A stablecoin issued by the Trump-linked World Liberty Financial fell slightly below its $1 peg, dropping to around $0.994, amid a series of alleged coordinated attacks involving hacked co-founders' accounts and disinformation efforts. The company reported that their security measures effectively protected the infrastructure and funds, which remain fully backed and secure, with the token currently trading at approximately $0.998. The incident followed a high-profile crypto forum at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and did not impact the stability or backing of the USD1 stablecoin.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced he will bring Epstein survivor Dani Bensky as his guest to President Trump's State of the Union address, urging the release of all Epstein files that the Justice Department has been withholding. Bensky, a survivor who met Epstein as a young ballerina, advocates for transparency and accountability in the case. Schumer has consistently pushed for the full disclosure of Epstein-related documents and has introduced legislation to eliminate statutes of limitations for trafficking cases.
Kristi Noem falsely claimed that ICE agents detained a cannibal who started to eat himself on a deportation flight, a story she repeatedly cited to justify immigration enforcement. Multiple officials from her department confirmed there is no record of such an incident, and sources criticized the story as fabricated and unsubstantiated. The DHS attributed the story to an air marshal, but law enforcement officials expressed frustration over the falsehood.
A plane carrying ICE detainees landed unexpectedly at Portsmouth International Airport during a nor'easter and remained on the tarmac for over 12 hours due to severe weather and wind conditions, which prevented it from reaching the terminal or being towed initially. The flight, originating from Texas, was only informed of the airport's operations 15 minutes before landing, and the final destination remains unknown. Airport officials noted that the inbound decision was made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the airport was not notified of the flight's arrival in advance.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, has permanently blocked the release of the special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Cannon ruled that releasing the report would cause a "manifest injustice" to Trump and his co-defendants, asserting that special counsel reports are typically released after cases are concluded or persons are convicted, which has not occurred in this case. The decision, supported by the Trump administration, is contested by advocacy groups arguing it violates First Amendment principles.
Peter Attia has exited his role as a CBS News contributor after being identified more than 1,700 times in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The departure was to prevent his involvement from becoming a distraction amid his recent association with Epstein, which included friendly correspondence but no criminal activity. Attia apologized for his interactions with Epstein and emphasized they were unrelated to any sex abuse or exploitation. His resignation follows the shelving of a CBS segment featuring him and is part of broader scrutiny of individuals connected to Epstein.
Maryland has sued the Trump administration to stop the construction of an ICE detention facility in the state, alleging violations of federal environmental laws due to the lack of an environmental review and public input. The lawsuit contends that the government purchased a warehouse for $102.4 million outside Williamsport to convert into a detention center as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Maryland authorities warn that the project could negatively impact the state's environmental, economic, and public health interests and are seeking a court order to halt further construction. The DHS defended the project as necessary for alternative detention facilities to support immigration enforcement.
The American Bar Association criticized President Donald Trump for personal attacks on Supreme Court justices, warning that such rhetoric threatens judicial independence and public trust. Trump had called the justices "fools" and accused them of being influenced by foreign powers, leading the ABA to urge civility and respect for judicial impartiality. Trump announced he would no longer capitalize "Supreme Court" in protest of what he called its lack of respect, while some justices may choose not to attend the upcoming State of the Union.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case involving oil and gas companies attempting to block lawsuits seeking damages for billions of dollars related to climate change damages, such as wildfires and storms. The case originated in Boulder, Colorado, and could impact similar lawsuits across the country, with companies arguing that emissions are a federal issue and should not be addressed in state courts. The Court has requested the parties to clarify whether the case is ready for argument, with hearings scheduled for the fall.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that it is not yet the time to call for Rep. Tony Gonzales' resignation amid allegations of an affair and the suicide of a staffer involved, emphasizing the need for further investigation. Several fellow Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Rep. Brandon Gill, have called for Gonzales to resign or drop out of his reelection race. Gonzales, who has denied the allegations, has also called for the release of police reports related to the staffer's death.
The article emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the U.S. constitutional order amid ongoing threats to democracy, referencing historical and contemporary warnings from figures like Abraham Lincoln, J. Michael Luttig, and Thomas Paine. It highlights Luttig's recent call for collective, ongoing civic action beyond voting, including moral and constitutional courage, to prevent the expansion of abuses of power exemplified by events like the January 6 Capitol attack.
World Liberty Financial's token (WLFI) is testing the $0.10 support level following a brief depeg of USD1, which was attributed to a coordinated attack that circulated misleading information and opened large short positions. The USD1 peg was quickly restored due to its full backing, but WLFI's price has declined to $0.1084, its lowest recent level, amid increased trading volume and technical bearish signals indicating potential further declines if support levels are broken.
