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Today's Political News Compilation - Thursday, August 20, 2026
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Trump appears on former fixer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen’s radio show after detente
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and JILL COLVINUpdated 6:39 PM CDT, August 20, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump appeared Thursday on his former fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen’s radio show, holding a stunning public reunion with the man who once called him a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain” and testified against him both in court and before Congress.
For Cohen, who served prison time for his role in what he said was covering up Trump’s “dirty deeds,” it was the culmination of a behind-the-scenes detente that would have been impossible to imagine several years ago.
The interview, part of which aired on Cohen’s 77 WABC radio program Thursday evening and which will air in full on Sunday, was an exceptionally friendly affair, with only passing reference to the men’s tumultuous history.
“They weaponized you like nobody’s ever been weaponized, like few have been,” Trump told Cohen.
“I respect the fact that you recanted everything you said,” he went on. “That’s a big thing that you did.” ...
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Investigators examining foes of Trump seek interviews related to Mar-a-Lago search, AP sources say
Investigators are seeking to interview law enforcement officials in connection with the FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate as part of a Florida-based inquiry aiming to establish a conspiracy against the Republican president.
apnews.com
Focus groups: Deep anxiety about the economy drives undecided voters in two key Senate races
Undecided voters in the Iowa and Georgia Senate races, many of whom voted for Trump, say they’re concerned about high costs.
www.nbcnews.comCalifornia lawmaker Aisha Wahab wins special election to succeed Eric Swalwell in Congress
California state Sen. Aisha Wahab has secured victory in a special election to serve the rest of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s House term, which ends in January.
apnews.com
Video Trump hosts cryptocurrency executives at White House
President Donald Trump, who has made hundreds of millions of dollars in crypto, met at the White House with what he called a "who's who” of cryptocurrency leaders.
Army will shut down a unit in Europe focused on learning drone warfare
The Army's top general has directed a Europe-based unit specializing in drone warfare to revert to traditional infantry roles.
apnews.com
UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada condemn Israel's West Bank settlement project
European countries and Canada pile on pressure over Israel's plans to expand settlements in a strategically vital part of the occupied West Bank.
www.bbc.comUS carries out its first deportations under pact for Liberia to accept 1,200 non-Liberians
The United States has carried out its first deportation under an agreement for Liberia to accept up to 1,200 people who are not from the African country.
apnews.com
Iran live updates: Araghchi dismisses Trump's 'economic D-Day' threat
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for AI and data centers, emphasizing their economic benefits and importance in the global AI race.
apnews.com
Israeli defense minister puts NATO power on notice as Middle East tensions surge: ‘Dangerous adventures’
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to test Israel's resolve after the Abu al-Duhur airbase strike in Syria.
Trump wants to be friends with Kim - but South Korea could pay the price
US military exercises with South Korea end early on Friday, at a time when the North is in a position of strength.
www.bbc.com
US pummels Cuban economy with new sanctions on mining, construction
US economic restrictions have strained the island's already fragile economy, prompting blackouts and medical shortages.
Carville unloads on DSA socialists: 'Don't use our god---- name'
James Carville blasted Democratic Socialists for using the party's name, urging them to rebrand as moderates push the Promise to America pledge.
From ‘predator’ to ‘conman’: how Michael Cohen has described Trump
President’s one-time ‘attack dog’ became his fierce critic – but now Cohen says he has forgiven his former boss
More than 2,300 Mexicans sent to Guatemala and Honduras as Trump ramps up third-country deportations
The United States has deported nearly 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala this year and sent dozens more to Honduras.
apnews.com
Brian Hickerson's attorney issues statement after Hayden Panettiere's death
An investigation into the late actress's death is ongoing.
How much could Trump's 'economic D-Day' sanctions hurt Iran?
Iran has so far proved adept at finding ways around years of already punishing sanctions on its economy.
www.bbc.com
Democrats who ‘never voted Republican’ back Rogers over El-Sayed in razor-close race
Mike Rogers unveils his "Democrats for Mike Rogers" coalition in Detroit, courting voters unhappy with Abdul El-Sayed's far-left policy positions.
Nebraska's largest school district asks police to stop using electric shock gloves on students
Omaha police agreed to stop carrying gloves that can deliver electric shocks in the halls of Nebraska's largest public school district.
apnews.com
Video Trump threatens 'Economic D-Day' against Iran
With the U.S. six months into the war with Iran, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will enact the "most crushing economic operation ever taken," calling it "an Economic D-Day."
