Judge threatens DOJ sanctions over unreleased Epstein files
A federal judge is considering contempt proceedings and possible sanctions after the Justice Department missed a deadline to submit unreleased Epstein records for private review. Independent journalist Scott MacFarlane says roughly 3 million pages remain undisclosed as survivors and lawmakers demand greater transparency. He also reports that $323 million has been spent or allocated for White House projects in 2026, far more than in years past, raising concerns about accountability.
A federal judge is considering contempt proceedings and possible sanctions after the Justice Department missed a deadline to submit unreleased Epstein records for private review. Independent journalist Scott MacFarlane says roughly 3 million pages remain undisclosed as survivors and lawmakers demand greater transparency. He also reports that $323 million has been spent or allocated for White House projects in 2026, far more than in years past, raising concerns about accountability.
Raskin seeks investigation into Reflecting Pool vandalism case
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee wants to investigate the arrest of three-time Olympian David Hearn, arguing the Trump administration blamed him for damage caused by a rushed, botched renovation of the Reflecting Pool. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Raskin also accused the Justice Department of pursuing politically motivated cases and vowed scrutiny of plans to engrave Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee wants to investigate the arrest of three-time Olympian David Hearn, arguing the Trump administration blamed him for damage caused by a rushed, botched renovation of the Reflecting Pool. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Raskin also accused the Justice Department of pursuing politically motivated cases and vowed scrutiny of plans to engrave Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center.
Who leads 2026 Texas Senate race? Latest Paxton vs. Talarico polls
Polls have shown the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas is in a dead heat.
Polls have shown the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas is in a dead heat.
Judge blocks Trump’s push to tighten mail-in voting rules
A federal judge in Boston has halted President Trump’s effort to impose new national restrictions on mail-in voting, allowing states to move ahead with absentee-ballot preparations. The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to intervene, but election experts say time is running short before the midterms. Jim gets more from Votebeat senior reporter Dion Nisssenbaum on The Final 5.
A federal judge in Boston has halted President Trump’s effort to impose new national restrictions on mail-in voting, allowing states to move ahead with absentee-ballot preparations. The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to intervene, but election experts say time is running short before the midterms. Jim gets more from Votebeat senior reporter Dion Nisssenbaum on The Final 5.
3 charged in organized reptile thefts across Fairfax County, police say
Fairfax County police say three people have been charged in connection with a series of organized thefts targeting reptiles.
Fairfax County police say three people have been charged in connection with a series of organized thefts targeting reptiles.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt leaving White House: What we know
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving her job, President Trump announced Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving her job, President Trump announced Wednesday.
Lindsey Graham's sister Darline advances to GOP runoff for US Senate
Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman will face off in a Republican runoff election for South Carolina’s vacant U.S. Senate seat, one month after the sudden passing of late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman will face off in a Republican runoff election for South Carolina’s vacant U.S. Senate seat, one month after the sudden passing of late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Medicaid to stop paying for gender-affirming care for some transgender minors
President Donald Trump’s administration said that Medicaid will stop paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender minors.
President Donald Trump’s administration said that Medicaid will stop paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender minors.
Max Miller scandal puts parties’ standards to the test
Republican strategist Brittany Martinez says Ohio Rep. Max Miller should leave his reelection race amid domestic abuse allegations he denies, arguing both parties must prioritize accountability over political advantage. The conversation also explores Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’s decision to name Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate — a rare bipartisan move in an increasingly polarized climate.
Republican strategist Brittany Martinez says Ohio Rep. Max Miller should leave his reelection race amid domestic abuse allegations he denies, arguing both parties must prioritize accountability over political advantage. The conversation also explores Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’s decision to name Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate — a rare bipartisan move in an increasingly polarized climate.
D.C.'s National Guard presence becomes "The New Normal"
A year after President Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington over crime, many residents say the troops have become part of the city’s “new normal” — but some remain uneasy about an open-ended presence. Michael Brice Saddler of NOTUS joins Jim Lokay to discuss his new reporting on "The Final 5."
A year after President Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington over crime, many residents say the troops have become part of the city’s “new normal” — but some remain uneasy about an open-ended presence. Michael Brice Saddler of NOTUS joins Jim Lokay to discuss his new reporting on "The Final 5."
Judge blocks Trump’s mail-in voting executive order again
President Donald Trump’s executive order barring the U.S. Postal Service from delivering mail-in ballots to anyone not on a list of eligible voters compiled by the federal government suffered another legal setback.
President Donald Trump’s executive order barring the U.S. Postal Service from delivering mail-in ballots to anyone not on a list of eligible voters compiled by the federal government suffered another legal setback.
Petition to limit Montgomery County spending nears ballot signature goal
A petition drive aiming to impose stricter limits on Montgomery County's budget growth is approaching the required threshold to place the referendum before voters this November.
A petition drive aiming to impose stricter limits on Montgomery County's budget growth is approaching the required threshold to place the referendum before voters this November.
Virginia tourism spending sets new record at $36.2 billion
Virginia tourism spending reached a record $36.2 billion last year, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced, marking the fourth straight year of growth.
Virginia tourism spending reached a record $36.2 billion last year, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced, marking the fourth straight year of growth.
Trump used catering truck, decoy flight to avoid Iran threat as he flew out of Turkey: Report
The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey last month, ended with a ruse to safely get President Trump out of the country due to Iranian assassination threats against him, according to The Washington Post.
The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey last month, ended with a ruse to safely get President Trump out of the country due to Iranian assassination threats against him, according to The Washington Post.
"A Venn Diagram of One" makes the case for common ground in divided America
Political commentator and author Lenny McAllister joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to discuss his new book, "A Venn Diagram of One," and why he believes Americans need to move beyond partisan silos, rediscover compromise and focus on the values they share.
Political commentator and author Lenny McAllister joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to discuss his new book, "A Venn Diagram of One," and why he believes Americans need to move beyond partisan silos, rediscover compromise and focus on the values they share.
Trump loses 21st straight court fight over state voter rolls
The Trump administration suffered its 21st court loss this year in its push for state voter rolls after a judge ruled that states are not legally required to share the data.
The Trump administration suffered its 21st court loss this year in its push for state voter rolls after a judge ruled that states are not legally required to share the data.
Joint Base Charleston re-named Joint Base Lindsey Graham in honor of late senator
A ceremony was held Monday renaming Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina to Joint Base Lindsey Graham in honor of the late senator.
A ceremony was held Monday renaming Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina to Joint Base Lindsey Graham in honor of the late senator.
Republicans fight redistricting in Maryland
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Rep. Andy Harris to discuss redistricting in Maryland.
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Rep. Andy Harris to discuss redistricting in Maryland.
Rep. Glenn Ivey talks data centers and Maryland redistricting efforts
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Rep. Glenn Ivey to discuss data centers and Maryland redistricting efforts.
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Rep. Glenn Ivey to discuss data centers and Maryland redistricting efforts.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger talks Dominion Energy merger
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to discuss her involvement in the Dominion Energy merger.
Tom Fitzgerald chats with Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to discuss her involvement in the Dominion Energy merger.