Category: Politics

Federal agencies could soon receive access to a cutting-edge artificial intelligence system designed to strengthen cybersecurity defenses, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday.

The Biden administration is exploring plans to distribute a specialized version of Anthropic’s advanced AI model, known as Mythos, to key government departments. However, officials are proceeding cautiously due to concerns that the powerful technology could potentially create new security risks.

Mythos was unveiled on April 7 as part of Anthropic’s controlled program called “Project Glasswing.” Under this limited rollout, selected organizations can access the unreleased Claude Mythos Preview model specifically for protecting against cyber threats.

The AI system has demonstrated remarkable capabilities, discovering “thousands” of significant security flaws in operating systems, internet browsers, and various software applications. Technology experts note that Mythos possesses advanced programming skills that give it extraordinary abilities to detect cybersecurity weaknesses and understand how they might be exploited.

Gregory Barbaccia, who serves as federal chief information officer at the White House Office of Management and Budget, sent an email to Cabinet department leaders on Tuesday outlining plans to establish security measures for agency use of Mythos, Bloomberg reported.

“We’re working closely with model providers, other industry partners, and the intelligence community to ensure the appropriate guardrails and safeguards are in place before potentially releasing a modified version of the model to agencies,” Barbaccia wrote in the message titled “Mythos Model Access,” according to the report.

Bloomberg noted that Barbaccia’s communication did not guarantee that agencies would ultimately receive Mythos access, nor did it specify when such access might be granted or how the technology would be implemented.

Neither the White House nor Anthropic provided immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.

Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark revealed on Monday that the company has been in discussions about Mythos with the Trump administration. These talks continue despite the Pentagon recently ending its business relationship with the AI company following a contractual disagreement.

WASHINGTON – In an unusual challenge to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would extend deportation protections for approximately 350,000 Haitians currently residing in America.

The chamber approved the measure by a vote of 224-204, with some Republicans crossing party lines to support the bill alongside Democrats. The legislation would grant Haitians an additional three years of eligibility for Temporary Protected Status, even after the Department of Homeland Security moved to end these humanitarian safeguards.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republican leadership makes its prospects unclear.

Thursday’s vote demonstrates growing Republican willingness to oppose the White House on immigration matters, particularly as the Supreme Court considers whether the Trump administration can legally eliminate the deportation protections currently shielding Haitians.

Eleven lawmakers broke ranks with their party – ten Republicans and one independent – to support the Democratic-backed legislation.

Temporary Protected Status serves as a safety net for individuals from countries facing natural disasters, military conflicts, or other exceptional circumstances. The designation grants qualifying immigrants permission to work legally in the United States while protecting them from removal proceedings.

The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating attorney Michael Murray for a senior antitrust enforcement role at the Department of Justice, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday that cited sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Murray previously held multiple positions within the Justice Department during Trump’s first term in office.

WASHINGTON – Federal officials announced Thursday they have broadened travel restrictions throughout the Americas, blocking visas for 26 people accused of working against U.S. interests.

The State Department’s expanded policy focuses on individuals who officials say have been collaborating with nations hostile to the United States to damage American objectives across the region.

“We have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities,” department officials stated in their announcement.

The department characterized the move as part of ongoing efforts to counter foreign influence operations targeting American interests throughout the Western Hemisphere.

WASHINGTON — By a razor-thin margin of just one vote, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated a measure Thursday that would have forced President Donald Trump to pull American troops from the Iran conflict without congressional approval for military operations.

The 213-214 vote demonstrated the narrow divide in Congress over Trump’s military strategy, with GOP lawmakers continuing to back the president’s approach while Democrats expressed alarm about America getting mired in another prolonged Middle Eastern war.

Democratic leaders warned they will continue pushing for more war powers votes in upcoming weeks, raising persistent questions about the military engagement that began when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. A tenuous ceasefire has held for two weeks.

New York Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, painted a dire picture of the current trajectory. “We’re standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” Meeks stated. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”

GOP members countered by accusing Democrats of applying double standards. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast of Florida pointed to the lack of war powers resolutions when President Biden ordered attacks on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen throughout 2024.

“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast argued. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. … That’s the hypocrisy.”

The 1973 War Powers Act establishes a 60-day window for Congress to either declare war or authorize force, with that deadline approaching at April’s end for the Iran situation. While lawmakers could grant a 30-day extension, they have signaled they want the Trump administration to present a clear exit strategy soon.

Despite the failed vote, Democrats seized the chance to spotlight the conflict’s mounting costs: billions in spending, at least 13 military deaths, skyrocketing fuel prices, and strained relationships with allies opposing Trump’s actions.

Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal highlighted the domestic impact, saying “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting. Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.”

Republicans rallied around Trump’s firm stance against what they described as Iran’s long history of regional terrorism and oppression of its citizens.

“President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable,” declared South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson.

The voting breakdown showed minimal party defections, with Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie as the sole GOP member supporting troop withdrawal, while Maine Democrat Jared Golden was the only Democrat opposing the measure.

This marked the second unsuccessful attempt by House Democrats to limit Trump’s Iran military operations, following an earlier March vote that failed 212-219. Wednesday saw a similar effort fall short in the Senate.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used religious scripture during a Pentagon press briefing Thursday to launch an attack on news media, drawing parallels between reporters and the Pharisees who conspired against Jesus Christ.

Speaking to assembled journalists, Hegseth referenced a recent Sunday sermon about how religious leaders sought to undermine Jesus despite witnessing his miracles. The Defense Secretary’s remarks appeared aimed at pushing back against what he viewed as unfavorable media coverage of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.

“Their hearts were hardened against Jesus,” Hegseth stated, quoting scripture, “and the Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel against him, how to destroy him.”

“I sat there in church and I thought, our press are just like these Pharisees,” Hegseth told the briefing room, clarifying he wasn’t targeting all journalists, just “the legacy, Trump-hating press.”

“The Pharisees scrutinized every good act in order to find a violation. Only looking for the negative. The hardened hearts of our press are calibrated only to impugn,” he continued.

The comments occurred as tensions escalate between President Trump and Pope Leo, the first American-born Catholic Church leader who has criticized the Iranian conflict. This week, Trump posted social media images showing Jesus embracing him and depicting himself in Christ-like imagery.

Both Hegseth and Trump have increasingly incorporated Christian terminology when discussing the war, describing the Easter Sunday rescue of a downed American pilot in Iran as miraculous. At a prayer gathering last month, Hegseth asked for troops to deliver “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

According to John Fea, a Messiah University history professor specializing in evangelical politics, while American leaders have historically referenced Christian faith during wartime, the Trump administration stands out for its “stark, unequivocal religious language.”

The approach has deepened divisions with Pope Leo, who posted on social media shortly after Hegseth’s briefing: “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”

Hegseth regularly criticizes American news organizations, claiming bias against Trump. The Pentagon is currently appealing a federal court ruling that found its media credentialing restrictions unconstitutional after an extensive legal fight with news outlets.

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Washington has clarified that underground security construction may move forward at the White House, despite his earlier decision to block President Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million ballroom project.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued the updated ruling Thursday, specifying that work on below-ground bunker facilities and other security infrastructure can continue at the location. His decision came after a federal appeals court directed him to reassess how national security concerns factor into his construction ban.

The appeals court had asked Leon to reconsider whether stopping all work at the site could compromise security interests. Administration attorneys had contended that the project incorporates essential protective elements designed to defend against various potential dangers, including drone attacks, missile strikes, and biological hazards.

Leon’s original order required congressional authorization before any construction could begin, though he temporarily paused enforcement of that directive for a two-week period. The appeals court then extended that suspension through Friday.

Republican lawmakers in Congress have successfully passed a measure aimed at eliminating federal restrictions on mining operations near Minnesota’s protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, potentially opening the door for a Chilean-owned company to extract valuable metals from the environmentally sensitive region.

Following House approval last month, Senate Republicans secured a narrow 50-49 victory Thursday to advance the resolution to President Trump’s desk, despite strong opposition from environmental advocates who fear irreversible damage to one of America’s most pristine wilderness areas.

Democratic senators argued during floor debate that removing these protections would establish a troubling precedent that could threaten conservation efforts on federal lands nationwide. Minnesota’s Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith particularly criticized their Republican colleagues for undermining their state’s natural heritage.

Klobuchar, who previously backed iron mining but is currently seeking the Minnesota governor’s office, described the Boundary Waters as a place where visitors experience “mist over meadows” and “sunlight on leaves.” Smith accused the GOP of disregarding Minnesotans who oppose destroying the wilderness.

“You can support mining, but that does not mean you support every mine in every place,” Smith stated during the debate.

Notably, no Republican senators offered remarks defending the ban’s removal.

The protected wilderness spans approximately 150 miles through the Superior National Forest along the Minnesota-Canada border, featuring crystal-clear lakes, expansive forests of pine, spruce and birch trees, spectacular sunsets and starlit skies. Visitors who venture beyond popular routes can experience profound solitude interrupted only by loon calls and occasional wolf howls.

Current regulations prohibit logging activities, restrict aircraft to altitudes above 4,000 feet except during emergencies, and limit motorized boats to designated areas. Forest Service records show tens of thousands of paddlers and campers visit annually.

The surrounding national forest sits atop the Duluth Complex, a geological formation rich in copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron, silver and gold deposits, according to Forest Service documentation.

Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, owned by Chilean mining giant Antofagasta Minerals, presented a proposal to the Interior Department in 2019 seeking permission to extract copper, nickel and other valuable metals from the national forest. Company representatives claimed their operation would generate hundreds of union positions, over a thousand additional jobs, and significant tax revenue for economically challenged northeastern Minnesota communities.

“With this Project, Minnesota can be a model for modern, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible mining,” their operational proposal stated.

While the initial Trump administration renewed the company’s mineral rights in 2019, Biden administration officials canceled those agreements in early 2022. The following year, a 20-year prohibition was established covering 400 square miles of forest land, with officials citing watershed and wilderness protection as justification.

Twin Metals responded with federal litigation claiming their leases remained legally binding, but a judge dismissed their case in 2023. The company’s appeal remains under review.

President Trump has emphasized increasing domestic energy and mineral production, declaring an energy emergency shortly after returning to office in January 2025. His administration restored a 2017 legal interpretation last fall that permitted Twin Metals to renew Superior National Forest leases, and Minnesota regulators approved the company’s exploratory activities in December.

Duluth Republican Representative Pete Stauber introduced the moratorium-lifting resolution in January, arguing the prohibition has eliminated Minnesota jobs and compromised national mineral security. During House floor remarks, he emphasized the benefits of domestic mining over dependence on China or Russia for essential minerals.

While the moratorium’s removal would permit mining in national forest areas bordering the Boundary Waters rather than within the wilderness itself, the proposal has generated significant opposition from environmental groups and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Critics warn that mining-related contamination could spread through the wilderness watershed, introducing mercury and sulfide compounds that would harm fish, wildlife and vegetation, including wild rice crucial to Minnesota’s Chippewa tribal traditions.

Descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt, including his great-grandson, sent correspondence to Republican senators requesting they maintain the current moratorium. The Friends of the Boundary Waters organization has coordinated protests outside Stauber’s Hermantown office and organized a demonstration at Minnesota’s state capitol in St. Paul. This controversy adds to existing tensions between Minnesota and the Trump administration following fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by federal immigration agents in January.

Twin Metals defended their 2019 proposal by highlighting northeastern Minnesota’s mining heritage, noting eleven previous mining operations in the area. Company officials also emphasized that emerging low-carbon technologies require precious metals – copper for wind turbines, cobalt for electric vehicle batteries, and nickel for corrosion-resistant materials in desalination facilities.

The proposed $1.7 billion operation would function continuously year-round, according to company documents. Their plan included environmental safeguards such as underground extraction, above-ground waste elimination to prevent acid drainage, and post-closure site restoration.

Trump is anticipated to approve the resolution, though mine development could still require years even without the moratorium. Twin Metals estimated two to three years for construction in their 2019 filing, though this timeline may prove optimistic.

While Trump could expedite federal lease renewal and pressure agencies like the Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers for rapid permitting, Twin Metals must still obtain up to 18 state permits according to their proposal. The company would face additional obstacles if voters elect Klobuchar as governor this November.

Environmental organizations retain the option to challenge permits through litigation, potentially delaying construction for years during court proceedings.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Authorities say former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax killed his wife before turning the gun on himself in what investigators are calling a murder-suicide at the couple’s northern Virginia residence.

The tragic incident unfolded early Thursday morning in Annandale when the couple’s teenage child found both parents dead and contacted emergency services just after midnight, according to Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis.

Investigators revealed the pair had been navigating divorce proceedings, with Fairfax recently receiving legal documents specifying his next required court appearance, Davis explained.

“That may have been a spark,” the chief said. “Detectives will figure out if that led to this tragedy here.”

Fairfax’s political trajectory took a dramatic turn in 2019 when he briefly appeared positioned to assume Virginia’s governorship after Democratic Governor Ralph Northam faced intense pressure to step down over a racist photograph controversy from his medical school days.

However, Fairfax’s own prospects collapsed when two women publicly accused him of sexual assault from incidents years prior. He consistently rejected these claims.

Vanessa Tyson alleged that Fairfax, then a Columbia Law School student working as an aide to Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, compelled her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Following Tyson’s public statement by two days, Meredith Watson made her own accusation, claiming Fairfax raped her in 2000 while both attended Duke University.

While The Associated Press typically protects the identities of alleged sexual assault victims, both women chose to speak publicly. Fairfax maintained the encounters were consensual and rejected demands for his resignation.

“It’s very sad for this community,” Davis said. “A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked.”

If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.

WASHINGTON — A federal commission is set to examine President Donald Trump’s ambitious proposal for a massive Triumphal Arch during Thursday’s meeting, as the president pursues multiple construction projects aimed at creating a permanent mark on the nation’s capital.

The president declared on social media that the proposed arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and described it as a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, composed of seven members chosen by the Republican president, will also examine his proposal to change the color of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building from gray granite to white during their monthly session.

Additionally, commissioners will consider plans for constructing a below-ground facility designed to handle security checks for White House visitors and guests.

The panel is set to examine design documents for each of the three initiatives. This marks the initial review for both the arch and building color change proposals. The visitor screening facility was previously discussed during the March session. Whether the commission will give approval to any projects during Thursday’s meeting remains uncertain.

Another regulatory body, the National Capital Planning Commission, began evaluating the visitor center proposal last month. Trump’s arch design should reach this commission shortly for their review and potential approval.

The proposed monument would reach 250 feet in height from ground level to a torch carried by a Liberty-inspired figure crowning the structure. Two eagles would accompany the figure at the top, while four lions would stand guard at ground level — all covered in gold. The inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” would appear in golden letters on both sides of the monument.

Construction would take place on an artificial island under National Park Service management on the Virginia bank of the Potomac River, positioned at Memorial Bridge’s terminus from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The proposed arch would tower over the Lincoln Memorial, which measures 99 feet in height.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained Wednesday that the 250-foot measurement celebrates America’s 250 years of independence.

However, legal challenges have already emerged. Veterans groups and a historian have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent construction, arguing the arch would interfere with the view corridor connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, along with other objections.

The U.S. Secret Service, Interior Department, National Park Service, and Executive Office of the President aim to begin construction in August on a 33,000-square-foot facility for screening White House tourists and visitors.

The underground center would be constructed beneath Sherman Park, government property located southwest of the White House, creating a more secure environment for processing tour participants and event attendees. The new installation would feature seven processing lanes to improve efficiency and minimize waiting periods.

Authorities hope to have the facility operational by July 2028, which would be six months prior to the conclusion of Trump’s presidency.

Regarding the Executive Office Building, Trump expressed appreciation for its architecture while criticizing its current appearance.

“It’s one of the most beautiful buildings anywhere in Washington,” Trump stated in August. “I think it’s just incredible, but you have to get past the color because the stone they used was a really bad color.”

Commissioners received two options: completely cover the structure in bright white or apply white paint to most areas while preserving the original granite on the exposed lower levels.

According to written documentation from the White House, the structure has received insufficient maintenance since its completion. The administration argues the building’s appearance, style and scale don’t “align visually with the surrounding architecture” and fail to provide “any symbolic cohesion with the White House.”

This painting proposal has also become the target of federal court litigation.

The structure stands adjacent to the West Wing across a driveway. Construction concluded in 1888 following 17 years of building work, and its granite, slate, and cast iron facade represents one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architectural style in America.

Initially, the building served as headquarters for the State, War and Navy departments, and now provides office space for the vice president and National Security Council, among other agencies.

The structure holds designation as a National Historic Landmark and appears on the National Register of Historic Places.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives is advancing legislation that would provide extended temporary protections for Haitian immigrants, directly challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to terminate the program.

Lawmakers are expected to vote Thursday on a measure requiring the Trump administration to continue Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for an additional three years. This protection would enable hundreds of thousands of eligible immigrants to stay in the United States without facing deportation. House Democrats successfully pushed the legislation forward Wednesday using a procedural maneuver, gaining backing from several Republicans despite opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders.

Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat who co-chairs the House Haiti Caucus and represents a significant Haitian population, criticized Trump’s efforts to terminate protected status for Haiti, Venezuela, Syria, and other crisis-affected nations as “cruel, unlawful, & life-threatening” in a social media post.

The congresswoman described forcing people to return to Haiti as imposing a “death sentence” on individuals from a nation devastated by natural disasters and gang violence.

“This is common-sense policy that will save lives,” Pressley stated during Wednesday’s floor discussion. “Congress can help. Congress can do the right thing.”

This development represents the latest instance of House Democrats utilizing a discharge petition to bypass the Republican majority — a previously uncommon parliamentary tool that’s being employed more frequently to build cross-party alliances.

The initiative to assist Haitian immigrants occurs while President Trump’s administration pursues the elimination of Temporary Protected Status for multiple immigrant populations, potentially subjecting them to deportation proceedings.

Within days, the Supreme Court is scheduled to review an expedited case that could terminate protected status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants in a challenge that many view as threatening the entire program. The Trump administration submitted emergency appeals after federal courts blocked the immediate termination of protections for 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians.

This action aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to remove legal status from specific immigrant groups as the White House pursues Trump’s campaign pledge to execute the nation’s largest mass deportation campaign. Approximately 1.3 million individuals fleeing countries worldwide currently hold temporary protected status.

Haiti first received these protections in 2010 following a catastrophic earthquake that displaced over one million people, according to legal filings. The protections have been renewed repeatedly as the country has endured ongoing violence and instability.

The conservative-dominated Supreme Court has previously supported the Trump administration’s position and permitted the termination of temporary legal status for 600,000 Venezuelans while litigation continues, exposing them to possible deportation.

Trump has used derogatory language to describe migrants from less affluent nations and has made false claims about Haitian migrants in Ohio consuming residents’ pets.

Representative Laura Gillen, a New York Democrat whose district encompasses Long Island’s Haitian community, stated she pledged to constituents that she would advocate for protecting their status and filed the legislation immediately upon taking office last year.

“It’s cruel to expect Haitians to be forced to return to these deadly, dangerous conditions,” she remarked at a news conference. “Human lives are at risk.”

Representative Yvette Clarke, also a New York Democrat, emphasized that the hundreds of thousands of Haitian status holders in America have become integral to the nation’s social fabric.

“They have built businesses, built families, built up their communities,” she said during the debate. She expressed hope that the House action would serve as a “blaring beacon” opposing the Trump administration’s deportation initiatives.

The discharge petition mechanism compels the bill to receive House floor consideration. This is the identical tool bipartisan legislators employed to pass measures requiring the Justice Department to disclose files from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation.

A discharge resolution requires majority backing in the House, where Republicans maintain narrow control and typically can defeat such Democratic initiatives. However, Democrats have increasingly attracted a few Republicans to their position.

Pressley’s initiative gained backing from four Republicans on the original petition, with additional GOP members supporting Wednesday’s vote to advance the measure.

Should the House approve the bill, it would proceed to the Senate, where its fate remains unclear.

Northern New Jersey residents will head to the polls Thursday in a special election that has the potential to further reduce the Republican Party’s narrow control of the U.S. House of Representatives as the November midterm elections approach.

Democratic candidate Analilia Mejia, who previously served as national political director for Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 White House bid, holds the advantage over her Republican opponent Joe Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilman, in the race to replace former U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill. Sherrill left her congressional position after winning the governor’s race in November.

This special election takes place just days following the announcements from two House members – California Democrat Eric Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales – that they would step down amid separate sexual misconduct allegations. During the same period, Georgia Republican Clay Fuller was recently sworn into office.

Campaign finance records through March 27 reveal that Mejia has collected $1.1 million in contributions, significantly outpacing Hathaway’s fundraising total of $525,000. The financial reports indicate Mejia concluded the campaign’s final phase with three times the available cash compared to her opponent.

Mejia, running as a progressive candidate from outside the political establishment, emerged victorious from a competitive primary that saw millions in external expenditures from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC. Meanwhile, Hathaway faced no opposition in securing the Republican nomination.

In the 2024 election, former Vice President Kamala Harris captured the district with nearly a 9-point victory margin, while Sherrill secured reelection by approximately 15 percentage points. Sherrill maintained a comparable lead in the district during the 2025 gubernatorial contest, ultimately achieving a 14-point statewide victory.

Should Mejia win the election, Republicans in the House would maintain a 217-214 majority, with one independent member caucusing alongside Republicans and three vacant positions remaining to be filled later this year in Texas and California. These openings resulted from this week’s resignations and the passing of former Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa.

The United Democracy Project, a pro-Israel super PAC, has indicated plans to invest in supporting a different Democratic candidate against Mejia in the state’s June 2 primary election. The victor in that contest is expected to be strongly positioned for a full two-year term in November.

However, none of the top three contenders who challenged Mejia in the February 5 primary have submitted paperwork to run against her in June. The three individuals who have filed are Chatham Borough Councilman Justin Strickland, who received 2% of the February vote, former Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello, and tech engineer Joseph Lewis.

Democratic candidates have exceeded their party’s 2024 presidential election performance by an average of 18 percentage points across six special congressional elections this cycle in Florida, Virginia, Arizona, Tennessee, and Georgia. A seventh special election in Texas involved two Democrats in a runoff situation.

Although the party has not successfully flipped any federal seats during this Congress, the consistent stronger-than-expected performance indicates increased Democratic enthusiasm. Democrats have unified around a message focused on affordability issues, arguing that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are driving up costs for American families.

Democrats initiated a historically lengthy government shutdown last year over expiring healthcare subsidies. When Congress failed to renew these subsidies, millions of Americans faced dramatically higher healthcare premiums. The president has subsequently launched coordinated military actions with Israel against Iran, creating international tensions that have impacted voters through increased gas prices.

According to a March 20-23 Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s economic approval rating stood at just 29%, as Americans have reacted unfavorably to rising energy costs.

Democrats need to gain only a small number of seats in November to secure House control for Trump’s final two presidential years. While the president’s party typically loses ground in midterm elections, Trump has encouraged Republican state legislators to redraw congressional maps to overcome historical patterns. Democratic state legislators have responded by creating their own redistricting efforts to benefit Democrats in their respective states.

WASHINGTON – Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to concentrate on nutrition and food safety initiatives when he testifies before Congress Thursday, while avoiding discussion of his controversial vaccine positions and autism research plans, according to his prepared remarks.

Kennedy’s 12-page written testimony, filed before two Thursday hearings, represents another indication that the health chief is distancing himself from his most divisive stances as November’s midterm elections approach.

Two individuals with knowledge of the situation told Reuters that the White House has recently encouraged health department leaders to steer policy conversations toward more widely accepted subjects, as President Donald Trump and Republicans work to maintain their narrow congressional control.

The former anti-vaccine advocate suffered a significant blow last month when a court decision blocked major portions of his vaccine policy reform efforts.

Kennedy is set to testify Thursday before two House committees regarding health aspects of the Trump administration’s 2027 budget plan, with four additional hearings scheduled for next week before both House and Senate panels.

The proposed budget seeks $111 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, representing a 12.5% reduction from existing funding levels. This includes cutting $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health and completely eliminating a program that helps low-income families with energy costs. Multiple prominent Republicans, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, have already denounced these reductions as unwarranted.

