Tag Archives: Donald Trump

Trump Nominates Michael Selig as New CFTC Chair

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U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen Michael Selig as the chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to Bloomberg reports on Friday. This nomination replaces his previous nominee, Brian Quintez, following pressure from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, founders of Gemini.

### Selig as the New CFTC Chair

Michael Selig currently serves as chief counsel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force and Senior Advisor to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. Before joining the SEC, Selig was a partner at the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where he specialized in asset management and digital assets regulation.

Selig’s extensive background positions him well to promote greater coordination between the SEC and CFTC, two key agencies overseeing financial markets. This nomination is closely tied to the implementation and impact of the CLARITY and GENIUS Act, which are expected to shape crypto regulation.

With Selig at the helm of the CFTC, he will have direct influence on how major cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets are regulated in practice. He is expected to leverage his cross-agency experience to harmonize regulatory frameworks related to spot crypto trading, tokenized collateral, and investor protections. These efforts are likely to advance institutional confidence in regulated digital assets.

### Industry Reaction

Earlier this month, when Selig emerged as the leading candidate for CFTC Chair, Jake Chervinsky, chief legal officer at the Variant Fund, described the development as a pivotal moment for U.S. crypto policy. He said:

> “There’s nothing more important for crypto policy than the White House nominating a new CFTC chair, and nobody better than Mike Selig for the job. I’ve had the honor of knowing Mike for years, and he’s the real deal: a brilliant lawyer and proven leader perfect for this role.”

Chervinsky also praised Selig as a trustworthy and skilled lawyer with proven leadership experience, qualities that could help stabilize and advance crypto oversight in a positive and more predictable manner.

### What’s Next? Senate Vote

Following President Trump’s nomination, Selig must be approved by the U.S. Senate before officially taking office. The confirmation process involves a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, which typically handles CFTC nominations.

During the hearing, Selig will likely face questions regarding his qualifications and his stance on current U.S. regulations. If he receives Senate approval, Selig can officially begin his term as Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
https://coinpedia.org/news/trump-nominates-michael-selig-as-new-cftc-chair/

Is Trump’s pardon of Binance boss Changpeng Zhao a conflict of interest?

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**Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Amid Controversy**

US President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, creator of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Zhao had been imprisoned last year for failing to prevent criminals from using his platform to launder money linked to child sex abuse, “terrorism,” and drug trafficking.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that Trump had “exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.”

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### Background on Zhao’s Conviction

Zhao was released from prison in September 2024 after serving a four-month sentence for violating the US Bank Secrecy Act, the first person ever imprisoned under this law, which was enacted in 1970. The act mandates that financial institutions know their customers, monitor transactions, and file reports of suspicious activity.

Prosecutors stated Zhao repeatedly ignored these regulations between 2017 and 2024. The judge for the Western District of Washington expressed concern over Zhao’s disregard for US banking rules, noting his “better to ask for forgiveness than permission” approach.

During this period, Binance reportedly facilitated over 1.5 million virtual currency trades totaling approximately $900 million that violated US laws and sanctions, including those related to al-Qaeda and Iran. Drug trafficking networks and organizations linked to child sexual exploitation allegedly used Binance to move illicit funds anonymously. Binance’s weak customer verification and tolerance of high-risk transactions made it a hub for illegal activities, prosecutors claimed.

In November 2023, Zhao pleaded guilty to one count of failing to monitor money laundering at his company and was barred from operating within the US. Binance agreed to pay $4.3 billion to settle other Department of Justice allegations.

At sentencing, Zhao expressed remorse, stating: “I failed here. I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.”

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### Zhao’s Background and the Impact of the Pardon

Zhao grew up in rural China and emigrated with his family to Canada after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Fascinated by technology, he studied computer science at McGill University before cofounding Binance in 2017.

The pardon lifts restrictions preventing Zhao from running US ventures again and could pave the way for his return to Binance, which remains operational since his arrest. Zhao is notably known as the former rival of Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of FTX, who was convicted of stealing $10 billion in customer funds.

