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February 18, 2026
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/don-lemon-georgia-fort-charges-minnesota-doj-trump
Deadline Legal Blog-Trump DOJ goes into its Don Lemon case without a key tool: the courts' trust
A motion from Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in Minnesota is the latest legal action questioning the “presumption of regularity” historically granted to the government.
Trump DOJ goes into its Don Lemon case without a key tool: The courts’ trust - MS NOW
— (@oc88.bsky.social) 2026-02-17T21:45:47.083Z
apple.news/AuiMKRZdLS_C...
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/don-lemon-georgia-fort-charges-minnesota-doj-trump
A motion from Lemon and Fort raises that bold claim in seeking disclosure of the secret grand jury proceedings against them. Their court filing underscores that there’s no good reason to presume good faith on the government’s part in President Donald Trump’s second term — and that there’s good reason to presume the opposite.
“The extraordinary set of events that led to this indictment reveals a significant risk that the government misstated key facts or elements of the offenses charged during its presentation to the grand jury, as it has already done so publicly, calling into question the validity of the indictment,” the motion argued. It said Lemon and Fort were indicted after attending a church protest “solely in their capacities as members of the press” and that they were charged only after courts rejected warrants for their arrest, Trump pressured the Justice Department and career prosecutors refused to be involved.
Maintaining that their concerns about government misconduct aren’t “abstract or speculative,” the defendants pointed to what they called “a small but growing body of caselaw involving the precise situation we see here — the government engaging in highly unusual conduct simultaneous to political pressure to bring charges, and misstatements of law at the highest levels of government.”....
More broadly, they argued that the administration isn’t entitled to the “presumption of regularity,” a legal concept that assumes government officials act properly. It’s worth questioning the presumption as a general matter but especially in this administration, whose atypical actions have drawn atypical scrutiny from judges, including in other recent cases in Minnesota.
“In light of the foregoing, the grand jury process in question here is not entitled to any presumption of regularity by the Court. Likewise, it should not be afforded the traditional secrecy that accompanies grand juries operating in the normal course,” Lemon and Fort argued in their motion, filed Friday.
They were charged with conspiring against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and with injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship. They have pleaded not guilty.
The DOJ will have an opportunity to respond to the motion. But due to the Trump government’s behavior over the past year, it may be going into this case with a disadvantage — or, perhaps more precisely, without the advantage it would have in normal times. Although if we were in normal times, this case might not exist.
“The extraordinary set of events that led to this indictment reveals a significant risk that the government misstated key facts or elements of the offenses charged during its presentation to the grand jury, as it has already done so publicly, calling into question the validity of the indictment,” the motion argued. It said Lemon and Fort were indicted after attending a church protest “solely in their capacities as members of the press” and that they were charged only after courts rejected warrants for their arrest, Trump pressured the Justice Department and career prosecutors refused to be involved.
Maintaining that their concerns about government misconduct aren’t “abstract or speculative,” the defendants pointed to what they called “a small but growing body of caselaw involving the precise situation we see here — the government engaging in highly unusual conduct simultaneous to political pressure to bring charges, and misstatements of law at the highest levels of government.”....
More broadly, they argued that the administration isn’t entitled to the “presumption of regularity,” a legal concept that assumes government officials act properly. It’s worth questioning the presumption as a general matter but especially in this administration, whose atypical actions have drawn atypical scrutiny from judges, including in other recent cases in Minnesota.
“In light of the foregoing, the grand jury process in question here is not entitled to any presumption of regularity by the Court. Likewise, it should not be afforded the traditional secrecy that accompanies grand juries operating in the normal course,” Lemon and Fort argued in their motion, filed Friday.
They were charged with conspiring against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and with injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship. They have pleaded not guilty.
The DOJ will have an opportunity to respond to the motion. But due to the Trump government’s behavior over the past year, it may be going into this case with a disadvantage — or, perhaps more precisely, without the advantage it would have in normal times. Although if we were in normal times, this case might not exist.
February 18, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseths-ongoing-pentagon-purge-continues-to-destabilize-the-military
MaddowBlog-Hegseth's ongoing Pentagon purge continues to destabilize the military
The sheer volume of U.S. military leaders who have left Hegseth’s Defense Department, through either firings or resignations, is extraordinary.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
— Trump's 'Noble' Peace Prize (@laboomer68.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T18:24:25.408Z
Hegseth’s ongoing Pentagon purge continues to destabilize the military.
