Monday, 26 October 2026

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, without cause. The judge ordered her reinstatement and back pay, finding the firing violated the Civil Service Reform Act. The case is part of broader concerns about politically motivated firings at the DOJ.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged for a third time by the Trump DOJ, accused of allegedly leaking classified national defense information to the New York Times in October 2016. His lawyers state the case involves an issue already investigated that had not previously led to charges, calling it an abuse of the DOJ.

Trump launched intense anti-Muslim attacks on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a Michigan rally, invoking 9/11 and claiming El-Sayed would 'invite hordes of jihadis to our shores.' The attacks sparked backlash from Democrats, Senator Bernie Sanders, and key Trump supporters from 2024, with El-Sayed himself hitting back at the remarks.

Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth non-consecutive term, defeating far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election. Lula mounted a stunning comeback after an unexpected first-round loss, and the victory is seen as a setback to right-wing populism in Latin America and a rebuff to Trump-backed candidates.

A federal appeals court panel rejected the Trump DOJ's emergency request to set aside 20,000 California mail-in ballots tied to suspected noncitizens, expressing skepticism over the administration's election interference effort. The court found it lacked jurisdiction and directed the case back to the trial judge.

Trump announced he is offering a $1 million reward for anyone who reports voter fraud in past or upcoming elections and whose tip leads to arrest and conviction. The announcement comes one week before the midterms and reflects Trump's continued promotion of unsubstantiated voter fraud claims.

House Democrats called for an independent special counsel to investigate Trump's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, citing evidence of criminal obstruction and cover-up by Attorney General Todd Blanche. The request comes after leaked Epstein files revealed connections and potential crimes, with new rape allegations against Trump also surfacing.

Trump ordered the DOJ to intervene in Alaska's Senate election, challenging the automatic certification of results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, citing confusion with a schoolteacher of the same name. The schoolteacher, Dan Sullivan, called the pre-emptive lawsuit 'a gross misuse of the Justice Department.'

Private citizens sued Trump over his White House media ban, arguing they are losing access to vital information. Press freedom groups contend the administration's restrictions on CNN, Politico, and MSNBC deprive the public of essential reporting, with courts previously issuing preliminary injunctions against the bans.

Catholic bishops apologized for being exploited in a White House meeting with Trump, saying the administration publicized photos and video of them praying with the president without consent. The bishops expressed regret for what they viewed as a campaign photo opportunity.