Democratic lawmakers are anticipated to challenge Kennedy on increasing healthcare expenses, his actions that have weakened public trust in vaccines, canceled NIH research grants that have postponed medical studies, and his management during the country’s most severe measles outbreak in recent years.

Kennedy’s prepared remarks highlight accomplishments from his “Make America Healthy Again” program and other administration goals, focusing on nutrition improvements, food safety measures, prescription drug pricing, fraud prevention efforts, and restrictions on children’s access to gender-affirming medical treatments.

“We cannot hope to make America great again without first making Americans healthy again,” Kennedy intends to state. “The bedrock of health — the key to reversing the chronic disease epidemic — is nutrition.”

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon addressed the vaccine omission, saying “Secretary Kennedy speaks about a broad range of issues that affect the health and well-being of American families, and his statement reflects the priorities Americans consistently say matter most to them, from chronic disease prevention, childhood nutrition, food quality, and affordable health care.”

Nixon declined to comment on whether Kennedy might discuss vaccines or autism during the hearing, or confirm if the White House directed him to emphasize more popular policies before the election.

The Trump administration must carefully balance support from millions of MAHA movement followers who supported the president’s 2024 reelection but now oppose Trump’s directive to increase pesticide production, while managing widespread public skepticism toward Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda.

Kennedy, who helped establish the anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense, has worked during his time in office to decrease recommended childhood vaccinations, restructured a CDC advisory committee of independent vaccine specialists, and committed to determining autism’s underlying causes.

Both Kennedy and his followers have consistently connected autism to vaccines, a claim repeatedly disproven by scientific research, sometimes with Trump’s direct endorsement.

Political analysts and campaign experts predict healthcare expenses will be a top concern for voters this November.

During a recent Senate committee hearing focused on the forthcoming World Cup tournament, elected officials voiced significant worries about the nation’s readiness for the major sporting event.

The senators’ concerns centered on three key areas: travel logistics, tourism infrastructure, and security measures as the country prepares to host the international soccer championship.

The timing of these concerns comes as the Department of Homeland Security continues to operate under a government shutdown, potentially affecting coordination efforts for the massive event expected to draw millions of visitors from around the globe.

Democratic Senate candidates are celebrating remarkable fundraising achievements in key battleground states during the first quarter, signaling strong voter engagement despite facing challenging odds in their pursuit of Senate control.

During the initial three months of 2025, several Democratic candidates reported substantial financial gains. Texas Democratic hopeful James Talarico announced his campaign secured $27 million, while Georgia’s at-risk incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff collected $14 million. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper plans to file reports showing $13.8 million raised, and ex-Senator Sherrod Brown will document $12.5 million for his Ohio comeback attempt.

These financial resources will enable Democrats to communicate their platforms and respond to opposition messaging, though they don’t alter the basic reality that Senate control hinges on Republican-friendly terrain. Apart from Maine, where Democrats Graham Platner and Janet Mills continue competing for their party’s nomination against Republican Senator Susan Collins, every major competitive race occurs in states President Trump captured in 2024.

Although Democrats highlighted their impressive numbers, these figures represent only partial fundraising pictures, since campaigns had until Wednesday’s conclusion to submit Federal Election Commission reports.

Where Republican fundraising data was available by Tuesday night, Democratic candidates significantly exceeded their opponents’ totals.

In Texas, current Senator Jon Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton—engaged in an intense GOP nomination runoff—collected a combined $2.5 million, representing less than one-tenth of Talarico’s quarterly earnings. Georgia’s two primary Republican contenders, Derek Dooley and Buddy Carter, gathered approximately $1.1 million together. The third candidate, Mike Collins, hadn’t submitted his fundraising information by Wednesday night.

Ex-Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley accumulated $2.1 million in North Carolina, while Senator Jon Husted gathered $2.9 million in Ohio.

Collins, whom Democrats particularly hope to unseat, collected $3.1 million in Maine. Governor Mills, favored by much of the Democratic leadership, plans to report $2.6 million raised, whereas Platner, an oyster farmer endorsed by progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, announced $4 million in contributions.

In Alaska, former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola will report $8.9 million raised, contrasting with Republican Senator Dan Sullivan’s $1.7 million.

Republicans maintained that substantial war chests don’t ensure electoral success.

Outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina noted his 2020 challenger also celebrated strong fundraising periods yet ultimately lost.

Previous Democratic candidates like Beto O’Rourke in Texas during 2018 and Jaime Harrison in South Carolina during 2020 broke fundraising milestones but still fell to Republican incumbents.

“We don’t have to outraise them,” Tillis stated. “We just got to out run them.”

Republicans maintain advantages at the national organization level. The Republican National Committee holds approximately $109 million in available funds according to recent FEC documentation, while their Democratic equivalent has roughly $16 million plus approximately $17 million in outstanding obligations.

Republicans also benefit from MAGA Inc., a Trump-affiliated super PAC maintaining over $300 million in cash reserves per FEC records.

The strong first-quarter donations provide Democrats with certain benefits, particularly securing limited advertising time slots before elections to establish early voter contact. Candidate campaigns receive preferred television advertising rates, making their spending more efficient than independent group expenditures, though this benefit diminishes as advertising increasingly moves toward digital platforms.

“Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources,” stated Seth Krasne, Talarico’s campaign manager. “This grassroots fundraising haul puts our movement in a strong position to spread our message in some of the most expensive media markets in the country.”

Talarico will compete against whichever candidate emerges victorious from the May 26 GOP runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.

President Trump traveled to Las Vegas Thursday to showcase the benefits of his tax legislation, hoping to emphasize what Republicans view as a key economic accomplishment before the upcoming midterm elections.

While tipped employees and overtime workers are receiving larger tax refunds this season, these financial gains from Trump’s tax overhaul have been diminished by rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.

This western trip occurs as Trump encounters mounting political pressure to conclude the war and concentrate on messaging that could assist his party in maintaining their congressional control during November’s midterm races.

Trump’s schedule includes a Friday event in Phoenix with conservative organization Turning Point USA. His Las Vegas stop featured a discussion with police officers benefiting from new overtime tax exemptions, alongside a barber and casino pit supervisor who utilized the new tip tax breaks.

According to Treasury Department data released Wednesday, this year’s average tax refund exceeded $3,400, representing an increase of approximately $340 compared to last year.

Trump has stated that his “no tax on tips” concept originated during a Las Vegas visit, recognizing the city’s entertainment-driven economy where many employees rely on visitor gratuities.

However, Las Vegas also serves many commuting workers, including those tipped employees who drive to their casino jobs. Local gasoline prices average $5 per gallon, marking a 28% increase from the previous year, based on AAA data.

Nicholas Delaney, an airline attendant residing in Henderson who didn’t support the president in 2024, described Trump’s handling of living costs as “terrible.” While appreciating the tip tax policy, Delaney expressed concern about grocery and fuel expenses.

“I gotta spend over $100 for a full tank of gas, 13 gallons? Crazy,” Delaney said.

Paula Goodman, a Henderson casino bartender, identified cost of living as her primary worry, noting she spends over $400 weekly on family groceries.

Despite these concerns, Goodman, who supported the president, believes he’s “doing a pretty good damn job” and doesn’t hold him responsible for elevated gas prices, viewing them as normal market fluctuations. As a bartender, she values the tax relief on her tip income.

“Every little penny nowadays is, like, huge,” she said. “You’ve seen diesel, right? $6.11.”

White House officials stated Trump remains committed to tax reductions, deregulation, and expanding domestic energy production to lower costs, characterizing high fuel prices as temporary disruption from the Iran war.

“Tens of millions of Americans are benefiting this tax season from the president’s signature provisions” in the tax law, said White House spokesman Kush Desai, demonstrating “how the administration hasn’t lost focus on delivering on our affordability agenda at home.”

Nevertheless, the conflict has increased living expenses. Bank of America Institute’s Tuesday analysis of deposit and spending patterns determined that “the average increase in tax refunds could cover the average increase in gasoline spending for at least five months.”

Nationwide’s chief economist Kathy Bostjancic noted in recent analysis that “the steep rise in gasoline prices looks likely to completely offset the increased tax funds windfall with households,” suggesting the refunds would likely prevent sharper consumer spending declines.

Trump’s economic messaging emphasizing tax benefits has been overshadowed this week by personal controversies, including public disputes with the pope and posting a since-deleted social media image depicting himself as Jesus, angering some supporters.

GOP strategist Ron Bonjean observed that among Republicans, “the frustration and concern is growing every week about whether or not we will be able to hold onto the House this November.”

Effective messaging about tax legislation requires consistent repetition to reach voters, but Trump’s tendency toward other topics can weaken that focus, Bonjean explained. Trump must acknowledge current economic realities facing Americans to help his party in November, rather than dismissing affordability concerns as “a hoax” and “con job” from Democrats.

“He absolutely has to talk about his plan to bring down high gasoline costs, or else he’s lost his own message. It won’t be credible just to talk about no taxes on tips,” Bonjean said.

While Trump expects the Iran war to conclude soon, no resolution agreement has materialized, with the U.S. and Iran maintaining distant negotiating positions.

During a Sunday Fox News Channel appearance, Trump suggested gas prices “could be the same or maybe a little bit higher” by November’s midterms.

By Wednesday, in another Fox News interview, Trump revised that prediction. “I think they’ll be much lower” before the election, assuming the war concludes.

“When that’s settled, gas prices are going to go down tremendously,” Trump said.

Later at the White House, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered more cautious predictions, forecasting summer price decreases depending on Iran negotiations progress.

“I’m optimistic that sometime between June 20th and September 20th, that we can have $3 gas again,” Bessent told reporters.

DENVILLE, N.J. — A special congressional election taking place Thursday in northern New Jersey could impact the balance of power in the U.S. House, as Democrat Analilia Mejia faces off against Republican Joe Hathaway for the seat previously held by Mikie Sherrill, who won the governor’s race last year.

Mejia, who previously led the Working Families Alliance and has earned backing from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, won a competitive Democratic primary in February. Meanwhile, Hathaway, who serves on the Randolph town council, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

This race will determine party control of the seat as the nation looks ahead to the midterm elections during President Donald Trump’s second administration. The victor will complete Sherrill’s remaining term, and both candidates are positioned for a potential rematch in November.

Mejia has framed the election as a battle for democratic principles, condemning the president for pardoning those involved in the January 6 Capitol riots and halting congressionally approved funding.

“The people here are ready to do something about it,” she said recently. “We’re not here to write strongly worded letters. Congress has real power.”

Hathaway has targeted Mejia’s progressive background, with national GOP leaders labeling her a socialist.

“I’m running to bring common-sense leadership to D.C & deliver results for our families, not push a far-left agenda,” Hathaway said in a recent social media post.

The 11th Congressional District encompasses portions of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey’s affluent suburban areas. Once considered a reliable Republican territory, the district has shifted toward Democratic candidates since Trump’s initial presidency.

Sherrill captured the seat during the 2018 midterm wave, when Democrats gained dozens of House seats to regain congressional control. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris won the district by almost 9 percentage points.

Saran Cunningham, an 86-year-old former special education teacher, expressed initial hesitation about supporting Mejia due to concerns about her liberal positions. She supported a different candidate during the primary. However, speaking outside the Morristown early voting site, she indicated her intention to vote for Mejia.

“I think we’ve been tilting a little bit more to the right lately, which worries me,” Cunningham said. “I think that we need people in Congress who will fight for things that will help people as opposed to hurting them.”

Rob Berkowitz, 62, voted early for Hathaway at the Denville voting location. The self-described conservative praised Trump’s performance on immigration, economic issues and the conflict in Iran, drawing comparisons to Winston Churchill. He expressed disappointment with the Democratic Party’s departure from leaders like Harry Truman, whom he admired.

“They want borders wide open. They don’t want to enforce existing immigration laws,” Berkowitz said. “It’s an extraordinary thing to watch.”

The February Democratic primary featured Mejia competing against former Representative Tom Malinowski and other candidates in a contest where the American Israel Public Affairs Committee played a significant role. The organization’s connected super PAC attempted to undermine Malinowski after he questioned unconditional support for the Israeli government. This strategy seemed to backfire as Mejia, who stated her belief that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, secured victory.

Mejia ran on populist economic proposals and advocated for dismantling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She has maintained a consistent presence at the state Capitol, championing progressive initiatives, and served as Sanders’ political director during his 2020 presidential campaign. Under the Biden administration, she held the position of deputy director at the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau.

Beyond Sanders’ support, she received endorsements from U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Hathaway, a former Yale University football player, has experience in healthcare and finance sectors, as well as political work as an assistant to former Republican Governor Chris Christie.

The election winner will serve through the term’s conclusion in January. Both Mejia and Hathaway are simultaneously campaigning for the subsequent two-year term beginning that same month.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An attorney from California who assisted former President Donald Trump in attempting to reverse the 2020 presidential election outcome has been permanently stripped of his legal credentials in the state.

On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court issued an order permanently disbarring John Eastman and removing his name from the official registry of licensed attorneys. This action concludes a multi-year campaign by the state bar association to revoke Eastman’s legal credentials following his creation of a legal framework designed to have then-Vice President Mike Pence block the confirmation of Joe Biden’s electoral win.

In 2024, a State Bar Court of California judge had recommended removing his California legal credentials. Eastman maintained that he was facing penalties merely for providing legal counsel.

George Cardona, who serves as chief trial counsel for the State Bar of California, stated that the ruling stems from compelling evidence showing Eastman “advanced false claims about the 2020 presidential election to mislead courts, public officials, and the American public.”

“The Court’s order underscores that Mr. Eastman’s misconduct was incompatible with the standards of integrity required of every California attorney,” he said.

Randall Miller, representing Eastman, described the ruling as one that “raises pivotal constitutional concerns” and announced plans to petition the Supreme Court for review.

In his statement, he argued the decision “departs from long-standing United States Supreme Court precedent protecting First Amendment rights, especially in the attorney discipline context.”

WASHINGTON — A Wednesday Senate vote revealed deepening divisions within the Democratic Party over military support for Israel, as more than three dozen Democrats backed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ push to stop weapons sales to the nation.

Sanders introduced two measures aimed at blocking American sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel. While both failed — losing by votes of 40-59 and 36-63 — the Vermont Independent has consistently brought these issues to the floor to pressure colleagues from both parties to oppose Netanyahu’s government.

The number of Democrats supporting Sanders’ position has more than doubled in under two years, reflecting growing party tensions over Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, along with increased pressure from progressive activists who view Israel support as a key political test.

“It’s clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahu’s horrific wars when people in this country can’t afford housing or health care,” Sanders stated following the vote.

Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly switched his position to support both measures after previously opposing similar Sanders initiatives. Kelly explained his reasoning during floor remarks, citing concerns about current leadership decisions.

“Under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, we’ve seen an expanded war in Lebanon that is putting innocent Lebanese civilians at risk, and ongoing violence against Palestinians and their homes being demolished in the West Bank,” Kelly said. “All of this has undermined the path forward for peace.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, voted against the proposals. Their positions prompted protests Monday when nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested outside their offices, demanding support for Sanders’ measures.

Jewish Voice for Peace organized the demonstration, with hundreds initially attempting to occupy the senators’ offices before being blocked by authorities. Communications director Sonya Meyerson-Knox said “The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.”

Earlier Wednesday, Democrats also supported a separate resolution to end Trump’s military action in Iran, though it too failed 47-52. Delaware’s Chris Coons, who opposed Sanders’ Israel measures but supported ending the Iran conflict, clarified his position afterward.

“My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship,” Coons explained in a statement.

Republican senators argued the votes could damage American interests in the Iran conflict. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch of Idaho warned the measures might encourage Iran and “send the message that the U.S. is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable.”

“They will not help the United States of America,” Risch said before the voting began.

WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans joined forces Wednesday to defeat two measures that would have halted approximately $450 million in military equipment sales to Israel, demonstrating continued GOP support for President Trump’s Middle East policies.

The failed resolutions highlighted a growing divide within the Democratic Party, as most of the 47-member Democratic caucus supported blocking the sales due to concerns about civilian casualties from Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Despite decades of bipartisan congressional support for Israel making such blocking measures unlikely to succeed, advocates believe bringing these issues to a vote pressures both Israeli leadership and U.S. officials to better protect non-combatants.

Those favoring the arms sales argue Israel remains a crucial ally deserving continued American military support.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who works with Democrats, pushed for the votes on both measures, arguing the sales violated foreign aid requirements under the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act.

The first measure targeting a $295 million deal for D9R and D9T Caterpillar bulldozers and related equipment failed 59-40. Seven Democrats joined all Republicans in opposing the resolution, while Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis was absent.

The second resolution aimed at blocking $151.8 million worth of 12,000 BLU-110A/B general purpose 1,000-pound bombs and associated support services was defeated 63-36. Eleven Democrats crossed party lines to vote with Republicans, and North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis did not participate.

Sanders explained that Israel deploys these bombs in strikes against Gaza and Lebanon while using the bulldozers to destroy residential structures in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank.

“The United States must use the leverage we have — tens of billions in arms and military aid — to demand that Israel ends these atrocities,” Sanders stated while advocating for the blocking measures.

Israeli officials maintain they do not deliberately target civilians, stating their military actions aim to eliminate militants and destroy military infrastructure.

Wednesday’s voting results showed increased support for limiting Israeli arms sales compared to previous attempts. Two similar Sanders-sponsored resolutions failed in July with larger margins of defeat — 73-24 and 70-27 in the 100-member Senate.

The Trump administration circumvented standard congressional oversight procedures for these military sales early in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, claiming emergency circumstances required immediate weapons transfers.

High-ranking Pentagon officials have been engaging in conversations with leadership from major corporations such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company regarding the production of military equipment and weapons, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday that cited sources with knowledge of the meetings.

These broad-scope discussions, which began prior to the conflict with Iran, reflect the current administration’s desire to involve automakers and other domestic manufacturers more heavily in defense production efforts, the Journal reported.

Pentagon representatives informed the publication that American manufacturing companies may be required to support existing defense contractors and inquired about these firms’ ability to quickly transition to military production work.

The conversations also included GE Aerospace and equipment manufacturer Oshkosh, according to the Journal’s reporting.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm these details. When contacted for comment after business hours, the Pentagon, General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh did not provide immediate responses to Reuters’ inquiries.

A Defense Department representative stated to the Journal that the Pentagon “is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”

In March, Trump conducted meetings with leadership from seven defense contracting companies as the Pentagon works to rebuild inventory depleted by U.S. military actions against Iran and other recent operations.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza, the United States has depleted weapons stockpiles valued in the billions, including artillery equipment, munitions, and anti-tank weaponry.

Earlier this month, Trump proposed a substantial $500 billion military budget increase, bringing the total to $1.5 trillion, as the U.S. continues its military engagement with Iran.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate voted Wednesday to shield virtually every historic statue, monument, street and building name throughout the state from removal or modification.

Senators passed the legislation by a 31-7 margin, with the measure also prohibiting QR code stickers that smartphone users could scan for additional historical context. Advocates for these digital codes argued they could help provide modern perspective on Confederate or segregationist leaders who were commemorated with favorable language in past decades.

Under the legislation, local governments would need General Assembly approval before removing any monument or altering its inscription.

The vote contrasts with trends elsewhere in the South, where state legislatures are reducing special privileges for Confederate organizations. Virginia lawmakers recently eliminated certain benefits for groups that commemorate rebel soldiers and considered removing the last three Confederate statues at Capitol Square in the former Confederate capital.

South Carolina currently provides protection for Confederate memorials, honoring those who fought in the failed four-year effort to break away from the United States, along with monuments to other conflicts spanning from the Revolutionary War through the Persian Gulf War.

However, memorials honoring non-military figures fell through a legal gap, meaning monuments to historical figures like former Vice President John C. Calhoun or segregationist Governor “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman might lack similar protection from universities or municipal authorities.

The new South Carolina legislation extends protection to all historical figures, defining them as any deceased individual who “played a significant role in past developments.”

The vote split along party lines, with all supporting votes coming from Republicans and all opposition from Democrats.

On the Senate floor, Democratic Senator Margie Bright Matthews recited statements from Tillman advocating violence against freed slaves and their descendants, and from Calhoun defending slavery by claiming African Americans could not achieve civilization.

“Do we want to be a state that continues to debate and defend the legacy of treason, racism and exclusion?” Matthews asked. “You ought to be embarrassed about some of the stuff you want to preserve.”

South Carolina’s original monument protection statute became law in 2000 as part of an agreement that took down the Confederate flag from the capitol dome, where it had flown since being raised during the Civil War centennial in 1961.

The legislation, which advances to the House with roughly one month remaining in the session, would permit any officially recognized private historical organization to file lawsuits if they believe a monument faces improper treatment. The measure also mandates that any monument relocated due to construction or road work must be displayed in a location of equal or greater visibility.

Democratic Senator Ed Sutton warned this could create legal chaos for cities like Charleston, potentially facing multiple lawsuits from dissatisfied organizations. Current law limits such legal action to the state attorney general’s office.

“The practical effect is the city is going to take a step back and say we’re out of the history game,” Sutton said regarding Charleston, established in 1670 and central to both the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

Meanwhile in Virginia, newly elected Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger recently signed legislation eliminating a Sons of Confederate Veterans license plate featuring rebel General Robert E. Lee.

Virginia’s General Assembly also removed official recognition this year from “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” a song with lyrics about an enslaved person using a racial slur while fondly remembering bondage. The song served as the official state song from 1940 to 1997, when it became the “state song emeritus.”

South Carolina legislators remain opposed to historical reinterpretation.

In the bill’s text, Republican sponsor Senator Danny Verdin argued that “the nearer a person stands in time to the event, the more likely their description reflects the conditions, perceptions and meanings as they were actually were understood when they occurred.”

This reasoning led Verdin to successfully maintain the QR code prohibition in the legislation. No other state with memorial protection laws bans such digital codes.

“As our knowledge and understanding of history continues to evolve, please consider the value in allowing for an evolution in how the lives of those in the past are told,” Preservation Society of Charleston President and CEO Brian Turner wrote to senators.

Democratic Senator Darrell Jackson noted that since his ancestors gained freedom through the Civil War, he feels no comfort seeing Confederate figures honored with statues, and believes his story deserves representation as well.

“History is usually a matter of who sees it, who tells it, who experiences it,” Jackson said.

Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation that will change how state agencies refer to a disputed Middle Eastern territory in official documents, according to the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL).

House Bill 1446, dubbed the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act, has been forwarded to the governor after winning approval from the Tennessee General Assembly. The new law will require state departments to use ‘Judea and Samaria’ when referencing the region in government materials.

Bill advocates contend this terminology better represents the area’s ancient Jewish heritage, while the commonly used international term ‘West Bank’ originated during Jordan’s administration of the region following 1948 and represents a more recent political designation.

The new requirement will become effective July 1, 2026. Chris Todd, who spearheaded the legislation and serves as the Tennessee State Chair for NACL, said the change aims to establish uniform language across government departments and align with what supporters call established historical references.

NACL President and Founder Jason Rapert described the bill as part of a wider national movement. He praised Todd for demonstrating ‘principled leadership’ by championing legislation based on what he characterized as historical truth. Rapert noted that his organization has supported comparable efforts nationwide and considers this measure part of an expanding movement for government language that reflects ‘reality, not political convenience.’

Todd, who leads the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, positioned the bill as addressing how government institutions communicate information, stating that ‘accuracy and integrity must be the standard in official government communications.’

He explained that mandating state agencies to employ what he called ‘historically grounded terms’ would establish uniformity among state departments and prevent taxpayer-supported messaging that incorporates politically motivated language.

Todd additionally referenced wider debates concerning historical accounts, noting that official language shapes how information reaches the public and gets passed down to upcoming generations.

Across Colorado, countless home cooks are preparing hot tamales in their residential kitchens for commercial purposes, though current state regulations prohibit such sales. State legislators are now working to change that by including tamales among the approved foods that can be legally sold from home-based operations.

