Category: Politics

Significant financial transactions took place just moments before President Trump postponed military strikes against Iranian energy facilities, prompting questions about possible insider trading violations.

The timing of these substantial trades has caught the attention of financial watchdogs and raised concerns about whether individuals with advance knowledge of the military decision may have acted on privileged information.

NPR’s A Martinez discussed the implications of these suspicious transactions with economist Paul Krugman, examining the potential regulatory and legal issues surrounding the trades.

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders are facing intensifying demands to resolve a 41-day funding stalemate that has led to airport disruptions, unpaid federal workers, and threats of facility shutdowns, though legislators remain divided over how to address President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

Thursday’s anticipated Senate vote on a Republican funding measure would restore money to the Transportation Security Administration and most Department of Homeland Security operations, while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation activities. However, the legislation appears headed for defeat.

Democratic lawmakers contend the Republican proposal falls short of establishing proper oversight for ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agents involved in Trump’s immigration crackdowns, especially following the deaths of two American protesters in Minneapolis.

As Congress prepares to depart for spring recess by week’s end, urgency is building to resolve the standoff that has forced TSA personnel to work without compensation while maintaining airport security operations.

“This is a dire situation,” acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told House lawmakers during Wednesday testimony.

McNeill outlined the severe financial hardships confronting unpaid TSA employees — accumulating debt and eviction threats, with some donating plasma for income — while cautioning about possible airport shutdowns if more staff members stop reporting to work. Employee absence rates have climbed to 11% across the nation.

“At this point, we have to look at all options on the table,” she stated. “And that does require us to, at some point, make very difficult choices as to which airports we might try to keep open and which ones we might have to shut down as our callout rates increase.”

The Republican president has remained largely absent from public discussions about his party’s approach to ending the impasse. While Trump initially endorsed the GOP senators’ proposal presented Monday evening, he expressed dissatisfaction with any potential agreement on Tuesday.

During Wednesday night’s annual House Republican campaign fundraising event, Trump avoided directly commenting on negotiation developments as Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., works to maintain chamber control in November’s midterm contests.

However, Trump condemned Democrats for their unwillingness to compromise on immigration policy modifications.

The GOP’s major tax reduction legislation Trump enacted last year directed billions to the Department of Homeland Security, including $75 billion for ICE activities, ensuring continued funding for his immigration and deportation priorities despite the departmental shutdown. ICE personnel and other immigration agents continue receiving salaries.

Trump partially created this scenario through a strategy implemented last fall when he negotiated with Democrats to end an earlier federal shutdown. Trump then agreed to fund government operations except Homeland Security, which received temporary funding that has since lapsed.

While the Republican proposal includes one additional immigration officer restriction — funding for previously agreed-upon body cameras — it omits other Democratic priorities such as requiring federal agents to display identification, remove face coverings, and avoid enforcement actions near schools, churches, and other protected locations.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York emphasized the need for substantial reforms. “We’ve been talking about ICE reforms from day one,” he commented.

Democrats had engaged in multi-day White House discussions, including meetings with border czar Tom Homan, that seemed to progress toward an agreement. The administration presented its own proposal containing several Democratic requests, including officer identification and training requirements.

However, those talks collapsed over the weekend.

Republicans argue Democrats are endangering national security. They claim the Trump administration has already taken steps to address Democratic concerns and adopted a new immigration approach, installing Markwayne Mullin as the replacement Homeland Security secretary for Kristi Noem.

“They know this is crazy,” Johnson declared.

Conservative Republicans also criticized the proposal, seeking complete immigration operations funding while questioning GOP leadership promises to address Trump’s proof-of-citizenship voting legislation in future measures.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday evening that if Democrats present a “more realistic offer on the table, we’ll be back in business.”

When asked about considering temporary departmental funding, Thune responded: “We’ll see.”

McNeill informed legislators that several airports are experiencing absence rates exceeding 40%, with more than 480 transportation security officers resigning during the shutdown.

She highlighted the mounting financial pressure on TSA personnel.

“Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public,” she testified.

McNeill also reported that TSA officers at national airports have faced a more than 500% surge in assault incidents since the shutdown commenced.

“This is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated,” McNeill stated.

A federal appeals court delivered a win for the Trump administration’s immigration policies Wednesday, ruling that the government may hold immigrants in custody without providing bond opportunities.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals panel in St. Louis reversed a lower court decision that would have required immigration officials to provide a bond hearing for a Mexican national who was arrested for being in the country without proper documentation.

This marks the second federal appeals court to support the administration’s position on this matter. Last month, the 5th Circuit in New Orleans also determined that the Department of Homeland Security’s policy of refusing bond hearings for arrested immigrants aligns with both constitutional principles and federal immigration statutes.

These appellate decisions contradict several recent district court rulings nationwide that have declared the detention practice unlawful.

Last November, a California district court decision allowed immigrants with clean criminal records to seek bond hearings, creating potential implications for detained individuals across the nation.

Previous administrations typically allowed non-citizens without criminal backgrounds who were arrested away from border areas to request bond hearings while their immigration cases progressed through the courts. Traditionally, officials often approved bond for individuals without criminal records who posed minimal flight risk, while mandatory detention was generally reserved for recent border crossers.

The 8th Circuit case involved Joaquin Herrera Avila, a Mexican citizen who was taken into custody in Minneapolis during August 2025 for lacking proper entry documentation. Homeland Security officials placed Avila in detention without bond and initiated removal proceedings.

Avila submitted a petition requesting either immediate release or a bond hearing opportunity. A Minnesota federal judge approved his petition, determining that detention without bond was only authorized when someone seeking entry clearly lacks admission rights. The judge concluded this didn’t apply to Avila since he had resided in the United States for years without pursuing citizenship, asylum, or refugee protection, meaning he wasn’t actively “seeking admission.”

Circuit Court Judge Bobby E. Shepherd authored the majority opinion in the 2-1 ruling, stating that the statute clearly defines an “applicant for admission” as someone who is “seeking admission,” preventing Avila from challenging his detention on those grounds.

Circuit Court Judge Ralph R. Erickson disagreed in his dissenting opinion, noting that Avila would have qualified for a bond hearing during deportation proceedings if arrested within the previous 29 years. He argued that the Circuit Court created a precedent subjecting Avila and millions of others to mandatory detention based on an unprecedented interpretation of “alien seeking admission” never applied by courts or five former presidential administrations.

The American Civil Liberties Union, serving as Avila’s legal representation, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the decision on social media, posting: “MASSIVE COURT VICTORY against activist judges and for President Trump’s law and order agenda!”

The central issue involves whether the government must seek approval from an independent judge before detaining individuals indefinitely.

This question relates to habeas corpus, a Latin legal concept representing the constitutional right for individuals to legally contest government detention.

According to Associated Press data, immigrants have submitted over 30,000 habeas corpus petitions in federal courts challenging allegedly illegal detention since Trump assumed office, with many achieving successful outcomes.

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho’s legislature is weighing legislation that would establish criminal penalties for transgender individuals who use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity, extending the reach into privately-owned establishments.

While 19 states, including Idaho, have already enacted restrictions preventing transgender people from accessing bathrooms and changing facilities that correspond to their gender in educational institutions and some government buildings, this proposed Idaho measure goes further. According to tracking data from the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, only Florida, Kansas and Utah have established criminal consequences for violating such restrictions.

However, Idaho’s proposal stands apart by encompassing any “place of public accommodation,” which includes virtually any business or establishment serving customers. The Republican-dominated Senate is anticipated to decide this week whether to advance the measure to Governor Brad Little.

Should the legislation become law, individuals entering restrooms or locker rooms designated for the opposite sex would face up to one year behind bars for an initial misdemeanor violation, with subsequent offenses carrying felony charges punishable by up to five years imprisonment. These penalties exceed Idaho’s sentencing guidelines for first-time DUI offenses or public display of obscene materials.

Republican Senator Ben Toews defended the measure before a Senate panel last week, describing the protection of these spaces as essential for “safety” and “decency.”

“Private spaces such as restrooms, changing areas and showers are sex-separated for a reason,” Toews said. “Individuals in these vulnerable settings have a reasonable expectation of privacy and security.”

The legislation includes specific exemptions for athletic coaches, emergency responders, corrections personnel overseeing inmates, maintenance workers, and individuals assisting children with bathroom needs. An additional provision allows bathroom use by someone “in dire need” when no other facility is reasonably accessible.

Multiple law enforcement organizations, including the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, have voiced opposition to the bill. They argue it would create impossible enforcement scenarios, requiring officers to make visual determinations about biological sex or assess someone’s level of urgent need. The Idaho Sheriff’s Association requested that lawmakers mandate asking suspected violators to leave before involving police, but this suggestion was rejected.

Heron Greenesmith, deputy policy director at Transgender Law Center, criticized the “dire need” exception as particularly problematic and dehumanizing, questioning the practicality of emergency-only restroom access.

“How does one prove that one was going to poop on the floor?” they asked.

John Bueno, a transgender University of Idaho student and Queer Inclusion Society member, acknowledged that campus single-use facilities help address logistical concerns but warned the legislation would increase unwanted scrutiny of all individuals, transgender or not.

“It’s this cultural attitude of getting other Americans to habitually be narcing on one other and doing this sort of ‘transvestigating’ — that is what these kinds of bills promote,” Bueno said.

Bueno characterized the effort as targeting transgender people for disenfranchisement.

“This will increasingly deter queer individuals from Idaho universities and the state as a whole,” she said. “Which to be fair, is probably the primary purpose.”

Nikson Matthews, a bearded transgender man, testified before lawmakers that the legislation would compel him to use women’s facilities, where his masculine presentation could provoke hostile reactions from others who perceive him as an intruder.

“It creates a crime — but that is not based on conduct or harm,” Matthews said. “It is based on presence, and to justify that you have to accept that someone’s presence alone is traumatizing and harmful enough to criminalize.”

Boise resident Laura Volgert highlighted workplace implications for transgender employees.

“People might be able to hold it for an hour if they’re at a restaurant for lunch or at a grocery store,” she told lawmakers during a committee hearing. “They can’t be expected to hold it for a full eight-hour shift.”

Greenesmith suggested this represents the intended outcome of such legislation, designed to “make it untenable to go to the movies, to go to the doctor, to go to the bank.”

Supporters reject this characterization.

Sandpoint resident Suzanne Tabert argued the bill focuses on “maintaining, clear, enforceable boundaries” to ensure women and children feel secure.

“If we lose the ability to protect based on biological sex, we lose our most effective tool for preventing harassment, voyeurism and other sex crimes before they occur,” she said.

She later continued, “This legislation is not about how an individual identifies, nor does it seek to target or malign the transgender community. Rather it upholds a universal standard of privacy.”

Restroom restrictions represent just one area where legislators have imposed limitations on transgender individuals under the banner of protecting women and girls. At least 25 states prohibit transgender women and girls from participating in certain women’s athletic competitions, while 27 states have enacted laws limiting or prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for minors.

President Donald Trump has indicated support for expanding these policies nationwide.

The sole widely documented arrest under transgender bathroom restrictions occurred during a Florida protest last year.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s state legislature will cast votes Thursday on legislation to change César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day, responding to recent sexual abuse accusations against the renowned labor organizer before the March 31 state holiday arrives.

Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is anticipated to sign the legislation promptly.

This legislative action follows public disclosure last week of accusations that Chávez sexually assaulted girls and women while leading a significant farmworker rights campaign during the 1960s in California’s farming regions. Dolores Huerta, who helped lead the organization that later became the United Farm Workers, was among those making accusations against him.

California’s holiday renaming initiative represents part of broader efforts to modify tributes to the activist who championed improved pay and workplace conditions for agricultural workers in the 1960s and earned widespread admiration from Democratic politicians. The rapid and comprehensive push to remove Chávez’s name from public recognition would have seemed impossible previously, given his increasingly legendary reputation following his 1993 death.

Nearly three decades ago, California became the initial state to establish Chávez’s March 31 birthday as a holiday recognizing the civil rights advocate. State legislators subsequently approved 2000 legislation making it an official paid holiday for government workers and mandating educational curriculum about his contributions and influence on California’s labor movement.

The California legislation gained bipartisan Assembly approval Monday and now awaits Senate consideration.

“We cannot ignore wrongdoing and we should not continue to celebrate a single person when the movement itself is so much bigger,” Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry said before the vote Monday.

Republican Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo said the change is about honoring workers and their families.

“This isn’t just about a date on a calendar or a name on a building,” Macedo said. “It is about the hands that feed this nation. It is about the men and women who are in the orchards, in the fields, before the sun even touches the horizon, and who are still there long after it sets.”

Following the public emergence of these accusations, California State University, Fresno has concealed Chávez’s campus statue, while municipalities including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento have initiated efforts to remove his name from public monuments. Some have proposed replacing Chávez’s name with Huerta’s, and multiple states have announced they will discontinue observing the holiday.

MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Just a few years back, Allison Posner had minimal involvement in political activities.

Today, the 42-year-old mother from Maplewood, New Jersey, distributes meals and baby supplies to migrant families at a local detention center. She holds protest signs on highway overpasses between her children’s school runs and dental visits. This weekend, she plans to spearhead a “No Kings” demonstration through her wealthy community with her family and thousands of others who believe President Donald Trump poses a serious danger to American democratic institutions.

“The people in the suburbs are definitely radicalizing,” said Posner, who works as a freelance actor.

An expanding group of worried residents in suburban areas nationwide — communities historically characterized by political centrism or conservative leanings — are increasingly taking leading roles in opposing Trump. More than one year into the Republican leader’s second presidency, these former “soccer moms” are transforming into committed activists marching through their pristine neighborhoods to challenge Trump and his supporters.

This leftward movement might strip Republicans of congressional control during Trump’s remaining two years. It could also transform the Democratic Party by promoting a new generation of passionate progressive contenders willing to confront the Trump administration more forcefully than party leaders might want.

Indivisible, the advocacy group organizing this weekend’s third “No Kings” protest series, reports that approximately two-thirds of over 3,000 scheduled rallies will occur beyond city limits. Altogether, organizers anticipate more than 9 million participants nationwide in what they predict will become the biggest single protest day in American history.

“We’re going to be everywhere,” stated Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin.

Event coordinators note particularly strong registration numbers in suburban regions featuring prominent congressional contests, including Scottsdale, Arizona; Langhorne, Pennsylvania; East Cobb, Georgia; and northern New Jersey’s 11th district, which faces a special election on April 7.

Democratic primary voters last month selected Analilia Mejia, a former political director for Sen. Bernie Sanders, as their nominee to succeed Mikie Sherrill, the centrist Democrat recently elected as New Jersey’s governor.

Posner expressed enthusiasm about having a combative representative for her area, someone capable of expressing the anger she observes daily.

“I’m seeing people from the PTA or the neighborhood who would have never joined a protest in the past, who are now asking how they can get involved,” Posner stated. “This is not some other people’s fight. This is our fight.”

For generations, wealthy suburban areas like northern New Jersey consistently elected Republicans who matched their constituencies: business-focused, socially moderate, and uninterested in ideological battles.

This pattern started shifting during Trump’s presidency.

Throughout America, university-educated suburban voters rejected Trump’s political approach. They moved dramatically toward Democrats during 2018 midterm elections and subsequent presidential races. Areas like New Jersey’s 11th district, formerly a Republican fortress, have joined a new progressive alliance based in previously competitive regions.

Even in Summit, New Jersey, among America’s most affluent suburbs, Jeff Naiman feels he’s experiencing an “authoritarian nightmare” created by Trump.

“It’s like our hair is on fire,” says Naiman, a 59-year-old radiologist leading his local Indivisible chapter. “Our country’s being torn apart.”

He supports Mejia and feels certain she’ll win next month’s special election — and again in November’s general contest.

“In this environment,” Naiman stated, “I think the chances of her losing the general election are basically zero.”

Mejia, an vocal progressive activist endorsed by Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., won last month’s crowded Democratic primary, defeating centrist candidates including former congressman Tom Malinowski.

She opposes Israel’s Gaza conflict, advocates abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and supports Medicare for All. She’s also prepared to voice concerns about what she characterizes as Trump’s authoritarian behavior, and will speak at this weekend’s “No Kings” demonstration.

“A ZIP code does not protect anyone from rising violent authoritarianism,” she stated during an interview.

Mejia continues calling herself a “soccer mom,” despite Republican opponents claiming she’s attempting to moderate her activist reputation before Election Day.

“My youngest plays baseball and soccer, my oldest lacrosse and basketball,” she explained. “And when I take my children to activities, to games, and I speak to other parents, I know that we’re all experiencing this economy and this political moment very similarly.”

Mejia rejected antisemitism allegations regarding her Israel position, where she accused the nation of committing genocide during the Gaza war, an issue that became central to the campaign.

“When I say Palestinians have rights, like Jewish people and Israelis have rights, that is not antisemitism, that is humanism,” she said while recognizing antisemitism exists within both major parties. “I am an Afro Latina raising two Black sons in America. I know othering kills. I know how dangerous it is when we dehumanize communities.”

New Jersey’s 11th district had Republican representation until Sherrill won during 2018 midterm elections that delivered a severe judgment at Trump’s first-term midpoint.

Joe Hathaway, the Republican candidate in next month’s special election and a Randolph Township council member, aims to persuade voters that Mejia is too extreme for their district. Republican strategists in Washington also believe a wave of far-left Democratic nominees nationwide like Mejia in otherwise centrist districts could help their party keep its narrow House majority this fall.

However, suburban Republicans face significant political challenges from their party’s White House leader. Hathaway, for instance, initially refused to reveal his Trump voting record.

“I don’t think it’s important,” he said during an interview, before admitting he voted for the president three times. “This job is representing the district, NJ-11 comes first, before a president, before your party.”

Hathaway supports the president’s Iran conflict and many economic policies in Trump’s “one big, beautiful” legislation. But he quickly emphasized areas of disagreement.

The Republican endorsed most Democratic demands in the Department of Homeland Security shutdown dispute, including requirements for federal immigration officers to wear body cameras, properly identify themselves, remove face coverings, and receive enhanced training.

He also wants Republican congressional leaders to challenge Trump, whose executive power use Hathaway said is “pressure testing” constitutional checks and balances.

“Congress needs to reassert that it is the first branch of government and take more of a leadership role than it’s been doing,” he stated.

Suburban Americans have gradually distanced themselves from Republicans over the last 15 years, according to Gallup surveys tracking party identification over time.

Trump couldn’t reverse this trend despite claiming Democrats would “destroy” suburbs with affordable housing.

In 2020, Joe Biden captured 54% of suburban voters while Trump received only 44%, according to AP VoteCast. This represented significant improvement over Democrat Hillary Clinton’s performance in a smaller 2016 validated voter study by Pew Research Center, which found Clinton and Trump roughly split this demographic.

Suburbs have also become more diverse and educated recently, demographic changes that may boost Democratic confidence. In both recent presidential elections, AP VoteCast showed college-educated and non-white suburban voters strongly favored Democratic candidates.

Naiman, the Summit radiologist, said he’s observed his town’s transformation, which had Republican representation at state and federal levels for decades until Trump’s rise.

“I don’t think that Summit is going to be swinging towards Republicans anytime soon — at least not as long as Trumpism is around,” he stated.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday it is bringing back a disaster prevention initiative that was shut down last year, after facing court challenges over the program’s termination.

Federal District Judge Richard Stearns determined in December that the Trump administration illegally ended the FEMA grant initiative, which was created to help states and local communities prepare for natural disasters before they strike.

