National Guard troops deployed under President Donald Trump’s sweeping federal takeover of the capital were spotted this week picking up trash bags in Lafayette Park, the National Mall and the Tidal Basin. About 110 soldiers have been assigned to cleanup duty as part of a White House-directed “Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” according to reporting from FOX 5 DC.The unusual optics highlight Washington’s image problem.

On Tuesday, a judge rejected former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s attempt to prolong a taxpayer-funded legal battle with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, saying the New York City mayoral candidate was trying to litigate in an effort to repair his tarnished reputation.

EXCLUSIVE: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll defended the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to help combat violent crime, insisting soldiers are “thrilled” to support their own communities.In an interview with Fox News Digital, Driscoll said the D.C. Guard was “purpose-built for this type of mission” and praised the 2,000 troops currently deployed — including 800 from D.C. and 1,200 from six other states.

A judge ordered the Utah legislature on Monday to redraw its congressional maps in time for next year’s midterm elections, finding the state legislature unlawfully gerrymandered its districts in favor of Republicans.Judge Dianna Gibson said in a 76-page order that the legislature must pass a “remedial congressional map” by the end of September.

The Democratic National Committee kicked off its annual summer meeting in Minneapolis with a “land acknowledgment” that included an assertion that the U.S. perpetuates a system of suppression.”Let’s talk about the land for a second,” said Lindy Sowmick, treasurer of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) and self-described “Indigenous queer woman,” after DNC Chairman Ken Martin introduced her to recite the acknowledgment.

Donald Trump said 600,000 Chinese students would be allowed into the U.S. to study at colleges amid ongoing trade talks with China.Speaking at the White House Monday, the president’s announcement signals a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations after escalating tariffs and restrictions on Chinese students.”I hear so many stories that we’re not going to allow their students,” Trump told reporters.”We’re going to allow their students to come in.