The sheer volume of U.S. military leaders who have left Hegseth’s Defense Department, through either firings or resignations, is extraordinary.
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseths-ongoing-pentagon-purge-continues-to-destabilize-the-military
Toward the end of his unsettling speech to the nation’s generals and admirals in late September, when he made the case that, in essence, testosterone is the key to modern warfare, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered an unsubtle message to his audience.....
It was a pointed reminder that Hegseth is not exactly open to engaging with military officials whose views differ from his own. On the contrary, he’s proved himself eager to purge the armed forces of those he deems unworthy — a campaign that’s ongoing. MS NOW reported:
The report added that it’s unclear why Hegseth took issue with Butler, who officially retired, though according to multiple accounts, he worked closely with Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whom the defense secretary and the Trump White House now consider a political opponent.
The New York Times’ report added, “It is unusual for a defense secretary to weigh in on the firing of an Army spokesman.”....
A year ago next week, five former defense secretaries — including retired Gen. Jim Mattis, Donald Trump’s first defense secretary — condemned the pattern of firings as “reckless.” Their joint letter, addressed to Congress, asked that the House and the Senate hold “immediate hearings to assess the national security implications” of the dismissals.
Hegseth and the administration appear to have ignored those concerns; the purge is ongoing; and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have scheduled no such hearings.
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who served as a Marine officer in Iraq and now serves on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke to Politico about Hegseth’s purges, which the congressman described as politically motivated.
“That’s a recipe not just for a politicized military, but an authoritarian military,” Moulton said. “That’s the way militaries work in Russia and China and North Korea.”
The Massachusetts Democrat made those comments in May. The problem is worse now.
It was a pointed reminder that Hegseth is not exactly open to engaging with military officials whose views differ from his own. On the contrary, he’s proved himself eager to purge the armed forces of those he deems unworthy — a campaign that’s ongoing. MS NOW reported:
A senior U.S. military adviser has abruptly departed the Army after reportedly being forced out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Col. Dave Butler, who served as communications adviser to Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, was fired on Hegseth’s orders, according to Fox News, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
The report added that it’s unclear why Hegseth took issue with Butler, who officially retired, though according to multiple accounts, he worked closely with Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whom the defense secretary and the Trump White House now consider a political opponent.
The New York Times’ report added, “It is unusual for a defense secretary to weigh in on the firing of an Army spokesman.”....
A year ago next week, five former defense secretaries — including retired Gen. Jim Mattis, Donald Trump’s first defense secretary — condemned the pattern of firings as “reckless.” Their joint letter, addressed to Congress, asked that the House and the Senate hold “immediate hearings to assess the national security implications” of the dismissals.
Hegseth and the administration appear to have ignored those concerns; the purge is ongoing; and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have scheduled no such hearings.
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who served as a Marine officer in Iraq and now serves on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke to Politico about Hegseth’s purges, which the congressman described as politically motivated.
“That’s a recipe not just for a politicized military, but an authoritarian military,” Moulton said. “That’s the way militaries work in Russia and China and North Korea.”
The Massachusetts Democrat made those comments in May. The problem is worse now.
February 18, 2026
Maddowblog-White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers
Donald Trump’s top economist didn’t just disagree with consensus economic research, he also suggested he wants to see researchers “disciplined.”
https://x.com/hateGOP/status/2024244968211001379
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-house-eyes-punishments-for-economists-who-told-the-truth-about-tariffs-consumers
Unfortunately for the White House, almost a year after Trump advanced his tariffs agenda, experts have scrutinized the evidence and concluded that their predictions were correct. From the Congressional Budget Office to international scholars to the National Bureau of Economic Research, all of the available data points in the same direction: American consumers, not foreign companies, are paying more as a result of the Republican president’s policy.
Last week, still more evidence emerged. Research published by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University found that, through last fall, 90% of the economic burden from Trump’s tariffs fell on Americans, not foreigners.....
The trouble is, Team Trump doesn’t want economists and researchers to make reality clear.
....Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, mocked Hassett’s on-air comments, writing via Bluesky, “Happy Kevin wants economists to be disciplined by their bosses for contradicting the regime’s understanding of The Truth.”
