October 17, 2025 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 17, 2025
National/Federal
Skeptical Judges Increasingly Question Administration’s Veracity
MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2025
In recent days, a Trump-appointed judge in Oregon declared the president’s decision to send the National Guard to Portland was “simply untethered to the facts.” As that and other admonishments have rained down from federal judges, White House officials have responded with increasingly fervid rhetoric. Taken to an extreme, that tension could threaten fundamental parts of the American legal system. In the more immediate term, the legal experts said, the increasingly adversarial relationship could reshape how prosecutors are viewed in courtrooms, making it harder for the federal government to convince judges that it is telling the truth.
MSN – Aaron Pellish (Politico) | Published: 10/11/2025
Democrats are pushing ahead with last-ditch efforts to stymie Republican mid-decade redistricting in Missouri and Ohio, although they face unclear paths to blocking the potential gerrymanders. Party leaders in the two states are mobilizing campaigns to prevent the GOP-drawn maps from going into effect ahead of next year’s midterms, but both efforts have seen only modest support from Washington.
Trump Escalates His Use of Federal Power to Target Democratic States
MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2025
President Donald Trump’s move to cancel projects in Democratic states during the government shutdown has prompted a furor and cries of partisanship. But it is only the latest example of his administration’s efforts to use power in ways that damage blue states and help red ones. Funding is not the only area fueling the allegation among Democrats that blue America is being targeted.
Airports Say They Won’t Air Kristi Noem Shutdown Video at TSA Checkpoints
MSN – Shannon Najmabadi and Aaron Gregg (Washington Post) | Published: 10/13/2025
Airports in more than a half-dozen U.S. markets have declined to display a video in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and any related travel delays, citing the political nature of its content. Officials that oversee airports in Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, and Seattle said the video could violate internal policies that bar political messaging or contravene state or federal laws that prohibit the use of public resources for political activity.
Trump Allies Sold Sponsorships to What Appeared to Be a Treasury Event. It Wasn’t.
MSN – Josh Dawsey (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 10/13/2025
An investment fund run by prominent Trump supporters tried to sell sponsorships for a conference it pitched to companies as the “Inaugural U.S. Treasury A.I. Summit,” during which it said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would unveil the Treasury Department’s artificial-intelligence strategy. The fund, called 1789 Capital, circulated the pitch to technology companies in recent weeks, calling the event “historic.” It offered an array of perks, including a VIP cocktail party and dinner, to those who paid.
Fox News Among Broadcasters Refusing to Sign Pentagon Press Pledge
MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025
Fox News, along with ABC, CBS, and NBC, will not sign the Defense Department’s new press policy. Fox’s dissent is notable considering the Trump-friendly views of many of its opinion hosts, whose ranks previously included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The policy prohibits journalists from accessing or soliciting information the Defense Department does not make available for them and revokes Pentagon press credentials from those who will not sign on.
How Inflatable Frog Suits Became the Protest Fashion Statement of the Year
MSN – Ashley Fetters Maloy (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025
Operation Inflation is an organization providing puff-up costumes, like Thanksgiving Day parade balloons in miniature, to those protesting the crackdown by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In high-profile protest movements, imagery is everything. In the days since Operation Inflation began, protesters in huge cartoon animal suits have been multiplying, adding to a long tradition of strategic costuming decisions in American political protests while giving it a new twist.
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Pause Shutdown Layoffs
MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plans to lay off thousands of federal workers during the government shutdown, siding with unions, which have argued the dismissals were illegal. The government has argued that agencies have broad authorities to reorganize workforces to conform to the president’s priorities. But the unions for federal workers said the layoffs were improperly handled, politically motivated, and based on a false premise the shutdown allows the government not to continue its statutory requirements.
Supreme Court Rejects Alex Jones’s Bid to Set Aside $1.4 Billion Verdict
MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025
The Supreme Court rejected a bid by conspiracy theorist and Infowars founder Alex Jones to set aside the historic $1.4 billion jury verdict against him for defaming families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass killing. Jones was found liable for falsely claiming the 2012 shooting that left 20 students and six adults dead was a hoax carried out to confiscate guns and create momentum for gun-control regulations.
Is Democracy Melting? With an Ice Sculpture, These Artists Think So
MSN – Nina Heller (Roll Call) | Published: 10/15/2025
As the government shutdown drags on with no clear end in sight, a 3,000-pound ice sculpture was unveiled on the National Mall, spelling out the word “democracy.” Glinting in the midday sun, it started melting almost immediately. Titled “Last Call – DemocracyICED,” the sculpture is part of a national campaign led by Ben & Jerry’s ice cream co-founder Ben Cohen called Up in Arms, which calls for less military spending and more money for social programs.
