Pentagon office

faults Hegseth

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon’s watchdog has found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk when he used the Signal messaging app to convey sensitive information about a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen.

That’s according to two people familiar with the findings on Wednesday. One of the people says Hegseth, however, has the ability to declassify material and the report did not find he did so improperly.

Hegseth denied posting classified information regarding plans for a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen in March. The review by the Pentagon inspector general’s office was delivered to lawmakers, who were able to review the report in a classified facility at the Capitol.

Federal agents

in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security has launched a new immigration crackdown in New Orleans. A Homeland Security official says the operation that got underway Wednesday targets violent criminals.

The crackdown is the latest expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps that have unfolded in other U.S. cities. Immigration officials have blanketed big cities and small towns across the nation since January while carrying out President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. In New Orleans, immigration lawyers say they have been inundated with calls and some businesses have posted signs barring federal agents from entry. Louisiana’s Republican governor welcomes the crackdown.

Ketamine sales

lead to prison

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry before his overdose death has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. A federal judge in Los Angeles handed down the prison sentence plus two years of probation to 44-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia on Wednesday.

Plasencia admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict. Plasencia has surrendered his medical license and pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution. Prosecutors said the ketamine that killed Perry was not provided by Plasencia, but his actions contributed to Perry’s harm.

Trump pardons

Rep. Cuellar

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas is thanking President Donald Trump for pardoning him and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case. Trump says without presenting evidence that Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, were prosecuted because the congressman had been critical of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.

The Republican president said Wednesday on social media Cuellar “bravely spoke out against Open Borders.” Trump accuses the Democratic Biden administration of going after the congressman “for speaking the TRUTH.” Trump says Cuellar’s “nightmare is finally over!”

Cuellar says Trump’s pardon gives him “a clean slate” and lets him “move forward for South Texas.” A Biden spokesperson hasn’t responded to messages seeking comment.