Earlier this month, Judge Stearns directed the agency to take additional actions to fully reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

“Through this funding opportunity, FEMA is making $1 billion in federal funding available to states, local governments, territories and Tribal Nations, empowering them to take decisive, proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes,” FEMA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The agency, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, had announced in April of last year that it would discontinue the program, describing it as wasteful, ineffective and politicized.

Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, FEMA has experienced substantial workforce reductions.

The organization’s primary responsibility involves assisting communities before, during and following disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and flooding. The agency deploys emergency responders, relief supplies and specialized equipment to affected regions.

Democratic members of Congress have voiced criticism toward the Trump administration and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing them of deliberately delaying FEMA grant distributions.

WASHINGTON — An Ohio congresswoman has filed a federal court motion seeking to compel the Kennedy Center to eliminate President Donald Trump’s name from the renowned Washington performing arts facility.

Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio submitted the legal filing on Wednesday, contending that Congress explicitly intended for the cultural institution to honor only the late President John F. Kennedy.

“Renaming the Kennedy Center for President Trump — without any authorization from Congress — undermines the Center’s raison d’être, and frustrates its purpose as the only memorial to President Kennedy in Washington, D.C.,” the motion argues.

The board of trustees, selected by Trump, voted in December to rebrand the facility as the Trump-Kennedy Center, claiming the sitting president merited recognition for his renovation initiatives. The decision immediately sparked opposition from Democratic officials and Kennedy family members, while legal experts questioned the board’s authority to make such changes.

Beatty’s legal challenge maintains that Congress has consistently emphasized throughout the venue’s existence that no additional names should be displayed on the structure.

“Congress was particularly sensitive that no other names appear on the Center’s exterior walls, other than the signage designating the institution as a memorial for President Kennedy,” according to the motion.

Within 24 hours of the December board vote, Trump’s name appeared on the Kennedy Center’s exterior, a recognizable landmark situated along the Potomac River. The name modification has also been implemented across the institution’s online presence and social media platforms.

A cornerstone of the nation’s capital arts community since its 1971 opening, the Kennedy Center will close this summer under Trump’s direction for renovations expected to span approximately two years. This closure faces separate legal opposition from eight cultural and historic preservation organizations working to prevent additional structural modifications.

Beatty serves as an ex officio board member through her congressional role. A federal judge determined earlier this month that she could attend board meetings but declined to guarantee her voting rights regarding the facility’s closure.

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill put her signature on new legislation Wednesday that prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face masks while performing their duties, specifically targeting federal immigration enforcement agents among others.

This makes New Jersey the second state in recent weeks to pass such restrictions, following Washington state where Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson enacted similar legislation earlier this month. Multiple Democratic-controlled state legislatures across the country are either considering or have already approved comparable measures.

Since taking office on January 20th, Sherrill has openly opposed the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. On Wednesday, she described the face covering ban as one component of a broader strategy designed to protect New Jersey residents.

“I can’t believe we have to say this, but in the United States of America, we’re not going to tolerate masked roving militias pretending, pretending to be well-trained law enforcement agents,” she said. The legislation also mandates that officers must show proper identification before conducting arrests or detaining individuals.

According to Sherrill, the face covering restriction represents one element of a broader legislative package designed to “protect people’s privacy and their rights” and “strengthen trust between law enforcement and our communities.”

Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding New Jersey’s new law. However, the agency previously criticized Washington state’s similar measure, calling it “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.”

“To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban,” the department said in a statement at the time.

The federal government has already filed a lawsuit against New Jersey challenging Sherrill’s February 11th executive order, which prevents federal immigration agents from conducting arrests in restricted areas of state facilities like jails and courthouses. That order also prohibits using state property for immigration enforcement staging or processing operations.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday it will restart applications for a billion-dollar disaster preparedness grant program, responding to a federal court mandate issued less than three weeks ago.

The agency is allocating $1 billion through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which provides funding to states, local governments, territories and tribal nations for projects designed to strengthen defenses against natural disasters including wildfires, flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes.

“When done correctly, mitigation activities save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters,” stated Karen S. Evans, FEMA’s acting leader, while announcing the program’s return.

The current administration has reduced funding for disaster preparedness across several FEMA initiatives. No state or tribal hazard mitigation funding requests have received presidential approval for an entire year, despite such approvals typically accompanying major disaster declarations.

However, a FEMA document describing the grant opportunity suggests the administration may now be supporting disaster mitigation efforts, noting that “BRIC aims to shift the focus of federal investments away from reactive post-disaster spending towards proactive infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation.”

This funding restoration follows FEMA’s decision last April under former acting leader Cameron Hamilton to terminate the BRIC program, which he labeled “wasteful and ineffective.” The cancellation sparked criticism from both Republican and Democratic legislators as approximately $3.6 billion in multi-year infrastructure and community protection projects nationwide were suspended.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled in December that FEMA lacked authority to eliminate BRIC and mandated the agency reverse its decision after 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed suit against the administration over the program’s termination. When the agency delayed releasing funds, Judge Stearns issued another order this month requiring FEMA to take action toward program restoration.

FEMA announced last week it would reinstate BRIC program support following the end of the DHS shutdown, stating it had completed its evaluation of the program originally enacted during Trump’s first presidency. The agency claimed that under former President Joe Biden, BRIC became overly bureaucratic and “focused on ‘climate change’ initiatives.”

States have 120 days to submit applications for the new funding cycle, which encompasses fiscal years 2024 and 2025, since last year’s opportunity was withdrawn.

Although the restored funding provides access to essential assistance for many regions, FEMA has implemented new regulations aligned with the Trump administration’s goal of transferring more disaster management responsibilities to states.

The updated regulations, which eliminate funding for hazard mitigation planning and non-financial direct technical assistance, may affect smaller communities with limited resources and expertise.

“The program now maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience and risk reduction rather than federal investing in a wide range of activities,” according to a FEMA statement.

The revised grants also establish limits on individual recipient awards and give priority to new applicants and “impoverished communities.” These modifications may address previous criticism that BRIC favored coastal states and was challenging for rural areas to access.

Other updates include prioritizing major infrastructure projects that “are ready to implement” and encouraging adoption of “the latest hazard-resistant building codes,” according to FEMA.

The timeline for resuming previously awarded grants remains uncertain.

The BRIC cancellation delayed construction of a flood barrier in his Washington district, according to Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who commented Wednesday. “Slowing states’ ability to prepare for disasters was shortsighted, and communities like Aberdeen paid the price,” Larsen stated.

Over the past decade, weather- and climate-related disasters causing $1 billion or more in damages have occurred nearly as frequently as they did in the previous 35 years combined, based on Climate Central data.

Research consistently demonstrates that advance investments in disaster preparedness generate substantial savings. A 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce-funded study determined that each $1 invested in disaster preparation prevented $13 in economic impact, damage and cleanup expenses.

Former FEMA officials, lawmakers and disaster survivors have expressed cautious optimism that newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin might provide greater stability to the agency following Kristi Noem’s controversial leadership period. During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Mullin supported FEMA’s mission and endorsed initiatives to improve the agency’s effectiveness, accelerate payments to state and local jurisdictions, and better assist rural communities.

The iconic National Mall in Washington D.C. has transformed into a visual political battleground where supporters and opponents of President Trump are competing for attention through competing displays.

Pro-Trump banners featuring the president’s image are now sharing space with satirical artwork and protest signs created by his critics, creating a stark contrast in the nation’s most symbolic public gathering place.

The competing political messages demonstrate how deeply divided opinions about the president have spilled into one of America’s most visited tourist destinations, where citizens traditionally come to reflect on the country’s history and democratic values.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has agreed to pay former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn approximately $1.2 million to resolve his lawsuit alleging wrongful prosecution, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

While court documents submitted Wednesday don’t disclose the settlement figure, an individual familiar with the case confirmed to The Associated Press that the total reaches about $1.2 million. The source requested anonymity to discuss confidential information.

This agreement ends Flynn’s 2023 legal action where he demanded no less than $50 million, claiming the criminal charges against him constituted malicious prosecution. The settlement marks a dramatic shift for the Justice Department, which under the Biden administration had urged a judge to throw out Flynn’s complaint. Current Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney, has been an outspoken opponent of the Russia probe that led to Flynn’s charges. Over the past year, the FBI and Justice Department have removed officials who took part in Trump-related criminal investigations.

Department officials described the settlement as a crucial move toward correcting what they characterize as a “historic injustice” stemming from the Russia investigation that overshadowed much of Trump’s initial presidency.

“This Department of Justice will continue to pursue accountability at all levels for this wrongdoing. Such weaponization of the federal government must never be allowed to happen again,” a department representative stated.

This development represents another chapter in Flynn’s extensive legal battles. He was among six Trump associates prosecuted during special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into possible connections between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign.

In December 2017, Flynn admitted guilt to making false statements to FBI agents when he denied discussing with Russian diplomat Sergey Kislyak the sanctions imposed by the departing Obama administration on Russia for election meddling. Flynn had actually counseled Russia to remain “even-keeled” regarding the penalties and promised “we can have a better conversation” about bilateral relations once Trump took office.

This exchange concerned the FBI, which was then examining whether Trump’s campaign and Russia had worked together to influence the election. Additionally, White House representatives were publicly claiming that Flynn and Kislyak hadn’t discussed sanctions, which the FBI knew was false.

Flynn subsequently attempted to retract his guilty plea, claiming federal prosecutors had acted in “bad faith” and violated their agreement when they recommended imprisonment.

In 2020, the Justice Department moved to drop the case, arguing that the FBI lacked justification to question Flynn about Kislyak and that his statements weren’t relevant to the broader counterintelligence investigation. Officials also cited internal FBI documents showing agents had planned to close the investigation weeks before conducting the Flynn interview.

Trump eventually pardoned Flynn, bringing the court proceedings and legal disputes to an end.

WASHINGTON — Republican strategists are witnessing troubling political indicators emerge as the November midterm elections approach, with ongoing military action in Iran maintaining elevated fuel costs while Americans grapple with rising living expenses and lengthy airport security delays.

The most recent concern materialized Tuesday when Democrat Emily Gregory secured victory in a Florida special election, capturing a state legislative seat in a district that includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach.

With this challenging environment as context, Trump plans to energize GOP supporters Wednesday evening during his speech at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising event at Union Station in Washington.

The event occurs amid survey data indicating most Americans view U.S. military operations against Iran as excessive, while voters express growing anxiety about Trump’s handling of cost-of-living concerns. Combined with a softening job market and inflation fears, these factors could create significant obstacles for Republicans seeking to retain House and Senate majorities.

Alaska’s moderate Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski noted her constituents are questioning the Iran strategy and potential troop deployments there.

“There’s a lot that people want to know, so whether it’s how it’s being communicated in the media, or how it’s being communicated here in the Congress, I think it’s lacking right now,” Murkowski said.

Trump has primarily responded by highlighting previously strong stock performance and earlier low fuel costs that disappeared following the February 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. He maintains the current economic disruption will be short-lived and claims he can resolve the conflict rapidly — assertions that contradict more complex political and economic realities.

Fuel costs stood at $3.12 per gallon when Democratic President Joe Biden departed office and remained just below $3 before the Iran military action began. Current averages have reached $3.98, according to AAA data.

Elevated pump prices typically ripple throughout the economy, increasing grocery costs, service sector expenses, and other consumer areas — suggesting the most severe political consequences may emerge closer to Election Day.

Currently, approximately 59% of Americans consider U.S. military strikes in Iran excessive, while 45% express extreme or significant concern about affording gasoline in coming months, according to a Wednesday Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

This represents an increase from 30% in an AP-NORC survey conducted after Trump’s reelection victory, when he promised economic improvement and lower living costs.

Inflation projections anticipate increases alongside rising fuel prices, while longer-term interest rates have climbed, elevating mortgage, auto loan, and business borrowing costs. These developments coincide with 92,000 job losses last month.

Adding to political difficulties, a five-week partial government shutdown has created disruptions at major airports nationwide.

The White House attributes responsibility to congressional Democrats who have blocked Homeland Security Department funding while demanding limits on enhanced immigration enforcement activities. However, negotiation efforts have stalled, with the administration refusing to compromise on immigration policies.

“The American people are tired of the chaos. They’re tired of the excuses. And they’re tired of watching Washington fail,” said Rep. Mark Alford, a Missouri Republican who participated in a Tuesday news conference at Ronald Reagan National Airport, criticizing Democrats for the shutdown.

Democrats express optimism about November prospects, noting historical patterns where the president’s party typically loses midterm seats. They believe stronger political headwinds favor their party this year due to Iran conflict consequences and economic disruptions affecting already-concerned voters.

Gregory’s Tuesday victory in the traditionally Republican district containing Mar-a-Lago provided additional Democratic momentum. While she must compete again in November with higher expected turnout, both parties recognized the result’s significance.

“If Democrats can win in Trump’s own backyard, we can win anywhere,” said Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin.

Throughout these challenges, Trump has suggested Iran military action justifies temporary political difficulties.

“I have to do what’s right,” Trump said recently aboard Air Force One. “I can’t say that ‘Gee, I don’t want to have any impact on oil prices for three or four weeks, or two months, and we’re going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon.’”

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., acknowledged voter concerns about affordability and safety in his Long Island district while supporting Iran policy as necessary for “America’s long-term security.”

Regarding potential Republican electoral consequences, LaLota advocated patience until November, suggesting outcomes may depend on whether the U.S. successfully halts Iran’s nuclear program and reopens the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think this could be a thing that bolster conservatives’ approach to national security,” he said.

National Republican Congressional Committee chair Richard Hudson similarly cautioned against premature political assessments.

“If we’re still at this stage in the war in the fall, then I’ll talk to you about that,” Hudson said. “But the president says it’s going to be short, so I believe him. I think he did the right thing by doing what he did.”

Addressing higher fuel costs, Hudson stated, “Voters are smart enough to know this is a temporary increase.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence in Trump’s assurances that Iran-related economic disruptions will be brief: “We’ll see how it shakes out, but our gameplan is exactly the same.”

“We’re going to go out and sell promises made, promises kept, our good record and we’re excited about that campaign.”

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem concluded her inaugural diplomatic mission Wednesday as the newly appointed U.S. special envoy to an anti-drug cartel coalition, completing a multi-nation tour that signals her significantly reduced influence following her dismissal by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

During her final stop in Ecuador, Noem met with President Daniel Noboa, who presented her with an order of merit. She traveled aboard a DHS Gulfstream G700 aircraft with senior aide Corey Lewandowski accompanying her throughout the journey.

The former South Dakota governor and congresswoman, who arrived in Washington this past January as one of Trump’s most devoted supporters, now answers to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau rather than directly to the president in her position as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas, according to an anonymous Trump administration source who discussed internal matters with Reuters.

Officials expect Noem to return to American soil Wednesday evening and anticipate she will lose access to DHS aircraft moving forward, the source indicated.

The State Department has not yet provided comment regarding Noem’s new position. When questioned about her use of government aircraft and whether DHS personnel supported the trip, a department spokesperson stated: “We are not going to comment on the whereabouts of our plane or DHS staff.”

The Shield of the Americas initiative, which launched March 7, unites primarily conservative South American leaders in what Trump has characterized as an intensive effort to combat drug cartels, representing part of his administration’s wider push to strengthen U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere.

Noem initiated this diplomatic tour while still officially serving as DHS Secretary, and flight monitoring systems indicated she continued using the agency’s Gulfstream G700 aircraft acquired during her leadership, making stops in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guyana before reaching Ecuador.

During her Monday visit to Costa Rica, Noem executed a preliminary agreement allowing the nation to receive deported migrants from the United States who hold citizenship from other countries, which the U.S. Embassy in San José characterized as her “final act as Secretary and in her role as Shield of the Americas Envoy.”

Lewandowski traveled alongside Noem throughout the mission, as evidenced by photographs shared by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana showing him present during her discussions with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali. The veteran Trump advisor served as Noem’s assistant at DHS, and their professional relationship attracted attention during her time in office. During a recent congressional hearing, a Democratic representative directly questioned Noem about whether she maintained a romantic involvement with Lewandowski — an inquiry Noem rejected as “tabloid garbage.”

A State Department official, requesting anonymity, refused to clarify Lewandowski’s participation in the trip but confirmed he would not be joining the department in any official capacity. Lewandowski has not responded to requests for comment.

The Biden administration has turned down a financial proposal from tech billionaire Elon Musk to pay Transportation Security Administration workers during a partial government shutdown, according to a Wednesday report from CBS News.

Musk had offered to cover the salaries of TSA officers who would otherwise go without pay during the federal funding disruption.

The rejection comes as government shutdowns typically leave essential workers, including airport security personnel, working without immediate compensation until funding is restored.

A groundbreaking moment unfolded at the White House on Wednesday as First Lady Melania Trump made history by hosting the first American-made humanoid robot as a guest at an official event.

The robot, identifying itself as ‘Figure 03,’ strolled alongside Trump through the East Room’s red-carpeted corridors during the ‘Fostering the Future Together’ summit, which brought together dozens of international first spouses to discuss technology in education.

Speaking in 11 different languages, the humanoid guest addressed attendees, saying: “I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education.”

Trump used the robot’s presence to advocate for stronger partnerships between government agencies and tech companies in developing AI-powered educational tools for students.

“Very soon artificial intelligence will move from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility,” Trump declared during her remarks.

The former model painted a picture of future classrooms where humanoid educators could instantly tap into various academic disciplines – from classical studies to mathematics – tailoring lessons to individual students’ learning pace and “emotional state.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who has been tasked with reducing the federal education department’s scope under President Trump’s directives, watched approvingly from the audience as the first lady discussed transforming educational approaches.

Trump emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors, stating: “We can accelerate civilization’s march forward when enterprise delivers innovation, government creates scale and our capital markets finance the distribution of these emerging technologies.”

However, both Trump and France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron acknowledged potential risks associated with advancing technology. Macron highlighted France’s efforts to limit children’s exposure to screens and social media platforms.

The summit coincided with President Trump’s Wednesday announcement of three major tech leaders joining an AI policy advisory council: Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. The president has positioned artificial intelligence as a crucial battleground in America’s strategic rivalry with China.

Acknowledging this international competition, particularly China’s aggressive push into humanoid robotics, the first lady stressed that embracing AI-enhanced education would strengthen America’s “long-term economic superiority” and protect intellectual property interests.

Federal environmental regulators announced Wednesday they will permit temporary summer sales of a higher ethanol gasoline blend as gas prices continue climbing due to the ongoing Iran conflict.

E15 fuel sales are normally halted during summer months due to concerns about increased air pollution during warmer weather.

“President Trump is unleashing American Energy Dominance, and today’s action will directly lower prices at the pump and gives a clear demand signal to our domestic biofuels producers,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated.

Summer exemptions for E15 have become routine in recent years, with lawmakers from both major political parties pushing to make the allowance permanent and year-round to reduce fuel costs. Several states already permit such sales.

Kansas Democratic Representative Sharice Davids has successfully obtained emergency E15 exemptions for multiple years from EPA leadership under different presidential administrations. This week, Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar pressed the Trump administration to implement “a no-cost, immediate step” to address escalating domestic fuel expenses during the Iran conflict.

However, some experts question whether the policy change will meaningfully reduce pump prices. Kenneth Gillingham, a Yale School of the Environment professor who researches transportation regulation impacts on pricing, emissions and consumer benefits, noted that E15 isn’t accessible nationwide and many areas lack proper infrastructure or adequate ethanol supplies for expanded usage.

Gillingham warned that E15’s increased corrosive ethanol content poses particular risks to older vehicles, watercraft and recreational off-road vehicles.

University of Minnesota professor Jason Hill, who examines food and energy markets plus environmental impacts, explained that increased corn usage for ethanol production reduces availability for livestock feed. This could result in consumers experiencing lower gas station costs but higher grocery bills.