—

### Why Did Trump Pardon Zhao?

At a White House briefing, Trump defended his decision, stating, “A lot of people say that he wasn’t guilty of anything. He served four months in jail, and they say that he was not guilty of anything.” Trump added, “I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people… I’ve been told that what he did is not even a crime.”

Press secretary Leavitt said the White House counsel thoroughly reviewed the pardon request. She criticized the Biden administration for “an egregious over-sentencing” and being “very hostile to the cryptocurrency industry.” According to Leavitt, Trump “wants to correct this overreach.”

—

### Trump’s Approach to Cryptocurrency Industry

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised a friendlier stance toward the crypto industry compared to his predecessor. He received substantial campaign donations from crypto players.

Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has loosened regulations, pursued the establishment of a national cryptocurrency reserve, and disbanded the government’s crypto-enforcement team.

Zhao’s pardon follows similar clemency moves, including the halting of a fraud case against cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun and pardons for BitMEX cofounders convicted of violating the US Bank Secrecy Act.

However, some voices have raised concerns. Joe Lonsdale, cofounder of data software company Palantir, tweeted that Trump had been “terribly advised” on recent pardons, suggesting they “make it look like massive fraud is happening around him.” Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the pardon as “a kind of corruption.”

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### Allegations of Conflict of Interest

Critics argue there is a conflict of interest in Trump’s pardon of Zhao. Robert Reich, economist and former Labor Secretary, called it part of a “Pay-to-Pardon Scheme,” highlighting Zhao’s ties to boosting the Trump family’s crypto business.

Trump and his family own World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm closely linked to Binance. In March 2025, World Liberty launched “USD1,” a dollar-pegged stablecoin backed by US treasuries and issued on Binance’s blockchain.

Binance promoted USD1 to its 275 million users. The stablecoin was supported by the UAE’s MGX Fund Management, which used $2 billion worth of USD1 tokens to acquire a stake in Binance. According to the New York Times, this deal could generate tens of millions for the Trump family.

The White House maintains that Trump has no conflicts of interest with Binance, as his crypto assets are held in a trust without his oversight. However, as of September, Trump reportedly holds nearly 15.75 billion tokens in World Liberty Financial, valued at over $3.4 billion, making crypto his most significant source of wealth, alongside real estate.

—

### Market Reaction

Following Trump’s announcement of the pardon, Binance’s associated token BNB surged by 8 percent, reflecting investor optimism.

—

**Related Stories:**

– Trump pardons Binance cryptocurrency founder Changpeng Zhao
– Trump says newly signed crypto law will establish ‘American dominance’
– US House sends crypto ‘GENIUS Act’ to Trump, in win for industry advocates
– What is the US’s Crypto Week? Why has Bitcoin hit a record high?

—

*This article will be updated as more information becomes available.*
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/24/is-trumps-pardon-of-binance-boss-changpeng-zhao-a-conflict-of-interest?traffic_source=rss

Trump’s CZ pardon draws fury from Maxine Waters over ‘pay-to-play’ crypto ties

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United States Representative Maxine Waters has strongly criticized former US President Donald Trump for his decision to pardon Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao.

Trump pardoned Zhao on Thursday, stating that people told him “what he did is not even a crime.” Waters, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, responded later that day with a sharp rebuke. In a statement, she claimed, “Trump is doing massive favors for crypto criminals who have helped line his pockets.”

Waters continued, “Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao—who pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and facilitating suspicious transactions with child abusers, drug dealers, and terrorists—is an appalling but unsurprising reflection of his presidency.”

According to Trump, his decision to pardon Zhao followed advice from “a lot of people” who told him CZ was not guilty. “It wasn’t a crime; he was persecuted by the Biden Administration,” Trump asserted.

### Waters Disagrees

Maxine Waters further accused CZ of lobbying Trump and his family for months while funneling billions into Trump’s personal crypto company, World Liberty Financial. She insisted that the pardon was a direct result of these efforts and called it “a blatant example of the kind of pay-to-play corruption that Trump and his Administration continue to engage in.”

These statements come amid recent reports highlighting an extraordinary rise in Trump’s personal wealth during what would have been his second term in office. This wealth increase has been driven, in part, by a sprawling cryptocurrency empire linked to the president and his family.

