(WASHINGTON) -- The Justice Department and FBI said a Chinese government-backed hacking group has for years engaged in targeted attacks against hundreds of entities in the United States including NASA, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Justice Department, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Senate and the Federal Reserve. 

According to a DOJ statement and an affidavit unsealed Wednesday in federal court in California, a group known as "QTFY" -- which includes former members of China's military -- has used its infrastructure to compromise critical infrastructure since 2018 in networks spanning from government agencies, hospitals, telecommunications providers, power companies and defense contractors. 

As part of their efforts to expose and disrupt the group, prosecutors successfully seized three internet domains affiliated with the Chinese company, Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, and multiple advisories have been issued to companies and other federal agencies so that potential victims of the group can better protect themselves from future attack.

In the seizure warrant, prosecutors say that in September 2024, QTFY hackers "conducted computer intrusions" at three Energy Department laboratories, NIH, an HHS agency as well as an unnamed U.S. security device manufacturer. The group is further alleged to have attempted a hack against NASA in 2019, though court documents do not suggest that the effort was successful.

The court documents do not state clearly the scale of the attacks against several of the other government agencies identified as victims or the group's level of success in infiltrating specific networks.

"Today’s announcement demonstrates the Justice Department’s steadfast commitment to going on the offensive against cyber threats to the national security,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg in a statement announcing the seizures. "These court-authorized seizures deny PRC-linked hackers access to tools they use to mount online attacks against our Nation’s critical infrastructure."

The FBI and National Security Agency released an advisory with indicators of QTFY activity. Also, Lumen Technologies' threat intelligence group, Black Lotus Labs, published a description of QTFY’s tactics, techniques and procedures to help thwart future hacks.

While the U.S. says it has exposed and disrupted this major Chinese cyber-espionage campaign, China's cyber operations against the United States remain "relentless," said Javed Ali, a former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council.

"China has been using cyber operations against the United States for probably 20 years through a relentless campaign of operations that have involved multiple targets, multiple attack methods, and nothing the U.S. has done to date seems to be deterring this activity because it is it has existed for so long and this goes over multiple administrations here in the United States," Ali told ABC News.

Whether China is attempting to hack into telecommunications companies, attempting to breach water systems or waging a broader campaign of trade secret theft, China's actions reveal a clear pattern, Ali said.

"[China] just uses different tools against different targets here in the United States, and they do not appear to be deterred, even when there are disruptions or people get indicted," Ali, now an associate professor at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, said. "None of this is stopping China's strategic efforts of targeting the U.S. with these cyber operations."

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(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge who blocked the most controversial aspect of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at restricting mail-in ballots — namely, employing the Postal Service as the primary enforcer of mail-voter eligibility — has now lifted that decision following the Supreme Court's ruling Monday that legal challenges are premature.

The move means there are no longer legal holds on any aspect of Trump's March 2026 mail-in ballot executive order and that the administration is free to move forward, for now, with its implementation without caveats.

Trump's executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to build a federal citizenship list and give it to the states; the Department of Justice to target state officials who give ballots to noncitizens; and the USPS to direct states to abide by certain mail-ballot design and tracking requirements.

Most critically, the order would require states to provide a list of registered eligible voters to USPS for verification and mandate that postal workers only deliver ballots to persons on the list.  

Dozens of Democratic state attorney's general sued the Trump administration over the USPS directive in April, arguing it is unconstitutional since states — not the federal government — have primary authority for administering elections. 

A separate lawsuit by voting rights advocates challenged the proposed USPS ballot verification scheme.

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the states lacked standing to challenge Trump's order at this stage since nothing had formally impacted how they will administer elections.  

The conservative majority made clear, however, that the decision "does not mean that any measure taken by the government to implement the order will necessarily be lawful. On that score, time will tell."

The Postal Service this week published its finalized plan with respect to the November election, focusing largely on state ballot design and barcode tracking requirements. Notably, it leaves out or waters down the most controversial aspects envisioned by Trump's order.

At this time, states are not being asked to provide detailed voter eligibility lists to USPS that include personal identifiable information, including citizenship. The USPS also says outright it "will not play any role in determining voter eligibility, maintaining voter rolls, or counting ballots."

The Postal Service, however, will soon proceed with directing states to ensure their mail ballots comport with certain design standards — including a barcode — and to provide voter address information to verify delivery. 

Twenty-five states filed a new legal challenge against the Postal Service on Wednesday, alleging it is illegal. 

"It displaces state laws adopted pursuant to each State’s constitutional authority to administer elections, erects new USPS functions and ballot mail constraints that are inconsistent with USPS’s governing statutes, flouts USPS’s procedural requirements, violates the Privacy Act, and cannot be reconciled with federal voting rights law," they wrote in a lawsuit filed in a Massachusetts District Court. 

