Justice Department abruptly fires 3 prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 criminal cases, AP sources say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has fired at least three prosecutors involved in U.S. Capitol riot criminal cases, according to two people familiar with the matter. It’s the latest move by the Trump administration targeting attorneys connected to the massive prosecution of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Those dismissed include two attorneys who worked as supervisors overseeing the Jan. 6 prosecutions in the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington as well as a line attorney who prosecuted cases stemming from the Capitol attack. That’s according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Justice Department spokespeople did not not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Friday evening.

Thousands mourn top Iranian military commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of top Iranian commanders and scientists killed in a 12-day war with Israel. The caskets of Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami and missile program head Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh were paraded Saturday through the city. Israel targeted Iranian military leaders, scientists, and nuclear sites, claiming to have killed 30 commanders and 11 scientists. Iran fired over 550 missiles at Israel, most were intercepted. The conflict caused over 1,000 deaths, at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Saturday marked the first public funerals since the ceasefire.

Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions, but fate of Trump birthright citizenship order unclear

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court has ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision leaves unclear the fate of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship. The outcome Friday was a victory for Trump, who has complained about individual judges throwing up obstacles to his agenda. But a conservative majority left open the possibility that the birthright citizenship changes could remain blocked nationwide. The Republican president’s order would deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of people who are in the country illegally. Trump says the court's decision is “amazing” and a “monumental victory for the Constitution,” the separation of powers and the rule of law.

Supreme Court says Maryland parents can pull their kids from public school lessons using LGBTQ books

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer says the Supreme Court's ruling that Maryland parents who have religious objections can pull their children from public school lessons using LGBTQ storybooks is a historic victory for parental rights. Lawyer Eric Baxter say kids “shouldn’t be forced into conversations” about drag queens or gender transitions without their parents’ permission. The high court ruled Friday the Montgomery County school system in suburban Washington likely could not require elementary school children to sit through lessons involving the books if parents expressed religious objections to the material. The writers’ group PEN America says what the objecting parents want amounts to “a constitutionally suspect book ban."

The Senate is working to put Trump's big bill back on track but hurdles remain

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans appear to have President Donald Trump’s big bill back on track after a flurry of last-minute revisions. But there's still a long way to go. Trump at first gave Congress some breathing room toward his Fourth of July deadline. But later the presdient insisted in a post they get it done by the holiday. With their majority control of Congress, Republicans are trying to push the package past unified Democratic opposition. To do so, they are working through a punch list of still-unsettled issues, including Medicaid health care cuts. Republicans are relying on steep reductions in programs to help pay for $3.8 trillion in tax breaks.

Senate rejects effort to restrain Trump on Iran as GOP backs his strikes on nuclear sites

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic efforts in the Senate to prevent President Donald Trump from further escalating with Iran have fallen short. Republicans were opposed to a resolution Friday marking Congress’ first attempt to reassert its war powers following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The resolution, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, aimed to affirm that Trump should seek authorization from Congress before launching more military action against Iran. Asked Friday if he would bomb Iranian nuclear sites again if he deemed necessary, Trump said, “Sure, without question.” Passage of the resolution was seen as a long shot with one Democrat — Sen. John Fetterman — already opposed.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sues Fox News over alleged defamation in story about call with Trump

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has sued Fox News over alleged defamation, saying the network knowingly aired false information about him over a phone call he had with President Donald Trump around the time the National Guard was sent Los Angeles. The lawsuit filed Friday alleges Fox News anchor Jesse Watters lied on air about Newsom and Trump speaking on the phone when there was no phone call. Newsom also argues Watters’ program deceptively edited a video to support that claim. Newsom is asking for $787 million in punitive damages. Fox News says the lawsuit is “frivolous.”

Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ lawyer mocks sex trafficking case in closing, calls charges 'badly exaggerated'

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Diddy Combs' defense lawyer says the government “badly exaggerated” its evidence against the music mogul. Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo says prosecutors twisted Combs' swinger lifestyle, drugs and threesomes into a racketeering conspiracy. Agnifilo spent several hours Friday trying to convince the New York jury to exonerate his 55-year-old client of charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. A prosecutor on Thursday had labeled Combs as a serial sex trafficker who manipulated his girlfriends over a 20-year period to participate in sexual performances that Combs filmed. Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Monday.

Protesters gather in Bangkok to demand Thai prime minister's resignation over leaked Cambodia call

BANGKOK (AP) — Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Thailand’s capital demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The demonstration Saturday in Bangkok is part of brewing political turmoil set off by a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Paetongtarn is facing growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a recent border dispute with Cambodia, which killed a Cambodian solider and prompted the call with Hun Sen. The call has set off a string of investigations that could lead to Paetongtarn's removal. Many protesters were part of a royalist, conservative group that has been a longtime foe of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pardon applications are being carefully crafted with one man in mind: Donald Trump

ASHLAND, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump's unconventional approach to clemency has spread hope among federal prisoners and formerly incarcerated people around the United States, prompting a wave of petitions carefully crafted to capture his attention. Like other presidents, Trump has drawn criticism for granting pardons and commutations to political allies. But legal scholars say the Republican president also has cast aside the traditional criteria and a clemency process historically overseen by nonpolitical Justice Department personnel. Trump has pardoned and commuted the sentences of more than 1,600 people since January. Administration officials say Trump decides on clemency requests after they’re vetted by the White House Counsel’s Office, the White House pardon czar and the Justice Department.