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Judge warns Donald Trump against threatening witnesses in 2020 election case David Jackson USA TODAY SKIP WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Friday warned Donald Trump not to make "inflammatory" threats against witnesses, part of a limited "protective order" that restricts the ex-president's public comments about the case that accuses him of trying to steal the 2020 presidential election. “I will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the case,” said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, citing concerns about harassment and intimidation of witnesses by Trump, who is running for president again in 2024.

The Trump-appointed US attorney who is investigating Hunter Biden has been given special counsel status after plea talks between the Justice Department and the president’s son fell apart. The prosecutor, David Weiss, asked Attorney General Merrick Garland for the new authority after plea talks to resolve tax and gun charges fell apart, with a trial now likely. Garland’s decision, which he announced Friday, gives Weiss more powers than a typical US attorney and puts the nation in uncharted territory, with three special counsels at the Justice Department currently investigating the sitting president, his son and the previous president. It’s the latest dramatic turn in the long-running criminal investigation of Hunter Biden that’s impacted President Joe Biden’s White House and has been a priority of congressional Republicans. The probe appeared to reach its conclusion when a plea deal was announced in June. In a two-pronged agreement, Hunter Biden planned to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and prosecutors would drop a separate felony gun charge in two years if he stayed out of legal trouble and passed drug tests. Federal prosecutors also agreed to recommend probation, and no jail time, for Hunter Biden. The GOP had criticized the plea deal, accusing Weiss of giving Hunter Biden preferential treatment.

Special Counsel requests January 2024 trial in Jan 6 case as Georgia prosecutor pushes back on Trump - latestThe Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Purdue Pharma from going forward with bankruptcy proceedings, which the Biden administration has called an “unprecedented” arrangement that would ultimately offer the Sackler family broad protection from opioid-related civil claims. In agreeing to pause the settlement, the court also said it would take up the case and hear arguments this December. The case arose after the reorganization in bankruptcy of OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma – stemming from litigation arising from claims over its role in fueling the opioid addiction crisis.

At least 36 people have died in the Lahaina fire in Hawaii, Maui County wrote in a statement posted to the county website Wednesday evening. Wildfires have destroyed or damaged more than 200 structures and forced thousands to evacuate. (Aug. 10)