The proposed legislation, known as the Tamale Act, would expand Colorado’s existing cottage food law to include this popular dish. Currently, home-based food entrepreneurs operate in a legal gray area when selling tamales directly to consumers.

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans on Wednesday defeated a Democratic-backed measure aimed at ending President Donald Trump’s military operations in Iran, voting down legislation that would have mandated withdrawal of American forces until lawmakers approve continued engagement.

The 47-52 decision marked the fourth instance this year where senators chose to allow presidential war authority to continue in what Democrats characterize as an unauthorized and unjustified military campaign. GOP members expressed continued support for Trump’s military strategy, pointing to Iran’s nuclear threats, potential diplomatic discussions, and serious consequences of troop withdrawal.

However, Republican senators are growing eager to see the conflict conclude, with several considering future legislative actions that could prove challenging for the president should hostilities continue. A similar war powers measure in the House faces an uncertain outcome when it comes up for a vote this week.

The War Powers Act of 1973 mandates congressional declaration of war or force authorization within 60 days of military action beginning — a timeline set to expire at month’s end. The legislation allows for a possible 30-day extension, though lawmakers have emphasized their desire for the administration to present an exit strategy soon.

Following the 60 or 90-day timeframe, “it’s time to fish or cut bait,” stated North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis. “I think that the administration would be wise to put together what would look like a well-founded authorization of military force and a funding strategy.”

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, despite opposing Democratic withdrawal efforts, has been discussing with Republican colleagues a measure to authorize military action beyond the 60-day limit.

She indicated last month that Democratic proposals would harm military personnel by forcing sudden withdrawal. However, she believes Congress should ultimately create a force authorization and vote on it “so the American people know the limits and objectives of this military operation.”

“There is no question that the president should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger,” she stated in early March.

Utah Senator John Curtis confirmed Wednesday he had reviewed Murkowski’s proposal and offered input, though he declined to share specifics. “I think we are all watching” the conflict and its timeline, Curtis noted, expressing hope for resolution before the deadline.

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley also voiced desire for the war to conclude in coming weeks. Otherwise, he said, “at the end of 60 days, I think we need to vote on a military authorization.”

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins emphasized that presidential authority “is not unlimited as commander in chief.”

“If this conflict exceeds the 60 days specified in the War Powers Act, or if the President deploys troops on the ground, I believe that Congress should have to authorize those actions,” Collins stated.

Whether Republican leadership would support an authorization vote remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated this week that “at this point most of us I think feel pretty good about what the military has achieved” in Iran.

Nevertheless, Thune acknowledged “they do need a plan for how to wind this down, how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East and, by extension, a stronger national security position for the United States.”

Thune identified another critical moment as an eventual White House funding request for the war. Congress continues awaiting this request, which could reach hundreds of billions of dollars.

This represents a “power that Congress has to influence what happens there,” Thune explained.

Oklahoma Republican Senator Jim Lankford called war funding “the big vote.” He added that the central question will be: “Is it going to happen or is it not going to happen?”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy suggested that at the 60-day deadline, Congress won’t “jump up and say that’s it, it’s one second past 60 days, everybody come home.”

Kennedy claimed some lawmakers seeking votes simply want to embarrass Trump.

“I want to see us achieve our objective in Iran,” Kennedy said. “And then I want to see us get out.”

Democrats have pledged to continue forcing Senate floor votes throughout the conflict’s duration.

“As our troops continue to sacrifice whatever is asked of them, we senators need to do the absolute minimum required of us,” said Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs in combat, before Wednesday’s vote.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that with rising gas prices, “the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forgo another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trump’s disastrous war.”

President Trump’s approval numbers are taking a hit due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, according to findings from a recent focus group study. The research, which examined the views of swing voters in Georgia, revealed widespread criticism of how the president has managed the Iranian war.

The focus group participants expressed significant dissatisfaction with Trump’s approach to the conflict, suggesting that his handling of the situation is creating political challenges for his administration among this crucial voting demographic.

Federal authorities have distributed all designated security funding for the upcoming World Cup, though the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to create obstacles for event preparation, according to testimony delivered to senators on Wednesday.

Christopher Tomney, who leads the DHS Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness, informed the Senate Appropriations Committee that coordination efforts have faced significant setbacks. “A lot of the planning efforts underway for the World Cup have been slowed down, have been delayed due to the lapse in appropriations, individuals being furloughed,” Tomney stated during his testimony.

Security concerns for the international soccer competition have intensified following intelligence reports from last month that highlighted potential threats from extremist groups and criminal organizations targeting the event. Officials had previously raised concerns about delays in releasing approved security funding.

According to Tomney’s testimony, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has successfully distributed the complete $625 million budget designated for tournament security measures. The expanded 48-team competition represents one of the planet’s largest sporting spectacles and will take place during June and July across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“All the funding has been released now. FEMA GO is up and operational,” Tomney confirmed, referencing the emergency management agency’s grant distribution platform.

The Department of Homeland Security has remained shuttered for more than two months as congressional representatives remain deadlocked over funding legislation following President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives. Trump issued an executive order this month ensuring compensation for all DHS personnel.

When senators pressed for specific examples of how the shutdown has compromised event organization capabilities, Tomney highlighted the exodus of numerous transportation security personnel from the Transportation Security Administration.

“We just can’t replace that expertise overnight. It has hindered our coordination with state and locals,” he explained to committee members.

WASHINGTON – During a contentious House Budget Committee session Wednesday, White House budget director Russell Vought acknowledged he cannot provide cost projections for the Iran conflict while advocating for President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion annual defense budget.

“We’re not ready to come to you with a request. We’re still working on it. We’re working through to figure out what’s needed,” Vought testified before lawmakers. “I don’t have a ballpark.”

The financial burden of the Iran conflict, which Trump initiated with Israel on February 28, continues to puzzle Capitol Hill officials. Congressional leaders strongly opposed an earlier $200 billion supplemental war funding proposal last month.

Vought defended Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget blueprint, which includes a $500 billion boost in defense expenditures while slashing non-defense programs by 10 percent. The proposal aims to showcase Republican priorities before November’s midterm contests, where the party seeks to maintain House and Senate majorities amid voter concerns over living costs, energy expenses, and the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Lawmakers from both parties questioned the Pentagon’s financial transparency during the hearing. Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington confronted Vought after he criticized fraud in healthcare, education, and energy assistance programs.

“I’m so glad you asked about fraud, because you are coming back to ask for a $1.5 trillion budget for the Department of Defense,” Jayapal stated. “The Department of Defense is the only federal agency that has never passed an audit … But you’re not going after any of that.”

Vought responded that the administration is addressing Pentagon “inefficiencies.”

Republican Representative Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin also expressed frustration, demanding a completed Pentagon audit before any defense spending vote. “I don’t think you’re doing enough,” Grothman said.

“There is so much arrogance in that agency,” Grothman continued. “They just say we don’t have to do it on audit. We’re so damn important. We don’t care what Congress thinks.”

The budget director promoted Trump’s spending plan for the fiscal year starting October 1 as a deficit reduction measure. He highlighted Trump’s 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” claiming it generated $2 trillion in mandatory savings through Medicaid and food assistance reductions for low-income Americans.

However, the Congressional Budget Office projects that legislation, which extended 2017 tax reductions, will increase federal deficits by $4.7 trillion over ten years, with immigration restrictions adding another $500 billion.

Budget Committee ranking Democrat Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania challenged Vought on healthcare projections showing over 15 million Americans losing coverage. Vought characterized those affected as able-bodied adults, undocumented individuals, or ineligible recipients.

“You’re going to sit here with a straight face and say they’re all illegals? They were all defrauding the system? That’s actually your position?” Boyle pressed.

“Yes,” Vought answered.

California Democratic Representative Scott Peters confronted Vought about Government Accountability Office findings that the administration illegally withheld billions designated for National Institutes of Health grants, public education, and Head Start programs nationwide.

“Do you dispute GAO’s findings?” Peters inquired.

“Yes. GAO is typically wrong. They’re very partisan,” Vought responded.

Trump’s budget requires Congressional approval during a period when Republicans face Democratic resistance to immigration enforcement funding, following the nation’s longest government shutdown. Democratic leaders have already declared the proposal unviable, relegating government funding decisions to private negotiations between appropriations committees.

NEW YORK (AP) — After spending months resisting pressure from progressive activists demanding higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, Governor Kathy Hochul is now offering a middle-ground solution.

The Democratic governor announced plans to support legislation creating a tax on expensive secondary residences in New York City valued above $5 million, commonly called pied-à-terres. This proposal represents her attempt to satisfy Mayor Zohran Mamdani and progressive advocates while avoiding broader tax increases that could harm the state’s economic stability.

Under Hochul’s plan, New York City would be authorized to add a tax surcharge on these luxury second homes, potentially bringing in at least $500 million each year. The revenue would help Mamdani address his city’s significant budget deficit while funding his policy priorities.

“As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on,” Hochul said in a statement. “If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.”

Hochul plans to incorporate this tax proposal into the state’s annual budget package, which remains under intense negotiations in Albany after lawmakers missed their April 1 deadline for finalizing the spending plan.

Mayor Mamdani, who has advocated for more extensive tax increases on affluent residents, welcomed the governor’s announcement as progress. He described the proposal as moving him “one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites.”

During a tax-focused event on Wednesday, Mamdani spoke before a “Tax The Rich” banner and explained that the measure would target the “super wealthy who can purchase properties and use them to store their wealth to benefit from New York City’s real estate market but not have to pay back into that same city.”

The governor has consistently opposed raising personal income taxes or corporate tax rates, warning that such policies would encourage more residents and businesses to relocate to states with lower tax burdens, ultimately weakening New York’s revenue base.

Progressive activists have persistently pressured Hochul on this issue, shouting “tax the rich” slogans at her public appearances and even following her to a political gathering in San Juan last year.

Hochul faces additional political challenges regarding taxation as she seeks re-election and works to counter Republican attacks about the state’s high tax burden.

Her GOP opponent, Bruce Blakeman, quickly criticized the new proposal using familiar talking points.

“Kathy Hochul’s ‘No Tax Hike’ promise has expired faster than the families fleeing New York’s affordability crisis,” said Blakeman, who serves as a county executive in the city’s suburban areas. “Unlike Hochul, I’ll actually keep my word when I’m governor: I’ll cut your taxes, slash your utility bills in half, and protect the American Dream.”

Mamdani has consistently pushed the governor and state lawmakers to increase taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, arguing they should contribute more funding for programs supporting the city’s working-class residents.

Meanwhile, he’s dealing with a substantial budget shortfall that he initially estimated at approximately $12 billion but later reduced to about $5 billion after identifying savings and securing state financial aid. This deficit threatens both his policy agenda and essential city services.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Hochul said her tax proposal would help New York City address its budget crisis without reducing services, though she emphasized that the mayor and City Council must identify additional cost savings to balance their budget.

“Our goal is to get the city on stable ground, to close the gap so we can take the pressure off,” she said.

WASHINGTON — In a rare public rebuke, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has sharply criticized her conservative colleagues for what she describes as hastily written emergency rulings that have favored Trump administration policies.

During a nearly hour-long address at Yale Law School on Monday, Jackson took aim at approximately two dozen court decisions from last year that permitted President Donald Trump to implement disputed policies on immigration and significant federal budget reductions, despite lower courts determining these policies were probably unlawful.

Jackson characterized these emergency rulings as “back-of-the-envelope, first-blush impressions of the merits of the legal issue” and criticized them as “scratch-paper musings” that can “seem oblivious and thus ring hollow.”

The newest member of the high court expressed particular concern that these brief orders, typically issued with minimal explanation, are then required to be followed by lower courts in similar cases.

Jackson also challenged the court’s reasoning that blocking presidential policies causes harm that typically outweighs potential damage to policy opponents.

“The president of the United States, though he may be harmed in an abstract way, he certainly isn’t harmed if what he wants to do is illegal,” Jackson stated during a question-and-answer session with law school dean Cristina Rodriguez.

The justice noted that the Supreme Court previously showed more restraint in intervening early in legal proceedings. “There is value in avoiding having the court continually touching the third rail of every divisive policy issue in American life,” Jackson explained.

She observed that “in recent years, the Supreme Court has taken a decidedly different approach to addressing emergency stay applications. It has been noticeably less restrained, especially with respect to pending cases that involve controversial matters.”

Jackson, who frequently dissents alongside Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, acknowledged internal discussions about emergency orders but chose to speak publicly hoping to serve as “a catalyst for change.”

Last week, Justice Sotomayor made similar comments about emergency orders during an appearance at the University of Alabama, also questioning the conservative justices’ methodology.

While these emergency measures were intended as temporary solutions, they have effectively enabled Trump to advance significant portions of his policy agenda for the time being.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s budget chief appeared before House lawmakers Wednesday to justify a proposal that would dramatically expand military spending to nearly $1.5 trillion in the upcoming budget year, representing a significant jump from the current $1 trillion allocation.

Russell Vought, President Trump’s budget director, explained that expanding America’s weapons manufacturing capabilities and increasing production of ships, aircraft, and unmanned vehicles demands substantial initial funding commitments.

The administration’s plan calls for boosting defense expenditures while simultaneously reducing funding for domestic initiatives including medical research, energy assistance programs, and numerous other non-defense areas by approximately 10% across the board. These reductions would not affect mandatory spending programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

“For the industrial base to double or triple and build more facilities, not just add shifts, it requires multiyear agreements to purchase into the future,” Vought explained to committee members. “That cost has to be booked in this first year.”

The administration’s strategy involves securing roughly $1.1 trillion through traditional appropriations channels, which typically demands bipartisan cooperation for passage. The remaining $350 billion would be pursued through separate legislation that Republicans could advance independently using simple majority votes.

Pennsylvania Representative Brendan Boyle, serving as the committee’s top Democrat, acknowledged his support for robust national defense but criticized the approach. He characterized the notion of boosting defense spending by more than 40% while reducing programs citizens depend on as evidence that Republican priorities are “out of whack.”

Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington anticipated the session would be more heated than typical hearings, a prediction that materialized immediately with his opening remarks targeting former President Joe Biden’s administration. The Texas Republican stated he was unaware of any president in his memory who “inherited such a complete and utter mess as President Trump did in January of last year.”

Arrington credited Trump with border security improvements, tax reductions, and restraining non-defense spending since taking office.

The hearing featured multiple heated exchanges between committee members.

“You know how bad this economy is when we hear Joe Biden being invoked, we hear trans people being invoked. I was waiting for Jimmy Carter to be blamed next,” Boyle responded to Arrington’s opening comments.

Boyle highlighted declining consumer confidence under Trump’s leadership and referenced a Philadelphia gas station he recently observed charging $4.11 per gallon, up from under $3.00 just six weeks earlier, attributing the increase to Trump’s “war of choice in Iran.”

Vermont Representative Becca Balint described the proposed defense spending increase as shocking.

“We’ve never in the history of this country seen spending like this, paid for by slashing health care, education and housing,” Balint stated. “Mr. Vought, yes or no, is $350 billion for the war in Iran lowering costs for Americans?”

“It is certainly not defunding child care. We fully fund child care in this budget,” Vought responded, avoiding a direct answer to the question.

Balint continued her questioning by referencing Trump’s “America First” messaging, noting that $350 billion could fund enhanced health insurance tax credits for a decade. She said her constituents question how the nation can continue financing wars while failing to address healthcare affordability challenges.

Vought defended the president’s position, stating Trump has made clear his intention to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, missiles, and naval capabilities that threaten American national security.

“He is doing what is necessary to keep us safe, while at the same time trying to pursue diplomacy so that we can get out of wars and lower those costs over time,” Vought explained.

Regarding funding for current military operations, Vought acknowledged uncertainty about how much the administration would request for the ongoing budget year ending September 30. Those funds would be included in emergency supplemental spending legislation separate from next year’s defense spending increase.

When Texas Representative Veronica Escobar asked whether the amount would exceed $50 billion, Vought replied, “We’re still working on it. I don’t have a ballpark for you.”

PORTLAND, Maine — Lawmakers in Maine have approved groundbreaking legislation that would establish the country’s first statewide ban on large-scale data centers, reflecting mounting concerns about these facilities’ impact on electrical grids and utility rates.

The bill emerged after several proposed data center projects sparked fierce community opposition in the state, despite Maine not being a major target for the massive computer facilities that support artificial intelligence operations. State legislators in the Democratic-controlled statehouse voted Tuesday to send the measure to Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat currently seeking a U.S. Senate seat.

This development represents a significant escalation in grassroots resistance to data center construction, with opposition now reaching state-level politics. While the Trump administration and numerous governors champion these facilities as economic drivers crucial for competing with China in artificial intelligence development, local communities continue voicing alarm over their massive power consumption. Energy experts have also cautioned about potential blackouts in the mid-Atlantic power grid in upcoming years.

Although similar moratorium proposals have surfaced in at least twelve states, Maine’s legislation marks the first to successfully navigate through a state legislature.

The proposed law would halt construction of data centers exceeding specific size thresholds for over a year while establishing a specialized committee to assist municipalities in evaluating future proposals. Governor Mills has not indicated her position on signing the legislation.

“It’s not that there’s no place for data centers in Maine,” said Democratic Rep. Melanie Sachs, who sponsored the measure. “Frankly, the tradeoffs have not been shown to be of benefit to our ratepayers, water usage or community benefit in terms of economic activity.”

Industry representatives warn that Maine’s moratorium could have lasting consequences for various sectors, even though the state hasn’t been a primary destination for hyperscale data center development.

“It says that the state is willing to essentially put a blanket ban on you if it decides that you may be politically unfavorable,” said Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition, a trade association that includes tech companies and developers.

Industry advocates argue the moratorium could discourage data center investment in Maine while depriving the state of significant economic development opportunities that typically attract additional industries. They also contend that local construction workers and trade unions would miss chances to develop specialized skills needed for these projects, potentially putting Maine at a disadvantage compared to other states.

“We think that these data centers could bring good jobs, good opportunities to these regions,” said Montana Towers, a policy analyst with the free market Maine Policy Institute. “And a lot of these concerns about them are luddite in nature.”

However, multiple Maine communities have expressed frustration over limited transparency surrounding potential data center developments. According to Joe Oliva, a spokesperson for the Maine Broadband Coalition supporting the moratorium, the legislation primarily aims to ensure community involvement in the planning process.

“If this is going to come, we want to be in early and often on the conversation,” Oliva said.

Community resistance has intensified since last summer, becoming a major challenge for data center developers as numerous local governments have rejected proposals during planning and zoning meetings filled with concerned residents.

Several U.S. counties and municipalities have enacted their own moratoriums, while legislative proposals have emerged in states with active development like Virginia, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Some measures failed to advance, including one in Georgia, a major data center hub. Other states have pursued alternative approaches to regulate these facilities through stricter water and energy usage requirements, enhanced transparency measures, and stronger protections for ratepayers and communities.

In Ohio, residents are attempting to circumvent the legislature by placing a November ballot measure that would permanently prohibit hyperscale data centers. The initiative requires gathering over 400,000 voter signatures by July 1, representing perhaps the most restrictive proposal under consideration.

Public officials, developers and other interests could otherwise “make this state a virtually unbroken field of data centers,” said Austin Baurichter, a Cincinnati-area lawyer who is helping organize the effort.

South Dakota’s legislature rejected a similar one-year moratorium after opposition from power plant operators and data center developers. The governor also opposed the measure, arguing that such planning decisions belong at the local level and that statewide restrictions prevent municipalities that welcome data centers from pursuing them.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Taffy Howard, told fellow senators that “citizens are asking for this” while characterizing opponents as lobbyists, “billion-dollar corporations” and government officials.

“Are you going to listen to the people or the paid lobbyists?” she asked.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Close to 200 organizations are pushing the Trump administration and Puerto Rico’s governor to bring back $350 million in federal money originally designated to fund rooftop solar panels and battery storage for 12,000 low-income households throughout the territory.

Numerous families among those affected have disabilities or health conditions requiring constant power. Worries are mounting that the federal government will leave these residents behind as ongoing electrical outages continue and Atlantic hurricane season approaches.

“For them in particular, whether they get a (solar) system or not is something that is really life or death,” Charlotte Gossett Navarro, Puerto Rico chief director for the Hispanic Federation, said in a phone interview.

The advocacy organization joined others in signing a letter made public Wednesday addressed to Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The Hispanic Federation represents one of seven groups that were slated to assist with solar panel installations and provide educational support to families. Several of these organizations are now formally challenging the funding cancellation or in discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy.

González has stated her administration “had no choice” since federal officials determined Puerto Rico would not receive those funds, which are now expected to go toward the island’s failing electrical infrastructure, devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017 but already in poor condition due to insufficient investment and upkeep.

Solar system installation remains financially out of reach for many on the island of approximately 3.2 million residents, where poverty affects more than 40% of the population.

Gossett Navarro indicated they have received no responses to outstanding questions regarding the funding as a May 9 deadline looms, signaling the end of a program that never began for some participants.

Installation teams had already completed solar setups for over 6,000 homes through the initiative, but an additional 12,000 families now face uncertainty.

Yvette Rodríguez, 61, who requires a sleep apnea device, and her spouse, Luis Soler, a 67-year-old veteran and double amputee who depends on an electric adjustable bed, are among those waiting.

“There’s a big need for those solar panels,” said Rodríguez, who lives on the small Puerto Rican island of Culebra with her husband, who needs air conditioning because he has heart problems and lives in a region where heat warnings are common.

She expressed frustration that frequent power failures force them to discard spoiled food.

“We’re affected economically in a big way because we have to spend what little money we have so that we can eat,” she said.

The federal funding reduction also impacts María Pérez, 80, and her 88-year-old spouse. She suffers from high blood pressure and cardiac issues that have resulted in multiple hospital stays. She also requires refrigerated eye drops for cataracts.

“I put them on ice, but it’s not the same,” she said. “They have us suffering with that money that they took away from us. It’s not fair.”

Pérez receives $364 monthly through Social Security, but like many Puerto Ricans, her electricity bill often equals that amount.

Gabriela Joglar Burrowes, executive director of Puerto Rico’s Statewide Independent Living Council, also signed the letter to González and Wright.

She explained that solar panels would have delivered not only reliable electricity but also mental comfort.

“If you’re a person who depends on equipment like a ventilator, a dialysis machine or medicine that requires refrigeration, the lack of consistent energy represents a risk that could lead to even death,” she said.

Joglar Burrowes, who lives with a disability, emphasized that thousands of families had waited extensively for the solar installations and deserve consideration. “It seems like sometimes we’re disposable, and we’re not,” she said.

Some of the 12,000 households have completed initial qualification reviews, while others have already undergone home assessments or begun roof repairs in anticipation of solar installation.

The majority of families reside in remote areas, including mountainous communities such as Adjuntas, Jayuya and Orocovis.

“It’s even more concerning,” said Gossett Navarro. “It’s hard to get out of the mountains when there’s a disaster.”

The U.S. Department of Energy indicates on its website that some residents will receive systems, but agency representatives have not specified who will qualify or provided timeline details.

President Donald Trump shared what appears to be an artificially created image on his Truth Social platform Wednesday showing Jesus Christ embracing him, as his administration’s dispute with the Pope continues to intensify.

The digital image depicts Trump with his eyes shut, positioned temple-to-temple with Jesus in a similar pose. Trump appears behind a microphone with an American flag visible in the background. The original posting included text stating: “I was never a very religious man .. but doesn’t it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed … that God might be playing his Trump card!”

When Trump shared the image, he included his own message: “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!”

The social media post comes amid an ongoing dispute between Trump and Pope Leo, who became the Catholic Church’s first American-born leader and has spoken critically about the military conflict that started with combined U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Trump renewed his criticism of the pontiff Tuesday evening, writing on Truth Social that “someone please tell Pope Leo” about Iranian forces killing demonstrators and declaring that “for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”

Vice President JD Vance also weighed in Tuesday during remarks at the University of Georgia, challenging the Pope’s statement that Christ’s followers are “never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.” Vance argued that “it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology.”

Pope Leo has responded defiantly to Trump’s previous criticisms, stating he has “no fear” of the current administration and will continue speaking out. During a strong speech Monday in Algiers, the Pope condemned “neocolonial” global powers for breaking international law, though he didn’t name specific nations.

