Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name

Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next next season along with the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday — reviving the moniker of the city's previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. "Our feeling is that the fire never died," interim Fire president Clare Hamill said. "Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we're back with the Portland Fire." In addition to the name, the team has a new "Rose on Fire" logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink. Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder ofMicrosoftwho died in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center. The NBA owned the WNBA teams until 2002, then sold them to affiliated NBA teams or independent owners. Allen declined to buy the Fire and the team folded. Portland was awarded a new WNBA team last September. The team is run by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. They paid $125 million for the WNBA franchise. The Fire and the Thorns will share a new joint-training facility in the first such partnership between the two women's leagues. The Fire already have sold more than 11,000 season tickets, surpassing the WNBA's previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. But the launch of the team hasn't been smooth. Indications that the team planned to return to the Fire name were previously revealed when a local publication, the Rose Garden Report, published the team's trademark application. The team's president, Inky Son, parted ways with the team late last month after less than three months on the job. Son was announced as the first employee of the team in early April, tasked with leading all aspects of the business, including marketing, ticket and sponsorship sales, and community relations. The Toronto Tempo, meanwhile, announced a team name back in December and already have hired a general manager. Hamill, a former Nike executive, took over for Son until a permanent president can be found. She said the launch of the team name and logo is just a slice of what the team is activating on Tuesday. "We're pointing everybody to the launch and the pace at which we're moving, and just giving everyone confidence that we have our arms around it," Hamill said. "We're moving fast, and you're going to hear from us a lot." The team planned to celebrate the name and logo launch with a community party on Tuesday afternoon at the Moda Center. ___ AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name

Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's WNBA team stepped back in time for its ne...

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The Open Championship or the British Open? Even in Northern Ireland it depends on the audience

The Open Championship or the British Open? Even in Northern Ireland it depends on the audience

