Developing
DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Let It Segregate 20,000 California Ballots
The department filed its request Monday after a judge and a divided appeals panel refused, NPR and Fox News reported; Election Day is Tuesday.
California
The newest stories in The Monochrome Chronicles that mention California, newest first.
Midterms
Judge Bars DOJ From Threatening California Election Officials
A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary order late Friday, four days before Election Day, CBS News and NBC News reported.
California
California High-Speed Rail CEO Resigns, Finance Director Steps In
Ian Choudri left after an inspector general found improper consultant travel billing; the board named Joe Stephenshaw interim leader.
Midterms
Court Dismisses Justice Department Appeal to Set Aside 20,000 California Ballots
A divided panel said the government’s emergency was partly of its own making and sent the fight back to a trial judge, a week before the midterms.
Midterms
Appeals Judges Sound Doubtful in Rare Sunday Hearing on California Mail Ballots
The Justice Department wants about 20,000 voters’ ballots set aside until their citizenship is checked. Two of three judges questioned whether a federal court can order that so close to Election Day.
Midterms
Justice Department Charges 28 California Green Card Holders in Voting Sweep
Federal officials call the case proof that noncitizen voting is a threat. California election officials say the administration is leaning on unverified claims as it tries to hold back thousands of mail ballots two weeks before Election Day.
Midterms
Justice Department Sues California to Set Aside Ballots of Suspected Noncitizens
The suit follows a 48-hour demand that state and Los Angeles County officials review a list delivered on a password-protected thumb drive. Election officials call the demand legally baseless and say the drive is not a secure way to handle voter data.
Interview
Trump Ends NBC Interview as Welker Presses Him on Election Claims and Fund
In a taped “Meet the Press” conversation, the president defended the war and the scrapped $1.8 billion fund and repeated unsupported claims about California’s vote count.
Congress
Rep. Kevin Kiley Leaves Republican Party and Becomes an Independent
The California congressman will keep caucusing with Republicans for the rest of this term, narrowing the House GOP’s cushion.
Health Policy
FDA Vaccine Chief Vinay Prasad to Leave Agency at End of April
Commissioner Marty Makary told staff that Prasad, who left once before in 2025, will return to the University of California, San Francisco.
Weather
California Christmas Storm Brings Rescues, Mudslides and a State of Emergency
Record rain fell on Southern California on Christmas Eve, forcing evacuations near fire-scarred hillsides, and forecasters warned more was coming.
Courts
Judge Orders Trump to Return California National Guard Troops to Newsom
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer granted an injunction against the Los Angeles deployment but put it on hold until Monday to allow an appeal.
Elections
Democrats Sweep Marquee Races in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and California
Voters in four states handed the party wins on the economy and opposition to President Trump; Republicans say the results reflect off-year dynamics.