### Trump Family’s Crypto Ventures

The Trump family’s crypto ventures are reported to have generated more than $1 billion in pre-tax profit over the past year. The family does not shy away from this fact; Trump’s son, Eric Trump, even claimed that their actual profits were “probably more.”

### World Liberty Financial’s Success

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), named by Waters, is at the center of this new wealth. The decentralized finance (DeFi) company was founded by Trump’s sons and close associates. It has sold billions of dollars in tokens and stablecoins, bolstering the family’s crypto fortune.

Back in June, Trump disclosed $57.4 million in income derived from his involvement with World Liberty Financial. In the following month, the family’s stake in WLFI surged to $5 billion after a token unlock. More recent estimates suggest that the family’s earnings from WLFI this year alone have reached approximately $550 million.

—

*Related: Polymarket bets that Sam Bankman-Fried gets pardon surge to 12%*
*Related: Crypto execs fork over cash at Trump’s ballroom fundraiser*
https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-accused-of-rewarding-crypto-criminals-after-pardoning-binance-s-cz?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

What Is Controversial Author Michael Wolff’s Net Worth?

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Who Is Michael Wolff?

Michael Wolff is a journalist and author known for his in-depth coverage of American politics. He has written for prominent publications including Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, British GQ, USA Today, and The Guardian. Wolff gained widespread recognition for his 2018 book Fire and Fury, which offers a riveting and explosive account of the inner workings of Donald Trump’s White House.

Fire and Fury quickly became a #1 New York Times bestseller and broke sales records for its publisher, Henry Holt, selling over 1.7 million copies in just three weeks, including more than a million hardcover copies in the United States alone. The book’s success placed Wolff among the world’s highest-earning authors in 2018.

Michael Wolff’s Net Worth

Estimates of Michael Wolff’s net worth vary, but according to The Economic Times, it likely falls between $13 million and $20 million. The phenomenal sales of Fire and Fury contributed significantly to his earnings. Forbes reported that the book generated approximately $13 billion in revenue between June 2017 and June 2018 before taxes and fees.

Additionally, Endeavor Content is developing a series based on Fire and Fury, which is expected to further boost Wolff’s profile and income. Reflecting on his unexpected rise to literary fame, Wolff once remarked, “Once a day, I cast my eyes heavenward and say, ‘Thank you for Donald Trump.’”

Lawsuit Against Melania Trump

In October 2025, Michael Wolff filed a lawsuit against Melania Trump after she threatened him with legal action over statements he made regarding her alleged relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Melania’s legal team demanded over $1 billion in damages and required Wolff to apologize and retract statements connecting her to Epstein. According to The Independent, her lawyers described Wolff’s comments as “defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory.” He was given until October 21, 2025, to comply but instead chose to respond with a countersuit.

Details of the Legal Dispute

Wolff’s attorneys argued that Melania’s threats were “designed to create a climate of fear” that stifles free speech. The lawsuit accuses Mrs. Trump, her husband Donald Trump, and their supporters of using costly SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) tactics to silence critics, intimidate opponents, and extract unjustified payments or forced apologies.

Wolff stated that the comments Melania objected to were taken out of context, particularly those he made in an interview with The Daily Beast. Furthermore, he defended his right to question Melania’s alleged connection to Epstein’s inner circle, where she purportedly met Donald Trump. Wolff also made claims about Trump’s personal behavior involving relationships with his friends’ wives, asserting these were fair subjects for inquiry.

The ongoing legal battle highlights the contentious nature of Wolff’s commentary on the Trump family and the broader issues of free speech versus defamation in the public arena.

https://marketrealist.com/net-worth/michael-wolff-net-worth/

President Trump Hosts a Rose Garden Lunch with Senate Republicans – 12:00pm ET Livestream

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Today, President Donald Trump will host a Rose Garden Club lunch with Senate Republicans at the White House in Washington, D.C.

The event is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM ET.

