The wife of former New Jersey Democratic senator Bob Menendez, Nadine Menendez, has been found guilty in the same bribery scheme that led to his conviction and resignation.
The pair was accused of selling political favors to foreign governments in exchange for gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes vehicle.
The former senator, who sat on the powerful Foreign Affairs committee, stepped down after he was convicted in August of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar.
Senator's wife guilty
On Monday, a jury in New York found his wife guilty on all 15 counts, including bribery, extortion and obstruction of justice, following a trial that lasted almost a month.
One of the witnesses, who pled guilty, businessman Jose Uribe, gave Nadine a $60,000 Mercedez after she totaled her car in a crash that killed a pedestrian. She was never charged in the deadly incident.
Another participant in the scheme helped pay for Nadine's mortgage as she was facing the loss of her home.
"We are devastated by the verdict. Speaking for myself, I am devastated by the verdict. But, I want to emphasize, that we respect the criminal justice system, we respect this court," her defense lawyer Barry Coburn said.
Partners in crime
During his own trial, lawyers for the former senator tried to blame his Lebanese-born wife, painting her as the mastermind in the foreign agent scheme.
But prosecutors said they were "partners in crime" who worked together to sell his influence.
"Nadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime," acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a statement following the verdict.
"Over the span of five years, Nadine Menendez agreed to accept and accepted all sorts of bribes -- including gold bars, cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and a no-show job -- all in exchange for the Senator's corrupt official acts. Together, Nadine Menendez and the Senator placed their own interests and greed ahead of the interests of the citizens the Senator was elected to serve."
"Today's verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale, and that all those who facilitate corruption will be held accountable for their actions," he added.
Initially, Menendez and his wife were going to be tried together, but their prosecutions were split up after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Nadine will be sentenced in June, the same month that her husband is scheduled to begin his 11-year sentence in federal prison.
The Supreme Court shut down an effort by Democrats in Minnesota to restrict 18-to-20-year-olds from buying guns.
The court let stand an Eight Circuit ruling that vindicated the rights of young people to carry firearms under the Second Amendment. Minnesota's attorney general, Keith Ellison (D), had asked the court to uphold "modest" restrictions that make it a crime for people under 21 to carry in public.
Second Amendment win
The ruling is the latest in a cascade of Second Amendment victories to follow from the Supreme Court's decision in Bruen, which requires gun control regimes to be "consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
The court later refined the Bruen test in United States v. Rahimi, clarifying that courts do not need to identify a "historic twin" to uphold modern gun restrictions, but instead should look at the "principles underlying historical restrictions on firearms."
Citing Rahimi, Minnesota urged the Supreme Court to reconsider an Eight Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that struck down Minnesota's age limits, but the Supreme Court left the lower court ruling alone. The Eight Circuit found that the age limits do not pass the Bruen test.
“The Second Amendment’s plain text does not have an age limit,” wrote Judge Duane Benton, who was appointed by President George W. Bush.
Moreover, the 26th Amendment unambiguously incorporated young people into the political community by granting them voting rights, the appeals court ruled.
Court pulls back
Minnesota argued its "common sense" restrictions were necessary to address gun violence among young people. The state called its limits "modest" since young people can access firearms at any age with parental supervision, and by age 14 they may possess guns unsupervised on their property or for hunting.
Groups including the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition challenged Minnesota's restrictions.
"Politicians should carefully consider the legal ramifications of infringing on Second Amendment rights,” Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus (MGOC) Senior Vice President & Political Director Rob Doar said.
“The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and its allies will relentlessly pursue legal action against any unconstitutional measures introduced in Minnesota.”
The Supreme Court has been slow to intervene in gun disputes since ruling in Rahimi last year, when the court found that people with restraining orders for domestic violence can be temporarily disarmed.
The court's reluctance to revisit the gun debate has cut both ways. While it has resulted in a win for gun rights in Minnesota, the justices recently declined to upset New York's new gun licensing regime, which was adopted in response to Bruen.
The White House dismissed "fake news" about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after left-wing NPR claimed the administration is looking to replace him.
"This @NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. “As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind @SecDef.”