Paul Krugman released a related video on the subject, making a compelling case that Hassett’s call to discipline economists was “thuggish.” Krugman added, “That’s incredible. That’s like saying, ‘If you carefully study the data and come up with results that we in the Trump administration don’t like, we will punish you personally — or we will try to.”
In all likelihood, if the White House were serious about targeting the researchers, those efforts would fail. But as Krugman concluded, the public threat is itself “horrible.”
The war on dissent is ongoing, and there’s every reason to believe it’s getting worse.
Last week, still more evidence emerged. Research published by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University found that, through last fall, 90% of the economic burden from Trump’s tariffs fell on Americans, not foreigners.....
The trouble is, Team Trump doesn’t want economists and researchers to make reality clear.
Hassett on new study from NY Fed showing 90% of tariff burden is being shouldered by US firms & consumers: "The paper is an embarrassment. It's I think the worst paper I've ever seen in the history of the Fed system. The people associated with this paper should presumably be disciplined."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-02-18T14:18:16.156Z
....Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, mocked Hassett’s on-air comments, writing via Bluesky, “Happy Kevin wants economists to be disciplined by their bosses for contradicting the regime’s understanding of The Truth.”
Paul Krugman released a related video on the subject, making a compelling case that Hassett’s call to discipline economists was “thuggish.” Krugman added, “That’s incredible. That’s like saying, ‘If you carefully study the data and come up with results that we in the Trump administration don’t like, we will punish you personally — or we will try to.”
In all likelihood, if the White House were serious about targeting the researchers, those efforts would fail. But as Krugman concluded, the public threat is itself “horrible.”
The war on dissent is ongoing, and there’s every reason to believe it’s getting worse.
February 18, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseth-welcomes-radical-christian-nationalist-to-lead-an-official-pentagon-prayer-service
MaddowBlog-Hegseth welcomes radical Christian nationalist to lead an official Pentagon prayer service
Pastor Doug Wilson’s role at an official event at the Defense Department should be seen as a scandal worthy of scrutiny.
Pastor Doug Wilson wants to ban women from voting and end First Amendment protections for minority faiths he doesn’t like.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-18T18:16:25.645Z
Hegseth invited this fringe Christian nationalist to the Pentagon yesterday to lead an official prayer event.
How is this not a scandal?
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseth-welcomes-radical-christian-nationalist-to-lead-an-official-pentagon-prayer-service
In a country that’s supposed to honor the separation of church and state, Hegseth’s events raise all sorts of legal, political and theological questions, but complicating matters further is who, exactly, the former Fox News host is welcoming to the Defense Department to help lead these Christian events.
This week, for example, Hegseth brought in pastor Douglas Wilson, a radical Christian nationalist, to lead an audience in prayer. We know this for sure because the Pentagon published a photo from the gathering, held on Tuesday.
https://x.com/DOWResponse/status/2023872979554509109
For those unfamiliar with Wilson, he’s not just another Christian conservative advocating for and against the usual culture war issues. Rather, as The Wall Street Journal reported in September, the right-wing pastor endorses a vision “in which same-sex relations are illegal, Muslims are barred from the public square and the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, is repealed.”.....
Wilson isn’t accused of being a Christian nationalist; it is a label he embraces with enthusiasm.
Common sense may suggest that leading American political figures would keep a guy like this at arm’s length. And yet, there was Hegseth, not only inviting Wilson to the Pentagon to lead an official event, but also standing alongside the radical pastor at the gathering, praying with his hand on Wilson’s back.
This was the same Hegseth who sparked a controversy last summer by promoting an online video that, among other things, included a pastor from Wilson’s church arguing that women in the U.S. shouldn’t be allowed to vote.....
Obviously, Hegseth, in his personal capacity, is free to pursue whatever religious practices he wishes. It’s a free country, and his theological beliefs are his own business. But when the secretary of defense makes a conscious decision to invite a radical Christian nationalist to lead an official prayer event at the Pentagon, that deserves to be seen as a scandal worthy of scrutiny.
