South Florida Local News

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 3, the 34th day of 2026. There are 331 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 3, 2015, a Metro-North Railroad commuter train slammed into an SUV stuck on the tracks at a suburban rail crossing 20 miles north of New York City, killing five train passengers and the SUV driver and injuring about 30 others.

Also on this date:

In 1870, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting Black American men the right to vote, was ratified.

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In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for a federal income tax, was ratified.

In 1917, the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the same day an American cargo ship, the SS Housatonic, was sunk by a U-boat off Britain (after the crew was allowed to board lifeboats).

In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. transport ship SS Dorchester, which was carrying troops to Greenland, sank after being hit by a German torpedo in the Labrador Sea; only some 230 of the 900 aboard survived.

In 1959, which would become known as “the day the music died,” rock ‘n roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

In 1966, the Soviet probe Luna 9 became the first man-made object to make a soft landing on the moon.

In 1998, a U.S. Marine jet sliced through the cable of a ski gondola near Cavalese, Italy, causing the car to plunge hundreds of feet, killing all 20 people inside.

In 2006, an Egyptian passenger ferry sank in the Red Sea during bad weather, killing more than 1,000 people.

In 2007, a truck bomb exploded in a busy street market in Baghdad, killing more than 100 people in one of the deadliest single attacks in the Iraqi capital.

In 2023, more than three dozen freight cars of a train carrying hazardous materials derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, close to the Pennsylvania line. The derailment prompted an immediate evacuation and the intentional burning of toxic vinyl chloride three days later that sent flames and acrid smoke in the air.

Today’s birthdays:

• Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 86.
• Actor Blythe Danner is 83.
• Football Hall of Famer Bob Griese is 81.
• Singer-guitarist Dave Davies (The Kinks) is 79.
• Actor Morgan Fairchild is 76.
• Actor Nathan Lane is 70.
• Actor Maura Tierney is 61.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Vlade Divac is 58.
• Golf Hall of Famer Retief Goosen is 57.
• Actor Warwick Davis is 56.
• Actor Isla Fisher is 50.
• Reggaeton singer Daddy Yankee is 49.
• Actor Aimee Lou Wood is 32.

Re: Stop DeSantis from spending too much money, Editorial, Feb. 1

You should stick to reporting the news rather than your editorial garbage. Your hatred of our governor has blinded your ability to be balanced, fair or accurate.

Florida has grown exponentially since Ron DeSantis was elected. Almost 1,000 people per day move to our great state. His ability to not only balance our budget but to turn a surplus while adding so many citizens is a model that should be applauded and envied.

The governor is going to reduce property taxes, if he gets his way, to make home ownership more accessible and affordable. Under his leadership, for the first time in decades, property insurance rates are falling by double digits.

Those of us who have subscribed to your newspaper for decades realize that the truth and facts no longer fit your political agenda. Frankly, I think your entire editorial board should be replaced.

I do love your sportswriters. That is the only reason that I still subscribe to your once-proud newspaper.

Brian Samberg, Delray Beach

ICE must leave Minnesota

America has benefited from its history of welcoming immigrants.

This does not mean that in the modern era that the U.S. should have open borders. Congress and the executive branch must finally come up with an effective and humane plan for the settlement of the many people all over the globe who want to live here.

We expect properly trained law enforcement to control our borders and to deport the criminals who are here illegally. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has crafted ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) into a poorly trained, aggressive military-style force that violates many provisions of the Bill of Rights.

The Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus calls on the Trump adminstration to remove ICE from Minnesota until a plan of cooperation between federal and state officials can be agreed upon and the deaths of innocent citizens are investigated transparently by local, state and federal law enforcement departments.

Leviticus 19:34: “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be as a native from among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the lord your G-d.”

Richard Stark, Boynton Beach

The writer is president of the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus and is a former Broward County legislator.

When will it end?

Venezuela, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, NATO.

Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., Kristi Noem, Kash Patel, Stephen Miller.

Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles.