“I think it’s difficult to see when the ledger’s settled, how this is a benefit for U.S. consumers,” Hill stated.

Hill suggested the announcement primarily targets farmers struggling with elevated diesel equipment costs and fertilizer price increases caused by the Iran conflict. He noted similar previous announcements have served to demonstrate support for “agriculture and those who drive.”

Gillingham emphasized the policy carries costs beyond financial considerations.

“There’s more likely to be ozone issues in the summer and some people will die,” he warned. “It will lead to some earlier heart attacks and it will lead to some earlier respiratory issues that wouldn’t have been the case otherwise.”

While the petroleum industry has typically resisted E15 expansion, citing expensive biofuel blending that increases gasoline costs, American Petroleum Institute vice president Will Hupman endorsed this temporary measure. “By temporarily easing summer fuel requirements, this action helps ensure American consumers continue to have access to affordable, reliable energy,” Hupman said.

WASHINGTON — Progressive Democratic leaders unveiled legislation Wednesday calling for a temporary halt to new artificial intelligence data centers across the nation until comprehensive protections for workers, consumers, and the environment are established.

The proposed measure from New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders faces slim chances of passage in Congress, yet it highlights growing progressive concerns about the expanding footprint of data centers and AI technology.

Numerous communities nationwide have witnessed growing resistance to data center development due to worries about increased utility costs and environmental impacts from pollution and water usage. Concerns over higher electricity rates played a significant role in Democratic electoral victories last year across Georgia, Virginia, and New Jersey.

While President Donald Trump and other officials view AI advancement as essential for America’s economic competitiveness and national defense, the technology’s massive energy requirements pose serious challenges to the electrical grid. Trump recently hosted major tech executives at the White House, securing commitments for companies to develop their own power sources.

“They need some PR help because people think that if a data center goes in there, electricity prices are going to go up,” Trump stated.

Sanders argued Wednesday that voters deserve more than voluntary promises from technology corporations.

“AI and robotics are creating the most sweeping technological revolution in the history of humanity. The scale, scope and speed of that change is unprecedented. Congress is way behind where it should be in understanding the nature of this revolution and its impacts,” Sanders declared in advance of the bill’s official introduction.

“Bottom line: We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity,” Sanders continued. “We need serious public debate and democratic oversight over this enormously consequential issue. The time for action is now. We need a federal moratorium on AI data centers.”

The majority of legislators from both political parties have dismissed the moratorium concept.

Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman expressed agreement with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s assessment that halting data center development equals raising a “surrender flag” to China. “I refuse to help hand the lead in AI to China,” Fetterman posted on social media platform X.

The White House announced last week that Congress should “preempt state AI laws” deemed overly restrictive, presenting a comprehensive framework for legislative AI oversight that avoids stifling sector growth or innovation.

The administration’s legislative outline presents six core principles for lawmakers, emphasizing child protection, preventing electricity cost spikes, safeguarding intellectual property, avoiding censorship, and educating Americans about the technology.

American electricity usage reached unprecedented levels in 2024 and projections show continued increases as data centers expand rapidly. A standard AI-focused data center requires electricity equivalent to powering 100,000 homes.

Tech giants that pledged support for Trump’s ratepayer protection initiative include Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, xAI, OpenAI, and Amazon. These companies committed to constructing or purchasing new power generation facilities for their data centers while covering infrastructure upgrade costs.

The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Donald Trump has established new dates for his delayed China summit, scheduling meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping for May 14-15 in Beijing.

The commander-in-chief had originally planned to make the diplomatic journey later this month but postponed those plans to remain in Washington during the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran. Despite the continuing Middle Eastern conflict and ongoing American efforts to secure Iranian acceptance of a ceasefire agreement, Trump has moved forward with rescheduling the high-stakes diplomatic meeting.

When questioned about whether the newly announced travel dates might indicate Trump’s expectation of a swift resolution to the Iranian conflict, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed cautious optimism about the timeline.

“We’ve always estimated four to six weeks,” Leavitt responded. “So you could do the math on that.”

The military action against Iran commenced on February 28 with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes.

The diplomatic visit to China had been in development for several months but faced complications as Trump called upon Beijing and other international partners to deploy naval forces to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil transportation. Iranian forces have effectively shut down the waterway by attacking energy facilities and maritime traffic passing through the region.

During an Oval Office meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin last week, Trump revealed his intention to postpone the China visit by five to six weeks from its original late-month timing. He described his upcoming meeting with Xi as a “reset” of their diplomatic relationship.

“We’re working with China — they were fine with it,” Trump said then. “I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, I think.”

The upcoming Beijing summit represents a chance to strengthen the delicate trade agreement between the world’s two largest economies, though it has become intertwined with Trump’s strategy to resolve the Iranian crisis. After urging China and other nations to deploy naval vessels to secure Middle Eastern oil routes, Trump suggested last week that his travel schedule hinged on Beijing’s cooperation, while also noting that American forces could handle the situation without international assistance if necessary.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal education officials have issued San Jose State University a 10-day deadline to address what they consider Title IX violations related to transgender student athletes, warning the institution could face litigation and lose federal dollars if it doesn’t meet their demands.

In January, the Education Department determined the California university violated federal law by permitting a transgender student athlete to compete on its women’s volleyball squad. Officials delivered their ultimatum through a letter sent Tuesday.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey explained that federal authorities had offered the university several options to address the alleged violations, including requiring athletic participation based on the current administration’s interpretation of biological sex categories.

“Yet, SJSU remains obstinate, choosing a radical ideology over safety, dignity, and fairness for its own students,” she said. “With today’s action, the Department is putting the university on notice: comply with the law or risk losing its federal funding.”

University representatives and California State University system officials had not responded to requests for comment by Wednesday.

Title IX represents landmark 1972 legislation designed to ensure gender equality in education.

Federal education authorities have initiated enforcement actions against multiple states and educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to compete on sports teams aligned with their gender identity, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to eliminate such policies.

The San Jose State inquiry began in February 2025 along with a parallel investigation at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn subsequently reached an agreement resembling what’s being proposed to San Jose State, altering records established by a transgender swimmer and issuing apologies to other team members.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A special election upset in Florida has energized Democrats across the nation after Emily Gregory captured a state house seat in the district that encompasses Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

The victory marks another Republican seat that has switched to Democratic control since Trump began his second term, providing the party with renewed confidence heading into November’s midterm elections where congressional seats and numerous state legislatures will be contested.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried expressed enthusiasm about the results during a press conference. “The pendulum swings in both directions,” Fried stated. “Last night it swung hard in the state of Florida.”

Fried continued with optimism about future races, declaring, “If we can win in Donald Trump’s backyard, we can win anywhere.”

Gregory, a 40-year-old fitness business owner making her first run for office, found herself thrust into national attention following her unexpected triumph.

“I believed in myself the whole time,” Gregory explained, characterizing her political inexperience and unfamiliarity with the district’s Republican tendencies as beneficial rather than harmful.

Speaking with reporters, Gregory emphasized that her campaign avoided targeting Trump directly, instead concentrating on local economic concerns and daily financial pressures facing residents — including rapidly increasing insurance costs in the hurricane-vulnerable area, along with rising grocery and fuel prices.

While identifying as a lifelong “proud Florida Democrat,” Gregory clarified she didn’t seek to become a party spokesperson or lead anti-Trump efforts. Her legislative priorities will center on proposals to control insurance premium increases, broaden healthcare availability, and reduce “huge, crushing burdens on the average Florida family.”

“I just see myself as very embedded in my community, very representative of District 87,” Gregory remarked. “And I’m so humbled and proud to be their representative.”

Trump had backed Gregory’s Republican challenger, Jon Maples, and submitted a mail-in ballot in the race. The president reinforced his endorsement of Maples just before election day through social media, noting the Republican candidate had support “by so many of my Palm Beach County friends.”

By Wednesday afternoon, Trump had not publicly addressed the election results.

Fried commended both Gregory and Brian Nathan, a 45-year-old military veteran and union member who maintains a slim lead in a Tampa-area state senate race that remains too close to call and falls within Florida’s automatic recount threshold.

“The type of person and connection on the issues matters,” Fried observed.

Gregory’s victory flipped a district where the previous Republican representative had won by 19 percentage points. According to Fried, Trump carried the same district by 11 points in 2024.

Despite continued Republican control of Florida’s legislature and their favored status to retain the governor’s mansion in November — four years after Gov. Ron DeSantis secured a decisive reelection — Fried argued the recent trends indicate a more competitive political environment.

She pointed to Tuesday’s wins following two congressional special elections in 2025 where Florida Democrats, though unsuccessful, significantly reduced typical Republican victory margins in strongly conservative districts.

“You’ve seen tremendous overspending by Republicans,” Fried said regarding current campaign cycles. “It’s not working.”

A representative for Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who has Trump’s endorsement for Florida governor, acknowledged the latest election outcomes.

“We constantly assess how we execute our strategy — that’s just good campaigns,” stated Ryan Smith, Donalds’ chief campaign strategist. “What won’t change is our mission: President Trump endorsed Byron Donalds to deliver real results and defend the Florida Dream, and that’s what voters can expect to see from us.”

Gregory expressed readiness to serve all constituents in her new role — including her most prominent constituent who didn’t support her candidacy.

“I should have a constituent service office available soon, and I would love to have a conversation,” she said when asked about her message to the president. “He’s welcome to call me, as I am his new state representative.”

WASHINGTON — Travelers across the nation are facing unprecedented delays at airport security checkpoints as the government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, the Transportation Security Administration’s acting director warned Congress Wednesday.

Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill painted a grim picture of the crisis affecting unpaid federal workers during testimony before lawmakers, describing employees who are receiving eviction notices, accumulating debt, and even selling blood plasma to survive financially. She urged Congress to prevent such situations in the future.

“This is a dire situation,” McNeill stated during her testimony.

Despite entering the 40th day of the Department of Homeland Security funding standoff, political leaders showed little sign of reaching an agreement. Republican senators who presented the most recent proposal and Democrats demanding additional immigration policy reforms remain far apart on a solution.

President Trump, who initially seemed supportive of the proposed agreement, has not provided his complete endorsement or used his influence to push for its passage.

During the House Homeland Security Committee hearing, senior officials from DHS agencies outlined serious concerns about potential security vulnerabilities if the partial government closure continues.

The Department of Homeland Security has operated without regular funding since mid-February. Democratic lawmakers are pushing for modifications to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and mass deportation programs following the deaths of two Minneapolis residents killed by federal agents during demonstrations.

The current proposal would provide funding for most DHS operations while excluding the enforcement and removal divisions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that have become the focal point of negotiations. The plan would support other ICE functions along with Customs and Border Protection operations.

Although the offer included additional restrictions on immigration officers, such as requiring body cameras, it omitted other measures Democrats have sought.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, emphasized the need for substantial reforms. New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, called for significant changes at ICE.

Republican leadership accused Democrats of endangering national security.

“They know this is crazy,” House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana declared.

However, conservative Republicans also criticized the proposal, insisting on complete funding for immigration operations and expressing doubt about GOP leadership promises to address Trump’s citizenship verification voting legislation in future bills.

McNeill informed legislators that numerous airports are seeing absence rates exceeding 40% among staff, while more than 480 transportation security officers have resigned since the shutdown began.

She highlighted the mounting economic pressure on TSA employees.

“Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public,” she testified.

McNeill also revealed that TSA officers at airports nationwide have faced a more than 500% surge in assault incidents since the shutdown started.

“This is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated,” McNeill declared.

Houston’s airport chief executive warned that security queues forcing travelers to wait four hours or longer could become even worse without a swift resolution to the political deadlock.

The extensive lines snaking across multiple levels at George Bush Intercontinental Airport result from TSA’s ability to operate only one-third to half of the normal number of security checkpoints, explained Jim Szczesniak, who directs Houston’s airport system.

Trump’s directive to deploy ICE agents at airports threatens to worsen conditions, according to lawmakers. Video showing federal officers detaining a distressed woman at San Francisco International Airport sparked anger from local leaders Monday, though the incident was not connected to Trump’s immigration officer deployment order.

The FEMA Disaster Relief Fund is “rapidly depleting,” Victoria Barton, a FEMA external affairs representative, informed Congress members.

FEMA can maintain its disaster response and recovery operations only while funding remains available, with approximately 10,000 disaster response workers continuing to receive payment through the fund.

A Wisconsin jury has delivered a guilty verdict against an election activist who illegally obtained ballots belonging to two prominent politicians in what he claimed was a test of voting system security.

Harry Wait, 71, was convicted Tuesday in Racine County on charges of election fraud and identity theft after a two-day trial. The jury found him guilty on two misdemeanor election fraud counts and one felony identity theft charge, while clearing him on a second identity theft count.

The charges stemmed from Wait’s unauthorized requests for ballots belonging to Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Democratic Racine Mayor Cory Mason. Wait heads an organization that promotes debunked claims about election integrity, including false assertions that Wisconsin’s elections contain widespread fraud and that Donald Trump actually won the 2020 presidential race in the state. Official results showed Trump lost Wisconsin by approximately 21,000 votes.

In 2022, Wait publicly acknowledged requesting the politicians’ ballots as part of his effort to demonstrate weaknesses in Wisconsin’s voter registration procedures. Speaking to The Associated Press at that time, Wait expressed no surprise about facing criminal charges.

“You got to expect to pay some costs sometimes when you are trying to work for the public good,” he said.

Wait’s actions received support from Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who praised him in 2022 as a “white hat hacker.”

Following Tuesday’s verdict, Wait remained defiant in comments to WTMJ, stating he “would do it again.”

“I tested the system and the system failed,” he said.

The court has not yet scheduled Wait’s sentencing hearing. His defense attorney Joe Bugni has not responded to requests for comment about potential appeals.

Wait could receive up to six years in prison for the felony conviction, plus up to one year in jail for each misdemeanor count.

This case follows a similar 2024 conviction of former Milwaukee election worker Kimberly Zapata, who was found guilty of misconduct after obtaining three military absentee ballots using fraudulent names and Social Security numbers in 2022. Zapata also claimed she was attempting to reveal flaws in the election system and received a $3,000 fine and one year of probation.

Congressional representatives will receive a briefing from Homeland Security officials at 10 a.m. Wednesday as airport disruptions continue to escalate during the ongoing department shutdown.

While Senate negotiators work toward an agreement that would restore funding for most department operations, including pay for Transportation Security Administration employees, immigration enforcement programs remain a sticking point in the negotiations.

In testimony prepared for the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, TSA’s acting chief Ha Nguyen McNeill will report that worker absences have jumped dramatically since the shutdown began. Daily no-show rates have climbed from 4% to 11% across the country, with some airports recording absence rates exceeding 40%.

The staffing crisis has created wait times stretching beyond four hours at certain airports, leading to significant security concerns and causing travelers to miss their flights. The timing coincides with increased spring break travel, adding pressure to an already strained system.

President Donald Trump has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to assist with airport security duties due to the TSA staffing shortage, a move that has raised concerns among some members of Congress. Department records show that 458 TSA officers have resigned entirely since the shutdown began.

McNeill’s prepared testimony will highlight the financial hardships facing security workers who continue reporting to duty without paychecks. Some employees have received eviction warnings, accumulated late payment penalties, and fallen behind on loan obligations.

“TSA employees are dedicated public servants that want to continue to keep the traveling public safe and secure, but they are running out of options to keep a roof over their head and put food on the table,” McNeill said.

The acting administrator will appear alongside other Homeland Security agency leaders to discuss how the funding gap has affected their operations.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The nation’s conservative movement kicks off one of its biggest yearly conferences Wednesday amid challenging times for President Donald Trump and sharp disagreements within Republican ranks about his military engagement in Iran.

Though Trump retains strong backing from conservative voters, the Iranian conflict presents significant challenges for supporters who rallied behind his “America First” promises to avoid foreign military entanglements. Recent polling from AP-NORC reveals approximately 59% of Americans believe the Iranian military operation goes too far. This disagreement will simmer beneath the surface — and likely emerge in public discussions — as thousands of political activists, social media influencers and GOP legislators convene for the Conservative Political Action Conference beginning Wednesday near Dallas.

The conference also follows Tuesday’s Democratic victory in a Florida state legislative race in the district containing Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.

This year’s atmosphere differs dramatically from last year’s triumphant gathering, when Trump had just resumed the presidency and promised to “forge a new and lasting political majority” while Elon Musk brandished a chainsaw to represent the Republican administration’s cuts to government jobs and regulations.

Neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance appears on this year’s announced speaker list. However, prominent MAGA movement figures who hold opposing positions on the Iran conflict are scheduled to address attendees.

“This is obviously going to be a hot topic,” explained John Gizzi, a longtime CPAC attendee and Newsmax columnist, highlighting concerns about expanded U.S. military involvement for an undetermined duration.

Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump supporter, headlines the four-day conference schedule. During his “War Room” podcast earlier this month, Bannon warned that if the conflict becomes “a hard slog,” Republicans could lose conservative voters before the midterm elections.

“We are going to bleed support,” Bannon predicted.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who backs the military action, also appears on the program at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.

“I think President Trump was exactly right to act to protect Americans,” Cruz stated during a recent CBS News appearance.

Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz’s speaking appearance highlights disagreements among some conservatives regarding the U.S. military partnership with Israel against Iran.

Gaetz, who hosts a program on One America News Network, has criticized America’s close relationship with Israel, joining conservative voices like Tucker Carlson in questioning the traditional conservative alliance with that nation. This stance has drawn accusations of antisemitism from GOP organizations, including pro-Israel Republican groups.

Additional speakers include Trump’s border enforcement leader Tom Homan and former Republican National Committee head Michael Whatley, who seeks a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina.

Twelve months after Trump led the organization’s celebratory conference following his return to the presidency, his political position has shifted considerably.

With ongoing military operations while economic and employment concerns persist, his approval ratings have declined. His primary domestic initiative to strengthen election laws before November’s midterm contests has stalled despite Republican congressional control, while the House GOP majority faces threats and Senate Republican prospects appear less secure than previously.

Nevertheless, Trump maintains strong support from his party’s conservative wing. February AP-NORC polling showed 86% of conservatives approve of the president’s performance.

While Trump’s base remains loyal, some within the most conservative groups suggest the Iran division could spell trouble for Republicans in November elections.

Texas Representative Steve Toth, planning to attend CPAC, believes Trump’s conservative support stays strong but acknowledges Republican war messaging could improve.

“From MAGA people, for the most part, I don’t hear frustration with the president,” said Toth, who defeated incumbent Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw in Texas’ March 3 primary. “I don’t know that we’re doing a great job at communicating the full ramifications.”

Texas’ unsettled Senate primary race provides another reminder of this year’s contrasts with 2024, creating particular political complications for Trump.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, challenging four-term GOP Senator John Cornyn, not only attends the conference but receives one of its most prestigious speaking opportunities — Friday evening’s Ronald Reagan Dinner. Cornyn will not attend the Texas gathering.

Three weeks ago, Trump promised to soon endorse either candidate after Paxton trailed Cornyn narrowly in the March 3 primary, though neither secured enough votes to prevent a May 26 runoff election.

Trump urged the non-endorsed candidate to withdraw from the race, posting on social media that the contentious battle “cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer.”

Last week’s deadline for candidates to withdraw from the May 26 runoff passed as both Paxton and Cornyn intensified their attack advertisements against each other.

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans think recent U.S. military operations against Iran have been too aggressive, while growing numbers express concern about gas prices, a fresh AP-NORC survey reveals.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that as the conflict enters its fourth week, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain stable, though the ongoing military engagement may become a significant political challenge for his Republican administration.