Religious voters, particularly Christians, represent a significant portion of Trump’s political support base. Despite not regularly attending church services, Trump secured overwhelming support from Christian voters, including Catholics, during the 2024 election.

President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning that he will dismiss Jerome Powell should the Federal Reserve Chairman choose to remain on the central bank’s board following the expiration of his leadership role next month.

During a Wednesday Fox Business interview, Trump responded “Well then I’ll have to fire him, OK?” when asked about Powell’s stated intention to stay with the Fed despite an ongoing Justice Department probe into a $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project.

The president has spent months seeking Powell’s removal from the Fed’s top position, criticizing him for moving too slowly on interest rate reductions that could stimulate economic growth. Powell maintains the investigation serves as a cover to compromise the Federal Reserve’s autonomy in monetary policy decisions.

While Powell’s role as Fed chairman concludes on May 15, his position as a board member continues through January 2028.

This week, federal prosecutors conducted a surprise inspection at the Federal Reserve headquarters construction site that sits at the center of their investigation, according to sources with knowledge of the visit. On Tuesday, two prosecutors and an investigator from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office were denied access by construction workers and directed to contact Fed legal representatives, said one source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing probe.

During a private court session last month, a senior official from Pirro’s office acknowledged they have uncovered no criminal wrongdoing in their examination of the headquarters project.

The investigation has drawn criticism from both political parties in Congress and has stalled Senate confirmation proceedings for Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to replace Powell. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has pledged to oppose all Fed nominations until the investigation concludes.

ALBANY, N.Y. — When New York legislators established bold environmental targets in 2017, they proclaimed their commitment to protecting future generations from climate change. Today, with minimal advancement and shifting political winds, Governor Kathy Hochul wants to postpone those deadlines, claiming her priority is protecting residents from financial hardship.

The situation has “radically changed,” Hochul explained, referring to the period since 2019 when New York committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% before 2030.

The governor has suggested extending the state’s compliance timeline by several years, arguing that implementing the scheduled pollution fees would result in devastating energy costs for families.

“I cannot in good conscience — knowing the moms and dads and the seniors and the families that are struggling, paying their bills now — I cannot do something I know at this very moment that’s going to raise those prices,” Hochul stated during a recent public event.

As Hochul campaigns for reelection, she joins other Democratic officials attempting to reconcile their party’s historic commitment to environmental policies with current political pressure to prioritize affordability initiatives.

Multiple states throughout the Northeast are reconsidering their environmental objectives, while others examine reducing additional utility bill charges that support energy efficiency initiatives.

These policy reversals have concerned environmental advocates, who characterize them as lacking long-term vision. They emphasize that other states, including California, have maintained their dedication to comparable programs aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependency.

“She’s looking to, ultimately, keep New Yorkers on gas longer when it’s the very fuel that’s causing their bills to rise,” Liz Moran from environmental organization Earthjustice commented regarding Hochul’s proposals.

Hochul maintains she remains committed to addressing climate change. However, she and fellow Democrats argue that reductions in environmental funding during President Donald Trump’s tenure increased the expense of achieving state climate objectives. The Republican president has opposed certain renewable energy initiatives, especially offshore wind projects, which his administration has attempted to halt.

Data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reveals that average residential electricity costs nationwide increased 27% between 2019 and 2024, with California and northeastern states experiencing the steepest rises. Experts attribute these increases to various factors, including growing demand from data centers and natural gas pricing, which frequently powers electricity generation.

Energy expenses became central issues in recent gubernatorial campaigns won by Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia. These concerns intensified after conflicts involving Iran drove gasoline prices higher.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has suggested extending a 2033 target for achieving complete renewable energy to 2050, as part of his strategy to reduce energy expenses by $1 billion across five years.

Connecticut reduced its renewable energy target for 2030 from 40% to 29% last year. Democratic Governor Ned Lamont declared then that “electric bills are too damn high.”

Massachusetts and New Jersey are considering reducing utility bill surcharges that finance efficiency programs.

“It is hard to talk about climate at times, because everyone is very laser-focused on affordability and customer bills,” explained Kyle Murray, Massachusetts program director for the Acadia Center. “So climate, while still important, is getting kind of pushed aside, unfortunately.”

New York planned to reduce emissions through a “cap-and-invest” program, where polluting companies purchase emission permits and the funds support clean technology and renewable energy development.

California relies on cap-and-invest to meet objectives including cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. The state has used program revenues to fund billions in public transportation and clean vehicle incentives.

The program adds 24 cents per gallon at California gas stations and slightly increases utility bills, though the state provides regular “climate credits” to customers, noted Kyle Meng, UC Santa Barbara economics associate professor.

“When you make things more expensive, people conserve. It’s like Econ 101 and that’s the basic idea behind a cap-and-trade program,” Meng explained.

New York officials failed to meet a 2024 deadline for creating regulations governing their cap-and-invest system. Without these guidelines, the program never began. Environmental groups successfully challenged the state in court over the missed deadline, which Hochul has cited in requesting the delay.

The governor’s current proposal, being reviewed by legislative leadership, would allow the state until 2030 to develop regulations and establish new emission targets for 2040.

Hochul warns that maintaining current deadlines will burden consumers financially. Her administration projects that launching a cap-and-invest system immediately could cost some households over $4,000 annually.

Environmental supporters argue the governor is calculating costs for an “extreme” scenario and that her analysis overlooks benefits of encouraging polluters to abandon fossil fuels.

They reference Washington state, where voters decisively chose to maintain their cap-and-invest program in 2024.

“The sky has not fallen,” said Caitlin Krenn from Washington Conservation Action, “and the program is working as intended.”

Bruce Blakeman, a Republican county executive challenging Hochul in the upcoming election, stated he would eliminate the state’s environmental plan entirely if elected.

“Delaying the pain won’t make it disappear — it just leaves bigger bills down the road,” Blakeman said in a statement.

WASHINGTON — Taking a page from Hungarian opposition leaders who recently succeeded with an anti-corruption platform, House Democrats are launching their own ethics-focused initiative targeting the Trump administration as midterm elections approach.

Democratic representatives plan to unveil a specialized task force on Wednesday designed to reform government ethics standards and safeguard voting rights. The group intends to spotlight business dealings involving the Trump family and examine changes within federal agencies under the current administration.

This bipartisan task force, featuring both progressive and centrist lawmakers, may serve as a cornerstone of Democratic strategy as the party seeks to regain congressional control from Republicans.

Representative Joe Morelle, the leading Democrat on the House Administration Committee and close associate of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, will lead this initiative. According to Morelle, Jeffries “fears that we’re losing Americans’ faith and trust in government and institutions” because decisions are often “made based on the personal interests of the members or the president and with little regard for Americans.”

Among potential reforms, Morelle suggested prohibiting stock transactions for all executive branch officials, congressional members, and federal court personnel. He also mentioned establishing ethical guidelines and implementing term restrictions for Supreme Court justices as possible recommendations.

Democratic leaders have repeatedly characterized Trump’s current term as “the most corrupt administration in American history.” The White House has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

Anti-corruption pledges represent familiar political territory. Trump’s 2016 and 2024 campaigns featured promises to “drain the swamp,” while Democrats successfully reclaimed House control in 2018 during Trump’s first presidency using similar anti-corruption themes.

“I don’t know that we start with people’s trust. I certainly think that’s probably not the case,” Morelle acknowledged. “The question is, will we earn it? Can we earn it? And we’re prepared to place significant emphasis on this.”

The task force includes Representatives Robert Garcia of California and Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who serve as ranking Democrats on House Oversight and Judiciary committees. Additionally, Representative Greg Casar of Texas, who heads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois, leader of the moderate New Democrats, will participate. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a prominent caucus figure, also joins the group.

This diverse composition spanning different regions and ideologies could either strengthen support for the new effort or complicate attempts to establish unified messaging and objectives.

“The challenge is almost there’s too much to do, and they are going to need to focus on a couple of things,” explained Justin Florence, co-founder of Protect Democracy, an organization dedicated to fighting authoritarianism domestically and advising Democrats on their approach.

The organization views the Hungarian electoral success as a viable blueprint. “It just shows that this messaging has to be loud, it has to be colorful, it has to be engaging,” said Ben Raderstorf, a Protect Democracy strategist, regarding how Orbán’s opposition effectively communicated their anti-corruption stance. “It can’t just be staid hearings, it’s about breaking through attention cycles.”

Though Democrats questioned after 2024 whether their democracy-in-peril warnings connected with voters, many party members believe Trump’s recent actions have influenced public sentiment.

Representative Nikema Williams of Georgia, serving as task force co-chair, accused the president of “actively meddling in our elections and attempting to impose a Jim Crow 2.0 era through intimidation and suppression.” She committed that the task force will “hold Trump accountable for his corrupt schemes, expose them to the American people, and present the alternative they deserve.”

Watchdog organizations hope this messaging campaign will translate into substantive corruption-fighting legislation.

“The hope is that it’s broad, and that it’s serious policymaking and not just talking points,” stated Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a monitoring group engaged in discussions with the task force.

The objective, according to Weissman, involves addressing “not just the Trump administration’s extreme abuses, but the systemic rigging of the political process in Washington.”

New data from the Alan Guttmacher Institute reveals that Illinois has become the top destination for women seeking abortion services outside their home states. The research found that among approximately 150,000 women who crossed state boundaries to obtain abortions, nearly one in four—23 percent—traveled to Illinois, making it the leading state for out-of-state abortion procedures.

The findings suggest that Governor Jay Pritzker’s efforts to position Illinois as an accessible location for reproductive services are bearing fruit. The Democratic governor has been an outspoken advocate for abortion access and has worked alongside state lawmakers to implement policies that facilitate these services. The new data appears to confirm that these legislative and policy initiatives are achieving their intended goal of drawing patients from other states.

Wednesday marks the annual tax filing deadline for most Americans, and Treasury Department officials reveal that millions have already taken advantage of new tax benefits introduced under the Trump administration’s policies.

According to a Treasury official who briefed reporters on Tuesday, more than 53 million taxpayers have claimed deductions under the new provisions included in the comprehensive Republican tax and spending legislation. The breakdown shows 6 million Americans claimed the tip tax exemption, 21 million used the overtime deduction, and 30 million senior citizens took advantage of enhanced deductions.

The anonymous Treasury official characterized the 2026 filing season as successful from the administration’s viewpoint when previewing these figures.

Despite these new tax benefits, recent polling indicates that approximately 70% of Americans continue to believe their tax burden remains excessive, even after the Republican tax legislation that promised significant taxpayer savings.

When the tax season began in January, White House officials predicted that average refunds would increase by a minimum of $1,000. Current IRS statistics show the average refund stands at $3,462, representing an 11% increase of roughly $350 compared to last year’s average refund of $3,116.

The Treasury Department has adjusted its messaging strategy to emphasize that this season’s tax refunds have increased 24% when compared to the four-year average before President Donald Trump assumed office.

The administration has attempted to highlight Trump’s tax reductions as a way to boost voter confidence in his economic management before the upcoming November midterm elections, though this message has been eclipsed by rising gasoline costs stemming from the conflict in Iran.

This tax season occurs amid significant changes at the IRS, including leadership transitions and a 27% workforce reduction over the past year due to cuts implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency.

IRS CEO Frank Bisignano is scheduled to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.

Bisignano’s prepared testimony to Congress will highlight the IRS’s successful implementation of the Republican tax legislation.

Meanwhile, Democratic legislators have focused attention on IRS disclosures of confidential taxpayer data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement through an arrangement between ICE and the Department of Homeland Security designed to identify and remove individuals residing illegally in the United States.

Voters in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District will cast ballots Thursday in a special election to fill the House seat left vacant when Mikie Sherrill became the state’s Democratic governor.

The outcome could further reduce the narrow Republican control of the House if Democrats succeed in the district that typically favors their party.

Two main candidates are vying to succeed Sherrill: Democrat Analilia Mejia, a progressive activist and former federal Labor Department worker, faces off against Republican Joe Hathaway, who serves on the Randolph Township Council.

Mejia secured early endorsements from progressive leaders including U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, plus Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She edged out a competitive February 5th Democratic primary that featured former Representative Tom Malinowski and former Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. Malinowski had sought a political comeback following his 2022 loss in an adjacent House district.

Hathaway faced no opposition in securing the Republican nomination.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has dominated campaign discussions. A super PAC connected to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee invested over $2.3 million opposing Malinowski, who had questioned unlimited aid to Israel’s government. Mejia stood alone among primary candidates in stating her belief that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, and she has labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. Hathaway advocates unwavering U.S. support for Israel, stating America should stand “in lockstep” with the ally without aid conditions.

Campaign finance records show Mejia raised approximately $1.1 million for both the primary and general election, maintaining about $374,000 as of March 27th. Hathaway collected roughly $525,000 for his campaign with about $109,000 remaining in his account.

Historical voting patterns favor Democrats in the district. Sherrill secured reelection in 2024 with roughly 57% support, while Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris captured 53% of district votes.

The district spans 588 precincts across three counties: Morris County contains more than half the precincts, Essex County holds about 39%, and Passaic County represents 9%. Essex County’s portion heavily supports Democrats, with Harris winning 64% in 2024. President Donald Trump narrowly captured Morris County’s district area by approximately one percentage point and won the small Passaic County section with about 57%.

Election procedures require polls to close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The Associated Press will monitor results and announce a winner only when trailing candidates cannot mathematically overcome the gap. New Jersey lacks automatic recount provisions, though candidates and voters may request paid recounts that receive refunds if results change.

Voter registration data from April 1st shows approximately 603,000 eligible voters in the district: about 230,000 Democrats, 165,000 Republicans, and 204,000 unaffiliated voters, with remaining registrations spread among minor parties.

The February 5th Democratic primary drew over 68,000 votes compared to roughly 16,000 in the Republican contest. The 2024 general election recorded about 394,000 votes, with nearly half cast before Election Day.

Early voting through Monday totaled about 54,000 ballots: approximately 34,000 from Democrats, 13,000 from Republicans, and over 7,000 from unaffiliated voters.

During February’s special primary, initial results appeared at 8:04 p.m. Eastern Time, four minutes after poll closure. Final updates concluded at 10:30 p.m. with about 91% of votes counted, and the race was called on February 12th at 5:34 p.m.

New Jersey counties typically release early and absentee voting results in their first update before reporting Election Day totals.

The winner will serve 201 days before the seat appears again on the 2026 midterm ballot.

WASHINGTON — First Lady Melania Trump made an uncommon appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday, participating in discussions with House representatives about proposed legislation to modernize the nation’s foster care system that hasn’t seen major updates in nearly three decades.

The First Lady has focused her attention on foster care issues since President Donald Trump concluded his initial presidency in 2021. Her Wednesday visit to the legislative branch mirrors her successful advocacy efforts last year that resulted in Congress passing legislation protecting women and children from online sexual exploitation.

This Capitol Hill appearance occurred one week following Melania Trump’s unexpected White House statement where she refuted any connections to Jeffrey Epstein, stated she had no awareness of his criminal activities, and called for congressional hearings for his victims. She also demanded an end to what she termed “lies” connecting her to the deceased financier and convicted sex offender.

Through social media, the First Lady expressed her anticipation for collaborating with Congress to “advance new legislation designed to protect and empower individuals from the foster care community.” She described their collective goal as “to strengthen America’s next generation.”

Her Wednesday afternoon meeting included House Ways and Means Committee members alongside individuals with personal foster care experience.

Both Republican and Democratic committee members have introduced multiple bills aimed at modernizing the Chafee foster care program to enhance outcomes for young people exiting the foster care system. These proposals would expand their access to housing assistance, educational opportunities, and job training programs, helping facilitate their transition to independent adult lives.

The Chafee program supports current and former foster youth between ages 14 and 21 as they exit the system. Committee officials described the bipartisan proposals as the most substantial updates since the program’s establishment in 1999.

A January 2025 Government Accountability Office report revealed that states were returning millions in unused Chafee program funding to federal coffers, despite ongoing unaddressed needs among foster youth.

This past November, President Trump established the “Fostering the Future” program through executive order, directing federal agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and private sector partners to collaborate on improving career and educational prospects for children raised in foster care.

The First Lady, who accompanied her husband during the Oval Office signing ceremony, leads a separate “Fostering the Future” initiative under her “Be Best” child-focused campaign from his first presidential term. This program provides scholarships to current and former foster youth.

Last month, she organized a summit with representatives from over 40 nations, encouraging international cooperation to enhance educational and technological access for children worldwide.

In March 2025, Melania Trump used her first public appearance since returning to her role as First Lady to participate in Capitol Hill discussions about the Take It Down Act. President Trump signed this legislation two months later, criminalizing the knowing publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent.

Last week, both Melania Trump and the White House highlighted the first conviction under this new law after an Ohio man admitted guilt in federal court to cybercrimes involving real and AI-generated sexually explicit images and violent threats against multiple victims.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump revealed during a Fox Business Network interview that he exchanged letters with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding weapons supplies to Iran, with the interview broadcast Wednesday.

During the Tuesday taping, Trump disclosed he had written to the Chinese leader requesting that China refrain from providing weapons to Iran. According to Trump, Xi responded in writing that China is not supplying arms to Tehran. The president did not specify the timing of this correspondence.

“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that, essentially, he’s not doing that,” Trump stated during his appearance on “Mornings with Maria.”

This revelation comes after Trump issued warnings last week threatening an immediate 50% tariff against any nation that provides weapons to Iran.

The president also indicated that global oil market fluctuations stemming from conflicts involving Iran and developments in Venezuela would not affect his upcoming meeting with Xi scheduled for next month. “He’s somebody that needs oil. We don’t,” Trump commented regarding the Chinese leader’s position.

The 12 regional presidents of Federal Reserve banks across the nation find themselves at the center of an unprecedented battle over central banking independence, as political and legal challenges mount against the institution’s traditional structure.

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, who reached her position through a selection process that bypassed public elections and political appointments, maintains that regional bank leaders serve as cornerstones of the Federal Reserve’s democratic credibility.

This perspective now confronts significant challenges from multiple directions: a Supreme Court case examining whether presidents can dismiss Fed governors, ongoing transition difficulties between current Fed Chair Jerome Powell and President Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh, and potential reforms from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has voiced criticism of Fed operations.

“Look back to the original act … You create these regional Feds and you make the selection of those policymakers different than the selection of the ones in D.C.,” Daly explained in a recent interview, referencing how the Federal Reserve Act sought to balance centralized authority in Washington with regional representation across 12 districts.

The regional presidents hold substantial influence, with five participating in monetary policy votes on a rotating schedule, representing crucial support that Fed leadership must secure when establishing policy directions.

These officials frequently emphasize their extensive interactions with local business leaders and workers as fundamental to the Fed’s mission, arguing that their independence from political appointment processes enables objective decision-making.

Daly noted that Senate-confirmed Fed governors must approve regional bank appointments, creating “the checks and balances that I think are part of a democratic institution. Other people can disagree, but this has stood the test of time.”

However, the current system faces mounting pressure from both the legal challenge regarding Trump’s attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and Powell’s decision about remaining on the board through 2028, even if Warsh assumes the chairmanship after Powell’s term concludes May 15.

Warsh’s confirmation process has stalled due to at least one Republican senator’s opposition, stemming from concerns about a Trump administration investigation into Powell that the senator views as undermining Fed independence.

Powell has criticized this investigation and stated he will determine his future “based on what I think is best for the institution and for the people we serve,” potentially setting up continued resistance to changes he considers excessive.

While regional Fed presidents are selected through local processes with minimal Washington involvement, they remain vulnerable to dismissal by a board majority. The current board includes three Biden appointees and three Trump appointees, with Powell originally appointed by Obama, promoted by Trump, and reappointed by Biden.

Trump has not publicly addressed regional bank composition, and his administration has not formally proposed changes to increase White House influence over these institutions.

Nevertheless, discussions about their role have become entangled in broader debates about balancing Federal Reserve independence in monetary policy with democratic accountability and constitutional governance principles.

Columbia Law School Professor Kathryn Judge, speaking at a recent Shadow Open Market Committee gathering, predicted that Trump administration challenges, regardless of their success, would create a period of “disruption” that “is likely to dramatically weaken the ground upon which Fed independence has stood, and that independence is going to remain fragile.”

Future directions remain uncertain. Warsh has called for significant Fed changes without providing specifics, while Bessent has published detailed criticism of what he considers excessive Fed economic influence and suggested residency requirements for regional bank president appointments.

Stephen Miran, before joining the Fed board, co-authored research arguing that presidents should have authority to dismiss both Fed board members and regional bank leaders, claiming the current arrangement creates “some degree of tension” with constitutional principles.

Former Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Randall Quarles echoed similar sentiments, telling the Shadow Open Market Committee that Supreme Court protection of Fed officials from presidential dismissal would be “both wrong and unnecessary.”

“The right answer is to say … the president can, in fact, dismiss anyone on the Federal Reserve Board because he disagrees with their views on policy,” Quarles argued, while expressing confidence that Senate confirmation processes and regional bank leadership would prevent political hijacking of monetary policy.

Former St. Louis Fed President James Bullard quickly challenged this position, warning: “You’re absolutely playing with fire. Do you not think that if you fire all the governors at will, they will just turn around and fire all the (Fed bank) presidents? … One party or another has swept into power and what do they want? They want low interest rates because they don’t want to have to pay a lot for their deficit spending.”

Federal documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that the Trump administration has terminated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Washington headquarters lease, ending the agreement six years before its scheduled expiration.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ended the CFPB’s lease in February and transferred the downtown Washington property to the General Services Administration at no charge, according to records released to Reuters.

This latest development adds to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the consumer protection agency, which was established by Congress following the 2008 financial crisis to oversee consumer financial products. President Trump has advocated for eliminating the bureau entirely, and court documents show his administration initially planned to close the agency completely.

After facing legal challenges from agency staff, the administration is now pursuing court permission to slash the CFPB’s workforce from approximately 1,700 employees to just one-third of that number.

The OCC acquired the building in 2010 as part of regulatory reforms implemented after the financial crisis that also led to the CFPB’s creation. The original lease was set to run for 20 years, requiring the consumer bureau to pay roughly $11.4 million annually in rent for 2012, with 2% yearly increases.

According to the lease termination documents, the CFPB first approached the OCC about ending the arrangement shortly after Trump assumed office and made the request again in December.

In correspondence dated February 12, Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould informed the GSA that managing the property involved “costs and risks” and that serving as the CFPB’s landlord “does not advance the OCC’s mission.”

The consumer protection agency has experienced significant staff reductions over the past year, with current employment dropping below 1,200 workers based on recent court filings. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that only a small number of CFPB personnel regularly use the building, as most employees now work remotely.

Trump’s Budget Director Russell Vought, who serves as the CFPB’s acting director, suspended agency operations last year and sent staff home. The building’s signage was removed overnight during this period.

Some agency functions have gradually resumed, including regulatory drafting and limited supervisory activities. Recent job postings show the bureau has advertised a small number of attorney positions.

The headquarters building sits across from the White House complex and features modern 1974 architecture with floor-to-ceiling windows. The facility encompasses more than 300,000 square feet, includes over 200 parking spaces, and has an accessible rooftop in a prime downtown location.

The Trump administration characterizes the agency as a politicized obstacle to free enterprise, while supporters argue that efforts to dismantle it will ultimately harm consumers.

Neither the OCC nor GSA representatives provided immediate responses to requests for comment. A CFPB spokesperson confirmed the agency’s headquarters were located at the property in question but declined to answer detailed inquiries.

DEARBORN, Mich. — A year and a half after America’s most prominent Arab American community backed Donald Trump’s return to the White House, residents continue their daily prayers for peace.

Families in this Detroit suburb anxiously await updates from overseas relatives, hoping for safety news while grieving those they’ve already lost to violence.

The initial heartbreak over Gaza’s conflict has expanded significantly. With Dearborn’s substantial Lebanese American residents, Lebanon’s escalating warfare has brought the crisis closer to home. This overseas turmoil now intersects with domestic challenges including stricter immigration policies, economic difficulties, and rising local tensions following a recent synagogue attack.

