Latest news with #Trump


New York Times
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Bypasses Congress to Keep Interim Prosecutors in California and Nevada
The Trump administration has decided to extend the terms of the interim federal prosecutors in Southern California and Nevada who were serving under temporary appointments that were set by law to expire, a move that sets the stage for new potential conflicts with Congress and the federal judiciary. A similar maneuver in New Jersey to extend the service of the interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, President Trump's former lawyer, has led to legal gridlock in the federal court there, as some lawyers and judges question whether Ms. Habba is legally authorized to act as the state's chief federal prosecutor. Now, senior Justice Department officials are taking similar actions in California and Nevada, a move that allows the administration to circumvent the stalled Senate confirmation process for some U.S. attorneys, and the role of local judges in filling any long-running vacancies in those jobs. On Tuesday, the interim U.S. attorney in Nevada, Sigal Chattah, was redesignated as 'acting' U.S. attorney on the Justice Department's website, a day before her term as 'interim' prosecutor was set to expire. Several hours later, a similar title change was made for Bill Essayli in Los Angeles. In all three states, Democratic senators would most likely have sought to block any attempt to make the interim appointments permanent. 'Trump knows Chattah would be soundly rejected by both sides of the aisle if she had to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which is why he's relying on an unconstitutional maneuver to illegally extend her temporary appointment,' said Senator Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat. The state's other senator, Catherine Cortez Masto, said 'it's clear the Trump administration knows Ms. Chattah is unconfirmable,' adding that she was 'unfit for this role.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


Mint
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- Mint
No world leader asked India to stop military response to Pak terror: PM Modi
NEW DELHI : Prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that no world leader asked India to stop its armed response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, effectively rejecting US president Donald Trump's repeated claims that he brought about a ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad that gave ammunition to the opposition to target the government. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Modi informed that Operation Mahadev, which began on Monday, had brought the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice. India's Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the terror attack, was non-escalatory in nature, the prime minister highlighted. As many as 26 civilians were murdered by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, prompting India to launch retaliatory missile strikes on terrorists and terror-infrastructure across the border. Also Read: Did Trump really broker India-Pak peace? Here's what Jaishankar said India made precision strikes against nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing about 100 terrorists. Indian officials have said the Pakistani forces lost 35-40 personnel, while India lost five soldiers. The hostilities lasted for four days during 7-10 May. Operation Sindoor and India's strategy Modi's clarification came after a 16-hour discussion on the success of Operation Sindoor on Monday where defence minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar spoke about India's military and diplomatic initiatives in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Our targets were clear. We wanted to target those places where the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam had received training and technical support," said Modi. 'We have said since the beginning that this was a non-escalatory move. Our policy was non-escalatation, our policy was to target terrorist infrastructure and terrorist leaders. And no world leader asked India to stop its Operation Sindoor," he said. Modi stated that US vice-president J.D. Vance had called on the night of 9-10 May to warn India about Pakistani retaliation. He, however, did not mention US president Trump in his has claimed on several occasions that he intervened to stop a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade deals with the two countries. Defence preparedness India's homegrown weapons are now in demand across the globe after Operation Sindoor, and this was possible due to the policy of self-reliance in the country's defence sector, said Modi in his approximately 105-minute address. India was prepared for Pakistan's retaliation after Operation Sindoor, he said. He added that India had warned Pakistan that any response would be deemed escalatory in nature and that India would respond appropriately. Also Read: Rajnath Singh issues stern warning to Pak during Op Sindoor debate: 'If any…'Modi said that the planning for Operation Sindoor started immediately after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, with top military and political leaders. Indian homegrown defence systems thwarted a Pakistani attack of a thousand missiles and drones on the night of 9-10 May, he said, adding that there was no damage and no casualties in India from this attack. He also said that India's response to this attack, which targeted Pakistani military infrastructure, forced Pakistan's director general of military operations (DGMO) to ask India for a ceasefire. Made-in-India weapons The PM also highlighted the growth of the country's defence sector under his government. 'We opened up the defence industry for the private sector and the response has been tremendous. The youth has participated in manufacturing and designing drones…even women, young women have led the charge in the sector," he said. Modi also added that strategic reforms as well as restructuring in state-run defence sector companies had helped the sector grow rapidly. India's defence exports have risen about 12% in FY25 to ₹23,622 crore, from ₹21,083 crore in the previous fiscal, according to a 1 April statement by the defence ministry. Also Read: 'Say Trump is a liar': Rahul Gandhi dares PM Modi during Ops Sindoor debatePM Modi reiterated that India has a new policy against terror where it will respond to terrorist threats at a time and with a method of its own choosing. He emphasized that India won't succumb to nuclear blackmail, and that there would be no distinction between terrorists and terror-sponsoring governments. Modi also said that Operation Sindoor was ongoing, but did not state further details.


Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trump denies he caused Colbert cancellation and reveals which late night comic is 'next up'
President Donald Trump denied rumors he was the reason Stephen Colbert 's long-running talk show was axed. Although he claimed to not be responsible, the president issued a warning to Colbert's fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Colbert's decade-long stint as the host of The Late Show will come to an end in May after CBS canceled the program following a $16million settlement with Trump. Trump publicly celebrated the axing, sparking theories that he was involved in the decision. He clarified on Truth Social on Sunday that he was not 'solely responsible.' 'Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night. That is not true,' he argued. 'The reason he was fired was a pure lack of TALENT, and the fact that this deficiency was costing CBS $50 Million Dollars a year in losses — And it was only going to get WORSE!' Trump went on to warn that both Kimmel and Fallon's jobs could now be on the line. 'Next up will be an even less talented Jimmy Kimmel, and then, a weak, and very insecure, Jimmy Fallon,' he wrote. President Donald Trump has denied rumors he is the reason Stephen Colbert 's long running talk show was axed while simultaneously issuing a chilling warning to Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon 'The only real question is, who will go first?' Trump, who once gained reality television notoriety as the face of The Apprentice, tried to offer the trio a lesson in showbusiness, writing: 'Show Biz and Television is a very simple business. 'If you get Ratings, you can say or do anything. If you don't, you always become a victim. Colbert became a victim to himself, the other two will follow.' Trump's show The Apprentice ran for 15 seasons before it was ultimately canceled when NBC and Trump parted ways in 2016. CBS announced the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this month, just days after the host blasted the network's $16million settlement with Trump as a 'big fat bribe.' Executives said the decision was made after the show's revenue plummeted by around $40 million a year. 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,' they said in a statement. 'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the Late Show franchise at that time,' the executives continued. 'We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and his broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.' He wrote on Truth Social on Sunday that he was not 'solely responsible' The network explained that the decision to cancel the show is 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.' 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' it added. But Colbert has not held back in his criticism of his employers since the decision was finalized, telling crowds: 'They made one mistake, they left me alive! For the next ten months, the gloves are off!' He dedicated much of his first show back after the announcement to criticizing the network, inviting other liberal late night talk show hosts and comedians onto his program to stand united against the decision. Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler and Lin-Manuel Miranda all appeared in the segment. He then cut to various famous people in pairs on the 'kiss cam,' including CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Bravo stalwart Andy Cohen, who pretended to make out. Adam Sandler and Happy Gilmore co-star Christopher McDonald, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers and John Oliver and Jon Stewart also appeared Addressing Trump's criticism of him directly, Colbert said: 'How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f*** yourself.' At the same time, he hit back at Trump's past warnings that Kimmel could follow him out the door. 'Nope, no, no. Absolutely not. Kimmel, I am the martyr. There's only room for one on this cross. And the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!'