With Trump sending additional naval vessels and military personnel to the Middle East, approximately 59% of Americans consider U.S. military operations in Iran to be excessive.

At the same time, 45% express being “extremely” or “very” worried about gas affordability in upcoming months, a notable increase from 30% in an AP-NORC survey taken shortly after Trump’s reelection victory, when he pledged to strengthen the economy and reduce living costs.

Americans do show substantial backing for one of the president’s stated goals: stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Roughly two-thirds believe this should rank as an “extremely” or “very” crucial foreign policy priority for the United States. Yet they’re equally likely to consider preventing increases in domestic oil and gas prices as important — creating a challenging balance for the White House.

Approximately 4 out of 10 American adults continue backing Trump’s presidential performance, showing no change from the previous month. His foreign policy approval rating, though somewhat lower than his overall numbers, also remained largely unchanged.

Trump has provided unclear signals regarding his future Iran strategy. While making escalating threats, he’s simultaneously indicated that diplomatic negotiations might end the conflict. Americans generally remain skeptical about Trump’s capacity to make sound decisions regarding overseas military force deployment, and they largely reject more aggressive measures like sending ground troops.

Maintaining affordable fuel costs represents a rare objective that brings together Americans from both major parties.

Roughly three-quarters of Republicans and approximately two-thirds of Democrats consider preventing U.S. oil and gas price increases highly significant.

Nevertheless, current concerns aren’t equally distributed. Only about 3 out of 10 Republicans report being “extremely” or “very” anxious about gas affordability in coming months, while roughly 6 out of 10 Democrats share this worry.

Trump’s emphasis on Iran’s nuclear capabilities also resonates more strongly with Republicans than Democrats. While about two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. should focus on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, approximately 8 out of 10 Republicans consider this at least “very” significant, compared to roughly half of Democrats.

The conflict has intensified political discussions about Israel’s role in American foreign policy, particularly since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly advocated for attacking Iran. Only about 4 out of 10 U.S. adults consider preventing Iranian threats to Israel a high priority.

Removing Iran’s current leadership ranks as slightly less significant. Only about 3 out of 10 say it’s at least “very” crucial for the U.S. to install an Iranian government more favorable to American interests.

While Trump sends conflicting signals about whether the Iran conflict will conclude soon, approximately 9 out of 10 Democrats and about 6 out of 10 independents believe the Iranian attacks have “gone too far.”

Republicans show more division. About half consider the U.S. military response “about right,” though relatively few want escalation. Only about 2 out of 10 Republicans believe the military action hasn’t been sufficient, while roughly one-quarter think it’s been excessive.

Previous AP-NORC surveys found that about 6 out of 10 Americans say Trump has “gone too far” across various issues, including his tariff policies and use of presidential authority. This figure, which broadly mirrors his overall approval, suggests that while Trump’s Iran actions are unpopular, they’re still comparable to other divisive presidential decisions.

Deeper U.S. involvement in the conflict could alter this dynamic, depending on future developments. About 6 out of 10 Americans “somewhat” or “strongly” reject deploying U.S. ground forces against Iran, including roughly 8 out of 10 Democrats and approximately half of Republicans. Just under half oppose airstrikes on Iranian leadership and military installations, while about 3 out of 10 support such actions and roughly 3 out of 10 remain undecided.

About half of U.S. adults have “only a little” confidence or “none at all” in Trump regarding overseas military force decisions, consistent with February AP-NORC polling.

About 34% of U.S. adults endorse Trump’s foreign policy management, similar to February’s 36%. This metric has remained steady despite numerous controversial actions, including disputes over Greenland and a Venezuela attack, that have sparked domestic and international criticism.

This closely matches Trump’s Iran-specific approval in the new survey, which found 35% of Americans view his handling of that situation positively.

The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,150 adults from March 19-23 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The sampling error margin for all adults is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

America’s longest-standing civil rights organization has brought on board a former official from the Biden administration’s Justice Department to spearhead its legal advocacy efforts.

The NAACP announced Wednesday that Kristen Clarke, who formerly directed the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, will take on the role of general counsel for the organization.

In an announcement first revealed to The Associated Press, Clarke will be responsible for directing the NAACP’s legal framework and day-to-day operations while spearheading court battles involving voting access, redistricting manipulation, and First Amendment protections, along with additional civil rights and social justice matters.

“The NAACP has stood on the front lines of justice for over a century, and I’m deeply honored to join this historic organization at this critical moment in our democracy,” Clarke said in a statement.

“Our communities are under relentless attack — from the ballot box to their wallets — and this moment demands that we use the full weight of the law to promote justice and accountability,” she said.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson described Clarke as “the legal mind this moment demands.”

“As we face unprecedented attacks on voting and civil rights, having Kristen Clarke at the helm of our legal operations brings strategic vision, disciplined leadership, and innovative advocacy,” he said in a statement.

The civil rights organization emphasized that Clarke’s hiring demonstrates its commitment to assembling significant “legal firepower” to counter Republican initiatives aimed at dismantling voting protections established during the Civil Rights Movement, when Black Americans fought to overcome legal barriers and intimidation tactics, particularly throughout southern states.

Nearly a year ago, the NAACP filed a lawsuit contending that President Donald Trump’s executive directive requiring citizenship verification for voter registration infringed upon states’ constitutional authority to manage elections and created discriminatory barriers for voters of color. A federal judge struck down that directive in June, agreeing with Democratic state attorneys general who also contested its legality.

Clarke made history as both the first woman and first Black woman to helm the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. During her tenure from 2021 to 2024, she pursued police department reforms addressing misconduct, including in Memphis following the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. She also participated in the DOJ’s prosecution of a white supremacist for hate crimes following a shooting that claimed 10 Black lives at a Buffalo, New York grocery store in 2022.

Prior to her Justice Department role, Clarke obtained her education from Harvard University and Columbia Law School, and held leadership positions as president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an organization established over six decades ago to fight racial segregation.

After completing her federal service, she joined the faculty at Howard University School of Law, a position she will maintain alongside her new responsibilities with the NAACP.

WASHINGTON — Dr. Casey Means’ bid to become the nation’s top doctor has hit a wall in the Senate, where lawmakers from both parties continue to express concerns about her qualifications and stance on vaccines more than a month after a contentious confirmation hearing.

The 38-year-old wellness advocate and Stanford-trained physician has seen her nomination stall despite intense lobbying efforts by the White House and Make America Healthy Again supporters, highlighting deep divisions over health policy even as Congress has largely backed President Trump’s other priorities.

Means, who left traditional medicine before completing her surgical residency, faces questions about her limited experience and her close ties to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Her alignment with Kennedy’s push to reduce vaccine recommendations has drawn fire from lawmakers across the political spectrum and much of the medical establishment.

For her nomination to move forward, Means needs unanimous support from Republicans on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. However, two key GOP senators — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine — indicated after last month’s hearing that they still have unanswered questions.

When asked Tuesday about her position, Murkowski told reporters “I’m just in the same spot” regarding her reservations about supporting Means. Collins and committee chairman Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana physician who grilled Means about vaccines during the hearing, have not responded to requests for comment about the holdup.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the administration’s choice, saying they’ve had “productive conversations with the Senate” about advancing her nomination. He emphasized that her “elite academic credentials, research background and advocacy on America’s chronic disease epidemic will make her a critical asset for President Trump’s push to Make America Healthy Again.”

Kennedy spokesman Andrew Nixon backed Means, stating she has “communicated a vital public health message that people voted for, that we need to fundamentally transform our health care system” to focus on healthy lifestyle choices rather than “sick care.”

The charismatic speaker and author champions ideas central to the MAHA movement, arguing that Americans receive too much medical intervention and that dietary and lifestyle modifications should be the foundation of efforts to combat widespread chronic illness.

However, critics have targeted her for maintaining an inactive medical license, occasionally not revealing financial ties to health-related brands she endorses, and some of her previous statements on medical issues.

During her hearing, senators pressed Means to clarify her position on Kennedy’s sweeping efforts to reduce vaccine recommendations and how she would communicate with Americans about these changes if confirmed.

Both Murkowski and Cassidy questioned Means about her previous skepticism regarding the hepatitis B vaccine given at birth, which the CDC stopped recommending for all children last year before a federal judge temporarily reversed that decision. Means described the hepatitis B vaccine as important and life-saving but maintained that parents should make their own choices after consulting with physicians.

Cassidy also asked whether she would encourage Americans to get flu and measles vaccinations during current outbreaks nationwide. Rather than making that commitment, she stressed the importance of informed consent.

Collins inquired about Means’ past support for therapeutic psychedelic mushroom use. Means, who has spoken positively about her personal experiences with these substances, explained that her comments as a private citizen differed from what she would say as a public health official and that she wouldn’t recommend psychedelics to the general public.

After it became clear that Murkowski and Collins were hesitant, MAHA activists launched a campaign encouraging supporters to flood the senators’ offices with phone calls.

“Please call both of them. Call them time after time. Get your friends to call them,” Tony Lyons, leader of the Kennedy-affiliated group MAHA Action, urged supporters during a recent call. “This is critical. We need to get this done.”

During the month-long delay, opposition to Means’ nomination has grown louder. Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Trump’s surgeon general during his first term, has repeatedly used social media to argue she’s unqualified due to her inactive medical license. In an interview, he said Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration have privately expressed disapproval of the selection but view it as Kennedy’s decision.

“What I keep hearing from folks is, ‘This is what Bobby wants,’” Adams said.

Although federal law doesn’t mandate that surgeons general hold active medical licenses, they must join the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which requires current licenses for membership.

During her confirmation hearing, Means explained that she voluntarily made her Oregon medical license inactive because she wasn’t treating patients and noted that Admiral Brian Christine, who oversees the Commissioned Corps, had confirmed her eligibility for the position.

Even if Means clears the committee, she may struggle to win confirmation from the full Senate, where she can only afford to lose three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose her. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has announced he won’t run for reelection, told The Associated Press he’s inclined to vote against Means if her nomination reaches the Senate floor.

“Her resume already puts me on alert — and then I don’t think she did herself any favors in the hearing,” Tillis said.

At nearly 300 days since her May nomination, Means’ confirmation timeline has stretched almost twice as long as the typical presidential appointee in Trump’s second term, according to Partnership for Public Service data. The organization reports that Trump’s nominees have averaged 157 days from nomination to confirmation during the first 400 days of his presidency.

Some confirmations have moved much faster. Markwayne Mullin, the new Homeland Security secretary who was sworn in Tuesday, completed his confirmation hearing, floor vote, and swearing-in within one week.

Part of the delay in Means’ case stems from the birth of her son last October, which occurred on the same day as her originally scheduled confirmation hearing. The hearing wasn’t rescheduled until February, four months later.

Chris Piper, who manages public policy and stakeholder engagement at the Partnership for Public Service, noted that the extended period following Means’ rescheduled hearing is also uncommon. He said nominees typically advance from committee within a week of their hearing.

“A monthlong delay following a hearing is atypical for most nominations, particularly at this level of position,” he said.

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans think recent U.S. military operations against Iran have been excessive, while growing numbers express concern about gas affordability, a new AP-NORC survey reveals.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that as the conflict enters its fourth week, it may become a significant political challenge for President Donald Trump’s Republican administration, even as his approval ratings remain stable.

With Trump sending additional warships and military personnel to the Middle East, approximately 59% of Americans view U.S. military operations in Iran as excessive.

At the same time, 45% express being “extremely” or “very” worried about gas affordability in upcoming months, a jump from 30% in an AP-NORC survey taken shortly after Trump’s reelection victory, when he pledged to strengthen the economy and reduce living costs.

Americans do back at least one presidential goal: stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Roughly two-thirds consider this an “extremely” or “very” crucial foreign policy priority for the United States. Yet they’re equally likely to prioritize keeping domestic oil and gas costs low — creating a challenging balance for the White House.

Approximately 4 out of 10 American adults continue supporting Trump’s presidential performance, matching last month’s numbers. His foreign policy approval, though slightly below his overall rating, also remained relatively stable.

Trump hasn’t clarified his future Iran strategy. While making escalating threats, he’s also hinted that diplomatic negotiations might end the conflict. Americans generally doubt Trump’s military decision-making capabilities regarding overseas force deployment, and they largely reject more aggressive measures like ground troop deployment.

Maintaining low fuel costs represents a rare bipartisan priority.

Roughly three-quarters of Republicans and about two-thirds of Democrats consider preventing U.S. oil and gas price increases highly significant.

Yet current concerns vary by party affiliation. Only about 3 in 10 Republicans report being “extremely” or “very” concerned about gas affordability in coming months, compared to approximately 6 in 10 Democrats.

Trump’s emphasis on Iran’s nuclear capabilities resonates more with Republicans than Democrats. While about two-thirds of Americans support prioritizing prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons, roughly 8 in 10 Republicans call this at least “very” significant, versus about half of Democrats.

The conflict has intensified political discussions about Israel’s role in U.S. foreign policy, particularly since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly advocated attacking Iran. Only about 4 in 10 American adults consider preventing Iranian threats to Israel a high priority.

Removing Iran’s leadership ranks slightly lower in importance. Just about 3 in 10 consider replacing Iran’s government with one more favorable to U.S. interests at least “very” significant.

While Trump sends mixed signals about when the Iran conflict might conclude, roughly 9 in 10 Democrats and about 6 in 10 independents believe the Iranian attacks have “gone too far.”

Republicans show more division. About half consider U.S. military action “about right,” though few want escalation. Only about 2 in 10 Republicans think U.S. military action hasn’t gone far enough, while roughly one-quarter believe it’s excessive.

Previous AP-NORC surveys found about 6 in 10 Americans saying Trump has “gone too far” on various issues, including tariff policies and presidential authority. This figure, broadly reflecting his overall approval, suggests that while Trump’s Iran actions are unpopular, they’re comparable to other controversial presidential decisions.

Deeper U.S. involvement in the war could alter this dynamic, depending on future developments. About 6 in 10 Americans “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose deploying U.S. ground forces against Iran, including roughly 8 in 10 Democrats and about half of Republicans. Just under half oppose airstrikes on Iranian leadership and military installations, while about 3 in 10 support such actions and roughly 3 in 10 remain undecided.

About half of American adults have “only a little” or “no” confidence in Trump’s military decision-making regarding overseas force deployment, consistent with February AP-NORC polling.

Approximately 34% of American adults support Trump’s foreign policy approach, similar to February’s 36%. This measure has remained steady recently despite numerous controversial actions, including Greenland disputes and Venezuelan attacks, generating domestic and international criticism.

This closely matches Trump’s Iran-specific approval in the current poll, where 35% of Americans view his handling of that issue positively.

The AP-NORC survey of 1,150 adults was conducted March 19-23 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The sampling error margin for all adults is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

WASHINGTON — A congressional Democrat has unveiled new allegations that President Donald Trump displayed classified materials aboard a private aircraft during a 2022 journey to his New Jersey golf resort, according to federal prosecutors’ internal communications made public Wednesday.

Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, disclosed details from a Justice Department internal document dated January 2023. The memo provides additional insight into the federal probe examining Trump’s possession of sensitive government materials at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

According to Raskin’s correspondence, the prosecutorial memo describes a June 2022 flight to Trump’s Bedminster golf facility where the former president allegedly brought classified materials with him. Federal investigators wrote they “identified a classified map that we believe Trump may have shown to individuals on board,” Raskin’s letter states. The memo indicates that Susie Wiles, who would later become Trump’s White House chief of staff, was present during the flight and observed the incident.

Special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into classified document handling resulted in federal criminal charges against Trump, accusing him of stockpiling highly sensitive records and interfering with FBI attempts to retrieve them. The indictment contained claims that Trump displayed classified military operation maps in 2021 and bragged about retaining Pentagon strategic documents from his presidency.

Trump has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and argued he had authority to retain the classified materials upon departing the White House in 2021. He has also asserted, without supporting evidence, that he had removed their classified status.

The White House dismissed Raskin’s allegations, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson calling them unreliable. “It’s pathetic that Democrats with zero credibility like Jamie Raskin are still clinging to deranged Jack Smith and his lies in 2026,” Jackson stated. “President Trump did nothing wrong, which is why he easily defeated the Biden DOJ’s unprecedented lawfare campaign against him and then won nearly 80 million votes in a landslide election victory.”

Following Trump’s November 2024 electoral victory, prosecutors dropped the case, citing established Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, has kept special counsel Smith’s final investigation report sealed after making several rulings that favored the former president during case proceedings.

Raskin revealed the memo’s contents in correspondence to Attorney General Pam Bondi, seeking additional details about the prosecutorial allegations, including passenger identities on the Bedminster flight and the geographic region shown on the classified map.

In his letter, Raskin stated that the Trump administration’s Justice Department provided the memo to Congress this month among a selective collection of materials from both the classified documents probe and a separate investigation into Trump’s attempts to challenge the 2020 election outcome against Democrat Joe Biden.

The Justice Department has shared investigation records with Congress in an apparent effort to undermine their credibility. However, Raskin warned Bondi that her eagerness “to find any scrap of evidence that could be twisted and distorted” to attack Smith has resulted in her overlooking “damning evidence about your boss’s conduct.”

“It is now clear that DOJ is in possession of evidence that President Trump has already endangered national security to further the interests of Trump family businesses,” Raskin wrote. “It is time for you to stop the cover-up and allow the American people to know what secrets he betrayed and how he may have cashed in on them. Our country is at war, American lives are at stake, and the answer to these questions has never been more pressing.”

A federal employee who identifies as transgender has initiated legal action to challenge Trump administration policies that would prohibit access to women’s restrooms and locker rooms in federal facilities. The lawsuit seeks to block enforcement of these restrictions for transgender individuals working in government buildings.

Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy organization, has submitted an amicus brief in opposition to the legal challenge. The group stated, “Women deserve privacy, safety, and dignity when they come to work. Our laws and legal system should reflect reality, not deny it.”

The case represents a significant legal test of federal policies regarding transgender rights in government workplaces and facilities access.

A former Transportation Security Administration chief recently discussed the impact of the Department of Homeland Security’s funding disruption and the assignment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to airports nationwide.

John Pistole, who previously led the TSA, participated in an interview with NPR’s Michel Martin to address the current DHS operational suspension and the strategic placement of ICE personnel at multiple aviation facilities throughout the United States.

The conversation focused on how these developments affect airport security operations and federal immigration enforcement capabilities during the ongoing government funding standoff.

An Indiana woman has postponed necessary dental work because she cannot afford the medical costs. A Florida family with small children watches their savings disappear. An Idaho grandmother prepares to sell her vehicle just to cover rent.

These federal workers represent thousands of Transportation Security Administration employees who will receive yet another empty paycheck this week. Congressional disagreement over Department of Homeland Security funding has prevented their paychecks since mid-February, forcing airport security personnel nationwide to make heartbreaking financial decisions.

Major airports are experiencing significant staffing shortages, creating lengthy security lines and passenger frustration. Union representatives and government officials report that workers cannot afford gas, childcare, or housing, leading to increased absences as the shutdown drags on. Department of Homeland Security data shows over 455 employees have resigned rather than continue working without compensation.

“Stop asking me about the long lines. Ask me if somebody’s gonna eat today,” Hydrick Thomas, president of the national American Federation of Government Employees union council that represents TSA employees, told reporters Tuesday.

Taylor Desert visited a food pantry before her Monday shift at Indianapolis International Airport, gathering meat, eggs, produce, and dairy items.

“I never thought I would be in a position where, working for the federal government, I would need to go to a food bank to supplement my groceries,” she said as she loaded bags into her car.

