FBI whistleblowers and emails released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reveal that U.S. intelligence knew of a China-led election fraud plot to elect Joe Biden in September 2020, but that information was covered up.

Washington

Documents released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley show that the FBI decided not to investigate allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. According to emails, the Bureau blocked an inquiry into claims that the Chinese government was producing fraudulent driver's licenses to facilitate mail-in voting for Joe Biden. The decision was reportedly made to avoid contradicting testimony given by then-FBI Director Christopher Wray, who had stated there was no evidence of coordinated voter fraud. Internal communications from FBI analysts expressed concern that the suppression of the investigation appeared politically motivated. The revelations have sparked debate over the role of intelligence agencies in election oversight and the potential impact of political considerations on investigative decisions.

Bombshell reveals FBI covered for Wray during 2020 election

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley today releasing documents showing the FBI suppressed intelligence on allegations of Chinese interference in the 2020 U.S. election because the Bureau wanted to protect its then-director Christopher Wray. On September 24, 2020, Wray testified in front of Congress that the FBI had not seen evidence of coordinated voter fraud ahead of the 2020 election. But according to emails, the very next day, September 25, 2020, the FBI decided to block an investigation into allegations the Chinese government was producing tens of thousands of fraudulent driver's licenses to manufacture mail-in votes for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 election. The documents show that despite showing signs of credibility, the allegations were never fully investigated, because doing so would contradict the testimony of Christopher Wray, and the probe was shut down to protect Wray from the fallout. In one email, an analyst from the FBI's Albany field office raised the alarm that this appeared political. Most concerning to me is stating the reporting would contradict with Director Wray's testimony. I found this troubling because it implied to me that one of the reasons we aren't putting this out is for a political reason. I do not feel it is our job to assess whether or not intelligence aligns with the director. So, Nikki, questions about the 2020 election, still verboten or does this open a whole other can of worms? Yeah, it really raises a lot of questions. You know, the FBI obviously beclowned themselves over the previous four years from calling parents domestic terrorists to going after Catholics, and so this is just, you know, Exhibit 9052, right, of why big government is bad and why we have to question everything. Chris, Christopher Wray, James Comey, they've been in the headlines lately. And of course, when Trump returns to office, he puts Kash Patel atop the FBI. There was a lot of hand-wringing about this. A loyalist, someone who will do Trump's bidding. What are we to make of Kash Patel now that we know more and more about Chris Wray and James Comey? I've got to say that Kash Patel's cup runneth over here. I mean, his basket is more than full. And where do you begin? How many confidential informants did they have on Capitol Hill on January 6th, right? How many intelligence officials signed on to 51 is the correct answer, that letter with John Brennan, the CIA director, who voted for the Communist Party candidate for president of the United States, to mislead the American people on the reporting, mostly by the New York Post, on Hunter Biden's laptop and Joe Biden being the big guy and getting 10 percent. Our federal government, our intelligence agencies and the FBI tampering in our presidential elections on behalf of always the same thing, the Democrat Party and Joe Biden. And I've got to say, the 2020 election, there are all kinds of interesting things to talk about. A record number of voters. And Donald Trump had more votes than any Republican ever. And still, somehow, Joe Biden got 15 million more votes. And then we see, again, Christopher Wray and the FBI closing ranks. Well, we don't want to talk about the Chinese communists sending tens of thousands of perfectly produced driver's licenses that people can use to get, in particular, mail-in ballots. And Joe Biden, once again, won the mail-in ballot race in all 50 states, while Donald Trump won the in-person ballots in all 50 states. Jason, how do you take this as a Democrat? Which part of it? First of all— I mean, there are Chinese nationals creating licenses to give to individuals to vote for that candidate. First of all, we've seen all of these cases. They've all played out. There probably has been foreign interference in American elections for generations. But was it enough to sway an election? In 2020, it was not. Was it in 2016, when the Russians interfered? And that was proven, that Russia interfered in 2016. Yet, it was not enough to sway the election. I think Donald Trump won that election. And I'll tell you this. China really got a bad investment if they thought that they were going to do well with Joe Biden as president. Joe Biden is the guy who said he'll defend militarily, he will defend Taiwan. They obviously didn't like to hear that, particularly coming with what he did for Ukraine. Joe Biden was the guy with family business ties to China. Oh, you don't think the Trumps have family business ties to China? And his—well, the Biden family doesn't have a business, though. That's, you know, other than peddling political influence. Joe Biden was the business. That's what they said. Right. Right. Kind of a big deal. OK.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Global Tariffs

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

Jerusalem

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.

Everglades

Protesters gather around ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as President Trump visits

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial said they have reached a verdict on four of the five counts, but they cannot reach a verdict on Count 1, which is racketeering conspiracy. The judge has instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Deliberations will resume Wednesday (July 2).

Jury reaches partial verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs case

The U.S. Senate passed the Republicans' reconciliation bill on Tuesday (July 1) after more than 24 hours of marathon voting on amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.

U.S. Senate passes Trump's "big, beautiful bill"

The new order does not rescind existing sanctions on ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, his top aides, officials and family members who are accused of having committed war crimes and human rights violations against Syrian civilians.

Trump signs executive order lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria

Former criminology graduate student Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to killing four Idaho college students in 2022, a move that would spare him the death penalty under a deal with prosecutors, ABC News reported on Monday (June 30).

Moscow

Suspect in murders of four Idaho college students to plead guilty

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government fighting for survival on multiple fronts.

Bangkok

Thai court suspends PM from duty pending case seeking her dismissal

Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on June 30 in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel strikes pound Gaza, killing 60, ahead of U.S. talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says he's not planning to extend the pause on global tariffs set to expire on July 9. Brian Schwartz, reporter for the Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News to discuss.

Trump says he's not planning to extend July 9 global tariff deadline

The jury has informed the judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial that they have concerns about one juror's ability to follow the court's instructions. Deliberations in the trial are underway.

Jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial sends note to judge

Jury deliberations are set to begin in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman has the latest updates.