Author: Admin

Ed Gallrein, with support from U.S. President Donald Trump, defeated sitting Representative Thomas Massie in Tuesday’s Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th congressional district, according to projections from NBC News.

The primary election served as a gauge of Trump’s ability to influence Republican voters against those who have criticized him. Massie, who has served northern Kentucky areas in the House of Representatives since 2012, has been a vocal opponent of Trump throughout the president’s second term in office.

Gallrein will now become the Republican Party’s candidate for the House seat in the general election.

WASHINGTON – The nation’s major airline carriers are voicing strong opposition to a White House initiative that would force smaller airports to replace Transportation Security Administration screeners with private security personnel, according to written testimony obtained by Reuters.

Chris Sununu, who leads Airlines for America, plans to address a House committee Wednesday, emphasizing that keeping private security “remains an option for airports and does not become a mandatory program is paramount to the U.S. aviation industry.”

The proposal comes as part of President Donald Trump’s plan from last month to eliminate more than 9,400 positions and reduce funding by over $1.5 billion from the TSA, which currently employs 60,000 people and oversees security operations at airports nationwide.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vice President JD Vance has expanded his Medicaid fraud investigation to include Ohio, creating political challenges for Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is also a close political ally.

Just one day before Ramaswamy secured victory in Ohio’s May 5 primary election, Vance announced on X that his anti-fraud task force would investigate the Buckeye State. This announcement coincided with a Daily Wire investigation that exposed widespread abuse in Ohio’s Medicaid-funded home health care system.

Shortly afterward, U.S. House Republicans established a new Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, naming the Ohio fraud allegations as their initial focus.

This represents a significant shift for Vance, whose previous high-profile enforcement actions have primarily focused on Democratic-controlled states like Minnesota, California and Maine. While he has attempted to counter accusations of partisan targeting by pointing to investigations in Republican states such as Florida, Vance has specifically blamed Democrats for enabling Medicaid fraud.

On Tuesday, Ramaswamy embraced the political moment by announcing that combating Medicaid fraud would be his “absolute top priority.” His strategy to lower healthcare expenses and “crush” Medicaid waste includes renegotiating Ohio’s agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to secure better fraud-prevention incentives and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

Based on a waiver that Tennessee secured during the previous Trump presidency, this new agreement could generate $3.1 billion in savings for healthcare programs, according to campaign projections.

During Ramaswamy’s press event, criticism of the state’s Department of Medicaid, which has operated under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine for seven years, was a recurring topic. This criticism came not only from Ramaswamy but also from current Republican officials who have overseen Ohio’s existing oversight mechanisms for years.

When questioned about whether the Republican establishment that has governed for over 15 years should bear responsibility for missing Medicaid fraud, Ramaswamy declined to assign blame. “I’m not playing that game, OK?”

“I think we need a fresh approach, and what my candidacy represents is, I believe, a bottom-up movement and a demand for change, positive change in the state,” he stated. “A movement beyond the status quo that takes a lot of this for granted.”

Ramaswamy’s running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, wielded significant influence over the state budget that eliminated Ohio’s Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee last year. This committee was responsible for monitoring Medicaid, a federal-state healthcare program serving more than 25% of Ohio residents. The panel was examining contracts with Gainwell, the country’s largest Medicaid claims processor, when it was dissolved.

State Rep. Jennifer Gross, a Republican who sat on the committee, said Tuesday that the panel could have supported Vance’s and Ramaswamy’s fraud-fighting objectives.

“I believe that if we had kept JMOC it always could have been something that we kept in place that could have morphed into a DOGE Ohio, an Ohio Medicaid DOGE,” she stated.

The Trump administration has positioned its anti-fraud initiatives as protection for taxpayers facing economic pressures. Multiple state-level Republicans and candidates have adopted similar approaches.

However, some of these financial pressures stem from federal government policies. New Medicaid work requirements enacted by Congress are anticipated to burden hospitals nationwide and cause millions of enrollees to lose coverage.

DeWine has responded defensively to the criticism. Under scrutiny from his own party, the former congressman, U.S. senator and state attorney general unveiled new Medicaid fraud prevention measures on May 13, including suspending new enrollments in the home health program highlighted by the Daily Wire. He defended the “nation-leading work” Ohio was already conducting in this area.

On Tuesday, his spokesman Dan Tierney defended the governor’s track record and that of the state’s $43 billion Medicaid program, which covers more than 25% of all Ohioans.

“A general sentiment that Ohio was not working to combat or prosecute Medicaid fraud prior to the publication of the Daily Wire stories is just not true,” he stated. “There may be people who were unaware of Medicaid fraud prior to that, but Mike DeWine was not one of them.”

Tierney highlighted that Ohio consistently ranks among the nation’s top states for prosecuting Medicaid fraud, achieving 2,300 indictments, 2,200 convictions and recovering $644 million since 2011. He noted that DeWine set records for Medicaid fraud convictions three times as Ohio attorney general, and his successor, Republican Dave Yost, has surpassed those records twice.

Republican Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, who is seeking the attorney general position in 2026, said Tuesday that the Medicaid fraud Ramaswamy is emphasizing was already known to state officials. He stated that his office presented multiple findings to DeWine’s former Medicaid director, Maureen Corcoran, who resigned in September after serving more than six years.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press through public records requests reveal that Corcoran was battling the oversight committee over access to fiscal experts crucial to Ohio’s budgeting process shortly before the committee was eliminated. These investigations ceased when the committee was disbanded.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s campaign criticized Ramaswamy for promoting “scam policies.”

“As governor, Dr. Amy Acton will prioritize rooting out Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse while ensuring that Ohioans can access affordable, quality healthcare,” campaign spokeswoman Addie Bullock said in a statement. “Dr. Acton is fighting to lower healthcare costs, protect Medicaid and Medicare access, and end the rampant corruption in Ohio’s Statehouse that has allowed fraud, waste, and abuse for far too long.”

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department’s internal oversight office will examine whether proper targeting procedures were followed during military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Latin American waters that have resulted in nearly 200 fatalities since September.

According to a May 11 correspondence to Defense Department leadership, the review will specifically examine adherence to the six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle protocol. This framework encompasses a military commander’s objectives, target identification, analysis, decision-making, execution and evaluation phases.

In a Tuesday statement, the Pentagon inspector general’s office indicated the review was “self-initiated” and declined to establish a completion timeline. Bloomberg first reported on the evaluation.

The examination will not address the legal aspects of these strikes, which have faced sharp criticism from Democratic legislators and military law experts. The current administration characterizes its actions as warfare against Latin American drug cartels, citing their role in fatal overdoses affecting American communities.