Desert, a seven-year TSA veteran, received her final complete paycheck on February 14 when the shutdown began. While she maintained some emergency funds despite a previous 43-day shutdown last autumn, she has suspended personal plans.

Desert requires wisdom tooth extraction but reports TSA has suspended leave approvals during the shutdown. She also fears out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by her insurance plan.

The Department of Homeland Security funding gap reached its 39th day Wednesday. Desert indicated she would pursue alternative employment if the situation continues another 21 days.

“I don’t want to have to spend my entire savings just to afford to keep living,” she said.

Orlando International Airport TSA agents Oksana Kelly, 38, and her husband Deron, 37, face uncertainty supporting their two young children without any household income.

Kelly explained they are using their savings temporarily, but those funds are nearly exhausted. Extended shutdown conditions may force them to request family assistance or secure loans, potentially creating additional debt burdens.

Her husband has supplemented their income through DoorDash deliveries since the October-November shutdown. He has contemplated leaving TSA entirely to establish more reliable family finances.

“It’s very mentally exhausting,” said Kelly, who organizes for the labor union representing TSA workers throughout central and northern Florida. “How do we even decide between being able to feed our kids or come to work?”

Kelly acknowledged that outsiders might criticize their decision to both work for TSA over the past decade, calling it “putting all eggs in one basket.”

“All we want is to pay our bills and get the pay we deserve,” she said.

Rebecca Wolf experiences daily emotional breakdowns, attempting to conceal her distress from her grandchildren, ages 11 and 6.

“They don’t understand why grandma’s crying,” Wolf said. “I try not to cry in front of them, but sometimes it’s just too much.”

The 53-year-old TSA officer and union representative in Boise, Idaho, joined the agency following its establishment after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Previously homeless, she rebuilt her life through consistent employment and federal benefits.

Wolf cannot stop thinking about her circumstances from 24 years ago. “I don’t want to be in that position again,” she said.

Her February 28 paycheck totaled just $13.53, immediately causing her to panic.

Without any financial reserves, she plans to sell her vehicle to meet next week’s rent payment. She contacts charitable organizations daily seeking rental assistance but has found no available help.

Providing for six family members — four children and two grandchildren — has always presented challenges, but repeated shutdowns have made her situation almost impossible.

Wolf, who leads AFGE TSA Local 1127, reluctantly considers abandoning both the career that transformed her life and her advocacy role for fellow officers.

“I worked hard to get to where I am now, and the thought I might lose it all scares me,” she said, her voice breaking as she tried to stifle the sound of weeping.

Boston Logan International Airport TSA officer Mike Gayzagian describes extended periods without compensation as becoming a troubling “new normal” for which he now prepares.

The 56-year-old maintains approximately six months of financial reserves but acknowledges his circumstances represent “an exception to the rule.”

“The majority live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have those kinds of reserves available,” said Gayzagian, who leads his local TSA union chapter.

He believes federal employees deserve better treatment.

“The financial situation adds an additional burden to what is already a stressful job,” Gayzagian said. “I didn’t go into public service to make a lot of money. I went into public service because it has a certain stability and reliability and predictability that other jobs don’t have.”

Robert Echeverria resigned from his TSA position at Salt Lake City International Airport approximately two weeks into the current shutdown.

The 45-year-old father of three experienced five government shutdowns during his nine years with the agency. Last year’s record shutdown that concluded in mid-November during holiday season proved most devastating.

Echeverria reported his family canceled Christmas celebrations and required months for financial recovery. He began job searching in February when congressional budget conflicts appeared inevitable.

“Emotionally I was already distraught,” Echeverria said last week. “We were barely recovering from the last shutdown.”

He currently works for Utah’s capital city airport management department. Departing federal service “was a hard decision for me,” Echeverria said.

“I really believed in the mission of the TSA,” he said. “We took an oath, and it was a way for me to give back to the country that gave me so much.”

He remains stationed at Salt Lake City International, where his 20-year-old daughter continues working as a TSA agent, making it painful to witness former colleagues’ struggles.

“They all feel betrayed by their government because they’re showing up to work,” Echeverria said. “They’re there, but they feel that the government doesn’t care for them,” he said.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Conservative Political Action Conference kicks off Wednesday near Dallas at a challenging time for the Republican Party, as conservatives wrestle with sharp disagreements over President Trump’s military engagement in Iran.

Though Trump retains strong backing from conservative voters, the Iranian conflict creates complications for supporters who were drawn to his original “America First” promise to avoid overseas military entanglements. This tension is expected to surface throughout the four-day event at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, where thousands of activists, media personalities, and GOP legislators will convene.

The atmosphere differs markedly from last year’s triumphant conference, when a newly inaugurated Trump promised to “forge a new and lasting political majority” while Elon Musk dramatically brandished a chainsaw to represent the administration’s government cuts.

Neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance has been confirmed as a speaker this year, though several prominent MAGA figures with conflicting positions on Iran are scheduled to address attendees.

“This is obviously going to be a hot topic,” said John Gizzi, a longtime CPAC attendee and Newsmax columnist, referencing concerns about expanded American military involvement for an indefinite period.

Trump confidant Steve Bannon, among the featured speakers, warned on his War Room podcast this month that a prolonged conflict could damage Republican prospects before the midterm elections.

“We are going to bleed support,” Bannon stated.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who backs the military action, is also scheduled to speak at the conference.

“I think President Trump was exactly right to act to protect Americans,” Cruz told CBS News in a recent interview.

Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz’s appearance highlights the fractures within conservative ranks regarding America’s military partnership with Israel against Iran.

Gaetz, who hosts a program on One America News Network, has criticized what he views as excessive closeness between the U.S. and Israel. His stance aligns with conservative voices like Tucker Carlson who have questioned the traditional Republican-Israel relationship, drawing accusations of antisemitism from pro-Israel GOP organizations.

Additional speakers include border security chief Tom Homan and former Republican National Committee head Michael Whatley, who is seeking a Senate seat in North Carolina.

Trump finds himself in a vastly different position than during last year’s celebratory gathering following his return to the presidency.

With ongoing military operations and persistent concerns about employment and living costs, his approval ratings have declined. His primary domestic initiative to strengthen election laws before November’s midterms has stagnated despite Republican control of Congress, while the party’s House majority faces threats and Senate control appears less secure.

Nevertheless, Trump maintains solid support among conservative voters. A February AP-NORC survey showed 86 percent of conservatives approve of his presidential performance.

While Trump’s base remains loyal, some in conservative circles worry that Iranian war divisions could harm Republican electoral chances in November.

Texas Representative Steve Toth, planning to attend CPAC, believes Trump’s conservative support stays strong but suggests the party could improve its war messaging.

“From MAGA people, for the most part, I don’t hear frustration with the president,” said Toth, who defeated incumbent Republican Dan Crenshaw in Texas’s March 3 primary. “I don’t know that we’re doing a great job at communicating the full ramifications.”

Texas’s unsettled Senate primary race provides another reminder of this year’s changed dynamics, creating particular political difficulties for Trump.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton, challenging four-term Republican Senator John Cornyn, not only plans to attend but will deliver Friday evening’s prestigious Ronald Reagan Dinner address. Cornyn will skip the Texas gathering.

Three weeks ago, Trump promised to announce his endorsement soon after Paxton trailed Cornyn slightly in the March 3 primary, though neither candidate secured enough votes to prevent a May 26 runoff.

Trump urged the non-endorsed candidate to withdraw, posting on social media that the contentious race “cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer.”

Last week’s deadline for removing names from the May 26 runoff ballot passed as both Paxton and Cornyn intensified their attack advertisements against each other.

A Democratic candidate has successfully captured a Florida state House district that encompasses President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, marking a significant political shift in what has been considered Republican territory.

Emily Gregory secured the special election victory on Tuesday, defeating her Republican challenger Jon Maples, who had received backing from Trump himself.

The electoral outcome represents a notable reversal for the district, which had been solidly in Republican hands. In the 2024 general election, Republican Mike Caruso had claimed the seat with a commanding 19-point margin before stepping down to take the position of Palm Beach County clerk. Additionally, Trump had carried the same district by approximately 10 percentage points during the 2024 presidential race.

WASHINGTON — A federal prosecutor admitted during a closed-door court session that the Justice Department’s probe into a $2.5 billion Federal Reserve renovation project has uncovered no criminal wrongdoing, newly released hearing transcripts reveal.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Massucco made this acknowledgment during a March 3 hearing that was sealed from public view, court documents show. Just over a week later, Chief Judge James Boasberg struck down government subpoenas targeting the Federal Reserve, delivering a major setback to the ongoing investigation.

In his March 11 decision, Boasberg stated that prosecutors had presented “essentially zero evidence” suggesting Fed Chair Jerome Powell committed any crimes. The Obama-appointed judge also criticized the government’s reasoning for the subpoenas as “thin and unsubstantiated.”

During the sealed proceeding, Judge Boasberg pressed the prosecutor from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office to identify specific evidence of fraudulent activity or criminal behavior connected to Powell’s congressional testimony about the renovation or the construction project itself.

“So what false statements did (Powell) make before Congress?” Boasberg questioned Massucco, the transcript indicates.

“Well, we don’t know is my first answer,” Massucco, who heads the criminal division in Pirro’s Washington office, responded. “However, there are certain areas that he addressed that caused concern.”

“Okay,” the judge pressed further. “And then what evidence is there of fraud or criminal misconduct in relation to the renovations?”

“Again, we do not know at this time. However, there are 1.2 billion reasons for us to look into it,” Massucco answered, alluding to the project’s budget overruns.

The ongoing investigation has stalled Senate confirmation proceedings for Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Powell when his chairmanship expires May 15. Powell may continue serving beyond that deadline if no replacement receives approval.

“A mountain of evidence suggests that the Government served these subpoenas on the Board to pressure its Chair into voting for lower interest rates or resigning,” the judge stated in his ruling.

During the closed hearing, Massucco maintained that no evidence exists showing prosecutors’ motivation for the grand jury subpoenas “is anything other than trying to find the truth of the matter.”

“And we have a right to do that,” he stated.

Robert Hur, legal counsel representing the Federal Reserve’s board of governors during the March 3 session, argued the subpoenas constitute a pressure tactic supporting Trump’s campaign for reduced interest rates.

“He clearly has very strong political motives to try to get lower interest rates, but because of the safeguards that have been erected by Congress around the Federal Reserve’s independence when it comes to setting monetary policy, he can’t get it,” Hur explained to the court.

Pirro, the former Fox News personality chosen by Trump to head the country’s largest U.S. Attorney’s office, criticized Boasberg as an “activist judge” and accused him of having “neutered the grand jury’s ability to investigate crime.” She announced plans to challenge his ruling.

“This is wrong and it is without legal authority,” she declared during a press briefing earlier this month.

A Federal Reserve representative declined to provide comment Tuesday.

Pirro’s office focused their investigation on Powell’s brief remarks last June before the Senate Banking Committee, where lawmakers questioned him about budget overruns in the Fed’s comprehensive building renovations. Recent Fed estimates indicate the current projected cost of $2.5 billion exceeds a 2022 projection of $1.9 billion by approximately $600 million.

In his decision, Boasberg noted that the Justice Department declined his proposal allowing the government to present additional evidence against Powell privately to him, avoiding disclosure to the Fed or Powell.

“The Court is thus left with no credible reason to think that the Government is investigating suspicious facts as opposed to targeting a disfavored official,” the judge concluded.

A major political shakeup has rocked North Carolina after longtime Republican Senate leader Phil Berger admitted defeat Tuesday in his primary battle, bringing an end to one of the state’s most powerful political careers.

Sheriff Sam Page of Rockingham County emerged victorious over Berger in their March 3rd primary contest. Berger has held the Senate leadership role since 2011, when the GOP gained complete control of the state legislature for the first time in nearly a century and a half.

“While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger stated in his concession announcement. “Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state’s outlook and reputation. It has been an honor.”

Former President Donald Trump had backed Berger’s reelection bid, highlighting his policy achievements during the endorsement.

Initial vote tallies from primary night revealed an extremely tight contest, with Page holding just a two-vote advantage over Berger among more than 26,000 ballots cast in the 26th Senate District, which encompasses portions of Greensboro and surrounding communities.

Page’s margin of victory grew as election officials in both counties within the district processed provisional ballots, absentee votes, and overseas military ballots.

Trump’s backing of Berger came after the legislature redrew congressional district boundaries in a bid to capture a Democratic-held seat, supporting the former president’s redistricting efforts to maintain Republican control of the U.S. House.

Financial reports show Berger’s campaign outspent Page by more than 50-to-1 through mid-February. This figure doesn’t account for the millions of additional dollars spent by an independent group supporting Berger through direct mail and advertisements.

The 73-year-old lawyer has wielded enormous influence in state government, helping the legislature advance conservative policies despite resistance from a series of Democratic governors with limited executive authority.

Page, who has served as sheriff since winning his first election in 1998, successfully appealed to voters by arguing that Berger had become too focused on statewide issues while neglecting local concerns.

Berger’s 2023 push for legislation that could have authorized a casino in Rockingham County also created friction with social conservatives, providing Page with additional ammunition for his campaign.

When Trump endorsed Berger on social media in December, he also complimented Page and suggested the sheriff should “come work for us in Washington, D.C.” instead of challenging Berger. Page, who had previously supported Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives, turned down the suggestion.

Berger began his Senate service in 2001 and served as minority leader until the Republican wave election of 2010 elevated his party to power.

Throughout his tenure as leader, Berger championed numerous conservative initiatives, including tax code reforms and rate cuts, universal private school voucher programs, abortion restrictions, and relaxed firearm regulations.

Working alongside the House speaker, Berger also pushed through measures designed to transfer appointment authority away from Democratic governors Josh Stein and Roy Cooper to legislators and other officials.

The legislature’s main working session for 2026 starts in April, when Berger’s top deputies will likely begin competing in earnest for the leadership position, assuming Republicans retain their majority after the fall elections.

Senate members select their leader every two years. The GOP currently controls 30 of the chamber’s 50 seats — precisely the number needed to override gubernatorial vetoes.

Supporters of Berger argue that his conservative direction has driven economic growth in the state of 11 million residents, expanded educational options for families, and strengthened protections for unborn children.

However, critics contend his policies have primarily benefited wealthy residents, suppressed pay increases for government workers and educators, and inadequately funded public education while directing resources to private institutions. Democratic opponents also claim Republicans have diminished rights for women and transgender individuals.

In recent months, House Republicans under Speaker Destin Hall have questioned the Senate’s delayed efforts to implement additional income tax cuts. Revenue forecasts indicate such reductions could now create budget shortfalls.

Despite frequent disagreements with Cooper, Berger and former Speaker Tim Moore eventually negotiated an agreement with the governor to extend Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of adults.

Berger’s influence extends throughout state government through numerous allies and former staff members in key positions. His family includes a state Supreme Court justice, a Rockingham County commissioner, and a state agency lawyer.

Page will move forward to the November general election in the Republican-favored district. Berger can continue serving as both senator and Senate leader until the end of this year. Senate members will choose new leadership in early 2027.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved President Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee a newly established Justice Department unit dedicated to fraud prosecution on Tuesday, despite opposition concerns about potential political interference in targeting administration critics.

Senators voted 52-47 to confirm Colin McDonald as assistant attorney general for the new division, which the Trump administration describes as essential for combating widespread fraud that costs American taxpayers.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the confirmation on social media, stating: “Colin is an experienced, skilled, and tough prosecutor who will continue doing incredible work to root out fraud across America.”

McDonald faces the challenge of establishing this new unit while facing intense examination regarding White House involvement in investigations and prosecutions typically kept separate from political influence. The Justice Department’s Criminal Division has historically handled fraud cases nationwide, leading to questions about the actual need for this additional unit that the Trump administration originally stated would be “run out of the White House.”

The administration has since retreated from earlier suggestions that McDonald would answer directly to the White House rather than top Justice Department officials. Nevertheless, the White House has indicated it will significantly influence the new division’s priorities, with Vice President JD Vance overseeing the administration’s declared “war on fraud.”

During last month’s confirmation proceedings, McDonald assured lawmakers he would conduct prosecutions “without fear or favor,” though he avoided giving a direct response when questioned about whether he would comply with a presidential directive to launch a specific investigation.

McDonald’s hearing left numerous questions unanswered regarding how the National Fraud Enforcement Division would distinguish itself from the Criminal Division’s fraud section, which prosecuted 265 individuals last year — representing a more than 10% increase from the previous year. The fraud section achieved the Justice Department’s largest coordinated healthcare fraud takedown in history last year, involving nearly $15 billion in fraudulent claims.

This new division represents part of the Trump administration’s broader initiative to highlight fraud across the nation. This effort follows fraud allegations involving daycare facilities operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis, which triggered extensive immigration enforcement in the Midwest city and sparked widespread demonstrations. Minnesota has faced years of scrutiny over fraud cases, including a massive $300 million pandemic-related fraud involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, resulting in numerous convictions under both Biden and Trump administrations.

“The problem is massive,” McDonald stated regarding national fraud during his confirmation hearing. “And so President Trump and the attorney general were right to identify this as a place where we needed to put significantly more focus.”

McDonald previously served in Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office at Justice Department headquarters. Prior to that role, he worked as a federal prosecutor for over ten years in various capacities, including deputy chief of the Southern District of California’s Border Enforcement Section.

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court justices deliberated Tuesday over whether to allow the Trump administration to restore a border immigration practice that restricted asylum seekers at crossings along the U.S.-Mexico boundary.

Several conservative members of the court appeared sympathetic to the Justice Department’s efforts to reverse a lower court decision blocking the strategy called metering. Border officials had capped how many individuals could request asylum protection, claiming the limits were essential to manage rising border crossings.

Immigration advocates contend the practice sparked a humanitarian emergency during Trump’s initial presidency, as rejected migrants established temporary settlements in Mexico while awaiting opportunities to pursue asylum claims.

While the practice is currently inactive and Trump has implemented broader asylum restrictions in his second term, the administration maintains that metering serves as a “critical tool” utilized by previous administrations from both political parties and should remain available for future use if needed.

Several justices appeared willing to consider this position, though others questioned whether the policy would permit individuals who crossed illegally to seek asylum while blocking new arrivals attempting legal entry at official border points.

“Why would Congress privilege someone who illegally enters the United States?” Justice Brett Kavanaugh inquired during proceedings.

A Trump administration lawyer argued that individuals denied entry could return on subsequent days. “It’s saying our port is at capacity today, try again some other day,” explained Vivek Suri, assistant to the solicitor general.

Associated Press reporting documented thousands of immigrants placed on waiting lists during the policy’s implementation in 2019.

Federal immigration law requires that migrants arriving in the U.S. who fear persecution in their native countries must have access to asylum applications. The central legal question in this metering dispute involves interpreting the phrase “arrive in.”

Justice Department lawyers contend this language applies only to individuals already present within United States territory, excluding those stopped on the Mexican side of the border. However, immigration lawyers argue the statute has historically meant anyone reaching a port of entry must be permitted to apply, and this interpretation should continue.

“This life saving protection and more importantly, access to it is enshrined in our laws and has been for decades now,” stated Rebecca Cassler, an attorney representing the American Immigration Council, following the court session.

Chief Justice John Roberts questioned a migrant advocate attorney extensively about the precise location requirements for asylum claims. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted the difficulty of addressing these issues without an active policy to evaluate.

“It just seems to me that we have a lot of hypotheticals regarding how this policy may have worked in the past, how it’s possibly going to work in the future, but we don’t have a policy in effect right now that we can actually rule on,” she observed.

The metering approach originated during Barack Obama’s presidency when significant numbers of Haitians arrived at the primary San Diego crossing from Tijuana, Mexico. Trump’s first administration expanded the practice to encompass all Mexican border crossings.

