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Trump Threatens Deportation of Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk—But Can He Strip Their U.S. Citizenship?

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Trump Threatens Deportation of Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk—But Can He Strip Their U.S. Citizenship?

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with two high-profile political figures—Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk—by suggesting that their U.S. citizenship could be revoked, raising alarm among civil rights advocates and legal scholars. But despite the rhetoric, legal experts say denaturalization is a complex and rarely used process that cannot be applied arbitrarily.

Trump’s comments come amid his intensifying crackdown on immigration and dissent, casting scrutiny on Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate born in Uganda, and Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur originally from South Africa.

The president publicly threatened to arrest Mamdani if he obstructs federal immigration enforcement operations, while also implying Musk could be forced to shut down his companies and return to South Africa after criticizing Trump’s narrowly passed spending bill.

Trump Allies Push for Denaturalization Proceedings Against Mamdani

Tensions surrounding Mamdani surged after Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee sent a formal request to the Department of Justice, urging an investigation into whether the Democratic mayoral hopeful should face denaturalization proceedings. In a letter posted online, Ogles accused Mamdani of “willful misrepresentation” and alleged ties to individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses prior to his naturalization in 2018.

The lawmaker cited Mamdani’s public support for the “Holy Land Five,” a group convicted in 2008 of providing material support to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. “Free the Holy Land Five / My guys,” Mamdani once rapped, Ogles noted, arguing that such sentiments may indicate undisclosed sympathies during his citizenship application.

Ogles also criticized Mamdani for refusing to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” which some interpret as endorsing violence. “He needs to be DEPORTED,” Ogles wrote on social media, branding Mamdani a “socialist, communist” who poses a threat to New York.

Trump backed the sentiment during a press conference, saying, “If Mamdani prevents ICE from doing their job, we’ll have to arrest him.” The president added, “We don’t need a communist in this country… I’m watching him very carefully on behalf of the nation.”

Mamdani Responds: ‘This Is Political Persecution’

In a public statement, Mamdani condemned the president’s comments as authoritarian and politically motivated. “The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp and deported,” he wrote on X. “Not because I have broken any law but because I will refuse to let ICE terrorize our city.”

He also took aim at current New York Mayor Eric Adams, who received rare praise from Trump, saying Adams “echoes this President’s division, distraction and hate.”

Trump Suggests Musk Should ‘Go Back to South Africa’ Amid Political Feud

Musk, a longtime ally of Trump and former adviser to his administration, has recently clashed with the White House over a new spending package that cuts electric vehicle tax credits. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, responded to Musk’s criticism by saying, “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”

Trump also suggested the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a body Musk once led under Trump—should investigate the billionaire’s finances, quipping, “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!”

When asked directly whether Musk could be deported, Trump responded, “We’ll have to take a look.”

Can the U.S. Strip Citizenship from Naturalized Citizens Like Mamdani and Musk?

Legal experts say the answer is no—unless there is clear evidence of fraud in the naturalization process or specific crimes that meet strict legal thresholds.

Denaturalization, the process of revoking U.S. citizenship from someone who gained it through naturalization, is governed by federal law. It applies only when citizenship was obtained through intentional fraud or misrepresentation, or when the individual commits crimes such as terrorism, war crimes, or acts of treason.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department reiterated its authority to pursue civil denaturalization cases where naturalization was “illegally procured” or involved “willful misrepresentation.” But even under this guidance, legal scholars argue that the threshold is high and the process rarely used.

“Denaturalization is limited to cases where the government can prove material fraud in their original applications,” said Michael Kagan, law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “This appears to be irresponsible rhetoric designed to intimidate political opponents.”

Historical Context: Denaturalization Has Been Used Sparingly in U.S. History

The U.S. government has a long, though selective, history of denaturalization—particularly during the early 20th century when political ideology and wartime alliances prompted sweeping revocations of citizenship.

Prominent cases include Emma Goldman, a Lithuanian-born anarchist deported in 1919, and Paul Knauer, a German-born citizen denaturalized in 1946 over ties to Nazi-affiliated groups. The Cold War era also saw attempts to strip citizenship from suspected communists.

But in 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Afroyim v. Rusk that Americans cannot be stripped of their citizenship without clear legal cause. The case, involving a man who voted in an Israeli election, set a precedent requiring proof of fraud or disloyalty.

