Trump ethics disclosure throws curveball at Senate crypto talks

WASHINGTON — The newly disclosed scale of President Donald Trump’s personal cryptocurrency-related profits since taking office last year comes right at a sensitive moment for Senate negotiations on a major digital assets bill that GOP leaders want to bring to the floor this month.

Trump’s potential crypto conflicts have been a sticking point in negotiations over a crypto market structure bill that is pending in the Senate.

Democrats want an ethics provision to curb the ability of public officials to profit from sponsoring or endorsing cryptocurrencies, and the two sides have been squabbling over how to word the language without losing the Trump administration’s otherwise strong support for the bill.

Meanwhile, the news broke that Trump made more than $1.4 billion from his family’s crypto ventures last year, according to his annual financial disclosure filed with the Office of Government Ethics.

—CQ-Roll Call

U.S. Mint releases new nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollar for 250th

Check your change: You might have one of the U.S. Mint’s special-edition coins celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

For one year only, circulating nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars will feature new historical designs. Part of the U.S. Mint’s Semiquincentennial program, many of the coins entered circulation at the beginning of the year.

“The program is the most significant redesign of the nation’s circulating coins in the past century,” said Jill Westeyn, acting chief of public affairs at the U.S. Mint.

“These coins commemorate 250 years of American Liberty by reflecting our country’s founding principles and honoring our nation’s history.” The quarter is a star of the program, boasting five different designs that highlight pivotal moments in American history.

—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Judge stops Virginia law enforcement face mask law from taking effect

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Virginia’s new law barring law enforcement from wearing face masks, just hours before it was set to take effect.

The law, signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in May, would have prevented officers from wearing facial coverings except in limited circumstances and required most agents to display identification while on duty.

A spokesperson for Spanberger said, “as a former federal law enforcement officer, Governor Spanberger knows transparency, accountability, and a commitment to earning the public’s trust are prerequisite to upholding the rule of law and keeping Virginians safe.”

“Law enforcement officers wearing masks on American streets undercuts these basic expectations of accountability, sows fear and confusion, and erodes the public trust that police have worked for years to build within their communities,” the spokesperson said.

—The Virginian-Pilot

Vatican expels ultra-conservative bishops from the Church

ROME — Following the unauthorized episcopal consecrations carried out by the ultra-conservative Society of St Pius X, the Vatican has officially confirmed the excommunication of the six individuals involved.

The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced that the four newly consecrated bishops of the traditionalist group, as well as two other bishops will be expelled from the Church. As a result, the clergymen lose all their ecclesiastical offices and honors.

By carrying out the consecration against the express will of Pope Leo XIV, they had committed an "act of a schismatic nature," according to the published Vatican decree.

This term refers to an act intended to cause a schism within the Catholic Church. The powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith warned clergy and laity within the community against joining the schism.

—dpa