This campaign of destroying small vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea has continued since September, resulting in at least 193 total deaths. U.S. Southern Command reported one survivor from the most recent May 8 attack, though it remains unclear whether the Coast Guard located and rescued this individual, which could increase the casualty count.

Military officials have not presented evidence of drug cargo aboard any targeted vessels, instead consistently referencing intelligence in social media communications confirming these boats were “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes.”

The military’s initial September strike has generated particular concern among legislators and military law experts. Two individuals initially survived the attack that claimed nine lives, but while clinging to debris, their vessel was struck a second time, killing them.

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee said in December that the survivors were “basically two shirtless people clinging to the bow of a capsized and inoperable boat, drifting in the water — until the missiles come and kill them.”

The White House defended the secondary strike, stating it was conducted “in self-defense” to ensure complete vessel destruction and complied with armed conflict regulations.

WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans are expressing growing resistance to a $1 billion security enhancement package for the White House complex and the president’s ballroom, despite backing from President Donald Trump and the U.S. Secret Service as lawmakers prepare for an anticipated vote this week.

GOP leaders are revising their approach after the Senate parliamentarian determined Saturday that the proposal failed to qualify for inclusion in legislation targeting immigration enforcement funding. Even with potential modifications to satisfy parliamentary rules, the plan’s future remains unclear as multiple Republican senators voice concerns about the security expenditures while White House-Senate relations have grown more strained recently.

“In the end it’s going to come down to what we have the votes to pass,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday, suggesting that the support was still an open question.

Thune indicated that discussions continue across both chambers and with the White House regarding the legislation’s structure and compliance with parliamentary requirements.

Multiple GOP senators have indicated they’re unlikely to back legislation carrying the full $1 billion White House security cost.

People “can’t afford groceries and gasoline and healthcare, and we’re going to do a billion dollars for a ballroom?” asked Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, who lost reelection in the GOP primary on Saturday after Trump endorsed one of his opponents.

Cassidy described the initiative, covering Secret Service training and a White House visitor center alongside security for Trump’s ballroom, as rushed given unresolved project details. He noted the Trump administration has failed to deliver engineering studies, environmental reviews, or architectural plans to Congress.

“And by the way, the president has pledged to us that he would use private donations to pay for it,” Cassidy said.

Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have similarly indicated potential opposition to the security funding, joining others expressing reservations. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has declared his opposition unless the proposal undergoes changes.

The security funding debate and Trump’s ballroom project emerge as Senate Republicans work to maintain their majority in upcoming midterm elections while Democrats emphasize affordability as a key campaign theme.

“Americans can barely afford to keep a roof over their own heads,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “They should not be forced to pay for a golden roof over Trump’s head.”

While Republicans typically align with Trump, this week has seen heightened friction between the Senate and White House, including disputes over the announcement of a $1.8 billion court settlement compensating Trump’s allies who claim they faced political targeting.

“I don’t see a purpose for that,” Thune told reporters Tuesday morning.

Later that day, Trump unexpectedly endorsed a Texas Republican primary candidate opposing incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, frustrating GOP senators who had spent months urging Trump to support Cornyn.

“Not very enthusiastic” is how Murkowski described her own mood after Trump’s endorsement and the Republicans’ weekly conference lunch.

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., said he’s supportive of the security money and thinks it is necessary to protect the president. But he conceded that the optics aren’t very good for Republicans, and that they haven’t communicated about it very well.

“We’ve got people out there who are worried about how in the world they’re going to have enough gas to get home,” Justice said.

Republicans are exploring options to reduce White House security funding or substantially narrow the proposal while seeking votes and parliamentarian approval. They’re employing a complex budget procedure called reconciliation to circumvent Democrats, who have obstructed funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for months.

Thune emphasized that immigration enforcement funding represents the legislation’s “principal objective.”

Floor consideration will trigger an extended series of votes allowing Democrats to propose removing various bill components.

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the immigration elements of the $72 billion package Tuesday morning during a session where Democrats seeking ICE and Border Patrol reforms presented approximately five dozen amendments.

The Republican-controlled committee rejected all Democratic amendments, including requirements for federal agents to display surnames and identification numbers on uniforms and obtain judicial warrants before entering homes.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate moved forward Tuesday with legislation designed to compel President Donald Trump to end military involvement in Iran, with an increasing number of Republicans breaking ranks with the president’s position.

Following Trump’s decision to launch military action against Iran in late February, Democrats have repeatedly brought forward war powers measures requiring the president to either secure congressional authorization for the conflict or pull back U.S. forces. While Republicans had previously managed to block these initiatives, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy — coming off a recent primary defeat where Trump backed his challenger — changed his vote to provide key support for moving the bill forward.

The narrow 50-47 margin highlighted the small yet significant group of Republicans backing efforts to end the Iranian conflict. While the measure will proceed to a final vote, the schedule remains uncertain. Several Republican senators were absent Tuesday, and their opposition could potentially sink the legislation if they maintain their current position on the war.

The vote nevertheless revealed growing Republican concerns about a conflict currently under a tenuous ceasefire that has contributed to increased fuel costs across the country.

Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska had all supported comparable war powers measures before and cast similar votes Tuesday. Cassidy backed the legislation for the first time.

Following his primary defeat last week, Cassidy came back to Washington stating he took pride in his constitutional duties and would thoroughly weigh his positions on various Trump administration priorities.

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his backing of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary runoff, energizing Paxton’s campaign to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn ahead of next week’s election.

Trump declared on social media that Paxton is “a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.”

The announcement came during a Paxton rally, sparking celebration among attendees who broke into dancing to “YMCA,” a familiar tune from Trump rallies.

“I have so much respect for the president and appreciate so much his endorsement,” Paxton told supporters at the Allen, Texas gathering.

Both candidates qualified for the May 26 runoff after emerging as the leading vote-getters in the March 3 primary, where no contender secured a majority. Early voting began Monday and runs through Friday.

This endorsement represents another example of Trump’s strategy to eliminate Republicans who have opposed him from the party. His recent victories include the defeats of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and Indiana state senators who challenged him on redistricting matters.

Trump also selected and backed a challenger to Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie in Tuesday’s primary. Massie’s efforts to release the Jeffrey Epstein files and his vocal opposition to the Iran war have frustrated Trump, whose backing of Ed Gallrein is creating Massie’s toughest reelection battle to date.