‘Is that Epstein?’ Head-scratching AI pic teasing Trump’s DC Grand Prix has folks wondering who’s who
The post from the Education Department drew thousands of comments, with many users asking the same question
New York woman charged with plotting to set off explosives at state Capitol, kill lawmakers
A woman accused of launching a plot to set off an explosive at the New York State Capitol building in Albany is being charged with providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
apnews.com
Angel dad takes major new role after daughter’s killing sparks sweeping illegal alien crackdown
Angel Dad Joe Abraham, whose daughter Katie Abraham was killed in an alleged illegal alien hit-and-run, will lead ICE's VOICE office as executive director.
Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says
Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California.
apnews.com
Obama strategist turns on rising Dem star over viral Trump attack: 'Gratuitous and unnecessary'
Obama White House strategist David Axelrod called Jon Ossoff's mention of Natalie Harp "gratuitous and unnecessary," despite the clip's 6 million views.
A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show
Emails reveal that Iranian officials had significant influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country in 2025, despite tensions between the countries.
apnews.com
'I heard you missed me': Melania Trump turns heads in patriotic Rose Garden look for major announcement
Melania Trump greeted the White House crowd with a playful five-word message before expanding her Fostering the Future scholarship initiative.
Prices soar as Gaza smuggling booms. Officials, soldiers and middlemen are accused of cashing in
The smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into Gaza has boomed. Items from cigarettes and iPhones to fuel and solar panels make their way to the territory devastated by war.
apnews.com
Did Michael Cohen ask Trump for a pardon? Everything he said
Cohen said that he had a pardon application in with former President Joe Biden, but it was denied.
Live updates: Trump threatens ‘unprecedented’ economic warfare against Iran
Get live updates and the latest news as Trump warns of “unprecedented” economic warfare against Iran.
www.nbcnews.com
Royal experts explain Prince Harry, Meghan's planned move back to UK
Royal experts Robert Jobson and Victoria Murphy weighed in on Prince Harry and Meghan's planned move back to the U.K. and what it could mean for the royal family.
Trump admin amps up pressure on Cuba
Marco Rubio accused Cuban mining companies of sustaining “the regime’s repressive apparatus"
Captured Ukrainian-born soldiers tell BBC why they fought for Russia
Men born in Ukraine who fought for Russia are tried for treason, but at a prisoner of war camp in western Ukraine, many believe they were defending their homeland.
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How Israel is expanding settlements in drive to reshape West Bank
There has been a significant expansion of building and road construction on Palestinian land occupied by Israel in recent years.
Continue reading...Controversial pro-Trump attorney Ed Martin leaving administration
Washington — Ed Martin, the pro-Trump lawyer who has been at the center of several controversies during his time at the Justice Department, is departing the Trump administration, the president announced in a post on Truth Social Friday afternoon.
Martin previously served as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during a tenure that was marked by turmoil. He later served as the head of then-Attorney General Pam Bondi's "Weaponization Working Group" and has most recently served as pardon attorney, an advisory position in the department...
Continue reading...Martin previously served as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during a tenure that was marked by turmoil. He later served as the head of then-Attorney General Pam Bondi's "Weaponization Working Group" and has most recently served as pardon attorney, an advisory position in the department...
Black voters rip Dems over taking them for granted in El-Sayed's backyard: ‘Hush us up’
Black voters could play a decisive role in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race this November, raising the stakes for Democrats as signs of softer support among the historically reliable voting bloc threaten to complicate the party’s path to victory.
National surveys suggest that the proportion of Black Americans who believe Democrats represent their interests is slipping. Additionally, the percentage of Black voters who identify with the Democratic Party fell by 10 percentage points between 2020 and 2025, according to the Pew Research Center...
Continue reading...National surveys suggest that the proportion of Black Americans who believe Democrats represent their interests is slipping. Additionally, the percentage of Black voters who identify with the Democratic Party fell by 10 percentage points between 2020 and 2025, according to the Pew Research Center...
Trump-appointed judge blocks blue state's crackdown on ICE detention center
A Trump-appointed federal judge dealt a blow to Colorado’s effort to ramp up oversight of an ICE detention center by temporarily blocking key provisions in a state law after finding the state likely overstepped its authority.
Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico issued the preliminary injunction Thursday, ruling that Colorado likely crossed a constitutional line in a state law by imposing new requirements specifically targeting the GEO Group’s Aurora ICE Processing Center, which operates under a federal contract and is the state's lone ICE...
