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1 House GOP Advances Trump Megabill After Dramatic Overnight Vote
House Republicans advanced their “big, beautiful bill” full of President Trump’s legislative priorities early Thursday morning, overcoming a key procedural hurdle after a dramatic vote that GOP leaders left open for hours to quell an internal revolt. The chamber voted 219-213 to adopt a rule governing debate on Trump’s domestic agenda, opening up discussion on the megabill and teeing up a final vote on the package. The vote was something of a gamble for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who has faced opposition to the legislation from various corners of his ideologically diverse conference. Heading into the rule vote, conservatives had warned that they would sink the procedural measure unless it was delayed beyond Wednesday. Johnson called their bluff, held the vote open for more than five hours, and then adopted the rule after winning enough support — an effort that got a big boost from Trump, who spoke with some of the holdouts during the long, midnight impasse.
2 Diddy Acquitted On Three Charges, Found Guilty On Two Others, Bail Denied
Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty on Wednesday of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but was cleared of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The music mogul showed strong emotions during the verdict, putting his hands to his face and praying when he heard the not guilty verdicts for the major charges. When he heard guilty on the prostitution charges, he was startled but then celebrated with his lawyers and family. Combs will stay in jail until his sentencing on October 3rd. He gets 10 months' credit for time already served. The prosecution wants him to serve about four to five years in prison. His lawyers asked for him to be released on a million-dollar bond, but the judge refused. Combs' lawyers argued the encounters were consensual and that prosecutors failed to prove their case. They said the government badly exaggerated a swinger lifestyle and combined it with drug use to create false criminal charges. Combs chose not to testify in his own defense. Each prostitution count carries up to 10 years in prison.
3 Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty To College Killings As Expected
Bryan Kohberger, the former criminology grad student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students in 2022, told an Ada County judge yesterday that he is “guilty” on all counts. The 30-year-old accepted a deal for four life sentences without parole, avoiding the death penalty. Prosecutors outlined how DNA on a knife sheath, phone data, and traffic-cam footage led them to Kohberger, who was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. Some victims’ families back the plea to end the case quickly, while others say it denies them a full trial. Sentencing is set for July 23rd, and most records will stay sealed until then.