WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Police secured Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal on Friday as dozens of protesters gathered to demonstrate against what they perceive as the wrongful suspension of the top court’s president by the current pro-European government.
Police said they detained three people after some protesters breached the tribunal’s fence and others threw objects at officers.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who was flying to Senegal, said he turned his flight back because of the situation. “At a moment like this, the President must be in Poland. I am cutting short my flight to Senegal. I am returning,” he wrote on X.
Poland's top judicial bodies, including the Constitutional Tribunal, have been a major bone of contention between the current pro-European government and the main opposition party, national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS).
Critics in Poland and the European Union accuse PiS, which led the country between 2015 and 2023, of imposing political control over key judicial institutions, including the Constitutional Tribunal. The PiS reforms led the EU to impose fines on Poland.
The pro-European government of Donald Tusk came to power in 2023 with a promise to restore the independence of the judiciary. Since then, the government’s efforts have been blocked by veto by two successive presidents aligned with PiS, including Nawrocki.
The information about the suspension of the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, was published on the website of the court around 6 p.m. local time. The website of the Tribunal went down soon after so The Associated Press could not independently verify the official reasons given for his suspension.
Święczkowski became head of the Constitutional Tribunal under the PiS government, and Tusk has accused him of blocking judges elected by the parliamentary majority from taking up their posts at the tribunal.
“Restoring the rule of law is our obligation," Prime Minister Tusk wrote on X on Friday evening. "After years of lawlessness under PiS this is a difficult process, sometimes painful and it requires decisive action. There is no other way.”
Speaking about the future of the Constitutional Tribunal at Campus Polska in August, Tusk said his government had a plan to ensure the tribunal would be again staffed with lawfully appointed judges while acknowledging his methods may not be to everyone's liking.
Politicians from PiS, currently the largest opposition force, have criticized Święczkowski's suspension.
“This is a blatant, criminal attack on the constitutional order," former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro wrote on X Friday evening. “That is why I call for resistance that will be loud, firm, solidary and fearless.”
Polish President Karol Nawrocki speaks at Malacañang Palace in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. (Ezra Acayan/Pool Photo via AP)
Jeffery Simmons, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner have already been traded. More players will be on the move soon.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching on Nov. 10, several teams still have to determine whether they will be buyers or sellers. The Titans and Colts already made their intentions clear. And, they may not be done yet.
Tennessee got first-round picks in 2027 and in 2028 along with a 2027 fourth from Chicago for All-Pro defensive tackle Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Running back Tony Pollard, safety Amani Hooker and edge rusher Jermain Johnson could be next to go.
Indianapolis acquired a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick from Seattle for eight-time Pro Bowl guard Nelson. The Colts sent Buckner to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth. Jonathan Taylor could land them a haul. Wide receiver Josh Downs will bring interest.
Here’s a look at where some teams stand and players who might be available:
The underachieving Chargers (0-6) are the NFL’s only winless team. They need to be sellers, looking to add draft picks. Veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack is still productive, though only a situational player at this point of his career. Veteran cornerback Donte Jackson has value. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston is young enough to be part of a rebuild if the Chargers keep him. Trading franchise quarterback Justin Herbert would be a massive and highly unlikely blockbuster. He has a full no-trade clause and would generate dead cap hits of $31.6 million this year and $50.4 million in 2027. That won't stop folks from speculating.
The Dolphins (1-5) are heading nowhere and need to add young talent. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, right tackle Austin Jackson and edge Josh Uche can help them add some picks. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks is coming off an All-Pro season and could be a core player for the future if he stays.
The Cardinals (2-5) have edge rusher Josh Sweat and safety Budda Baker to place on the open market. Both players are talented and would get a nice haul. Arizona already traded wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans. There’s a possibility QB Jacoby Brissett could be available, opening a path for rookie Carson Beck to play. Backup QB Gardner Minshew is expendable.
After making blockbuster trades last year, sending Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis and Quinnen Williams to Dallas, the Jets (2-5) have three first-round picks in 2027. They seem to be in constant rebuild mode so more picks are always beneficial. Wideout Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall would land the best return. Teams will be interested in pass rusher Will McDonald, a former first-round pick. Could the Jets pry Herbert from the Chargers for a package that includes those first-round picks? Doubtful.
After going to the NFC championship game following the 2024 season, the Commanders (1-4-1) have gone backward. They could deal defensive tackle Daron Payne, wideout Stefon Diggs, edge rushers K’Lavon Chaisson and Dorance Armstrong Jr. Washington could be one of those teams that sells and buys, looking to add young talent with upside. A receiver like Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. fits that category.
Despite a 2-5 record, the Buccaneers are still in the race in a wide-open and weak NFC South where every team has a losing record. A win over Atlanta (3-4) on Sunday puts Tampa Bay just a half-game behind Carolina (3-4) for first place. A loss won’t knock them out but the Bucs face Chicago on the road next week. If they fall to 2-7, general manager Jason Licht could stock up on draft picks. Veteran receiver Chris Godwin Jr., edge rusher Yaya Diaby, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, running back Kenneth Gainwell and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are among the players who could be available. Defensive tackle Vita Vea has value but carries a 2027 dead cap hit of $19.7 million if he’s traded.
They’re in a similar position to the Buccaneers. The Eagles (2-5) are in a winnable division despite five straight losses. They’ve been decimated by injuries and won’t have quarterback Jalen Hurts the rest of the season. If they find a way to beat the Commanders and Giants (4-2-1) in the next two games, Philadelphia would be right back in the race for the NFC East. Otherwise, GM Howie Roseman could start unloading talent. He already sent Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore a few weeks ago. Roseman has more of a sell/buy philosophy so he'll be looking to add also.
When he’s healthy, Saquon Barkley is still productive and could be the missing piece for several contending teams like the Seahawks, Vikings, Packers and Bengals. He’s under contract through the 2028 season with just $2.5 million guaranteed next year so that’s attractive for potential suitors. Linebacker Zach Baun, cornerback Riq Woolen, guard Landon Dickerson and tight end Dallas Goedert also could be moved for the right price.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
FILE - Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson looks on before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) celebrates a sack during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