While the Trump administration has signaled a willingness to expand the use of denaturalization—most recently revoking citizenship from a convicted pedophile and former Army member—experts say applying such measures to political rivals is a dramatic and dangerous departure from democratic norms.

Although Trump’s remarks about stripping the citizenship of Mamdani and Musk have stirred political controversy, there is little legal basis to pursue such action. Both men are naturalized U.S. citizens, and unless the administration can prove material fraud or criminal conduct that meets federal thresholds, their status remains legally secure.

Haiti’s Gangs Hold ‘Near-Total Control’ of Capital as UN Warns of Escalating Violence

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Haiti’s Gangs Hold ‘Near-Total Control’ of Capital as UN Warns of Escalating Violence

UNITED NATIONS (BN24) — Haiti’s gangs now have “near-total control” of Port-au-Prince, crippling the country’s ability to govern and pushing the security crisis to new extremes, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council on Wednesday.

An estimated 90% of Haiti’s capital is dominated by heavily armed criminal groups who are not only expanding attacks into surrounding communities but spreading violence to areas once considered safe. Ghada Fathy Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, said gangs are exploiting key border crossings such as Belladere and Malpasse, where assaults on police and customs officials have surged.

“Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents,” Waly said. She warned that gang control of trade routes has paralyzed legal commerce, driving up the cost of cooking fuel and rice, Haiti’s staple food. Criminal factions are also establishing “parallel governance structures” that fill the vacuum left by an eroding state.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said the gangs’ growing stranglehold has brought Haiti “closer to the brink.” He cautioned that without decisive international action, the country could soon face “the total collapse of state presence in the capital.”

Gang power has steadily increased since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Haiti has yet to install a new president, and the vacuum has emboldened armed groups that previously controlled about 85% of Port-au-Prince.

Last year, a U.N.-backed multinational mission led by Kenyan police arrived to help restore order, but the force remains severely understaffed and underfunded, with just 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned. A proposal by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to bolster the mission with drones, transport and nonlethal supplies has stalled in the Security Council.

In the meantime, the Haitian National Police, private security contractors and vigilante groups have multiplied. Some community groups have tried to protect neighborhoods, but others operate outside the law or collaborate with gangs.

Jenca said that over the past three months, vigilante groups killed at least 100 men and one woman suspected of gang links. The period also saw a sharp rise in sexual violence, with the U.N. political mission documenting 364 incidents involving 378 survivors between March and April alone.

A U.N. expert report covering October to February said gangs are profiting from chaos and political gridlock, accusing rival factions and alleged corruption within Haiti’s transitional government of undermining efforts to restore security.

“While the expansion of territorial control brings gangs additional sources of revenue and bargaining power,” the experts said, “these attacks are also backed by individuals trying to destabilize the political transition for their own political goals.”

Little progress has been made toward organizing national elections targeted for February 2026. The expert monitors warned that Haiti’s national police remain overstretched, its military must be rebuilt, and the limited international mission cannot confront gangs without more resources.

The experts also raised alarms about vigilante groups that include local police officers involved in human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings. According to their findings, specialized police units carried out 281 summary executions so far this year, including killings of 22 women and eight children.

Despite a U.N. arms embargo, Haitian gangs continue to acquire powerful weapons from regional markets and police stockpiles in both Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, the report said.

Skydiving Plane Goes Off Runway at New Jersey Airport, Injuring Five Passengers

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Skydiving Plane Goes Off Runway at New Jersey Airport, Injuring Five Passengers

WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. (BN24) — A skydiving plane veered off a runway at Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown, New Jersey, on Wednesday, injuring five of the 15 people aboard and prompting local authorities to declare a “mass casualty incident.”

The Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management announced the designation in a Facebook post shortly after 6 p.m., asking residents to avoid the area as emergency crews responded.

The privately owned airfield is well known among skydiving enthusiasts and serves numerous private passenger aircraft.

Federal records show the same plane was involved in a separate runway incident in July 2023 at an airport in Suffolk, Virginia. According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s final report on that crash, the pilot was landing after her fifth skydive flight of the day when the aircraft left the runway.

The NTSB report said that as the plane approached the ground, “the flare seemed insufficient,” leading the nose landing gear to collapse. The aircraft continued off the runway and came to rest in the grass, suffering substantial damage to the engine mounts.

