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President Donald Trump and Senate Democrats reached a last-minute agreement to fund the federal government as a partial shutdown deadline approached Friday night. The deal is intended to keep most government operations running, though uncertainty remains over whether Congress can act in time to avoid a brief lapse in funding.

Momentum slowed late Thursday when Senate leadership sent lawmakers home without scheduling a vote. The full text of the agreement had not yet been released, and senators said final action was likely to slip to Friday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed cautious optimism, saying negotiations were ongoing and that leaders hoped to finalize the package soon.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer placed blame on Republicans for the delay, arguing that internal disagreements were holding up progress. Thune acknowledged that unresolved issues remain on both sides, including objections from Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has blocked expedited consideration over concerns tied to a provision affecting congressional notification rules.

President Trump publicly urged swift bipartisan action, calling on both parties to support the funding agreement and prevent disruptions to government services. Despite his backing, the procedural hurdles mean a short shutdown could still begin early Saturday if votes are delayed.

Even if the Senate approves the deal, timing challenges remain in the House. The chamber is currently in recess and not scheduled to return until Monday, making a brief partial shutdown increasingly likely. House leaders are discussing options, but aides have signaled that next week remains the earliest realistic window for final passage.

If enacted, the agreement would fully fund more than 95 percent of federal agencies for the fiscal year, leaving only the Department of Homeland Security unresolved. Agencies already covered include Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Energy, Commerce, and several science and regulatory bodies. Without final approval, however, any unfunded agencies would begin limited shutdown procedures until Congress completes its work.

Former television journalist Don Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights violations connected to a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota, according to an announcement Friday from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Lemon was taken into custody Thursday in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell confirmed. He was expected to appear in federal court in California later Friday as part of the initial proceedings.

Prosecutors allege that Lemon participated in a coordinated protest on Jan. 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul that interfered with the ability of congregants to worship freely. An unsealed indictment charges Lemon and several others with conspiracy and with violating federal statutes that protect religious freedom and civil rights. Authorities say the demonstration disrupted a worship service at the church, whose pastor also works as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.

According to court documents, Lemon and his co-defendants are accused of actions that intimidated or interfered with clergy, staff, and church members during the service. In addition to Lemon, another journalist and two protest participants were arrested in Minnesota in connection with the incident.

Lemon, who departed CNN in 2023, has denied the allegations and said he was present in a professional capacity to document the protest. His attorney said Lemon’s work was consistent with his long career in journalism and protected under the First Amendment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests, stating that federal authorities acted in response to what they describe as unlawful interference with a place of worship. The case is ongoing, and no trial date has yet been announced

Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered a firm but measured message following the arrest of former CNN host Don Lemon, stressing the importance of protecting religious freedom while upholding the rule of law.

Bondi said Americans have a fundamental right to worship freely and without fear, noting that places of worship deserve respect and legal protection. She emphasized that ensuring the safety of congregations remains a priority for federal authorities.

At the same time, Bondi made clear that political activism does not excuse unlawful behavior, particularly when it interferes with religious services or disrupts community safety. She said such actions cross a legal line, regardless of intent.

Bondi warned that violations involving interference with worship will be taken seriously and investigated appropriately. Her remarks underscored the Justice Department’s position that constitutional rights must be balanced with public order.

The statement highlights the administration’s broader approach: peaceful expression is protected, but conduct that disrupts religious gatherings or violates the law may lead to enforcement action.

Federal law enforcement agents visited the home of Georgia Fort, an activist connected to a recent protest at a Minnesota church that also involved former CNN host Don Lemon, according to video and social media posts circulating online. The visit marks another step in a broader federal investigation into the incident, which authorities say involved unlawful disruption of a religious service.

Video from the encounter shows agents arriving at Fort’s residence and attempting to serve a warrant. Fort appeared surprised by the visit and questioned the agents’ presence, expressing concern about multiple law enforcement vehicles in her neighborhood and the fact that children were inside the home. She repeatedly asked to see the warrant and sought clarification about its legal authority.

During the exchange, Fort challenged whether the document presented required her to open the door, stating that she believed it was not a judicial warrant. Agents instructed her to put her phone away as they continued the interaction. The video does not show any arrest being made at that time, and authorities have not publicly detailed the specific purpose of the warrant.

The visit follows heightened scrutiny surrounding the protest at the church, where demonstrators interrupted services in opposition to federal immigration enforcement. Federal officials have emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment, entering private property or disrupting religious worship may violate federal law.

The Justice Department has not released additional information about potential charges or next steps in the investigation. Legal experts note that serving warrants and conducting follow-up inquiries are common parts of federal investigations, and individuals contacted by agents are not necessarily charged with a crime. The case remains ongoing as authorities continue to review the events surrounding the protest.

As tensions between protesters and federal law enforcement continue in Minneapolis, renewed attention is being paid to the funding sources behind demonstrations opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lawmakers and investigators say they are examining whether outside financial networks are helping organize and promote protest activity linked to recent unrest.

According to reporting by Fox News Digital and statements from congressional Republicans, scrutiny has focused on Neville Roy Singham, a wealthy American businessman who now resides in China. Singham has been connected through media reports and congressional inquiries to a network of nonprofit organizations that support left-wing political activism. Some lawmakers allege those organizations have played a role in mobilizing protests in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities, though the groups deny wrongdoing.

Among the organizations cited in the reporting are the Party for Socialism and Liberation and The People’s Forum, which have been described by critics as influential voices in coordinating demonstrations and messaging. Public records and prior investigations have indicated that Singham has provided substantial financial support to groups aligned with his political views. Singham sold his technology consulting firm in 2017 for hundreds of millions of dollars and later relocated to Shanghai, where he has largely remained outside U.S. jurisdiction.

Singham was the subject of a 2023 New York Times investigation that examined his financial ties to U.S.-based nonprofits and media organizations that express favorable views of the Chinese government. The report detailed how large sums of money moved through nonprofit entities with limited public disclosure. Lawmakers have since raised questions about whether those activities should trigger additional oversight, including possible registration requirements under existing federal law.

Congressional committees in both the House and Senate have continued to request information from federal agencies regarding Singham-linked organizations, particularly their funding sources and compliance with tax and disclosure rules. Legal experts note that enforcing subpoenas or conducting oversight can be challenging when individuals reside overseas. Singham and several of the organizations named in the inquiries have declined to comment publicly, while investigations and reviews remain ongoing.