Jerome Powell, James Comey, Letitia Jones, Mark Kelley, Lisa Cook.

The Trump-Kennedy Center, Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, Board of Peace.

ICE, Renee Good, Alex Pretti.

Can’t anyone stop him?

Joel Speiser, Delray Beach

‘This cannot be America’

It has been a very sad nightmare to watch, day after day, the news where ICE agents drag, torture, arrest and kill innocent citizens without daring to ask them for their IDs. My heart cannot continue seeing this.

We have never been in such a disastrous, disgraceful and shameful chaotic situation.

The world is watching. Are we cursed? We do not deserve it.

I hope that protests against ICE won’t end soon and, on the contrary, they extend stronger nationwide until ICE agents are prosecuted. I feel like we’re living in wartime under a Nazi regime where innocent citizens were treated that way.

This cannot be America. Shame on you, ICE!

Sarina Eliyakim, Fort Lauderdale

Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length. 

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Here are the top stories for Tuesday, Feb. 3. 2026. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to carry out President Donald Trump’s “play call” for funding the government will be put to the test Tuesday as the House holds a procedural vote on a bill to end the partial shutdown.

Johnson will need near-unanimous support from his Republican conference to proceed. He can afford to lose only one Republican on party-line votes with perfect attendance, but some lawmakers are threatening to tank the effort if their priorities are not included. Trump weighed in with a social media post, telling them “There can be NO CHANGES at this time.”

“We will work together in good faith to address the issues that have been raised, but we cannot have another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown that will hurt our Country so badly — One that will not benefit Republicans or Democrats. I hope everyone will vote, YES!,” Trump wrote on his social media site.

The measure would end the partial government shutdown that began Saturday, funding most of the federal government through Sept. 30 and the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks as lawmakers negotiate potential changes for the agency that enforces the nation’s immigration laws — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

Running Trump’s ‘play call’

Johnson said on “Fox News Sunday” it was Trump’s “play call to do it this way. He had already conceded he wants to turn down the volume, so to speak.” But GOP leaders sounded like they still had work to do in convincing the rank-and-file to join them as House lawmakers returned to the Capitol Monday after a week back in their congressional districts.

“We always work till the midnight hour to get the votes,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. “You never start the process with everybody on board. You work through it, and you could say that about every major bill we’ve passed.”

The funding package passed the Senate on Friday. Trump says he’ll sign it immediately if it passes the House. Some Democrats are expected to vote for the final bill, but not for the initial procedural measure setting the terms for the House debate, making it the tougher test for Johnson and the White House.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has made clear that Democrats wouldn’t help Republicans out of their procedural jam, even though Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer helped negotiate the funding bill.

Jeffries noted that the procedural vote covers a variety of issues that most Democrats oppose, including resolutions to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

“If they have some massive mandate,” Jeffries said of Republicans, “then go pass your rule, which includes toxic bills that we don’t support.”

Key differences from the last shutdown

The path to the current partial shutdown differs from the fall impasse, which affected more agencies and lasted a record 43 days.

Then, the debate was over extending temporary, COVID-era subsidies for those who get health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Democrats were unsuccessful in getting those subsidies included as part of a package to end the shutdown.

Congress has made important progress since then, passing six of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs. That includes important programs such as nutrition assistance and fully operating national parks and historic sites. They are funded through Sept. 30.

But the remaining unpassed bills represent roughly three-quarters of federal spending, including the Department of Defense. Service members and federal workers could miss paychecks depending upon the length of the current funding lapse.

Voting bill becomes last-minute obstacle

Some House Republicans have demanded that the funding package include legislation requiring voters to show proof of citizenship before they are eligible to participate in elections. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., had said the legislation, known as the SAVE Act, must be included in the appropriations package.

But Luna appeared to drop her objections late Monday, writing on social media that she had spoken with Trump about a “pathway forward” for the voting bill in the Senate that would keep the government open.

The Brennan Center for Justice, a think tank focused on democracy and voting rights issues, said the voting bill’s passage would mean that Americans would need to produce a passport or birth certificate to register to vote, and that at least 21 million votes lack ready access to those papers.