‘Law and Order’ Push Shows a Trump No Longer Encumbered by Naysaying Aides or Government Guardrails
MSN – Will Weissert and Jill Colvin (Associated Press) | Published: 10/16/2025
Now settled into his second term, President Trump has embraced the kind of tough-on-crime approach he has always campaigned on but was unable to achieve with the naysayers who often checked his most extreme instincts during his first four years in office. In the process, his administration has sometimes trampled law enforcement norms and critics say Trump has weaponized the Department of Justice, using it to go after political opponents.
Trump’s Pardon Proposals Go Global Despite Allies’ Corruption Charges
MSN – Patrick Marley and Adam Taylor (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025
President Trump’s efforts to disband programs that promote democracy abroad and downplay allegations of corruption and human rights abuses in other countries took on an added dimension when he appeared before Israel’s parliament and called for pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request to dismiss corruption charges was the latest in a long line of actions reversing America’s long-standing posture as an exporter of democratic values.
Trump Wants a White House Ballroom. These Companies Are Funding It.
MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025
President Trump said his ballroom construction project is fully financed after Coinbase, Apple, and dozens of other companies committed millions of dollars to please a president who has long dreamed of leaving his mark on the White House. Trump treated donors from Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and the defense sector to a dinner in the East Room as a thank-you, praising them for quickly heeding his call for support and noting some offered as much as $25 million.
GOP Congressman Says Capitol Police Is Investigating Swastika in His Office
MSN – Alec Dent (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025
Rep. Dave Taylor said he requested that the U.S. Capitol Police investigate an American flag with a swastika on it found in his office. A screenshot from a virtual meeting that included Angelo Elia, who works as a legislative correspondent in Taylor’s office, was shared online. The image shows Elia in front of what appears to be a cubicle wall bearing a small American flag altered so the stripes form a swastika, hung up alongside a copy of the Constitution and memes about Ohio.
From the States and Municipalities
Alaska – Supreme Court Orders Dunleavy Backers to Comply with Subpoenas in Campaign Finance Case
Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 10/10/2025
The Alaska Supreme Court ordered backers of Gov. Mike Dunleavy to respond to subpoenas that seek to find whether they violated state campaign finance laws in the lead-up to the 2022 election. The ruling stems from complaint alleging the Republican Governors Association created a group called A Stronger Alaska ahead of the election as a shell entity to improperly spend money in support of Dunleavy’s reelection campaign without disclosing its donors as required by state law.
California – Only One San Diego County Supervisor Pays to Rent a District Office. The Landlord? A Major Campaign Donor.
MSN – Lucas Robinson (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 10/12/2025
San Diego County’s lease for a district office used by Supervisor Joel Anderson is set to steer hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to the owners of the building over the term of the agreement. Those owners, records show, are a powerful family who have been notable donors to Anderson’s campaigns. The arrangement could create an appearance of a conflict-of-interest, as Anderson’s office has steered public dollars to a business owned by a family who have been his political benefactors.
Colorado – A Group of Democratic State Lawmakers Gathered with Lobbyists at a Vail Retreat. Who Paid the Tab?
Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 10/13/2025
At least 17 Democratic state lawmakers gathered with lobbyists during a weekend retreat at a Vail hotel organized by the nonprofit Colorado Opportunity Caucus. As a nonprofit, the Opportunity Caucus does not have to report its donors. Nonprofits file annual financial forms, called 990s, that generally only include their total revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 10/14/2025
Former Colorado Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis agreed to pay nearly $3,000 to settle allegations she violated campaign finance laws. The allegations stemmed from reporting by The Colorado Sun. Jaquez Lewis, who resigned from the legislature in February, admitted to failing to report campaign spending on several occasions. She also admitted using campaign funds to hire a staffer to campaign on behalf of another candidate, which is prohibited.
Florida – Florida Judge Temporarily Blocks Transfer of Downtown Miami Land for Trump’s Presidential Library
MSN – Kate Payne (Associated Press) | Published: 10/14/2025
A Florida judge temporarily blocked the planned transfer of prime downtown Miami land for President Trump’s future presidential library. The move by Circuit Court Judge Mavel Ruiz came after an activist alleged officials at a local college violated Florida’s open government law when they gifted the sizable plot of real estate to the state, which then voted to transfer it to the foundation for the planned library.
Florida – Citing Safety Concerns, Commission on Ethics Chair Requests Public Records Exemption for Staff
Yahoo News – Mitch Perry (Florida Phoenix) | Published: 10/15/2025
Saying that an individual has called more than 35 times making threats to the Florida Commission on Ethics in the past week, Commission Chairperson Jon Philipson is requesting lawmakers provide a public records exemption for the personal information and addresses of the staff and commissioners during the 2026 legislative session. Commissioners must now complete a financial disclosure that Philipson said was “more invasive and more expansive” than a previous version.
