “The question with optics these days becomes does anyone who can do anything about it care? And, if so, what can they really do?”Trump's lawyers were furious about the two cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith, and Justice Department officials were worried they'll investigate or prosecute people who took part in those prosecutions, particularly Jay Bratt, a former national security prosecutor who led the classified documents case even before Smith was appointed, sources told CNN."Trump’s legal team believed Bratt – and former attorney general Merrick Garland – didn’t afford the respect they should have to Trump as a former president, sources said," according to CNN. "Garland insisted Trump be treated like any other criminal defendant."Trump's criminal defense lawyers developed a deep distrust for the Justice Department they're now serving or leading, and that comes across in their interactions inside the government.“They don’t even introduce themselves," said one senior DOJ official.

BUENA PARK, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, Yamaha has chosen 40 outstanding music educators under 40 who exhibit action, courage, creativity, and a commitment to growth while exceeding expectations in their music programs. Students, parents,...

Nearly three years after a judge first blocked a near-total ban on abortion in Utah, Republican lawmakers are pushing through a proposed change to court rules that could give them another swing at circumventing the judiciary for their trigger law to take effect.

The House Majority Fund, which is boosted by several billionaire donors, has launched an initiative aimed at earning back the working-class vote that was lost in 2024.

Shelby Loring, 29, and others conspired to distribute meth and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties.

I can remember the days when the Republican Party claimed to be the party of the American Constitution. I remember when the phrase “constitutional conservative” was a means of describing one’s commitment to the high ideals of the American founding.

Shasti Conrad thinks the way Democrats went about winning Washington elections last year is a formula for success nationwide.

Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, was at the center of a contentious confirmation hearing Thursday, facing intense grilling from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee about his past comments and allegiance to Trump. To Republicans, Patel is a chance to reform an agency whose public image has taken a hit and [...]

Kash Patel, President Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, wouldn’t acknowledge or sought to distance himself from a host of his past public statements as Democrats pressed him during his confirmation hearing on Thursday. Democratic lawmakers cited numerous controversial statements Patel has made on podcasts and online, but Patel demurred at being associated with his [...]

Nebraska Sen. Rick Holdcroft proposed a law that would end "no-excuse" mail-in voting in a move that he said is meant to "build up people's confidence" in elections.

Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice, echoed attacks on the agency she would lead if confirmed, but demurred on how she might handle tests of its independence. Bondi is a more traditional pick to lead the department than Trump’s initial choice, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). She’s a longtime prosecutor [...]

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be attorney general, testifies Wednesday during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing.

Mike Vrabel is in New England

As a caucus approaches Thursday, eight candidates have filed to run for Calumet Township trustee, with the latest application received 30 minutes before the deadline.

The court turned down cases on legal process and licensing but may still consider challenges to weapons and magazine bans in Maryland and Rhode Island.

2024 was a landmark year for prosecutions tied to politics. It marked the first criminal conviction of a former president and the first criminal conviction of a sitting president's child. Lawmakers in both chambers faced criminal charges. And lawyers, aides and allies to those political figures were ensnared in legal troubles of their own. Here’s [...]

Bills largely split by partisan divides seek to expand or modify charter school operation in Missouri.

The top offensive and defensive players from Class 5A high schools faced each other in a state championship game, with Edna Karr defensive lineman Corey Adams celebrating with teammates after defeating an Alexandria Senior High team led by running back...

The top offensive and defensive players from Class 5A high schools faced each other in a state championship game, with Edna Karr defensive lineman Corey Adams celebrating with teammates after defeating an Alexandria Senior High team led by running back...

'Who in this country knows their counties better than the sheriff?' says former sheriff and founder of a Constitutional sheriffs organization.

'Who in this country knows their counties better than the sheriff?' says former sheriff and founder of a Constitutional sheriffs organization.

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) about allegations that aides shielded President Biden from high-ranking officials and the public due to concern about his fitness for office.

