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Articles by Eric Tucker
Bondi struggled to prosecute Trump foes. But will a new attorney general make a difference?
WASHINGTON — Pam Bondi is out of her job after failing to deliver criminal cases against President Donald Trump's political enemies. kAmqFE E96C6VD ?@ 8F2C2?E66 96C DF446DD@C H:== 92G6 2?J 36EE6C DF446DD 2E A=242E:?8 E96 AC6D:56?E]k^Am kAm~G6C E96 =2DE J62C[ q@?5:VD yFDE:46 s6A2CE>6?E 92D 6?4@F?E6C65 C6D:DE2?46 7C@> ;F586D[ 8C2?5 ;FC@CD 2?5 :ED @H? H@C<7@C46 :?
US faces elevated terrorism threats amid Iran war, cuts at FBI and Justice Department
WASHINGTON — In New York City, two men who federal authorities say were inspired by the Islamic State brought powerful homemade bombs to a far-right protest outside the mayoral mansion. kAmx? |:49:82?[ 2 ?2EFC2=:K65 4:E:K6? 7C@> {632?@? C2>>65 9:D G69:4=6 :?E@ 2 DJ?28@8F6]k^Am kAmx? ':C8:?:2[ 2 >2? AC6G:@FD=J :>AC:D@?65 @? 2 E6CC@C:D> 4@?G:4E:@? H2D 962C5 J6==:?8 Qp==29F 2<32CQ 367@C6 7:C:?8 :? 2 F?:G6CD:EJ 4=2DDC@@> :? 2? 2EE24< E92E @77:4:2=D D2:5 6?565 H96?
In the latest Epstein files are famous names and details about an earlier investigation
NEW YORK — Newly disclosed government files on Jeffrey Epstein offer more details about his interactions with the rich and famous after he served time for sex crimes in Florida, and on how much investigators knew about his abuse of underage girls when they decided not to indict him on federal charges nearly two decades ago. kAm%96 5@4F>6?ED C6=62D65 uC:52J :?4=F56 tADE6:?VD 4@>>F?:42E:@?D H:E9 7@C>6C (9:E6 w@FD6 25G:D6CD[ 2? }u{ E62> 4@\@H?6C 2?5 3:==:@?2:C6D :?4=F5:?8 q:== v2E6D 2?5 t=@?
Journalist Don Lemon arrested after he covered a Minnesota church protest
LOS ANGELES — Journalist Don Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights crimes in connection with an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Friday. kAmu656C2= 286?ED 2CC6DE65 {6>@? :? {@D p?86=6D[ H96C6 96 H2D 4@G6C:?8 E96 vC2>>J pH2C5D[ 9:D 2EE@C?6J p336 {@H6== D2:5] xE :D F?4=62C H92E 492C86 @C 492C86D {6>@? 2?5 E96 @E96CD 7246 7C@> E96 y2?] `g AC@E6DE 2E E96 r:E:6D r9FC49 :?
Journalist Don Lemon arrested after covering a Minnesota church protest
WASHINGTON (AP) — Journalist Don Lemon and three other people were arrested Friday in connection with an anti-immigration protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church and increased tensions between residents and the Trump administration, officials said. kAm{6>@? H2D 2CC6DE65 3J 7656C2= 286?ED :? {@D p?86=6D[ H96C6 96 925 366? 4@G6C:?8 E96 vC2>>J pH2C5D[ 9:D 2EE@C?6J p336 {@H6== D2:5] xE :D F?4=62C H92E 492C86 @C 492C86D {6>@? 2?5 E96 @E96CD 2C6 724:?8 :?
Ryan Wedding, former Olympic snowboarder on FBI's 'Most Wanted,' has been arrested
WASHINGTON — Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder from Canada who was among the FBI's top fugitives and faces charges related to multinational drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness, has been arrested in Mexico, top Justice Department officials said Friday. kAm(655:?8[ cc[ :D 244FD65 @7 CF??:?8 2 5CF8 EC277:4<:?8 @A6C2E:@?[ 2?5 @77:4:2=D D2J 96 @C496DEC2E65 D6G6C2= <:==:?8D E@ 7FCE96C E96 5CF8 4C:>6D] w6 H2D @? E96 uqxVD %6?
Inside a year of firings that have shaken the Trump Justice Department
WASHINGTON — Michael Ben'Ary was driving one evening last October when he paused at a red light to check his work phone. He was in the middle of a counterterrorism prosecution so important that President Donald Trump highlighted it in his address to Congress. kAmq6?VpCJ D2:5 96 H2D D9@4<65 E@ D66 9:D A9@?6 H2D 5:D23=65] w6 7@F?5 E96 6IA=2?2E:@? =2E6C :? 9:D A6CD@?2= 6>2:= 244@F?E[ 2 =6EE6C :?7@C>:?8 9:> 96 H2D 7:C65]k^Am kAmp G6E6C2?
