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AXIOS (Nick Halter) - Melissa and Mark Hortman's killer gets consecutive life sentences

Vance Boelter, the man who dressed up like a police officer and killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark last summer , was given two life sentences followed by 40 years in prison by a federal judge Thursday. The big picture: The sentence puts Boelter behind bars without a possibility of parole and brings some resolution to a politically motivated crime that rocked Minnesota. Catch up quick: Boelter, 58, pleaded guilty in June as part of a deal with U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen to avoid the death penalty , Rosen said. - Boelter, who was targeting a long list of Democrats, apologized before the sentencing. - "To every person I have caused loss, pain, heartache, confusion, sadness, shame, or loneliness, I am…

How did 58-year-old Vance Boelter's legal plea affect his potential sentencing?
Boelter pleaded guilty in June as part of a deal with U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen to avoid the death penalty.
Q&A ID af3361be-c1a2-465b-9970-c3a125e01b3e
Which Minnesota lawmakers survived attacks by Vance Boelter?
State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette both survived the attack; Hoffman was shot nine times and Yvette was shot eight times.
Q&A ID fb5e8f25-20fd-4251-abef-40687e45ef6c
What were the motivations behind Vance Boelter's targeted attacks on Minnesota Democrats?
Prosecutors revealed that Boelter "closely followed" the balance of power in the Minnesota Legislature and that his intended murders were meant to shift the balance of power in both the House and the Senate, where Democrats held a one-seat Senate majority and a tie in the House.
Q&A ID 02768b8f-db18-4402-9d3c-12804c5a4fdb
Who were the victims killed by Vance Boelter, and what was his method of approach?
Vance Boelter killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Boelter had dressed up like a police officer when he committed the killings.
Q&A ID d32779b8-11b7-4e2f-9425-6b409af0cb4e
Keywordsvance-boeltermelissa-hortmanmark-hortmanminnesotaminneapoliscrimemurderhomicideassassinationpolitical-violencelife-sentencedeath-penaltycourtroomlegal-newsjustice-systemprosecutionlaw-and-orderguilty-pleasenator-john-hoffmandflpoliticsviolencebreaking-news

AXIOS (Avery Lotz) - DOJ drops New York Times subpoenas over Air Force 1 reports

The U.S. government will withdraw subpoenas of New York Times journalists over their reporting on President Trump's Qatari-gifted jet , the Department of Justice said in a Thursday court hearing. Why it matters: The Trump administration backed down in its battle with the media on the eve of the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, where the president is expected to speak. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian reportedly grilled the Trump administration in a Thursday hearing over the subpoenas, which the Times' counsel had blasted as harmful and chilling. - A DOJ spokesperson said Subramanian "threatened our attorneys with sanctions unless subpoenas were withdrawn, and blocked us from presenting…

What was the stance of the Department of Justice regarding the ongoing investigation into classified information leaks?
A DOJ spokesperson stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that the government intends to pursue justice against those who threaten national security by leaking classified information.
Q&A ID da1edfa7-79e7-42dc-ae2d-659d88a053b5
How were the subpoenas delivered to the New York Times reporters?
According to the New York Times, the subpoenas seeking grand jury testimony were delivered to the reporters' homes by agents.
Q&A ID fdd25654-134d-4734-bbb9-990dce8f3b90
On what grounds did the U.S. government argue that the subpoenas were necessary?
The government argued that the reporting presented a substantial national security concern because it indicated potential leaks of classified or national defense information, which is a serious federal crime.
Q&A ID e1bd1816-559f-4fda-8eb2-660d541b7ffe
What was the subject of the New York Times reporting that triggered the Department of Justice investigation?
The investigation concerned the New York Times' reporting on President Trump's Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 jet, specifically articles that compared the security measures on that aircraft to the old Air Force One by citing individuals briefed on the plane's retrofitting and the president's travel plans.
Q&A ID 79d05e3f-2a46-45c8-ba7e-35b1a8c3599f
Keywordsdonald-trumpdojnew-york-timessubpoenaair-force-oneboeing-747mediapress-freedomnational-securityclassified-informationleaksjournalismlawfarejustice-departmentcourt-hearingarun-subramanianwashington-dcpoliticsus-politicswhite-houseinvestigationgovernment-oversightlegalreporter-privilege

AXIOS (Hans Nichols) - Senate preparing to vote on Russia sanctions next week

Democrats are indicating to their Republican counterparts that they are prepared to vote as early as next week on a Russia sanctions package that includes an 11th-hour demand from President Trump that the bill also include Iran, according to people familiar with the matter. Why it matters: It would mark a rare bipartisan breakthrough on legislation to help end the war in Ukraine in a Senate that has spent much of the year engaged in partisan combat . - It also would show that Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) can work together weeks before Election Day — a dynamic that could prove critical as the Senate works to avoid a third government shutdown this year. Tuesday's Capitol memorial for Sen.…

How might the Senate schedule impact the consideration of the Russia sanctions bill?
Because Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the crypto bill, known as the CLARITY Act, will not be finished during this work period, the Senate may have more floor time to consider the sanctions legislation.
Q&A ID c9182428-0c87-4268-8d9b-97051824fcc4
What are the primary criticisms from Democrats regarding the current version of the bill?
Some Democrats, such as Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), oppose giving the President additional tools to impose tariffs, suggesting that Trump is attempting to expand his reach into tariff authority.
Q&A ID 468ab60f-1160-4e1f-9733-58b4a4e932c8
Which Senate leaders are negotiating the timeline for this legislation?
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are working together on the legislation, which could be critical in avoiding a third government shutdown this year.
Q&A ID 0a6f3006-faa9-424f-963b-e5112fb07564
Why did President Trump demand an expansion of the Russia sanctions legislation on July 19, 2026?
President Trump demanded via Truth Social that Republicans add Iran to the Russian Sanctions Bill, stating it was something Sen. Lindsey Graham wanted to do. Senators addressed this by including noncontroversial sanctions on Iran that were scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
Q&A ID 6c628902-2535-48b6-ad1c-a561a447eaea
Keywordssenaterussiasanctionsiranukrainewar-in-ukrainetrumpjohn-thunechuck-schumerlindsey-grahamjeanne-shaheenron-wydencongressforeign-policytariffsgeopoliticsbipartisansenate-foreign-relations-committeerussia-sanctions-billwashingtonpoliticsdiplomacynational-securityus-russia-relations