Legal & Political Risk - A potential $230 million (USD) demand from Donald Trump to the taxpayers as compensation for investigations by the Department of Justice is under scrutiny [1] - The demand is based on purported violations of Trump's rights, including the FBI and special counsel investigation into Russian election tampering and the search of Mara Lago for classified documents [1] - Ethical concerns arise due to Trump leading the government while demanding money from it, with his own attorney general potentially approving the settlement [2] - The investigations in question led to multiple indictments and guilty pleas, including those of Trump's campaign manager and other close associates [4] - Concerns exist that political appointees within the Department of Justice, who previously served as Trump's counsel, may not be impartial in deciding on the settlement [10][19] Potential Legal Actions - Taxpayer lawsuits could challenge the settlement, arguing that it harms taxpayers and is being decided by conflicted parties [22] - Bar associations could intervene, arguing that the former counsel's duty of loyalty to their prior client creates a conflict of interest [23][24] - A hearing or trial could reveal details of the Russia case and Mara Lago situation, which Trump has previously avoided [16][17] Investigation Context - Special counsel John Durham found no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the investigators [5] - The investigation into Trump's handling of classified information revealed boxes of documents, including nuclear secrets, stored at his private club [5][6] - There is an active investigation into officials who served under former President Barack Obama [13][14]

So healthcare obviously a big part of this but the White House also making no secret that they plan to take advantage of the shutdown to do some things that they want to do. Mass firings potentially permanent unlike furlows which is usually what happens in the shutdown. And then we saw the memo from OM director Russ vote yesterday >> targeting funding for states that Vice President Harris won in last year's election. And talk to us in particular about the impact on New York where $18 billion worth of projec ...

Crime & Law Enforcement - The FBI's most wanted list included James Whitey Bulger, charged with 20 murders and suspected in at least 20 more [1] - Kevin Weeks, Bulger's right-hand man, became a key witness against organized crime after turning on his boss [1] - Bulger's organization was characterized by violence, with Bulger himself enjoying killing as a stress relief [1] - Bulger and Weeks had six FBI agents and dozens of Boston cops on their payroll, receiving information about investigations [2] - Bulger amassed tens of millions of dollars from gambling, drugs, robberies, and extortions [2] - Bulger was a top-level FBI informant since 1975, giving information about rival criminals and some members of his own gang [2] - John Marterano confessed to 20 killings in court and served a little more than 7 months for each [5] - John Connley, a corrupt FBI agent, helped Bulger by providing information and is serving a 10-year sentence for obstructing justice [6] - Whitey Bulger was indicted for racketeering in 1995 and went underground, remaining a fugitive [6] - The capture of Whitey Bulger in 2011 ended the most extensive manhunt in the FBI's history [13] Legal & Justice System - Weeks spent 72 months in prison in return for his cooperation, leading authorities to six bodies and enabling prosecutors to charge Bulger with 20 additional counts of murder [2] - Marterano's cooperation helped solve nearly 40 murders, including the 20 he confessed to, resulting in a sentence of just 14 years [6] - The US attorney believed that the deal with Marterano was necessary to uncover corrupt law enforcement arrangements and prosecute murders [6] Fugitive & Manhunt - Whitey Bulger was worth $30 million to $50 million, allowing him to live comfortably as a fugitive [2] - The last confirmed sighting of Bulger was in London in 2002 [4] - Katherine Greg is serving 8 years for harboring a fugitive [31]