Reuters US Domestic News Summary

Their campaigns for respective Democratic and Republican nominations present a split-screen look into a divided nation more than three years after the siege by Donald Trump supporters trying to overturn his election defeat. Drones above, police at the gates: Columbia protest camp's final moments The occupation of a building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian student protesters was in its 18th hour when photos and videos dinged across students' phones: police had parked at least seven jail buses south of the campus.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Trump to return to New York courtroom for criminal hush money trial

Donald Trump returns to a New York courtroom on Monday, where he will be forced to sit silently while others testify about his efforts during the 2016 presidential election to cover up news of an alleged tryst with a porn star. Trump's criminal hush money trial, entering its 12th day, has featured testimony from a top aide and a former tabloid publisher about efforts during his first presidential bid to tamp down stories of unflattering sexual behavior.

Trump accuses Biden of running 'Gestapo administration'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump accused Democratic rival President Joe Biden of running a "Gestapo administration" in a private address to donors in which he also attacked prosecutors involved in his criminal indictments, according to a recording heard by U.S. media outlets. Trump, whose own rhetoric has drawn accusations of fascist tendencies from civil rights groups and other critics, made the comparison with the Nazi police in Germany's World War Two regime at a donor retreat Saturday night at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Dozens arrested in weekend of protests on US campuses

Police on Saturday arrested at least 25 pro-Palestinian protesters and cleared an encampment at the University of Virginia, the university said in a statement, as U.S. campuses braced for more turmoil during graduation celebrations. Tensions flared at UVA's campus in Charlottesville, where protests had been largely peaceful until Saturday morning, when police officers in riot gear were seen in a video moving on an encampment on the campus' lawn, cuffing some demonstrators with zip-ties and using what appeared to be chemical spray.

Democrat Hakeem Jeffries steps up as House Republicans roast Johnson

As the Democratic minority leader in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries' influence is normally limited. This week, he may be the most powerful person in Congress. That is because the chamber's embattled speaker, Republican Mike Johnson, is expected to need the support of Jeffries' opposition Democrats to fend off an effort by hardline members of his own party to topple their second party leader in just eight months.

VP Harris announces more than $100 million to support auto workers

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday announced more than $100 million in funding and resources to support American auto workers and small auto suppliers. Historic contracts secured by the United Auto Workers with the Big Three Detroit automakers and recent organizing victories ensure that these jobs will provide comparable wages, retirement security and respect at work, the office of the VP said in a statement.

Trump, RNC raise over $76 million in April, half from small donors

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign and the Republican National Committee said on Saturday that they raised more than $76 million in April, over half of it from small donors. The monthly fundraising haul exceeded the $65.6 million raised in March by Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, and the RNC.

Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Southern California

Los Angeles police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California without making arrests on Sunday following turmoil at universities across the United States over the Israel-Hamas war. The intervention at USC followed a raucous day on Saturday when dozens of people were arrested were arrested at a number of U.S. campuses.

Ex-US Capitol cop, Jan. 6 rioter's runs for Congress illustrate a divided America

A former U.S. Capitol police officer who defended lawmakers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and a man who served time in prison for joining the mob, could both be headed to Congress next year if they succeed in primaries later this month. Their campaigns for respective Democratic and Republican nominations present a split-screen look into a divided nation more than three years after the siege by Donald Trump supporters trying to overturn his election defeat.

Drones above, police at the gates: Columbia protest camp's final moments

The occupation of a building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian student protesters was in its 18th hour when photos and videos dinged across students' phones: police had parked at least seven jail buses south of the campus. The backs of New York police officers standing guard outside the gates of the Manhattan campus could be seen through the railings. Police surveillance drones appeared in the dusk sky.

Analysis-Trump vows to fight 'anti-white feeling' in US. His allies have a plan

Donald Trump's pledge to fight what he calls "anti-white feeling" in the U.S. will likely embolden allies who seek to dismantle government and corporate programs created to battle racism and boost diversity in American life. Some high-profile supporters of the former president, now the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, say policies for safeguarding people of color in classrooms, workplaces and charities should be repurposed to protect the rights of white people as well.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)