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Collin Morikawa can take solace in not being the only person to refer to golf's oldest championship by its unofficial name. He delivereda victory speech as sterling as his performanceat Royal St. George's in 2021. As he held the precious claret jug, he paid tribute to the spectators and said, "To see some of the best fans I've ever seen out here, I look forward to making my trip every year to the British Open to see you guys cheer us on." The R&A must have cringed. It had spent the past several years on a renewed branding campaign to drive home the proper name of this major: The Open Championship. It since has been shortened to "The Open." It is the first. It is the original. And now the 153rd edition is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom but is not on the island of Great Britain. British Open? The Associated Press referred to this major by different names at the start, but for the last century or more has called it the British Open to distinguish it from other national golf championships. Several other news outlets — mainly in the United States, but stretching to other corners of the globe — also called it the British Open. "It's meant to be The Open Championship," said Adam Scott of Australia. "I've probably slipped and called it the British Open, but I do it mostly with Americans so they know which one." Imagine his surprise — maybe disgust — to learn that when the Open first came to Northern Ireland in 1951, The Daily Telegraph in Sydney wrote: "South African Bobby Locke and English professional Tom Hargreaves today had record scores on Royal Portrush in the second qualifying round of the British Open golf championship." "Peter Thomson would roll in his grave," Scott said with a smile. The Open Championship began in 1860 when Willie Park Sr. defeated seven other golfers at Prestwick in Scotland, the home of golf. It took 35 years for another big championship to come along at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island known as the U.S. Open. That was followed by the South African Open, the Canadian Open and the Australian Open. Just about every country has an Open. The late Robert De Vicenzo has won more than 15 of them, from the German Open and French Open to the Peru Open and Uruguay Open. He also won the biggest Open of them all at Royal Liverpool in 1967. "Roberto de Vicenzo, 44-year-old golfing gaucho from the Argentine, climaxed 20 years of fruitless trying Saturday and beat out defending titleholder Jack Nicklaus by two strokes for the British Open Championship," the AP story read. When the "British Open" began is a little more unclear. J.H. Taylor won at St. Andrews in 1900 and the AP account referred to the "open golf championship." Except thata few paragraphs later, it noted Taylor registered his "third triumph in the English championships."Never mind that it was played in Scotland. British Open was used in 1914 when Harry Vardon won for the record sixth time. The Open left the island Great Britain for the first time in 1951 when it came across the Irish Sea to Royal Portrush. The AP account that year: "Methodical Max Faulkner, a par-wrecking Englishman who spent one winter milking cows to strengthen his golf hands, won the British open championship Friday in a dramatic rain-soaked finish." Arnold Palmer called it the British Open in his autobiography, "A Golfer's Life." But when asked by the R&A to write the foreword in a book celebrating 150 years of golf's oldest championship, Palmer called it "The Open Championship." When in Rome. Nicklaus was talking about his 1986 Masters victory one year when someone asked him how he decided which of his sons, Jack II and Steve, would caddie at which majors. "They started splitting it up," Nicklaus said. "I think Jackie took the Masters, and I think he had the Open. And Steve had the British Open." It's an American thing. But not always. One of the grandest occasions in golf was in 1930, when the great Bobby Jones won the British Amateur at St. Andrews and then captured the claret jug at Royal Liverpool on his way to winning the Grand Slam of that era — the impregnable quadrilateral, as it was called. Geoffrey Beazley, the captain of Royal Liverpool, presented the trophy to Joneswith a passionate speech that is worth listening to now for those who feel it is sacrilege to refer to this major as anything but "The Open." "Another championship, a British Open championship, is completed," he says. Beazley congratulated Jones for not only winning the British Amateur at St. Andrews, "but being here amongst us this evening as winner of the British Open championship." Ahem. Of course, the real test will be if the British Open goes to Portmarnock outside Dublin. Unlike Northern Ireland, the country of Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom. Calling it the British Open would make no sense. The R&A is in the middle of a feasibility study. Mark Darbon, the new CEO of the R&A, says it is serious about taking the Open out of Britain for the first time. "If you go back in history, the home territory of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is the British Isles, basically," he said in a recent interview. That should be enough for someone to call it the British Open. Just don't look for that on any merchandise the R&A sells. ___ On The Fringe analyzes the biggest topics in golf during the season. ___ AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

The Open Championship or the British Open? Even in Northern Ireland it depends on the audience

The Open Championship or the British Open? Even in Northern Ireland it depends on the audience PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Collin Mori...

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Arizona senators press Trump's interior secretary on response to Grand Canyon wildfire

Arizona senators press Trump's interior secretary on response to Grand Canyon wildfire

Arizona's senators are demanding answers from the Department of the Interior over its handling of a devastating wildfire that is stillburning out of control on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. In aletter sent Mondayto Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly questioned the department's initial response to the Dragon Bravo Fire. The blaze spread quickly over the weekend and destroyed dozens of structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a visitor center and a wastewater treatment plant. "It has been reported that National Parks Service officials initially decided to monitor the fire as a controlled burn, but changed their approach as strong winds allowed the fire to jump multiple containment features," the senators wrote in the letter. "There are many questions over the initial decision to treat this fire as a controlled burn and subsequent decisions on how to respond." Neither the National Park Service nor the Department of the Interior immediately responded to requests for comment. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, on Sunday called for an independent investigation into the federal response, particularly the decision to "manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer,"she said in a post on X. "An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government's emergency response," Hobbs wrote. "They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage. But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park." As of Monday, the fire had consumed more than 5,700 acres and remained 0% contained,according to InciWeb, the U.S. Forest Service's wildfire information site. Gallego and Kelly said they were concerned that early decisions by the federal government "may have affected the spread of fire in northern Arizona," particularly since the North Rim has been under weeks of extreme heat and experienced a dry winter. The senators asked Burgum to detail the factors that contributed to the initial decision to treat the fire as a controlled burn. Controlled burns are fires that are intentionally set or allowed to burn to reduce the amount of dry and flammable vegetation in an area. These kinds of burns are used to manage ecosystems that need periodic fires to stay healthy and also to lower the risk of biggerwildfiresfrom breaking out. Gallego and Kelly called the Grand Canyon "Arizona's crown jewel" and asked about the resources available to fight the wildfire. They also questioned how the Interior Department plans to prevent other blazes from spreading. The senators requested responses by Aug. 10. The Dragon Bravo Fire was started by lightning on July 4. TheNational Park Service said Sundaythat the blaze "exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion." The fire's rapid expansion was fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph, according to the NPS. Early assessments suggest that between 50 and 80 structures have been lost, but no injuries or deaths have been reported so far. A separate, bigger blaze known as the White Sage Fire is also burning north of the Dragon Bravo Fire. The White Sage Fire has consumed more than 49,000 acres and is also 0% contained,according to InciWeb.