Livestream links are provided below for those who wish to watch the event live.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/10/21/president-trump-hosts-a-rose-garden-lunch-with-senate-republicans-1200pm-et-livestream/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=president-trump-hosts-a-rose-garden-lunch-with-senate-republicans-1200pm-et-livestream

Baptist Zionist group says ‘no need for another Palestinian state’, calls for Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria

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**Baptist Zionist Public Affairs Committee Criticizes Trump’s Gaza Peace Agreement**

The Baptist Zionist Public Affairs Committee (BZPAC) has voiced strong criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace agreement, warning that it “risks repeating the failures of the past.” The statement, issued earlier this month via social media, reflects the organization’s concerns about the proposed framework.

“BZPAC honors the sincere intentions behind efforts to secure Israel and stabilize the Middle East,” the statement reads. “We commend contributions that have strengthened Israel’s sovereignty. Yet we must speak plainly: the U.S. 21-point peace framework risks repeating the failures of the past and undermines God’s covenant with His people.”

Claiming to represent over 20,000 Baptist churches and approximately 15 million supporters across the United States, BZPAC’s executive director, Dr. Doug Thompson, personally presented a copy of the statement to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council.

**Call for Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria**

In the statement, BZPAC called for the application of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. This is a direct response to President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would not support a unilateral declaration of Israeli sovereignty in those disputed territories.

Under a section titled, “Why a Two-State ‘Solution’ is No Solution,” BZPAC argues that a two-state solution is unnecessary. The organization points out that Jordan is already majority Palestinian, citing the CIA World Factbook’s 2022 estimate that Palestinians comprise 55-60% of Jordan’s population.

“Jordan has both the land and the capacity to absorb the Palestinian population of Judea and Samaria,” the statement insists. “The internal concerns of its monarchy cannot dictate Israel’s survival.”

BZPAC further claims that the two-state solution plan is essentially a “one-state” plan intended to establish a ‘State of Palestine’ designed to erase Israel.

**Mobilizing Support Against Two-State Solution**

To demonstrate opposition to any U.S. efforts to impose a two-state solution on Israel, BZPAC has encouraged its members and followers to print, sign, and send the statement directly to the White House. The organization aims to ensure President Trump is aware of their stance.

**Response from Israeli Leadership**

Yossi Dagan expressed gratitude to Dr. Thompson and BZPAC for their continued support. “I thank our friend Dr. Doug Thompson and all the members of the BZPAC organization for their steadfast stand with the people of Israel and the justice of our path,” Dagan said.

He added, “Their unwavering support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem is an important and inspiring reinforcement.”

“At a time when political pressure on Israel is increasing, such courageous friendship is a source of encouragement and strength for the people of Israel and the settlers of Samaria. We will continue to work together for Israel’s security, the development of Samaria, and the strengthening of a united Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Together we will bring sovereignty to the land of the Bible,” he concluded.

**Context on Recent Developments**

Earlier this year, the Israeli Knesset passed a resolution expressing support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. However, this measure was largely symbolic and did not amount to an official declaration of sovereignty over the disputed territories.

President Trump’s Gaza peace agreement outlines steps aimed at moving towards a two-state solution but leaves the specifics of a Palestinian state to future negotiations between Israel and Palestinian leaders. The details of the peace framework remain subject to ongoing diplomatic discussions.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/baptist-zionist-group-says-no-need-for-another-palestinian-state.html

Mark Ruffalo, Jimmy Kimmel, Robert De Niro, entre las celebridades que respaldaron las protestas ‘No Kings’

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Decenas de celebridades expresaron su apoyo a las millones de personas que salieron a las calles para protestar contra el presidente Donald Trump y su administración. Las manifestaciones se llevaron a cabo en más de 2,000 ciudades de diferentes estados del país, en contra de las agresivas redadas de ICE, los recortes en programas federales y otras decisiones del gobierno de Trump.

Varias figuras famosas y artistas se pronunciaron en redes sociales para respaldar la protesta ‘No Kings’, la segunda ronda de manifestaciones desde junio. Mark Ruffalo, conocido por su total oposición a Trump, expresó su apoyo a los manifestantes a través de la red social Threads:
“Increíble. Mucha gente ama a Estados Unidos y quiere a los NOKINGS”, escribió.