Judge: Immigration agents in Minneapolis can't detain, tear gas peaceful protesters
MINNEAPOLIS — Federal officers in the Minneapolis-area participating in its largest recent U.S. immigration enforcement operation can't detain or tear gas peaceful protesters, a U.S. judge in Minnesota ruled Friday. kAm&]$] s:DEC:4E yF586 z2E6 |6?6?56K CF=65 :? 2 42D6 7:=65 :? s646>36C @? 3692=7 @7 D:I |:??6D@E2 24E:G:DED]k^Am kAm%9@FD2?5D @7 A6@A=6 92G6 366? @3D6CG:?8 E96 24E:G:E:6D @7 x>>:8C2E:@? 2?5 rFDE@>D t?7@C46>6?E 2?5 q@C56C !2EC@= @77:46CD 6?7@C4:?8 E96 %CF>A 25>:?:DEC2E:@?VD :>>:8C2E:@?
Maduro says 'I was captured' as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges
NEW YORK — A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared himself the “president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty on Monday to the federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power. kAm“x H2D 42AEFC65[” |25FC@ D2:5 :?
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says he plans to resign
WASHINGTON — FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Wednesday that he will resign from the bureau next month, ending a brief and tumultuous tenure in which he clashed with the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and was forced to reconcile the realities of his law enforcement job with provocative claims he made in his prior role as a popular podcast host. Dan Bongino, FBI deputy director, speaks Dec. 4 during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington.
Dismissal of Comey, James cases won't be the final word. Here's what the path ahead may look like
A federal judge's dismissal of criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney Letitia James, two political foes of President Donald Trump, won't be the final word on the matter. kAm%96 yFDE:46 s6A2CE>6?E D2JD :E A=2?D E@ :>>65:2E6=J 2AA62= 2 A2:C @7 CF=:?8D E92E D2:5 {:?5D6J w2==:82? H2D :==682==J 2AA@:?E65 :?E6C:> &]$] 2EE@C?6J 7@C E96 t2DE6C? s:DEC:4E @7 ':C8:?:2] xE 2=D@ 92D E96 23:=:EJ E@ ECJ E@ C67:=6 E96 42D6D[ E9@F89 H96E96C :E 42?
Judge dismisses Comey, James indictments after finding that prosecutor was illegally appointed
WASHINGTON — A federal judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that the prosecutor who brought the charges at President Donald Trump’s urging was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. kAm%96 CF=:?8D 7C@> &]$] s:DEC:4E yF586 r2>6C@? |4v@H2?
Trump's Justice Department faces questions about the grand jury process
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey hit another hurdle Wednesday as the Justice Department acknowledged a possible lapse in how the case was presented to a federal grand jury for indictment. kAm%96 4@?46DD:@? C:D<65 7FCE96C :>A6C:=:?8 2 A@=:E:42==J 492C865 AC@D64FE:@? 2=C625J DF3;64E E@ 492==6?86D 2?5 56>2?5D 7@C :ED 5:D>:DD2=]k^Am kAmxE 42>6 5FC:?8 2 962C:?8 :? H9:49 r@>6JVD =2HJ6CD 2D<65 &]$] s:DEC:4E yF586 |:4926= }249>2?@77 E@ E9C@H @FE E96 42D6 @?
Ex-Trump national security adviser Bolton charged
GREENBELT, Md. — Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton was charged Thursday in a federal investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. kAm%96 :?G6DE:82E:@? :?E@ q@=E@?[ H9@ D6CG65 7@C >@C6 E92? 2 J62C :? !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>AVD 7:CDE 25>:?:DEC2E:@? 367@C6 36:?8 7:C65 :? a_`h[ 3FCDE :?E@ AF3=:4 G:6H :? pF8FDE H96? E96 uqx D62C4965 9:D 9@>6 :? |2CJ=2?5 2?5 9:D @77:46 :? (2D9:?8E@?
New York Attorney General Letitia James indicted on fraud charge, AP source says
WASHINGTON — A grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on a fraud charge, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday. James was indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia on one count after a mortgage fraud investigation, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
Comey pleads not guilty to Trump Justice Department case accusing him of lying to Congress
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday to face a criminal case that has thrown a spotlight on the Justice Department's efforts to target adversaries of President Donald Trump.
Ex-FBI Director James Comey charged
WASHINGTON — James Comey was charged Thursday with making a false statement and obstruction in a criminal case filed days after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute the former FBI director and other perceived political enemies.