Investigators determined the probable cause was the “pilot’s inadequate landing flare,” and noted the pilot reported no mechanical issues that would have “precluded normal operation.”

Authorities did not immediately release details Wednesday on what caused the latest accident or the conditions of the injured passengers.

Hamas Studies Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Called ‘Final’ by Trump

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Hamas Studies Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Called ‘Final’ by Trump

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Hamas leaders said Wednesday they were reviewing a ceasefire plan that U.S. President Donald Trump described as a “final” proposal to halt fighting in Gaza, while insisting any agreement must include an Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

Trump announced Tuesday that Israel had accepted terms necessary to finalize a 60-day ceasefire following consultations between his envoys and Israeli officials. The declaration marked Washington’s latest push to end nearly two years of conflict that has devastated Gaza and fueled tensions across the region.

“I hope it would work this time, even if for two months—it would save thousands of innocent lives,” said Kamal, a Gaza City resident. But others remained skeptical that Trump’s statements would bring lasting calm. “We hope he is serious like he was serious during the Israeli-Iranian war when he said the war should stop, and it stopped,” said Adnan Al-Assar in Khan Younis.

The proposal has added to mounting domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue a permanent ceasefire. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition remains split, with hardliners fiercely opposing any deal short of Hamas’s total defeat.

Israel’s recent strikes on nuclear sites in Iran and last month’s brief Israel-Iran air war have further weakened Hamas’s key regional backer, underscoring the changing dynamics in the Middle East. Israeli officials believe that Iran’s setbacks could accelerate efforts by other Arab governments to normalize ties with Israel.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that Israel remained committed to trying to secure a truce and a hostage agreement. “There are some positive signs. I don’t want to say more than that right now. But our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible,” Saar said during a visit to Estonia.

Roughly 50 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with Israeli officials estimating that about 20 are still alive. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said his party would back any agreement that freed the hostages, pledging parliamentary support to prevent Netanyahu’s government from collapsing if coalition partners rebelled.

In May, Hamas requested amendments to an earlier U.S.-backed ceasefire framework. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, rejected those changes as “totally unacceptable.” The plan calls for a two-month halt to fighting, the release of half of the hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of other Palestinians, and later the release of remaining hostages as part of an agreement to end the war.

“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump posted online Tuesday, without detailing those conditions.

A source familiar with Hamas deliberations said the group’s leaders would debate the plan and seek clarification from mediators before issuing a formal response.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes and ground operations continued across Gaza. Health officials reported that Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours had killed at least 139 Palestinians in northern and southern areas. Late Tuesday, the military issued new evacuation orders.

Among the dead was Marwan Al-Sultan, director of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, killed in an airstrike along with his wife and five children, according to medics.

The Israeli military said it had targeted a “key terrorist” from Hamas operating in Gaza City. It acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and said it regretted any harm to “uninvolved individuals,” adding that it takes steps to minimize civilian deaths.

The war erupted when Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli counts. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 57,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in the Israeli military response, which has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people and created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Reuters

Ugandan Military Helicopter Crashes at Somalia’s Mogadishu Airport, Killing 5

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Ugandan Military Helicopter Crashes at Somalia’s Mogadishu Airport, Killing 5

MOGADISHU, Somalia (BN24) — A Ugandan military helicopter deployed as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia crashed Wednesday at Mogadishu’s international airport, killing five of the eight people on board, officials said.

Ugandan military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deaths and said the three survivors suffered severe injuries and burns. He added that the impact of the crash triggered munitions stored on the aircraft to explode, destroying nearby structures and injuring three civilians in the area.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, said in an earlier statement that search and rescue efforts were underway to retrieve crew members and passengers from the wreckage. The helicopter crash-landed just before reaching the tarmac, AUSSOM said.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as smoke and flames billowed over the runway. “We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, who works at the airport. “The smoke entirely covered the helicopter.”

Somalia’s state-run SONNA news agency reported that the aircraft became engulfed in fire shortly after impact.

The helicopter was part of a Ugandan contingent contributing to AUSSOM’s mission, which has more than 11,000 personnel working alongside Somali forces to combat the al Qaeda-linked extremist group al Shabaab. The militants have waged an insurgency for nearly 20 years, aiming to topple Somalia’s internationally recognized government and impose a strict version of Islamic law.