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(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump maintained his firm stance amid the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war on Wednesday, repeating his claims that Canada is one of "the worst countries" in the world to deal with and that they have taken "advantage" of the U.S. during a radio interview with conservative host Glenn Beck.

"Look, I don't know how you feel about Canada. They are one of the worst countries in the world to deal with," Trump said, remarking on negotiating with the Canadians.

Negotiations between Canada and the U.S. broke down over the weekend and a fresh round of 50% U.S. tariffs on some Canadian goods took effect on Saturday, leading Canada to retaliate with a set of its own levies.

"They take advantage of us as though they were a state, and they're not a state," Trump added.

The president then mentioned the "good deal" with Canada last week, which fell apart just before the deadline.

"I had a deal that was a pretty good deal, you know, quite good, because they're afraid that I won't do any business. In other words, we won't trade. They don't have anything that we have to have. OK, we can get by," Trump said. "I mean, there are a couple of things that would make it a little inconvenient, but we can get them elsewhere. And it's time to teach Canada you can't do this anymore."

On Tuesday, Trump said in a call with CNN that Canada's claim that the U.S. added more conditions to their agreement in the final hours of negotiations "sounds like" him, seeming to confirm the Canadian position. He later added, according to CNN, that he doesn't "deny anything" when pressed on whether he denies the Canadians' claims.

Those comments from Trump contradict what some in his own administration, including Vice President JD Vance, have said about the collapse of the talks. Vance has insisted that it was Canada who was at fault for the talks falling apart, pinning the blame on Canada during a campaign stop in Maine earlier this week, saying they were making "unreasonable last-minute demands."

During his radio interview on Wednesday, the president also brought up his call this week to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." He added that maybe he "wasn't" joking about it, pointing to the fact that he renamed the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America" last year.

"You saw the Lake Ontario -- you know, people thought I was kidding. Maybe I wasn't because the last one you saw was the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of America," Trump said.

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(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Darline Graham -- a political newcomer appointed to the seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham -- will win a special GOP primary runoff to replace her brother on the South Carolina ballot, The Associated Press projected Tuesday.

Graham, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated Rep. Ralph Norman, a staunch conservative and member of the hard line Freedom Caucus, who had also advanced to the runoff following South Carolina's special Senate primary earlier this month.

Graham will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in November.

Speaking to a crowd of triumphant supporters Tuesday night in Columbia, South Carolina, Graham struck a reflective tone at times.

"The past few weeks have been an unbelievably challenging time for our family, but you know what? We did it," she said, while adding that she was feeling "mixed emotions" given her grief over her brother.

As she thanked God, her key supporters and her family, Graham also effusively thanked Trump for his support and endorsement, describing the "bond" between her brother and the president and telling the crowd, to raucous cheers, "South Carolina is truly Trump country."

Graham framed her outsider status as an asset, while pointing to Trump's support as one of the key reasons conservatives should support her bid for a full term. Trump threw more than just a social media endorsement behind her: he flew to Myrtle Beach for a rally on Friday, in one of his first major campaign stops during the 2026 midterms.

"Now, the critics say I shouldn't run for the Senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged," Graham said during the rally to cheers. "And by the way, President Trump had never served in an elected office before, and I think he's done a damn good job."

Trump, later on, effusively praised Graham, saying "she only knows how to put America first."

Norman, meanwhile, said that his experience is his "resume" and that conservatives in the Palmetto State could trust him more than a relative unknown like Graham.

"The establishment has already picked their candidate. Same old playbook, same old insiders. I'm not their choice. And this election is not for sale," he said in a campaign ad.

He also questioned why Trump has gotten involved in the race in GOP-favoring South Carolina instead of focusing on ones where the GOP faces an uphill battle against Democrats. The White House, asked about some of Norman's comments about Trump, pointed to Trump's previous social media posts where he endorsed Graham.

Graham, on her end, faced scrutiny from many fellow Republicans over her lack of political experience and occasional missteps on the trail.

During a one-on-one debate she had with Norman last Tuesday, she was asked if Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States. She answered, "I'm not that informed on national security. But I do support the military ... I'm not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military."

The comment, which contrasted with her brother's major focus on national security, sparked criticism from Norman's allies, including former Gov. Nikki Haley.

"Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States' national security. Darline Graham admits she's not. This is not something you inherit. And it's critical in the U.S. Senate," Haley wrote on X last week.

Norman, in an interview with local outlet WHNS posted on Thursday, called Graham's answer "surprising" and hammered her for her lack of experience. "There's no more important issue than national security ... there's no time for training on the job," he said.

But Graham, while admitting she feels she got the answer wrong -- telling Fox News she "tripped up on one question" -- told voters at an event last week, "To me, as I've walked around this room and I've asked people, 'Are y'all concerned about Taiwan?' You know what they said? No, they're concerned about the price of groceries, the price of gas, rising healthcare costs."