Trump says 'with a high degree of certainty' that suspect in Charlie Kirk killing has been caught
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OREM, Utah — The suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination has been captured, President Donald Trump said Friday, representing a significant breakthrough in the investigation into a targeted killing that raised fresh alarms about political violence in the United States. “With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump announced in a live interview on Fox News Chanel. He said a minister also involved with law enforcement turned the suspect in to authorities.
By Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer Verified, Jesse Bedayn Verified, Hannah Schoenbaum Verified, Eric Tucker
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Albany Democrat-Herald
Verified
Authorities recover high-powered rifle as search for Charlie Kirk's killer continues
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OREM, Utah — The sniper who assassinated Charlie Kirk has not yet been identified by law enforcement and is believed to have jumped off the roof and fled into a neighborhood after firing a single shot, the authorities said Thursday in disclosing that they recovered a high-powered rifle from the scene.
By Hannah Schoenbaum Verified, Alanna Durkin Richer Verified, Mark Sherman, Eric Tucker, Mark Sherman, Eric Tucker
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Albany Democrat-Herald
Verified
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university
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OREM, Utah (AP) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation," said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
By Hannah Schoenbaum Verified, Alanna Durkin Richer Verified, Mark Sherman, Eric Tucker, Mark Sherman, Eric Tucker
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Lincoln Journal Star
Verified
Judge denies Justice Department request to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts
NEW YORK — A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration's request to unseal grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case, joining two other judges who declined to release similar records from investigations into the late financier's sexual abuse of young women and girls.
Justice Department meets with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department's No. 2 official met Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump roars down multiple paths of retribution as he vowed. Some targets yield while others fight
WASHINGTON — The executive order against one of the country's most prestigious law firms followed a well-worn template as President Donald Trump roared down the road to retribution. Reaching far beyond government, Trump has set out to impose his will across a broad swath of American life, from individuals who have been targeted to institutions known for their own flexes of power and intimidation. Paul Weiss, a New York law firm born in 1875, got the word that it was in trouble.
Trump officials texted war plans to a group chat in a secure app that included a journalist
WASHINGTON — Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defense secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, the magazine reported in a story posted online Monday.
Federal workers confront mass confusion as Musk's deadline to list accomplishments looms
WASHINGTON — Confusion and chaos loom as hundreds of thousands of federal employees begin their workweek on Monday facing a deadline from President Donald Trump's cost-cutting chief, Elon Musk, to explain their recent accomplishments or risk losing their jobs.
Federal workers confront mass confusion as Musk's deadline to list accomplishments looms
WASHINGTON — Confusion and chaos loom as hundreds of thousands of federal employees begin their workweek on Monday facing a deadline from President Donald Trump's cost-cutting chief, Elon Musk, to explain their recent accomplishments or risk losing their jobs.
Key federal agencies refuse to comply with Musk's latest demand in his cost-cutting crusade
WASHINGTON — Key U.S. agencies, including the FBI, State Department and the Pentagon, have instructed their employees not to comply with cost-cutting chief Elon Musk's latest demand that federal workers explain what they accomplished last week — or risk losing their job.
Key federal agencies refuse to comply with Musk's latest demand in his cost-cutting crusade
WASHINGTON — Key U.S. agencies, including the FBI, State Department and the Pentagon, have instructed their employees not to comply with cost-cutting chief Elon Musk's latest demand that federal workers explain what they accomplished last week — or risk losing their job.
Trump loyalist Kash Patel narrowly confirmed as FBI director by the Senate
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries. “I cannot imagine a worse choice," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told colleagues before the 51-49 vote by the GOP-controlled Senate. Sens.
Trump loyalist Kash Patel narrowly confirmed as FBI director by the Senate
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries. “I cannot imagine a worse choice," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told colleagues before the 51-49 vote by the GOP-controlled Senate. Sens.
Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at agencies
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's administration fired about 17 independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress suggested violates federal oversight laws. The dismissals began Friday night and were effective immediately, according to two people familiar with the actions who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that had not been made public.
Federal prosecutors told to investigate local efforts to obstruct immigration enforcement
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is directing its federal prosecutors to investigate any state or local officials who stand in the way of beefed-up enforcement of immigration laws under the Trump administration, according to a memo to the entire workforce obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Bondi says she won't play politics as attorney general but won't rule out probes of Trump foes
WASHINGTON — Pam Bondi, Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, sought to reassure Democratic senators Wednesday that her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political purposes but refused to rule out the potential for investigations into adversaries of the Republican president-elect.