“The community now sees that it could have got worse — and it did get worse,” said Nabih Ayad, founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League. “But the community was just so desperate.”

The election-season media attention that once focused intensely on Dearborn has diminished. Large-scale demonstrations have subsided. Yet within religious centers, at memorial services, and during family gatherings, discussions show a community still struggling and beginning to consider future options.

Recently, Ayad met with fellow Arab American community leaders for an Associated Press interview. Several had participated extensively in discussions with both Kamala Harris’ Democratic campaign and Trump’s Republican effort as each sought their electoral support.

“We get this all the time by media, okay? It’s basically, ‘How’d that decision go? How’d that work out for you?’” Ayad said.

Nearly a dozen leaders attended — including county officials, state legislators, and business operators — and most agreed that circumstances haven’t improved since Trump’s inauguration.

However, few expressed remorse about their choice. Most explained that Democrats failed to provide a credible option because Harris, serving as vice president then, didn’t sufficiently separate herself from Joe Biden’s pro-Israel stance regarding Gaza operations.

Most don’t intend to back Trump or other Republicans going forward.

“I think November 3rd couldn’t come soon enough,” said Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun, referring to the midterm elections.

Following America’s joint action with Israel against Iran, the regional conflict expanded to encompass Lebanon, Hezbollah’s operational base.

A tentative two-week ceasefire announced recently didn’t cover Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, allowing continued violence there. The warfare has forced over one million Lebanese to flee their homes and resulted in more than 2,000 deaths, including over 500 women, children, and healthcare personnel. Lebanon and Israel conducted their first direct diplomatic discussions in decades this Tuesday in Washington.

Michigan hosts America’s largest Arab American population, with nearly 25% claiming Lebanese heritage. Within Wayne County, encompassing Detroit and Dearborn, approximately one-third of the roughly 140,000 residents who identified as Middle Eastern or North African in 2020 census data are Lebanese.

For many families, this translates to persistent anxiety.

“I have family in Lebanon. I have an uncle with his wife and his kids and his grandkids. And to be honest with you, I’m just waiting for the call from overseas saying that he’s perished,” said Assad Turfe, a Wayne County official who was among the few Arab Americans to endorse Harris in 2024.

“This is the kind of environment that this community is living with every day,” he added. “That story is in the minds and the hearts of almost everyone that lives in this community.”

During Friday services in Dearborn Heights, more than one hundred worshippers filled a mosque for afternoon prayers. The imam began by addressing Middle Eastern conflicts and criticizing Trump’s statements that a “whole civilization will die” unless Iran accepted his conditions.

“Political leaders are supposed to build the bridges, not promote scorched earth policies,” the imam said.

The moment highlighted how profoundly the conflict has penetrated everyday routines, transforming religious spaces into venues extending beyond worship.

That evening, Peace Park in Dearborn became filled with Lebanese flags as a memorial service occupied the central plaza.

Young people sat on flag-draped steps, carrying photographs of children killed during the war. Meanwhile, speakers alternated describing a conflict spanning multiple presidential administrations with minimal progress toward resolution.

“What we have witnessed is not just another headline. It is not distant. It is not abstract,” Suehaila Amen, a Lebanese American, said at the vigil.

“We are a community in mourning,” she said, “and we have been mourning for a long, long time.”

Across Colorado, home cooks are preparing and selling tamales from their personal kitchens in violation of current state regulations. State legislators are now working to change that by adding tamales to the official roster of homemade foods that residents can legally market and sell.

The proposed legislation, known as the Tamale Act, would expand Colorado’s existing cottage food laws to include the popular dish. Currently, numerous home-based food entrepreneurs operate in a legal gray area when they sell their homemade tamales to customers.

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers face a Monday deadline to decide the fate of a controversial surveillance program that allows intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications, with President Donald Trump advocating for its extension despite ongoing privacy debates.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provision enables the CIA, NSA, FBI and other agencies to gather and examine extensive overseas communications data without obtaining warrants. The surveillance sometimes captures communications involving Americans who contact monitored foreign targets.

With the program set to expire Monday, lawmakers are debating reforms including mandatory warrants before officials can review Americans’ emails, phone calls or text messages. Critics also seek restrictions on government purchases from internet data brokers, who sell massive amounts of personal information collected online.

Reform prospects diminished after Trump endorsed the program’s continuation, citing its value in providing crucial intelligence for recent U.S. operations in Venezuela and Iran.

“The fact is, whether you like FISA or not, it is extremely important to our military,” Trump posted on social media Tuesday.

Government officials describe the program, called Section 702, as essential for national security and preventing terrorist attacks. Opposition voices characterize it as a dangerous violation of constitutional rights and personal privacy.

In his Truth Social message, Trump acknowledged that a different FISA provision targeted his 2016 campaign but endorsed Section 702’s extension despite concerns about potential future misuse by political opponents. He urged Congress to approve an 18-month extension of the foreign surveillance authority.

“My administration has worked tirelessly to ensure these FISA reforms are being aggressively executed at every level of the Executive Branch to keep Americans safe, while protecting our sacred Civil Liberties guaranteed by our Great Constitution,” Trump wrote.

Trump has historically criticized intelligence agencies and previously opposed Section 702 before changing his position. “KILL FISA” Trump posted on social media in 2024, when lawmakers last renewed the provision.

Trump isn’t alone in shifting positions: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard previously sponsored legislation as a Hawaii representative to eliminate Section 702 but now endorses it after her appointment to oversee the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.

Gabbard credits new safeguards implemented since her congressional service for influencing her changed perspective.

Beyond warrant requirements for accessing Americans’ information, critics seek enhanced protections governing how the FBI and other agencies search communications and report those activities publicly.

“Journalists, foreign aid workers, people with family overseas, all could have their communications swept up in this surveillance merely because they talked to someone outside of this country,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. The persistent law opponent advocates for modifications ensuring the government doesn’t secretly violate constitutional rights.

Multiple Republicans have also proposed changes, including the warrant requirement.

“National security and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive,” said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. “We can give our intelligence professionals the tools they need to target foreign threats while ensuring that Americans are not subjected to unconstitutional surveillance.”

Gabbard’s office publishes annual statistics showing foreign surveillance targets and searches potentially identifying Americans.

In 2025, foreign surveillance targets rose to nearly 350,000 from approximately 292,000 in 2024. Searches using terms possibly identifying Americans dropped slightly to 7,724 from 7,845 in 2024.

These figures are incomplete because agencies like the FBI have developed methods to access data without publicly reporting searches, according to Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

FBI personnel repeatedly violated internal guidelines when searching for intelligence about the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and 2020 racial justice demonstrations, a 2024 court ruling revealed.

“It’s reminiscent of J. Edgar Hoover’s tenure at the FBI,” Goitein said, referencing the FBI’s founding director who employed illegal surveillance to intimidate and monitor Americans. “They can pretty much target anyone.”

Despite bipartisan worries about the law and its civil liberties implications, Congress has limited time to implement changes before Monday’s deadline.

Trump’s endorsement also decreases the likelihood that sufficient Republicans will oppose party leadership and collaborate with Democrats on reform efforts.

Wyden noted that Section 702 votes are typically postponed until the final moment, when lawmakers face pressure that national security requires approval. Legislators are warned, he explained, that “if they vote for any amendments, the program will die and terrible things will happen and it will be all their fault.”

The House presents the strongest opportunity for incorporating changes, where numerous lawmakers from both parties have voiced concerns.

However, Rep. Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican leading the House Intelligence Committee, supports Trump’s proposal for an 18-month extension.

Crawford has previously criticized what he terms intelligence weaponization but stated last month that he believes the government can strengthen spy agencies while maintaining accountability.

“We can walk and chew gum at the same time,” Crawford said.

WASHINGTON — Two members of Congress stepped down this week following accusations of sexual misconduct with staff members, but many female lawmakers say the accountability moment has been years overdue and more changes are needed.

Representatives Eric Swalwell of California and Tony Gonzales of Texas both announced their departures from Congress within hours on Monday. The timing came just before the House reconvened in Washington and as both faced potential expulsion votes from their colleagues.

The departures marked a significant moment for Capitol Hill accountability, representing the most notable action since approximately twelve male politicians saw their careers end during the peak of the #MeToo era. However, several congresswomen argued the resignations took far too long and highlighted ongoing problems with sexual misconduct in Congress.

“Today was an important turning point,” stated New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “That it should — that abuse of power — should never be accepted, and above all, in public office. And so, I think this is an important resetting point for the institution.”

A cross-party coalition of female lawmakers had prepared to introduce resolutions Tuesday that would have compelled expulsion votes for both Swalwell and Gonzales. This pressure campaign succeeded after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported Friday that a woman accused Swalwell of sexual assault.

The accusations against Swalwell span from 2019 to 2024, with additional inappropriate behavior claims from other women emerging later. While Swalwell has rejected all sexual misconduct allegations, he has admitted to poor judgment. Gonzales had faced months of resignation demands after acknowledging a 2024 affair with a staff member who later took her own life.

“Accountability can happen. We can hold men accountable when they abuse women, and we’re going to do more of it,” declared Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, who leads the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

House rules explicitly prohibit sexual relationships between members and their staff.

After the #MeToo movement gained momentum, the House implemented mandatory yearly training on sexual harassment and discrimination for all members. Additional legislation passed to accelerate the complaint process for harassment cases, increase settlement transparency, and require lawmakers to personally cover any financial penalties.

Former California Democratic Representative Jackie Speier, who championed sexual assault reforms, told The Associated Press that significant issues remain despite these changes.

“What we do in Congress is basically look the other way,” she explained, urging House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to “really tighten the rules and create a safe environment for these women to report.”

Johnson stated he had no conversations with either lawmaker before their resignation announcements, but told reporters the situation concluded “appropriately.”

“This is the right thing for the institution,” he commented.

Sexual abuse concerns have gained prominence as lawmakers examine the actions of deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. Several conservative Republican women played key roles in pushing Congress to address these issues.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace, working with Representatives Lauren Boebert and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, defied pressure from President Donald Trump and Johnson last year. They joined Democrats to force a vote requiring the release of many Epstein case files.

Mace, who publicly shared her own rape survival story in 2019, has maintained an active campaign supporting sexual assault victims. She and Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna repeatedly demanded resignations from both Swalwell and Gonzales.

Mace has also called for Republican Representative Cory Mills to step down, as he faces an ethics investigation over alleged sexual misconduct and violence against a former girlfriend. Mills maintains he will disprove these claims.

Additionally, Mace and Luna are seeking the resignation of Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. The House Ethics Committee discovered evidence she violated campaign finance laws related to a mistaken $5 million overpayment from Florida to her family’s healthcare business. She denies any wrongdoing.

“Clean house. Expel them. Hold every last one accountable,” Mace posted on social media. “The American people are watching.”

Notably, Mace herself faces an ethics investigation regarding allegations of improper housing reimbursement claims, which she disputes.

As sexual abuse allegations continued mounting against Swalwell, some Democrats experienced moments of reflection and remorse, particularly those who maintained close relationships with him.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a longtime Swalwell friend who managed his presidential campaign, held an emotional news conference Tuesday.

“I messed up. I’m human. I trusted this man,” Gallego said with tears in his eyes.

Under intense reporter questioning, Gallego admitted hearing rumors about Swalwell being “flirty” but said he trusted him as a close family friend.

“I definitely look at the world in a different way now,” Gallego stated. “I personally am going to make sure that I’m going to take personal steps and office steps to make sure that we don’t even get close to a gray line.”

Speier, who began her political career as a congressional aide and faced harassment from a supervisor, explained that Congress members operate with extensive autonomy over their offices. All 535 lawmakers serve as bosses of their personally chosen staff.

“There’s really no one overseeing you,” Speier noted. “There’s a sense of entitlement that kind of overtakes many of these members.”

Speier worked with former Representative Bradley Byrne to pass legislation simplifying sexual harassment and discrimination reporting, including prohibiting nondisclosure agreements that protect Congress members.

Since 2018 reforms required the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to report awards and settlements from formal complaints, House member offices have made eight payments totaling slightly over $400,000. These payments cover all workplace rights violations, not exclusively sexual harassment, and violations could involve other congressional staff within offices.

Speier emphasized the importance of continuing to simplify the reporting process for survivors.

“Unless someone comes forward, you know the conduct continues,” she stated.

OMAHA, Neb. — Eight Republican governors nationwide are backing efforts to establish conservative political clubs in every public high school following last year’s killing of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, claiming these initiatives will protect conservative student voices from educational suppression.

The gubernatorial support for this conservative organization has ignited controversy over free speech policies in public schools, as opponents point out that many of these same Republican officials have implemented restrictions on classroom discussions about sexual education, LGBTQ+ topics and other subjects.

Religious references by some governors when endorsing these clubs have further intensified the controversy.

During a press conference last month where she announced Arkansas’s collaboration with Turning Point USA, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that divine intervention had helped Kirk expand the conservative organization and expressed hope it would inspire “the exact type of civic engagement that we want to see” from high school students.

“It’s never too early to learn the values of faith and freedom that power our country,” she said.

Lily Alderson, a student at Fayetteville High School who leads the Young Democrats club, believes the governor overstepped constitutional boundaries. Alderson contends that Sanders’s religious endorsement breaks the principle requiring government neutrality toward religious beliefs.

“We’re a public school,” Alderson said. “We shouldn’t be a school — or a state, even — that is telling people what they should believe in.”

Lukas Klaus, who heads the Turning Point USA chapter at the same school, views the Republican governors’ actions as protecting conservative students’ right to expression.

“I’ve heard numerous other stories from around the states of Club America chapters trying to get started where they’re having serious problems with the administration straight-up saying ‘no,’” said Klaus. He noted he’s never encountered instances of public schools blocking Young Democrats clubs.

Over recent months, Republican leadership in Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Florida, Tennessee and Indiana have all declared partnerships with Turning Point USA to encourage Club America chapters in every high school within their borders.

Turning Point USA reports nearly 3,400 Club America chapters currently operate nationwide, with additional state partnerships being developed.

Though these partnerships don’t mandate schools to create conservative clubs, they establish that school administrators cannot deny requests to form such groups.

Turning Point USA launched in 2012 focusing on college campuses, positioning itself as a gathering place for young people supporting conservative principles. Kirk served as co-founder and primary spokesperson, gaining recognition for his “Prove Me Wrong” campus events where he challenged students to debate his conservative positions on political and cultural matters. A sniper killed Kirk in early September while he was speaking at a Utah college campus.

Conservative supporters celebrated Kirk as a free speech advocate, while critics condemned his statements that many Americans considered hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals, non-Christians, racial minorities and women.

Some critics experienced Republican backlash for allegedly disrespecting Kirk’s memory, resulting in terminations by universities, athletic organizations and media outlets. Florida’s education commissioner pledged to investigate teachers who made objectionable remarks about Kirk. In Texas, an educators’ union has filed a lawsuit against the state education department, alleging an inappropriate “wave of retaliation” against public school staff for their social media posts following the assassination.

Teachers unions and civil rights organizations have criticized the governors’ exclusive endorsement of Turning Point USA over other student organizations.

Tim Royers, who leads the Nebraska State Education Association, the state’s primary teachers union, questioned how Republican officials would respond if a Democratic governor promoted democratic socialist clubs in every high school.

“They would be running to the press to talk about how awful that is,” Royers said. “How is this fundamentally any different?”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas characterized the state’s club support as “differential treatment based on the content or viewpoint of the clubs, and a problem under the First Amendment.”

Turning Point USA representative Matt Shupe dismissed ACLU objections as contradictory, citing the civil rights organization’s commitment to defending free speech protections.

“The state of Arkansas is not forming our chapters; they’re not doing our job or our students’ jobs for us, nor are they saying other groups can’t be formed,” Shupe said in an email. “They’re simply stating students cannot be blocked from forming a Club America or a TPUSA college chapter when students want to start one.”

ATHENS, Georgia — Vice President JD Vance arrived in this Georgia university town for a Turning Point USA campus event following an unsuccessful diplomatic mission to Pakistan aimed at resolving the Iran conflict.

Rather than demonstrating the enthusiastic youth support that helped propel President Donald Trump back to office nearly two years ago, the gathering featured a largely vacant venue, uncomfortable moments, and unexpected criticism from attendees.

The gathering highlighted Trump’s challenges in gaining support for the Iran conflict and revealed how his recent controversies — including attacks on Pope Leo XIV and posting a social media image depicting himself as Jesus — have created political problems.

“I did vote for Trump. I am not a Trump supporter anymore,” stated Joseph Bercher, a Catholic who praised Leo’s opposition to the Iran war.

Bercher described the Jesus image, which Trump removed Monday following rare conservative pushback, as a “red flag” revealing Trump’s character.

“He sees himself as like a demagogue or someone to be worshipped,” Bercher explained.

C.J. Santini, who recently completed his studies at Liberty University, an evangelical institution in Virginia, expressed uncertainty about whether Iran truly posed an imminent nuclear threat requiring military action. However, he responded with laughter and disbelief when questioned about Trump’s attacks on Leo.

“It’s just stupid. Stupid,” he stated, describing it as a “distraction” from Trump’s domestic and foreign policy objectives.

While numerous college-aged participants wore Turning Point merchandise, Trump campaign gear, and patriotic clothing, empty seats outnumbered attendees by more than two-to-one in what wasn’t even the campus’s largest venue, located roughly 90 minutes from Atlanta.

Vance, an Iraq War Marine veteran, recognized that young conservatives don’t universally support another Middle Eastern military engagement.

“I’m not saying you have to agree with me on every issue,” Vance addressed the audience. “What I’m saying,” he continued, “is don’t get disengaged.”

The vice president fielded questions from Turning Point executive Andrew Kolvet rather than Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership after her husband Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Kolvet explained that Erika Kirk withdrew from the stage appearance due to unspecified security concerns.

Vance, whose attendance required extensive Secret Service and law enforcement security, admitted concerns about potential event cancellation.

While Kolvet questioned Vance about the war and Trump’s dispute with Leo, audience members posed more challenging inquiries. Vance engaged with at least one war protester and faced pressure regarding the administration’s Jeffrey Epstein file handling.

Even supportive audience members expressed reservations and criticisms.

“The pope needs to stay out of politics,” said Jessie Williams, a Methodist. However, he acknowledged his Catholic mother’s perspective and understood Catholic displeasure with Trump calling the pope “weak” and suggesting the first American-born pontiff was selected to oppose Trump.

Williams found Trump’s image inappropriate.

“I don’t like it, but it’s — what can we do?” Williams commented. “He’s a grown man, he’s gonna do what he wants.”

Blake McCluggage, a Baptist, disapproved of both the image and Trump’s profanity-laden Easter Sunday message threatening Iran’s civilian infrastructure.

These threats, combined with Trump’s subsequent message about a “whole civilization” facing destruction, prompted increasing criticism from Leo, with the pope describing the president’s statements as “truly unacceptable.”

Nevertheless, McCluggage noted, “you can still be a Republican” while disagreeing with Trump.

Before arriving in Georgia, Vance attempted to dismiss the image as humor that “a lot of people weren’t understanding.” The vice president also appeared to support Trump’s position that Leo should focus less on international matters.

“It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what’s going on in the Catholic church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy,” Vance said during a Fox News appearance.

During the Athens event, he modified his stance, claiming to welcome Leo’s input despite disagreement.

“At the very least, it invites conversation,” said Vance, who embraced Catholicism in adulthood.

Nevertheless, Vance again challenged Leo, specifically disputing the pope’s Palm Sunday statement that God doesn’t hear prayers from those who wage war. Leo had referenced Old Testament scripture from Isaiah. Vance questioned whether God supported Allied forces during World War II as they freed Holocaust survivors from Nazi death camps.

“I certainly think the answer is yes,” Vance declared. When Leo combines international affairs with complex religious doctrine, Vance argued, “it’s very important for the pope to be careful.”

Former President Donald Trump renewed his public criticism of Pope Leo this Tuesday while declaring that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called for someone to inform Pope Leo about the situation in Iran and his stance on nuclear proliferation.

“Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable,” Trump wrote in his social media post.

The former president’s statement combines his ongoing disagreement with the Pope alongside his foreign policy position regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Multiple government agencies are discreetly working around President Trump’s restriction on collaborating with artificial intelligence company Anthropic, according to a Tuesday report from Politico.

The Commerce Department’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation is currently evaluating the cybersecurity testing abilities of Anthropic’s cutting-edge AI system called Mythos, sources indicate.

Reuters was unable to independently verify these claims. Representatives from Anthropic, the White House, and the Commerce Department have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.

Congressional staff from no fewer than three committees have either conducted or sought informational sessions with the company regarding Mythos’ cyber security scanning features within the last seven days, according to the report.

During Monday’s Semafor World Economy conference, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark revealed that his company maintains ongoing conversations with the Trump administration. This continues despite the Pentagon’s decision to terminate its business relationship with the AI firm due to contractual disagreements.

Officials have not disclosed specific information about which government departments are participating in discussions with Anthropic or what those conversations entail.

Anthropic unveiled Mythos on April 7, describing it as the company’s “most capable yet for coding and agentic tasks” in an official blog announcement. This refers to the system’s capacity to operate independently without human intervention.

Federal prosecutors conducted an unexpected inspection Tuesday at the Federal Reserve’s headquarters construction project in Washington, marking another chapter in the Trump administration’s ongoing confrontation with the nation’s central banking system.

Two deputy prosecutors working under U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro arrived without warning at the renovation site, according to confirmation from Pirro’s office. The Wall Street Journal first broke the story.

The prosecutors spoke with workers at the construction site before being told they needed advance authorization to tour the facility. They received contact details for the Federal Reserve’s legal team, according to the Journal’s reporting.

This latest development continues President Donald Trump’s intensive effort to influence Federal Reserve leadership, particularly Chair Jerome Powell, whose tenure concludes in May. Trump’s goal has been pushing for reduced interest rates, creating significant political controversy and legal battles.

The Justice Department has been conducting an investigation into Powell’s management of the central bank’s headquarters renovation project in Washington, D.C.

A federal judge previously determined that this investigation appears to be a barely concealed attempt to force Powell into either cutting interest rates or stepping down from his position. Despite this ruling, the Justice Department has indicated plans to appeal the decision.

Both Republican and Democratic former Federal Reserve chairs and previous government economic officials have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s investigation.

The Federal Reserve was not immediately available to provide a statement. According to the Journal, Robert Hur, an external attorney representing the Fed, sent a letter of protest to Pirro’s office regarding Tuesday’s unexpected visit.

Hur stated that the prosecutors arrived “without prior notice” at the construction location, where they requested a walkthrough and indicated they wanted to monitor the renovation project’s advancement.

The principle of central bank independence in rate-setting decisions to manage inflation represents a fundamental aspect of sound economic governance, protecting monetary policy officials from immediate political pressures so they can concentrate on long-term price stability objectives.

Trump has selected former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as his nominee to lead the central bank.

The Biden administration is reportedly weighing the appointment of Erica Schwartz to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a Washington Post report published Tuesday.

Three anonymous sources with knowledge of the administration’s plans provided information about the potential selection to the newspaper.

Schwartz previously held the position of deputy U.S. surgeon general while Donald Trump occupied the presidency during his initial term in office.

WASHINGTON — Georgia Republican Clay Fuller officially took the oath of office Tuesday following his special election victory to fill the House seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The new congressman hails from a heavily conservative district in Georgia’s northwest region and has made efforts to closely associate himself with President Donald Trump’s agenda. Fuller’s appointment helps preserve the GOP’s narrow control in the House of Representatives as he completes what remains of Greene’s congressional term.

Greene stepped down from her position following an ongoing public dispute with Trump that continues to escalate even after her departure from Capitol Hill.

Speaking to his new colleagues in the House chamber, Fuller told his constituents: “You have sent a warrior to Congress and I can’t wait to fight for you each and every day. To my Democratic colleagues, I look forward to working with each and every one of you.”

The widow of murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk canceled her scheduled appearance at a political event with Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday after receiving death threats, according to the vice president.

