Illinois businessman Thomas Pritzker said Monday he was stepping down from his executive position at the Hyatt hotel corporation over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.  Emails released by the Justice Department show Pritzker corresponding with Epstein in the years after his 2008 convictions for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor. Pritzker is the cousin of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and has been the executive chair of Hyatt for over two decades.  “Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner,” Pritzker said in a news release. “I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.” In a letter to the Hyatt board on Monday, Pritzker said he would not seek to continue as executive chair after his term ends in June 2026.  “When I look at my care for Hyatt, my respect for good governance and the focus that [my wife] and I have on our legacy, they all lead me to conclude that what is right for Hyatt and for me is that I retire as Executive Chairman of Hyatt effective immediately and not stand for reelection at our 2026 annual shareholder’s meeting,” he wrote in the letter.  The announcement came after emails showed him corresponding with Epstein about a variety of topics. In one email from May 2012, Pritzker boasted to Epstein about attending an apparent dinner with high-ranking Chinese officials.  “It was beyond awesome. I should have pushed you to go,” Pritzker wrote. “Hot sh*t in a cool place.” Another email exchange from July 2012 included Pritzker telling Epstein, “Still at same coordinates. Took a bath this week,” and “more good news. Expect to take a bath again next week.” Other emails included in the Justice Department Epstein files include emails between Epstein and his associates scheduling calls and appointments between Pritzker and Epstein.  Hyatt praised Pritzker in a statement following his announcement.  “Tom’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hyatt’s strategy and long-term growth, and we thank him for his service and dedication to Hyatt,” said Richard Tuttle, the chair of Hyatt’s nominating and corporate governance committee. Over the years, Pritzker made significant political contributions to both Democratic and Republican political candidates, including former President Barack Obama, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Senator Cory Booker (D-NY), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).  The release of the Epstein files has led to a shakeup in the business and political world.  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced pressure after emails shed new light on the relationship between former U.S. Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson and Epstein. Last week, Kathryn Ruemmler, Obama’s longest-serving White House counsel, announced that she would be leaving Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her cozy relationship with Epstein. The Trump administration has also faced questions after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators last week that he visited Epstein’s Little Saint James Island with his wife and children in 2012.

Authorities say an illegal immigrant fleeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Savannah, Georgia, caused a vehicle collision on Monday that resulted in the death of a beloved special education teacher. ICE agents were attempting to pull over Guatemalan national Oscar Vasquez Lopez, 38, when he made “a reckless U-turn” and ran a red light before colliding with Dr. Linda Davis’ vehicle, according to the federal agency. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene. “This vehicular homicide is an absolute tragedy and deadly consequence of politicians and the media constantly demonizing ICE officers and encouraging those here illegally to resist arrest — a felony,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “These dangerous tactics are putting people’s lives at risk. Fleeing from and resisting federal law enforcement is not only a crime but extraordinarily dangerous and puts oneself, our officers and innocent civilians at risk. Now, an innocent bystander has lost their life,” McLaughlin added. Vasquez Lopez unlawfully crossed the border at an unknown time, according to DHS. He then received a deportation order in 2024. On Monday, DHS said Vasquez Lopez was in custody at a local hospital, where he was being treated for minor injuries. The Chatham County Police Department has charged him with vehicular homicide and multiple traffic offenses, including reckless driving, driving without a valid license, and failure to obey traffic control devices. Davis’s employer, Hesse K-8 School, released a statement on Facebook on Monday, describing the deceased as “a beloved member of our school family,” adding that “her loss has affected us deeply.” The crash occurred less than a mile from the school, which was holding a work day for teachers while students stayed home for the President’s Day holiday, according to local news channel WJCL. “We all should expect and try to understand that there will be a variety of emotions and responses as to what has occurred. The most important thing we can do is to be supportive and encourage an open expression of feelings,” the school said. The school is offering counseling for students and staff “who need special attention and support” in the wake of Davis’ “tragic” death. Several community members shared their condolences in the comments on the school’s Facebook post. One woman said Davis had “the most beautiful and infectious smile and personality that lit up everything and everyone around her.” Another who said she grew up with Davis described her as an “amazing” sibling to her three sisters.