She also said she believes national security is important and she will become more informed about it. "Everybody has a first day on the job. President Trump -- was he a politician [when he was first elected]? Has he done a good job? Yes, he has," she told attendees.

Heading into the runoff, David Woodard, a political scientist who also managed some of Lindsey Graham's early congressional campaigns, but did not work on this Senate race, told ABC News that he expected relatively low turnout and that those showing up to vote in such an off-cycle election are likely among the most opinionated, plugged-in Republicans.

"I think on the first round, people I was talking to had sympathy for Darline, thought it was great she'd serve out Lindsey's term," he said, adding that some of them "think that Ralph Norman has credibility on issues that Darline lacks."

But heading into Tuesday some voters said they find Trump's endorsement of her, as well as her focus on the economy, a strong selling point.

Mike Funderburk, a contractor from Neeses, South Carolina, who voted early for Graham, said the economy is his top issue.

"I think she's probably going to have a steep learning curve," he said. "But I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt."

ABC News' Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.

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(WASHINGTON) -- The Justice Department suggested in a court filing Tuesday that the Kennedy Center could face demolition in the event a federal judge issues an order permanently blocking President Donald Trump's push to renovate the facility with additions intended to recognize Trump personally.

In an extraordinary filing that at times reads like a post from Trump's social media platform, Brantley Mayers — a top official in DOJ's Civil Division — argues the "decrepit" Kennedy Center faces an imminent "death spiral" without Trump's intervention.

"Without those efforts, the Center will deteriorate further into an unsafe, decrepit structure that will be required to be taken down, with a determination to follow on what to build on the site, such as a large outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River that has been proposed, by some, for many years," the filing said. "Such a replacement will fail to adequately honor President John F. Kennedy, but would be simpler and more economical to build, operate, and maintain."

Mayers uses the filing to repeatedly attack Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, a member of the Kennedy Center's board who filed suit last year to have Trump's name removed from the building. Beatty's lawsuit argued the board’s vote to rename the building was illegal because an act of Congress is required for such an action.

Permitting Beatty's legal efforts to continue, Mayers warns the federal judge overseeing the lawsuit, "almost guarantees the continued decline and eventual demise of the Kennedy Center, probably leading to the construction of a new, but very different kind, of venue."

The department describes the initiatives approved by the Kennedy Center's board that intend to honor Trump personally for his effort — including adding the inscription "Renovated and Restored by President Donald J. Trump" on the front of the building and renaming the site that contains the Center the "President Donald J. Trump Plaza" — as "crucial" to ensure payments from donors who have already pledged to help fund the renovation effort. 

"An order blocking the Board from appropriately recognizing President Trump will cause donors to flee, financial contributions to dry up, and structural rehabilitation to stop," the department argues. "There will simply not be the expertise or funding necessary to rebuild and renovate this decimated structure.  The Trump Administration is ready to go but, without it, the Kennedy Center cannot be saved." 

This is a developing story. 

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(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump announced Tuesday morning that he is giving "serious consideration" to renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" -- mirroring his move to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America early in his second term.

Trump later posted on his social media platform an altered map of the lake and surrounding area. 

The map posted by Trump depicts the great lake with the official "Lake Ontario" label crossed out. In its place is a "Lake America" label in a larger, gold-colored font and a graphic of an American flag.

Just like the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario is a shared international waterway and multiple international, federal and regional agencies oversee it.  

Split along the U.S.-Canada border, New York state and Ontario each govern their own portion of the lakebed and shoreline. The U.S. and Canada jointly manage it through the International Joint Commission and Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

And just like the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, Trump can unilaterally change a geographic name for official U.S. federal government use, like his action via executive order in that case -- but he doesn't have the authority to dictate what other countries or international bodies call it.

Trump on Tuesday also rejected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's claims that the U.S. was making threats on Canada's use of the French language, as opposed to English, as part of the ongoing trade war. Trump said on social media that he would "never interfere with Canadians speaking French."

"I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec. I love French Canadians!" Trump posted on his social media platform. 

During a press conference on Saturday, Carney claimed that one of the reasons the trade talks with the U.S. collapsed is because the Trump administration wanted Canada to make changes to their use of the French language. 

"This was not our choice. We were ready and close to having a comprehensive agreement that would be fair to both countries. But they made changes, including threats on the French language and Quebec culture and Canadian culture. That is not acceptable. That would never be acceptable," Carney said. 

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(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge on Friday struck down the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, setting aside refusals based solely on the policy and requiring those cases to be reconsidered by consular officers under the normal immigration laws.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas said the policy, announced by the State Department in January, "is contrary to law and was issued in excess of Secretary Rubio's statutory authority."

The directive instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to suspend immigrant visa adjudications while the State Department reassessed its vetting procedures under existing immigration law.

The State Department said in January the pause was intended to "prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits."