The policy concluded in 2020 as coronavirus pandemic measures led to increased asylum restrictions. President Joe Biden officially eliminated metering in 2021.

That same year, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant, appointed by Obama, determined that metering violated migrants’ constitutional protections and federal requirements mandating screening for anyone seeking asylum at the border.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld her decision by a divided vote, though nearly half the judges on the San Francisco-based court supported rehearing the case, potentially signaling Supreme Court interest.

Individuals seeking U.S. refuge can pursue asylum once on American territory, regardless of their entry method. Qualification requires demonstrating persecution fears in their home country based on specific factors including race, religion, nationality, social group membership, or political beliefs.

Asylum recipients cannot face deportation and gain work authorization, family reunification rights, legal residency applications, and eventual citizenship eligibility.

This metering case represents one of multiple immigration matters before the court this term, including Trump’s efforts to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants and administration attempts to remove legal protections for migrants fleeing conflict and instability.

Federal officials have struck a billion-dollar agreement with a French energy corporation to abandon offshore wind development along American coastlines, marking a new tactic in the administration’s campaign against renewable energy projects.

Interior Department officials revealed Monday that TotalEnergies has accepted what amounts to a full reimbursement for lease agreements covering wind farms planned off North Carolina and New York waters. The French company will redirect those funds toward a liquefied natural gas facility in Texas and additional fossil fuel ventures. Department leaders described the arrangement as groundbreaking, stating the “American people will no longer pay for ideological subsidies that benefited only the unreliable and costly offshore wind industry.”

This approach emerges after multiple federal courts have blocked President Donald Trump’s attempts to halt offshore wind through executive orders.

New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the payment to The Associated Press Tuesday, calling it something that “sets a dangerous precedent and is a shortsighted misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Robin Shaffer, who leads the anti-offshore wind organization Protect Our Coast New Jersey, praised what he described as “out of the box” thinking. Following courtroom defeats, Shaffer argued the administration required a method to reclaim lease agreements that should never have been granted due to offshore wind’s environmental impact on marine ecosystems.

“The Trump administration has been relentlessly creative in its efforts to stop offshore wind development in the U.S.,” Shaffer stated.

Beyond his opposition to offshore wind, the Republican president has halted numerous renewable energy initiatives and eliminated billions in clean energy funding, which he dismisses as the “Green New Scam.” These actions occur as America seeks to expand power generation amid an artificial intelligence competition with China while preventing further electricity rate increases.

The ongoing Iran conflict has created significant energy market disruptions by restricting crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

During his campaign, Trump promised to eliminate the offshore wind sector immediately upon taking office. He has characterized wind turbines as costly eyesores that endanger birds and marine life.

Connecticut currently receives electricity from Revolution Wind, an offshore project that state officials expect will reduce wholesale energy expenses. The National Audubon Society, focused on bird protection, maintains that climate change presents a more significant threat to avian species.

Trump’s opposition to offshore wind spans years. In 2015, he unsuccessfully fought an offshore wind installation near Aberdeen, Scotland, when Britain’s Supreme Court rejected his challenge unanimously. Trump argued the 11 turbines would ruin his golf course’s scenic views.

He advocates increased production of oil, natural gas and coal – despite their climate impact – claiming this approach would deliver the world’s cheapest energy costs to Americans.

On his first day back in office, Trump fulfilled his campaign pledge by signing an executive order temporarily suspending offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and freezing permits for all wind developments.

U.S. District Judge Patti Saris struck down Trump’s wind energy ban on December 8, ruling it illegal after 17 state attorneys general and Washington, D.C. challenged the directive. The administration is appealing this decision.

Two weeks afterward, officials ordered construction halted on five major East Coast offshore wind developments, citing national security threats. When developers and states filed lawsuits, federal judges permitted all five projects to continue, essentially finding the government failed to demonstrate immediate security risks requiring construction stoppage.

TotalEnergies wasn’t among those five companies; it had already suspended its two projects following Trump’s election victory. The corporation has now committed to avoiding any new U.S. offshore wind developments. CEO Patrick Pouyanné described the refunded lease payments as financing a Texas liquefied natural gas plant and expanded oil and gas operations, calling it “more efficient use of capital” domestically.

Ted Kelly, who directs U.S. clean energy legal efforts for the Environmental Defense Fund, characterized this as “clearly an alternative strategy to recklessly block wind power, since the Trump administration keeps losing in court.”

Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond Law School professor tracking these legal battles, called the approach “unorthodox.”

With crude oil and gasoline prices climbing, Virginia Democrats emphasized America should strengthen energy independence and stability. Virginia began receiving power Monday from an offshore wind project Trump has targeted.

“Giving an energy company $1 billion of taxpayer money to pack up its jobs and invest elsewhere — in the middle of an unpopular and unwise war that is spiking energy costs — is beyond idiotic,” Senator Tim Kaine told AP.

Maine Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree questioned whether the payment complies with appropriations law and said she would interrogate Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during upcoming budget hearings.

Dozens of commercial wind energy development leases issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management remain valid across U.S. waters.

Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen said she wouldn’t speculate whether the Trump administration might pay to cancel additional projects, but noted officials clearly embrace extreme tactics.

“Will they do this again? Maybe,” she concluded.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A planned California gubernatorial debate was scrapped by the University of Southern California following discrimination allegations from minority candidates who were left out of the event.

The Tuesday debate, co-hosted by USC and KABC-TV, was set to feature six white candidates: Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, along with Democrats Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Matt Mahan. However, four prominent Democratic candidates of color — Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, Betty Yee and Tony Thurmond — failed to qualify under the established participation requirements.

The competitive gubernatorial race remains wide open with no clear leader emerging before the June 2 primary election.

USC initially stood by its selection process, stating that an independent public policy professor created the qualification standards using polling data and fundraising metrics. The university rejected claims of discriminatory practices in a Friday statement.

However, the institution changed its position Monday evening, citing disagreement between co-hosts over how to resolve the situation.

“The data-driven candidate viability formula is based on extensive research and enjoys broad academic support,” USC stated. “At the same time, we recognize that concerns about the selection criteria for tomorrow’s gubernatorial debate have created a significant distraction from the issues that matter to voters.”

The situation intensified Monday when legislative leaders, including Black and Latino caucus chairs, demanded that organizers include the excluded established candidates.

“If USC does not do the right thing, we call on California voters to boycott this debate,” they stated. “If the university will not give voters a fair shot at evaluating everyone running for governor, voters should find other ways to learn about the candidates.”

Former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is Latino, praised the university’s decision to cancel the event.

“USC made the right call, even if it came late and under pressure,” he stated.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s highest court has given the green light to a Republican-supported congressional redistricting effort that could boost the party’s chances of securing an additional House seat in upcoming elections.

The Missouri Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling represents a win for former President Donald Trump in the broader national fight over district boundaries. However, the battle may continue as critics have gathered over 300,000 signatures seeking to let voters decide on the revised map through a statewide referendum.

State lawmakers, controlled by Republicans, passed the new House district boundaries in September following Trump’s encouragement, coming on the heels of similar moves by Texas Republicans. The former president has pushed for these changes as a way to help the GOP maintain its slim House majority, where Democrats need only modest gains to take control and potentially block Trump’s legislative priorities.

Critics challenged the redistricting effort, claiming Missouri’s state constitution permits such boundary changes only right after each census count, not during the middle of a ten-year period. However, the state’s top court dismissed this argument in its narrow 4-3 ruling, determining that lawmakers face no clear constitutional ban on more frequent redistricting.

Missouri’s current House delegation includes six Republicans and two Democrats under boundaries drawn in 2022 following the latest census. The revised map targets a Kansas City-area district now represented by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver, splitting portions into adjacent districts while extending the remaining area into heavily Republican rural territory.

A lower court recently dismissed another legal challenge claiming the new districts fail to meet state compactness requirements. That ruling is also heading to the Missouri Supreme Court on appeal.

Following the redistricting moves in Texas and Missouri, Republican-controlled legislatures in North Carolina and Ohio have similarly redrawn their maps in ways that could benefit GOP candidates. Meanwhile, California voters approved new districts in November that may favor Democratic candidates.

In Utah, a judge recently implemented a redistricting plan that could help Democrats capture one of the state’s four House seats, ruling that Republican lawmakers had bypassed voter-approved anti-gerrymandering measures. Virginia’s Democratic legislators have also moved toward mid-decade redistricting by placing an authorization measure on the April 21 ballot, though the Virginia Supreme Court is reviewing a legal challenge to that proposal.

Minnesota state officials have taken legal action against the Trump administration in federal court, alleging the government has failed to provide crucial evidence connected to three separate incidents where federal officers opened fire, resulting in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Filed on Tuesday, the legal challenge alleges federal authorities broke their commitment to assist state-level investigations following Operation Metro Surge, with Minnesota officials requesting judicial intervention to force compliance.

The Trump administration deployed thousands of federal agents to the Minneapolis-St. Paul region as part of an immigration enforcement initiative tied to President Donald Trump’s broader deportation efforts. While the Department of Homeland Security hailed what it described as its most extensive immigration operation to date as successful, Minnesota leadership sharply condemned the action and questioned officer behavior.

According to the legal filing, federal authorities cannot legally “withhold investigative evidence for the purpose of shielding law enforcement officers from scrutiny where a State is investigating serious potential violations of its criminal laws, targeting its citizens, within its borders.”

Both DHS and the Justice Department were contacted for response but had not replied by publication time.

In January, the Justice Department announced it would launch a federal civil rights probe into Pretti’s death, though officials determined a similar federal investigation was unnecessary regarding Good’s killing. This decision represents a notable shift from previous administrations, which typically moved swiftly to examine civilian shootings by law enforcement for potential civil rights violations.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that the department’s Civil Rights Division doesn’t examine every law enforcement shooting, stating there must be specific circumstances and facts that “warrant an investigation.”

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated Tuesday that federal authorities “has adopted a policy of categorically withholding evidence,” describing this approach as both unprecedented and concerning.

A prominent defense technology executive delivered scathing remarks about American political leadership on Tuesday, claiming that legislative gridlock and tech industry attitudes are allowing China to gain ground in the global competition for military dominance.

Trae Stephens, who co-founded Anduril Industries, addressed hundreds of business leaders and government officials at Washington’s Hill and Valley Forum, placing blame squarely on domestic failures for America’s declining position in what he described as a technological arms race against Beijing.

“Our federal government is not doing its job,” Stephens declared. “It does not help us build great things. It does not solve hard problems. Frankly, it has abandoned its post.”

Stephens holds positions as both a partner with San Francisco’s Founders Fund venture capital firm and chairman of Costa Mesa-based Anduril, which ranks among Silicon Valley’s most significant defense technology investments.

During his presentation, Stephens outlined what he characterized as decades of American legislative inaction. He pointed to immigration policy, noting that despite 70 to 80 percent public support for comprehensive changes, Congress has failed to enact meaningful reforms for four decades.

The executive also criticized healthcare spending, highlighting that America invests approximately twice what other democratic nations spend while achieving inferior results. He expressed concern about educational performance, noting the country’s drop from the top 10 in academic achievement and significant gaps in mathematics and science competency at a time when artificial intelligence is transforming employment prospects for new graduates.

Stephens reserved his harshest comments for infrastructure investments, telling attendees that more than one trillion dollars designated for semiconductor and clean energy initiatives had yielded little beyond “a handful of lousy EV charging stations and not a single fully built chips fab.”

“We haven’t even sent a man to the moon in my lifetime,” Stephens stated. “‘It’s too hard’ or ‘someone else is going to do this’ aren’t excuses that cut it anymore in the 21st century.”

The defense technology leader argued that elected officials lack the structural capacity to match the speed of technological advancement, citing examples where Facebook reached 2 billion users before platform regulations emerged, military drones were deployed before domestic threat laws existed, and cryptocurrency transactions worth trillions occurred before government classification agreements.

“If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail,” he explained. “When your main tools are investigations and the bully pulpit, the rules they write are often already obsolete by the time they take effect.”

However, Stephens also directed criticism toward the technology sector, arguing that Silicon Valley’s historical reluctance to engage with Pentagon projects has strengthened adversarial nations. He referenced pushback against initiatives like Project Maven during the 2010s while portions of the tech community facilitated China’s growth into a “stronger, richer and more capable” competitor.

“There is no moral neutrality in that decision,” he emphasized.

These comments coincided with Anduril’s launch of production operations at its new $1 billion Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility located south of Columbus, Ohio. The complex is projected to create over 4,000 jobs within the next ten years and will initially focus on producing the company’s FURY autonomous combat drone, designed for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program that combines unmanned systems with human pilots.

A San Francisco artificial intelligence company is turning to federal court this week to challenge what it calls an unfair and damaging security designation from the Pentagon.

Anthropic appeared before U.S. District Judge Rita Lin on Tuesday, requesting immediate judicial intervention to reverse the Department of Defense’s classification of the company as a supply chain security threat. The court session represents a pivotal moment in an escalating dispute between the AI developer and the Trump administration regarding military applications of the company’s technology.

The legal action follows Anthropic’s lawsuit filed weeks ago challenging what the firm describes as an “unlawful campaign of retaliation” stemming from its decision to restrict military access to its artificial intelligence systems.

In their emergency petition, company attorneys are asking Judge Lin to issue an immediate injunction overturning the Pentagon’s security risk determination. The company also wants the court to block President Trump’s directive prohibiting all federal workers from accessing Claude, Anthropic’s AI chatbot platform.

The proceedings are taking place in San Francisco federal court, where the AI company maintains its corporate headquarters. Anthropic has simultaneously pursued a separate legal challenge through the federal appellate system in Washington, D.C.

Judge Lin has prepared specific questions for both parties to address during the hearing, particularly focusing on apparent inconsistencies between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s official statement labeling Anthropic as a national security concern and his subsequent social media posts on the matter.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials have prohibited the importation of new routers manufactured overseas, adding these internet connection devices to a government security blacklist due to cybersecurity concerns.

The Federal Communications Commission has placed consumer routers — the devices that link home computers, smartphones and smart home gadgets to the internet — on the nation’s “covered list.” This registry identifies telecommunications equipment and services that officials believe “pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. or the safety and security of Americans,” according to the FCC.

“Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft,” the FCC stated this week, pointing to multiple instances where overseas-manufactured routers were compromised in cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure.

While American hardware manufacturers like Netgear and eero market routers under their brand names, nearly all production occurs in foreign facilities. Officials have not clarified whether routers made abroad by U.S. companies fall under this prohibition, or if any router manufacturing currently takes place domestically.

Federal regulators have created an exception allowing routers that receive conditional government approval after officials determine they don’t present unacceptable security threats. Companies manufacturing consumer routers may still seek this conditional authorization.

According to the FCC, these new limitations only affect upcoming device models, meaning Americans can continue operating routers they’ve already purchased.

Nevertheless, consumers considering upgrading their home internet equipment might want to act soon.

Government-approved router models remain available through retailers currently. When existing inventory runs out, consumers could face shortages and likely higher prices as American manufacturers reorganize their supply networks, establish domestic production facilities and obtain federal clearance for new models.

MIAMI — In a rare courtroom appearance by a Cabinet member, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the witness stand Tuesday to discuss his past relationship with former Miami congressman David Rivera, who stands accused of conducting secret lobbying work for Venezuela’s government nearly ten years ago.

Federal prosecutors brought charges against Rivera and a business partner in 2022, alleging money laundering violations and failure to register as foreign agents following their acceptance of a $50 million lobbying agreement with Nicolás Maduro’s administration. Rivera maintains his innocence in the matter.

Court documents allege that Rivera and his co-defendant attempted to facilitate meetings between then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez — who currently serves as Venezuela’s acting president — and high-level American officials in multiple cities including Dallas, New York, Washington and Caracas. The alleged targets for these meetings included White House staff, congressional members, and Exxon Mobil’s chief executive.

During his testimony in the crowded Miami federal courthouse, which featured enhanced security measures, Rubio described developing a strong friendship with Rivera during their six-year overlap in Florida’s state legislature in the early 2000s. Their bond continued when both moved to Washington simultaneously — Rubio winning a Senate seat while Rivera claimed a House position — and they maintained their connection through shared social circles and family events.

Rubio recounted receiving an urgent phone call from Rivera in July 2017 requesting an immediate meeting about Venezuelan affairs. The following Sunday morning, Rivera flew to Washington and met with Rubio at his residence, where he outlined his collaboration with Raul Gorrin, a Venezuelan media mogul who served as Rivera’s primary connection to Maduro’s government, on a strategy to convince Maduro to resign from power.

“I was skeptical,” Rubio stated during his testimony, noting that Maduro’s administration was filled with “double dealers” who regularly proposed schemes to undermine their leader.

“But if there was a 1% chance it was real, and I had a role to play alerting the White House, I was open to doing that,” he continued.

Shortly after their meeting, Rubio used talking points supplied by Rivera to craft and deliver a Senate floor speech indicating that the United States would not seek revenge against Venezuelan officials who assisted in removing Maduro from office.

“He provided me with insight into some of the key phrases that regime insiders would’ve wanted to hear to know this was serious,” Rubio explained to the court. “No vengeance, no retribution.”

Rubio’s court appearance marks an extraordinary moment in legal history. The last time a serving Cabinet member testified in a criminal proceeding was in 1983, when Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan appeared at a Mafia-related trial. The indictment against Rivera contains no suggestions that Rubio engaged in any inappropriate conduct during his time as a senator.

Government attorneys argue that the lobbying arrangement aimed to convince the first Trump administration to establish normalized diplomatic ties with Maduro’s government — an effort that seemed unlikely to succeed during Trump’s initial term but may now be possible under different circumstances following recent political changes in Venezuela.

To conceal their activities, prosecutors allege, the defendants and their associates created a messaging group named MIA — representing Miami — where they communicated using Spanish code names such as “Little Cuban” for Rubio, “The Lady in Red” for Rodríguez, and “melons” to reference millions of dollars.

“This case is about two things: greed and betrayal,” prosecutor Roger Cruz declared in Monday’s opening statement. “The evidence will show that for $50 million these two defendants made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro” along with Rodríguez.

Rivera, age 60, argues through his legal team that his consulting company, Interamerican Consulting, was contracted by an American branch of Venezuela’s government-owned petroleum company rather than the foreign entity directly, eliminating the requirement to register as a foreign agent.

According to his defense, Rivera’s three-month agreement focused solely on encouraging Exxon’s return to Venezuelan operations — commercial activities that typically fall outside Foreign Agents Registration Act requirements.

Rivera’s lawyers maintain that his separate efforts working with Venezuelan opposition groups to facilitate Maduro’s departure were completely unrelated to his consulting business.

“The government’s theory is utterly preposterous,” defense attorney Ed Shohat argued during Monday’s opening remarks, characterizing Rivera as a “freedom fighter” and “ardent opponent of communism wherever it rears its ugly head.”

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday his selection of energy industry leader Alan Armstrong to complete the U.S. Senate term left vacant by Markwayne Mullin, who was recently confirmed as the nation’s new homeland security secretary.

Stitt’s decision to tap Armstrong fulfills his earlier promise to choose a “conservative voice” for the position. Armstrong currently serves as chairman and previously led Williams Companies as CEO, a Tulsa-based pipeline operation that ranks among the nation’s major natural gas transportation firms.

“He’s a strong business leader who understands the power of free markets and limited government,” Stitt said.

