đź”— Share this article President Ponders Insurrection Act as National Guard Mobilization Faces Legal Hurdles Donald Trump indicated to use executive authority to dispatch more forces into cities led by Democrats, as his attempts to activate the armed forces encountered court challenges. Federal Judge Halts Portland Military Presence The president openly considered utilizing the emergency legislation after a federal judge in the state temporarily stopped a National Guard presence in Portland. "There exists an emergency law for a purpose. Should it become necessary to enact it I would do that," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding, "if people were being killed and judicial delays impede action or governors or mayors were holding us up, sure I would do that." Mixed Rulings on Troop Deployments A federal judge declined to halt military personnel from being sent to the state after a legal challenge from the local government against the president. Troops from Texas might be sent to Chicago in coming days and Trump is also attempting to nationalize Illinois' national guard. A parallel attempt to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon was blocked by a court official in that state. Funding Lapse Continues into Another Week Federal funding lapse continued for another week, with Congressional leaders making little headway toward negotiating an agreement to restart funding, while the executive branch indicated it was moving forward with plans to slash the federal workforce. Numerous departments and offices ceased operations and told employees to stay home after Congress failed to approve legislation to continue the government's authority to spend money. Justice Department Official Resists Influence in James Case An experienced justice official in Virginia has informed associates she does not consider there is sufficient evidence to bring legal actions against New York attorney general Letitia James. The official, the attorney, manages significant legal matters in the local division for the US attorney for the regional jurisdiction and plans to shortly deliver her conclusion to Lindsey Halligan, a Trump ally, who was installed as the US attorney for the region last month. Maxwell Appeal Denied by Supreme Court The US supreme court has rejected an appeal from Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell of her sex trafficking conviction. The defendant in the year was given to two decades incarceration for sex trafficking and related crimes. Executive Hiring at Broadcast Company Network parent company Paramount will acquire the Free Press, a media startup established by the journalist, and has appointed her editor-in-chief of the storied US news network. The journalist, 41, has no experience working in network news, though she has carved out a reputation as a heterodox opinion writer and burgeoning media operator. Other Events Government officials said that funds from a US government program that supports airline operations to rural airports are set to expire imminently because of the funding lapse. Jimmy Kimmel appeared more popular than the President after a spat with the president's administration briefly removed the talkshow host from broadcasting in last month. The Brazilian leader has urged the President to scrap tariffs on his country's imports and restrictions against its representatives, as the two men held what the Brazilian presidency called a "amicable" video call.