Vargas said Friday the policy conflicts with federal immigration law, which gives consular officers "exclusive authority and discretion" to determine whether an immigrant is eligible for a visa.

"The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme," Vargas wrote.

The judge's order also vacates visa denials that were based solely on the policy. 

"The suspension of lawful visa processing across 75 countries separated spouses, parents, and children who were simply following the legal immigration process," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., the group that filed the lawsuit challenging the policy.

"Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and recognize the family as the foundation of society," Gallagher added. "Today's decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification."

The State Department did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment, nor has it indicated it is going to appeal the decision.

"The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people," a State Department spokesman said in a statement when the policy was announced. "The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people."

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(WASHINGTON) -- The FBI seized former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell's electronic devices as part of an ongoing criminal probe, according to sources familiar with the situation. 

Swalwell was served with a search warrant for his cellphone and other electronic devices while he was at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday night, according to sources, and agents served a search warrant at his Washington, D.C., home on Sunday.

Swalwell resigned from Congress in April after being accused of sexual misconduct and was about to face efforts by his colleagues to have him expelled from the House.

Swalwell had suspended his campaign for California governor the day before after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that an ex-staffer alleged that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent.

The House Ethics Committee announced the same day that it was investigating the allegations against him.

Lonna Drewes said in a news conference after Swalwell's resignation that he raped her in 2018 and believes he drugged her drink when the two were planning to attend a political event. 

Drewes is one of at least six women who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced it is launching an investigation into Drewes' allegations against Swalwell.

Swalwell has denied the allegations.

In a statement posted on X announcing that he intended to resign from Congress, Swalwell said that he was “deeply sorry” to his family, staff and constituents but that “he will fight the serious, false allegation made against me.”

"I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” Swalwell said. “But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress." 

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is also investigating allegations against Swalwell, a source familiar with the investigation told ABC News.

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(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has nominated White House Domestic Policy Council Deputy Director Heidi Overton to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

"Dr. Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History," Trump said in a social media post, adding that he wants her "leadership at the FDA now to ensure that the U.S. remains the WORLD LEADER for Scientific Discovery and CURES."

Overton has been Trump's deputy assistant during his second term, advising him on health policies, including lowering prescription drug prices. Overton has stood alongside Trump for several major health announcements at the White House, including his executive order signing on childhood vaccines earlier this month.

She has espoused anti-abortion views and supported reductions to the childhood immunization schedule, touting the use of "gold-standard science" and restoring vaccination authority to parents while at that executive order signing.

Overton is a physician who holds a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to that role, she was vice chair of the America First Policy Institute's (AFPI) Center for a Healthy America, where Overton was also the chief policy officer, a nonprofit that aims to advance policies that it says put the American people first. AFPI was run by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins before Rollins was tapped to join the president's Cabinet. Several Trump administration officials held positions there before he was reelected, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

The FDA is one of several agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy expressed his support for Overton on Wednesday, calling her the "best person for the job."

"Heidi brings exceptional judgment, professionalism, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the American people," Kennedy wrote in a social media post. "I have seen her challenge assumptions, demand excellence, and turn bold ideas into meaningful results."

The FDA commissioner position requires Senate confirmation. During confirmation hearings, Overton is expected to face questions that will test her loyalty to the president, similar to previous confirmation hearings for Trump administration health leaders.

If confirmed, Overton is expected to continue to support the president's health agenda.

"She's gonna stay in line because she's tested," a source familiar told ABC News. "She's a loyalist to the president. That's kind of his thinking behind all of this -- to keep loyalists in these top jobs."

The job is one of the nation's top health posts and has remained without permanent leadership amid the foodborne illness outbreaks of cyclospora and salmonella.

A senior administration official told ABC News that acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas was offered the full-time job several times and declined. Diamantas, who has been leading the investigation into the health outbreaks, has been touted as the driving force behind the administration's food policy and stressed that America's food supply is safe despite consumers' health concerns.

Overton will ultimately be replacing former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who resigned in May amid clashes with the White House over pressure from Trump to authorize fruit-flavored vapes. FDA employees, who previously spoke to ABC News on the condition of anonymity, said that they were concerned about the future of the agency’s leadership after Makary's exit. They said the angst stems from a rollercoaster-like experience, including witnessing 20% of the FDA's staff being reduced during the president's second term.

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(WASHINGTON) -- Several high-profile primary races Tuesday tested how much President Donald Trump's endorsement can do for a scandal-marred candidate, showed the impact of Republicans' mid-decade redistricting and highlighted the continued battle between established Democratic candidates and progressive challengers.

Here are takeaways from Tuesday's primaries:

Trump endorsement can't lift Mills

Embattled and scandal-ridden Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost his reelection bid in Florida Tuesday, defeated by challenger Ryan Elijah, a former TV news anchor and NFL sideline reporter.