Officials did not immediately disclose what caused the crash, and an investigation is expected.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Denied Bond While Awaiting Sentencing After Conviction on Prostitution Charges

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Denied Bond While Awaiting Sentencing After Conviction on Prostitution Charges

NEW YORK (BN24) — A federal judge denied bond Wednesday for Sean “Diddy” Combs as the music mogul awaits sentencing on prostitution-related offenses that could end his decades-long career in entertainment and send him to prison for years.

The decision to keep Combs behind bars followed a mixed verdict delivered after three days of deliberations. Jurors acquitted Combs, 55, of the most serious counts of sex trafficking and racketeering, charges that carried the possibility of life imprisonment and would have marked one of the most significant criminal convictions in the history of hip-hop.

Combs, who has been in custody since his arrest last fall, remained stoic as the judge ruled against his release. His attorneys had argued he should be allowed to await sentencing at home, noting he has already spent months in detention and posed no flight risk.

Prosecutors countered that Combs was convicted of crimes of violence and continued to represent a potential danger to the community. They urged the judge to deny bail, citing what they described as his history of coercive behavior and the risk he might intimidate witnesses.

Although Combs faces up to 10 years in prison under the law, sentencing guidelines are expected to recommend significantly less time. Defense attorneys said in court filings that he could be sentenced to as little as 21 months, with credit for time served. Prosecutors have indicated they may ask for more than five years but acknowledged they had not yet completed a full evaluation of the conviction.

The sentence will ultimately be determined by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at a later hearing. No date has been set.

The conviction caps a dramatic fall for Combs, who built a sprawling brand as a music executive, fashion entrepreneur and reality TV figure. The prostitution charges stemmed from what prosecutors described as years of coercive sexual arrangements with women hired to participate in “freak-off” events.

Combs’ attorneys maintain he was unfairly singled out because of his wealth and fame.

7 Missing After Explosion at California Fireworks Warehouse Sets Off Massive Blaze

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7 Missing After Explosion at California Fireworks Warehouse Sets Off Massive Blaze

ESPARTO, Calif. (BN24) — Seven people were unaccounted for Wednesday after a fireworks warehouse exploded in rural Northern California, igniting a massive blaze that tore through farm fields and forced evacuations across the surrounding community, authorities said.

The blast erupted Tuesday night at a property near Esparto in Yolo County, about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, sending a barrage of fireworks into the air before collapsing the building into a smoldering heap. Fire crews and investigators continued combing the area for clues and searching for the missing individuals, using drones to survey the charred debris and scorched fields.

It was not immediately clear whether those unaccounted for had been working inside the warehouse or living nearby. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, said teams were working closely with the property owner to track down any sign of the missing people.

Residents were urged to steer clear of the area as the fire burned through the night and into Wednesday morning. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the site remained too dangerous to enter due to the risk of additional explosions.

“The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,” the sheriff’s office said late Tuesday.

By dawn, the blaze had scorched nearly 80 acres of farmland. Crews managed to contain it from spreading farther, but spot fires flared repeatedly in the dry fields around the warehouse.

State and federal agencies quickly joined the response. Cal Fire said the property was owned by an active pyrotechnic license holder and emphasized that such explosions are highly unusual.

“This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements,” the agency said Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said it was closely tracking the response and had sent ground and air crews to help.

“The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,” the governor’s office posted on X.

In neighboring Sutter and Yuba counties, officials began reevaluating Independence Day celebrations after fireworks stockpiled for public displays were destroyed in the explosion.

Authorities said the cause of the blast remained under investigation, and no timeline was given for when investigators would be able to safely enter the destroyed building.

Microsoft’s Largest Layoff in Years Hits Xbox, Sales and Other Divisions

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Microsoft’s Largest Layoff in Years Hits Xbox, Sales and Other Divisions

REDMOND, Wash. (BN24) — Microsoft is laying off thousands of workers in its biggest round of job cuts in more than two years, targeting roles across the company’s Xbox video game business, sales operations and other divisions as it pivots more resources into artificial intelligence.

Layoff notices began going out Wednesday, hitting about 4% of Microsoft’s workforce as measured a year ago. While the company did not confirm the total number of layoffs, that figure suggests nearly 9,100 positions could be eliminated. Among those affected are 830 workers tied to Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters, according to state notices released Wednesday.