“If House Republicans add the SAVE Act to the bipartisan appropriations package it will lead to another prolonged Trump government shutdown,” Schumer said. “Let’s be clear, the SAVE Act is not about securing our elections. It is about suppressing voters.”

Johnson has operated with a thin majority throughout his tenure as speaker. But with Saturday’s special election in Texas, the Republican majority stands at a threadbare 218-214, shrinking the GOP’s ability to withstand defections.

___

Associated Press video journalist Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.

SUNRISE — Jason Zucker broke a tie on a power play at 5:31 of the third period and he Buffalo Sabres beat the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 5-3 on Monday night.

The Sabres have won six of seven and took over the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They hold a 10-point lead over the Panthers. Florida, which has lost four straight, trails Boston by nine for the final playoff position with 27 games remaining.

Peyton Krebs had a goal and an two assists for the Sabres. Tage Thompson, Zach Benson, and Josh Doan also scored for Buffalo, with Rasmus Dahlin had two assists. Alex Lyon, who has won 11 of his past 12 starts, made 38 saves.

Sandis Vilmanis, Evan Rodrigues, and Uvis Balinskis scored for Florida. Sergei Bobrovsky made 15 saves.

The Panthers took a 2-0 lead early in the first period, but the Sabres scored the next three.

Florida, already playing without a number of its top forwards including captain Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand, lost center Sam Bennett to an upper-body injury.

Bennett left the game after the first and did not return.

The Panthers scored 37 seconds in on a goal from Vilmanis, with Rodrigues making it 2-0 at 5:56 of the period.

Buffalo scored the next two to tie the score going into the second, first off a long wrist shot from Thompson, then off a goal from Kreps in front off the rush.

The Sabres led 3-2 at 5:44 of the second when Bobrovsky came 15 feet out to play the puck. Only Ryan McLeod beat the Florida goalie to it, and he found Benson in the slot for the easy goal.

The Panthers tied it late in the second on a power-play goal from Balinskis, but Buffalo took the lead back on a power-play of its own at 5:31 of the third when Zucker scored off a blind feed from Doan. Doan ended the scoring with a goal off a pass from Krebs with 2:1:9 remaining.

Up next

Panthers: Host Boston on Wednesday night.

By DAVID KLEPPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has withheld a complaint made about her conduct from members of Congress for eight months, claiming the delay is needed for a legal review, an attorney for the person making the allegations said Monday.

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The complaint was reviewed by the office of the intelligence community’s inspector general, which deemed it not credible, Gabbard’s office said. The person then sought to have the complaint referred to members of Congress’ intelligence committees, as is permitted by federal law, but that has not occurred.

Andrew Bakaj, the attorney for the person who made the complaint, said he could not identify his client, their employer or offer specifics about the allegations because of the nature of their work. But he said there’s no justification for keeping the complaint from Congress since last spring.

There was no delay in getting the complaint to members of the intelligence committees, Gabbard’s press secretary Olivia Coleman said, though she added that the number of classified details in the complaint made the review process “substantially more difficult.”

Gabbard’s office disputed the claims, which were first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Coleman noted that the inspector general who deemed the complaint non-credible wasn’t selected by Gabbard and began their work during then-President Joe Biden’s administration.

“Director Gabbard has always and will continue to support whistleblower’s and their right, under the law, to submit complaints to Congress, even if they are completely baseless like this one,” Coleman wrote in a post on X.

Gabbard coordinates the work of the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies. In an unusual role for a spy chief, she was on site last week when the FBI served a search warrant on election offices in Georgia central to Trump’s disproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election, raising questions from Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.

Bakaj, meanwhile, has asked Congress to investigate the handling of the complaint.

A spokesperson for Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Gabbard pledged under oath during her confirmation hearing that she would protect whistleblowers and make sure Congress was kept informed.

“We expect her to honor those commitments and comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law,” Warner’s office said in a statement.