While the four-term Cornyn has supported Trump’s agenda in Washington, Paxton has positioned himself as a champion for the Make America Great Again movement. Trump’s backing puts him in conflict with his party’s establishment, which believes Cornyn offers the stronger candidacy for November’s general election. The Republican winner will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

A Contentious and Costly Republican Fight

At a campaign stop in Lubbock later Tuesday, Cornyn acknowledged Trump’s endorsement “will certainly have an impact on the race” but declared “we’re not giving up the fight.”

“I know who gets to choose our senators and it’s the people of Texas,” Cornyn stated. “And there’s no substitute for that.”

Cornyn, who confirmed he had not discussed the endorsement with Trump, reinforced his campaign message that in November’s general election against Talarico, Paxton would be “a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about.”

Talarico responded in a statement that “it doesn’t matter who wins this runoff. We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire megadonors and their corrupt political system.”

In his social media message, Trump called Cornyn “a good man,” but criticized that “he was not supportive of me when times were tough.” He expressed frustration that “John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination.”

The contest between Cornyn and Paxton has become a harsh and costly fight over the Republican Party’s direction, pulling resources away from other competitive races nationwide.

Cornyn’s campaign and supporting super PACs have dramatically outspent Paxton on advertisements since last year, with most funding targeting attacks on Paxton. This week, Cornyn’s campaign and allied groups will have invested over $87 million in advertising, according to AdImpact, an ad-tracking company, including more than $18.5 million since the March 3 primary.

Paxton’s campaign and a single super PAC have spent significantly less than pro-Cornyn organizations, totaling $9.2 million on advertising, with approximately $4.9 million spent since the primary election on March 3.

Capitol Hill Worries

Senate Republicans emerged from a luncheon expressing disappointment over Trump’s decision and its consequences for Cornyn. GOP leaders have publicly expressed concern that Republicans will need to invest millions more in a general election with Paxton as the nominee.

“I’m sad, I’m actually sad,” said Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, explaining she believed Cornyn had superior chances in the general election.

“Now it’ll just cost us a fortune,” she added.

The endorsement energized attendees at Paxton’s Tuesday event. Caroline Zadeh called it an “awesome thing” and said she trusts “Trump to do the right thing.”

“We’ve had Cornyn in the office for quite a while,” she expressed regarding her frustrations with the senator, noting “a lot of controversy between him and Trump’s administration.”

On the opposing side, Bennie Newman, 84, said he cast his ballot for Cornyn on Tuesday before learning of the endorsement, which came as “a surprise” and “a disappointment.”

Newman supports Trump, but would still have chosen Cornyn because he “has almost been impeccable in terms of his reputation,” he explained. Citing some of Paxton’s controversies, he argued that the attorney general would be a less viable candidate against Talarico in November’s general election.

Trump has maintained a sometimes strained relationship with Cornyn, particularly after the senator suggested in 2023 that Trump could not secure the presidency again in 2024 and that his “time has passed him by.”

Cornyn also initially criticized Trump’s plan for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico — a project he now endorses.

A former state attorney general and state Supreme Court judge, Cornyn first won statewide office 36 years ago. His reserved approach and judicial demeanor differ from the passionate rhetoric of Trump and his Make America Great Again movement.

Cornyn has received backing from Senate Republican leadership, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who cautioned that “it is a strong possibility we cannot hold Texas if John Cornyn is not our nominee.”

Some Republican leaders have expressed concern the party will need to allocate significantly more money to defend the seat with Paxton as the nominee — funds they could direct toward Senate races in more competitive states. Paxton was acquitted in a 2023 impeachment trial on corruption charges. He also reached a deal in 2024 to end a long-running securities fraud case.

WASHINGTON, May 19 – The United States Senate moved forward Tuesday with legislation designed to restrict President Donald Trump’s military authority regarding Iran, requiring congressional approval before any war operations could continue.

The resolution represents an uncommon challenge to the Republican president’s war-making powers, though the proposal still faces multiple procedural hurdles before it could take effect.

The measure would effectively halt any military conflict with Iran unless President Donald Trump secures proper authorization from Congress first.

Federal ethics documents show President Donald Trump has shattered longstanding presidential tradition by executing thousands of stock transactions in companies whose business prospects he can directly influence through his policy decisions.

Ethics filings reveal Trump’s investment portfolio conducted over 3,600 buying and selling transactions during the first three months of this year, with many investments targeting corporations whose financial performance has been shaped by his presidential actions.

The trading activity included investments worth as much as $6 million in Nvidia, a company that received Trump’s authorization last year to sell advanced computer chips to China. His investment holdings also acquired shares in multiple defense contractors affected by conflicts involving Iran, such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.

“If he were defense secretary, he would be committing a crime,” said Richard Painter, the chief White House ethics adviser in the George W. Bush administration and a big critic of congressional trading, too. “Technically he can do this, but it is fundamental breach of trust.”

While federal regulations prohibit government employees from maintaining financial holdings that their policy work could influence, presidents receive an exemption from this restriction.

A representative for the Trump family business stated that outside parties manage the president’s investment portfolio with “sole and exclusive” decision-making power.

“Neither President Trump, his family, nor The Trump Organization plays any role in selecting, directing, or approving specific investments,” spokesperson Kimberly Benza said in a statement. “They receive no advance notice of trading activity and provide no input regarding investment decisions or portfolio management.”

Ethics experts have noted that simply knowing which companies are in his portfolio creates potential problems, as this knowledge could influence presidential decisions on matters ranging from healthcare regulations to military contracts to international conflicts.

The ethics filing submitted to the federal Office of Government Ethics spans over 100 pages and indicates potentially more than $100 million in transactions over the three-month period, with trades occurring at a rate of approximately 50 per business day.

While the documentation shows more stock purchases than sales, determining exact proportions remains difficult since the reports provide value ranges rather than specific dollar amounts for each transaction.

Trump has historically maintained relatively small stock market investments compared to his overall wealth, though this pattern appears to be shifting alongside his expanding fortune, which has included significant cash increases.

Following his return to the presidency, the Trump Organization has collected tens of millions in advance payments from international developers seeking to license his name for resort projects, plus hundreds of millions from cryptocurrency transactions that remain largely anonymous, making it impossible to determine if buyers seek presidential influence.

Every recent president has eliminated their stock holdings before taking office, transferred funds to broadly diversified investments, or established “blind” trusts to prevent knowledge of their specific holdings.

George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton both utilized blind trust arrangements. George W. Bush sold his stock holdings entirely. Barack Obama maintained investments only in broadly diversified mutual funds. Joe Biden conducted no stock trading.