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Arizona senators press Trump's interior secretary on response to Grand Canyon wildfire

Arizona senators press Trump's interior secretary on response to Grand Canyon wildfire Arizona's senators are demanding answers from...

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Trump urged supporters to see conspiracies everywhere. With Epstein, that's coming back to haunt him

Trump urged supporters to see conspiracies everywhere. With Epstein, that's coming back to haunt him

NEW YORK (AP) — As his supporters erupt over the Justice Department'sfailure to release much-hyped recordsin Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking investigation, PresidentDonald Trump's strategy has been to downplay the issue. His problem? That nothing-to-see-here approach doesn't work for those who have learned from him that they must not give up until the government's deepest, darkest secrets are exposed. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBIabruptly walked backthe notion that there's an Epstein client list of elites who participated inthe wealthy New York financier'strafficking of underage girls. Trump quicklydefended Attorney General Pam Bondiand chided a reporter for daring to ask about the documents. The online reaction was swift, with followers calling the Republican president "out of touch" and demanding transparency. On Saturday, Trump used his Truth Social platform to again attempt tocall supporters off the Epstein trailamid reports of infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue. He suggested the turmoil was undermining his administration — "all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein." That did little to mollify Trump's supporters, who urged him to release the files or risk losing his base. At least one follower responded to Trump's post by saying it seemed as though the president was just trying to make the issue go away — but assured him it wouldn't. The political crisis is especially challenging for Trump because it's one of his own making. The president has spent years stoking dark theories andembracing QAnon-tinged propagandathat casts him as the only savior who candemolish the "deep state." Now that he's running the federal government, the community he helped build iscoming back to haunt him. It's demanding answers he either isn't able to or does not want to provide. "The faulty assumption Trump and others make is they can peddle conspiracy theories without any blowback," said Matt Dallek, a political scientist at George Washington University. "The Epstein case is a neat encapsulation that it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle." A problem that's not going away Last week's two-page statement from the Justice Department and the FBI saying they had concluded that Epsteindid not possess a client listroiled Trump's supporters, who pointed to past statements from several administration officials that the list ought to be revealed. Bondi hadsuggested in Februarythat such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review, though last week she said she had been referring generally to the Epstein case file and not a specific client list. Conservative influencers have since demanded to see all the files related to Epstein's crimes, even as Trump has tried to put the issue to bed. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec said at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit on Saturday that he would not rest "until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files." Trump's weekend post sought to divert attention by calling on supporters to focus instead on investigating Democrats and arresting criminals rather than "spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein." His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen.Michael Flynn, pleaded with him to reconsider. "@realdonaldtrump please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away," Flynn wrote, adding that failing to address unanswered Epstein questions would make facing other national challenges "much harder." Other Trump allies continue to push for answers, among them far-right activistLaura Loomer, who has called for Bondi to resign. She told Politico's Playbook newsletter on Sunday that a special counsel should be appointed to investigate the handling of the files on Epstein, who wasfound dead in his federal jail cellin 2019 about a month after he was arrested. Experts who study conspiracy theories warned that more sunlight does not necessarily make far-fetched narratives disappear. "For some portion of this set of conspiracy theory believers, no amount of contradictory evidence will ever be enough," said Josephine Lukito, who studies conspiracy theorists at the University of Texas at Austin. Trump and his colleagues set their own trap The president and many figures in his administration — includingBondi,Bonginoand FBI DirectorKash Patel— earned their political capital over