The inspector general’s office, which is tasked with providing independent oversight of the intelligence community, did not immediately respond to questions about the complaint.

A former intelligence officer with the CIA, Bakaj previously represented an intelligence community whistleblower whose account of a phone call between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy helped initiate the first of two impeachment cases against the Republican leader during his first team.

Trump was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate in February 2020 over the call during which he asked the Ukrainian president for a “favor” — to announce he was investigating Democrats including 2020 rival Joe Biden.

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.

By MELISSA GOLDIN

Multiple AI-generated photos falsely claiming to show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child and his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, along with other high-profile public figures, were shared widely on social media Monday.

The images originated on an X account labeled as parody after a huge tranche of new Epstein files was released by the Justice Department on Friday. They are clearly watermarked as AI and other elements they contain do not add up.

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: Images show Mamdani as a child and his mother with Jeffrey Epstein and other public figures linked to the disgraced financier.

THE FACTS: The images were created with artificial intelligence. They all contain a digital watermark identifying them as such and first appeared on a parody X account that says it creates “high quality AI videos and memes.”

In one of the images, Mamdani and Nair appear in the front of a group photo with Maxwell, Epstein, former President Bill Clinton, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. They seem to be posing at night on a crowded city street. Mamdani looks to be a preteen or young teenager.

Another supposedly shows the same group of people, minus Nair, in what appears to be a tropical setting. Epstein is pictured holding Clinton sitting in his arms, while Maxwell has her arm around Mamdani, who appears slightly younger.

Other AI-generated images circulating online depict Mamdani as a baby being held by Nair while she poses with Epstein, Clinton, Maxwell and Bezos. None of Epstein’s victims have publicly accused Clinton, Gates or Bezos of being involved in his crimes.

Google’s Gemini app detected SynthID, a digital watermarking tool for identifying content that has been generated or altered with AI, in all the images described above. This means they were created or edited, either entirely or in part, by Google’s AI models.

The X account that first posted the images describes itself as “an AI-powered meme engine” that uses “AI to create memes, songs, stories, and visuals that call things exactly how they are — fast, loud, and impossible to ignore.”

An inquiry sent to the account went unanswered. However, a post by the account seems to acknowledge that it created the images.

“Damn you guys failed,” it reads. “I purposely made him a baby which would technically make this pic 34 years old. Yikes.”

The photos began circulating after an email emerged in which a publicist, Peggy Siegal, wrote to Epstein about seeing a variety of luminaries, including Clinton, Bezos and Nair, an award-winning Indian filmmaker, at 2009 afterparty for a film held at Maxwell’s townhouse.

While Mamdani appears as a baby or young child in all of the images, he was 18 in 2009, when Nair is said to have attended the party.

The images have led to related falsehoods that have spread online in their wake. For example, one claims that Epstein is Mamdani’s father. This is not true — Mamdani’s father is Mahmood Mamdani, an anthropology professor at Columbia University.

The NYC Mayor’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.