El presentador Jimmy Kimmel publicó en Instagram una serie de apodos que los manifestantes pueden usar para referirse al mandatario. En la imagen se pueden leer los siguientes apodos: “Comandante en Ladrón”, “Greedy McGolfy”, “Mar-a-Lardo”, “Julio César Naranja” y “Tío Estafa”.

El galardonado actor Robert De Niro respaldó las protestas con un mensaje en la cuenta de TikTok del grupo activista político Indivisible:
“Los estadounidenses decidieron que no querían vivir bajo el reinado del rey Jorge III. Declararon su independencia y libraron una sangrienta guerra por la democracia. Hemos tenido dos siglos y medio de democracia desde entonces. A menudo desafiante, a veces confusa, siempre esencial”.

John Cusack participó en una manifestación en Chicago y compartió su sentir durante una entrevista en News 4 San Antonio:
“Todo esto es desgarrador. Ver una especie de disfraz fascista y autoritario con el que la derecha ha estado jugando durante tanto tiempo, y verlo degenerar en algo real, es predecible, pero profundamente triste”, dijo.

Por su parte, la nominada al Oscar Glen Close se pronunció en Instagram con el siguiente mensaje:
“¡Sin oligarcas. Sin dictadores. Sin déspotas. Sin autócratas. Sin reyes!”

Otros artistas que también expresaron su opinión al respecto fueron Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ice T, Ben Stiller, Kathy Griffin, entre otros.

Sigue leyendo para más información.
https://eldiariony.com/2025/10/19/mark-ruffalo-jimmy-kimmel-robert-de-niro-entre-las-celebridades-que-respaldaron-las-protestas-no-kings/

Trump suggests US will buy Argentinian beef to bring down prices for American consumers

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**President Trump Considers Importing Argentinian Beef to Lower U.S. Prices**

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States could purchase beef from Argentina as a strategy to reduce beef prices for American consumers.

“We would buy some beef from Argentina,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One during a flight from Florida to Washington. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

Trump made this statement amid efforts to tackle inflation, promising earlier in the week that he would address the issue of high beef prices. U.S. beef costs have remained stubbornly high due to several factors, including drought conditions and a reduction in imports from Mexico. The decline in Mexican beef imports is partly attributable to a flesh-eating pest affecting cattle herds there.

In addition to these measures, President Trump has been working to support Argentina’s struggling currency. This includes facilitating a $20 billion credit swap line and securing additional financing from sovereign funds and the private sector. These efforts come ahead of midterm elections for his close ally, Argentine President Javier Milei.
https://whdh.com/news/trump-suggests-us-will-buy-argentinian-beef-to-bring-down-prices-for-american-consumers/

Former Rep. George Santos released from prison after Trump commutes his sentence

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(CNN) Disgraced former Rep. George Santos, who had been serving a seven-year term for fraud charges that led to his ouster from Congress, was released from prison on Friday night after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence, his lawyer told CNN.

Trump first announced the commutation on Truth Social on Friday evening. According to attorney Joseph Murray, Santos’ family picked him up from the prison about five hours later.

“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life,” Trump added.

Trump’s commutation comes just months after Santos, 37, surrendered on July 25 to serve 87 months in prison. Before he surrendered, Santos told Saudi outlet Al Arabiya English that he asked Trump for a pardon but believed he “got stonewalled.”

“I don’t think it made it to the president,” Santos said of his pardon request at the time. “Unfortunately, gatekeepers have blockaded for it to ever get to the president.”

But even from behind bars, Santos continued to make his case. According to his verified X page, he wrote an open letter to Trump earlier this week, pleading for “fairness” while also saying he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.

“Mr. President, I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for fairness for the chance to rebuild. I know I have made mistakes in my past. I have faced my share of consequences, and I take full responsibility for my actions. But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires,” Santos wrote in the letter published in The South Shore Press.

The law firm that represented Santos celebrated the president’s move, telling CNN, “We applaud the President for correcting this injustice.”

Murray posted on X a message on behalf of Santos thanking GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — who he said “fought like a lion” for him — as well as Lauren Boebert, Anna Paulina Luna, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz, whom he described as “in regular contact.”

Santos also expressed gratitude to “the greatest DOJ team ever assembled,” specifically naming Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Associated Deputy AG Diego Pestana, and US Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, among others.