Fox News
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Cory Booker slams Dem colleagues for 'complicity' with Trump in angry 'wake-up call' floor speech
Democrat New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker blasted his fellow Democrats for being "complicit" with President Donald Trump's actions during a testy objection to a package of new police legislation voted on by the Senate earlier today. Booker accused his fellow Democrat senators of aligning themselves with Trump because they are in favor of passing legislation, which, void of amendments Booker just began pushing, still allows the president to pick winners and losers in terms of who receives the benefits, he says. "This to me is the problem with Democrats in America right now," Booker complained while objecting to the package of pro-police bills. Booker's objection to the bill, which he says boosts Trump's use of federal funding as leverage to get jurisdictions and entities to change their behavior, comes as the president has threatened to repeal funding and resources from cities and other jurisdictions that push sanctuary city policies, fail to adequately address homelessness, or refuse compliance with other federal directives. "The Democratic Party needs a wake up call. I see law firms bending a knee to this president … I see universities that should be bastions of free speech bending at the knee to this president … I see businesses taking late-night talk show hosts off the air because they dare to insult a president. I see people who want mergers suddenly think they need to pay tribute to this president," Booker complained from the Senate floor. "And what are the very people here elected to defend the constitution of the United States saying?" he asked. "'Oh well today lets look the other way and pass some resources that won't go to Connecticut, that won't go to Illinois, that won't go to New York, that will go to the states [Trump] likes.'" "That is complicity with an authoritarian leader who is trashing our country," Booker argued to his fellow Democrats. "It is time for Democrats to have a backbone, it's time for us to fight, it's time for us to draw a line, and when it comes to the safety of my state being denied these grants that's why I'm standing here." Booker's objection stemmed from a call from Democrats to pass a package of law enforcement-related bills aimed at boosting resources for police, including resources to help shore up death benefits for police officers lost in the line of duty, resources for greater mental health support for officers, resources to address child exploitation, and more. The bills, eventually passed Tuesday, were discussed and approved in committee before reaching the Senate floor. Democrat leaders, including Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Mass., urged passage of the legislative package amid Booker's objection, noting it went through the proper bipartisan procedure and obtained bipartisan support. "We have committees for a reason, and we have hearings for a reason," Klobuchar said in response to Booker's objections. She added that "We need to have [law enforcement's] backs and that is what this package of bills does." Cortez-Masto noted that the bills, which she helped sponsor and bring to the floor for a full vote, slammed Booker for attempting to tank a package of bills deemed critical by both parties. "I don't need lectures about the urgency of this," Booker shot back in response to his party colleagues' criticism. "I am tired of when the President of the United States violates the constitution, trashes our norms and traditions, and what does the Democratic Party do? Comply? Allow him? Beg for scraps? No! I demand justice!" "NOT ON MY WATCH!" Booker added during his objection, while also urging Democrats to be more cohesive in their fight against Trump. "If we don't stand as Democrats we deserve to lose." Booker's criticism of his fellow Democratic Party members lays bare Democrats' intra-party fighting between the more radical wing of the party and the more moderate wing. The New Jersey senator's criticism also comes as the party is seeking to find the best strategy forward following big GOP gains during the 2024 election. Former President Barack Obama spoke to the matter at a party fundraiser earlier this month, reportedly telling leaders of the party and major donors to "stop looking for a quick fix" and start supporting candidates who can really win and produce results. As an example, the former president pointed particularly at the upcoming elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Later this year, Virginia will face a major gubernatorial battle between incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former long-time Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va. In New Jersey, Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was reportedly in attendance at the fundraiser Obama spoke at, is running for her state's open gubernatorial seat against GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli. "The most important thing you can do right now is to help the team, our candidate to win," Obama told attendees at the fundraiser.


Fox News
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Wounded vet confirmed to Veterans Affairs role as GOP slams Dems for slow-walking Trump picks
The Senate confirmed yet another of President Donald Trump's nominees on Tuesday, this time for a position that maintains veterans' cemeteries and oversees burials. Sam Brown, an Army veteran and former Nevada GOP Senate candidate, was confirmed by the Senate to be Trump's Veteran's Affairs undersecretary for memorial affairs. The 54-44 vote was largely a partisan affair, save for Nevada's Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jackie Rosen, who both crossed the aisle to vote for Brown's confirmation. The undersecretary for memorial affairs oversees the National Cemetery Administration, which operates and maintains over 150 national cemeteries. National cemeteries across the country have roughly 4 million veterans interred in their grounds, according to the VA. And the National Cemetery Administration provides for over 100,000 military veterans and eligible family members each year. Trump nominated Brown, who served in the army for five years before medically retiring after a roadside improvised explosive device detonated and burned one-third of his body, in January, and lauded him as an "American hero" in a post on his social media platform Truth Social at the time. "He fearlessly proved his love for our country in the army, while leading troops in battle in Afghanistan and, after being honorably retired as a captain, helping our veterans get access to emergency medications," Trump said. Brown's confirmation marked the third of the day in the Senate, where a growing list of Trump's nominees to a variety of agencies, judgeships and ambassadorships have been slowed down by Senate Democrats. Senate Republican leadership are trudging through the Democrats' blockade, and working to hammer out a deal to get more nominees moved through quicker. Senate Republicans argued that Brown's position, in particular, shouldn't be subject to the partisanship on display in Democrats' attempts to slow walk other, more controversial nominees. Sen. Jerry Moran, chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, had his request earlier this year to confirm Brown through a much faster process, known as unanimous consent, objected to by Senate Democrats in May. "Laying our veterans to rest with honor, serving their families with dignity is not a Republican or Democrat issue," the Kansas Republican said in a statement at the time. "I am discouraged that we cannot work in a bipartisan manner to confirm this qualified and capable leader for the National Cemetery Administration. That position is responsible for carrying out our nation's most solemn responsibility, burying our veterans."