Beyond Nvidia, the president’s portfolio contains investments in Apple, Boeing and Tesla. The chief executives of all four corporations joined Trump during his recent trip to China.

The investment holdings also include Intel, the semiconductor company in which the federal government acquired a 10% ownership stake last year.

The portfolio of the president, known for his preference for fast food, recently added restaurant chain stocks including Shake Shack, Papa John’s and Cheesecake Factory.

Former President Donald Trump made unfounded allegations on Monday claiming Maryland election officials, including the state’s Democratic governor, deliberately distributed hundreds of thousands of illegal mail-in ballots to benefit Democratic candidates.

Trump posted his accusations on Truth Social and reiterated them during a White House healthcare event, stating he would request the attorney general and Justice Department to launch an investigation.

These allegations followed a vendor mistake that required election officials to mail new ballots to certain voters before Maryland’s June 2026 gubernatorial primary.

Trump stated: “In Maryland, they sent out 500,000 Illegal Mail In Ballots, and they got caught! So now, they’re going to send out 500,000 more Mail In Ballots, but nobody knows what’s happening with the first 500,000 they sent. In addition, many of these ballots went to Democrats, so any Republican running in Maryland doesn’t have a chance! This was done by the Corrupt Governor of the State, Wes Moore. He allowed this to happen in order to make sure that Democrats win.”

However, these claims are inaccurate. The Maryland State Board of Elections confirmed that no unlawful mail-in ballots were distributed. Instead, certain voters received primary ballots for the incorrect political party because of a vendor mistake. Affected voters will get replacement ballots, and the original incorrect ballots sent to election offices will be invalidated. Voters have been told to discard their original ballots if they haven’t returned them yet.

Security measures including unique identifiers on ballot envelopes prevent voters from casting multiple ballots. The mistake won’t benefit either political party since Maryland holds separate Republican and Democratic primaries to select general election candidates.

“It bears repeating that no fake OR illegal mail-in ballots were distributed,” posted Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s state administrator of elections, on X Monday evening. “The wording in President Trump’s continued posts about Maryland’s elections creates an environment of misinformation on a voting right. Mail-in voting is not a partisan issue. Mail-in voting is legal.”

DeMarinis added clarification: “Maryland elections are administered, supervised and managed by the bipartisan State Board of Elections — not the Governor.” He noted that he serves as “the chief State election official in charge of implementing and conducting the election.”

A spokesperson for the governor, Ammar Moussa, described Trump’s claims as “false and irresponsible” and advised, “Marylanders should look to the State Board of Elections for accurate information — not social media misinformation designed to undermine confidence in our elections.”

When asked for response, the White House referred The Associated Press to Trump’s Truth Social post.

According to the state Board of Elections, only voters who received ballots before May 14 were impacted. The board hasn’t disclosed the exact number of affected voters, their party registration, or the quantity of replacement ballots being distributed. Neither the board nor the vendor — Taylor Print & Visual Impressions Inc. — provided these figures when requested. DeMarinis said Friday, “With over 500,000 voters requesting mail-in ballots, we want to eliminate any doubt in its integrity or accuracy.”

The board chose to send replacement ballots to all potentially affected voters because the vendor couldn’t precisely determine which voters received correct versus incorrect ballots. These voters will get postcards notifying them of incoming new ballots, plus email and text alerts if they’ve signed up for such notifications. The replacement ballot will arrive in an envelope marked “REPLACEMENT BALLOT INSIDE” with a return envelope labeled “REPLACEMENT ENVELOPE.”

Voters receiving replacement ballots should not use their original ballot and must return the replacement in the proper envelope for their vote to count. The board anticipates completing the replacement ballot mailing process by May 29 on a rolling schedule.

Mark Lindeman, policy and strategy director at Verified Voting, a nonpartisan election technology organization, noted that “nobody can vote twice” in the coming election because “each returned mail ballot envelope is authenticated against voter records before the ballot is accepted and counted.” He added that the error likely won’t significantly impact the election.

“Given how quickly the error was discovered, it is unlikely to have even a small effect on the primary election over a month from now. Beyond that, it cannot possibly affect the general election, so Trump’s claim that ‘any Republican running in Maryland doesn’t have a chance!’ makes no sense. It fits into a pattern of baseless, unworthy attacks on U.S. elections and election officials.”

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance clarified Tuesday that a planned U.S. military deployment to Poland has been postponed, emphasizing that this does not constitute a withdrawal of American forces from Europe.

Speaking to reporters during a White House briefing, Vance explained that the administration seeks to push Europe to “take more ownership” of collective defense efforts.

“We’re not talking about pulling every single American troop out of Europe. We’re talking about shifting some resources around in a way that maximizes American security. I don’t think that’s bad for Europe,” Vance stated.

The administration has been conducting a comprehensive assessment of American military presence across Europe, with expectations of reductions following demands from the president that NATO assume greater responsibility for European security. Military officials have yet to release specific details about future troop arrangements throughout the region.

“We’ve not reduced the troop levels in Poland by 4000 troops. What we did is that we delayed a troop deployment that was going to go to Poland, that’s not a reduction, that’s just a standard delay in rotation that sometimes happens in these situations,” Vance explained.

News of the altered deployment plans for the 4,000 service members has sparked strong opposition from congressional members who worry about potential abandonment of American allies.

WASHINGTON – Amid the loud noise of heavy machinery and construction work, President Donald Trump took a group of reporters on Tuesday to view the ongoing construction of his planned White House ballroom, built where the former East Wing once stood, as he worked to defend a project facing obstacles in Congress.

The administration is seeking $1 billion in taxpayer funding for security enhancements across the White House grounds, which includes the ballroom project. However, the Senate parliamentarian determined this proposal couldn’t be part of legislation funding immigrant enforcement agencies over three years, while multiple Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the cost during an election year when citizens are dealing with elevated prices for gas, food and other necessities driven higher by the Iran war and oil supply disruptions.

Acting as a salesman for his project, Trump unexpectedly brought White House reporters to an observation platform above the construction area on a windy, warm morning while hard-hatted workers in bright yellow safety vests worked below.

Display easels showing architectural drawings of the ballroom structure were arranged nearby, with at least one blown over by wind gusts. “Give that to me, I’ll hold it,” Trump said to a staff member.

“There will never be another building like this built, that I can tell you,” Trump said to the assembled media.

He emphasized the structure’s security features, particularly its “dead flat” roof constructed from “very strong steel” and described it as “drone-proof” because “if a drone hits it, it bounces off, it won’t have any impact — but it’s also meant as a drone port, so it protects all of Washington, the roof of the building.”