Trump defends Hegseth
Trump has stood by Hegseth since his contentious Senate confirmation battle, which saw Hegseth overcome a flood of anonymous attacks on his character as Democrats and a handful of Republicans questioned his qualifications.
President Trump and his allies are rallying behind Hegseth once again as Democrats make fresh demands for his resignation, citing what they say is his careless handling of sensitive information.
The New York Times reported, citing anonymous sources, that Hegseth included his wife and brother in a Signal chat that included details about an attack on Houthi rebels. The chat reportedly happened around the same time as the previously reported Signal conversation that included a left-wing journalist, leading to criticism of the Trump administration in March.
"Here we go again. Just a waste of time. He is doing a great job," Trump said of Hegseth on Monday. "Ask the Houthis how he's doing."
In addition to the Signal controversies, Hegseth has faced turmoil on his staff as he cracks down on leaks. The Pentagon fired three top Hegseth staffers last week for allegedly sharing information with the press, although the fired staffers deny the claims.
Hegseth under pressure
The latest anonymous report concerning Hegseth - from NPR - claims that the White House has lost confidence in him and is looking for a new Defense Secretary.
But Trump and Hegseth have put on a united front, dismissing the latest anonymous reports as a coordinated smear campaign.
The White House says Hegseth, who came to his role as a disruptor to the status quo, is facing backlash from D.C. insiders resistant to change.
“This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change you are trying to implement," Leavitt told Fox and Friends.
Meanwhile, Hegseth upped the ante on Tuesday as he warned that "leakers" could be prosecuted.
"If we think you are leaking to the press, that's a very real problem. We take that very seriously at the Pentagon," Hegseth told Fox and Friends. "Disgruntled former employees are peddling things to try to save their a--, and ultimately, that's not going to work."
A purse snatcher allegedly made off with $3,000 cash and other personal items belonging to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Fox News reported. A masked man stole Noem's bag Sunday night, which included the money, her driver's license, keys, passport, blank checks, and DHS badge.
The alleged crime happened as Noem dined with her family in a Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter Sunday. The city is known for its theft problem, even as violent crime hit a historic low last year.
A spokesperson claimed the dinner and other holiday-related expenses explained the large sum of cash in her bag. "Her entire family was in town, including her children and grandchildren – she was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts," the spokesperson said.
Still, it's unclear how this crime occurred, as Noem has a Secret Service detail. The investigation is ongoing, but so far, there are more questions than answers.
Crime problem
Committing burglary against a high-ranking government official shows a severe lack of security in the nation's capital. President Donald Trump was already urging Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser to do something about the problems, including homeless encampments and other crimes.
Trump said that the city should be "the pride of every American to who it belongs" but that Bowers and other politicians need to beef up law enforcement. "Washington, D.C., must become CLEAN and SAFE again!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account last month.
"We need our Great Police back on the street, with no excuses from the Mayor, or anyone else. The House should take up the D.C. funding 'fix' that the Senate has passed, and get it done IMMEDIATELY," Trump urged.
"We need to clean up our once beautiful Capital City, and make it beautiful again. We will be TOUGH ON CRIME, like never before," the president added.
"I will work with the Mayor on this and, if it does not happen, will have no choice but to do it myself. Washington, D.C., will be better, safer, and more beautiful than ever before!" Trump wrote.
Serious questions
Still, Trump's call to arms didn't come soon enough for Noem. According to CNN, the fact that a white mask-wearing man could take her things raises serious concerns, the network's law enforcement analyst, Jonathan Wackrow, said.
“This is a security breach that actually has high consequences, and it needs immediate and further review by the Secret Service, DHS, and other law enforcement partners. If necessary, the Secret Service will need to make operational changes on how they deal with these types of private events moving forward," Wackrow told Kaitlan Collins on The Source.
The former Secret Service agent pointed out that Noem is "at higher risk for targeted threats, both by foreign and domestic actors, and just her public profile alone makes her a symbolic target." Meanwhile, one user on X, formerly Twitter, likened the Secret Service's failure to an excuse made about why it also failed to secure the roof where a would-be assassin perched to fire at Trump during a July rally.
How this thief managed to get past the Secret Service and take her personal items is certainly puzzling. There seems to be more to this story than a simple purse snatching, but so far there has been no additional information provided.