Continue reading...Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico issued the preliminary injunction Thursday, ruling that Colorado likely crossed a constitutional line in a state law by imposing new requirements specifically targeting the GEO Group’s Aurora ICE Processing Center, which operates under a federal contract and is the state's lone ICE...
Supreme Court allows Trump’s White House ballroom construction to continue for now
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily allowed above-ground construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom to continue Friday, staying a lower court injunction that would block the work.
Roberts issued an administrative stay of the preliminary injunction entered April 16, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, putting the injunction on hold "pending further order" from Roberts or the Supreme Court.
The move puts the case in a temporary holding pattern while the Supreme Court considers whether...
Continue reading...Roberts issued an administrative stay of the preliminary injunction entered April 16, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, putting the injunction on hold "pending further order" from Roberts or the Supreme Court.
The move puts the case in a temporary holding pattern while the Supreme Court considers whether...
Court says prosecutor who subpoenaed Letitia James was unlawfully appointed
Washington — A federal appeals court on Friday said the top federal prosecutor in the Northern District of New York was unlawfully serving in his role when he subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of two investigations into her last year.
A Justice Department spokesperson quickly said the Trump administration intends to appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting up a showdown over the Trump administration's repeated attempts across the country to make an end-run around federal law to keep their choice of...
Continue reading...A Justice Department spokesperson quickly said the Trump administration intends to appeal the ruling directly to the Supreme Court, setting up a showdown over the Trump administration's repeated attempts across the country to make an end-run around federal law to keep their choice of...
Top 5 most heated moments as progressives spar over who is farther to the left in final Dem Senate debate
The two Democratic candidates for United States Senate in Massachusetts took to the debate stage on Thursday night, with both making the case to voters in the deep blue commonwealth that their campaigns are most likely to deliver on far-left agenda items.
Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., faced pressing questions over hot-button issues, including transgender athletes participating in women's sports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, term limits in Congress and socialism’s growing influence within the...
Continue reading...Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., faced pressing questions over hot-button issues, including transgender athletes participating in women's sports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, term limits in Congress and socialism’s growing influence within the...
Southern California hits ICE with 'dumbfounding' roadblock as top lawmaker rips 'reckless' hypocrisy
California’s second-largest county has barred federal immigration agents from using county shooting ranges and firearms training facilities, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from the top Republican in the state Legislature, who represents part of the county.
The move comes as Democrats criticize ICE over the training its agents receive, while dozens of members of Congress have questioned training standards following deadly agent-involved shootings. California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Poway, told Fox News Digital exclusively that the...
Continue reading...The move comes as Democrats criticize ICE over the training its agents receive, while dozens of members of Congress have questioned training standards following deadly agent-involved shootings. California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Poway, told Fox News Digital exclusively that the...
EXCLUSIVE: Angel dad finds ‘new purpose’ with ICE after daughter’s killing turned his world upside down
EXCLUSIVE: A grieving angel dad whose daughter was killed by an illegal alien told Fox News Digital how the tragedy reshaped his life — and what he hopes to accomplish leading ICE’s office for victims of illegal alien crime.
"I was living a comfortable, simple life, looking forward to, like, retiring and just watching my kids, and my whole world is upside down," Joe Abraham said on Friday, his first day leading ICE's Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. "My life as I know it is not there anymore."
In January 2025, Abraham's...
Continue reading..."I was living a comfortable, simple life, looking forward to, like, retiring and just watching my kids, and my whole world is upside down," Joe Abraham said on Friday, his first day leading ICE's Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. "My life as I know it is not there anymore."
In January 2025, Abraham's...
Schumer ducks question on campaigning with socialist candidate who refuses to back him as leader
The Senate’s top Democrat hasn’t said whether he’ll stump on the campaign trail for Abdul El-Sayed, but argues that he brings fresh juice to the Democratic Party in its quest to flip the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is confident that Democrats can retake the Senate from Republican control, but the path to do so runs right through the Wolverine State, where El-Sayed bluntly said he wouldn’t back the top Democrat to lead the caucus if he’s elected.
But whether Schumer makes an appearance in Michigan between now and November...
Continue reading...Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is confident that Democrats can retake the Senate from Republican control, but the path to do so runs right through the Wolverine State, where El-Sayed bluntly said he wouldn’t back the top Democrat to lead the caucus if he’s elected.
But whether Schumer makes an appearance in Michigan between now and November...
Russian double-tap drone strike kills 15 in Ukrainian mall, officials say
Another 130 people, including 23 children, were injured when the shopping centre was hit, according to the regional head.
