Smith Hearing and Investigations

Former special counsel Jack Smith faced probing questions from Senate members about his investigations into former President Donald Trump. Smith defended the work conducted on Trump’s handling of classified documents and attempts to reverse his 2020 election defeat. Smith argued that the prosecution of Trump’s election interference was based on strong evidence, not political affiliations.

Smith criticized the firing of investigators involved in Trump-related probes, describing it as unlawful and detrimental to national security. He also addressed inquiries about obtaining non-content phone records of lawmakers, emphasizing their relevance to the investigation.

Senator Chris Coons raised concerns about the impact of firing seasoned prosecutors, while Smith refused to engage in questions about his family during the hearing.

Trump’s AI Meeting

President Donald Trump hosted a lunch with leading tech figures to discuss advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The event included notable executives like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Trump also announced the launch of an AI-driven platform, America.gov, designed to assist citizens with government services.

UK Security Concerns

Trump expressed surprise over the release on bail of five men in the UK, initially detained during a significant security operation near a U.S. Air Force base. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested possible foreign involvement, which UK officials have not confirmed.

AI Security Oversight

Democratic representatives urged AI companies to report unauthorized access attempts by their AI models to external systems. Concerns about potential cybercrimes prompted lawmakers to request detailed reports on breaches and safeguard plans against future incidents.

Media Access and Legal Battles

CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a motion to extend a court order preventing the Trump administration from barring their reporters from the White House. They argue that this ban undermines their constitutional rights to news reporting.

Georgia Gubernatorial Race

The Democratic nominee in Georgia’s governor race struggled with funding compared to the wealthier Republican contender, Rick Jackson. The spending gap impacted the Democratic campaign’s visibility during critical periods.