Former Fox News host Steve Hilton is running for governor of California as a Republican "to make California Golden Again," the Daily Caller reported. Hilton will attempt to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in November 2o26.
Hilton announced his candidacy in a video on X, formerly Twitter, on April 18. "It’s time to make California Golden Again," Hiton began the caption for his video.
"We need some balance here after 15 years of Democrat one-party rule. Positive, practical policies that actually help people, not ideological crusades. It's why I am running for governor of California," Hilton added.
An American story
Hilton's video outlines his life story, starting with his background growing up in Britain, to his 2012 move to the U.S. with his parents, and ending with the sad decline of California over the pandemic. "It all started with freedom," Hilton began.
"My parents fled communism in Hungary. So I was born in England, a free country, but a country in rapid decline," Hilton charged.
He went on to mention that he graduated from Oxford University and later worked for then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who remains well-respected by Republicans. "She unleashed the spirit of enterprise in England," Hilton mentioned.
"She inspired me. I started a business, even a couple of restaurants. That is a tough business. Later, I helped elect a prime minister and worked in 10 Downing Street," Hilton added. These achievements would set him up for his 2012 move to California.
However, Hilton said the Golden State in "America, the home of freedom," didn't turn out to be so, thanks to mismanagement. "Look at these pictures — the chaos, the crime, the collapse of the California dream. This is not just any other state. California means to America what America means to the world," Hilton said over images of the masking and pandemic closures.
Taking aim
Hilton's announcement took aim directly at the politicians like Newsom, whom he blames for the mess in California. His video also included images of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is rumored to be a contender for the Democrats in 2026.
"It’s time to end the years of Democrat failure. Let’s make California an inspiration, again, the very best of America," Hilton added, targeting Harris.
"There’s only one way to do that. We’ve got to end the one-party rule that got us into this mess," he said. The state has been under Democratic control since 2011, but Hilton focused mainly on Harris in another interview.
"She’d bring a lot of attention to the race and the issues that California faces. And I think that’s important that we can have a really serious policy discussion about how we turn things around and make California what it should be, which is the best of America," Hilton said.
California is a deep-blue state, but the chances for Republicans seem to have improved with every Democratic policy failure. Hilton may or may not be the man for the job, but it's promising to see the GOP energized at all there.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts intervened Monday in a case involving President Donald Trump's firings of two federal agency board members, preventing their reinstatement until the full case can be heard.
An appeals court ruled 7-4 that Cathy Harris and Gwynne Wilcox should be reinstated to their positions on the Merit Systems Protection Board and National Labor Relations Board respectively, arguing that Trump did not have constitutional authority to fire them without cause because their agencies were independent.
The full court ruling overturned the initial three-judge panel, which upheld the firings 2-1.
Precedent changed?
The appeals court said in its decision, “The Supreme Court has repeatedly told the courts of appeals to follow extant Supreme Court precedent unless and until that court itself changes it or overturns it.”
Judge Karen Henderson wrote, “Only the Supreme Court can decide the dispute and, in my opinion, the sooner, the better.”
Seems like that has now happened with Roberts' ruling, at least on the temporary stay.
A previous Supreme Court precedent said that agency heads independent agency heads could not be fired without cause, but opponents of that precedent say that it limits executive authority more than the Constitution allows.
Government attorneys said, “Reinstatement works a grave harm to the separation of powers and undermines the President’s ability to exercise his authority under the Constitution.”
Problems created
Both Wilcox and Harris were appointed by the Biden administration to specific terms, and Wilcox's term was just renewed recently.
Due to court decisions, Wilcox and Harris have been fired and reinstated five times since Trump took office.
Without Wilcox, the NLRB does not have a quorum to make certain decisions.
Without Harris, the MSPB only has one board member.
This is not Trump's fault; if the courts would let him do his job, he would be able to fill the vacant positions and resolve these issues in a timely manner.
If the powers that be really wanted these agencies to be independent, then it seems like they should not give presidents the power to appoint members at all.
A federal appeals court recently put a temporary halt to contempt proceedings initiated by a U.S. District Judge against the Trump administration concerning deportation flights to El Salvador, The Hill reported.
The divided ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit does not address the merits of the administration's appeal but stalls U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s efforts to hold government officials in contempt over the March 15 deportation flights.
Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both appointed by former President Donald Trump, supported the stay, while Judge Cornelia Pillard, appointed by President Barack Obama, dissented.
Judge Boasberg previously identified probable cause for holding officials in contempt due to an alleged disregard of a court order halting the deportation flights. The Supreme Court had lifted Boasberg's prior order, dictating that migrants must seek judicial review in their respective detention locations. This appeal coincided with an emergency hearing reviewing a new potential wave of deportations to El Salvador.
Court's Decision And Its Implications
During the hearing, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign clarified that no deportation flights were scheduled through Saturday, but emphasized the government's authority to conduct such flights when needed.
The appeals court's decision aims to buy time for further examination of the administration's actions without rushing into contempt proceedings.
Judge Pillard presented a dissenting view by arguing there was "no ground" for an administrative stay in the absence of an appealable order. Her position underscores a judicial divide on the appropriate balance of power among federal authorities in immigration matters.
Judge Boasberg’s Position On The Matter
Despite the ongoing legal back-and-forth, Judge Boasberg acknowledged his role was limited following the Supreme Court's previous stance on his order. He expressed understanding of the concerns raised but indicated his inability to take further action given the high court's ruling.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a key player in this legal battle, has filed requests with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, seeking further intervention on this complex issue. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt conveyed frustration at the current legal deadlock, likening it to a seemingly perpetual cycle without resolution.
ACLU’s Continued Legal Actions
The broader context includes the ACLU's persistent efforts to safeguard the rights of individuals facing imminent deportation. They argue these government actions circumvent lawful review processes and fail to protect vulnerable populations.
Judge Boasberg’s earlier finding of probable cause for contempt reflected the gravity of the government’s alleged misconduct in executing deportation orders against his directive. The contention revolves around the intersection of judicial authority and executive implementation of immigration policy.
As the legal proceedings unfold, both sides of the debate remain committed to their positions. Government lawyers assert the legality and necessity of their actions in enforcing immigration laws. Meanwhile, civil liberties advocates emphasize the essential nature of court oversight in ensuring fair and just proceedings.
Future Implications And Legal Landscape
The appeals court's stay will serve as a temporary pause, allowing further deliberation on the intricate issues at hand. Its outcome could hold significant implications for future deportation policies and judicial authority.
For now, the legal community and affected individuals await further developments as the court system grapples with the complexities of immigration law enforcement. Decisions in this and related cases may ultimately carve new paths in how the executive branch navigates the contentious terrain of immigration regulations and judicial orders.
A Missouri college football star has died in a tragic accident at the age of just 21.
Missouri State senior Todric McGee was found dead at his home on Saturday after he reportedly shot himself by mistake.
Accidental shooting
Police were summoned to his apartment complex Friday for a wellness check, where they discovered the young man with a "possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound."
He was transported to a hospital in Springfield, where he died the next day.
A Wichita, Kansas native, McGee had been the Bears' starting safety for the past two seasons and earned all-conference honors in 2023.
McGee had been eager to get playing again after a knee injury cut his season short last year, the Springfield News-Leader reported.
Tributes pour in
Missouri State's athletics director joined McGee's coach in mourning his untimely death.
“On behalf of the university and our entire department, we want to express our condolences to Todric’s family, friends, and teammates,” said Missouri State Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell. “This tragedy has shaken our football program to the core, and we want them to know we are here to support them in every way possible at this extremely difficult time.”
"Our football family is in shock and in mourning at the loss of Todric," Bears head football coach Ryan Beard said in a statement. "We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and our MoState football team at this time as we begin the healing process. Join us in praying for Todric and the people who loved him."
A close friend and former teammate from McGee's high school days, Zaire Adkins, was among those processing the shocking news.
"He was a lighthearted person," Adkins said. "He was always joking around and explaining things in the funniest way. His smile was contagious and infectious. He was always smiling and laughing."
McGee had shown promise as a teenager at Northwest High in Wichita, where he was an all-state defensive back and team captain. The school shared a touching tribute for the young man "with a heart of gold."
The tragic incident continues to be investigated by police.
A Democratic judge from New Mexico has resigned after an illegal alien with ties to a Venezuelan gang was arrested at the judge's home.
Christhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, is an alleged member of Tren De Aragua, which the Trump administration considers a terrorist organization. Ortega-Lopez was charged with illegal gun possession after an arrest February at the home of Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy.
The judge announced his resignation in a letter dated March 3, which listed his last day as March 21, Albuquerque Journal reported.
“Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Cano wrote to his colleagues.
Judge tied to gang member
Prosecutors shared details of Judge Cano's unusual relationship with Ortega-Lopez, who posed with the judge, a former cop, in photos shared on social media. Judge Cano even let Ortega-Lopez list Cano's address while fighting deportation.
Photos and videos obtained by New Mexico prosecutors also show Ortega-Lopez displaying Tren De Aragua tattoos and shooting firearms that he obtained from the judge's daughter, April Cano.
Additionally, according to Breitbart, Ortega-Lopez's cell phone "showed graphic images of multiple decapitated and mutilated bodies."
The Venezuelan national met the Cano family after he entered the United States illegally as part of the Biden-era alien influx in Eagle Pass, Texas. Ortega-Lopez was "paroled" into the U.S. due to overcrowding, after which he moved to El Paso, where he lived with five roommates.
While working construction jobs, he met Nancy Cano, who offered to let him live in a casita behind her house in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Alien got guns from daughter
In April 2024, Ortega-Lopez applied for relief from deportation, listing the Cano residence in his paperwork. Around this time, he met April Cano, who "possessed a large number of firearms” and “allowed him to hold and sometimes shoot various firearms," according to prosecutors.
On February 28, 2025, federal authorities executed a search warrant at the home of Joel and Nancy Cano, and Ortega-Lopez was arrested along with several roommates. He was charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The judge's strangely hospitable relationship with Ortega-Lopez came up during a March detention hearing. U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez said, of Cano, "I don’t think he would just let anybody live in his property.”
As of now, Ortega-Lopez is in custody without bond. Prosecutors argue that Ortega-Lopez is a flight risk and a danger to the community because of his alleged gang ties.
Cano was first elected in 2010 as magistrate judge and ran unopposed in three bids for re-election.
President Trump's ambitious immigration agenda is causing a dramatic shakeup at the Supreme Court, as the conservative justices split over Trump's deportations.
In a shocking rebuke of Trump, the court issued a ruling just after midnight Saturday that blocks him from using the Alien Enemies Act to remove suspected gang members detained in northern Texas.
Only two justices, neither of them appointed by Trump himself, voiced concern about the court's move. In a fiery dissent, Samuel Alito, joined by Clarence Thomas, said the court issued a hasty and premature ruling without clear jurisdiction.
Alito blasts Supreme Court
"When this Court rushed to enter its order, the Court of Appeals was considering the issue of emergency relief, and we were informed that a decision would be forthcoming. This Court, however, refused to wait," Alito wrote.
Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport alleged gang members has led to a dramatic standoff between the judiciary and the executive branch.
The president's critics, including the federal judges blocking his moves, have accused him of ignoring court rulings and suspending due process, while Trump and his supporters say activist judges are trying to thwart Trump's electoral mandate to deport illegal aliens.
Prior to Saturday's midnight ruling, the Supreme Court had allowed Trump to continue using the Alien Enemies Act to carry out deportations but ordered the government to provide "reasonable time" to contest them.
"Unprecedented and legally questionable"
The Supreme Court's midnight intervention came after the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union scrambled to file challenges in Texas, Louisiana, and Washington D.C. all in a matter of hours on Good Friday.
Alito's dissent noted that the Supreme Court did not wait to hear the Trump administration's side of the story, instead relying on "dubious" evidence that a group of Venezuelans being detained in Texas would be imminently deported.
"In sum, literally in the middle of the night, the Court issued unprecedented and legally questionable relief without giving the lower courts a chance to rule, without hearing from the opposing party, within eight hours of receiving the application, with dubious factual support for its order, and without providing any explanation for its order," he wrote.
"I refused to join the Court’s order because we had no good reason to think that, under the circumstances, issuing an order atm midnight was necessary or appropriate," he wrote.
Alito concluded, “Both the Executive and the Judiciary have an obligation to follow the law."