Hawaii – Campaign Commission Will Push Again for Reforms Lawmakers Keep Rejecting
Honolulu Civil Beat – Richard Wiens | Published: 10/9/2025
The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission voted to resurrect four government reform measures next year that were rejected by the 2025 Legislature. For two of the bills, it will be the fourth try. One would expand partial public campaign financing while another would prohibit elected officials from accepting campaign contributions during legislative sessions. Another proposal would close a loophole that allows contributions to officeholders from people connected with state contractors and grants.
Illinois – Ex-AT&T Illinois President Could Escape Conviction After Striking Deal in Madigan Bribery Case
Chicago Sun Times – John Seidel | Published: 10/14/2025
The former AT&T Illinois president who allegedly bribed ex-state House Speaker Michael Madigan agreed to resolve his prosecution by paying a $200,000 fine and admitting to most of the accusations against him. Still, Paul La Schiazza could walk away without a conviction if he holds up his end of a one-year deal made official in the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Robert Gettleman.
Illinois – Appeals Court Bars Trump from Deploying National Guard in Illinois
MSN – Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/11/2025
A federal appeals court said it will not allow President Trump to deploy the National Guard in Illinois, largely preserving a ruling that had suspended the administration’s campaign to send troops into the Chicago area. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, however, said the president could federalize the Guard for now, as the appeals court said it will later decide on that question. It is unclear what the Guard will be doing without the ability to deploy.
Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/14/2025
The State Board of Elections will decide whether it should follow a hearing officer’s recommendation and reject Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a nearly $10 million fine for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limits. At issue is an Illinois election law, which Harmon co-sponsored, aimed at curbing the influence of big money in campaigns and one key provision that ostensibly was written to ensure lesser-funded candidates were not hurt by the campaign contribution limits.
Indiana – Hogsett Ignored Thomas Cook’s Secret Relationship as Money Flowed to Developers
Yahoo News – Tony Cook (Indianapolis Star), Peter Blanchard, and Emily Hopkins (Mirror Indy) | Published: 10/13/2025
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has long cultivated a reputation for public integrity. One government watchdog group awarded him the title “Mr. Clean.” But a media investigation found Hogsett ignored conflicts-of-interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. Perhaps nobody benefited as much as Thomas Cook, the mayor’s former chief of staff who was forced to resign because of a prohibited relationship with a subordinate.
Louisiana – Supreme Court Seems Open to Limiting Key Section of Voting Rights Act
MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2025
The Supreme Court seemed open to further limiting the use of race in drawing legislative maps, a move that could undermine the last major pillar of the Voting Rights Act, which has bolstered the power of minority voters and candidates for more than half a century. The court’s conservative majority appeared sympathetic to arguments by attorneys for Louisiana and the Trump administration who said race played too large a role in the decision to create a second majority-Black congressional district in the state, in violation of the Constitution’s provision that all people must be treated equally.
Maine – Is This Top Senate Recruit Too Old to Run? Some Democrats Think So.
MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2025
Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign for U.S. Senate has reignited a contentious debate about candidates’ ages in a Democratic Party increasingly eager to inject more youth into its aging ranks. Mills is 77 and would be the oldest freshman senator ever if she wins the seat held by Sen. Susan Collins. Democratic losses in 2024 have led many party activists to urge a passing of the torch to younger leaders, particularly after years of dominance by congressional leaders in their 70s and 80s.
Massachusetts – Boston Prosecutors Invoke Law Used Against Anarchists to Charge Protesters
Seattle Times – Jenna Russell (New York Times) | Published: 10/10/2025
Protesters who clashed with police in Boston recently are facing felony charges of assault and inciting a riot, a strong statement by city and state officials at a high-stakes moment of federal intervention in other Democrat-led cities. Four Boston police officers were injured in a confrontation with more than 200 protesters. Thirteen protesters were to be charged with inciting a riot, a felony charge that is also known as “promotion of anarchy,” with origins in early 20th-century fears of anarchist violence. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison.
New Hampshire – N.H. Ethics Panel Decides GoFundMe to Help House Staffer’s Tragic Loss Is Permitted
Yahoo News – Kevin Landrigan (Manchester Union Leader) | Published: 10/12/2025
The Legislative Ethics Committee decided that nearly $3,500 in donations raised by friends, colleagues, and one lobbyist on a GoFundMe page to help an executive assistant to New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard after a fire seriously damaged her home were exempt from the state’s ban on gifts to lawmakers and staffers. Since 2016, the state has had a ban on gifts of more than $50 to lawmakers and staff but there are 15 extensive exceptions.
New Mexico – Ethics Commission: Lawmakers and campaigns allowed to spend funds for security
Yahoo News – Danielle Prokop (Source New Mexico) | Published: 10/14/2025
In the wake of recent bomb threats against New Mexico lawmakers, two legislators asked state ethics officials to decide whether lawmakers and candidates are allowed to use campaign funds for “security expenses.” The short answer, according to the state Ethics Commission, is yes.
New York – New York Man Convicted of Illegal Straw Donor Scheme during President Trump’s Reelection Campaign
Associated Press News – Staff | Published: 10/15/2025
A New York City man was convicted of conducting an illegal straw donor scheme in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. A federal jury found Xinyue “Daniel” Lou guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of making contributions in the name of others. Lou faces up to 10 years in prison.
New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Trump Foe, Is Indicted by Trump’s DOJ
MSN – Erica Orden, Kyle Cheney, Jeff Coltin, and Nick Reisman (Politico) | Published: 10/9/2025
Following sustained pressure from President Trump to prosecute his perceived political enemies, a federal grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on charges related to alleged mortgage fraud. The indictment charges James with one count of bank fraud and one count of false statements to a financial institution for allegedly obtaining a loan for a home in Virginia that required her to use the property as a secondary residence. According to the indictment, she instead used the home as a rental investment property.
New York – With Eric Adams in Albania, NYC Ethics Organization Mulls More Travel Disclosure Regs
Yahoo News – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 10/10/2025
The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board is proposing tighter disclosure rules for elected officials who accept travel perks from special interest groups or foreign governments. In part, the new regulations were inspired by public concern over trips like Mayor Eric Adams’ jaunts abroad during his time in office. Elected officials are required to report third-party reimbursements for official travel topping $1,000. The threshold for agencies to report gifts to the board, however, is $5,000. The board is now proposing to lower the agency threshold to $1,000.
North Carolina – North Carolina GOP Announce Plans to Vote on New House Map Amid Nationwide Redistricting Battle
MSN – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 10/13/2025
North Carolina Republican legislative leaders announced plans to vote on redrawing the state’s U.S. House district map, taking up President Trump’s call to secure more GOP seats nationwide. The push to retool already right-leaning boundaries for the ninth-largest state comes amid a major party battle spanning several states to revamp district lines to partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
North Carolina – Gambling Campaign Donations Go to Sheriffs, Legislators, NC Appeals Court Judge
Yahoo News – Brian Gordon (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 10/15/2025
Daniel Storie donated $6,500 to the campaign of Judge Jefferson Griffin, who was running for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Danny Storie, his father, contributed the same amount to the Griffin campaign the same day. When the Stories made these donations, Griffin was among 15 North Carolina appellate court judges who could have been selected to a three-judge panel that would hear the son’s appeal when Robeson County sheriff threatened to shut down Daniel Storie’s business, No Limit Games, which operated video sweepstakes.
Ohio – Investigation Reveals Ohio Commission Struggled to Recoup $96 Million Campaign Finance Fees
WKYC – Rochelle Alleyne (WBNS) | Published: 10/14/2025
An analysis found that almost $96 million in penalties the Ohio Elections Commission has handed out since 1987 remains uncollected. It is an issue that led Secretary of State Frank LaRose to describe the commission as a “toothless organization” in a May 2025 press release. Commission Executive Director Philip Richter said the agency does not have the power to make anyone pay.
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Lawmakers Compare ‘Dark Money’ to Laundering in Interim Study, Discuss Red Tape
KOSU – Lionel Ramos | Published: 10/14/2025
Some Oklahoma lawmakers are keen on regulating ‘dark money’ used to influence state and local elections. An interim study of the subject in the House Elections and Ethics Committee discussed the dangers and possible solutions to a growing concern. “… It’s just like laundering money, is what it is,” Rep. Meloyde Blancett said.
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Campaign Finance Website to Remain Offline for More Than a Month
MSN – Alex Gladden (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/10/2025
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission plans to have its website for campaign finance reports back online October 28, putting it offline for more than a month. The system, called Guardian 2.0, is a revamped website that allows people seeking elected office to file their campaign filings and for the public to view those reports.
Pennsylvania – Man Who Set Fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Mansion Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder
MSN – Jesse Bunch (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 10/14/2025
Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting the governor’s mansion ablaze in an attempt on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s life, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related crimes and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. The blaze broke out as the governor and his family slept. They were awakened by state troopers and escaped unharmed with the two family dogs.
Rhode Island – R.I. Elections Board Slashes Campaign Finance Fines in the Hopes of Getting Scofflaws to Pay Up
Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 10/10/2025
Ric Thornton, director of campaign finance at State Board of Elections, aims to reduce the $6.2 million dollars of outstanding fines for missing or overdue Rhode Island campaign finance reports by 25 percent by the end of the year. He does not expect to convince former candidates and officeholders to make good on their six-figure debts. Instead, Thornton is invoking a new state regulation he helped create, which lets the elections board cap fines on campaign finance violations and suspend the old accounts to stop late fees from accruing.
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