The company said the sweeping cuts reflect “organizational changes” needed to compete in what it described as a “dynamic marketplace.” Employees in multiple regions and teams will be impacted, part of a broader strategy to trim layers of management and reallocate investment into growth areas like AI and cloud computing.

In a memo to staff, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer said the layoffs would help position Microsoft’s gaming division “for enduring success and allow us to focus on strategic growth areas.” He indicated Xbox would follow the broader company initiative “in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness.”

The cuts follow a series of smaller workforce reductions earlier this year as Microsoft contends with slowing growth in some legacy segments and surging costs linked to AI infrastructure. In May, the company laid off roughly 6,000 employees — nearly 3% of its global headcount — marking what was then its largest job reduction since the pandemic. That same month, Microsoft cut nearly 2,000 workers in the Puget Sound region, most of them in software engineering and product management roles.

Just weeks ago, another 300 Redmond-based employees were let go, adding to unease among some workers about whether AI-powered tools will shrink demand for human coders. Chief Executive Satya Nadella has publicly estimated that software now writes “maybe 20, 30% of the code” for some internal Microsoft projects.

While the layoffs have spread across divisions, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said the latest moves appeared centered on slower-growing parts of the business, including Xbox. “They’re focused more and more on AI, cloud and next-generation Microsoft and really looking to cut costs around Xbox and some of the more legacy areas,” Ives said. “This is Nadella and team making sure that they’re keeping with efficiency and that’s the name of the game in Wall Street.”

The downsizing comes less than a year after Microsoft finalized its $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the maker of blockbuster franchises such as Call of Duty and Candy Crush. That followed a $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, as part of a years-long expansion to strengthen Xbox’s standing against competitors like Sony’s PlayStation.

But more recently, Microsoft has funneled billions into building data centers, specialized chips and other infrastructure to accelerate its AI ambitions. The company estimated those expenses would total around $80 billion in the last fiscal year, which ended Sunday.

The layoffs underscore how even the world’s most valuable tech companies are reshaping workforces to align with rapidly changing priorities. Microsoft had 228,000 full-time employees globally as of last June, but a combination of layoffs and slower hiring has already reshaped that figure heading into the new fiscal year.

AP

Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty to Killing Four University of Idaho Students in 2022 Stabbings

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Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty to Killing Four University of Idaho Students in 2022 Stabbings

MOSCOW, Idaho (BN24) — Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering four University of Idaho students, ending months of anticipation over whether he would stand trial for one of the nation’s most closely watched campus killings.

Kohberger, 29, entered the plea in an Idaho courtroom, admitting to the fatal stabbings that shook the small college town of Moscow in November 2022. The agreement spares him the possibility of execution but ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison without the chance of appeal.

His decision came just weeks before his trial was set to begin in August and followed a failed attempt by his defense team to have capital punishment removed as a sentencing option.

Under the plea deal, Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences. Judge John Judge scheduled sentencing for July 23. A sweeping gag order remains in effect, restricting public statements by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and investigators until after court documents are unsealed.

Prosecutors revealed that Kohberger’s phone had connected to cell towers near the victims’ rental house approximately 23 times in the months leading up to the killings, typically during overnight hours. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said that when authorities searched Kohberger’s Pullman, Washington, apartment and office, they found them thoroughly cleaned. His vehicle was described as “pretty much disassembled internally.”

After the attack, Kohberger changed his vehicle registration to Washington State. Investigators collected DNA from trash outside his parents’ Pennsylvania home. A Q-Tip contained his father’s genetic material, providing a match to DNA recovered on a knife sheath left next to one of the victims.

“The defendant has studied crime,” Thompson said. “In fact, he did a detailed paper on crime scene processing when he was working on his Ph.D., and he had that knowledge skill set.”

Authorities have not identified a motive, and it remains unclear why Kohberger spared two surviving roommates who were inside the off-campus house when the attack occurred.

Kohberger, a former Washington State University graduate student in criminal justice, was arrested in Pennsylvania nearly seven weeks after the killings.

The plea agreement drew mixed reactions from the victims’ families. Leander James, attorney for Madison Mogen’s parents, read a statement expressing full support for the resolution.

“While we know there are some who do not support it, we ask that they respect our belief that this is the best outcome for the victims, their families, and the state of Idaho,” the statement said. “We now embark on a new path. We embark on a path of hope and healing.”