Mullin received Senate confirmation Monday to head the Department of Homeland Security and would have faced reelection this November. Instead, Armstrong will complete the final nine months of the term under Oklahoma state requirements that prohibit him from seeking the full Senate position this fall. Republican Representative Kevin Hart has already declared his intention to run for the seat and secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Armstrong brings decades of private sector experience but no background in elected positions to the role. His entire professional career has been with Williams Companies, which maintains a workforce of approximately 5,800 employees focused on natural gas collection, storage, and transportation services. He assumed the president and CEO roles in 2011 before moving to executive chairman last year.

Campaign finance records show Armstrong has been a consistent Stitt supporter, contributing the maximum allowable $8,500 to the governor’s campaigns since 2018.

The appointment comes as Stitt prepares to leave the governor’s office in January while serving as head of the National Governors Association. The selection follows recent tensions between Stitt and Trump over disagreements regarding attendance at the association’s annual gathering.

Former Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. praised Armstrong as an “even-tempered individual” who prioritizes building agreement over pursuing ideological positions. Bartlett, whose father represented Oklahoma in the Senate during the 1970s, believes Armstrong’s energy sector expertise makes him particularly valuable given current global oil market disruptions caused by the Iran conflict.

“I think that certainly is a great approach, finding consensus for making a decision,” said Bartlett, who heads an oil and gas enterprise.

During recent confirmation proceedings, Mullin positioned himself as someone who could provide stable leadership for the homeland security department following the dismissal of Kristi Noem, who faced mounting criticism over immigration enforcement policies and mass deportation initiatives.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday his selection of energy industry veteran Alan Armstrong to complete the remaining portion of Markwayne Mullin’s U.S. Senate term following Mullin’s confirmation as the new homeland security secretary.

Stitt, a Republican who promised to choose a “conservative voice” for the position, selected Armstrong, who serves as chairman and previously led Williams Companies as CEO. The Tulsa-based firm operates major pipeline infrastructure across the country.

“He’s a strong business leader who understands the power of free markets and limited government,” Stitt said.

Mullin received Senate confirmation Monday to head the Department of Homeland Security and was scheduled to face voters again in November.

Armstrong will now serve the final nine months of that term, though Oklahoma state law requires him to pledge not to seek the full term in this fall’s election. Republican Congressman Kevin Hart has already launched his campaign for the seat and received an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

The appointee brings no prior electoral experience but has built his entire professional career at Williams Companies, which maintains a workforce of approximately 5,800 employees focused on natural gas collection, storage and transport operations. Armstrong assumed the president and CEO role in 2011 before moving to executive chairman last year.

Campaign finance records show Armstrong has been a consistent Stitt supporter, contributing $8,500 total since 2018, which represents the maximum permitted under state campaign finance regulations.

The governor, who will step down in January and currently chairs the National Governors Association, made this appointment following recent public criticism from Trump over disagreements about the governors’ group annual meeting attendance policies.

Former Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. characterized Armstrong as an “even-tempered individual” who prioritizes building consensus over pursuing ideological positions.

Bartlett, whose father represented Oklahoma in the Senate during the 1970s, believes Armstrong’s energy sector expertise and market understanding make him particularly well-suited for the role, especially given current global oil market disruptions caused by the Iran conflict.

“I think that certainly is a great approach, finding consensus for making a decision,” said Bartlett, who leads an oil and gas company.

During his recent confirmation process, Mullin positioned himself as someone who could provide stable leadership for the agency after Kristi Noem’s dismissal, which followed mounting criticism regarding immigration enforcement policies and mass deportation operations conducted during her tenure.

Congressional leaders are working toward a compromise that could resolve the Department of Homeland Security funding crisis by providing paychecks to Transportation Security Administration employees while leaving out immigration enforcement operations that sparked the original disagreement.

The potential agreement comes as travelers nationwide face grueling security checkpoint delays, with some major airports reporting wait times stretching beyond four hours due to widespread TSA staffing shortages.

Markwayne Mullin, who received Senate confirmation Monday as the new DHS secretary, now oversees the troubled department. Mullin has positioned himself as someone who can bring stability, stating his objective would be removing the department from negative headlines.

Travel chaos continued Tuesday despite the Trump administration’s decision to deploy immigration officers at airport security areas. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport reported standard checkpoint delays of three and a half to four hours during morning hours. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International recommended passengers plan for four-hour arrival windows for both domestic and international departures.

Baltimore-Washington International told travelers to come three hours early, acknowledging that while current delays were “minimal,” conditions could deteriorate quickly.

Weeks without paychecks have driven numerous TSA employees to either call in sick or abandon their positions entirely due to financial hardship. This workforce crisis has compelled airports to temporarily shut down security lanes, creating unpredictable and often extreme waiting periods.

However, some facilities showed improvement, with Los Angeles International and Detroit Metro Airport displaying average delays of only minutes on their digital tracking systems early Tuesday.

While federal law enforcement maintains a standard presence at international terminals through Customs and Border Protection screenings and Homeland Security Investigation units, immigration agents typically stay away from TSA domestic checkpoints.

Associated Press reporters documented ICE personnel walking through terminals and positioning themselves near passenger queues Monday at multiple locations: Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, John F. Kennedy in New York, Newark Liberty in New Jersey, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Louis Armstrong near New Orleans.

Additional airports, including Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International, verified they would host ICE deployments. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his administration was tracking the federal officer placements at O’Hare International.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota expressed optimism about the negotiations, telling reporters: “All I can say is that the discussions have been very positive and productive, and hopefully headed in the right direction.”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the collaborative tone late Monday evening, stating: “Both sides are working in a serious way.”

The legislative discussions center on funding most Homeland Security operations, including paying TSA airport personnel currently working without compensation, while setting aside ICE enforcement and deportation activities that created the initial standoff.

Progress accelerated after Republican senators visited the White House Monday evening for discussions with President Trump. Lawmakers indicated negotiators planned to continue working overnight to finalize details and prepare written proposals for review during Tuesday’s party caucus meetings.

Former President Donald Trump submitted a mail-in ballot for Tuesday’s Florida special election while simultaneously advocating for severe restrictions on mail-in voting nationwide, according to Palm Beach County voting records.

County records confirm Trump’s absentee ballot was received and tallied for the state legislative special election. In-person early voting concluded Sunday while Trump remained at his Mar-a-Lago residence in south Florida.

White House representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Administration officials have previously stated that Trump’s criticism targets states implementing universal mail-in voting systems rather than individual voters who cannot reach polling locations.

Despite this explanation, Trump recently described mail-in voting as “cheating” and “corrupt as hell.” He is advocating for congressional approval of the SAVE Act, comprehensive legislation that would eliminate universal mail balloting and restrict absentee voting to limited circumstances including disability, military service, or Election Day travel. The proposal faces significant challenges in the evenly split Senate.

Trump’s focus on mail balloting stems from his unsubstantiated claims that his 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden resulted from voting fraud. Numerous federal courts and his former attorney general found no evidence supporting fraud allegations that would have changed the election outcome, despite increased mail voting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re the only country in the world that does it that way. Corrupt as hell,” Trump stated during a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin last week.

However, numerous nations including traditional European allies utilize various forms of postal voting systems.

Trump characterized the SAVE Act as the “biggest thing” currently before Washington, even as lawmakers address Iran-related conflicts and potential Department of Homeland Security shutdowns.

During an August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump criticized mail voting, stating: “We’re going to start with an executive order that’s being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots because they’re corrupt. And it’s time that the Republicans get tough and stop it because the Democrats want it. It’s the only way they can get elected.”

Trump, who transferred his voter registration from New York to Florida during his presidency, lacks permanent mail ballot status and must request absentee ballots for individual elections, county records show.

Tuesday’s ballot featured races for Florida House District 87 and Senate District 14.

Trump endorsed a House candidate Monday through his Truth Social platform, writing: “There is a very important Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County. … TO ALL GREAT PATRIOTS IN FLORIDA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 87: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JON MAPLES! Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.” His post made no reference to his own mail ballot submission.

The Florida election occurred one day following Supreme Court oral arguments regarding a Mississippi case examining whether states may count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward. Trump has opposed such policies in 14 states and Washington D.C.

A conservative legal advocacy group has released findings alleging that Central Intelligence Agency documents from the Biden administration identified conventional motherhood and domestic roles as potential warning signs of white extremism. America First Legal published their analysis of an intelligence document they obtained that focused on women’s involvement in extremist activities.

The organization highlighted a CIA report from the Biden era with the title “Women Advancing White Violent Extremist Radicalization and Recruitment.” According to America First Legal’s examination, the intelligence agency expressed significant concern about white extremism within the United States and identified traditional family roles as possible indicators.

America First Legal criticized the agency’s focus, stating “An agency with critical intelligence responsibilities was spending its resources targeting women promoting motherhood.” The group argues that the CIA was misallocating resources by examining conventional family structures as part of their extremism assessments.

Maine voters will decide this November on a ballot measure concerning transgender individuals’ participation in athletics and access to certain facilities. The proposal would restrict biological males from competing on female sports teams and using women’s restrooms and changing areas.

Protect Girls Sports in Maine successfully collected enough petition signatures to secure the measure’s placement on the upcoming ballot. According to the organization, “Males are taking female trophies and invading female safe spaces. This is not a faraway concept; it is happening right here in Maine.”

California’s Democratic stronghold faces an unusual challenge as party leaders worry about a potential lockout from the gubernatorial general election this November.

The Golden State, which serves as a Democratic political powerhouse and home to Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom, could see Republicans dominate the race to replace the term-limited Newsom due to California’s distinctive voting rules.

The state’s primary system advances the two highest vote-getters to the November election, regardless of their party membership. Current polling indicates that GOP contenders Steve Hilton, a former Fox News personality and British government advisor, and Chad Bianco, who serves as Riverside County Sheriff, are running neck-and-neck with three Democratic hopefuls: Congressman Eric Swalwell, ex-Congresswoman Katie Porter, and wealthy activist Tom Steyer.

These five leading candidates, joined by Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, participated in Tuesday’s debate starting at 5 p.m. Pacific Time, providing a crucial opportunity to distinguish themselves before the June 2 primary. The stakes are particularly high for Democrats hoping to prevent an embarrassing result in a state that last supported a Republican presidential candidate in 1988, though GOP Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did lead the state from 2003 to 2011.

With over two months remaining before primary voting begins and polling showing roughly 25% of voters remain undecided, candidates still have time to gain momentum. However, Democratic concerns are mounting about potentially missing the November ballot during midterm elections that will decide whether President Trump’s Republican Party maintains its narrow Congressional control.

State Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks issued a public appeal this month asking long-shot candidates to withdraw from the contest, acknowledging that while unlikely, the possibility of two Republicans competing for governor remains “not impossible.”

“There is a chance,” noted Steven Maviglio, a veteran California Democratic political consultant. “Nobody’s been able to break through.”

The eventual winner will govern a state boasting approximately $4 trillion in economic output, ranking fourth globally if California were an independent nation. The state frequently serves as a testing ground for progressive policies covering environmental protection, labor rights, and minority protections that other blue states later adopt and Republicans use to criticize Democrats in competitive districts.

“Given that no candidate has yet broken out of the field, a debate like this one may have more import than would normally be the case two months out,” explained Dan Schnur, a University of California-Berkeley professor and former GOP strategist.

Among the Democratic contenders, Swalwell has gained national recognition through cable television appearances, a brief 2020 presidential campaign, and his role managing Trump’s second impeachment proceedings in 2021.

Steyer, another 2020 presidential hopeful, transitioned from hedge fund management to Democratic activism and has invested tens of millions of his personal wealth into this campaign.

Porter, who departed Congress following an unsuccessful 2024 Senate bid, earned acclaim for her aggressive questioning of corporate leaders during congressional hearings. Mahan represents the moderate wing and has frequently criticized Newsom’s governance.

Several other Democrats failed to meet Tuesday’s debate requirements, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state education chief Tony Thurmond, and former state controller Betty Yee.

Both leading Republican candidates, Hilton and Bianco, align themselves with Trump while emphasizing California-specific concerns like crime rates and tax burdens.

Bianco recently made headlines by announcing the seizure of over 500,000 ballots in his jurisdiction as part of an investigation into alleged fraud during a 2025 special election regarding a Democratic-supported congressional redistricting plan, echoing Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about election irregularities.

Democratic Secretary of State Shirley Weber, the state’s chief elections officer, dismissed these allegations as lacking “credible evidence and risk undermining public confidence in our elections.”

WASHINGTON – Court documents obtained by Reuters reveal that the federal investigation into current FBI Director Kash Patel extended far beyond what was previously known to the public.

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team sought more than two years worth of Patel’s phone records, text message logs, and financial data through grand jury subpoenas issued to Verizon Communications, according to documents released by Republican senators ahead of a Tuesday hearing.

The investigation, which carried the code name Arctic Frost, targeted Patel while he was still a private citizen in 2022. Smith’s office was examining potential interference in the 2020 election and allegations that classified documents were improperly stored at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property.

The scope of information requested was extensive, including email addresses, billing records, IP addresses, bank account details, and online usernames. Investigators also wanted call logs showing when conversations occurred and how long they lasted, though not the actual content of calls or messages.

Two separate subpoenas covered different timeframes – one spanning January 1, 2021 to November 23, 2023, and another from October 1, 2020 through February 22, 2023.

Current FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson criticized the investigation’s methods. “The FBI under prior leadership was weaponized in ways the American people are only now beginning to fully grasp,” Williamson stated.

Smith’s office has not responded to requests for comment on these latest revelations. However, the special counsel previously defended his team’s actions to Congress, stating in January that his office “followed Justice Department policies, observed legal requirements and took actions based on the facts and the law.”

Congressional Democrats have supported Smith’s investigative approach, arguing that obtaining phone records and similar evidence represents standard procedure when examining potential criminal activity by high-profile individuals.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James Mazzone approved a secrecy order on November 30, 2022, determining the court had “reasonable grounds to believe that disclosure will result in flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses and serious jeopardy to the investigation.”

Republican Senator Charles Grassley, who chairs the subcommittee examining Smith’s work, commented on the ongoing review. “My oversight of Arctic Frost has proven the more you dig, the more you find,” Grassley said.

Patel became a key figure in the classified documents case after publicly claiming in 2022 that Trump had properly declassified materials taken to Mar-a-Lago. Prosecutors challenged this assertion, and Trump’s legal team did not present this argument in court proceedings. Patel later appeared before a grand jury after receiving limited immunity from prosecution.

The documents were made public by Senators Grassley, Ron Johnson, and Ted Cruz as part of their examination of Smith’s investigative methods. It remains unclear whether Verizon provided the requested information or how any obtained data may have been utilized in the investigation.

WASHINGTON – The nation’s highest court will examine Tuesday whether President Donald Trump’s administration has the legal authority to reject asylum seekers when border officials determine crossings along the U.S.-Mexico frontier are too overwhelmed to process additional cases.

At the heart of the legal battle is a practice known as “metering” that Trump’s Republican administration may look to reinstate after his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden eliminated it. This approach permitted immigration authorities to halt asylum seekers at border entry points and delay processing their applications indefinitely.

The current Trump administration has challenged a lower court decision that found the practice broke federal law. This particular policy differs from the comprehensive asylum prohibition Trump implemented upon returning to office, which also faces ongoing court challenges.

Federal law states that migrants who “arrive in the United States” have the right to seek asylum and must undergo inspection by immigration officials. The specific legal question before the court concerns whether individuals detained on Mexico’s side of the border have technically arrived on U.S. soil.

Immigration authorities first started refusing asylum seekers at border crossings in 2016 during Democratic former President Barack Obama’s tenure as migrant numbers increased. The metering approach became official policy in 2018 during Trump’s initial presidency, giving border personnel authority to refuse processing asylum requests when the government determined it couldn’t manage more applications. Biden eliminated the policy in 2021.

In legal documents submitted to the Supreme Court, the Trump administration indicated it would likely restart metering “as soon as changed border conditions warranted that step,” though they provided no specific details.

The advocacy organization Al Otro Lado initiated the extended legal fight in 2017. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined in 2024 that federal statute mandates border agents examine all asylum seekers who “arrive” at official crossing points, regardless of whether they’ve entered U.S. territory, making the metering policy a violation of that requirement.

Trump administration attorneys contended in court filings that the phrase “arrive in” means “entering a specified place, not just coming close to it.”

“An alien who is stopped in Mexico does not arrive in the United States,” Justice Department lawyers wrote.

The court’s decision is anticipated by June’s end.

The Supreme Court has supported Trump in multiple immigration-related decisions made on an emergency basis since he resumed the presidency, including permitting deportations to third countries and revoking temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants in America.

Next week, the justices will consider arguments regarding Trump’s order to restrict birthright citizenship. The following month, they’ll hear the administration’s attempt to eliminate temporary protections for over 350,000 Haitians and approximately 6,100 Syrians residing in the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to appear as a witness Tuesday in the criminal proceedings against former Florida Representative David Rivera, who stands accused of serving as an unregistered foreign agent for Venezuela’s deposed government under Nicolas Maduro.

The testimony will temporarily pull Rubio away from his diplomatic duties in Washington, where he has been handling complex international matters including President Donald Trump’s military conflict with Iran, bringing him back to a Miami federal courthouse in the city where his political journey first started.

Federal prosecutors allege that Rivera, who served Florida’s southern districts in Congress between 2011 and 2013, conducted lobbying activities targeting U.S. officials in 2017 aimed at reducing sanctions against Maduro’s regime. Authorities claim he failed to register this work despite receiving $20 million in compensation from a Venezuelan state oil company subsidiary, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Both prosecution and defense teams acknowledge that Rivera held meetings during this period with Rubio, his former roommate who was serving as Florida’s senator at the time. The two Cuban-American Republicans have maintained consistent opposition to leftist administrations in both Cuba and Venezuela throughout their political careers.

Government attorneys contend Rivera conducted two separate meetings with Rubio during 2017, advocating for diplomatic negotiations to resolve mounting tensions between the United States and Maduro’s administration, while concealing his financial arrangement with Venezuelan government entities.

“You’re going to hear how he would not have sat down with his old friend if he knew that David Rivera was secretly working for Venezuela,” prosecutor Roger Cruz said in his opening statement on Monday.

Rivera has entered not guilty pleas to both foreign agent registration violations and money laundering charges. His attorney, Edward Shohat, argued during opening statements that his client’s true objective involved supporting Venezuelan opposition forces in their efforts to remove Maduro from power.

Shohat maintained that Rivera’s discussions with Rubio operated independently from his business arrangement with Citgo Petroleum, the American branch of Venezuela’s government-controlled oil enterprise. The defense attorney characterized Rivera’s Citgo work as commercial rather than political in nature, arguing this distinction eliminated any foreign agent registration requirements.

“David Rivera had no reason to tell Rubio about that contract,” Shohat said.

Regarding Rivera’s encounters with Rubio, Shohat explained, “Both of them were about working with the Venezuelan opposition.”

Despite the alleged influence campaign, the Trump administration actually intensified economic sanctions against Venezuela during its initial term in office.

U.S. military forces successfully apprehended Maduro during a January 3 operation in Caracas and transported him to New York to face narcotics trafficking accusations. He has entered a not guilty plea to those charges.

Federal authorities have announced an extension to the public comment period concerning proposed regulations for commercial dog breeding operations nationwide.

The extension applies to standards that would govern the treatment of breeding female dogs at licensed facilities, as well as requirements for exercise and social interaction for all dogs covered under the Animal Welfare Act.

Officials stated the decision to reopen the comment window will provide interested individuals and organizations with additional time to develop and submit their feedback on the proposed animal welfare standards.

The regulations under consideration would affect commercial dog breeding establishments that fall under federal oversight through the Animal Welfare Act.

Following Monday’s Supreme Court arguments about mail ballot deadlines, Nevada’s top election official Cisco Aguilar immediately contacted his team with urgent instructions: prepare contingency plans for November’s midterm elections in case the justices alter current rules when they announce their decision this June.

