The business of Trump pardons and Ukraine claims massive drone strike in Russia: Weekend Rundown
Seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump has become big business for lobbying and consulting firms close to the administration, with wealthy hopefuls willing to spend millions.
Two people directly familiar with proposals to lobbying firms said they knew of a client’s offer of $5 million to help get a case in front of Trump. And while such high numbers do not seem to be standard, they speak to a burgeoning pardon economy.
Many clemency recipients have been people with the means to elevate their case — allies, donors, celebrities and former politicians.
In his second term, Trump is looking and sounding insulated even from the voters who put him back in the White House, and risks looking oblivious to people’s day-to-day concerns.
“He needs to talk to more regular people and listen to them,” said one Trump voter in Ohio. “He needs to be talking to people who aren’t just his inner circle.”
Ukraine claims massive drone strike
Ukraine claims to have struck dozens of Russian bombers deep inside Russian territory, in what would be one of the largest and most audacious attacks on Russian territory in the yearslong conflict.
A source within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told NBC News that the country targeted “41 strategic Russian aircraft” in an offensive operation code-named “Spiderweb.”
The remarkable attack was in the works for over a year and a half, the source said.
The attack followed a night of bombardment, with Russia launching 472 drones, Ukraine’s air force said. Earlier Sunday, Ukraine’s army said a Russian missile strike on an army training unit killed at least 12 Ukrainian service members and injured 60.
The latest escalation comes just a day before Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet for a second round of direct talks in Istanbul.
Veterans upset over VA handling of $1B in overpayments
In 2019, Christopher Praino signed a waiver relinquishing his disability compensation from the VA after he was ordered to active duty, because, by law, he could not receive both VA benefits and active-duty pay at the same time.
But despite confirming his waiver in a letter, the agency did not fully halt the payments. Instead, it sent various monthly amounts over the next three years, ranging from $0 to over $2,000, Praino’s records show. In 2023, the VA said he owed nearly $68,000 and started automatically clawing money out of his military paychecks.
In a recent congressional oversight hearing, agency officials partially blamed veterans for exorbitant errors, saying they’ve been failing to report eligibility changes.
But Praino isn’t the only veteran who told NBC News they notified the VA in a timely manner.
The long-delayed adjustments may indicate another operational shortfall at the VA. Agency press secretary Peter Kasperowicz said the agency, under new leadership, is “working hard to fix longstanding problems, such as billions of dollars per year in overpayments.”
‘Meet the Press’
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., spoke to NBC News’ “Meet the Press” about the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” package that passed along party lines in the House last month.
Johnson defended cuts to Medicaid in the budget bill, telling Kristen Welker, “4.8 million people will not lose their Medicaid unless they choose to do so.”
The speaker said he’s “not buying” the argument that the requirements, which would require able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work, participate in job training programs or volunteer for 80 hours a month, are too “cumbersome.”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where some Republicans have voiced concerns about the Medicaid impact.
Politics in brief
- Lights, camera, intel: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is exploring ways to revamp the president’s daily briefings, including a video version made to look and feel like Fox News.
- Crypto conflict: At bitcoin’s biggest event of the year, many attendees who support Trump’s crypto policies weren’t sold on his personal $TRUMP coin.
- LGBTQ rights: Families told NBC News they’ve left the U.S. or are planning to leave as a result of a growing anti-transgender climate throughout the country.
- Failure to launch: Trump has withdrawn the nomination of billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator, citing “a thorough review of prior associations.”
- Immigration ruling: A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking the temporary protected status of roughly 5,000 Venezuelans who are in the U.S.
Hailey Bieber has inked a billion-dollar deal. For Justin, things are going less well.
Hailey Bieber has had a career-making month after securing a billion-dollar deal to sell her beauty empire and landing a Vogue cover.
The milestones have renewed the public’s obsessive interest in her husband, Justin Bieber, whose erratic behavior and sometimes jaw-dropping online activity have long fueled rumors about his declining health and marriage.
“What’s going on right now with Justin Bieber is not a full-blown crisis, but the early-warning system lights are definitely flashing,” said Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of a global PR firm that handles reputation management. “The contrast between them now is glaring and jarring, and that’s why there is so much public discussion about him.”
Nabeela Aysen, a New York-based crisis communications expert, noted a slapdash Instagram post from Justin congratulating his wife. “As someone who works in crisis communications, I would’ve loved for his team to review that post before he hit publish,” she said.
Notable quote
Well, we are all going to die.
SEN. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at a town hall in her home state
When pressed about cuts to Medicaid in the House’s budget bill, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, pushed back after a town hall attendee said the cuts would lead to deaths.
In case you missed it
- Dozens are feared dead after Israeli forces opened fire on a group receiving aid in Gaza, according to hospital officials and witnesses on the ground. The organization charged with distributing aid vigorously denied the reports.
- One person was killed and 11 others were wounded in a shooting in North Carolina, officials said.
- Can AI have survival instincts? Recent tests show some advanced models will act to ensure their self-preservation if threatened with demise.
- The remains of 19 African American people whose skulls had been sent to Germany for racist research practices in the 1800s have been buried after their return to New Orleans.
- The badly burned body of a young man was found in Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park, authorities say.
- Actor Devin Harjes, known for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire” and “Daredevil,” died on Tuesday at 41.
- The Indiana Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals on Saturday, defeating the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of their conference finals matchup.
- The founder of New Hampshire’s largest network of addiction centers has been arrested after federal prosecutors say he orchestrated a conspiracy to stalk and harass local journalists in retaliation for unfavorable reporting.