U.S. and world news for August 22

FBI raids John Bolton’s home and office

FBI agents this morning staged a raid on the home of John Bolton, a former Donald Trump supporter who has become a critic of Trump. Bolton served as White House National Security Advisor and was a prominent contributor to Fox News. CNN observed at least four to six agents were going inside Bolton’s house. Agents also were reported to be searching Bolton’s office. Bolton has become an outspoke critic of Trump and just last week sharply criticized Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that it was a victory for Putin. During his first term, Trump threatened to jail Bolton after he published a book in 2020 in which he claimed Trump was woefully under-informed on matters of foreign policy and obsessed with shaping his media legacy. The book also reported that Trump asked the leaders of Ukraine and China to help him win the 2020 election.

FBI declines to comment on search of Bolton’s premises

“NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission,” Trump-appointed FBI Director Patel wrote in an internet post today. It was inferred that Patel was commenting on the FBI search of John Bolton’s home and office, but he did not provide further information. The FBI did not provide any information on what evidence it might have to justify a search warrant for Bolton’s premises. Trump and his government have carried out a campaign of retribution in recent months against a wide swath of the president’s perceived political enemies, ranging from former Trump officials to members of Congress to the prosecutors who brought cases against Trump while he was out of office. One of those cases involved Trump taking boxes of government property at the end of his first term including classified documents that he kept at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. During his first term, Trump threatened to jail Bolton after he published a book in 2020 in which he claimed Trump was woefully under-informed on matters of foreign policy and obsessed with shaping his media legacy. Bolton’s book also reported that Trump asked the leaders of Ukraine and China to help him win the 2020 election.

Judge limits prisoners at Everglades detention center

A federal judge has ruled that no additional detainees should be housed at the remote migrant detention camp recently erected in the Florida Everglades. Judge Kathleen Williams issued the preliminary injunction after a federal lawsuit was filed by environmental groups and a Native American tribe who are concerned about the impact the facility will have on the environmentally sensitive area. Williams’ order also requires the removal of all lighting, fencing, “generators, gas, sewage, and other waste and waste receptacles that were installed to support this project,” within 60 days. Lawmakers who’ve toured the detention center said it’s filled with hundreds of migrants confined in cages. Detainees interviewed by CNN said that in addition to the loss of their freedom, they’re fed meager meals and are constantly dealing with sweltering heat, sewer backups and mosquitoes.

Trump threatens to send military into more cities

Donald Trump says he may soon send the military into other U.S. cities in addition to Washington, D.C. While making an appearance at a U.S. Park Police facility on Thursday, Trump announced plans to expand his law enforcement and National Guard crackdown to other jurisdictions. In an internet post early Friday, Trump claimed, “Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN! The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and Police are doing a fantastic job.” Despite his claims, economic activity is suffering in D.C. Fewer people are eating at area restaurants and foot traffic has plummeted more than 80% in retail-store categories compared with data from a year ago.

California Democrats take redistricting action

California Democrats passed a trio of redistricting bills on Thursday in response to Republicans in the Texas House approving new congressional maps that could eliminate five Democratic U.S. House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Taken together, the package of bills will ask California voters to replace the state’s current congressional maps with new ones aimed at netting Democrats five U.S. House seats. While the Texas maps will take effect once they’re signed into law, the proposed California maps could still be rejected in a November special election.

Trump shuts down specialized suicide hotline service

The Trump Administration has shut down the specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth at the National Suicide Hotline. Previously, people who called 988 could “press 3” to reach counselors specifically trained to respond to the needs of this community. CNN reports that several states are trying to help fill the gap. California is entering into a partnership with The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that focuses on suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ+ youth. Colorado is boosting outreach efforts to let the public know that its operators welcome calls from the LGBTQ+ population. Both Nevada and Illinois plan to provide extra training on how to work with LGBTQ+ callers. And North Carolina is investing in partnerships with community organizations to increase mental health support to marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ populations, through the state’s 988 call center and other programs.