Originally published October 26, 2026. All schedules, observations and counts refer to the original report date.
Ballot appeal dismissed • Comey filing • Violent victimization survey • Iran options • USDA SNAP card proposal.
Tonight’s five
Court dismisses California ballot appeal • DOJ seeks new Comey charges • Survey shows violence decline • President Trump weighs Iran options • USDA proposes chip-enabled SNAP cards.
Court dismisses California ballot appeal
A federal appeals court Monday dismissed the Justice Department’s appeal seeking to make California election officials set aside thousands of mail ballots, CBS News reported.
The Trump administration alleges the ballots may have been cast by noncitizens. That allegation is not a finding that noncitizens voted.
In a 2–1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, granting a motion by Los Angeles County’s top elections official, according to CBS.
The majority faulted the department for waiting until less than three weeks before the November 3 election to sue. Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented.
The ruling turned on jurisdiction. The court made no determination about the disputed ballots themselves.
DOJ seeks new Comey charges
The Justice Department filed a criminal information earlier this month seeking two Espionage Act counts against former FBI Director James Comey, CBS News reported Monday.
Prosecutors allege he transmitted national defense information to someone not entitled to receive it. Comey denies wrongdoing through attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
CBS described this as the department’s third attempt to bring criminal charges against Comey. He has not been indicted by a grand jury or charged by criminal complaint in this effort.
A department spokesperson said the information was filed to preserve the statute of limitations. The filing seeks charges; it is not a finding of guilt.
Survey shows lower violent victimization rate
Preliminary Justice Department survey estimates show the rate of violent victimization excluding simple assault fell 25% from 2024 to 2025, the department said.
According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, that rate fell from 9.9 per 1,000 people in 2024 to 7.4 in 2025.
Aggravated assault declined 31%, from 4.5 to 3.1 per 1,000 people, the department said. Property victimization fell 19%, from 138.0 to 111.2 per 1,000 households.
These are preliminary Bureau of Justice Statistics survey estimates. The 25% figure excludes simple assault and describes a victimization rate, not a count of every crime committed nationwide.
Trump weighs Iran deal or strikes
President Donald Trump said he is nearing a decision whether to reach a deal with Iran or resume strikes, CNBC reported Monday.
In a Fox News interview Sunday, Trump identified Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried site linked to Iran’s nuclear program, as a possible target. His remarks did not announce any new strike.
The last confirmed U.S. strikes were September 1, according to CNBC. Trump previously said attacks would not resume before the November 3 midterm elections.
Tehran says it is preparing to respond to any U.S. strikes. Qatari mediators visited Tehran Sunday as diplomacy continued, according to the report.
USDA proposes chip-enabled SNAP cards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed requiring every state to adopt chip-enabled Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for SNAP benefits to combat card skimming.
Participating retailers would also have to support tap-to-pay terminals, NPR reported Monday. This is a proposed rule, not a requirement already in effect.
Fewer than one-third of states have switched or are making the switch, according to USDA.
NPR reported the agency estimates the changes would reduce stolen benefits by at least $1.5 billion over the next decade.
A Federal Register notice says written comments submitted by December 22, 2026, will be assured consideration.
Washington watch — Tuesday, October 27
Mary Peltola and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee asked a judge to direct DOJ to respond to their Alaska Senate lawsuit motions by 5 p.m. Alaska time, CNBC reported. A court order setting that deadline was not confirmed.
The Federal Reserve was scheduled to announce its interest-rate decision Wednesday, according to CBS News.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
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