Speaking to students at the University of Georgia in Athens, Vance confirmed that Erika Kirk had received threatening messages. “I know that she did get some threats,” Vance told the audience. “I was a little worried that we were going to have to cancel the event because Erika was not going to come, and she was very worried about it.”

The vice president indicated he had consulted with Secret Service personnel about the situation but expressed no concerns regarding his personal security. Vance did not provide specific information about the nature of the threats against Kirk, who currently serves as chief executive of Turning Point USA.

Neither the Secret Service nor Turning Point USA provided immediate responses when contacted for additional information.

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in September while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The suspected gunman is facing murder charges in connection with the killing, which law enforcement officials have characterized as politically driven. Kirk had helped establish Turning Point USA as an organization aimed at mobilizing young people around conservative political issues.

The tragic incident has heightened discussions about political violence across America, drawing widespread criticism from leaders on both sides of the political aisle and resulting in enhanced security measures at university events featuring prominent political personalities.

WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Chris Wright sparked confusion during a Tuesday ceremony when he declared the nation “looks like we’re going in the wrong direction” while promoting a new natural gas pipeline initiative.

Wright was addressing attendees at the ceremonial groundbreaking for a pipeline system designed to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York City and Long Island. During his remarks, he praised President Donald Trump for “driving down costs for Americans and driving up job opportunities and wages for Americans.”

However, Wright appeared to make an error shortly afterward when he stated, “Just because it looks like we’re going in the wrong direction doesn’t mean that’s the direction we are going.”

Following the event, the Energy Department released selected portions of Wright’s speech that excluded the “wrong direction” remark.

This marks Wright’s second public communications mishap in recent weeks. Last month, he shared a social media video falsely claiming the U.S. Navy had assisted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz during ongoing Middle East tensions. That post was subsequently removed, with department officials attributing the mistake to Wright’s staff.

Tuesday’s ceremony in Brooklyn celebrated the Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline, a Williams Companies project that officials say will deliver cost-effective and dependable energy to millions of regional residents.

The initiative represents an extension of current pipeline infrastructure spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, and had been designated as a key objective under the Trump administration.

Both this project and another Williams pipeline called the Constitution Pipeline faced lengthy delays due to environmental objections. The Trump administration, which has prioritized expanding oil and gas infrastructure, worked to revive construction efforts for both pipelines.

These pipeline approvals followed the Trump administration’s decision to drop its opposition to a major offshore wind development near Long Island that New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul had strongly supported.

Hochul agreed to examine the pipeline proposals last year following intensive pressure from the Trump administration. However, she rejected suggestions of any quid pro quo arrangement linking the wind farm and gas pipeline decisions, stating in a release that she “will work with the administration and private entities on new energy projects that meet the legal requirements under New York law.”

On April 13, 2026, President Donald J. Trump enacted the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, a measure advocates say will significantly boost efforts to return cultural treasures stolen from Jewish families during the Holocaust.

The Republican Jewish Coalition, which made this legislation a top priority during the current congressional session, reported that the measure garnered support from both parties in both chambers of Congress.

Key congressional figures backing the initiative included Senator John Cornyn, who played a role in advancing and reinforcing the legislation, alongside Representative Laurel Lee and Senator Ted Cruz.

Joel Greenberg, who leads Art Ashes, emphasized that this new law maintains ongoing responsibility for Holocaust-era atrocities. “Holocaust crimes can never be forgotten; and, with its passage, will not be erased by time. We are grateful for the bipartisan legislative process, including the White House, that has ensured a fair and just path to restitution for Holocaust survivors and their families,” Greenberg stated.

This legislation enhances a previous 2016 statute and aims to broaden judicial access for Holocaust victims and their descendants. The law curtails the application of technical legal defenses, particularly those related to statutes of limitations or concealment issues, while also reducing dependence on international legal systems that have hindered recovery efforts.

Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, noted the symbolic importance of the signing date, which coincided with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. “It is deeply meaningful that on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, President Trump signed the HEAR ACT—landmark legislation to extend and improve the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016—into law,” Brooks commented.

Brooks highlighted how this legislation aids families who have spent years pursuing their claims. “The HEAR Act empowers family members, who have fought for decades, to recover artwork stolen from Jews by the Nazi regime during the Second World War,” he explained.

Brooks also commended the president’s commitment to the legislation. “President Trump has consistently proven to be the best friend of the Jewish people ever to occupy the Oval Office, and his signature today ratifies the truth: the passage of time can never diminish the injustice of crimes committed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust.”

Vice President JD Vance reported that diplomatic discussions with Iranian officials over the weekend in Islamabad showed advancement but stopped short of reaching a comprehensive agreement, with outstanding issues surrounding nuclear oversight and shipping lane access leaving the next move up to Iran.

In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Vance described the discussions as an uncommon instance of senior-level diplomatic engagement between the nations that helped establish Washington’s position. “We made a lot of progress,” Vance stated, explaining that American diplomats communicated their areas of potential compromise as well as their firm positions. He indicated the critical factor moving forward is “whether the Iranians will have enough flexibility” to satisfy American requirements.

According to Vance, the administration’s non-negotiable boundaries are rooted in one fundamental goal: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Though Iranian officials claim they are not pursuing such weapons, he stressed the importance of reliable monitoring mechanisms.

Vance outlined two essential requirements: the removal of enriched uranium from Iranian territory and guaranteeing Iran’s inability to enrich uranium going forward. “We must have the enriched material out of Iran,” he stated, noting that Washington also demands “their conclusive commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon.”

While Iran demonstrated some flexibility during the discussions, Vance indicated it was insufficient to complete a deal. American officials determined the Iranian representatives needed to return home for additional authorization, effectively suspending the talks. “The ball really is in their court,” he remarked.

The negotiations also covered the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international shipping corridor. Vance stated America’s expectation for complete reopening of the waterway, characterizing it as connected to the broader ceasefire agreement. “We need to see the Straits of Hormuz fully open,” he declared, claiming Iran tried to modify terms during the talks.

He noted that while maritime traffic has increased somewhat, it has not reached American standards. Vance cautioned that if advancement stops, it could change the direction of future negotiations.

Vance emphasized that Washington maintains considerable influence through military and economic measures, including sanctions on Iranian-connected ships. He characterized Iran’s activities in the shipping channel as “economic terrorism,” explaining that America’s response aims to counteract such tactics.

WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans are pushing forward with a partisan approach to restore full funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has remained shuttered for nearly two months while Democrats insist on immigration enforcement reforms under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Tuesday that the GOP will attempt to secure funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with Customs and Border Protection through what he called “the hard way.” This approach would sidestep Democratic lawmakers who insist any funding legislation must include restrictions on federal immigration agencies, such as improved officer identification requirements and expanded use of court-issued warrants.

Following the breakdown of bipartisan discussions, Democrats will receive “none of that,” according to Thune’s statement. Instead, Republicans are crafting a partisan measure they plan to advance through budget reconciliation, a complex and lengthy procedure requiring only a simple majority in the 53-47 Senate.

The South Dakota Republican is advocating for a focused bill covering only ICE and CBP funding to quickly reopen the department. However, the process may become complicated as some GOP members will likely attempt to attach additional unrelated priorities.

Democratic opposition remains firm on agency reforms. “Americans want ICE and Border Patrol reined in,” stated Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Thune and Republican leadership emphasize their desire to expedite the legislation through Congress with solely Homeland Security funding to enable the fastest possible department reopening.

During a White House meeting Friday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican, and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina discussed this approach with Trump. Barrasso later shared that “President Trump set a deadline of June 1 to get to his desk a focused reconciliation bill that funds ICE and Border Patrol.”

Trump expressed support on his social media platform, writing that “we are moving FAST and FOCUSED in keeping our Border SECURE!”

However, preventing senators and House members from adding other provisions to the bill will prove challenging.

Trump has been advocating for his strict proof-of-citizenship legislation, the SAVE Act, while the White House may soon request billions for Iran war funding. Agricultural state senators hope to advance comprehensive farm legislation to strengthen the rural economy. Some Republicans argue for offsetting program cuts to cover the estimated $75 billion cost.

Republican leaders indicate they would pursue a second partisan budget reconciliation bill for these additional issues. Many conference members doubt this could occur this year, given narrow GOP majorities in both chambers and the approaching election.

“We’re looking at the narrow vision,” said North Dakota GOP Senator John Hoeven following Tuesday’s Republican lunch meeting about the bill. “Now, do people have other ideas? Of course.”

The Homeland Security Department shutdown began in mid-February.

After federal agents shot two protesters in Minneapolis during January, Trump accepted a Democratic request to separate the Homeland Security bill from broader spending legislation that became law while negotiations continued. However, DHS funding expired without agreement on modifications to the administration’s immigration enforcement methods.

In March, the Senate approved legislation by voice vote that would separate ICE and Customs and Border Protection funding while supporting the remainder of the department, including the Transportation Security Administration as airport security lines lengthened. House Republicans rejected the measure, stating they wouldn’t support any bill excluding immigration enforcement funding.

Congress then departed for a two-week recess, leaving the matter unresolved. Trump has utilized executive orders to cover some department salaries temporarily, though this isn’t a lasting solution.

During the recess, Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a dual approach — passing the Senate bill covering most department funding through regular procedures while using the party-line bill for ICE and CBP funding. Whether Johnson can convince his members to support this strategy remains uncertain.

Upon returning to Washington this week, Thune said Republicans will attempt to fund the agencies for three years through the budget bill, avoiding annual spending measures to prevent another shutdown during Trump’s presidency.

The agencies would receive funding “not only today but well into the future,” Thune explained.

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday petitioned an appeals court to dismiss seditious conspiracy convictions against leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys extremist organizations who had been imprisoned for orchestrating the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol in an effort to maintain Donald Trump’s presidency more than five years ago.

Trump reduced the prison terms of multiple Oath Keepers and Proud Boys leaders this past January through broad clemency actions affecting all defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 incident — more than 1,500 individuals total.

The Justice Department’s petition would extend beyond sentence reductions to completely eliminate convictions for extremist organization leaders, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who did not receive clemency in January.

This decision to abandon the convictions marks a dramatic policy shift from the previous Biden administration, which celebrated these guilty verdicts as essential wins in efforts to prosecute individuals responsible for what government lawyers characterized as an assault on America’s democratic foundation. The action continues the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to reshape January 6 narratives and minimize the severity of violence perpetrated by Trump supporters that resulted in injuries to over 100 law enforcement officers.

Through legal documents, government attorneys requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturn the convictions to allow permanent case dismissals.

“The government’s motion to vacate in this case is consistent with its practice of moving the Supreme Court to vacate convictions in cases where the government has decided in its prosecutorial discretion that dismissal of a criminal case is in the interests of justice — motions that the Supreme Court routinely grants,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Washington D.C. juries found Oath Keepers and Proud Boys leadership guilty of planning violent schemes to prevent the orderly transition of power following Trump’s 2020 electoral defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden.

The department’s dismissal motion encompasses convictions of Oath Keepers members Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins, along with Proud Boys members Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.

Additional extremist group participants, including former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio, obtained presidential pardons from Trump during his second term’s opening day.

Rhodes received an 18-year prison sentence after his conviction alongside several associates in one of the most significant prosecutions stemming from the January 6 Capitol breach by Trump supporters.

Government attorneys stated that Rhodes and his associates accumulated firearms for potential deployment by “quick reaction force” units stationed at a Virginia hotel, though these weapons were never used.

Nicholas Smith, representing Nordean, expressed appreciation for the Justice Department’s “wise decision” in pursuing conviction dismissals.

“We don’t want a precedent that says that any physical confrontation between protesters and law enforcement means a crime akin to treason, such as seditious conspiracy,” Smith said.

Senate Democrats are preparing for another attempt to restrict President Trump’s military authority, with a planned vote as early as Wednesday on legislation targeting his Iran war powers.

Democratic leadership announced Tuesday they will continue introducing such measures on a weekly basis throughout the ongoing Iranian conflict, which entered its 45th day.

“Forty-five days into this war, Congress has been sidelined because our Republican colleagues refuse to take a strong stand against this war and duck it completely because they’re afraid of Trump,” Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a Senate speech on Tuesday.

The president indicated Tuesday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian conflict might restart in Pakistan within the coming days, following the breakdown of weekend peace talks that led Washington to establish a blockade of Iranian ports. The failure of those negotiations has cast uncertainty over a two-week ceasefire agreement that still has one week remaining.

Democratic lawmakers have made multiple unsuccessful attempts in recent months to advance war powers legislation that would compel Trump to halt military operations and seek congressional approval before initiating future military campaigns in both Venezuela and Iran.

Party strategists are connecting their push to constrain Trump’s Iran policy with economic concerns, as supply chain disruptions affecting oil and natural gas have driven up gasoline costs and prices for agricultural supplies like fertilizers, adding to existing consumer price pressures.

Rising costs remain among the most politically sensitive issues for American voters, and the current inflationary surge is creating anxiety among Republican strategists concerned about their party’s electoral chances with less than seven months until November’s congressional elections.

Schumer revealed that Democrats have prepared 10 additional war powers resolutions and plan to introduce them weekly while the Iranian conflict, which started February 28, remains active.

Republicans, who maintain narrow control in both congressional chambers, have successfully defeated all previous resolutions and show no signs of changing their stance.

GOP legislators express support for Trump’s military approach and anticipate the conflict will conclude soon. “The military effort here has been extraordinarily successful,” Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota told a news conference.

“I think the administration has a clear objective, a clear plan, and if they can execute on it that question (of whether Congress should authorize a prolonged conflict) won’t be a necessary one that we will be forced to answer,” Thune said.

While the Constitution grants Congress, rather than the president, authority to declare war, this limitation doesn’t extend to brief operations or situations involving immediate national threats.

White House officials maintain that Trump’s military actions remain lawful and fall within his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief to safeguard the nation through limited military interventions.

Senate staff indicated Tuesday evening that the upcoming resolution, sponsored by Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, could reach the floor Wednesday, though no official timing was confirmed.

House representatives expect a similar Iran war powers measure to receive a vote in their chamber as early as Thursday.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Trump administration has maintained its rejection of Colorado’s appeal for federal disaster assistance, following devastating wildfires and flooding that impacted communities throughout the state last year.

Democratic Governor Jared Polis had requested federal major disaster declarations for blazes that burned across 240 square miles in western Colorado, as well as flooding that devastated mountain towns in the southern region of the state.

The governor’s request included FEMA public assistance funding, which would allow local communities to receive reimbursement for debris removal and infrastructure reconstruction. He also sought hazard-mitigation money to help the state rebuild with improved disaster resilience.

After initially turning down Colorado’s requests in late 2023, Trump maintained that rejection on appeal this Monday following what FEMA acting administrator Karen S. Evans described as a “thorough review” in correspondence sent to Polis.

The rejection letters provided limited explanation for the decisions. Polis expressed frustration in his response, describing the outcome as “incredibly disappointing” given Colorado communities’ swift disaster response, thorough damage documentation, and cooperative efforts with federal officials.

“These disasters caused real damage to homes, infrastructure, and local economies, and Coloradans should not be left to shoulder these costs alone,” Polis stated.

Although FEMA conducts damage assessments and applies established formulas to evaluate potential impacts on state and local governments, presidential discretion ultimately determines disaster declaration approvals.

When Trump initially rejected Colorado’s request in December, Polis criticized the president for engaging in “political games” regarding disaster declarations.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson disputed claims that political considerations influenced the decisions. She told The Associated Press that the administration evaluates each request with “great care and consideration” to ensure federal funds are used appropriately and efficiently to supplement, rather than replace, state disaster response responsibilities.

“President Trump provides a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any administration has before him,” Jackson stated.

Multiple Democratic-controlled states have voiced complaints about disaster declaration denials despite demonstrating clear need.

Data analysis by Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Urban Institute, reveals that nearly 84% of disaster requests from Trump-supporting states received approval during his second term, compared to approximately 42% approval for states that supported 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Rumbach expressed uncertainty about whether political motivations clearly influenced these decisions. He noted the relatively small sample size of about 60 state requests and acknowledged that some states may have presented inadequate justification for federal assistance.

“These are definitely questions worth asking, but I haven’t reached a conclusion that there’s clear political bias going on here,” Rumbach explained. “That’s why it’s really important that FEMA and DHS be as transparent as possible about how they’re making these decisions.”

These rejections have drawn criticism from Democratic governors including Maryland’s Wes Moore and Illinois’ JB Pritzker, who characterized Trump’s February denial of his state’s flood recovery appeal as “a politically motivated decision that punishes thousands of Illinois families in a critical moment of need.”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has been challenging several recent federal actions affecting Colorado, including the elimination of a climate research facility, threats to reduce transportation funding, withholding assistance for low-income families, and relocating the U.S. Space Command to Alabama.

Some communities nationwide have faced unusually extended delays for disaster request responses during Trump’s second administration, which critics argue hampers emergency response efforts and creates particular hardship for rural areas with limited financial resources.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin pledged last week to address the accumulated backlog of pending requests before the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st. Following Mullin’s briefing, Trump approved major disaster declarations for at least seven states last week.

WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department announced Tuesday that it has approved new general licenses permitting financial dealings with select Venezuelan banking institutions and certain government officials from the South American nation.

According to official documents released on the Treasury Department’s website, the authorization covers Venezuela’s central bank, which faced U.S. sanctions in April 2019, along with three government-owned financial institutions: Banco de Venezuela, Banco del Tesoro, and Banco Bicentenario del Pueblo de la Clase Obrera, Mujer y Comunas.

The new licensing represents a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to economic restrictions on Venezuelan financial entities, allowing previously prohibited transactions to move forward under specific conditions.

Senate Republicans are preparing to advance legislation that would provide funding for immigration enforcement agencies through the conclusion of Donald Trump’s presidency in January 2029, with floor action potentially starting within days.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is driving efforts to expedite consideration of the measure, which would authorize financial support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol operations under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella.

Speaking to media representatives Tuesday, Thune indicated the complete Senate chamber might commence deliberations “as early as next week.” Lawmakers are set to enter a seven-day break beginning May 1.

Current annual appropriations for ICE and Border Patrol remain stalled due to disputes between Republican and Democratic lawmakers regarding new operational requirements for both organizations.

To secure approval without Democratic backing, Republicans plan to employ a specialized Senate mechanism that enables passage through simple majority votes, circumventing the typical 60-vote threshold required for most measures in the 100-member chamber.

Drawing from recent years’ baseline appropriations for ICE and Border Patrol, expenditures across the three-year period could reach $50 billion or higher.

This funding would supplement the more than $100 billion in multi-year appropriations Republicans secured last July through separate channels outside standard budget procedures.

Thune is advocating for streamlined legislation to prevent attempts by some among the 53 Republican senators to include unrelated provisions.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy expressed to Reuters Tuesday his desire to incorporate the “SAVE America Act,” which would establish additional voting limitations across the nation. Trump has actively promoted this measure ahead of November 3 congressional contests.

“If (other) senators start getting their stuff, I want my stuff, and I think you’ll have most senators feel the way I feel,” Kennedy stated.

Republicans contend the election-focused legislation is necessary to block non-citizens from voter registration. Democrats reject the proposal, maintaining that fraudulent voting incidents in states occur extremely infrequently and that SAVE would ultimately prevent millions of eligible voters from registering and participating in elections.

Thune worries that including SAVE or additional unrelated measures could jeopardize the complete initiative.

Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott desires any additional ICE and Border Patrol funding to be balanced through reductions in other federal budget areas. Scott indicated he would review the forthcoming legislation’s specifics before determining his position on supporting or opposing the measure.

Republicans must navigate a two-phase congressional process for this legislation.

Initial passage involves a non-binding budget framework in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Subsequently, a reconciliation measure containing actual spending provisions would require presidential signature to become law.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans made a special appearance at a Northampton County community facility on April 13, 2026, to formally deliver federal grant funding to local officials.

The representative’s visit to the community center marked an important milestone in securing financial support for the county’s ongoing projects and initiatives.

During the presentation ceremony, Kiggans personally handed over the grant funds to county leadership, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to supporting local community development efforts.

The funding delivery represents a successful collaboration between federal representatives and local government to address community needs in Northampton County.

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are mounting an effort to block new Trump administration regulations that would modify a widely-used federal student loan forgiveness initiative, with legislators arguing the modifications are politically motivated and may deny promised relief to certain borrowers.

The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness initiative eliminates outstanding student debt for eligible public sector employees after they complete ten years of qualifying payments. The program has traditionally served workers in government positions, educational institutions, emergency services, public medical facilities, and nonprofit organizations. However, this past autumn, the Trump administration implemented new regulations granting Education Secretary Linda McMahon authority to remove participants from the program if their employers are determined to operate with a “substantial illegal purpose.”

The regulation, scheduled for implementation in July, primarily targets organizations serving immigrant communities and transgender youth populations.

This Tuesday, Democratic members of both congressional chambers filed resolutions aimed at blocking the regulation, describing it as “a clear attempt to intimidate and punish certain organizations.” Although the legislation may receive consideration, passage appears doubtful.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is pushing Republican members of Congress to unite behind efforts to reauthorize a crucial foreign surveillance program before its April 20 deadline.

On Tuesday, Trump advocated for extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA 702, which permits American intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications that pass through U.S. digital networks. This surveillance tool was among several measures enacted following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Trump emphasized that FISA 702 serves as an essential resource for America’s armed forces and stressed the importance of Republican unity in securing its renewal. He indicated he is collaborating with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford to push through a straightforward extension this week.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump posted: “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor.”

He continued: “Our Military desperately needs FISA 702, and it is one of the reasons we have had such tremendous SUCCESS on the battlefield, both in Venezuela and Iran.”

The surveillance authority is scheduled to lapse on April 20 unless Congress acts to extend it.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Another woman has come forward with sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, claiming the congressman raped her at a Southern California hotel in 2018.

Lonna Drewes made the accusation during a Tuesday press conference, stating she plans to file a formal complaint with law enforcement. Drewes alleges that after consuming just one glass of wine that evening, she believes Swalwell spiked her drink before sexually assaulting her.

“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” Drewes stated.

The congressman’s legal representative, Elias Debaie, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these latest claims.

This new allegation surfaces just one day after Swalwell announced his withdrawal from California’s gubernatorial race and his intention to step down from his congressional seat this week. His decision followed previous sexual misconduct accusations from another woman.

According to Drewes, she was operating a Beverly Hills-based fashion software business and working as a model when she first encountered Swalwell. The congressman allegedly offered to provide business connections and was aware of her political interests.

Drewes described meeting Swalwell on two prior occasions before the alleged assault. On the night in question, they attended a restaurant opening together and planned to go to a political gathering afterward. However, Swalwell suggested stopping at his hotel room to retrieve documents, she said.

Once at the hotel, Drewes reported feeling unusually heavy in her limbs and suspected she had been drugged. She alleges Swalwell then raped her and later strangled her until she lost consciousness.

While Drewes did not have a rape examination conducted, she says she confided in close friends about the incident and recorded details in a personal journal. She also discussed the alleged assault during counseling sessions at a Connecticut sexual assault support center.

Attorney Lisa Bloom confirmed that journal entries, text messages, and photographs will be submitted as evidence when filing the report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Swalwell’s rapid political collapse began after initial allegations were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and subsequently by CNN. Despite the mounting accusations, he has maintained his innocence, stating: “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

The congressman has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including at least two other claims of non-consensual sexual encounters. Additional women have accused him of sending inappropriate messages and explicit photographs. While Swalwell has denied the sexual assault allegations, he acknowledged making unspecified poor decisions.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story discusses sexual assault. Those needing support can contact the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Virginia Democratic candidates are jumping into congressional races for districts that don’t officially exist yet, betting on voter approval of a redistricting plan that could dramatically shift the state’s political landscape.

Olivia Troye, a former staffer to ex-Republican Vice President Mike Pence who has emerged as a sharp Trump opponent, threw her hat into the ring Tuesday for Virginia’s proposed 7th Congressional District. She’s joining what’s already become a packed field of hopefuls.

On April 21, Virginia voters will determine whether to embrace a Democrat-crafted congressional map that has the potential to deliver four additional U.S. House seats to the party—an attractive opportunity that’s drawing ambitious candidates out of the woodwork.