This week, for example, Hegseth brought in pastor Douglas Wilson, a radical Christian nationalist, to lead an audience in prayer. We know this for sure because the Pentagon published a photo from the gathering, held on Tuesday.
https://x.com/DOWResponse/status/2023872979554509109
For those unfamiliar with Wilson, he’s not just another Christian conservative advocating for and against the usual culture war issues. Rather, as The Wall Street Journal reported in September, the right-wing pastor endorses a vision “in which same-sex relations are illegal, Muslims are barred from the public square and the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, is repealed.”.....
Wilson isn’t accused of being a Christian nationalist; it is a label he embraces with enthusiasm.
Common sense may suggest that leading American political figures would keep a guy like this at arm’s length. And yet, there was Hegseth, not only inviting Wilson to the Pentagon to lead an official event, but also standing alongside the radical pastor at the gathering, praying with his hand on Wilson’s back.
This was the same Hegseth who sparked a controversy last summer by promoting an online video that, among other things, included a pastor from Wilson’s church arguing that women in the U.S. shouldn’t be allowed to vote.....
Obviously, Hegseth, in his personal capacity, is free to pursue whatever religious practices he wishes. It’s a free country, and his theological beliefs are his own business. But when the secretary of defense makes a conscious decision to invite a radical Christian nationalist to lead an official prayer event at the Pentagon, that deserves to be seen as a scandal worthy of scrutiny.
February 18, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/key-questions-go-unanswered-as-u-s-military-strikes-on-civilian-boats-claim-more-lives
MaddowBlog-Key questions go unanswered as U.S. military strikes on civilian boats claim more lives
Roughly five months later, the strikes have become so common that the coverage has moved off front pages, but the underlying questions haven’t changed.
As deadly military strikes against civilian boats in international waters continue, we still don’t know
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-02-18T15:43:27.762Z
- who we’re killing
- whether they’re guilty
- whether any of this is legal
The developments no longer appear on front pages, but the questions still need answers.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/key-questions-go-unanswered-as-u-s-military-strikes-on-civilian-boats-claim-more-lives
Week after week, the operations kept going. From the late summer through the fall and into winter, the administration kept targeting these boats and killing much of their crews.
This week was no exception. The Associated Press reported:
A related report in The New York Times noted that Monday’s strikes marked the first time since the military campaign began that the administration bombed targets on both sides of the Panama Canal on the same day.
The developments increased the total number of U.S. strikes to 42 — or, more to the point, 42 strikes that we know about as a result of Pentagon disclosures......
Perhaps most importantly, we don’t know whether any of these extrajudicial killings have been legal, though a great many legal experts have argued that they are not. Indeed, NBC News reported in November that the senior military lawyer for the combatant command overseeing the lethal strikes reached the same conclusion.
Around the same time, Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst who served multiple tours in Iraq, told The New York Times that she had heard from active-duty troops who were concerned about the legality of the administration’s boat strikes, with some wondering whether they could be held personally liable for the operation’s many deaths.
Just because these questions are no longer dominating headlines doesn’t mean they don’t need answers. The need for congressional oversight in a controversy like this one seems obvious.
This week was no exception. The Associated Press reported:
The U.S. military said Tuesday that it carried out strikes on three boats accused of smuggling drugs in Latin American waters, killing 11 people in one of the deadliest days of the Trump administration’s monthslong campaign.
The series of strikes conducted on Monday brought the death toll to at least 145 people since the administration began targeting those it calls ‘narcoterrorists’ in small vessels in early September.
A related report in The New York Times noted that Monday’s strikes marked the first time since the military campaign began that the administration bombed targets on both sides of the Panama Canal on the same day.
The developments increased the total number of U.S. strikes to 42 — or, more to the point, 42 strikes that we know about as a result of Pentagon disclosures......
Perhaps most importantly, we don’t know whether any of these extrajudicial killings have been legal, though a great many legal experts have argued that they are not. Indeed, NBC News reported in November that the senior military lawyer for the combatant command overseeing the lethal strikes reached the same conclusion.
Around the same time, Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a former CIA analyst who served multiple tours in Iraq, told The New York Times that she had heard from active-duty troops who were concerned about the legality of the administration’s boat strikes, with some wondering whether they could be held personally liable for the operation’s many deaths.
Just because these questions are no longer dominating headlines doesn’t mean they don’t need answers. The need for congressional oversight in a controversy like this one seems obvious.