Martin wrote on X he was “honored” to have played “a small role” in Trump granting “clemency” to Santos, and thanked the president for “making clemency great again.”

Meanwhile, the commutation drew mixed reactions from lawmakers. Taylor Greene, who wrote a letter to Trump in August asking him to commute Santos’ sentence, also thanked the president in a post on X, adding that Santos “was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, however, slammed Trump for focusing on Santos instead of Americans’ health care — an issue at the center of the ongoing government shutdown.

“Donald Trump has time to free serial fraudster George Santos from prison. But he can’t be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans,” Jeffries said in a post on X.

In August 2024, the former congressman pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges stemming from activity during his 2022 midterm campaign.

“I deeply regret my conduct,” Santos said in court at that time. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023, before completing a full term in the US House, becoming only the sixth lawmaker ever to be expelled from the chamber.

During his short time in Congress, reports emerged of Santos having fabricated parts of his biography, including his employment history and education. He eventually admitted to doing that.

Santos represented parts of Long Island and Queens and attempted to run in another New York district before pleading guilty.

Santos had been serving out his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, southern New Jersey, per the federal Bureau of Prisons.

The-CNN-Wire™ ©

https://wsvn.com/news/politics/former-rep-george-santos-released-from-prison-after-trump-commutes-his-sentence/

No Kings protests against Trump administration planned across Bay Area, nationwide today

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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Millions of Americans in the Bay Area and across the country are planning to hold another No Kings Day protest on Saturday.

### No Kings Day Protests Across the Bay Area

These demonstrations come amid growing concerns over President Donald Trump potentially deploying the National Guard to San Francisco and other cities. California previously sued the Trump Administration over its deployment of the Guard to Los Angeles during ICE protests in June.

At an unrelated press conference on Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters he believes the president is illegally trying to use federal troops as his personal police force. Newsom stated:

> “His latest assertion that he was going to come to San Francisco. On what basis? He didn’t even claim, there’s no pretext anymore. Let’s disabuse ourselves that there has to be a pretext with Donald Trump, that there’s anything that would justify that — there’s no existing protest in a federal building, there’s no operation that’s being impeded. I guess it’s just a training ground for the president of the United States. It is grossly illegal. It’s immoral. It’s rather delusional.”

There are three different “No Kings” gatherings planned in San Francisco this Saturday, along with dozens more across the Bay Area. These protests have seen massive turnouts in the past summer events.

### Reactions and Perspectives

Republican leaders have criticized the No Kings demonstrations as anti-American. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it the “hate America rally.” However, organizers expect thousands of participants at the downtown San Francisco event alone and emphasize that their goal is to peacefully push back against the White House.

Dianne McClure, Vice President of National Nurses United, expressed:

> “We do not believe in one person or one group of people, such as billionaires, controlling our country. That’s not what our nation was built upon. To threaten sending in the National Guard or anything of that matter just means that we’re effective in our organizing for our event.”

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) said the city has a long tradition of First Amendment expression, which officers will facilitate, while also preparing resources to ensure public safety if any issues arise.

### National Guard Deployment and Protests Elsewhere

Though President Trump’s calls for sending the National Guard to San Francisco do not appear directly related to the No Kings protests, it is important to note that there will be National Guard troops deployed at protests in other states. For example, Texas governor is sending Guard members to Austin on Saturday.

For a complete list of planned No Kings protests across the Bay Area and the country, visit the No Kings website [here](#).

—

### Saturday Street Closures in San Francisco

The following street closures will be in effect to accommodate the protests:

**From 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.:**

– Market Street from Beale to Steuart
– Steuart Street from Market to Howard
– Spear Street from Market to Folsom
– Main Street from Market to Howard

_All intersections with Mission Street will remain open._

**From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.:**

– Market Street from Eighth to Steuart
– Hyde Street from McAllister to Market
– Grove Street from Market to Van Ness

Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and monitor local traffic updates.
https://abc7news.com/post/no-kings-protests-san-francisco-bay-area-nationwide-amid-concerns-trump-will-send-national-guard-sf/18032761/