the years in part by encouraging disproven conspiracy theories on a range of topics, from elections to vaccines. Now, they're tasked with trying to reveal the evidence they'd long insisted was there — a challenge that's reached across the government. Last week, Environmental Protection Agency AdministratorLee Zeldinposted on X what seemed like an endorsement ofa notorious conspiracy theorythat the contrails left by aircraft are releasing chemicals for potentially nefarious reasons. But a second post from Zeldin underscored the fine line the Trump administration is trying to walk by linking to a new page on the EPA website that essentially debunked the theory. The value of conspiratorial fabrications is that they help people get political power, said Russell Muirhead, who teaches political science at Dartmouth College. He said Trump has exploited that "more ably than anybody probably in American history." But the Epstein case brings unique challenges, he said. That's because it's rooted in truth: A wealthy and well-connected financierdid spend yearsabusing large numbers of young girls while escaping justice. As a result, Trump needs to come forward with truth and transparency on the topic, Muirhead said. If he doesn't, "large segments of his most enthusiastic and devoted supporters are going to lose faith in him." A potentially costly distraction As right-wing outrage over Epstein dominates the political conversation, Democrats and other Trump rivals have been taking advantage. Several Democratic lawmakers have called for the release of all Epstein files and suggested Trump could be resisting because he or someone close to him is featured in them. Conservatives expressed concerns that Trump's approach on Epstein could hurt them in the midterms. "For this to go away, you're going to lose 10% of the MAGA movement," right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon said during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Friday. There's also the challenge of governing. Bondi and Bonginohad a tense exchangelast week at the White House over a story about Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation. And Loomer, who is close to Trump, said Friday she was told that Bongino was "seriously thinking about resigning." Bongino showed up at work Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss personnel issues. The FBI declined to comment. Patel also took to social media Friday to dismiss what he called "conspiracy theories" that he himself would be leaving the administration. Dallek, the George Washington University professor, said it's alarming that the country's top law enforcement officials are feuding over a conspiracy theory. "It's possible at some time voters are going to notice the things they want or expect government to do aren't being done because the people in charge are either incompetent or off chasing rabbits," he said. "Who is fulfilling the mission of the FBI to protect the American people?" ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Melissa Goldin and Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report.

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Trump urged supporters to see conspiracies everywhere. With Epstein, that's coming back to haunt him

Trump urged supporters to see conspiracies everywhere. With Epstein, that's coming back to haunt him NEW YORK (AP) — As his supporters e...

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Former Olympic champion Nina Derwael retires from gymnastics

Former Olympic champion Nina Derwael retires from gymnastics

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian gymnast Nina Derwael, a former Olympic champion on the uneven bars, is retiring from the sport, her national federation said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Derwael won the gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and has decided to call it quits after capturing two more titles at the European Championships in June. "Winning double gold at the European Championships a month and a half ago was the last highlight of her long and extremely successful gymnastics career, and the perfect time for her to retire," the federation said. Derwael won multiple medals at major championships. She was crowned world champion on the uneven bars in 2018 and 2019. "I have achieved everything I wanted to. I proved what I was capable of," she said, adding that she no longer wants to put her body under extreme strain. "Recently, I have increasingly found myself asking: 'Hasn't it been enough? Is it worth risking my body?' Ultimately, I have to conclude that it has been enough," she said. ___ More AP sports:https://apnews.com/apf-sport

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Former Olympic champion Nina Derwael retires from gymnastics

Former Olympic champion Nina Derwael retires from gymnastics BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian gymnast Nina Derwael, a former Olympic champion on the ...

