Former FBI Director Indicted — Trump Suggests “There’ll Be Others”
Plus: Netanyahu Vows To “Finish The Job” Eliminating Hamas In Gaza Before The UN
Before we get to today’s headlines, here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead for all of us this weekend in our weekly ‘Cheers to the Freakin’ Weekend’ section:
What We’re Watching:
Mosh: Just in Time on Broadway 🕺🏻
Jill: Just watched Jeff Ross: Take A Banana For The Ride (check out our Mo News interview!) and watching Outlander: Blood Of My Blood ~Hulu
Lauren: Things Go DC Music Festival 🎶
Claire: Slow Horses Season 5 ~Apple TV+
Sam: Wicked on Broadway in lieu of Wicked: For Good trailer
What We’re Reading:
Mosh: Race Against Terror by Jake Tapper
Jill: Baby-Sitters Club series with her daughter
Sam: Best Woman by Rose Dommu 💍
Sari: The Misunderstood Genius of Taylor Swift by Stephanie Burt for the Wall Street Journal
What We’re Eating:
Mosh: Leftover birthday cake from Olivia’s birthday parties 🍰
Jill: Pies from Kerber’s Farm ~Long Island 🥧
Lauren: Pupusas at Fiesta DC, where the festival broke the Guinness World Record for largest pupusa last year.
Sam: Plant-based delicacies from Vegandale NYC ~Citi Field 🌱
Have a great weekend!
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🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Comey Indicted On Two Felony Counts — Trump Hints “There’ll Be Others”
Eight months into his second term, the first of President Trump’s political enemies — former FBI Director James Comey — was indicted late Thursday on two counts: making false statements to Congress and obstructing its investigation into the Russia probe.
It came days after President Trump publicly demanded prosecutions of his political rivals, calling them “guilty as hell.” On Friday, Trump said, “I think there’ll be others... I hope there are others.” Historically, there has been a clear line between the White House and the Justice Department and direct calls by a president to prosecute political opponents is unprecedented in modern US history.
WHAT’S NEXT
Comey responded Thursday, asserting that he is innocent and that his “heart is broken for the Department of Justice,” but he has “great confidence” in the federal judicial system. He is expected to be arraigned on Oct. 9 before U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff — a Biden appointee (more on him here) — where he is expected to enter a plea deal. Each felony charge carries up to five years in prison.
Trump posted “JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” on Truth Social, later calling Comey a “destroyer of lives” and “A DIRTY COP.”
Rewind: The charges stem from Comey’s Sept. 30, 2020 Senate testimony, when he told Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) he stood by earlier claims that he never authorized FBI leaks about investigations into then-President Donald Trump or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A 2018 DOJ inspector general report said Comey’s deputy, Andrew McCabe, claimed his boss authorized him to leak to the media. But the same report found McCabe also gave false or misleading statements. TRANSLATION: This appears to be an extremely challenging case to get a conviction on.
Prosecutors in Comey’s case now face the tougher challenge of convincing both a judge and a trial jury that he is guilty of the charges put forward. The case could also be tossed out before it even gets to trial. Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara put it bluntly on X: “These charges will likely end in spectacular failure for the government.”
BIGGER PICTURE
Top DOJ officials are now pushing to charge Trump’s former adviser-turned-critic John Bolton. They also ordered an investigation into billionaire Democratic donor George Soros’ Open Society Foundation for possible “material support of terrorism.”
Last week, Trump fired a U.S. attorney who had declined to bring charges against Comey and other political foes due to lackluster evidence. Trump replaced him with Lindsey Halligan, a White House adviser and former Trump defense attorney with no prior prosecutorial experience.
Asked if he worried that Democrats could do the same to him and his allies, Trump pointed to his own indictments during the previous administration. He blamed them: “They weaponized the Justice Department, like nobody in history... you can’t let this happen to a country.”
