Politics

By Tierney Sneed, CNN A Republican operative was convicted on Thursday of facilitating an illegal campaign contribution from a Russian national to the Trump campaign in 2016. The Justice Department touted the jury conviction of Jesse Benton, known for his work on campaigns for GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, in a press release

By Curt Devine and Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Michigan police have closed the case of a missing voting machine and believe the device was accidentally donated to a thrift store before it wound up for sale online — though questions remain about who donated the device in the first place. CNN first reported in September that

By Katie Lobosco and Nicholas Anastacio, CNN The cost of college is not skyrocketing — at least for now, when factoring in the average amount of grant aid students receive. Most schools offer grants, money that students don’t have to pay back, making the actual amount they pay for college, known as the “net cost,”

By Zachary Cohen, Pamela Brown and Allison Gordon, CNN The top House Republican poised to investigate the Biden family said Thursday he’s not planning to subpoena President Joe Biden despite being prepared to issue one to his son, Hunter. “There’s no plans to subpoena Joe Biden. There are plans to subpoena Hunter Biden,” GOP Rep.

By Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand, CNN The historic seditious conspiracy trial of five alleged Oath Keepers — a closely watched test of how the Justice Department is prosecuting US Capitol rioters — is now with the jury. The trial began more than seven weeks ago and has featured hundreds of messages, audio recordings, and

By Kate Bennett, CNN President Joe Biden is turning 80 this weekend, but the big bash at the White House is for an entirely different and more youthful occasion. Naomi Biden, Biden’s oldest granddaughter, married Peter Neal on the White House South Lawn on Saturday. One day following the nuptials, Biden will mark his spot

By Alex Marquardt, CNN The Biden administration has determined that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, should be granted immunity in a case brought against him by the fiancée of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom the administration has said was murdered at the prince’s direction. A court filing was made by Justice Department

By Gregory Krieg and Dan Merica, CNN Former President Barack Obama on Thursday praised Democratic organizers and campaigns for successfully defeating election-denying Republican candidates in a handful of midterm races in states that could play a major role in deciding the 2024 presidential contest. “They got thumped. They got beat. And particularly in these secretary

By Tierney Sneed and Jeremy Diamond, CNN The Justice Department indicated in a court filing Thursday that it plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the Biden administration’s student debt relief program. “The government will be filing an application with the Supreme Court to vacate a separate injunction against the Secretary’s action entered by

By Alex Rogers, Daniella Diaz and Manu Raju, CNN House Democrats appear likely to choose New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a potentially historic move to elect the first Black person to lead a party in Congress. Jeffries launched his bid for House Democratic leader on Friday, promising his colleagues in

By Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand, CNN Government prosecutors and defense attorneys on Thursday announced they have finished presenting evidence in the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial, wrapping up a seven-week effort to argue whether five alleged members of far-right militia plotted to stop Joe Biden from assuming the presidency. For five weeks, prosecutors showed

By Katie Lobosco, CNN The Department of Justice released new guidance Thursday that aims to make it easier to have federal student loan debt discharged in bankruptcy — a particularly difficult legal process under the previous policy. Unlike credit card, medical and other consumer debts, student loan borrowers must show that paying off the debt

By Annie Grayer, Sara Murray and Marshall Cohen, CNN After clinching the majority in the House of Representatives in the midterm elections, top Republicans on Thursday outlined a broad range of investigative targets focused on President Joe Biden and his family’s business dealings. “In the 118th Congress, this committee will evaluate the status of Joe