Four top NYC officials resign as turmoil ripples over Mayor Adams’ corruption case

NEW YORK (AP) — Four top deputies to New York City Mayor Eric Adams are resigning. The announcements come as the Justice Department seeks to end a corruption case against the mayor. The Trump administration is seeking to ensure Adams’ cooperation with its immigration crackdown. The bargain has raised new questions about the mayor’s political independence and ability to lead the city. In a statement Monday, Adams confirmed the departures of First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker.

Trump nominates Ed Martin to stay as top DC federal prosecutor

WASHINGTON (AP) — A conservative activist who echoed Donald Trump’s baseless claims of a stolen 2020 election and defended Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol rioters has been nominated by the Republican president to be the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., on a permanent basis. Trump posted online about Ed Martin’s nomination Monday. Martin has been serving as U.S. attorney for D.C. on an interim basis since just after Trump was sworn in for his second term Jan. 20. Martin’s appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. As interim U.S. attorney, Martin oversaw the dismissals of hundreds of Jan. 6 cases after Trump pardoned defendants and commuted sentences. Martin grew up in New Jersey and headed the Missouri Republican Party.

Police arrest apparent leader of cultlike ‘Zizian’ group linked to multiple killings

BOSTON (AP) — The apparent leader of a cultlike group known as the Zizians has been arrested in Maryland along with another member of the group. That is according to Maryland State Police. Police said that 34-year-old Jack Lasota was arrested Sunday along with 33-year-old Michelle Zajko of Media, Pennsylvania. They face multiple charges. The case of the Zizians was cracked open after Board Patrol Agent David Maland was shot in Vermont during a traffic stop involving two of the group’s members. The investigation has revealed the group may be linked to six deaths in three states.

‘No kings on Presidents Day’ rings out from protests against Trump and Musk

BOSTON (AP) — Protesters against President Donald Trump and his policies have organized demonstrations in all 50 states for the second time in two weeks. Monday’s protests were timed to coincide with the Presidents Day holiday. Dubbed “No Kings on Presidents Day” by the 50501 Movement, the latest demonstrations came after a similar nationwide event on Feb. 5 drew participants in dozens of cities. Both protests focused on denouncing Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the leader of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency. Nearly 1,000 people marched from the Statehouse in Boston to City Hall, chanting “Elon Musk has got to go” and “No kings on Presidents Day!”