He explained that military personnel will “stay on it” to monitor the city.

Trump noted there’s no air conditioning or similar equipment on the rooftop for security purposes, saying all ductwork and similar systems were concealed inside the building’s walls, which will function as a “shield” for a military hospital, research areas, offices for the first lady and her team, and a complete kitchen — along with a ballroom capable of holding 1,000 guests.

He described how the ballroom structure extends six stories below ground and is truly “complex” because “everything is intertwined.”

“The roof goes with the ground floor, the ground floor goes with the roof. The roof also goes down into the basement,” the president explained. “This is one well-knit building. One thing doesn’t work without the other.”

He reiterated that the $400 million ballroom expense will be funded by donors, including himself, and that construction is proceeding “in strict coordination” with military officials and the U.S. Secret Service.

“This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer,” Trump stated. “This is a gift to the United States of America.”

However, it appears to be a gift many don’t want, as surveys indicate most Americans are against the ballroom, which is currently involved in federal court battles. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll from April revealed that most Americans, 56%, disapprove of Trump’s choice to demolish the East Wing for the ballroom, with just 28% supporting it.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to stop construction until Congress gives approval for the building plans.

Trump claimed he will have “very little” opportunity to use the ballroom himself. He recently stated it will be completed in September 2028, just under six months before his presidency concludes.

“This is really for other presidents,” he commented.

Trump avoided answering whether he would contribute more of his personal funds if Congress denies the $1 billion funding request.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated Trump’s construction tour wasn’t a response to congressional challenges. “President Trump is the most transparent president of all time and was excited to showcase to the press and American people the amazing gift he is giving to the White House and generations of future presidents to come,” Ingle commented.

Trump also discussed other beautification efforts he’s pursuing throughout the city, including reactivating inactive park fountains. He said he’s spending significantly less to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool compared to his Democratic predecessors.

“I’m doing a job on the Reflecting Lake for a fraction of what they paid,” Trump said. He’s having the surface painted blue and aims to reopen it by July 4. Another nonprofit organization, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, has filed suit to stop this project as well.

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have reached an agreement to permanently abandon tax claims related to President Donald Trump as part of a settlement resolving his $10 billion legal action against the Internal Revenue Service concerning the disclosure of his tax documents.

A settlement document posted on the Department of Justice website Tuesday indicates the federal government is “forever barred and precluded” from reviewing or pursuing Trump, his sons, and the Trump organization regarding current tax matters.

On Monday, the Trump administration revealed the establishment of an approximately $1.8 billion compensation fund for supporters of the Republican president who feel they have been unfairly investigated and charged. Democrats and government oversight groups have criticized this arrangement as “corrupt” and violating constitutional principles.

The “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” totaling $1.776 billion, will enable individuals who believe they were singled out for criminal charges due to political motivations, including actions by the Biden administration Justice Department, to request compensation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described this as “a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.”

A separate settlement document released on the DOJ website Monday shows Trump will receive an official government apology but “will not receive any monetary payment or damages of any kind” from the resolution.

WASHINGTON — Two dozen Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday targeting new restrictions on federal student loan borrowing, claiming the limitations will damage healthcare education and training programs.

The legal challenge argues that the Trump administration’s borrowing caps will create particular hardships for students in critical medical fields, potentially worsening healthcare shortages in communities nationwide.

“This rule will shut talented people out of critical professions and leave communities with fewer healthcare providers they desperately need,” New York Attorney General Letitia James stated in writing. “We cannot afford fewer nurses, fewer providers, or fewer opportunities for working people to enter these essential fields.”

Federal education officials pushed back against the criticism, maintaining that the new borrowing limits are already encouraging higher education institutions to reduce their tuition costs.

“Clearly, these Democratic governors and attorneys general are more concerned about institutions’ bottom-line rather than American students and families’ ability to access affordable postsecondary education,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent responded in a written statement.

The controversial restrictions stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Congress approved in 2025, establishing maximum borrowing amounts of $100,000 for graduate-level programs and $200,000 for professional degree programs.

Under previous regulations, graduate students could borrow federal funds up to their program’s total cost. The new borrowing restrictions will begin in July.

Federal education officials classify professional degrees as including pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology programs.

However, numerous other healthcare disciplines including nursing, physical therapy, dental hygiene, social work and occupational therapy were left out of this classification. Additional licensed fields such as accounting and education also received no special designation.

The policy modifications have generated significant opposition from healthcare education advocates, who warn that underserved communities will bear the greatest impact from reduced medical provider training.

“This rule will be felt in real communities, for example, in rural areas where nurse practitioners, midwives, and nurse anesthesiologists are often the only providers of core care services,” American Nurses Association president Jennifer Mensick Kennedy stated when the final regulations were approved last month.

Primary elections taking place Tuesday across five states – Kentucky, Alabama, Idaho, Oregon and Pennsylvania – will serve as another measure of President Donald Trump’s continuing influence among Republican voters.

In Kentucky, U.S. Rep. Tom Massie faces what he describes as his toughest reelection challenge since first winning office in 2012. Speaking to The Associated Press, Massie called this primary “by far the most challenging reelection I’ve ever faced,” despite representing a district Trump carried by 35 points in the previous election.

Massie drew Trump’s ire for several positions: voting against the president’s major tax package due to national debt concerns, advocating for Jeffrey Epstein file releases, and opposing the decision to engage in military action with Iran. Massie maintains these stances align with Trump’s original America First campaign pledges.

Voters have consistently returned Massie to office since 2012, appreciating his independent streak and spirited approach. They previously ignored Trump’s 2020 social media call to remove Massie from the Republican Party, when Trump labeled him a “third rate Grandstander.”

Kentucky’s Democratic Senate primary features recognizable candidates: former state lawmaker Charles Booker and former Marine pilot Amy McGrath. McGrath previously defeated Booker and other contenders in the 2020 Democratic primary to challenge McConnell. No Democrat has claimed a Kentucky U.S. Senate seat since 1992.

In Pennsylvania, the governor faces no primary opposition and has invested resources supporting Democratic candidates for U.S. House and state legislative races. Shapiro is positioned to surpass his previous campaign spending records and has contributed over $900,000 this election cycle to state Democratic Party coffers.

This election year provides Shapiro an opportunity to demonstrate political influence in a key swing state, potentially positioning himself for a 2028 presidential bid.

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, accused Trump of pursuing a “campaign of retribution” against political opponents. Speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, Coons pointed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s campaigning against Rep. Massie ahead of Kentucky’s primary as the latest example.

