Trump accounts were closed in 2021 due to concerns over possible money laundering, Capital One says

NEW YORK – Capital One closed President Donald Trump’s accounts in mid-2021 after flagging financial activity that resembled money laundering. The bank disclosed this in a court filing over the weekend. Trump has sued Capital One, alleging the closures were politically motivated following the Jan. 6 Capitol attacks. Capital One seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, stating the closures followed months of analysis by its anti-money laundering team. Trump has also sued JPMorgan Chase, claiming similar political motivations. Both banks deny these claims, citing unusual practices as the reason for severing ties.

FBI investigates as Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on its water systems

Michigan has joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on water systems but an official said all were operating “safely.” Last week, authorities said cyberattacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. Minnesota IT Services said Thursday that the investigation into the attacks that happened on Sunday and Monday was continuing, and that state officials had not identified who was behind them. There were no reports that residents had been impacted by the attacks.

Trump says Pirro ‘folded like an umbrella’ in bid to drop Reflecting Pool vandalism charges

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” in moving to drop charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump ducked questions Monday about whether he’d fire Pirro but kept up his drumbeat of criticism toward her. The move to dismiss charges against David Hearn was an embarrassing setback for the Justice Department and marked a rare moment during Trump’s second term of an aide or political appointee openly defying him. Trump first posted about the development on social media over the weekend, saying, “I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro.”

Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general clears critical hurdle after deal with GOP holdouts

WASHINGTON – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has a cleared critical hurdle in his bid to be confirmed to the post after swaying Republican holdouts on a Senate committee to advance his nomination for a floor vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines Tuesday in support of the nomination of President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney. Blanche has aggressively pushed the Trump administration’s priorities since taking the reins from Pam Bondi in April. The full Senate could vote later this week on Blanche’s nomination. If all Democrats oppose him, Blanche can only afford to lose two Republican votes if Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was hospitalized after a fall, does not return before then.

– The Associated Press