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Freddie Freeman expects to be emotional mess at MLB All-Star Game in former home

Freddie Freeman expects to be emotional mess at MLB All-Star Game in former home

ATLANTA —Freddie Freeman's eyes started moistening when he walked into the clubhouse Monday, and the tears began flowing the moment he saw Atlanta manager Brian Snitker. It had been nearly four years since Freeman stepped into Atlanta's home locker room. Freeman has received ovations every time he has returned to Atlanta, even while wearing aLos Angeles Dodgersuniform, but Tuesday night will be like nothing he ever felt before. Freeman's departure was tumultuous, with contract negotiations that broke down and ultimately led him to the Dodgers, but for a couple of days, one of Atlanta's favorite sons is back at home where he spent the first 12 years of his career. Freeman is expected to be showered with adulation the moment he's introduced with the others inthe National League starting lineup, with the sellout crowd atTruist Parkgiving him a standing ovation that could linger for awhile. Freeman is already anticipating the emotions that could leave him a bubbling mess. "I think everyone who knows me," Freeman says, "know I usually get emotional during these kind of things. Coming back here, it's always very special to me. "So, whatever emotions I feel, they usually come out, and I'm not afraid to show my emotions." This is Freeman's ninth All-Star appearance, but this one will mean more than any other, playing in the ballpark that he and his Atlanta teammates helped build. Freeman was even part of the groundbreaking ceremony wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel, with pictures placed in a Truist Park time capsule. "When they announced it was coming here a year or two ago," Freeman said, "I think we kind of circled that I need to play well in 2025 to get here. I'm excited. It's always great coming back here. "When you spend so much time like I did here in Atlanta, it's special." The first timeFreeman returned in 2022after signinga six-year, $162 million contractwith the Dodgers, he sat down in the interview room, looked at the familiar faces and TV cameras around him, and broke down. He walked out, composed himself and returned, speaking of his painful departure. "I think every time I come back, I try and portray what Atlanta means to me," Freeman says. "It's so special. I spent a lot of wonderful years here, winning a championship, so to play in front of these fans again, I can't wait to be back.'' It all began to hit him again on Monday when he walked into the National League All-Stars' clubhouse, looked at his old locker, now occupied by Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson, and then saw Snitker. Snitker was Atlanta's third base coach when Freeman broke into the major leagues in 2010. Snitker returned to the minors, was invited to Freeman's wedding, became Atlanta's manager in 2016, and the two remain best of friends. "To see him take over and see all of the success he's had over the last seven, eight years, it's special," Freeman says. "He means so much to me and my family. We still talk in the offseason and throughout the year, but now I get to hang out with him." Perhaps for the last time. Snitker is expected to retire after the season, and Freeman — who turns 36 in September — could be following in a few years. "I was so looking forward to being in that same clubhouse with him again," Snitker says. "It was pretty cool to be in that clubhouse and be reunited. He has meant so much to me, and this entire organization. "I mean, when we were going through that rebuild, he was right there, front and center there, leading by example, and never griping about anything or what we were doing. He saw where we were and that the end result was going to be good. He had that huge impact on everybody he played with, and he's still doing it today. "I guarantee you this is going to be emotional, and very special for him." Atlanta lost at least 90 games three consecutive years from 2015-2017, but then won six consecutive division titles,including the 2021 World Serieswith Freeman leading the way. It wasn't just his performance on the field, but his clubhouse leadership, holding teammates accountable. He stressed the importance of playing every day, playing at least 157 games in eight seasons, including every game three different years. "He set the ultimate example, a Hall of Fame player that led us in all kinds of ways," Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos says. "He played the game the right way, played hurt, and was the ultimate teammate. I mean, when he came off the injured list in 2017, and saw that Matt Adams was playing well at first base, he volunteered to play third base. He did it for (16) games, just to make sure that Adams could stay in the lineup. "How can you not root for a guy like that?" Freeman's teammates, including the coaching staff and manager Dave Roberts, will tell you that Freeman has been looking forward to this day since November 2023,when Major League Baseball announcedthat Atlanta would host the game. It could bring closure to any open wounds that remain from his departure, with the hometown fans cheering him one last time, while on the same team as their favorite Atlanta players. "Obviously, he loved being an Atlanta Brave," Dodgers All-Star catcherWill Smithsays. "Fortunately for us, we got to bring him over, but you know how much it means to him every time we come back to Atlanta." Says Roberts: "I know once they announced that [the All-Star game] was going to be held here, it was marked on his calendar. His goal was to get back here and get in front of theBraves' faithful that cheered him on for 11, 12 years, So he's back sleeping in his own bed, back in his old clubhouse, and he's excited.'' Well, so is the entire Freeman family, with about 20 family members expected to be in attendance for the All-Star Game, knowing this will be a moment they will forever cherish. "You never know when you're going to make an All Star game, or whether it will be your last one," Freeman says. "We're going to look around, see all of the wonderful things that I experienced on this field, our whole family experienced, and savor it all." The cheers will come, and the tears will follow. "I know it's going to be emotional,'' Freeman says, "and, well, you know me. I'm not going to hold back.'' Follow Bob Nightengale on X@Bnightengale. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Freddie Freeman expecting emotional All-Star Game in Atlanta return

