Politics

A federal appeals court rejected the Justice Department's emergency bid to set aside mail ballots tied to more than 20,000 California voters the Trump administration suspects are noncitizens. Why it matters: The 2–1 ruling leaves California's election procedures intact just days before the midterms, with the judges citing doubts about the DOJ's voter list and the risk of disenfranchising eligible voters. The ruling is a major setback for a DOJ that has doubled down on unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in the Golden State. What they're saying: The majority cited the lower court's finding that the DOJ's process for identifying suspected noncitizens was "not credible," undermining its claims. "Granting [the United States]'s request would provoke catastrophic change, upending the administration of the election," it wrote, quoting the district court's finding. "There is a material risk that granting the United States its requested relief would result in disenfranchisement and could jeopardize [Los Angeles] County's entire election." The other side: Ninth U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, arguing that counting votes from noncitizens dilutes the power of citizens. "The federal government proposes a modest remedy—stopping California from mixing the ballots of citizens and suspected noncitizens. This solution would not cancel any vote but would allow time to verify the eligibility of suspected noncitizens." The White House and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. Catch up quick: The DOJ sued California in mid October for refusing to segregate the ballots it asserted were sent to noncitizens. A district court denied the request for an injunction, deciding that the federal law the DOJ was relying on to bring the suit did not supersede existing state law. The Trump administration appealed, leading to Friday's decision. The administration can now appeal again to the Supreme Court. Zoom out: Trump has continu

In the final days of the race, Josh Turek, the Democratic Senate nominee, appears to be in a dead heat against his Republican rival, Representative Ashley Hinson.

With control of Congress on the line, 2WAY is teaming up with NewsNation and The Hill for a special Sunday evening edition of “The Morning Meeting” ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. The program will take a closer look at key House and Senate races as candidates make their final pitches to voters. The Nov.…

Hundreds of Ukrainian civilians who had been trapped in the Russian-occupied front-line city of Oleshky were evacuated on Friday as a part of the ceasefire first lady Melania Trump recently brokered. The town itself is located in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, and it has been under continuous Russian occupation since the first months […]

A deceased Goochland County beagle named Biscuit reportedly received a Virginia rights restoration certificate, prompting calls for an audit.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Democratic-led states Friday of having poor fraud prevention mechanisms while at a Minnesota press conference. The state has been at the center of a healthcare fraud scandal for much of this year after the Justice Department indicted more than a dozen people on accusations of defrauding taxpayers, using funds for…

A federal judge said Friday she plans to appoint a special master to investigate whether Justice and Interior Department officials misled the court about the Trump administration's plans to renovate a D.C. golf course, according to news reports . Why it matters: The investigation could lead to professional sanctions, contempt proceedings or criminal referrals against administration officials over allegations government lawyers misled the judge. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes opened a hearing Friday by reading ethics rules requiring attorneys to be truthful with courts, then questioned Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. about the administration's conflicting accounts, according to news reports. Trump announced Oct. 18 the golf course would close Nov. 15 for roughly 15 months of renovations. Woodward told the court the next day there was "no plan to close the course." On Oct. 28, the Justice Department acknowledged Trump had directed the closure. Catch up quick: A preservation group and two golfers are suing the administration over what they say is President Trump's illegal plan to convert the historic, public East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-level golf course. After government crews cut down more than 400 trees, Reyes barred further tree removal without court approval and required 10 business days' notice before closing the park or making irreversible changes. The administration has appealed. What they're saying: "The Department of Justice will not be deterred from executing on the President's agenda," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The White House and DOI didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. What's next: Reyes said she intends to appoint a special master who could review documents, question witnesses under oath and hold hearings. The government would have five business days to object after a special master is selected, the Washington Post reported . This is a breaking news story and will be

President Trump on Friday hosted the recently released American inmate Stephen Hubbard at the White House — with the retired English teacher and veteran telling Trump he "wouldn't have lasted another year" in Russian custody.

Alieu Kosiah killed civilians and unarmed soldiers, and ordered lootings and other crimes against humanity.

The potential SCOTUS nominee qualifies his longstanding position that the U.S.-born children of unauthorized immigrants are citizens under the 14th Amendment.

President Donald Trump said the US was looking into whether North Korean hackers were behind a $6.3 billion heist targeting Binance that has rattled the cryptocurrency world.

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) joins Meet the Press NOW for her read on the state of play in Michigan, four days out from its marquee senate race.

President Trump campaigns for Republicans in deep red Florida; Alaska Senate race intensifies amid DOJ probe into Dan Sullivan case.

Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

The Republican sued more than 700 patients during his former career as a physician. The suit accuses him of charging illegally high interest rates.

A federal judge overseeing a legal fight over President Donald Trump’s plans to remake Washington, D.C.’s East Potomac Golf Links said Friday she would investigate whether administration officials misled the court and violated professional ethics rules during the proceedings. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the inquiry would examine whether Interior Department officials, government attorneys, […]

A federal appeals court on Friday rejected the Justice Department’s emergency bid to force California to set aside mail-in ballots associated with roughly 20,000 suspected noncitizens, opening a potential path to the Supreme Court days before the midterm elections. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to deny an injunction requiring officials to […]

The administration has alleged California sent ballots to some 20,000 people who may not be U.S. citizens. It wants the state to set those ballots aside and not count them until citizenship can be verified.

Premiums will jump by 13 percent for next year, though much of the price increase will be offset by subsidies. But customers who earn over $64,000 will pay more, on top of this year’s huge increases.