Continue reading...Two injured in stabbing attack at Canada Sikh temple
One suspect is in custody, but police have not disclosed a possible motive.
Continue reading...Tupac murder accused told police in 2008 his nephew fired fatal shots
A recording of the interview Duane Davis conducted with detectives was played to the jury.
Continue reading...Germany investigates Russia links to weapons cache discovered in woods, reports say
German intelligence believes guns found last year were for carrying out assassinations on behalf of Moscow, reports say.
Continue reading...Meghan in talks for role in Netflix series The Gentlemen, BBC understands
This would be Meghan's first significant acting role since her marriage to Prince Harry.
Continue reading...Rosenberg: Shortage of petrol but not patriotism as Russians feel growing impact of war
Drivers are waiting hours in fuel queues, as Moscow prepares to celebrate Russian Flag Day.
Continue reading...Supreme Court temporarily allows work on White House ballroom to continue
Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily allowed construction of the White House ballroom to continue, freezing for now a lower court decision that would have halted work on the project.
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay that will remain in place until the Supreme Court takes further action. His order is temporary and gives the high court additional time to consider the Justice Department's request to pause a district court's injunction, which was set to take effect at midnight unless the Supreme Court acted.
The Trump...
Continue reading...Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay that will remain in place until the Supreme Court takes further action. His order is temporary and gives the high court additional time to consider the Justice Department's request to pause a district court's injunction, which was set to take effect at midnight unless the Supreme Court acted.
The Trump...
Pentagon moves to fire publisher and editor of Stars and Stripes
Washington — The Pentagon has given separation notices to both the publisher and the editor in chief of Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military news outlet partly funded by American taxpayers, according to people familiar with the matter.
The notices, delivered Friday, gave Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin five days to appeal their dismissals.
The cause cited was insubordination, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The person did not elaborate on the details of the alleged insubordination.
A Defense Department...
Continue reading...The notices, delivered Friday, gave Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin five days to appeal their dismissals.
The cause cited was insubordination, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The person did not elaborate on the details of the alleged insubordination.
A Defense Department...
Trump to transform spaceflight from spectacle to status quo targeting 3 launches per day
The Trump administration’s new space policy aims to ramp up U.S. space traffic to nearly three launches or reentries a day by 2030.
The effort would put the U.S. on a much faster pace for deploying satellites that support GPS, weather forecasts, internet access and military communications as Washington races to stay ahead of China in space.
A White House policy released Thursday directs federal agencies to expand U.S. launch and reentry infrastructure to support more than 1,000 rocket launches and spacecraft returns each year by 2030. The plan...
Continue reading...The effort would put the U.S. on a much faster pace for deploying satellites that support GPS, weather forecasts, internet access and military communications as Washington races to stay ahead of China in space.
A White House policy released Thursday directs federal agencies to expand U.S. launch and reentry infrastructure to support more than 1,000 rocket launches and spacecraft returns each year by 2030. The plan...
UK, Canada and Australia condemn Israel for refusing criminal probe into aid worker killings in Gaza
Seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed in the Israeli strike on their convoy in 2024.
Continue reading...Germany investigates Russia links to weapons cache discovered in woods, reports say
German intelligence believes guns found last year were for carrying out assassinations on behalf of Moscow, reports say.
Continue reading...Peru earthquake damages buildings and causes power cuts
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Ayacucho region on Thursday, the US Geological Survey says.
Continue reading...IndyCar is holding its first race in D.C. this weekend. Here's what to know.
Washington — Twenty-five cars traveling at top speeds approaching 180 mph will zoom around the National Mall this weekend when the racing series IndyCar takes over downtown D.C. for a race commemorating the nation's 250th birthday.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years.
The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands...
Continue reading...The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is expected to attract about 140,000 people on each day of the weekend. The event is the first major auto race in the capital in more than 24 years.
The area around the track has been transformed over the past several weeks to make way for the construction of grandstands...
Trump to honor Artemis II crew with nation's top space medal
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission, CBS News has learned.
A White House official confirmed the award will be presented Friday, Aug. 28, at Joint Reserve Base Ellington in Houston.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, became the first humans to travel around the moon in more than a half-century during a 10-day mission. They splashed down safely to end the record-breaking flight on April 10...
Continue reading...A White House official confirmed the award will be presented Friday, Aug. 28, at Joint Reserve Base Ellington in Houston.
NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, became the first humans to travel around the moon in more than a half-century during a 10-day mission. They splashed down safely to end the record-breaking flight on April 10...