General Daily Insight for February 03, 2026

Two steps forward and one step back is still progress! At 9:33 pm EST, the cosmic rebel Uranus ends its retrograde and moves ahead through steady Taurus. Stalled changes around resources and stability should finally regain momentum. We may begin the day cautiously, yet by evening the urge to upgrade our tools, budgets, or habits grows. We must pay attention to find updates that are both useful and realistic. Outsized expectations risk causing a lot of stress! Picking a single main project would be wise.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Money, money, money! Your finances are the focus as unpredictable Uranus stations direct in your 2nd House of Resources, stalled money moves unstick, so a raise chat or subscription cleanup suddenly looks worth action. Your bold streak helps you negotiate fairly, while steady pacing keeps nerves calm if an invoice or shared bill surprises you. Your 2nd House of Resources rewards clean tracking, so check banking alerts and receipts to stop small leaks before they spread. Clear numbers calm nerves and protect your energy well today.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Comfort isn’t frivolous at this time. Radical Uranus is shifting ahead while stationed in your sign, powering up your 1st house — the sector that rules your character and style. You might be craving a wardrobe update or an appearance modification (anything from painting your nails to getting a tattoo is on the table here). You deserve to live a life you enjoy! On top of that, even if others don’t understand your total depth, their first impression of you should be very positive.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Quiet time brings behind-the-scenes breakthroughs. As the innovation planet Uranus stations direct in your 12th House of Secrets, solutions are more likely to appear when you step back and rest. If you’ve lost something, take a break and then double-check with fresh eyes. Maybe you’re struggling to remember some information that could fly into your mind almost as soon as you stop trying so hard to think of it. Jot down any more vivid dreams ASAP, because their symbolism may point to your next step.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Friends could currently respond best to kind, steady leadership. With unconventional Uranus stationing direct in your 11th House of Socialization, a group “plan” might seem more like a collection of unrelated ideas with conflicting schedules. You can step up and suggest less polarizing activities, massage the timeline, or redistribute roles — whatever’s necessary to reduce friction and increase joy. To be the best possible leader, make sure to get everyone’s input and check in with them along the way. Take charge with empathy.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Trust your instincts! Your generosity and creativity are in charge as surprising Uranus shifts direct in your 10th House of Authority. You’ve got real leadership potential right now, and even if you’d rather not be in charge, managers or mentors are more inclined to view you positively. This is a great time to polish your professional portfolio or apply for jobs — you might even feel inspired to look up auditions for local theater performances! Your presence can turn curveballs into home runs.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Fixing tiny missteps has massive benefits at present. Your 9th House of Growth welcomes Uranus as it begins moving ahead — now’s your chance to follow up on applications, book trips, or contemplate education opportunities. These things might have seemed intimidatingly complex, but asking a few thoughtful questions could make a huge difference. Someone might respond with a workaround that saves money without lowering quality. Once today’s tasks are checked off, consider setting up some structures to assist your future self in similar endeavors.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

This afternoon invites fair judgment — even if that isn’t the outcome you’d prefer. As freedom-seeking Uranus stations direct in your 8th House of Shared Resources, tangled arrangements loosen, and a more just split or cleaner agreement becomes easier to reach. If money, knowledge, or labor feel uneven, propose simple rules and choose transparency, because trust strengthens when everyone sees the same numbers. If there’s too much to handle at once, try to arrange a friendly follow-up to revise details without blame if anything changes.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your needs are valid, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Relationship dynamics (platonic or otherwise) may shift abruptly as shocking Uranus spins direct in your 7th House of Alignments. Your friends have a deep impact on your character, and this is a great time to think about that impact. If it’s positive, all is well, but it might not be positive. Address any negative shifts directly, but not confrontationally. Being open with one another is the best way to meet everyone’s needs.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A flexible routine will be much easier to keep up today than a strict one. Uranus wakes up in your 6th House of Practice, invigorating your efforts to streamline your day-to-day activities. You might switch up your commute, try a new snack, or reorganize your everyday bag. As each small update stacks up, you could regain a lot of time and energy. Don’t jump into things too quickly, though. Tweak your set-up gradually and celebrate each win along the way. Consistency is crucial!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

The stars are calling for some silliness! Nothing too dramatic, just a little dose of laughter to lighten up your day. With reactive Uranus stationing direct in your 5th House of Creativity, a passion project or date idea gets a jolt, inviting you to try something new on a whim. Tell a lame joke, paint a blob, or sing along with a song even when you can’t hit the high notes. Indulging in happiness renews your energy, allowing you to commit to bigger goals.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your home may start feeling different in a good way. As unruly Uranus stations direct in your tender 4th house, domestic changes are afoot. Seize this opening to design a home set-up that actually fits your daily life. Your living room isn’t in an interior design magazine — it’s in your life! Moving furniture to let in more light or designing a chore chart (yes, even if you live alone) could greatly improve your home’s energy. When you’re comfortable there, your guests will be, too.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

A simple message could send you down a helpful path. Honest inquiries, in particular, can travel far. With erratic Uranus stationing direct in your 3rd House of Communication, a favor, errand, or repair should happen much faster when you’re willing to start the conversation. Speak and be concrete about needs, because clear words bridge gaps with siblings, neighbors, classmates, or co-workers. Be wary of misbehaving devices — in-person chats are more reliable than texts or emails. When you need something to happen, say so!

