U.S.
Trump Tells Nebraska Rally 'Let Them Take Out Los Angeles, Let Them Take Out San Diego' While Defending Iran War's Costs; White House Says He Meant a Nuclear Iran
California Democrats, Republican candidate Jim Desmond and independent Rep. Kevin Kiley criticized the Oct. 5 remark. The White House and some fact-checkers say the full context shows Trump was arguing the war stops Iran from threatening U.S. cities.
Federal Judge in Boston Halts DHS Fines of Up to $1.8 Million on Migrants Who Did Not Leave After Deportation Orders
Judge George O'Toole ruled on October 5 that ICE issued the fines unlawfully under the Administrative Procedure Act, in a class action brought by two women and an immigrant legal-aid group; DHS had not commented in early reports.
Six Aboard Presumed Dead After Medical Jet From Bermuda Crashes Off Nantucket; Coast Guard Ends Search
Crews found debris from the Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100. The pilot reported electrical problems before the jet dropped about 13,000 feet in minutes. Canada's Transportation Safety Board, not the NTSB, leads the investigation, and no official cause has been given.
Trump Renews Pledge of $5,000 Payments to Adult Citizens if Republicans Keep the House and Senate, a Promise First Made Sept. 9
In an Oct. 3 video Trump repeated his conditional 'Trump dividend' offer and said he looks forward to signing the checks. Economists put the cost at about $1.2 trillion or more, and critics in both parties question how it would be paid for and whether Congress would approve it.
Vance Chaired Unannounced Camp David Meeting on Iran War and Yemen, Axios and CBS Report
Rubio, Hegseth, Witkoff, Ratcliffe and Gen. Caine attended the Friday session, and CBS and other outlets also list Treasury Secretary Bessent. Trump is weighing whether to resume major combat with Iran, and Saudi Arabia has asked twice for U.S. strikes on the Houthis, which Washington has turned down so far.
Miami Federal Judge Dismisses Noncitizen-Voting Charge and Rules 1996 Federal Ban Unconstitutional as Applied; Justice Department Files Appeal
On Oct. 1, Judge David Leibowitz ruled that only states, not Congress, may decide who is qualified to vote, so 18 U.S.C. § 611 cannot be used to prosecute Chelsea Cox, a Jamaican national accused of voting in 2020. The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal to the 11th Circuit on Oct. 2.
U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iran's Two Largest Automakers, Its State Railway and Foreign Parts and Steel Suppliers
The Oct. 1 designations under 'Operation Economic Outcast' also cover a heavy-equipment maker, metals suppliers and a banking network that Treasury says has ties to Russia. They come during a U.S. naval blockade of Iran, and President Trump has said new U.S. strikes are 'possible' after the November midterms.
26 States, Cities and Counties Sue Over NHTSA Rule Lowering the 2031 Fuel Economy Target to 34.9 MPG
The California-led coalition argues in federal appeals court that the Transportation Department broke the law by leaving electric vehicles out when it set the new standard. The administration says the law requires it to leave them out, and that the change will cut new-car prices.
Judge Orders Venezuelan Man Shot by ICE Officer in Austin Held Before Trial on Federal Assault Charge
Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, 28, was shot in the upper back after a Sept. 20 traffic stop in North Austin. He faces up to 20 years if convicted. A magistrate judge ruled Sept. 30 that he is a flight risk but not a danger to the community, and his lawyer says the bullet was removed in surgery on Oct. 1.
USS Theodore Roosevelt Group and About 9,000 Sailors and Marines Deploy Toward Middle East; Trump Calls Post-Midterm Iran Bombing 'Possible'
The carrier left San Diego Sept. 27 and an amphibious group with about 2,000 Marines left Sept. 28. Officials differ on whether the Roosevelt adds a third carrier to the region or replaces one already there.
Trump Says Iran Will Be 'Hit Very Hard' if Tied to FlyDubai Co-Pilot's Axe Attack on Captain; UAE Calls It Attempted Terrorism
An Omani co-pilot attacked his Indian captain on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on Sept. 30, and a reserve pilot landed the jet in Saudi Arabia; Trump says he is hearing of an Iran link but has offered no evidence, and Israeli officials say they have found none so far.
Trump Opens 32-Day Midterm Campaign Swing With Stops in Denton, Texas, and Durant, Oklahoma
On Oct. 1 the president toured a Peterbilt truck plant to back Senate nominee Ken Paxton, then held an evening rally in Oklahoma. He says the trip honors loyal states; critics and some officials say it shows he is being kept away from swing districts.