“I just feel like we need people that are going to stand up and fight,” Troye said. “And I’m not seeing that right now, across the Democratic and Republican parties.”

The potential 7th District that Troye seeks to represent has been crafted to virtually guarantee a Democratic victory in November, combining portions of what are currently six separate districts.

Roughly six Democrats have declared their intention to seek the seat should voters green-light the new district boundaries. The candidate roster features Dorothy McAuliffe, who previously served as Virginia’s first lady, along with former federal prosecutor J.P. Cooney, who worked under special counsel Jack Smith before being dismissed by Trump.

The proposed district would center around the solidly Democratic northern Virginia suburbs surrounding Washington while extending into rural Republican-leaning territory.

Competitive primary contests are taking shape across several of the newly proposed districts, though the 7th District stands out for its exceptionally strong roster of well-known contenders.

Virginia joins other states implementing partisan redistricting strategies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as Democrats seek to reclaim House control and the ability to block Trump’s legislative priorities.

The Virginia proposal would position Democrats favorably in 10 of the state’s 11 House districts, a significant shift from the existing map that produced a delegation of six Democrats and five Republicans.

This redistricting battle began when Trump urged Texas Republicans last year to redraw their boundaries to potentially capture five additional House seats for the GOP. California Democrats countered with their own favorable plan, while Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have implemented Republican-advantaged maps.

Maryland Democrats opted against pursuing a pro-Democratic redistricting plan this week, even as Florida Republicans continue advancing their own boundary changes.

WASHINGTON — Four Justice Department attorneys who prosecuted cases involving anti-abortion activists have been terminated by the Trump administration, which alleges the previous Biden administration misused federal laws meant to safeguard abortion facilities from blockades and intimidation.

These dismissals represent another round of employee removals targeting those connected to cases that drew conservative criticism or who were viewed as inadequately committed to President Donald Trump’s policies. The terminations occurred alongside the publication of a report claiming the Biden administration conducted biased prosecutions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, known as the “FACE Act.”

“This Department will not tolerate a two-tiered system of justice,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated. “No Department should conduct selective prosecution based on beliefs. The weaponization that happened under the Biden Administration will not happen again, as we restore integrity to our prosecutorial system.”

This marks the initial report from the Justice Department’s “Weaponization Working Group,” established by former Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine federal prosecutions of Trump and additional cases that conservatives have challenged.

Former Attorney General Merrick Garland and Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led Trump’s prosecution, have maintained they based their decisions solely on facts, evidence and legal standards. Trump administration critics argue that Bondi — recently dismissed by Trump — and Blanche have actually politicized the department through unprecedented actions that raise concerns about using the institution to further Trump’s personal and political objectives.

Under Biden’s leadership, the administration pursued cases against numerous defendants using the FACE Act, which criminalizes physically blocking access or threatening force to intimidate individuals seeking reproductive healthcare services, while also prohibiting property damage at abortion facilities and related centers. The legislation became law in 1994 during a period of increased clinic demonstrations and blockades, following violent incidents against abortion providers including the murder of Dr. David Gunn.

According to the Trump administration’s report, Biden-era prosecutors frequently “ignored and downplayed” attacks targeting pregnancy resource centers and religious institutions, which also receive protection under the statute. The report further alleges that the Biden administration sought more severe penalties for anti-abortion activists compared to cases involving abortion-rights defendants. Trump previously pardoned anti-abortion activists convicted of blocking clinic entrances, describing them as “peaceful pro-life protesters.”

Kristen Clarke, who directed the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division during the Biden administration, stood by the prosecutions, stating the attorneys “enforced the law even-handedly and put public safety at the center of this work.”

“The Civil Rights Division brought law enforcement leaders, crisis pregnancy center representatives, faith leaders, and reproductive health care staff together to address the real violence, threats of violence, and obstruction that too many people face in our country when it comes to reproductive health care,” Clarke said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

These dismissals are part of a wider staff overhaul that has disrupted career Justice Department attorneys who traditionally remain protected from administrative changes through established civil service safeguards.

Justice Connection, an organization of former department staff members, characterized the agency leadership’s actions as showing “cruelty and hypocrisy are on full display in this report.”

“They insist on zealous advocacy by career staff in advancing the President’s priorities, while shaming and firing those who did just that in the prior administration,” said Stacey Young, a former department attorney who established Justice Connection. “They’ve put career employees on notice: if they do their jobs, they face potential termination if future political leadership disagrees with the policy goals of prior leadership.”

Congressional redistricting efforts are intensifying across the nation as states compete for political advantages before November’s midterm elections, with fewer opportunities remaining and deadlines approaching fast.

Maryland’s legislative session concluded this week, ending Democratic hopes to redraw the state’s congressional districts. Meanwhile, Florida legislators will convene Monday for a special session focused on Republican redistricting efforts. Virginia residents will vote Tuesday on a Democratic redistricting proposal that could deliver several additional House seats to the party this election cycle.

Congressional maps are traditionally redrawn every ten years following the census. However, former President Donald Trump sparked an uncommon mid-decade redistricting wave last year by encouraging Texas Republicans to alter House districts for GOP benefit in the midterms. California Democrats responded in kind, triggering redistricting movements nationwide.

Current projections suggest Republicans could secure nine extra seats in states where they’ve redrawn congressional boundaries, while Democrats anticipate gaining six seats through redistricting elsewhere. These estimates assume historical voting trends continue into November, though uncertainty remains high given that the governing party typically loses midterm seats and Trump faces unfavorable poll numbers.

Democrats require only a small number of additional seats in November to reclaim House control from Republicans, potentially enabling them to block Trump’s legislative priorities.

More than twelve states have considered or proposed redistricting measures. Current attention centers on two states with opposing party leadership.

Current composition: eight Democrats, 20 Republicans

Proposed changes: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has scheduled a special legislative session starting Monday to address congressional redistricting. Republicans have not yet revealed their specific redistricting strategy.

Legal obstacles: The state constitution prohibits drawing districts with the intention of favoring or disadvantaging any political party or incumbent officeholder.

Current composition: six Democrats, five Republicans

Proposed changes: A new congressional map approved by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly could assist Democrats in winning up to four additional seats. Implementation requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment permitting mid-decade redistricting, which appears on Tuesday’s ballot.

Legal obstacles: The state Supreme Court authorized the referendum to proceed but has not determined the effort’s legality. The court is reviewing an appeal of a Tazewell County judge’s decision declaring the amendment invalid due to lawmakers violating procedural rules during passage.

Six states have implemented new congressional districts since last summer. Four states pursued redistricting voluntarily, one was mandated by state constitutional requirements, and another acted under judicial order.

Current composition: 13 Democrats, 25 Republicans

New configuration: Republican Governor Greg Abbott enacted a revised House map last August that could help Republicans secure five additional seats.

Legal obstacles: The Supreme Court cleared the path in December for using the new districts in this year’s elections, suspending a lower court decision that blocked the map for being “racially gerrymandered.”

Current composition: 43 Democrats, nine Republicans

New configuration: Voters approved revised House districts in November drawn by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that could help Democrats gain five additional seats.

Legal obstacles: The Supreme Court permitted the new districts for this year’s elections in February, rejecting appeals from Republicans and the Justice Department claiming the districts improperly favor Hispanic voters.

Current composition: two Democrats, six Republicans

New configuration: Republican Governor Mike Kehoe enacted a revised House map last September that could help Republicans gain one additional seat.

Legal obstacles: A Cole County judge ruled the new map takes effect while election officials determine if a referendum petition meets constitutional standards and contains sufficient valid signatures. The Missouri Supreme Court dismissed claims that mid-decade redistricting is illegal and will hear arguments in May regarding allegations the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be suspended pending the potential referendum.

Current composition: four Democrats, 10 Republicans

New configuration: The Republican-controlled General Assembly finalized revised districts in October that could help Republicans win one additional seat.

Legal obstacles: A federal court panel denied a November request to prevent the revised districts from being used in midterm elections.

Current composition: five Democrats, 10 Republicans

New configuration: A bipartisan panel with Republican majority approved revised House districts in October that enhance Republicans’ prospects of winning two additional seats.

Legal obstacles: None exist. The state constitution mandated new districts before the 2026 election because Republicans had previously approved maps without adequate Democratic support following the last census.

Current composition: no Democrats, four Republicans

New configuration: A judge implemented revised House districts in November that could help Democrats win one seat. The court determined lawmakers had bypassed voter-approved anti-gerrymandering standards when adopting the previous map.

Legal obstacles: Both a federal court panel and the state Supreme Court rejected Republican challenges to the judicial map selection in February.

Governors, legislators, and partisan officials advocated for congressional redistricting in multiple states. At least five states saw these efforts gain initial momentum before ultimately failing in either legislative bodies or courts.

Current composition: seven Democrats, one Republican

Proposed changes: The Democratic-controlled House passed a redistricting plan in February supported by Democratic Governor Wes Moore that could help Democrats win one additional seat.

Legal obstacles: The legislative session concluded in April without the Democratic-led Senate voting on the redistricting proposal. The Senate president cited concerns it might harm Democratic interests.

Current composition: 19 Democrats, seven Republicans

Proposed changes: A judge ordered a state commission in January to redraw boundaries for New York City’s only Republican-represented congressional district, ruling it unconstitutionally weakens Black and Hispanic voting power.

Legal obstacles: The Supreme Court granted Republicans’ request in March to stop the judge’s order, maintaining existing district boundaries for the 2026 election.

Current composition: two Democrats, seven Republicans

Proposed changes: The Republican-controlled House approved a redistricting plan in December that would have enhanced Republicans’ chances of winning two additional seats.

Legal obstacles: Despite Trump’s pressure to adopt the new map, the Republican-led Senate rejected it in a bipartisan vote on December 11.

Current composition: one Democrat, three Republicans

Proposed changes: Several Republican lawmakers attempted to initiate congressional redistricting.

Legal obstacles: Lawmakers abandoned a petition drive for a special redistricting session in November after failing to secure sufficient support.

Current composition: 14 Democrats, three Republicans

Proposed changes: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee proposed a new congressional map in October that would improve Democrats’ chances of winning one additional seat.

Legal obstacles: The Democratic-controlled General Assembly refused to pursue redistricting, expressing concerns about impacts on Black representation.

WASHINGTON — A Washington D.C. federal judge has been ordered to halt his contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s handling of deportation flights involving Venezuelan migrants, following a ruling from a federal appeals court panel on Tuesday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit determined that Chief Judge James Boasberg exceeded his authority when he continued criminal contempt proceedings related to deportation flights from March 2025. The appeals court described the investigation as overly “intrusive.”

In the majority decision, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao stated that President Donald Trump’s administration possesses a “clear and indisputable” right to have the contempt proceedings terminated.

“The legal error at the heart of these criminal contempt proceedings demonstrates why further investigation by the district court is an abuse of discretion,” Rao explained in her written opinion. “Criminal contempt is available only for the violation of an order that is clear and specific. (Boasberg’s March 2025 order) did not clearly and specifically bar the government from transferring plaintiffs into Salvadoran custody.”

The controversy stems from events on March 15, 2025, when Judge Boasberg issued an order directing the Trump administration to reverse course on two aircraft that were already airborne, carrying Venezuelan migrants from the United States to El Salvador.

Trump administration representatives maintain that Boasberg demonstrated bias and exceeded his judicial powers. They argue the judge acted inappropriately in his handling of the deportation matter.

In a subsequent April 16, 2025 ruling, Boasberg indicated that the Trump administration potentially acted dishonestly by attempting to expedite the removal of Venezuelan migrants despite his order preventing their deportation to El Salvador. The judge noted he provided the administration with sufficient chances to “rectify or explain their actions” but found that “none of their responses has been satisfactory.”

The political tensions surrounding this case have escalated significantly. President Trump has publicly advocated for Boasberg’s impeachment, while the Justice Department submitted a misconduct complaint last year alleging the judge made inappropriate public statements regarding Trump and his administration. However, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly dismissed calls for the judge’s impeachment.

The appeals court panel consisted of Circuit Judge Rao, a Trump appointee, along with Circuit Judges Justin Walker and J. Michelle Childs. Walker, another Trump nominee, authored a separate opinion supporting Rao’s decision. Childs, who received her nomination from Democratic President Joe Biden, filed a dissenting opinion. Judge Boasberg was originally nominated by former Democratic President Barack Obama.

A nationwide television advertising effort defending mail-in voting has been launched by a major postal workers union, entering the heated political discussion surrounding absentee ballots that President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized.

The American Postal Workers Union, representing 200,000 members, announced Tuesday it will air a 30-second commercial showcasing different voters—including a working farmer and airline crew member—sharing their reasons for choosing mail ballots. The advertising blitz starts this week in Ohio, the state where Civil War soldiers first used mail voting in 1864, before expanding nationwide.

The commercial concludes with the statement: “Vote by mail — keep it, protect it, expand it.” This initiative follows Trump’s recent executive order aimed at establishing a national registry of verified voters and preventing postal employees from delivering absentee ballots to individuals not listed on state-approved rolls.

Legal challenges and resistance from postal worker organizations quickly emerged after the order. The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association stated the USPS lacks the equipment and authority to determine voting eligibility, warning that such responsibilities could politicize a highly trusted government service. The group also expressed concerns about undermining public confidence in both mail delivery and electoral processes.

American Postal Workers president Jonathan Smith clarified that the television advertisement was created prior to Trump’s executive order, rather than as a reaction to it. Trump previously signed election-related orders last year that also targeted mail ballots by mandating Election Day return deadlines, despite over a dozen states permitting extended submission periods.

Smith emphasized the union’s goal of encouraging continued mail voting while voicing concerns about requiring postal employees to make voter eligibility determinations.

“It is our position that it is not the job of the postal workers to verify voter eligibility,” he said. “It is our job to move mail from one destination to the next.” He added: “We do not want to be politicized.”

Multiple legal challenges have already been filed against Trump’s newest election executive order, including lawsuits from Washington Democrats who contend that constitutional authority over election procedures belongs to states and Congress, not the presidency.

Despite having used mail voting himself as recently as last month, Trump has consistently attacked the practice as fraudulent and is pushing congressional action to restrict it through comprehensive legislation. Mail voting existed for over a century and gained steady acceptance in states led by both parties until 2020, when Trump began targeting the method with unsubstantiated fraud allegations. Republican support has since declined.

Research published by the Brookings Institution in 2025 documented mail voting fraud in only a minuscule percentage of total absentee ballots—approximately four instances per 10 million mail votes cast.

The television campaign targets voters directly rather than addressing the president.

“Our message is to America: Vote by mail is efficient, it’s safe, and it’s successful. Period,” Smith said. “This is educating the American people that you can use vote by mail and you can be guaranteed that your voice will be heard and your vote will be counted.”

WASHINGTON — Despite President Donald Trump delivering on key tax-related campaign pledges through legislation passed last year, recent polling data shows most Americans continue to feel their tax burden is excessive.

A new Fox News survey reveals growing dissatisfaction with taxes compared to the previous year. The late March poll suggests Americans remain anxious about their financial situation amid rising inflation and slow economic growth. Additional surveys show frustration extends beyond individual tax bills, with many citizens believing wealthy individuals and corporations avoid paying appropriate amounts while government spending remains wasteful.

The polling follows Trump and Republican lawmakers enacting comprehensive tax and spending reduction legislation last year. The bill introduced various tax benefits, including an expanded child tax credit and new deductions for tips and overtime pay. While tax refunds have increased this filing season and many families are expected to benefit from the Republican tax measures, the Congressional Budget Office projects the wealthiest Americans will receive the most substantial advantages.

Republican leaders have highlighted the legislation as proof they’re reducing costs for working families. However, survey data indicates many Americans may not perceive these benefits, particularly as higher prices offset any tax refund increases.

The Fox News poll found approximately 7 in 10 registered voters consider their taxes “too high,” an increase from roughly 6 in 10 the previous year. The survey shows increased concern among very liberal voters and Democratic men, plus significant growth among groups Republicans hope to attract before midterm elections, including moderates, rural residents, and white voters without college degrees.

Tax dissatisfaction has grown steadily over recent years. March polling from Gallup discovered about 6 in 10 U.S. adults consider their federal income tax burden “too high,” a result that has remained consistent in the annual survey since 2023. This approaches unhappiness levels seen in Gallup polling from the 1980s through 1990s, prior to President George W. Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax reductions.

Currently, approximately half of Democrats and about 6 in 10 Republicans view their federal income taxes as excessive. While Republicans typically view their tax obligations more negatively than Democrats, Gallup data shows this difference often narrows during Republican presidencies.

A January Pew Research Center poll found most Americans are concerned that some wealthy individuals and corporations fail to pay appropriate tax amounts. About 6 in 10 Americans said each of these issues bothers them “a lot,” a figure that has remained relatively stable in recent years.

In contrast, only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults in that survey said their personal tax payments bother them significantly.

The Pew study found about 8 in 10 Democrats are bothered “a lot” by perceptions that some corporations and wealthy people underpay taxes, compared to roughly 4 in 10 Republicans. Government spending concerns Republicans more, according to the Fox News poll, which discovered 75% of registered voters — and a similar percentage of Republican voters — consider “almost all” or “a great deal” of government funding wasteful and inefficient.

This highlights a perception challenge for many Americans. Even when their personal tax burden seems manageable, the belief that wealthy individuals underpay — or that government wastes their money — troubles many citizens. About half of Americans, 49%, in the Gallup survey say the income tax they’ll pay this year is “not fair,” matching the record high from 2023.

American tax frustration was climbing before Trump returned to the White House, but it remains problematic for the president’s party — particularly if citizens don’t experience the relief he promised.

The Fox News poll revealed about 6 in 10 registered voters, 64%, disapprove of Trump’s tax handling, up from 53% last April. Disapproval has increased most dramatically among independents, but also among Democrats and Republicans.

This corresponds with broader sentiment that Trump isn’t adequately addressing inflation. Most Americans said Trump had harmed the cost of living “a lot” or “a little” during his second term, according to a January AP-NORC poll. Roughly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 6 in 10 independents said Trump has negatively impacted living costs.

Fewer than half of Republicans, 43%, said Trump had improved the cost of living, while 33% said he hadn’t made a difference and only 23% said he’d helped.

The Fox News poll surveyed 1,001 registered voters from March 20-23. The Gallup poll included 1,000 U.S. adults from March 2-18. The Pew Research Center poll surveyed 8,512 U.S. adults from Jan. 20-26. The AP-NORC Poll included 1,203 U.S. adults from Jan 8-11.

While the SAVE America Act appears headed for failure in Congress, nearly two dozen states have already enacted similar voting changes ahead of November’s midterm elections, according to a new Reuters analysis.

Twenty-three states, primarily under Republican leadership, have modified their election procedures to incorporate elements from President Donald Trump’s comprehensive voting restrictions proposal since 2024.

These state-level changes span from Wyoming to Georgia and include stricter proof-of-citizenship demands for voter registration and tighter controls on acceptable photo identification at polling locations.

A significant portion of these states – at least 17 – have adopted one of the federal bill’s most debated provisions: cross-referencing voter registration databases with a federal system typically used for verifying public benefits eligibility.

The Reuters examination found that while these state modifications generally fall short of the federal proposal’s strictest requirements regarding citizenship documentation and photo identification, they still raise concerns among voting rights organizations.

“Still have really serious impacts on voters,” said Danielle Lang, vice president for voting rights and the rule of law at the Campaign Legal Center, referring to the new state-level citizenship and photo ID mandates despite their less severe nature compared to Trump’s federal push.

Voting rights advocates worry these measures could prevent eligible citizens from participating in elections that will decide Republican control of Congress, particularly those lacking specific identification documents.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, made no reference to the SAVE America Act during his opening remarks when Congress returned to session Monday.

Trump signed an executive order in March targeting mail-in voting procedures, describing voter fraud in the United States as “massive” during the ceremony. However, legal challenges make it unlikely this order will be implemented soon.

Research by the bipartisan reform organization Issue One, examining a Heritage Foundation election fraud database, identified just 65 convictions for non-citizen voting from 2000 to 2025 among approximately 1.4 billion federal election votes cast.

The Heritage Foundation characterizes its database as a “non-comprehensive” collection of election fraud cases and did not respond to requests for comment.

The federal legislation’s headline requirement mandates documentary citizenship proof, such as passports or birth certificates, for federal election voter registration.

Among seven states implementing new citizenship verification requirements for November’s election, only New Hampshire matches the federal bill’s stringency.

Chris Diaz, legislative tracking director at the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, observed that most Americans already provide citizenship documentation when obtaining driver’s licenses or state identification, with the 2005 Real ID Act requiring states to maintain digital copies of such records.

“It just doesn’t make any sense for a state to not leverage the massive amount of information they already have about voters,” he said.

Diaz noted that most states recognize the federal proposal’s photo identification restrictions – limiting acceptable documents to unexpired U.S. passports, driver’s licenses, state IDs, military IDs, or tribal IDs – as unnecessarily limiting.

Of nine states tightening photo ID requirements for November, several permit student identification, expired documents, or any photo identification displaying the voter’s name. New Hampshire and Indiana represent exceptions, fully replicating the federal bill’s photo ID standards.

The provision most closely replicated by 17 states involves submitting complete voter registration lists to the Department of Homeland Security for screening through a system normally used for verifying citizenship or immigration status for benefit applications.

Election officials previously used this “Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements” system only occasionally to investigate individual voters with questionable citizenship status.

The Trump administration expanded this system last year to incorporate additional personal data, including Social Security Administration information, while encouraging states to submit entire voter databases for non-citizen screening.

Six states have enacted legislation requiring periodic voter roll submissions to the DHS system, while election officials in 12 additional states have chosen to participate voluntarily.

Iowa’s screening process identified 277 non-citizens among 2.1 million registered voters, with 40 attempting to vote in 2024, according to the secretary of state’s office. Utah’s review flagged nearly 9,000 of 2 million voters for additional investigation, but manual verification found only one non-citizen, according to the lieutenant governor.

“The initial results of those searches mostly just prove that there’s nothing to see here, that there isn’t a problem to be fixed,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Voting Rights program at the Brennan Center for Justice.

A February investigation by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune revealed that Missouri and Texas officials incorrectly identified dozens of voters as non-citizens through the system, resulting in suspended voting rights or removal from voter rolls.

WASHINGTON – Kevin Warsh, the former Federal Reserve board member selected by President Donald Trump to head the nation’s central banking system, has turned in his mandatory financial disclosure paperwork to move forward with the confirmation process.

The comprehensive 69-page document was submitted to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics during the overnight hours, outlining Warsh’s income sources and investment portfolio. Notable holdings include two separate investments in the Juggernaurt Fund LP valued at more than $50 million apiece, along with $10.2 million earned through consulting work for the investment firm of prominent Wall Street figure Stanley Druckenmiller.

The filing represents a necessary procedural step before Warsh can appear before the Senate for his confirmation hearing, which has not yet been scheduled by congressional leadership.

The Trump administration has reversed its previous decision and will now allow the Pride flag to be displayed once more at Stonewall National Monument, several months after the banner was taken down from the historic location.

The flag’s return comes after it was removed from the site that holds significant importance as the starting point of the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movement in America.

Stonewall National Monument stands as a symbol of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, commemorating the historic events that sparked nationwide advocacy for civil rights within the community.

Former President Trump has removed a disputed image from his social media following widespread criticism over its religious imagery.

Trump defended the controversial post, stating that the image portrayed him in the role of a medical professional rather than as a Jesus-like figure, as critics had suggested.

The deletion came after significant public pushback regarding the nature of the image and its perceived religious connotations.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A push by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to alter the state’s congressional districts in favor of Democratic candidates has collapsed after facing resistance within his own party during the legislative session that concluded Monday evening.

The redistricting initiative became a victim of Democratic infighting, with the Maryland Senate ultimately keeping the legislation trapped in committee. Senate Democrats expressed worry that the plan might backfire if challenged in court.

This wave of mid-decade redistricting began after President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional boundaries last year. The trend is set to continue with upcoming efforts in Florida by Republicans and a voter referendum in Virginia backed by Democrats.