“That continues to prevent Republicans from having the courage to speak out on matters of principle, which I think is putting all of us at risk,” Coons stated.

Voters in one state are deciding on a 6-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax increase approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature last fall. The timing coincides with rising fuel costs attributed to the conflict with Iran.

Democrats supported the tax and additional fees to fund road improvements and address transportation budget shortfalls. Republicans successfully organized a referendum campaign to place the tax increases before voters, arguing they worsen cost-of-living pressures.

While Democrats attribute rising gas prices primarily to Trump’s military engagement with Iran, they acknowledge the challenging timing of the ballot measure, which complicates national Democratic messaging on affordability during midterm campaigns.

Republican lawmakers in South Carolina’s House chamber dismissed Democratic opposition Tuesday while advancing toward a crucial vote on congressional redistricting that could help the GOP secure another seat in November’s midterm elections.

The redistricting proposal, backed by President Donald Trump, would reconfigure the state’s sole Democratic-controlled U.S. House district to benefit Republicans as part of a wider national strategy to preserve the party’s narrow House majority in the midterms.

To allow time for implementing the proposed new map, the South Carolina measure would pull U.S. House contests from the state’s June 9 primaries and establish a special August primary to choose nominees for the state’s seven congressional seats. Already submitted absentee and military overseas ballots for congressional races would be discarded.

Throughout Tuesday’s proceedings, Democrats raised repeated objections while Republicans consistently voted down their proposed changes.

“What you all are doing is wrong,” Democratic state Rep. JA Moore declared, continuing: “You can justify it, rationalize it, but it’s wrong.”

Several other Southern states are pursuing similar tactics as they rush to redraw U.S. House boundaries following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated a majority-Black district in Louisiana for being an unlawful racial gerrymander and substantially reduced Voting Rights Act safeguards for minority districts.

Louisiana’s congressional primaries, originally set for last Saturday, were delayed until later this summer by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry to provide time for creating new districts.

Alabama conducted primary voting Tuesday, but the state intends to invalidate results in four of its seven U.S. House districts and conduct special primaries August 11 for those districts using different boundaries. The redrawn districts could assist Republicans in gaining another seat come November.

Overall, Republicans believe they could capture up to 15 additional seats through revised U.S. House districts across seven states, while Democrats anticipate gaining as many as six seats from new House districts in two states. However, this count may shift as court battles continue in multiple states. Voters will ultimately determine if these predictions prove accurate.

The consequences could reach beyond government and politics.

The NAACP announced Tuesday it was urging Black athletes and fans to boycott athletic programs at public universities in states that “have moved to limit, weaken or erase Black voting representation.” The initiative specifically targets Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas — although new voting districts haven’t been implemented in all these locations yet.

In South Carolina, Democratic state House members spent hours Monday debating the proposed modifications. This prompted the Republican-majority chamber to alter Tuesday’s rules by restricting members to just one amendment and imposing time constraints on speeches.

Democratic state Rep. Beth Bernstein urged lawmakers to support a voter education initiative, noting that elections would appear dramatically different in 2026. She worried that some voters might avoid the polls altogether. However, her amendment was defeated.

“When confusion becomes a barrier, a barrier becomes silence, and silence becomes a vote that was never cast,” Bernstein stated.

Democratic Rep. Lonnie Hosey suggested prohibiting the drawing of districts solely to benefit one party. But Republicans quickly defeated his amendment as well.

“I love you and I believe you love me. But sometimes that doesn’t show,” said Hosey, who has served in the House for 27 years.

Republican legislators are working against approaching deadlines. Early voting is scheduled to begin May 26 for the June 9 primaries.

WASHINGTON — Federal appeals court judges displayed clear disagreement Tuesday during oral arguments in a high-stakes legal battle between the Pentagon and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, which alleges Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth improperly designated the company as a national security threat after it questioned ethical AI use in military operations.

The three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit gave no timeline for their decision, though their questioning and comments suggested possible leanings in the complex case.

Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson expressed skepticism about the Pentagon’s rationale for classifying Anthropic as a supply-chain security threat.

“To me, this is just a spectacular overreach by the (Defense) Department,” Henderson stated. The judge was appointed by Republican President George H. W. Bush.

Meanwhile, Judge Neomi Rao, appointed by Republican President Donald Trump, challenged what authority the court should have to override Hegseth’s decision-making. The conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic revolves around artificial intelligence applications in autonomous weapons systems and potential domestic surveillance.

“I take the secretary to be making more general points than the ones that you’ve identified,” Rao addressed Anthropic lawyer Kelly Dunbar. “It’s about risk, and they say, ‘Well, based on what we know, we can’t trust that the (AI) model may not have something embedded within it that is going to create a problem for military capabilities.”

The San Francisco-headquartered Anthropic initiated legal proceedings in both Washington, D.C., and San Francisco following the Pentagon’s supply-chain risk classification and Trump’s directive ordering federal agencies to cease using the company’s technology. Anthropic contends the Pentagon is conducting illegal retaliation by applying a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries who might compromise national security infrastructure.

While Anthropic maintains neither lawsuit aims to compel government contracts with the firm, the company argues Hegseth’s supply-chain designation has caused permanent damage to its reputation.

The D.C. circuit previously denied Anthropic’s motion for preliminary relief that would have suspended the Pentagon’s actions during the appeals process.

In a related proceeding, a federal judge in San Francisco sided with Anthropic last month, prohibiting the Pentagon from maintaining its supply-chain risk label on the company.

In pre-hearing documents filed for Tuesday’s Washington session, Anthropic argued it lacks capability to alter its Claude AI system after deployment within classified Pentagon military networks.

However, Justice Department lawyer Sharon Swingle countered to the D.C. Circuit panel that Anthropic maintains clear capacity to disrupt the Pentagon’s use of the company’s AI technology “for critical military operations.”

“It’s undisputed that the failure of the model in active military operations could have catastrophic national-security consequences and put service members’ lives at risk,” she argued.

Dunbar characterized Hegseth’s supply-chain risk designation as having “defied congressionally mandated procedures, exceeded statutory limits and violated the Constitution.”

“For the first time ever, the secretary turned a powerful national security authority against an American company, and he did so to gain leverage in a contract dispute,” Dunbar contended.

Judge Gregory Katsas, also a Trump appointee, participated in Tuesday’s oral arguments.

Former President Donald Trump announced his backing of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday in the Republican Senate primary, giving significant momentum to Paxton’s campaign against sitting Senator John Cornyn ahead of their May 26 runoff contest.

Trump declared on social media that “Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate.”