Mills faces a House Ethics Committee investigation; a judge issued a restraining order against him last year after he was accused by his former girlfriend of threatening to distribute sexually explicit videos of her; and in July, ABC News reported that the embattled congressman was also under investigation by the Department of Justice, in part about his finances. Mills has denied the allegations.

Mills' loss suggests that Republicans have limits when it comes to how long they can stand behind a candidate carrying too much baggage. Despite the scandals that have followed him, Mills still retained Trump's endorsement.

Putting aside differences before November

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds unsurprisingly secured his party's nomination in the gubernatorial race in Florida. Donalds' campaign has received immense support among Republicans and Trump's endorsement.

Donalds now faces the task of uniting his party after what was a bruising primary. Donalds said he received congratulatory calls from his competitors, Paul Renner and James Fishback. In his victory speech, Donalds called for Florida Republicans to come together.

"But tonight the primary is over. Tonight we put aside our differences. Tonight we are one united Republican Party," Donalds said.

Wasserman Schultz promises representation matters

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won her primary in Florida's historically Black 20th Congressional District that was redrawn this year by the Republican-controlled legislature.

Her decision to run in the district drew criticism from her four Black opponents and other Black Democrats who have already been impacted by Republican redistricting efforts in southern states.

In her victory speech, Wasserman Schultz referenced redistricting Republicans hope will improve their chances of retaining the House in November. She promised the redrawn majority-minority district that increasing representation is among her top priorities.

“This is such a difficult and fraught time in our country. There is so much at stake in this moment, and I want people to know that representation matters. It matters, and I will fight to make sure that representation counts again,” she said Tuesday evening.
Moskowitz fends off challenge from DSA candidate

In the Democratic primary for Florida's 25th District, two-term incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who was also running in a redrawn district, fended off a challenge from Democratic Socialists of America candidate Oliver Larkin.

The race highlighted how support for Israel is becoming prominent issue in this year's election as more Democrats have become less supportive. Moskowitz has been a staunch supporter of Israel while Larkin has called for the U.S. to cut off aid.

The race was a continuation of established Democratic candidates facing challenges from progressives, as seen in the Senate race in Michigan.

Moskowitz now faces a competitive general election in November, as his seat is one Republicans see as a top pickup opportunity.

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(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge in Boston has cleared the way for the Trump administration to terminate temporary protected status for Ethiopian nationals.

U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy on Tuesday lifted the administrative stay that had been blocking the termination of the TPS program.

The ruling follows other recent court orders allowing the administration to end protections for TPS holders from countries including Haiti, Somalia, Syria and Myanmar as part of the administration's ongoing immigration crackdown.

The court rulings come after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the Trump administration could terminate TPS for Haitian nationals. 

The advocacy group African Communities Together filed suit in January, arguing that Ethiopia remains in a humanitarian crisis.

"Should TPS for Ethiopia be terminated, all Plaintiffs will face impossible choices: to uproot their lives yet again in search of a pathway to safety in a third country; to remain in the United States without lawful immigration status, at risk of imminent immigration confinement and removal; or to relocate to Ethiopia, a country still suffering violent conflict," the group said in its original complaint.

TPS status, established by the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, provides work authorization and protection from deportation if a foreign country is deemed by the government to be unsafe because of armed conflict, natural disaster, or "extraordinary and temporary conditions."

In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security said that individuals with terminated TPS should leave the U.S.

"Those with terminated TPS should leave NOW," DHS said. "If they don't, we will DEPORT them."

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(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump contradicted Vice President JD Vance on Monday after the vice president asserted last week that the administration’s top priority amid the Iran war was to keep the price of oil and gas down for Americans.

In a social media post on Monday morning, Trump said that the "number one Goal is, and always will be" that Iran can't have a nuclear weapon.

Last Thursday, Vance laid out a different order of priorities on Fox News, saying that "goal No. 1" for the administration amid the war was to "keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country."

"And then obviously, goal No. 2 is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon," he added. "I feel confident we're accomplishing both of those goals."

Vance’s comments about prioritizing gas prices diverge from the president's stated mission of eliminating Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. And while some Republicans have acknowledged gas prices are too high, Trump said he won't apologize for it.

In the past, the president had outright rejected the idea that the domestic American economy should factor into military decisions around Iran. 

"Not even a little bit," Trump said back in May when asked to what extent financial pressure on Americans was motivating him to strike a deal.

"The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon," he added. "I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon, that's all."

Asked about Vance’s comments aboard Air Force One last Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that "both goals are equally as important to the president."

"Of course, we want to keep gas prices low. That's why the administration has done so much to keep the markets stable, but also ensuring Iran can never get a nuclear weapon is the president's priority with respect to the ongoing conflict, and it's something he's going to see through one way or another," she added. 

Trump's apparent rebuke of the vice president came just minutes after "Fox and Friends" anchor Lawrence Jones reacted to Vance’s comments during the program’s Monday morning broadcast, and called for "more clarity" from the White House on the U.S. objectives. Roughly eight minutes later, the president posted his message. 

