The House of Representatives voted to hold billionaire investor Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Separately, Tucker Carlson accused former President Donald Trump of directly ordering a cover-up of Epstein-related documents, prompting Trump to say he cut ties with Carlson months ago.
Bo French, Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, faced widespread condemnation from prominent Texas Republicans after posting xenophobic remarks about Asian American students celebrating a University of Texas football victory, claiming they showed "how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners." French has doubled down on his comments despite the backlash.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur resigned after taking political responsibility for a €70 million procurement scandal involving faulty artillery ammunition intended for Ukraine. Pevkur stated he must accept responsibility for the entire defense sector despite not personally handling contract negotiations.
North Carolina Republican congressman Chuck Edwards abandoned his reelection bid days after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure, finding substantial evidence he fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) publicly stated that Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), his former son-in-law, is "a danger" and unfit to serve in Congress following allegations of domestic violence against Miller's ex-wife and daughter. Miller has denied the allegations and refuses to drop his reelection bid.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced he will resign his Clacton seat and stand in the subsequent by-election after facing a second parliamentary standards investigation over undeclared financial gifts and donations. Opposition parties have dismissed the move as a "vanity project" and indicated they may not contest the special election.
Growing number of Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are urging Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a Politico report of a sexual assault allegation from a woman he dated in 2021. Platner has denied the claim.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is under mounting pressure as protesters flood the streets demanding his resignation amid corruption accusations and opposition to a luxury resort development near a protected natural area linked to Jared Kushner. Rama has denied being Albania's 'Godfather' in response to the allegations.
