Former National Security Adviser John Bolton is under federal scrutiny after prosecutors accused him of mishandling classified material and obstructing justice. According to the indictment, Bolton routinely took handwritten notes during sensitive meetings at the White House and later transferred them into digital documents. Investigators say many of those notes were then shared through his personal email and messaging accounts with at least two associates. Prosecutors argue that Bolton documented classified conversations held in secure environments, describing not only the content but the settings where the information was obtained. The indictment claims his daily notes included sensitive national defense details that should never have been recorded or transmitted outside government systems. Bolton has pushed back forcefully. In a public statement, he said he is ready to “defend my lawful conduct and expose this abuse of power.” His attorney, Abbe Lowell, insisted Bolton committed no wrongdoing and vowed to challenge the charges aggressively.
Zelenskyy Heads to Washington After Trump-Putin Call
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. The visit comes shortly after Trump announced plans for another summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest—an idea he said followed a “very productive” phone call. U.S. officials say Kyiv’s request for Tomahawk cruise missiles will top Zelenskyy’s agenda. With the war in Ukraine entering a new phase and Washington exploring new diplomatic channels with Moscow, the Biden-era security framework has shifted under Trump’s presidency.
NYC Mayoral Race Heats Up in First Televised Debate
New York City’s three remaining mayoral contenders faced off Thursday night in the first of two debates ahead of next month’s election. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa sparred over policing, housing, and public transit. Eric Adams, who suspended his campaign weeks ago, did not participate. The debate offered voters their clearest look yet at the dynamics reshaping the race after Cuomo’s surprise independent bid and Mamdani’s upset victory in the Democratic primary.
Trump Refiles Defamation Suit After Judge Tosses Case
After a federal judge dismissed Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, Penguin Random House, and two Times reporters, the former president has returned with a revised 40-page complaint. Judge Steven Merryday, who threw out the original filing on September 19, gave Trump 28 days to amend his arguments. The new complaint was submitted Thursday, signaling Trump’s intent to keep the legal fight alive.
Southern Command Chief Steps Down Amid Tensions
Adm. Alvin Holsey will leave his post as commander of U.S. Southern Command at year’s end, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on social media. Holsey’s departure comes less than a year after he assumed the role, which typically runs for three years. The move follows rising tensions with Venezuela and recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug traffickers operating in Caribbean waters. Southern Command oversees military operations across Central and South America and the Caribbean. The Pentagon has not yet confirmed Holsey’s successor.
Government Shutdown Continues as Senate Blocks Funding Bill
The federal government shutdown is set to stretch into next week after the Senate once again failed to approve temporary funding. A short-term Republican proposal to reopen the government and finance the military fell short for the tenth time, drawing just 51 votes. Negotiators in both parties remain at an impasse over federal spending and security provisions.
Trump Floats “Arc de Trump” in Washington
In a move that drew instant comparisons with imperial France, Donald Trump has proposed building a monumental arch in the nation’s capital. The design—already nicknamed the “Arc de Trump”—was unveiled Wednesday, echoing France’s Arc de Triomphe, whose foundation stone was laid more than 200 years ago under Napoleon. Critics say the plan highlights the president’s taste for grand symbolism, while supporters argue it would serve as a patriotic landmark.