"It also looks like we got an answer from the president about what is priority No. 1 for the United States," Jones said about an hour later in the broadcast as he relayed the details of the president's post.

While the status of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central focus of the war -- injecting volatility into the global energy market even as the conflict between the two countries has ebbed and flowed -- Trump has repeatedly argued that the cost of not intervening in Iran would far outweigh the higher gas prices Americans are dealing with now.

The average price of a gallon of regular is $4.02 according to GasBuddy, up 7 cents form last week and up more than a dollar per gallon since the start of the war.

Speaking at the New York police academy last Friday, Trump told the gathered crowd that he would not apologize for the price of gas. 

“[Iran's] the No. 1 state sponsor of terror in the world. We don't want to have them have nuclear weapons," Trump said. "So remember that when you have to pay a little bit more, you're at $4. It's OK. I mean, it's, I'm not -- I'm not -- I will never apologize. I did the right thing."

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(WASHINGTON) -- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of August "so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family," President Donald Trump announced in a social media post on Wednesday.

The announcement comes less than a month after Leavitt held her first briefing after returning from maternity leave. Leavitt welcomed her second child in May.

Trump, in his social media post, said her decision is one "I totally understand and respect."

The president added that Leavitt would continue to be one of his "top outside advisors" and an "influential voice" within the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections.

Calling her "one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office," Trump thanked Leavitt for a "job well done."

Leavitt became the youngest White House press secretary in history when she assumed the position last year at 27 years old. 

Leavitt confirmed her decision to leave in an X post and expressed her gratitude to the president, saying the role has been "the honor and adventure of a lifetime" and thanked the president for the opportunity to work in his administration. 

She also pointed to her role as a mother of two as her reason for leaving the role of press secretary, saying it has been "rewarding yet challenging" to balance the two. 

"The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary -- and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life," Leavitt wrote. 

Before serving as press secretary, Leavitt was Trump's spokesperson during his 2024 presidential campaign and his transition. She also worked in Trump's first administration and for Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Leavitt also ran for Congress in her home state of New Hampshire prior to joining Trump's 2024 campaign, though she ultimately lost the general election. 

It is not immediately clear who Trump will pick to replace her.

While Leavitt was on maternity leave earlier this year, a rotating cast of administration officials held press conferences in the briefing room, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

During Trump's first term, he had four press secretaries: Sean Spicer, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kayleigh McEnany and Stephanie Grisham. 

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(WASHINGTON) -- Voters in six states on Tuesday decided which candidates will face off in November in House and Senate races that could determine whether the balance of power will shift in the next Congress.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a centrist Democrat, narrowly won the Democratic primary in Wisconsin in a major upset in the race for governor, the Associated Press projects. He defeated Wisconsin assemblywoman Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, in what became a high-stakes test for progressives who pinned their hopes on winning a major party nomination in a crucial battleground state.

And in Connecticut, 14-term Rep. John Larson became the seventh House Democrat incumbent to lose a primary during this election cycle.

Here's a look at Tuesday's primaries:

Wisconsin

Republican and Democratic candidates in Wisconsin are vying to win the first open gubernatorial seat since 2010, replacing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who announced last year that he wouldn't run for reelection.

There are also primaries in both parties that could have an impact on which controls the House next year.

Live Wisconsin primary results

Connecticut

Incumbent Democratic Rep. John Larson will lose the Democratic primary for his 1st Congressional District seat to challenger Luke Bronin, the former mayor of Hartford, ABC News projects. Larson has held his seat since 1999. Larson is the seventh incumbent House Democrat to lose in primaries this year.

And Gov. Ned Lamont, who was elected in 2018, will fend off a primary challenge from Josh Elliott, ABC News projects. He'll face Republican Ryan Fazio in November. 

Live Connecticut primary results

Minnesota

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will win the Democratic governor primary, ABC News projects, in the race to replace Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who is retiring. She will face state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ABC projects will win the Republican governor's primary, in November.

ABC News also projects Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will win the Democratic primary in the race to replace Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, who is also retiring. She'll face former NFL sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya, who ABC projects will win the Republican primary for Senate.

Minnesota also voted in primaries for several House races that could help determine the balance of power in Congress.

Live Minnesota primary results

South Carolina

Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham who was appointed to fill the remainder of her brother's term, will face Rep. Ralph Norman in an Aug. 25 runoff to replace Lindsey Graham on the November ballot, ABC News projects.

Lindsey Graham's death in July sparked a rapid-fire campaign season. Eight other candidates besides Graham and Norman were running for the seat.

Live South Carolina special Senate primary results

Vermont

Economist Amanda Janoo will win the Democratic primary for governor, ABC News projects, and will face incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott in the general election in November.

