US DOJ says White House media access 'privilege', cites threat to national security to defend press ban - The Tribune

• The United States is experiencing growing internal divisions within its political parties and increasing voter questioning of the two-party system. • A TV show discussion featuring Josh Rushing, Briahna Joy Gray, and Robby Soave explored the Democrats, Republicans, and the possibility of a third choice.

• President Trump's lawyers are asking the courts to overrule a precedent that protects journalists' access to the White House, citing national security and midterms coverage. • The president signaled that he expects Judge Kelly to rule against him, and his position may only be vindicated by an appeal, indicating a potential lengthy legal battle.

• Bob Bauer wrote an essay on the challenges for legal commentary in the weeks leading up to Election Day as part of the NYU Democracy Project's series on the midterms. • The essay discusses Trump's rhetorical and legal assault on the electoral process, highlighting the need for careful and informed legal commentary.

• Iran's President accused the US and Israel of lawless attacks after President Trump threatened to annihilate Iran, according to recent statements. • Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is open to diplomacy but will not accept limits on its civilian nuclear program, a position that could impact future negotiations.

• The Department of Justice defended President Trump's media ban, arguing that certain news outlets' reporting jeopardized national security and spread falsehoods. • The DOJ cited reporting by CNN, MS Now, and Politico as examples of coverage that allegedly posed a risk to national security and spread false information.

• Conservative and right-wing movements are gaining momentum across Europe and Brazil as voters react to establishment failures and rising leftism. • Real GDP per capita in Germany has declined since 2019, contrasting with an 11 percent increase in the United States during the same period.

• The European Union removed oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its Russia sanctions list this week. • Ireland’s EU presidency described the decision to delist the two men as a difficult compromise for the bloc.

• The CDU parliamentary group met in the Bundestag on Wednesday to address the fallout from recent election losses. • Nina Warken, Head of the Chancellor’s Office, stated that there is no rejection of current reforms.

• Recent Flash Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMIs), which measure economic activity, suggest the European Central Bank may raise interest rates in October. • France reported a September preliminary manufacturing PMI of 50.3, marking its second straight month of expansion.

• The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party won the largest share of the vote in recent state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. • These results signal that Germany has entered a cycle of hyper-political polarization, which is a state of extreme political division, already seen across much of Europe.

• Right-wing political parties across Europe have experienced a surge in electoral popularity over the last three years. • A report pooling the analysis of 150 political scientists examined the casting decisions of pro-right voters to track this trend.