As early voting begins Tuesday in Texas’s heated Republican Senate primary, President Donald Trump said he supports all three GOP candidates in the race, declining to pick a favorite. On Air Force One on Monday night, Trump was asked whether he would back Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the three-way race that also includes Rep. Wesley Hunt. “I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet. It’s got a ways to go, and I haven’t. [Cornyn’s] a good man. John is a good — I like all three of them, actually,” he said. “They’ve all supported me. They’re all good and you’re supposed to pick one. So, we’ll see what happens. But I support all three.” The Republican nominee, to be decided in the March 3 primary, will face either Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) or state Sen. James Talarico in the general election. If no candidate tops 50% of the vote, the race heads to a May 26 runoff between the top two finishers. All three campaigns welcomed Trump’s remarks. Cornyn’s campaign touted his loyalty to Trump, noting he has voted with the president “99.3% of the time while in office” and arguing that he would keep Texas safely in Republican hands. Senior adviser Matt Mackowiak told The Daily Wire that nominating Paxton would require massive spending and hurt Republicans down-ballot. A Paxton spokesperson did not respond in time for publication, though the attorney general has frequently emphasized his support for Trump. He was recently endorsed by Turning Point Action, while Cornyn is backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. On Tuesday, Paxton urged voters to “fire John Cornyn” as early voting began. Hunt, meanwhile, said Trump’s endorsement “isn’t given, it’s earned,” arguing his campaign “has the momentum” and is “surging in the polls” ahead of March 3. This is not the first time Trump has endorsed multiple candidates in a primary. Last April, he backed both Karrin Taylor Robson and Rep. Andy Biggs in Arizona’s gubernatorial primary, though Robson later dropped out. In 2022, he simply endorsed “ERIC” in Missouri’s Senate primary between Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens, with Schmitt ultimately winning the seat. The Cook Political Report ranks the Texas race as “Likely Republican.” Republicans are in a tight battle to maintain a 53-47 Senate majority, with four races listed as “toss-ups.” Trump has also weighed in on other key GOP primaries, recently backing Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) in her bid to unseat incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), as well as backing former Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in a competitive New Hampshire contest.

American diplomats descend on Munich for a high-stakes security conference, agreements between ICE and local law enforcement surged in the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, and the U.S. Army paid nearly $2 million to a company with links to the Muslim Brotherhood. It’s Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below: Rubio Rocks Munich American diplomats descended on Munich this weekend for a high-stakes security conference, amid growing tension between the United States and Europe. When Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the stage for his keynote address, he started by taking aim at “a dogmatic vision of free and unfettered trade,” which he says has hollowed out American manufacturing. He slammed the West’s “appeasing of a climate cult” which has “impoverished our people,” and pushed back on mass migration, which he said “threatens the cohesion of our societies and continuity of our culture.” But then, he extended an olive branch of sorts, saying that in the effort to save Western civilization, “While we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe.” And then, in a remarkable scene, he explained why President Trump has been so hard on Europe. At times, it sounded like an intervention from a concerned family member, with Rubio saying Europe is heading for destruction and that the United States cares too much about it to let that happen.  ICE Partners With Hundreds Of Local Law Enforcement Agencies Agreements between ICE and local law enforcement have surged in the first year of President Trump’s second term. The agreements are a pillar of Trump’s promise to deport dangerous criminals from the United States. It’s not a new system, but it invites local law enforcement from across the country to have their officers deputized into ICE. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies can then stop people whom they suspect are illegal aliens and start the process of deportation. The program operated for years until 2012. Former President Barack Obama curbed it after officers in North Carolina and Arizona were accused of racial profiling. Trump brought it back last year with funding in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and the number of participating law enforcement agencies has exploded from 135 under Biden to nearly 1,200 today, according to a new report by the advocacy group FWD.US. U.S. Army Spends Big With Group Founded By Director Of Muslim Brotherhood-Linked Org Few organizations know more about leadership than the U.S. Army. But it paid nearly $2 million to a company called the “Nonprofit Empowerment Group” to train its staff to lead. The Army Corps of Engineers paid the group $1.7 million between 2021 and 2025 for “leadership” training, and the military also paid it for “writing courses.” The contract sought the “professional services of an academic institution” to provide “graduate level instruction.” The reason the government was able to choose this firm was that it was, as its website advertised, a “Disadvantaged Women Small Owned Business.” Despite its name, it’s not a non-profit. It’s a for-profit company operating out of the same office as, and sharing the same officers as, a group called the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, which reported being deeply in debt.

Civil rights activist and two-time Democrat presidential candidate Jesse Jackson died Tuesday. He was 84.  Jackson’s family announced his death on Tuesday morning. A cause of death was not provided, but Jackson was placed on life support in November after he was hospitalized over a neurological condition called progressive supranuclear palsy.  “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity,” his family said. “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina on October 8, 1941. He graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in 1964. Soon after, he began working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was heavily involved in King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Working for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Jackson ran “Operation Breadbasket” in Chicago. The program was meant to create economic opportunities for black people and would encourage boycotts of companies that did not “negotiate” for a “more equitable employment practice” for black people. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their children, Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline. He has another daughter, Ashley Jackson, from another woman. This is a breaking story. Refresh for updates.