The endorsement announcement came during a Paxton rally, prompting celebration from attendees who broke into dancing to “YMCA,” a song frequently played at Trump events.

“I have so much respect for the president and appreciate so much his endorsement,” Paxton told supporters at the Allen, Texas gathering.

The two candidates secured their spots in the runoff after emerging as the leading vote-getters in the March 3 primary, where neither achieved a majority. Rep. Wesley Hunt came in third place and was eliminated from further competition.

While the four-term Cornyn has supported Trump’s legislative priorities in Congress, Paxton has positioned himself as a more aggressive champion of the Make America Great Again agenda. Trump’s decision to support Paxton creates tension with Republican Party leaders, who believe Cornyn offers better prospects in the November general election against Democratic nominee Texas State Rep. James Talarico.

Responding to Trump’s endorsement, Talarico released a statement saying “it doesn’t matter who wins this runoff. We already know who we’re running against: the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt political system.”

Cornyn’s campaign team had not issued a response by press time. However, on Monday, the senator expressed his belief that Trump would remain neutral in the race.

“I think the president doesn’t want to disappoint some of his own political base, and some of the Paxton people have been talking to him and encouraged him to support him, I think that was a bridge too far for the president so he’s just opted to stay out of the race,” Cornyn stated.

The senator also contended that Paxton represents a weakness in a general election contest, where Democrats aim to capture the seat, arguing that “Ken Paxton would hand it to them on a silver platter.”

In his social media endorsement, Trump described Cornyn as “a good man” but criticized him for not being “supportive of me when times were tough.” Trump also expressed frustration that “John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination.”

The contest between Cornyn and Paxton has developed into an intense and costly fight over the Republican Party’s direction, drawing resources away from other competitive contests nationwide.

Trump had previously disappointed some Republicans by withholding his endorsement earlier in the campaign. During a March 1 visit to Corpus Christi, he told reporters he had “pretty much” made his choice but refused to reveal his preference.

Following the primary results, Trump pledged to make an endorsement and indicated he expected the candidate without his support to withdraw from the race. Paxton had declared his intention to continue campaigning regardless.

The relationship between Trump and Cornyn has experienced periods of strain, particularly after the senator suggested in 2023 that Trump lacked the ability to win the presidency again in 2024 and that his “time has passed him by.”

Cornyn also initially opposed Trump’s proposal for a border wall with Mexico, though he now endorses the project.

With a background as former state attorney general and state Supreme Court judge, Cornyn first won statewide office 36 years ago. His measured approach and judicial demeanor differ markedly from the aggressive messaging style associated with Trump and his Make America Great Again movement.

Senate Republican leadership has rallied behind Cornyn, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee and cautioned that “it is a strong possibility we cannot hold Texas if John Cornyn is not our nominee.”

Republican strategists have expressed concern that defending the seat with Paxton as the nominee would require significantly more financial resources that could otherwise support Senate campaigns in more competitive states. Paxton faced impeachment proceedings on corruption allegations in 2023 but was cleared of all charges. He also resolved a lengthy securities fraud case through a settlement agreement in 2024.

Trump had previously highlighted the competitive dynamic during a February 27 appearance in Corpus Christi, acknowledging “a little bit of a race” while noting both candidates’ presence.

“We have a great attorney general, Ken Paxton. Where’s Ken? Hi, Ken,” Trump remarked, before adding, “And we have a great senator, John Cornyn. Hi, John.”

“It’s going to be an interesting one, right? They’re both great people,” he concluded.

Trump also acknowledged Hunt after recognizing other Texas officials in attendance, saying “Another friend of mine who is doing very well, Wesley Hunt. Wesley Hunt, what a good job.”

A family from Iran who has called the United States home for ten years is fighting for their freedom after being placed in immigration detention due to their connection to a key player in the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage situation in Tehran.

The detained man, Eissa Hashemi, is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar, who gained notoriety as “Sister Mary” during the embassy crisis. Wearing traditional Islamic dress, she served as a spokesperson who criticized America and labeled the hostages as “spies” deserving prosecution. In April, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the cancellation of the family’s green cards due to their connection to Ebtekar, leading the Department of Homeland Security to initiate deportation proceedings against Hashemi, his spouse Maryam Tahmasebi, and their child.

The family has been confined in Texas immigration detention centers since their April arrest in Los Angeles. However, a federal court has issued a temporary order preventing their removal from the country while they contest the lawfulness of their imprisonment.

“There’s no specific allegations related to these three individuals other than their familial relationship,” said Curtis Morrison, the family’s lawyer.

The current administration is utilizing a seldom-used section of immigration legislation that permits the Secretary of State to pursue immigrant removal for foreign policy considerations. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott explained that individuals with strong connections to high-ranking Iranian officials involved in anti-American activities should not be permitted to reside in the country.

“Allowing such individuals to remain in the United States could be exploited by the Iranian government for propaganda or political messaging and would undercut U.S. efforts to deter malign activities by signaling that regime-affiliated networks can continue to access U.S. privileges without consequence,” Pigott said in a statement. He didn’t provide any examples or evidence related to the family.

Members of the Iranian community living abroad have consistently advocated for removing children of Iranian government figures from America, arguing their presence insults those who escaped the country and creates national security concerns. Multiple individuals reported attempting for years to persuade the government to address these situations before the current administration acted.

During the embassy occupation, Ebtekar enumerated American “crimes” against Iran. Dressed in black robes and head covering resembling religious attire — which led American media to dub her “Sister Mary” — she insisted the U.S. surrender the overthrown shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In subsequent years, she aligned with politicians working to reform Iran’s religious government from within and eventually became the Islamic Republic’s first woman to serve in a Cabinet position.

Speaking to The Associated Press from detention, Tahmasebi expressed that her family never anticipated arrest despite facing a harassment campaign from hostile critics unfamiliar with their actual circumstances. She described the family as middle-class with “absolutely no ties to money or power.”

“Our assumption was as long as we abided by all rules and laws we would be safe,” she said. “The only thing we have wanted is for our son to have a normal life.”

Multiple legal scholars have indicated they suspect constitutional issues with the statute. A comparable situation involving a Columbia University activist who criticized the Gaza conflict is proceeding through federal courts.

More than two months ago, U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran, killing the country’s supreme leader. There has been a ceasefire between the countries, but the U.S. last week rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war.

The married couple departed Iran over ten years ago to pursue advanced education in America, later receiving green cards through a government lottery system. They resided in a secured apartment community northwest of central Los Angeles and collaborated on psychology research publications. Tahmasebi instructed psychology and statistics at a community college, while Hashemi taught at a private university.

