Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Peru Moves to Declare State of Emergency at Chile Border as Migrant Tensions Rise 
Japan Approves $117 Billion Budget to Power Stimulus and Support Growth 
National Guard Member Killed in White House-Area Shooting Sparks Terror Probe and Immigration Review 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Germany Moves to Approve €2.9 Billion Defense Procurement Package 
Flights Briefly Grounded at Philadelphia International Airport After Bomb Threat Resolved 
Minneapolis Leaders Push Back as Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Somali Community 
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday dismissed about 20 Justice Department employees who were involved in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The terminated staff included attorneys, support personnel, and U.S. Marshals. Among them were at least two prosecutors recently working in U.S. Attorneys’ offices in Florida and North Carolina. These terminations follow a broader pattern of dismissals since Trump reassumed office in January 2025, targeting DOJ employees linked to investigations involving Trump or his allies.
The Justice Department cited Trump’s executive authority under the U.S. Constitution as the basis for the removals. On January 27, 14 attorneys who served on Smith’s team were previously fired for their involvement in high-profile Trump cases. Termination letters reportedly stated these individuals could not be trusted to implement the president’s agenda.
With the latest wave of firings, at least 37 people connected to Smith’s team have been removed since January. In addition, the DOJ has also dismissed staff tied to prosecutions of January 6 Capitol riot participants, including three prosecutors—one of whom worked on Proud Boys cases—and a longtime DOJ spokesperson based in Washington, D.C.
Jack Smith had brought two criminal cases against Trump in 2023, related to the mishandling of national security documents and election interference. Both were dropped following Trump’s return to the presidency.
The move has sparked criticism over the politicization of the Justice Department and raised concerns about the erosion of prosecutorial independence in cases involving high-level government figures. Smith's office has not commented on the recent firings.
