Trump asks Supreme Court for emergency order to keep billions in foreign aid frozen

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court for an emergency order to keep billions of dollars in foreign aid frozen. The Republican administration filed its appeal Monday. The crux of the legal fight is over $4.9 billion in congressionally approved aid President Donald Trump last month said he would not spend, invoking disputed authority last used by a president roughly 50 years ago. Last week, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled the administration’s decision to withhold the funding was likely illegal. Trump’s administration calls the ruling “an unlawful injunction” and urges the justices to block it. Lawyers for the nonprofit organizations that sued the government say the funding freeze violates federal law.

Chief justice lets Trump remove member of Federal Trade Commission for now

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts has let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the latest in a string of high-profile firings allowed for now by the Supreme Court. Trump first moved to fire Rebecca Slaughter in the spring, but lower courts ordered her reinstated after she sued because the law allows commissioners to be removed only for problems like misconduct or neglect of duty. The Justice Department has argued the FTC and other executive branch agencies are under Trump’s control and the Republican president is free to remove commissioners without cause.

Democrats release suggestive letter to Epstein purportedly signed by Trump, which he denies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released on Monday a sexually suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein purportedly signed by President Donald Trump, which he has denied. Trump has said he did not write the letter or create the drawing of a curvaceous woman that surrounds the letter. He filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for a report on the alleged letter. The letter was included as part of a 2003 album compiled for alleged sex trafficker Epstein’s birthday. The president has denied having anything to do with it. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee received a copy of the birthday album on Monday as part of a batch of documents from Epstein’s estate. The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Hurricane Kiko is weakening and expected to bypass Hawaii, forecasters say

HONOLULU (AP) — Forecasters say the risk of direct impacts from Hurricane Kiko has decreased. Kiko showed signs Monday that it would pass to the north of the Hawaiian Islands. The system weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to lose more intensity throughout the day. The National Hurricane Center says maximum sustained winds are around 85 mph. The hurricane was centered roughly 410 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii. It was traveling west-northwest at 15 mph. Kiko could still send large swells to eastern-facing shores in the island chain. Forecasters warn of possible life-threatening surf and rip currents.