Judge clears the way for release of special counsel Smith's report on Trump's Jan. 6 case
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department can publicly release its investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case, a federal judge said Monday — the latest ruling in a court dispute over the highly anticipated document days before Trump is set to take office again. But a temporary injunction barring the immediate release of the report remains in effect until Tuesday, and it's unlikely Cannon’s order will be the last word on the matter.
Appeals court won't block release of special counsel's report on Trump election probe
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court cleared the way for the public release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on the 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump over the objections of the president-elect. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals turned down a challenge Thursday from Trump and his co-defendants in his classified documents case, who seek to block the release of the report.
FBI now says driver responsible for deadly New Orleans rampage acted alone
NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revelers acted alone, the FBI said Thursday, reversing its position from a day earlier that he likely worked with others in carrying out the deadly attack, which officials say was an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group.
Trump chooses loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, turning to a longtime ally after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations. Bondi has been an outspoken defender of Trump.
Lawmakers are concerned about background checks of Trump's Cabinet picks as red flags surface
WASHINGTON — As senators prepare to consider President-elect Donald Trump's picks for his Cabinet, they will likely be doing so without a well-established staple of the confirmation process: an FBI background check. The Trump transition team so far has not signed the requisite agreements with the White House or Justice Department to allow the FBI to screen his personnel choices, both for the process of obtaining security clearances and meeting the Senate's usual standards for nominations.
Trump chooses former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump says he has chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO, the bedrock Western alliance that the president-elect has repeatedly expressed skepticism about.
Justice Department brings criminal charges in thwarted Iranian plot to kill Trump
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Friday in a thwarted Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump before this week's presidential election. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan alleges that an unnamed official in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed a contact this past September to put together a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump.
Prosecutors in Trump election case get judge's OK to lay out fresh evidence in court filing
WASHINGTON — The federal election interference case against Donald Trump inched forward Thursday, with a judge permitting prosecutors to file court documents later this month that could detail unflattering allegations about the former president as the Republican nominee enters the final weeks of his White House run.
US announces charges and sanctions for Russian disinformation efforts
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced wide-ranging actions Wednesday meant to call out Russian influence in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, unsealing criminal charges against two employees of a Russian state-run media company and seizing internet domains used by the Kremlin to spread disinformation.
Special counsel urges appeals court to reinstate classified documents case against Trump
WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith urged a federal appeals court Monday to reinstate the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, saying a judge's decision that dismissed the prosecution was at odds with longstanding Justice Department practice and must be reversed. Smith's team said U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon made a grievous mistake by ruling that Smith was unlawfully appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Acting Secret Service boss 'cannot defend' why roof in Trump rally shooting wasn't secured
WASHINGTON — The acting director of the Secret Service says he “cannot defend” why the roof used by the gunman in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was not secured. Ronald Rowe is testifying Tuesday before two Senate committees. Rowe says he recently traveled to the Pennsylvania shooting site and says what he saw made him ashamed. Rowe is being joined by FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate at a joint hearing of the Senate committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security.
Trump agrees to be interviewed as part of an investigation into his assassination attempt
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has agreed to be interviewed by the FBI as part of an investigation into the attempted assassination in Pennsylvania earlier this month, an official said on Monday. The expected interview is part of the FBI’s standard protocol to speak with victims of federal crimes during the course of their investigations.
Judge’s order dismissing Trump classified docs case won’t be final word as long court fight awaits
WASHINGTON — A judge's stunning decision to dismiss the classified documents case against Donald Trump brought an abrupt halt to what experts have considered the strongest and most straightforward of the prosecutions of the former president. But it's hardly the final word.
Signs of trouble at Trump rally were evident in minutes before gunman opened fire
BUTLER, Pa. — Signs of trouble were evident in the minutes before shots rang out at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania: Police had a report of a suspicious man pacing near the magnetometers and were apparently exchanging photos of the suspect. Witnesses pointed and shouted at an armed man on a nearby roof. When a police officer climbed up to the roof to investigate, the gunman turned and pointed his rifle at him. But the officer did not — or could not — fire a single shot.
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor's appointment
WASHINGTON — The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump in Florida dismissed the prosecution on Monday, siding with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor's appointment
WASHINGTON — The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case of former President Donald Trump in Florida has dismissed the prosecution because of concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted the defense motion to dismiss the case on Monday. Lawyers for Trump had argued that special counsel Jack Smith was illicitly appointed and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.
Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes in historic hush money case
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NEW YORK — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex. Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before convicting Trump of all 34 counts he faced.
By Michael Sisak Verified, Jennifer Peltz Verified, Eric Tucker, Michelle Price Verified, Eric Tucker
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Albany Democrat-Herald
Verified
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