Former national security adviser John Bolton mimics photos of President Donald Trump holding a Bible after an interview with USA TODAY's Washington, DC bureau chief Susan Page in advance of the release of his book, 'In the Room Where It Happened.' (© Jasper Colt, Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images )
(New York, NY) – Authorities in New York are calling for change to state bail laws after a carjacking by a repeat criminal led to a friendly fire shooting. This coming as the state’s top prosecutor was dealt some blow back after an appeals court ruled the fine against President Trump in Attorney General Letitia James’s civil fraud lawsuit. Meanwhile on the west coast, California Democrats are unveiling new congressional maps that will be on the 2025 ballot in response to GOP-led redistricting in Texas. These are the biggest stories you need to know to start off the new week:
Bolton May Be Busted
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton had his home raided by the FBI on Friday morning. FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the probe into Bolton, investigating whether or not classified documents were used to leak information to the media. Bolton was previously under investigation by the Biden DOJ, but the case never got to the point of filing criminal charges. The Trump White House maintains Bolton is not being retaliated against for his criticisms of the administration since he left in 2019.
Tish James Fine Against Trump Dropped
The nearly half a billion dollar fine against President Donald Trump is being dropped in the civil fraud case filed by Attorney General Letitia James. James filed a civil fraud suit against the president, who was campaigning at the time of the proceedings. A jury found Trump liable, and a judge ordered Trump to pay a fine of over $500 million (counting accrued interest). An appeals court found the fine excessive, but did uphold the conviction. The case will now head to the highest appeals court as Trump aims to overturn the case entirely.
MTA Price Hikes Incoming
For the second time in the last five years, the MTA is planning to raise the rates for riders. The previous price hike came in 2023 when a single ride on a subway or bus went up fifteen cents from $2.75 to $2.90. In the newly proposed increase, the fare would jump another ten cents come January 2026. Many New Yorkers turned up to the MTA’s public hearings on the issue, including Republican and Independent candidate for mayor, Curtis Sliwa. Residents shared their frustrations of rising costs while
California’s New Maps
California voters will decide on new congressional maps come November in a special election. The move is in direct response to redistricting in Texas, where State Republicans drew up new maps to potentially gain more congressional seats in the midterm elections. California Governor Gavin Newsom warned if Texas followed through with redistricting, California will as well (despite being beholden to an independent redistricting commission). Polls show 46% of residents support the redistricting in California, with the campaign raising over $6 million just under a week.
Bail Reform Calls Following Cop Shooting
A car jacking turned police chase ended with bullets ringing out and one detective shot. Police say they believe it was a friendly fire incident as a pair of detectives joined a police pursuit. The suspect that started the madness is a repeat offender, prompting leaders to call for change around bail laws. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says the suspect would not have been walking the streets prior to bail reform laws passed in 2020. Mayor Eric Adams urged state lawmakers to walk back on changes in order to fight recidivism.
To hear more on these stories, listen to today’s news hour as a podcast anytime:
