Political Spectrum

Federal authorities investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) seized her phone and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some relatives, according to a person briefed on the probe who spoke to AP anonymously. Agents searched her Washington home on Monday. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested the focus is her family's immigration paperwork, and DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said several investigations are under way, including into her financial disclosures. Omar called the search an "attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement." The Justice Department has historically avoided public investigative steps involving a candidate within 60 days of an election.

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, appointed by Presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden, heard arguments Wednesday in DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb's challenge to the Guard deployment that began in August 2025 and peaked at about 5,000 troops. All three judges challenged the District's argument that the president lacks at least some authority to deploy the Guard there, while at least one was openly skeptical of the Justice Department, Fox 5 DC reports. The DOJ warned that limiting the president could block Guard support for inaugurations, protests and disaster relief. A district judge ruled the deployment illegal last November; the appeals court paused that ruling in December.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was due to face the FIFA Council in Zurich on Thursday, his first meeting with it since his plan to sell a minority stake in a FIFA commercial subsidiary covering tournaments including the World Cup collapsed in July, days after it was announced. A company launched by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, was identified as the proposed lead investor. The presidents of UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF have called for him to go, and some members want to limit his powers. Infantino, 56, stands for re-election in March 2027; nominations close November 18.

An AP-NORC poll of 1,119 adults including 925 registered voters, taken October 8–12, found 8 in 10 voters say the country needs substantial change or "complete and total upheaval" in how it is run. The economy (85%) and cost of living (84%) top the issues, followed by health care (69%) and the war with Iran (64%); 35% name artificial intelligence. 47% would prefer Democratic control of the House and 46% of the Senate, versus 38% for Republicans, with 15% unsure. Two-thirds feel pessimistic about the state of politics.

At a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, with the new jet parked behind him, President Trump said of the Qatari royal family's gift: "When you're given gifts, you take 'em, right? When they give you a 747, you say two words: 'Thank you.'" He accepted the plane last year despite criticism, including from some Republican supporters. Later in Montana he warned the Second Amendment would be "under siege" if Democrats win the November 3 midterms, campaigned for House candidate Aaron Flint and announced a new military testing range. On the trip's first day in Alaska he announced a Taiwanese gas purchase and pardoned two Alaskans convicted of Clean Air Act violations.