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Legal experts say President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax information raises a plethora of legal and ethical questions, including the propriety of the leader of the executive branch pursuing scorched-earth litigation against the very government he is in charge of.

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• Trump administration cuts number of sites for testing the 2030 census, focusing on the South
• Every Homeland Security officer in Minneapolis is now being issued a body-worn camera, Noem says

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Florida, includes the president’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric as plaintiffs. It alleges that the leak of Trump’s and the Trump Organization’s confidential tax records caused “reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, unfairly tarnished their business reputations, portrayed them in a false light, and negatively affected President Trump, and the other Plaintiffs’ public standing.”

In 2024, former IRS contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn, of Washington, D.C. — who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, a defense and national security tech firm — was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to leaking tax information about Trump and others to two news outlets between 2018 and 2020.

The outlets were not named in the charging documents, but the description and time frame align with stories about Trump’s tax returns in The New York Times and reporting about wealthy Americans’ taxes in the nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica. The 2020 New York Times report found Trump paid $750 in federal income tax the year he first entered the White House and no income tax at all some years thanks to reported colossal losses.

Legal analysts say that Trump does have a legitimate claim against the IRS but question the amount he is seeking as well as his decision to pursue the case at all. The disclosure violated IRS Code 6103, one of the strictest confidentiality laws in federal statute, which provides a legal remedy for individuals whose tax information is leaked, including a minimum of $1,000 per disclosure.

Since Littlejohn stole tax records of other billionaires, including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, there is a possibility the case sets a precedent for other high-wealth earners to seek compensation from the government over the leak.

David Gair, a tax attorney with Troutman Pepper Locke in Dallas who represents individuals whose tax information was included in the Littlejohn leak, told The Associated Press that several clients have already reached out about bringing a potential claim against the government.

“People are saying, well, if he can do it, then why can’t I do it? And so I think you will have a lot more people filing similar lawsuits, thinking that they might be able to piggyback on what he’s doing.”

Amy Hanauer, executive director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, says a legal remedy has already been provided for the leak.

“The contractor who leaked this information has been imprisoned, the Trump administration’s Treasury Department canceled its contracts with the company that employed the leaker, and the IRS issued a rare public apology to taxpayers affected by the leak,” and the IRS has pledged to strengthen its data protection procedures as a result, Hanauer said.

She adds that “even if an unbiased judge rightly rejects Trump’s demands as preposterous, there is a great danger that the IRS would ‘agree’ to settle and pay out an enormous sum of taxpayer dollars to Trump.”

Trump, when asked by a reporter over the weekend how he will manage being on both sides of the lawsuit, referred to a previous complaint he filed against the Department of Justice seeking roughly $230 million in damages over investigations into his 2016 campaign’s Russia ties and the 2022 Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.

He added that he’s supposed to “work out a settlement with myself.”

“I think what we’ll do is do something for charity,” Trump said Saturday. “We could make it a substantial amount. Nobody would care because it’s going to go to numerous very good charities.”

A White House representative did not offer details on what organizations might receive any settlement money.

Individuals whose tax information has been leaked don’t have to prove compensatory damages, Gair noted, though Trump is also seeking punitive damages, changing the stakes.

Referring to the deals that Trump’s family business has inked since he won reelection, Gair said Trump may have a hard time showing real harm.

“It’s hard for me to believe that he really had any losses, but maybe,” Gair said.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he won’t tear down the Kennedy Center but said it needs to be closed for about two years for work that cannot be done with patrons coming and going for shows and other performances.