Current and former members of President Biden's White House told the Wall Street Journal that they saw evidence of Biden's waning energy even in 2021.

Pro-democracy advocates are in the early stages of building a network of specialists aimed at defending people who may be targeted for retribution by Trump.

"It is a taste of things to come. The House is going to be ungovernable,” one senator said of this week's disarray over government funding.

Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.More than a dozen congressional Democrats plan to sit out President-elect Trump's inauguration, and many more are anxiously grappling with whether to attend, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Not every Democrat skipping the ceremony will do so to protest Trump — but a formal boycott is materializing as a first act of resistance against the incoming president.For many Democrats, the scars of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol remain fresh in the mind, marking Trump as a threat to democracy."For somebody who he said he's going to lock me up, I don't see the excitement in going to see his inauguration," former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told Axios.State of play: Martin Luther King Jr. Day coinciding with the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremony gives many Democrats an easy out, though others planning to stay away cited a distaste for inaugurations, a loathing of Trump — and even fears for their safety.Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said that as a Latina, she doesn't "feel safe coming" with Trump's supporters pouring in for the ceremony. "I'm not going to physically be in D.C. on that day," she told Axios.Similarly, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said that attending MLK Day events instead "makes sense, because why risk any chaos that might be up here?"For other members, the reasoning is more mundane: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) "almost never attends inaugurations" and has only been to two during his 28 years in office, his spokesperson told Axios.What we're hearing: Incoming Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas), who hasn't decided whether to attend, told Axios, "I think you'll have some number of Democrats who go and a substantial number who don't.""There are civil rights organizations that are trying to set up alternatives," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), adding that Trump's inauguration "seems like the worst place to spend Martin Luther King Day."Several progressives predicted that the boycott won't be confined solely to the party's left flank.Data: Axios reporting; Note: Axios contacted every Democrat serving in the 119th Congress. The chart includes those who responded; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios Visuals.Zoom in: Dozens of Democrats boycotted Trump's first inauguration in 2017, led by the now-deceased congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.But the Jan. 6 attack, for which Democrats hold Trump squarely responsible, has added a new layer of disgust for some.Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told Axios he "cannot be a part of that spectacle" as someone who was "locked in my office ... as the insurrectionists tried to overthrow our government.""I was trapped in the [House] gallery on Jan. 6," Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said, explaining her intention to skip the ceremonies.Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) expressed alignment with his colleagues who cannot bring themselves to go — but said he also believes members of Congress are "supposed to go to all of that stuff.""I'm struggling," the veteran lawmaker conceded.The other side: A sizable number of Democrats are prepared to grit their teeth and show up — if only to try to rebuild public faith in national institutions after the events that followed the 2020 election."I'm planning to attend ... because I believe in the peaceful transition of power and I respect the Office of the President," Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) told Axios.Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said progressives "are coming down in different ways," but that she feels "it's important that we try to establish norms again" after Jan. 6.The bottom line: For many lawmakers, the question simply isn't a priority at the moment.Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), asked whether he plans to attend, told Axios: "Pssh, is that the burning issue of the day?"Axios' Stephen Neukam and Stef Kight contributed reporting for this story.

The bill passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending.

The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers, but Biden reportedly discussed the topic with some senior aides.

President Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump

Lexington Republican Rep. RJ May is currently under federal investigation, and is set to be indicted any day. He still showed up for his first day of work as the 2025 legislative session formally began.

Hunter Biden was targeted by Trump’s allies. The president should now protect others from political prosecutions, too.

Rivalries heat up with bowl games on the line in Week 14

Tactical Civics claims to have 450 members in Montana and chapters in nine counties. The organization has found harbor with several lawmakers and recruited using a statewide ballot initiative campaign.

Democratic support for the bill dwindled as critics warned it would let Donald Trump crack down on political foes.The post The House Just Blessed Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook by Passing Nonprofit-Killer Bill appeared first on The Intercept.