Tahmasebi refused to discuss Iran. She pursued education to achieve independence, and now both she and her husband hope to resume teaching while their son returns to high school.

“There is not an ounce of violence or any type of menace in either of us,” she said.

Stephanie Knox recalled meeting Tahmasebi during graduate school. When Tahmasebi failed to appear for a coffee meeting after enduring months of harassment, their tight-knit friend group became concerned, Knox explained.

Tahmasebi and her son had been taken into custody. Knox reported they are housed at a facility with barely edible food and glaring lights around the clock.

“It feels like a witch hunt,” Knox said. “Since when are we holding people accountable for their parents’ politics?”

Jake Hart developed a friendship with the family after Tahmasebi took part in a theatrical production he worked on three years prior. Hart described Hashemi as kind and cheerful, even during calls from detention, and called Tahmasebi one of the most intelligent people he knows. He stated neither participates in political movements, but activists had appeared at Hashemi’s workplace demanding his termination and at their residence.

“I think it’s pretty hard to deny this is Japanese internment camps and World War II-level thinking,” he said.

Court documents indicate the government must respond to the family’s legal challenges by this week.

The Department of Homeland Security stated the family was apprehended because officials believe they represent a danger to national security and U.S. foreign policy. The agency declined to answer questions about the specific nature of the threat.

Immigration law specialists noted the administration is employing a legal provision to challenge constitutional rights of legal immigrants that courts have not thoroughly examined. This law, also used in the arrest of student activist Mahmoud Khalil, permits immigrant deportation if the Secretary of State reasonably believes their presence “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”

Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, stated the administration is weaponizing immigration statutes to suppress free expression and penalize perceived political adversaries.

“They look at immigration laws and war powers as part of their toolbox to inflict fear and punishment,” Altman said.

Hashemi represents one of multiple relatives of Iranian officials the U.S. has recently attempted to deport. The State Department also announced this year it was canceling green cards for the niece and grand-niece of deceased Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who died in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad in early 2020.

Kiyanoush Razaghi, a Maryland immigration attorney from Iran, supports such deportations. He operates an Instagram account highlighting people residing in the U.S. who he claims have family connections to Iran’s government. He expressed frustration that individuals could live in America while their relatives operated a government that punished Iranians who opposed the country’s strict moral regulations.

“I said, ‘I’m done with this hypocrisy. I’m going to expose these people,’” said Razaghi.

Razaghi reported that three years of providing information to Congress produced no results until January, when a Department of Homeland Security representative called seeking additional details. He refused to name that individual.

Masih Alinejad, a prominent activist and journalist in New York, said she started working nine years ago to draw attention to Hashemi through social media and news coverage.

“I am thankful for this administration for finally taking a decisive action,” Alinejad said.

WASHINGTON – During his first appearance before Congress since taking over the Justice Department, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to promise that President Donald Trump’s newly established “weaponization” compensation fund would exclude individuals who attacked law enforcement officers, including those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol uprising.

Speaking to Democratic senators on Tuesday, Blanche also refused to guarantee that none of the approximately $1.8 billion settlement would go to Trump campaign contributors.

The Justice Department established the massive compensation fund on Monday as part of resolving a lawsuit Trump had brought against the federal government regarding alleged improper handling of his tax documents. The fund aims to provide financial relief to individuals claiming they suffered from political “weaponization or lawfare” by federal authorities.

Trump associates will oversee the distribution of these payments to those alleging government targeting.

When questioned by lawmakers, Blanche rejected claims that Trump “set up” the settlement arrangement. He emphasized that a five-member commission, with four members he will personally select, would operate without interference. Blanche compared the initiative to a comparable fund managed under former President Barack Obama’s Justice Department, noting that the earlier version received federal court approval.

“The president did not direct me to do anything,” Blanche stated, explaining later that funding could benefit individuals from any political affiliation and extends beyond January 6 cases. He described the eligibility criteria broadly as covering those who experienced “weaponization.”

Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington state, strongly criticized the arrangement, stating: “What we’re talking about is nothing short of the sitting president of the United States looting from the Treasury for his own gain. Do you seriously think this arrangement is appropriate?”

Under Trump’s administration, the Justice Department has pursued legal action against his political opponents while dismissing cases involving his supporters, leading to a reduction of 8,500 personnel from the nation’s primary law enforcement agency.

The hearing, lasting more than two hours, became heated as Democrats and Blanche clashed over both the compensation fund and the department’s approach to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The session highlighted nearly universal Republican support for Blanche and the president’s policies.

Republican legislators largely praised Blanche for what they characterized as correcting ineffective and retaliatory enforcement practices from the previous administration, crediting him with improving public safety.

However, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, questioned Blanche about the distribution process and recipient selection criteria.

Blanche explained that the commission would function independently while providing quarterly updates to the attorney general, with details shared with Congress. He indicated that any individual could submit an application for consideration.

Collins noted that the funding would come from a judgment fund typically used for other government legal settlements.

Regarding the Epstein investigation, Blanche faced additional scrutiny but committed to not recommending a presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, a former associate of Epstein.

Senate Republicans took a key step Tuesday in advancing legislation that would provide $72 billion in new funding for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee’s vote moved the partisan measure forward, though disagreements persist over a controversial $1 billion allocation for security improvements to Trump’s White House ballroom project currently being built, along with other Secret Service operations.

Committee Republicans blocked at least eight proposals from Democrats that would have prevented federal dollars from going toward ballroom expenses, with Democrats seeking to redirect those funds toward combating child sex exploitation and extending health insurance purchase subsidies.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations continued as lawmakers worked to secure approval from the Senate parliamentarian for the ballroom spending after it faced obstacles on Saturday.

The discussions included designating at least $220 million specifically for the ballroom’s physical construction. Trump had initially promised this project, which Democrats have labeled a “vanity project,” would be funded entirely through private contributions.

GOP leaders in both chambers aim to pass the comprehensive $72 billion package and get it to Trump’s desk for his signature before the week ends.

In committee proceedings that offered a glimpse of Republican strategy for full Senate consideration, GOP members voted down all 57 amendments proposed by Democrats.

The bulk of the $72 billion would go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations over the next three years, despite Democrats pointing to $103 million in unspent funds from a comprehensive 2025 Republican law that those agencies have yet to use.

Most Democrats are opposing the additional funding without new restrictions on immigration enforcement activities, citing concerns about preventing harm to peaceful demonstrators and unauthorized home searches without proper judicial approval.