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• FACT FOCUS: Images of NYC mayor with Jeffrey Epstein are AI-generated. Here’s how we know
• Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS raises conflict of interest concerns
• Trump administration cuts number of sites for testing the 2030 census, focusing on the South
• Every Homeland Security officer in Minneapolis is now being issued a body-worn camera, Noem says

Trump’s comments, though, suggested that the interior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will be gutted as part of the process.

“I’m not ripping it down,” the Republican president told reporters following an unrelated announcement in the Oval Office. “I’ll be using the steel. So we’re using the structure.”

Such a project would mark Trump’s latest effort to put his stamp on a cultural institution that Congress designated as a living memorial to President Kennedy, a Democrat, in addition to attempting to leave his mark on Washington through other projects, the most prominent of which is adding a ballroom to the White House.

Trump announced Sunday on social media that he intends to close the performing arts venue on July 4 for about two years, subject to approval by a board led by many of his allies. Trump is also the board’s chairman.

The announcement followed a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians and groups since the president ousted the previous leadership and his name was added to the building.

Recalling his past career in construction and real estate, Trump said, “you want to sit with something for a little while before you decide on what you want to do.”

Speaking of the Kennedy Center, he said: “We sat with it. We ran it. It’s in very bad shape,” asserting that the building is “run down,” “dilapidated” and “sort of dangerous.”

“You can’t do any work because people are coming in and out.”

He pegged the cost at about $200 million, including the use of “the highest-grade marbles, the highest-grade everything.”

“We’re fully financed and so we’re going to close it and we’re going to make it unbelievable, far better than it ever was, and we’ll be able to do it properly,” Trump said.

He had said last October, also on social media, that the venue would remain open during construction. But on Monday he said that plan was not feasible.

Tarps are installed in front of the sign on the Kennedy Center on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“I was thinking maybe there’s a way of doing it simultaneously but there really isn’t, and we’re going to have something that when it opens it’s going to be brand new, beautiful,” Trump said.

“The steel will all be checked out because it’ll be fully exposed,” he said. “It’s been up for a long time, but as anybody knows it was in very bad shape. Wasn’t kept well, before I got there,” he said. “So we’re going to make it, I think there won’t be anything like it in the country.”

Trump promised brand new heating and air conditioning systems as part of his latest construction projects. Since he returned to the presidency, the Kennedy Center is one of many Washington landmarks that he has sought to overhaul in his second term.

He demolished the East Wing of the White House and launched a massive $400 million ballroom project, is actively pursuing building a triumphal arch on the other side the Arlington Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Washington Dulles International Airport.

“The past is strewn with the ruins of the empires of tyranny, and each is a monument not merely to man’s blunders, but to his capacity to overcome them,” wrote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his final book, “A Testament of Hope.”

Our annual celebration of his life has passed, but his words of hope and strength still resonate.

As we feel the growing despair surrounding the tyrannical actions of our current government, we must remember Dr. King’s words and come together to remain strong. The daily chaotic flood of bad news and unfathomable actions cause us all to feel depressed, defeated and hopeless.

Yet giving up is exactly what they want.

If each American who cares about our democracy took one tiny step each day, we can succeed in pushing back the imperialism that haunts us. A few ideas to consider:

Write letters to the editor, like this one (send to letters@sun-sentinel.com). Join an advocacy group like Move On. Attend local meetings. Help get out the vote. Support your local elected officials. Join protests. Call your congressional representatives (there is an app, 5 Calls, that makes it seamless with auto-dial numbers and scripts).

These are dark days. They demand that each of us lights a single candle to save the world.

Ellen Crane, Lighthouse Point

Our long national nightmare

Republicans who loathe America are willing to look the other way or hide behind hate groups and propaganda organizations such as MAGA, Turning Point USA or Fox News.

They do it whenever the felonious Donald Trump endlessly breaks the law, defies the Constitution, ignores Congress, pardons lawfully convicted criminals who have had due process, authorizes random unwarranted murders of alleged drug smugglers and peaceful unarmed protesters, weaponizes the DOJ, FBI, Pentagon and soon the independent Federal Reserve, kidnaps foreign leaders at will, appallingly accepts a re-gifted Nobel Peace Prize, plasters his name on anything that doesn’t move, threatens longtime allies, or accuses anyone who doesn’t kowtow to his disgraceful wicked agenda of being a paid agitator or domestic terrorist.