However, Maryland Democrats will miss an opportunity to potentially gain an additional House seat, as the proposed district lines would have made it more challenging for the state’s only Republican congressman to retain his position.

Moore, who some view as a possible 2028 presidential contender, expressed his disagreement with Senate President Bill Ferguson regarding “what is required to be able to make sure we’re fighting back” against Trump.

“This is not a political game to me,” Moore told The Associated Press. “I don’t look at this as some kind of political talking point. I look at the fact that I think Donald Trump is actively trying to manipulate and change the rules around the November election and beyond because he knows he cannot win on his policies.”

Ferguson maintained that pursuing redistricting could actually harm Democrats in Maryland, as any resulting court battle might lead to a judicial mandate for new maps that could be worse for the party. He stood firm despite pressure from both Moore and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

During a Thursday appearance at the National Action Network in New York alongside Rev. Al Sharpton, Moore criticized Trump for encouraging redistricting in some states while advising others to “sit on your hands.”

“Don’t play with me,” Moore declared. “And if the rest of the country is going to have this conversation about mid-decade redistricting, then so should Maryland, and so should every other state. Because until it is done nationally, we have to make sure that this election is not stolen right before our face so this pain is made permanent.”

Despite establishing a commission in November to develop the new district map, Moore was unable to convince the Democratic-majority Maryland Senate to support his proposal.

In January, the governor urged state lawmakers to take action against what he termed “political redlining” by Trump in other states, arguing it would reduce Black representation in Congress.

Moore, currently the nation’s sole Black governor, drew parallels between Trump’s redistricting push and discriminatory housing policies, stating that the president and his supporters “are doing everything in their power to silence the voices and trying to eliminate Black leadership — elected leadership — all over this country.”

Maryland’s Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin, and Democrats currently control seven of the state’s eight House seats. Representative Andy Harris serves as the lone Republican in the delegation.

While the Maryland House of Delegates approved the redistricting measure in early February, it faced strong opposition from Ferguson in the Senate.

Ferguson referenced a 2021 map that would have threatened Harris’s seat but was struck down by a judge who characterized it as “a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering.” Maryland subsequently adopted different boundaries in 2022, leading both parties to abandon their legal disputes.

Looking at redistricting efforts elsewhere this month:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session for next week, allowing the Republican-controlled legislature to create new congressional districts. Republicans currently hold 20 of Florida’s 28 House seats.

Any Republican-favorable redistricting in Florida could significantly impact Trump’s broader strategy to reshape districts in GOP-controlled states, potentially helping Republicans gain seats in midterm elections and maintain control of the narrowly divided House.

Virginia voters are already casting early ballots on a constitutional amendment for new congressional boundaries next week.

Following this series of redistricting initiatives, Republicans estimate they could secure up to nine additional House seats across Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. Democrats project they could gain six seats combined in California and Utah, with Virginia potentially adding four more Democratic seats.

California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has withdrawn from the state’s gubernatorial race and announced his departure from Congress after facing sexual assault allegations that surfaced earlier this week. The 45-year-old lawmaker denies all accusations against him.

Until recently, Swalwell was considered a top contender among Democrats seeking to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and cannot run for a third consecutive term in the country’s largest state.

The congressman’s political future collapsed rapidly after the San Francisco Chronicle published a report detailing allegations that he sexually assaulted a female employee on two separate occasions – once in 2019 and again in 2024. According to the report, the woman claimed she was too intoxicated to provide consent in both instances and didn’t file police reports because she feared not being believed.

Additional allegations emerged when CNN reported that multiple women accused Swalwell of sending inappropriate messages and explicit photographs.

On Sunday, Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign, writing on social media: “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

By Monday, facing mounting pressure from both parties in Congress for his expulsion, Swalwell announced he would resign from the House on his own terms. He stated it would be unfair to his constituents to remain in office while dealing with these distractions from his congressional responsibilities.

Swalwell’s departure creates opportunities for remaining candidates to court his former supporters as the June 2 primary approaches without a clear frontrunner. Key Democratic competitors include former Representative Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, who previously ran for president in 2020.

The Republican side features Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News personality Steve Hilton, who has received President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

California’s unique primary system allows only the two highest vote-getters to advance to November’s general election, regardless of party membership. With seven established Democrats still competing, party leaders worry about vote-splitting that could potentially allow Republicans to claim both spots on the November ballot in this deeply blue state.

Although Swalwell has exited the race, his name will still appear on primary ballots due to timing constraints. The House Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations, though such inquiries typically end when members resign.

Swalwell hasn’t specified his exact departure date from Congress. Once he officially leaves, California law requires the governor to schedule a special election within two weeks of the vacancy.

The seven-term congressman, originally from Iowa, first won his House seat in 2012, representing a district east of San Francisco. He briefly pursued the presidency in 2019 before ending that campaign after several months.

During his congressional tenure, Swalwell served as a House manager during Trump’s second impeachment proceedings in early 2021 and participated in investigations examining connections between Trump associates and Russian officials while serving on the House Intelligence Committee.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s gubernatorial campaign has entered a new phase following the stunning collapse of Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell’s candidacy.

Swalwell, who had emerged as a prominent contender to succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, ended his campaign and announced his congressional resignation after facing sexual assault accusations. The remaining candidates are set to make their first joint public appearance Tuesday in Sacramento since Swalwell’s exit dramatically altered the competitive landscape.

Additional misconduct allegations against Swalwell are expected to be presented by attorneys Tuesday in Beverly Hills.

With no frontrunner emerging in the heavily Democratic state’s crowded field, Swalwell’s withdrawal creates opportunities for remaining contenders to court his former backers just weeks before early May mail-in voting begins. The June 2 primary featuring more than 50 candidates remains highly unpredictable.

For months, Democrats have worried that the extensive candidate roster could split votes enough to exclude the party entirely from November’s general election, potentially leaving only Republican nominees on the ballot due to state electoral procedures.

Republican candidates have also struggled to unite behind a single choice. While President Donald Trump has backed conservative media personality Steve Hilton, state party convention delegates declined to endorse any gubernatorial candidate, with support divided between Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Swalwell ended his campaign Sunday following reports in the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailing the allegations. He maintained his innocence, stating, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

The following day, he announced plans to step down from Congress without specifying a timeline. In a post on X, he explained it would be unfair to constituents to remain distracted from his duties. He pledged to continue challenging the accusations while acknowledging, “I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

Political analysts find it challenging to predict where Swalwell’s base will migrate, with supporters likely dispersing among the seven remaining established Democratic candidates or potentially disengaging from the race entirely.

Nationally recognized as a House manager during Trump’s second impeachment proceedings in early 2021, Swalwell lacked extensive Democratic connections beyond his San Francisco Bay Area constituency.

Democratic candidates continue facing difficulties gaining voter momentum.

Billionaire hedge fund executive turned progressive activist Tom Steyer has invested heavily in media advertising using personal funds. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seeks political redemption after his unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial bid, while Katie Porter stands among leading Democratic hopefuls following her unsuccessful 2024 Senate campaign.

Porter shared a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece on X stating “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Steyer announced endorsements from several legislators, including Representative Jared Huffman, whose coastal district neighbors Swalwell’s territory north of San Francisco. Villaraigosa launched new advertising promising relief from gas and grocery expenses in the notoriously expensive state.

Despite suspending his campaign, Swalwell’s name will remain on ballots.

“Nobody has really caught fire,” observed Democratic strategist Andrew Acosta, who remains uninvolved in the campaign. Swalwell’s backers “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Many Democrats had hoped former Vice President Kamala Harris or Senator Alex Padilla would join the race, but both declined participation.

Several Sacramento lawmakers quickly transferred their endorsements from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz expressed confidence that Steyer would develop strong legislative relationships. Steyer’s business experience without prior elected office positions him to challenge existing practices, Schultz noted.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson, also switching to Steyer, said he wanted to support a viable candidate. He stated in a release that he and Steyer share a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, pursuing his first statewide office, attempted to differentiate himself from both Steyer and Republican candidate Hilton, known for his six-year Fox News hosting tenure.

With Swalwell eliminated, “now we have a field that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said during an MSNBC “Morning Joe” appearance.

“California deserves so much better,” Mahan declared.

Swalwell’s rapid political demise occurred amid mounting pressure for his congressional departure. He previously lost backing from influential labor organizations supporting his candidacy, along with former allies including California Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Jimmy Gomez.

A dramatic public confrontation has erupted between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, marking an unprecedented clash between two of the world’s most influential American leaders. The dispute centers on the ongoing conflict in Iran and reveals stark differences in how each views warfare and diplomacy.

Trump launched a social media attack calling Leo XIV ‘Weak’ and influenced by the ‘Radical Left,’ even claiming the Pope owed his position to Trump’s influence. Meanwhile, Leo XIV has condemned Trump’s military threats against Iran as ‘truly unacceptable’ and has directed Catholics to scripture and church teachings about war and peace.

‘I’m not afraid of the Trump administration,’ Leo said Monday on the way to Africa, ‘or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the Church works for.’

This extraordinary public dispute involves two Americans wielding unprecedented global influence for the first time in history. Their conflict has deep roots.

EARLY POSITIONS: During Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the future pope served as a bishop in Peru and didn’t hesitate to blame Moscow directly. On the Peruvian program ‘Weekly Expression,’ Prevost called it an ‘imperialist invasion in which Russia wants to conquer territory for reasons of power given Ukraine’s strategic location.’

This footage gained attention in Italian media after his papal election on May 8, 2025.

Earlier in 2025, Cardinal Prevost shared social media content criticizing Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, for defending strict immigration policies by claiming Christianity prioritizes caring for family and citizens over foreigners.

‘JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,’ read the headline the future pope shared.

SIGNIFICANCE: While Catholic bishops frequently comment in local media, they differ widely in their political specificity. Many limit themselves to broad doctrinal statements rather than challenging individual politicians. Prevost’s Peru comments and his rare social media sharing as a cardinal demonstrated his engagement with global affairs and willingness to speak directly.

TRUMP’S INITIAL RESPONSE: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,’ Trump posted on Truth Social on May 8, 2025. ‘It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’

Trump later told the White House press that ‘we were a little bit surprised and very happy’ with Leo’s election.

By Monday, he was claiming credit for Leo’s selection on Truth Social: ‘He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.’

ANALYSIS: Trump views Leo through the lens of national pride and personal loyalty. His immediate interest in meeting Leo (which hasn’t occurred) reflects his typical attraction to power and celebrity, regardless of political compatibility. Trump’s perspective lacks understanding of Leo’s background or Vatican-U.S. relations.

The College of Cardinals has historically approached the U.S. with caution — particularly regarding Washington’s military and economic policies affecting global poverty, and general reluctance to give the papacy to someone from the world’s dominant superpower.

Leo was raised, educated and ordained in America but spent decades leading churches elsewhere, including impoverished South American regions. ‘He was the least American of the Americans,’ said Steven Millies, a professor at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union, where young Leo earned his master of divinity.

LEO’S FIRST WORDS: ‘Peace with you all … the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God.’

These were Leo’s initial words from St. Peter’s balcony. During his first Sunday blessing, he addressed Russia’s war on Ukraine and Israel-Gaza violence, lamenting a ‘third world war in pieces.’ The next Monday, Leo began a journalist audience by quoting Jesus. ‘In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,” the pontiff said.

SIGNIFICANCE: Leo’s earliest papal statements centered ‘peace’ as Jesus’s core message — previewing a major theme of his papacy. Mentioning Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine showed his readiness to move beyond theory and apply doctrine to current global suffering.

LANGUAGE CHOICES: Equally significant as Leo’s peace-focused words were the languages this polyglot chose: None were English.

At his St. Peter’s Square introduction, Leo spoke Italian, then used Spanish to address Peruvian Catholics where he’d served. His Sunday blessing was in Italian. He briefly greeted journalists in English with obvious Chicago inflection, but quickly switched to Italian for his remarks. Even in recent reporter encounters, Leo opens in Italian before answering in English.

MEANING: While Latin and Italian are Vatican’s official languages, Leo’s conscious choice to use fluent Italian and Spanish emphasizes his role leading a global institution with 1.4 billion followers.

‘He doesn’t want to be perceived, I think, as coming from the American side or as relying on his authority as American,’ said Catholic University professor William Barbieri. ‘He wants to speak in the name of the church.’

EASTER CONFRONTATION: Trump intensified Iran threats around Easter, when Christians commemorate Jesus’s resurrection. Leo used his Palm Sunday message to call Jesus the ‘King of Peace’ and say God ‘does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.”

Trump hosted conservative religious leaders at the White House for Holy Week observance. His spiritual adviser Paula White compared the president to Jesus, saying they’re both persecuted figures who endured.

In Rome, Leo washed others’ feet, as the Last Supper records Jesus doing for his disciples. Speaking to reporters, Leo named Trump directly for the first time and said he hoped the president would seek an ‘off-ramp’ in Iran. On Easter, Trump threatened extensive bombing of Iran’s civilian infrastructure and destruction of a ‘whole civilization.’ Leo called that threat ‘truly unacceptable.’

SIGNIFICANCE: Their contrasting viewpoints and personalities, combined with the Iran war’s seriousness, finally eliminated any possibility that Trump and Leo could avoid direct engagement.

CURRENT EXCHANGE: In Trump’s Sunday post attacking Leo as ‘weak,’ among other criticisms, the president said, ‘I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do.’ He added that Leo should ‘focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.’

Leo, meanwhile, reiterated that he’s not speaking politically.

‘To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,’ Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal flight to Algeria. ‘And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.’

BROADER IMPLICATIONS: This represents an unusual situation for the papacy, whose occupants typically comment on global affairs without specifically naming secular politicians. While Trump routinely attacks perceived enemies, these dynamics are uncommon for him too: This time, Trump is confronting someone who rejects the president’s terms and faces no political pressure to comply.

President Donald Trump has selected former California Representative Michelle Steel for the position of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, the White House revealed Monday, filling a diplomatic role that has remained empty throughout Trump’s current presidency.

Steel’s appointment requires Senate confirmation before she can officially take the post representing American interests in Seoul, one of the nation’s most important strategic partnerships in Asia.

According to media reports, South Korean presidential officials expressed optimism Tuesday about Steel’s potential appointment, stating they anticipate she would help strengthen the relationship between both nations and foster deeper connections between American and South Korean citizens.

The ambassadorial position has been temporarily filled by State Department official Kevin Kim since October, around the time of Trump’s diplomatic visit to South Korea. The previous Senate-confirmed ambassador was Philip Goldberg, who received his appointment under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Steel, who is Korean-American and represents conservative Republican values, recently concluded her congressional career after losing a close reelection battle in Orange County to Democratic challenger Derek Tran, a Vietnamese-American candidate, following two complete terms in office.

Media coverage of that 2024 congressional race described it as particularly contentious, with both Steel and Tran trading accusations of using divisive red-baiting strategies against one another during the campaign.

Police in New York City took nearly 100 protesters into custody Monday as demonstrations erupted demanding the United States halt weapons shipments to Israel and cease military assistance to the Middle Eastern ally.

The antiwar organization Jewish Voice for Peace reported that roughly 90 individuals were detained during the demonstrations. Notable among those arrested was Chelsea Manning, the former Army soldier turned whistleblower who previously leaked classified information to WikiLeaks.

While the New York City Police Department confirmed “multiple” arrests occurred, officials declined to specify an exact number of those taken into custody.

Video footage from the demonstrations revealed crowds assembled outside the offices of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and fellow Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Activists could be heard shouting various slogans including “stop the bombs,” “end the killings” and “free Palestine” as they voiced their opposition to joint U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, Israel’s operations in Lebanon, and the ongoing assault on Gaza.

Additional chants heard throughout the protest included “let Gaza live,” “let Iran live” and “let Lebanon live.”

The demonstrations come amid escalating Middle East tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated with its own attacks targeting Israel and Gulf nations that house American military installations. The combined U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli military actions in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of civilians.

The Trump administration has implemented strict measures against similar protests, including attempts to deport international students, threats to cut university funding where demonstrations occurred, and requirements for screening immigrants’ social media activity. These enforcement efforts have encountered legal challenges in the courts.

New York City became a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations throughout 2024.

American military assistance to Israel has drawn increased criticism from human rights organizations during Israel’s Gaza conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, created widespread hunger, forced the displacement of Gaza’s entire population, and prompted genocide allegations from academic experts and United Nations investigators.

Israel maintains its military actions constitute legitimate self-defense following the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and resulted in more than 250 hostages being taken.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s race for governor has been thrown into chaos after Representative Eric Swalwell unexpectedly withdrew from the contest, leaving Democrats without a clear frontrunner as mail-in ballots are set to go out in less than four weeks.

The Golden State’s unique primary system has party leaders worried about being completely shut out come November. Under California’s top-two format, all candidates appear on a single ballot, with only the highest two vote-getters moving forward regardless of political affiliation. Democratic officials are concerned their large field of contenders could split their voter base, potentially allowing two Republican candidates to claim both spots in the general election.

The battle to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek reelection due to term limits, has become increasingly contentious as hopefuls clash over debate participation rules and identity-based campaign strategies.

Among the leading Republican contenders is Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff who took office in 2018. Bianco has been a vocal advocate for former President Donald Trump’s agenda throughout his three-decade career in law enforcement.

Recently, Bianco made headlines by confiscating over 500,000 ballots from a November special election, claiming he was looking into vote counting irregularities. Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging this action, and California’s highest court has ordered him to halt the investigation.

Steve Hilton brings a media background to the Republican field, having hosted a program on Fox News for six years while also serving as an advisor to former British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Last week, Trump praised Hilton as “a truly fine man” and gave him his endorsement. However, the state Republican Party chose not to back any candidate during their recent convention.

On the Democratic side, Katie Porter stands out as a former House representative famous for using whiteboards during congressional hearings to challenge corporate executives. She first won her Orange County seat in 2018 by defeating a Republican incumbent, though her 2024 Senate bid was unsuccessful.

Porter faced controversy last year when she nearly ended a television interview early following a tense exchange with the interviewer. She has also dealt with accusations regarding her management style with staff members.

Porter represents one of just two prominent female candidates in the race. California has never had a woman serve as governor.

Tom Steyer, a billionaire who made his fortune in hedge funds before becoming a liberal political activist, is largely self-funding his gubernatorial campaign. The progressive candidate also mounted an unsuccessful White House run in 2020.

Steyer has recently faced increased scrutiny over his previous financial involvement with coal mining operations and private prison facilities that now house immigration detainees.

Matt Mahan, currently serving as San Jose’s mayor, emerged as a frequent critic of Newsom before officially entering the race this past January. Positioning himself as a centrist Democrat, he has rapidly secured millions in backing from Silicon Valley executives and other business interests.

Mahan’s political career began in 2020 when he won a city council seat, followed by his mayoral victory in 2022, marking his initial foray into elected positions.

Betty Yee brings extensive state government experience, having previously held the controller position and served as vice chair of the state Democratic Party. In her role as the state’s chief financial officer, she managed fund distribution, conducted government audits, and participated in more than 70 boards and commissions.

While Yee has attempted to establish herself as a progressive leader, her campaign has failed to build significant support despite launching her gubernatorial bid over two years ago.

Xavier Becerra served as President Biden’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, leading the federal COVID-19 response efforts. He also held the position of California Attorney General during Trump’s initial presidency and spent more than twenty years in Congress.

Even with his statewide electoral success, Becerra’s campaign has struggled to gain momentum. His former chief of staff was charged with federal corruption last year for allegedly stealing campaign funds from Becerra, though Becerra himself faces no accusations.

Antonio Villaraigosa made history in 2014 when he became Los Angeles mayor, the first Latino to hold that office in over 100 years. His political background includes time in the state Legislature, where he served as Assembly Speaker.

This marks Villaraigosa’s second gubernatorial attempt, having lost to Newsom in the 2018 primary without reaching the general election.

Tony Thurmond has overseen the state’s education system as Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. He gained attention for fighting against policies that would require school personnel to inform parents when students change their pronouns or gender identity. He previously served in the state Legislature.

WASHINGTON — Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales announced Monday his intention to step down from Congress following mounting pressure from both parties for his removal from office.

The congressman had previously revealed he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of his staff who subsequently died by suicide, and had already declared he would not pursue reelection. His retirement announcement followed closely after California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell announced his own resignation while facing similar allegations of improper conduct.

Leadership within the Republican caucus had previously urged the three-term representative to abandon any reelection plans. Additionally, the House Ethics Committee had launched a formal inquiry into his conduct. Congressional ethics regulations explicitly prohibit lawmakers from maintaining romantic relationships with House employees under their direct authority.

“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales wrote on social media. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office.”

The departing congressman expressed gratitude for the opportunity “to serve the great people of Texas” but provided no additional information regarding the timeline for his departure.

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance reported substantial advancement in recent diplomatic discussions with Iran during a Monday evening television appearance on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier.

When questioned about whether additional negotiations would take place, Vance indicated that Iran now holds responsibility for the next move in diplomatic relations.

The Vice President also stated that the United States anticipates Iran will take steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that the nature of negotiations could shift if Tehran fails to act.

WASHINGTON – According to a Monday report from the Washington Post, the Trump administration is weighing the appointment of Dr. Houman Hemmati to oversee a key FDA division responsible for vaccine oversight.

Three sources with knowledge of the discussions told the newspaper that Hemmati, who works as an eye doctor and makes regular television appearances on Fox News, is being evaluated to head the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The center plays a critical role in evaluating vaccines and other biological products before they reach the public.

WASHINGTON — In a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt on Monday, President Donald Trump received a McDonald’s order at the White House and handed the delivery driver a $100 tip to highlight his administration’s tax policy benefiting workers who earn gratuities.

The delivery driver, Sharon Simmons from Arkansas, wore a “DoorDash Grandma” shirt as she approached the Oval Office exterior door while news cameras captured the moment. Trump emerged to greet her, saying “Hello. Nice to see you,” before acknowledging the obvious staging by asking nearby reporters, “This doesn’t look staged, does it?”

The event was indeed completely planned, as accessing White House grounds requires advance security clearance and background checks — making any spontaneous delivery impossible.

The White House organized this media opportunity to draw attention to Trump’s tax legislation passed last summer, which permits Americans to temporarily deduct federal taxes from tip income. The policy allows qualifying workers to deduct as much as $25,000, though benefits decrease for higher earners.

Administration officials are ramping up promotion of this tax benefit before Wednesday’s Tax Day deadline, despite recent focus shifting to the Iran conflict that has driven up gas prices and unsettled markets, plus Trump’s ongoing dispute with Pope Leo XIV.

Trump has long favored McDonald’s and previously used the fast-food chain for political purposes. During his first presidency in 2019, he served McDonald’s and other fast food to the visiting Clemson Tigers football team during a government shutdown that reduced White House kitchen operations. He also created a memorable 2024 campaign moment by working at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s location, operating the fryer and answering reporters’ questions through the drive-thru.

During Monday’s event, Simmons explained how the tax policy helped her receive $11,000 she otherwise wouldn’t have gotten — money that proved essential while her husband fought cancer.

Trump then invited her to join an impromptu press conference, asking “Would you like to do a little news conference with me?” as she stood beside him during questions about his Strait of Hormuz threats and his refusal to apologize to the Pope.

The president eventually asked Simmons: “I think you voted for me. Do you think?” She replied uncertainly, “Um, maybe.” Trump persisted: “I heard you’re a great supporter. We appreciate it.”

When a reporter inquired whether the White House tipped well, Simmons paused and said “Um … potentially.”

“Wait,” Trump exclaimed, pulling out a $100 bill and presenting it to Simmons with a smile. She accepted the money and laughed, changing her answer to “Yes, very,” while Trump patted her back and smiled broadly.

Minutes later, Trump questioned Simmons about whether she thinks “men should play in women’s sports” — a topic he frequently raises while criticizing Democrats’ stance on transgender rights.

“I really don’t have an opinion on that,” Simmons answered, leading Trump to respond, “I’ll bet you do.”

“No, no,” she maintained. “I’m here about no tax on tips.”

The White House later reported that Trump personally distributed the delivered food — cheeseburgers and fries — to West Wing employees.

Officials didn’t mention whether he received any tips for that service.