February 18, 2026
https://www.rawstory.com/kristi-noem-2675278455/
'Salacious' rumors engulfing Kristi Noem pose national security threat: ex-prosecutor
Noem needs to go
'Salacious' rumors engulfing Kristi Noem pose national security threat: ex-prosecutor
— LiberalBatch (@liberallady.bsky.social) 2026-02-17T23:56:28.006Z
www.rawstory.com/kristi-noem-...
https://www.rawstory.com/kristi-noem-2675278455/
Swirling speculation of an affair between two top Trump administration officials is more than merely "salacious," a former federal prosecutor warned Tuesday — it has national security implications.
Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, and Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former 2016 campaign manager, have denied rumors they're having an affair.
But reports have suggested they're barely even trying to hide it.
"The two supposed lovebirds haven’t been doing much to quell all the rumors over the years," Slate's Christina Cauterucci wrote on August. "One source told the New York Post that their handsiness at a hotel bar during the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2021 was 'absurdly blatant and public,' with more than 100 other conference-goers in the room. Two other Post sources said they saw Noem sitting on Lewandowski’s lap at an event at Mar-a-Lago in 2020."
Lewandowski was even denied a role as Homeland Security chief of staff out of “concern” for his relationship with Noem.
On Tuesday, law professor and former federal prosecutor Barb McQuade laid out national security concerns over the rumors.
I don’t know whether reports of an affair between Noem and Lewandowski are true, but they are more than 'salacious' 'gossip.' If true, they could be used as leverage over the official charged with protecting our homeland security. Clearances get denied for such things," she warned on X.
Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, and Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former 2016 campaign manager, have denied rumors they're having an affair.
But reports have suggested they're barely even trying to hide it.
"The two supposed lovebirds haven’t been doing much to quell all the rumors over the years," Slate's Christina Cauterucci wrote on August. "One source told the New York Post that their handsiness at a hotel bar during the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2021 was 'absurdly blatant and public,' with more than 100 other conference-goers in the room. Two other Post sources said they saw Noem sitting on Lewandowski’s lap at an event at Mar-a-Lago in 2020."
Lewandowski was even denied a role as Homeland Security chief of staff out of “concern” for his relationship with Noem.
On Tuesday, law professor and former federal prosecutor Barb McQuade laid out national security concerns over the rumors.
I don’t know whether reports of an affair between Noem and Lewandowski are true, but they are more than 'salacious' 'gossip.' If true, they could be used as leverage over the official charged with protecting our homeland security. Clearances get denied for such things," she warned on X.
February 18, 2026
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/02/15/americans-paid-trump-tariffs-2025-inflation/88692687007/
Americans, not other countries, paid Trump's tariffs in 2025
trump is in denial as to who pays his stupid tariffs
A friendly reminder on who pays the tariffs. www.usatoday.com/story/money/...
— IntrovertWithCoffee â˜•ï¸ ðŸ¦â€ðŸ”¥ (@laterdays.bsky.social) 2026-02-17T18:56:02.862Z
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/02/15/americans-paid-trump-tariffs-2025-inflation/88692687007/
American consumers and companies paid nearly 90% of the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs through late 2025, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence indicating American families pay a price for Trump’s import taxes, despite the president's assertion that the financial burden falls entirely on other countries.
Trump's tariffs equated to a tax increase of $1,000 per household in 2025, according to a Feb. 6 report from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Households are expected to pay an additional $1,300 in 2026.
The tariffs are the largest U.S. tax increase since 1993, according to the Tax Foundation analysis. Tariffs are a tax − but on whom?....
Through August 2025, 94% of the import taxes fell on American companies and consumers, according to the study. By November, the “pass-through” rate had dipped to 86%.
“In sum, U.S. firms and consumers continue to bear the bulk of the economic burden of the high tariffs imposed in 2025,” the researchers wrote.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence indicating American families pay a price for Trump’s import taxes, despite the president's assertion that the financial burden falls entirely on other countries.
Trump's tariffs equated to a tax increase of $1,000 per household in 2025, according to a Feb. 6 report from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Households are expected to pay an additional $1,300 in 2026.
The tariffs are the largest U.S. tax increase since 1993, according to the Tax Foundation analysis. Tariffs are a tax − but on whom?....
Through August 2025, 94% of the import taxes fell on American companies and consumers, according to the study. By November, the “pass-through” rate had dipped to 86%.