When will this contemptible national nightmare end (or is it too late)?

Trump is destroying 250 years of a democratic republic before our eyes.

My immigrant World War II veteran father is spinning in his grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

Steve Rask, Fort Lauderdale

Hey, you, up in Montpelier

Here’s a sign that global climate change is not a hoax: South Florida locals shiver in near-freezing temperatures in January.

Snowbirds, if you’re smart, winterize your RV before you drive it from Vermont to Florida.

Rob Curran, Lauderdale Lakes

Research Charlie Kirk

It baffles me that people praise and honor Charlie Kirk. His final book, “Stop in the Name of God: Why Honoring The Sabbath Will Transform Your Life” is near the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

How is that possible, when he has been so outspoken on subjects that are racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic and more, including bashing Martin Luther King Jr., and stating that “empathy” is a lame word made up by the woke left?

Are folks buying this book really aware of who Charlie Kirk was at his core? His outrageous views can be seen in his own words on his own podcast or in various interviews by searching YouTube.

Another way to research the real Kirk is to visit snopes.com, where they have researched his quotes. If you’re inclined, it’s best to investigate Kirk before you order his book.

Jack Bloomfield, Coral Springs

Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length. 

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DEAR MISS MANNERS: It seems that more people are now issuing invitations to “come for drinks” in the early evening, with no plans for dinner to follow.

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We have come to enjoy this type of socializing, and have extended similar invitations.

I would like Miss Manners to clarify the proper amount of time these get-togethers should last.

I have always assumed an hour, or 90 minutes at most. However, as hosts, we have had people stay beyond that, and as guests, we have been urged to remain longer, as well.

I never want to overstay my welcome, nor do I want my dinner in the warming drawer to dry out. At the same time, I do not want to appear to “drink and run” by leaving too soon.

If it were a cocktail party, the invitation would likely say “Come for cocktails from 5:30 to 7,” but that feels a bit awkward when inviting just one couple. I would appreciate your guidance to being both a better host and guest!

GENTLE READER: In the heyday of cocktail parties, it was no secret that guests who went after the munchies could skip dinner. There was always a soft murmur going on, with one half of a couple telling the other half not to expect a meal at home after the party.

To avoid excessive lingering, the closing hour — not a standard feature of other invitations — was, as you note, stated explicitly.

So the first rule for just one couple is not to spoil their dinner appetites. No heavy hors d’oeuvres! Maybe bowls of nuts?

Ninety minutes to two hours, the expected time to linger at a cocktail party, is also reasonable for “just drinks.” In any case, one should not stay beyond the common dinner hour of 7 p.m., even if urged otherwise — unless it is in the form of, “Let’s all go somewhere for dinner.”

All but the terminally obtuse should note that when food and drinks are no longer being offered, it is time to go. But you seem to have encountered such folks.

The next step is to stand up while talking to them. Eventually, they will have to pull themselves up. And you may thank them for having come. In stubborn cases, you could add, “We hope to see you again soon” while moving slowly toward the door.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: You must be really happy that the secretary of transportation has told us poor wretches who fly economy to dress up for the privilege. Hats and gloves, naturally. I have my grandfather’s old fedora, but my wife might have to buy new white gloves.

But why stop at the Perfect 1950s? Shouldn’t red-eye flights require tuxedos and evening gowns, like in the time of the great ships?

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GENTLE READER: Yes, let’s use those ships for comparison rather than the 1950s, to which Miss Manners ascribes considerably less charm and glamour than you seem to.

Those who dressed up were traveling in opulent settings, with luxurious food and entertainment. But the great ocean liners also had steerage class, in which passengers were kept in crowded, primitive accommodations with minimal rations. They were not expected to dress up.

Which part of the ship most resembles today’s air travel?

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.