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🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING
Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Deal “Very Close” As Netanyahu Vows To “Finish The Job” Eliminating Hamas
President Trump believes a deal to end the war in Gaza is close. Outside of the White House Friday, he said the agreement would return hostages and “bring peace” after nearly two years of war. There are 48 hostages in Gaza, and about 20 are still believed to be alive.
His comments came as more than 100 diplomats walked out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN General Assembly Friday morning – including some from European countries. Netanyahu used his speech to blast Western allies for recognizing Palestinian statehood this week, calling it a reward for Hamas, and vowed to “finish the job” of eliminating Hamas in Gaza.
“The final elements, the final remnants of Hamas, are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7 again and again and again, no matter how diminished their forces,” Netanyahu said. “That is why Israel must finish the job. That is why we want to do so as fast as possible.”
ON GAZA
Trump’s announcement follows his 21-point plan to end the war, which he unveiled at the UN this week, outlining the hostages’ release, new Israel-Palestinian talks, and Hamas disarmament.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signaled support, saying the PA is ready to assume governance in Gaza under the plan. Israel has thus far rejected that idea.
At issue is that Hamas continues to fight and hold hostages in Gaza, and any long term solution depends on them agreeing to the deal and ultimately surrendering control. As of this week, Hamas has only agreed to a deal to return some of the hostages, and has refused to give up control of Gaza.
Netanyahu told hostages from the UN: “We have not forgotten you.”
MORE FROM ISRAEL
Netanyahu warned moves by France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and other Western allies recognizing Palestinian statehood sends a message that “murdering Jews pays off” and vowed Israel will not allow it.
He argued Palestinians “don’t want a state next to Israel — they want a state instead of Israel,” calling recognition after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas “sheer madness.”
Netanyahu cited that 90% of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank support Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people.
Israel’s military response has since killed more than 65,000 militants and civilians in Gaza and displaced 90% of the population, according to health officials in the Hamas-led government.
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Trump signs memorandum targeting ‘left-wing terrorism’ (USA TODAY)
Midtown Manhattan mass shooting gunman had low-stage CTE, medical examiner finds (CBS)
Trump slaps new US tariffs on drugs, trucks and furniture(YAHOO)
Travis Decker manhunt: Remains positively identified as dad accused of murdering 3 daughters (ABC)
Coast Guard seizes over $220 million worth of cocaine, releases image of alleged drug boat on fire (CBS)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Europe is at hybrid war after drones shut down Danish airspace earlier this week, Danish prime minister announces (POLITICO)
Moldova warns Russia unleashing huge interference campaign to sway crucial election (CNN)
IDF says it hit a Gaza City high-rise being used by Hamas after evacuation warning (TIMES OF ISRAEL)
Archaeologists find ancient harbor swallowed by the sea near Cleopatra’s temple (FOX)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Microsoft terminates services for Israeli military after investigation into mass surveillance of Palestinians (CNN)
Instagram’s ‘deliberate design choices’ make it unsafe for teens despite Meta promises, report says (AP)
Core inflation rate held at 2.9% in August, as expected, Fed’s gauge shows (CNBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Disney investors argue Kimmel’s suspension hurt profits, demand investigation (AXIOS) as Sinclair says it’s bringing back ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ tonight, ending late night show’s preemption (CBS)
‘The Social Network Part II’ gets new title and 2026 fall release (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Trump attends Ryder Cup to boost U.S. team on first day of matches with Europe (CBS)
Pokémon says it did not give permission for theme song and footage being used in ICE deportation video (BBC)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… Wild video out of Bangkok. A 98-square-foot sinkhole opened up in the Thai capital on Wednesday. No casualties were reported, but three cars fell into the rough 160-foot-deep hole and others were seen teetering on the edge.
The sinkhole was potentially caused by nearby construction at an underground train station, according to city officials. Crews were working to fix the hole ahead of heavy rainfall during Bangkok’s rainy season, which could cause further damage.