“In sum, U.S. firms and consumers continue to bear the bulk of the economic burden of the high tariffs imposed in 2025,” the researchers wrote.
February 18, 2026
Mike Luckovich-Time is running out for trump
— Mike Luckovich (@mluckovich.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T21:02:41.073Z
February 18, 2026
https://www.rawstory.com/tony-gonzales-2675278691
GOP aide who died by lighting herself on fire alleged affair with House Republican: report
This asshole needs to be voted out of office
GOP aide who died by lighting herself on fire alleged affair with House Republican: report
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-02-18T01:55:16.457Z
https://www.rawstory.com/tony-gonzales-2675278691
A Republican House staffer who died after setting herself on fire last year claimed in text messages to have had an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).
According to The San Antonio Express-News, "A former staffer in Gonzales' district office who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann 'Regi' Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly cut her off. He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she acknowledged having an 'affair with our boss.'"
Gonzales is a married father of six.
"A lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband said her romantic relationship with the congressman was an open secret, and that he does not believe it played a role in her death," said the report. However, "The staffer, who asked not to be named, citing a fear of retaliation, faulted Gonzales' office for failing to intervene, saying he warned the congressman's district director months before Santos-Aviles' death that he was concerned about her well-being. He described her as his 'best friend' and said their families knew each other."
Gonzales, who represents a sprawling district that covers most of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas as well as the southwestern suburbs of San Antonio, is currently locked in a tough primary race with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, who also fielded a close challenge for this seat in 2024.
According to The San Antonio Express-News, "A former staffer in Gonzales' district office who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann 'Regi' Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly cut her off. He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she acknowledged having an 'affair with our boss.'"
Gonzales is a married father of six.
"A lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband said her romantic relationship with the congressman was an open secret, and that he does not believe it played a role in her death," said the report. However, "The staffer, who asked not to be named, citing a fear of retaliation, faulted Gonzales' office for failing to intervene, saying he warned the congressman's district director months before Santos-Aviles' death that he was concerned about her well-being. He described her as his 'best friend' and said their families knew each other."
Gonzales, who represents a sprawling district that covers most of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas as well as the southwestern suburbs of San Antonio, is currently locked in a tough primary race with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, who also fielded a close challenge for this seat in 2024.
February 18, 2026
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-reverses-course-will-review-modernas-mrna-flu-vaccine-rcna259531
FDA reverses course, will review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine
Moderna revised its application following the FDA's surprise decision to not review the flu shot.
A bit of good news this morning: FDA reverses course, will review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine
— Laura Haynes👩â€ðŸ”¬âš¾ï¸ðŸ¾ðŸ’™ (@drlaurahaynes.bsky.social) 2026-02-18T14:13:46.545Z
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-reverses-course-will-review-modernas-mrna-flu-vaccine-rcna259531
Moderna said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to review its influenza vaccine, reversing an earlier decision to reject the application, after the company made modifications.
The reversal, which comes just a week after the FDA’s surprise decision to not review the company’s experimental flu vaccine application, lifted shares of the vaccine maker more than 3% before the bell.
The FDA has accepted Moderna’s revised approach seeking full approval for the shot for adults aged between 50 and 64, and accelerated approval for those aged 65 and above, the company said, adding that it will also conduct a post-marketing study in older adults.
The mRNA technology used in Moderna’s and most other Covid shots, credited with saving millions of lives, comes with a shift in the national health policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time anti-vaccine activist who has been particularly critical of mRNA vaccines.
The regulator had defended its initial decision, saying the company should have given a higher-strength vaccine to older patients in the control arm of its trial.
The reversal, which comes just a week after the FDA’s surprise decision to not review the company’s experimental flu vaccine application, lifted shares of the vaccine maker more than 3% before the bell.
The FDA has accepted Moderna’s revised approach seeking full approval for the shot for adults aged between 50 and 64, and accelerated approval for those aged 65 and above, the company said, adding that it will also conduct a post-marketing study in older adults.
The mRNA technology used in Moderna’s and most other Covid shots, credited with saving millions of lives, comes with a shift in the national health policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time anti-vaccine activist who has been particularly critical of mRNA vaccines.
The regulator had defended its initial decision, saying the company should have given a higher-strength vaccine to older patients in the control arm of its trial.
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