Doug Burgum

A D.C. Superior Court judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against former Olympian David Hearn, who had been charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the felony property destruction charge "with prejudice," blocking U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office from refiling the case even under continued political pressure from President Trump. Edelman wrote that the government "shot first and asked questions later" in pursuing a "lightning-fast indictment," and said any possibility of future prosecution was "theoretical at best."

Pirro had already moved to drop the charge in July after new evidence from the Interior Department indicated Hearn was not responsible for the pool's damaged lining, attributing it instead to a botched contractor installation rushed ahead of the America 250 celebration. Trump publicly criticized Pirro over the decision, saying she "folded like an umbrella," while Interior Secretary Doug Burgum continued to back claims of vandalism. Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympian, said he had merely touched a loose piece of the pool's coating during a bike ride before complying with a park worker's instruction to let go. His attorneys called the dismissal a vindication after what they described as an unjust prosecution.

Democratic attorneys general in California and New York filed separate lawsuits against the Trump administration over deals to buy back offshore wind leases, part of a broader push to curb wind energy development in favor of fossil fuels. California's suit, led by Attorney General Rob Bonta, challenges the cancellation of an Invenergy project off the state's coast. New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a seven-state coalition — including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont — against the same Invenergy deal and a separate agreement ending Bluepoint Wind's project off New York and New Jersey.

The disputed deals would pay energy companies roughly $1.4 billion in taxpayer funds to cancel projects, part of nearly $4 billion pledged nationwide since the Interior Department began buybacks in March after courts blocked Trump's earlier executive actions against offshore wind. In exchange, companies are redirecting investment toward fossil fuel and geothermal projects, which Interior Secretary Doug Burgum framed as a shift toward "dependable" energy. James called the arrangements illegal and warned they would raise electricity costs by limiting states' ability to expand power supply; Bonta echoed the concern at a Climate Week event, calling the legal fights "avoidable" distractions from climate action. The lawsuits add to a growing string of legal battles between Democratic-led states and the administration over energy and climate policy.

A Republican gathering in Dallas drew heavy television coverage, with Bloomberg's Texas Edition examining how the event played out on screen and what it signals for state and national politics. Coverage touched on prominent Republican figures including Doug Burgum, Ken Paxton, and Jim Jordan, alongside broader themes tying Texas's economy — energy, data centers, artificial intelligence, and finance — to the political moment.

The reporting also noted Texas Democrats such as James Talarico, Wendy Davis, and Beto O'Rourke, framing the convention within the state's competitive political landscape ahead of upcoming House and Senate races. For prediction markets, the coverage underscores continued attention on Texas as a battleground for control of Congress and on how Republican messaging around energy and technology could shape voter sentiment in a state central to national election forecasting.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he wants the inaugural IndyCar race in Washington, D.C. to become an annual event, though he tied the prospect to Republicans retaining control of the House after the midterm elections this fall. Speaking to Fox News, Johnson said he would push for the race's return if the GOP holds its majority. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum echoed strong local enthusiasm, saying district residents have urged organizers to bring the race back next year.

The two-day Freedom 250 Grand Prix, held near the National Mall as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations, drew an estimated 140,000 spectators, including President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who partnered with Trump to organize the race, said she is "very serious" about hosting future events and has floated plans for a second and third race, though nothing is confirmed. Bowser leaves office next year, adding uncertainty to long-term plans, but expressed Republican support makes continuation likely.