Florida brings charges against a man jailed on federal counts of trying to assassinate Trump

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s attorney general says his office will bring terrorism and attempted murder counts against a man already jailed on federal charges of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump while he was golfing last fall. Attorney General James Uthmeier said Thursday that Ryan Routh tried to undermine the U.S. political system by allegedly plotting to kill Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in September. Prosecutors say Secret Service officers spotted Routh before Trump came into view and that Routh aimed his rifle at an agent, who opened fire. They say Routh then dropped his gun and fled the scene. Routh’s lead attorney didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the new charges.

Average US rate on a 30-year mortgage falls to 6.62%

(AP) — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. declined for the third week in a row, another positive move for prospective homebuyers during what’s traditionally the housing market’s busy season. The rate fell to 6.62% from 6.64% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.88%. When mortgage rates decline, they boost homebuyers’ purchasing power. After climbing to just above 7% in mid-January, the average rate has been mostly declining, echoing moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

US ambassador to Ukraine to step down as peace talks uncertain

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is stepping down from her post after nearly three years in Kyiv. The departure of Bridget Brinks comes at a time of uncertainty over the Trump administration’s attempts to broker a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The State Department said Thursday that Brink will be leaving her post, although it was not immediately clear exactly when she would depart. Brink assumed the post under former President Joe Biden’s administration and has been a staunch advocate for U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. Her resignation had been expected for some time, especially considering the Trump administration’s premium on rapprochement with Russia and ending the war.

Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship for voting passes US House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont’s Democratic secretary of state says Republican legislation passed by the U.S. House that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections is part of a strategy to make voting harder. The issue is among President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities. Republicans say the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act is necessary to ensure only U.S. citizens cast ballots. Democrats opposed to the bill warn it’ll risk disenfranchising millions of Americans. Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said Thursday she started trying to gather her documents that would be required under the bill about 10 days ago and still doesn’t have them together. The bill heads to the Senate.