Live Vermont primary results

Alabama

In Alabama, some voters decided several House races following the Supreme Court decision that limited portions of the Voting Rights Act and led several states in the South to take part in mid-decade redistricting.

Primaries were held in May, but Republican Gov. Kay Ivey pushed back those in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th districts that were impacted by redistricting after the Supreme Court decision.

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(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that his secret flight out of Turkey last month, which employed a passenger-filled "decoy" Air Force One, was the work of the Secret Service and the U.S. military.

"It's only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they'd like to do," Trump told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews following a trip to Ohio.

"So I go by Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane. Equal safety. But they wanted me to do it, so I do it. I do what they say," Trump said of the plan to secretly switch from Air Force One to another plane.

As first reported by The Washington Post on Monday, Trump secretly transferred from the old Air Force One to a military aircraft via a catering container, sources told ABC News, an elaborate ruse that was carried out without the knowledge of the traveling press and even some White House officials aboard the decoy flight.

Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were on the "decoy" Air Force One.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was on the other plane flying with the president, sources said.

All three Cabinet members were aware that Trump had secretly switched from the old Air Force One jet to the military aircraft given the threat, sources said.

Asked Tuesday night if he knew about a specific threat at the time, Trump brushed it off.

"I guess there was a threat out there. I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats," Trump said.

When asked about the safety of the decoy Air Force One jet, Trump claimed that he was at greater risk on the other plane.

"I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk," Trump said. "I think it was at greater risk because that would be the plane I think that we -- that they would be more likely to go for."

Trump publicly stated at the time that he would be flying on the old Air Force One and not flying on the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet because he was sending it to a base in the U.K. so service members could tour it.

ABC News reported at the time that Trump was advised not to take the plane due to security concerns amid escalations with Iran.

On the Air Force One flight that was believed to be carrying Trump, reporters on board were told that the windows needed to be closed the whole flight and that it was a mandate from the Secret Service. Air Force One, despite the president not being on board, according to the Post, had its transponder turned off.

In a statement to ABC News regarding the Post's reporting, the White House said, "As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats."

ABC News' Jonathan Karl and Luke Barr contributed to this report.

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(WASHINGTON) -- The Senate on Friday approved a long-awaited Russia and Iran sanctions bill named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The bill was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 86-11.

Sen. Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister who is currently filling his seat in the chamber and running for a full six-year term this November, gaveled down the vote.  

The package would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and other countries that support Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions target Russian political officials and oligarchs, banks and financial institutions, and the Russian shadow fleet, according to a release from a bipartisan group of senators who unveiled the legislation.

This bill still needs to head to the House of Representatives, which is currently on recess until the end of the month.

House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stated he supports sanctioning Russia, but it's unclear whether the bill will have the support it needs in the lower chamber.

Graham, who died suddenly last month at the age of 71, was a champion of the bill.

A foreign policy hawk, Graham was one of the Republican conference's most outspoken Ukraine allies and had a strong relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Graham had made his 10th visit to Ukraine shortly before his death.

Zelenskyy attended Graham's funeral services in Washington, D.C., and was on Capitol Hill last week when the Senate first advanced the Russia sanctions bill, celebrating it as important pressure on Russia.

"It's not only about money, how to stop how to finance this war, but it's also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people," Zelenskyy said at the time.

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(WASHINGTON) -- Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Friday he will vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to lead the Department of Justice, likely clearing the way for Blanche to be narrowly confirmed.

All eyes were on Cassidy after two other Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, announced their opposition to President Donald Trump's nominee.

Cassidy, in a speech on the Senate floor, said that he is supporting Blanche because he sees him as more favorable than potential alternatives.

"Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general, who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche," the senator said. "This puts at risk the progress made fighting violent crime, human and drug trafficking and fraud. And this does not serve the American people well."

Cassidy, who is leaving office in January after losing to a Republican primary challenger and who has clashed with Trump several times in recent months, appeared to grow emotional as he stated his case.

"This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche and very specific circumstances. All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche. I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new?" Cassidy said, taking a long pause and choking up before he continued. "But people of Louisiana can be assured that I work hard to understand the issue, and to make the right decision."

The Senate has not yet agreed when they will hold a full vote on Blanche's nomination.

While Murkowski said she would "oppose" Blanche's nomination, it remains unclear whether she will cast a "no" vote or use a procedural pairing arrangement with absent Sen. Mitch McConnell that would allow her not to vote while maintaining the balance of the Senate.

Murkowski said in a statement released Friday morning that she had "numerous constructive meetings" with Blanche and described him as "decent and capable." She also praised his efforts to learn about Alaska and said that, as acting attorney general, he had made "several noteworthy decisions" that would benefit the state and the nation.

"Ultimately, however, I will oppose his nomination," Murkowski said in a statement, citing concerns about what she described as the politicization and "weaponization" of the Justice Department.

"The politicization -- even weaponization -- of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it," Murkowski said.