But not all relatives agreed. Kaylee Goncalves’ father, Steve Goncalves, left the courthouse visibly upset before the hearing began. In a video posted on social media, he said, “I’m just getting out of this zoo.” The Goncalves family had previously described the plea deal as unacceptable, saying they were “beyond furious at the State of Idaho.”

As Kohberger entered the courtroom, Goncalves remained outside, later telling reporters he would not return.

Sentencing in the Idaho student murders case is scheduled for next month, when the court will formally impose four life sentences, closing one of the most chilling criminal proceedings in recent state history.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking, Convicted of Prostitution Offenses in High-Profile Federal Trial

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking, Convicted of Prostitution Offenses in High-Profile Federal Trial

New York (BN24) – Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted Wednesday of the most severe charges — sex trafficking and racketeering — but convicted of federal prostitution-related offenses after a seven-week trial that laid bare graphic allegations about his private life and business empire.

The mixed verdict followed three days of deliberations by the jury of eight men and four women. While the decision spared the hip-hop mogul, 55, from a potential life sentence, the convictions could still carry up to a decade in prison and are expected to irreparably damage his career as a music executive, fashion entrepreneur, and media personality.

Combs showed visible relief as the acquittals were read but remained tense as he learned he had been found guilty of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. Before adjourning for a bail hearing, he knelt by his chair, his head bowed in prayer. Facing his family, he managed a soft, “I love you, baby,” and, to his mother, “I love you, Mom.”

 Throughout the proceedings, Combs’ defense argued that he was singled out because of his wealth, power, and race. His lawyers filed motions calling the prosecution an example of the Mann Act’s “troubling” legacy of targeting Black men.

Legal experts, however, noted that Combs’ celebrity status and vast resources were likely decisive in the outcome.

“I think the one area where the fame really matters, honestly, is that he was able to retain, like, a dream team of lawyers,” said attorney Dina Doll, who was not involved in the case. “A typical defendant doesn’t have that advantage.”

The Mann Act, passed in 1910 as the White-Slave Traffic Act, has a long history of being used in cases with racial undertones. Federal prosecutors also wielded it in the high-profile convictions of R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Chuck Berry, and boxer Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion, who was tried by an all-white jury for traveling with his white girlfriend.

 The trial featured graphic and often harrowing testimony from Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who described years of alleged abuse. Over four days on the witness stand, she recounted how Combs coerced her into hundreds of “freak-off” sex encounters with male sex workers and assaulted her repeatedly.

Cassie’s testimony was corroborated by others, including a stripper who described Ventura leaping into his lap, trembling and pleading for help after Combs allegedly assaulted her in a New York hotel suite.

Combs’ legal team denied the allegations of violence and trafficking, arguing that the sexual relationships were consensual and that prosecutors were stretching the Mann Act to criminalize private conduct.

 Following the verdict, prosecutors immediately urged Judge Arun Subramanian to keep Combs behind bars.

“Detention is mandatory post-conviction on these charges,” prosecutors argued in a filing, citing the prostitution counts as crimes of violence. They also warned that Combs posed a danger to the women who testified and the broader community, highlighting an incident just three months before his arrest in which he allegedly assaulted a witness known as “Jane.”

Defense lawyers countered that Combs was not a flight risk and emphasized the personal toll of his incarceration, saying he had already missed milestones in his children’s lives, including his twin daughters’ high school graduation.

They requested his release on a $1 million bond signed by family members, arguing the federal sentencing guidelines suggested a prison term closer to two years than the 10-year maximum.

 Sentencing has not been scheduled. Prosecutors indicated they would seek a higher penalty due to what they called coercion and fraud underlying the prostitution convictions.

Federal sentencing expert Mitchell Epner predicted the judge might impose a sentence of 24–30 months, significantly less than the statutory maximum, and said the nine months Combs has already spent in custody could count toward time served.

 As news of the verdict spread, crowds of supporters, detractors, TikTok streamers, and traditional journalists swelled around the courthouse.

At times, the scene took on an almost carnival-like atmosphere. One woman danced in the street as a man doused her with baby oil — an apparent reference to Combs’ infamous “freak-off” parties. Police erected additional barricades to keep the crowd off the road.

Inside, Combs waited quietly for the judge’s ruling on whether he would be allowed to return home while he awaits his fate.

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