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Freddie Freeman expects to be emotional mess at MLB All-Star Game in former home

Freddie Freeman expects to be emotional mess at MLB All-Star Game in former home ATLANTA —Freddie Freeman's eyes started moistening when...

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Attorney General Pam Bondi fires top Justice Department ethics official

Attorney General Pam Bondi fires top Justice Department ethics official

Attorney GeneralPam Bondihas fired one of the top career officials tasked with advising her and other senior Justice Department officials of their ethical obligations, an official familiar with the dismissal confirmed to ABC News Monday. Joseph Tirrell on Monday took to LinkedIn to post news of his termination, including a photo of his termination notice which provided no reasoning for his firing. "Until Friday evening, I was the senior ethics attorney at the Department of Justice responsible for advising the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General directly on federal employee ethics," Tirrell said in the post. "I was also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ethics program across the Department." MORE: Attorney General Bondi fired at least 20 officials with ties to Jack Smith investigation: Sources The removal letter from Bondi mirrors that of letters sent to multiple other DOJ employees fired in recent weeks, including at least20 officialswho supported former special counsel Jack Smith's team in his prosecutions of President Donald Trump. Tirrell did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by ABC News. Tirrell's post outlined an extensive resume in public service, beginning with his time as a United States Naval Officer before he joined the FBI in 2006 in various ethics-related posts. In 2023 he was appointed as the director of the DOJ's Ethics Office, which advises employees of the rules governing financial disclosures, conflicts of interest and instances mandating recusal. among others. It's unclear what specifically prompted Tirrell's firing, though several former officials noted that he was leading the office when Smith disclosed, afterdeparting the DOJ, that Smith had accepted $140,000 in pro bono legal services as a "gift." The disclosure noted that Tirrell specifically signed off on the gift as being in compliance with applicable ethics laws and regulations. Tirrell's dismissal also comes amid several other removals of officials who worked on Smith's team, as well as at least two more career prosecutors who worked on the investigation into theJan. 6 attackon the U.S. Capitol. Both investigations have beenunder the microscopeof former interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin since he joined the main Justice Department to lead its so-called "Weaponization Working Group."

byMario Satorik

in

July 15, 2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi fires top Justice Department ethics official

Attorney General Pam Bondi fires top Justice Department ethics official Attorney GeneralPam Bondihas fired one of the top career officials t...

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