Among the issues she cited were the handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, what she called "sweeping immunity protections" granted to the president, his family and their businesses, statements made to anti-abortion groups, and what she described as the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. senators.

"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski added. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."

Earlier this week, Collins said in a statement that she would vote no on Blanche's nomination.

"While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement. "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation."

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(WASHINGTON) -- When Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency launched its effort to slash federal spending last year, it also created a website to show how much money it said it was saving taxpayers.

A new review by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found the site's claim of $110 billion in taxpayer savings was vastly inflated and unreliable.

The report found DOGE could not provide enough information to verify 96% of its reported savings from canceled grants.

Despite its pledge of transparency, the report found DOGE did not use its stated methodology to calculate about half of the savings it reported.

“Because U.S. DOGE Service officials did not respond to requests for information, GAO could not determine the reasons why DOGE did not disclose data quality issues and limitations when the website first went live or at any time since then,” the report said.

The report also found DOGE failed to terminate some of the contracts it claimed to have canceled. According to the report, $27.4 billion in claimed savings was never executed, and DOGE did not provide identifying information for another $7.2 billion in claimed savings.

DOGE also claimed $1.7 billion in savings from an IT services contract for the Defense Department's Defense Health Agency, but the report said no changes were ever made.

The report also said DOGE claimed savings from millions of dollars in leases that had already been identified for termination.

Musk has since left DOGE. ABC News reached out to Musk and the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Although DOGE formally ended on July 4, its "Wall of Receipts" remains online, claiming a total of $215 billion in taxpayer savings.

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(WASHINGTON) -- Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, after weeks of in-patient care following a fall in mid-June, announced via a statement from his office on Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery at home.

"Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home," McConnell said in a statement. "Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff."

"On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business," McConnell added.

McConnell was first hospitalized on June 14 for reasons that were initially undisclosed by his office.

While his office has released two photographs of McConnell since his hospitalization, the Kentucky senator has not been seen in public.

Late last month, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called on McConnell to either "verbally" show proof to Kentuckians that he can still serve in the Senate or to resign from Congress.

In a statement issued on July 12, nearly a month later, McConnell said he was hospitalized due to a fall that left him briefly unconscious. He also said he had to deal with a "mild case of pneumonia."

In that same July 12 statement, McConnell said he had been moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility to recover.

The former Republican leader has not been seen on Capitol Hill since June 11. 

McConnell has said he intends to finish his term, which expires in January. The seven-term senator has already said he does not intend to seek reelection in January. 

The Senate is expected to recess until mid-September in the coming days. McConnell's statement suggests he won't be seen in the Capitol until at least then. 

Before departing for recess, the Senate is expected to take up acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to permanently lead the Department of Justice. With McConnell's absence, Blanche can only afford to lose two Republican votes.

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(WASHINGTON) -- Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.

The committee's party-line vote of 8-5 came after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions at a hearing last week about his role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and its origins.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul, the committee's chair, said Fauci could not plead the Fifth Amendment given he was preemptively pardoned by President Joe Biden out of fear of political prosecution.

"We are voting on whether a witness who has received the benefit of a sweeping federal pardon can be ordered by this committee to answer questions and then defy that order without consequence," Paul said ahead of the vote.

David Schertler, legal counsel for Fauci, called Thursday's vote "a crude political stunt intended to punish Dr. Fauci for exercising his constitutional rights."

"The Senate should reject Senator Paul's meritless and politically-motivated contempt resolution," Schertler said in a statement. "For years, Senator Paul has proclaimed to anyone who would listen that Dr. Fauci should be prosecuted and put in prison. Dr. Fauci has committed no crime -- and Senator Paul knows it."

Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee attempted several times to table the contempt resolution but were unsuccessful.

A contempt resolution would normally now head to the full Senate, where it would require 60 votes. It is unlikely the Fauci resolution would receive enough support in the full Senate to pass.

But Paul told reporters he is opting instead to immediately send it to the Department of Justice in the hopes they'll take action. It's unclear how the Department of Justice will respond.

"We will hand deliver it today to the attorney general, and we will hand deliver it today to the District of Columbia to the U.S. Attorney there, and from there we'll find out. But this way, we don't sit a month waiting to determine whether or not we bring it to the Senate floor," Paul said.

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, the committee's ranking member, criticized the vote and the "damaging precedent" it sets, saying this "could harm our ability to conduct future investigations and disregards constitutional protections long recognized by the U.S. Senate."

"This resolution will not provide the committee with any additional information, or compel Dr. Fauci to provide answers to our inquiries. Criminal contempt is punitive; it does not compel a witness to answer questions or produce the documents we'd all like to see," Peters said.

Peters also condemned Paul's suggestion of referring the contempt resolution directly to the Department of Justice after the vote, saying "that would be even more dangerous and widely unprecedented move."

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