“The challenge is educating voters shortly before the election how the election is going to work,” stated Aguilar, a Democrat. “That doesn’t happen overnight. The election planning happens long before.”

Officials across Nevada and 13 additional states that currently accept regular mail ballots arriving after Election Day closely monitored Monday’s oral arguments, where conservative justices seemed doubtful about existing grace periods. Another 15 states maintain similar extensions exclusively for military and overseas ballots.

Absentee ballots have become a target of unfounded conspiracy theories from former President Donald Trump, who falsely attributes his 2020 defeat to mail voting irregularities. The current Supreme Court case stems from a lawsuit by the Republican National Committee and Libertarian Party challenging Mississippi’s policy of counting mail ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive within five additional days.

During nearly two hours of legal arguments, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, part of the court’s six-member conservative majority, questioned RNC lawyer Paul Clement about whether a June ruling might violate judicial precedent against disrupting imminent elections.

Clement responded that “June would give them plenty of time” for election administrators to adapt to November voting requirements.

However, Tammy Patrick, former Arizona election administrator and current chief programs officer at the National Association of Elections Officials’ Election Center, disputes this timeline. She explained that most election departments have already produced informational materials, signage, and ballot envelopes featuring existing deadlines for November use. These materials, typically prepared months or years ahead to reduce costs, would require expensive emergency reprinting.

“Nobody has put in their budget to reprint all of their educational material for the midterms,” Patrick explained. “That’s the hard spot election administrators are in.”

The Supreme Court case affects only a small percentage of ballots cast during election cycles.

Nevada statistics show 98% of mail ballots arrive before Election Day, with 95% of remaining ballots arriving the following day. In Illinois, another state permitting late arrivals, 106,000 ballots came during the state’s 14-day extension period in 2024, representing less than 2% of 5.5 million total votes.

Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich identified voter education as the primary obstacle if mail ballot deadlines change, saying his agency would collaborate with local election offices to communicate new requirements.

Alaska’s vast geography and remote communities accessible only by aircraft make the state’s 10-day grace period essential for many residents.

Michelle Sparck from Get Out the Native Vote expressed alarm about potential changes: “The thought that the outcome of Watson v. RNC could reshape elections as soon as June is horrifying to me, and for thousands of Alaskans who will have to rethink the way they approach voting by Election Day.”

Massachusetts faces particular scheduling constraints with its September 1st primary date, preventing earlier general election ballot distribution, according to secretary of state office spokeswoman Debra O’Malley.

“You can’t turn these things around on a dime,” O’Malley warned, expressing concern about inflexible timelines if the Supreme Court demands rapid changes.

Patrick noted that election administrators increasingly struggle with sudden voting law modifications following Trump’s election challenges. Texas alone introduced 3,000 election-related legislative proposals last year, requiring officials to prepare for potential changes months beforehand.

This situation relates to the Supreme Court’s “Purcell principle,” established in a 2006 Arizona case where justices reversed a decision striking down voter ID requirements close to election time, ruling that courts shouldn’t modify procedures near voting dates.

Patrick worked in Arizona’s Maricopa County elections office during that period.

“When the rules of engagement change too close to the election, you don’t have sufficient time to notify the electorate and make clear that policy change,” she observed.

She worries that sudden rule changes could disproportionately affect rural voters who experience slower mail delivery, creating the highest disenfranchisement risk.

While Aguilar expects Nevada officials will adapt to whatever decision emerges, he remains troubled by potential disruption.

“To change the rules of the game in the middle of the competition does not do anyone any good,” he concluded.

WASHINGTON — Congressional lawmakers are working on a compromise proposal that would restore funding to most Department of Homeland Security operations, including airport security personnel currently working without pay, while leaving immigration enforcement activities unfunded.

The potential agreement emerged following a late Monday White House meeting between Republican senators and President Donald Trump. Legislative negotiators planned to work overnight developing detailed proposals for both parties to review during Tuesday’s weekly caucus meetings.

“All I can say is that the discussions have been very positive and productive, and hopefully headed in the right direction,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated.

Late Monday evening, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer informed reporters: “Both sides are working in a serious way.”

This development in the month-long budget impasse occurs as airports nationwide experience extensive delays due to Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages during peak spring travel periods. Democratic lawmakers have refused to approve Homeland Security funding without limitations on Trump’s immigration enforcement and deportation programs, particularly following the deaths of two American citizens during ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis.

During the weekend, Trump made the unusual decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel for airport security duties, prompting concerns from some legislators about potential escalation of tensions.

The framework being discussed would provide funding for most Homeland Security components while specifically excluding ICE’s enforcement and removal divisions that form the foundation of Trump’s deportation policies.

The proposed package would maintain funding for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit and Customs and Border Protection, but would establish new restrictions to keep officers in their traditional assignments rather than participating in urban immigration raids. The plan would also incorporate several immigration policy modifications Democrats have requested, including requirements for officers to use body cameras and proper identification.

Because much of ICE’s current funding comes from Trump’s tax legislation and immigration personnel continue receiving salaries during the partial shutdown, senators indicated the new limitations would apply to operations funded through those sources as well.

“I’m going to be working through the night,” Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a key negotiator who attended the White House meeting, said optimistically about finding a way to “land this plane.”

“We’re going to be working diligently,” she added.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who did not participate in the White House discussions, said his understanding was that negotiators felt a “sense of urgency” from the conversations.

Coons outlined the options lawmakers are considering — ranging from eliminating ICE funding entirely without operational restrictions, to full ICE funding with enhanced Democratic demands, to a compromise approach funding most DHS operations except ICE enforcement and removal activities. He and other senators believed this middle approach was the primary option under consideration following the White House discussions.

“First step is to get the proposal in writing,” said Sen. Angus King, the Independent from Maine. “I want to see exactly what that means.”

Late Monday, senators also confirmed Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security secretary. He replaces Kristi Noem, who oversaw the department’s immigration enforcement activities that sparked public criticism and the current funding dispute.

Mullin represents a potentially fresh approach to immigration operations. During last week’s confirmation proceedings, Mullin addressed another key Democratic requirement — ensuring judges approve warrants used by immigration officers for home searches, rather than relying solely on administrative warrants issued by the department.

“This is significant,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said regarding the progress toward reforms. “Noem is gone. That’s a big deal.”

Sen. John Hoeven, R-S.D., expressed optimism about reaching an agreement. “Look, there’s a lot of different variables in the equations,” he said. “I’m hopeful we’ll get there.”

States with existing abortion restrictions are shifting their legislative focus this year toward blocking medication sent from out-of-state telehealth providers, as new data reveals a significant trend in how women access reproductive care.

Research published Tuesday provides insight into this legislative strategy. The data indicates that women residing in states with abortion prohibitions increasingly turned to telehealth-prescribed pills in the past year rather than crossing state lines to access procedures.

Nearly four years have passed since the Supreme Court’s decision eliminated Roe v. Wade protections, and most states with the legislative support for comprehensive bans have already enacted them. This year, only one state has implemented a new prohibition.

As numerous state legislatures conclude their 2026 sessions, here’s the current landscape of abortion-related legislation.

Republican Governor Larry Rhoden of South Dakota approved legislation last week establishing felony charges for advertising, distributing, or selling abortion medications.

Mississippi lawmakers have passed comparable legislation in both chambers this year. The House and Senate must reconcile differences in their respective versions before sending the final bill to Republican Governor Tate Reeves.

Research from the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that advocates for abortion access, identifies at least three states—Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas—with existing statutes specifically prohibiting providers from mailing these medications to patients. Louisiana has designated mifepristone, one of the abortion drugs, as a controlled dangerous substance.

Legislation targeting pill distribution has passed single chambers in Arizona, Indiana, and South Carolina during the current session. Republicans maintain control of all three state legislatures and hold gubernatorial offices in two states. However, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in Arizona could veto any restrictive measures that reach her desk.

Tuesday’s Guttmacher research illuminates the rationale behind abortion opponents’ emphasis on medication restrictions.

The findings suggest that 2025 marked the first year when more women in the 13 states with complete abortion bans accessed pills via telehealth compared to those who traveled elsewhere for procedures.

These prescriptions originate from providers in states that have enacted post-Roe legislation designed to shield doctors who prescribe abortion medications to patients in restrictive states.

The projected rise in mailed medications coincides with Guttmacher estimates showing decreased travel to states such as Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, and New Mexico for abortion services.

Guttmacher develops its projections using monthly survey data from randomly selected U.S. abortion providers, combined with historical information from all national providers.

This pattern aligns with trends documented in additional provider surveys.

Several states have initiated court challenges against federal regulations permitting telehealth prescriptions of mifepristone.

Successful challenges requiring in-person consultations would significantly hamper out-of-state providers’ ability to deliver pills to ban states.

Louisiana has filed such litigation in federal court, while Florida and Texas attorneys general have submitted a case in Texas. These two states, alongside Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri, are pursuing similar arguments in Missouri courts.

Additionally, Texas has initiated civil lawsuits and Louisiana has brought criminal charges against providers allegedly shipping pills across state lines.

The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of generic mifepristone last year drew criticism from abortion opponents.

Wyoming stands alone this year in implementing new abortion restrictions.

Legislation signed by Republican Governor Mark Gordon in March established Wyoming as the fifth state prohibiting abortion around six weeks of pregnancy—often before women discover they’re pregnant. Similar to other states, Wyoming’s ban takes effect when cardiac activity becomes detectable.

Previous Wyoming attempts to restrict abortion have faced court defeats.

In January, the Wyoming Supreme Court overturned a comprehensive abortion ban covering all pregnancy stages.

No state has enacted legislation enabling criminal prosecution of women who obtain abortions.

While such proposals continue emerging, they typically fail early in the legislative process.

The most progress any such measure achieved was a South Carolina Senate subcommittee hearing last year. Tennessee scheduled a subcommittee hearing for similar legislation this month but canceled it.

Pregnancy Justice, which champions pregnant individuals’ rights, reports tracking new “abortion-as-homicide” bills in six states during 2026—down from 13 states the previous year.

Major established anti-abortion organizations reject this approach. “Women require compassion and support,” stated Ingrid Duran, National Right to Life’s state legislative director. “Not prosecution.”

New York University School of Law professor Melissa Murray explains that introducing bills penalizing women can erode the perception that such policies are unacceptable.

“You keep pushing the boundary, pushing the envelope, eventually you will get what you’re seeking,” Murray explained. “It will no longer feel fanciful or shocking.”

She emphasized that women already face pregnancy-related criminal charges in some cases. This month, Georgia police charged a woman with murder following alleged use of an abortion pill combined with oxycodone.

Abortion-related questions will appear on November ballots in at least three states.

Missouri legislators are requesting voters overturn the reproductive freedom rights they added to the state constitution in 2024.

Other states are asking voters to approve constitutional amendments reflecting existing state abortion statutes.

Nevada voters must approve a state constitutional amendment permitting abortion until fetal viability—typically considered around 21 weeks—for a second time after initial passage in 2024.

Virginia’s ballot measure would constitutionally guarantee reproductive freedom rights, including contraception access and abortion decision-making during the first two pregnancy trimesters.

California Democratic leaders are expressing outrage after video footage surfaced showing federal immigration officers arresting a woman who was visibly distraught at San Francisco International Airport over the weekend.

The viral video, broadcast by an NBC affiliate Monday, captured the woman sobbing and screaming while officers restrained her. Her daughter was also seen crying as she witnessed the arrest unfold.

California State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat, criticized the federal action, stating it brings “nothing but fear and chaos.” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, also a Democrat, called the incident “upsetting.”

The Department of Homeland Security defended the operation on social media, explaining that the footage documented the apprehension of individuals who were residing in the country without legal status.

“ICE officers arrested Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez at the San Francisco International Airport,” DHS posted on X, noting that the family faced a pending final deportation order to Guatemala dating back to 2019.

Democratic Representative Doris Matsui revealed that one of the detained women was a Sacramento resident, calling her “our neighbor and a member of our community.”

Civil rights organizations have broadly criticized President Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement efforts and increased ICE operations, arguing these measures undermine constitutional protections and create dangerous conditions, especially for minority communities.

The Trump administration maintains that its immigration policies are designed to strengthen national security and curb unauthorized border crossings.

Airport officials clarified they had no involvement in or advance warning about the enforcement action, characterizing it as an “isolated” event.

Normal airport functions remained unaffected, with no delays to flight schedules or passenger screening procedures, according to airport representatives. The San Francisco Police Department also released a statement confirming it did not take part in the operation.

DHS indicated the arrests occurred Sunday, prior to the deployment of ICE personnel to airport facilities.

On Monday, Trump authorized armed immigration enforcement officers to assist with lengthy security checkpoint delays at major airports caused by staffing shortages.

Congressional Democrats continue to oppose funding for DHS without additional restrictions on immigration agent activities. The political standoff between Trump’s Republican administration and Democratic opposition shows no signs of resolution.

The U.S. Senate voted Monday evening to approve Markwayne Mullin as the nation’s new Secretary of Homeland Security, placing President Trump’s chosen nominee in charge of the troubled agency following Kristi Noem’s removal amid widespread criticism of immigration enforcement tactics and mass deportation efforts.

The Oklahoma Republican senator, recognized for his strong alliance with Trump, has attempted to position himself as a stabilizing leader, stating his objective as secretary would be to remove the department from negative headlines. Mullin assumes control during a challenging period as Trump has directed ICE personnel to strengthen airport security while Congress remains deadlocked over budget negotiations. During last week’s contentious confirmation proceedings, he faced criticism from the Republican leader of the Homeland Security Committee regarding his character and demeanor.

The confirmation vote split largely along party lines, with senators approving Mullin 54-45.

Standard funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 14, creating extensive delays at airports nationwide as Transportation Security Administration workers refuse to report for duty without compensation. Democratic lawmakers are insisting the Trump administration modify immigration enforcement practices following the deaths of two American citizens during this year’s protests in Minneapolis. Trump has rejected the most recent proposal, causing negotiations to reach an impasse.

Although the senator brings more than a decade of congressional experience and management skills from operating his family’s expanding Oklahoma plumbing enterprise, he has not been recognized as a prominent figure on immigration matters.

The former mixed martial arts competitor and college wrestler, who has conducted early-morning fitness sessions in the exclusive House gymnasium, developed relationships across party lines and is frequently viewed as a mediator in polarized Washington.

His allegiance to Trump secured him this position, and he is not anticipated to deviate from the president’s policies. Mullin strongly backed Trump’s immigration initiatives and ICE personnel before his selection for the DHS role.

“I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland I’ll be protecting everybody,” Mullin stated during his confirmation proceedings.

Mullin’s initial obstacle will be restoring regular department funding that has been stalled since mid-February as Democrats insist on stricter controls. They are seeking requirements for immigration officers to reveal their identities and remove masks; avoid enforcement activities near schools, religious institutions, medical facilities and other protected areas; utilize body cameras; and secure judicial approval for warrants before accessing homes or private property.

During last week’s confirmation session, Mullin attempted to present himself as a reliable leader during a crucial moment for the agency — a characterization that Republican Senator Rand Paul challenged in an intense confrontation. Democrats remain doubtful, viewing him as a faithful implementer of Trump’s policies.

Paul opposed Mullin during the committee decision. Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joined most Republicans in supporting the nominee during Sunday’s vote.

“Markwayne Mullin is ready to lead,” declared Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the second-ranking Republican. He stated Mullin will “serve with seriousness and character. He will be a leader who makes our country safer.”

Mullin enters his role as public approval for the president’s immigration policies has declined following a year of prominent enforcement actions across multiple American cities. During Noem’s tenure, officers faced accusations of excessive force during immigrant arrests, holding detainees in deplorable conditions and circumventing proper procedures to expedite deportations.

Mullin did retract certain statements during his confirmation hearing, acknowledging his error in criticizing protester Alex Pretti following his fatal shooting by an ICE officer. He indicated that as secretary he would avoid making premature judgments before investigations conclude.

He revealed other potential policy influences regarding immigration matters. For instance, he stated officers would need warrants signed by judges — rather than the administrative warrants currently used by ICE — to enter homes except under extraordinary circumstances.

He recognized community concerns about constructing large ICE detention centers in their areas and indicated that withdrawing federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse ICE cooperation would be a final option.

However, the White House ultimately determines the agenda for implementing Trump’s immigration enforcement vision, and Mullin is expected to follow its direction. Trump confronts significant pressure from GOP supporters urging him to fulfill his commitment to deport one million individuals annually.

Mullin will also face challenges establishing new direction at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has faced criticism regarding disaster assistance delivery to regions devastated by hurricanes and other natural catastrophes.

Increasing numbers of critics, including fellow Republicans, argued that Noem’s policy requiring her personal approval for contracts exceeding $100,000 delayed disaster response, and the department continues operating without a permanent administrator.

Mullin offered a different approach to federal emergency management during his Senate confirmation hearing, dismissing the concept of eliminating FEMA and promising to rescind Noem’s contract approval requirement.

Following a federal court decision that favored The New York Times, the Defense Department announced Monday it will provide updated press passes to journalists while relocating media offices away from the Pentagon’s main structure.

Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell stated the military disagrees with the court’s decision and plans to file an appeal. Federal Judge Paul Friedman in Washington D.C. ruled last week in favor of the Times, determining that the Pentagon’s revised credentialing requirements unlawfully limited access for reporters who refused to accept the updated regulations.

According to Parnell, journalists will operate from a separate facility located on Pentagon property but positioned outside the primary building. The spokesman indicated the alternative workspace “will be available when ready” without providing a specific timeline for completion.

Media representatives will maintain access to Pentagon briefings and scheduled interviews coordinated by the department’s communications staff, though they must be accompanied by escorts, Parnell posted on X.

The Times filed legal action against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, arguing the credentialing requirements violated journalists’ First Amendment free speech protections and constitutional due process rights.

The Pentagon’s current press pool consists primarily of conservative media organizations that accepted the policy changes. News outlets that rejected the updated requirements, including The Associated Press, have maintained their military coverage from outside the building.

Separately, The AP awaits a ruling from a three-judge federal appeals court panel regarding its own legal challenge against President Donald Trump’s administration. The news organization alleges the White House reduced its access to presidential activities as retaliation for not adopting Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

California’s top legal official has launched a federal court challenge against the U.S. Department of Energy over the controversial reactivation of an offshore oil pipeline network.

Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that his office filed suit to block federal authorities from using emergency Cold War legislation to bypass state regulations and restart the Santa Ynez offshore pipeline system, which connects ocean drilling platforms to mainland California refineries.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright activated the pipeline network earlier this month through presidential authority granted by Donald Trump’s executive order, which utilized the Defense Production Act to override state-level restrictions.

“We won’t let this outrageous federal overreach go without a fight,” Bonta declared during Monday’s news conference. The Attorney General contends that Wright’s activation order conflicts with state regulations, existing court rulings, and a federally-approved legal settlement.

Neither the Department of Energy nor Sable Offshore provided immediate responses to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit, which was submitted to San Francisco’s federal courthouse.

The state is requesting judicial determination that Wright’s pipeline activation breached federal statutes and constitutional provisions, while seeking an injunction preventing the Energy Department from operating the Santa Ynez platform and its associated pipeline infrastructure.

Operations at the Santa Ynez facility ceased following a catastrophic 2015 incident that released over 100,000 gallons of crude oil into Pacific waters and contaminated Santa Barbara area coastlines.

This legal battle represents another chapter in ongoing tensions between Trump’s push for expanded domestic energy production and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s progressive environmental policies.

Wright’s directive coincided with global fuel price increases linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Sable announced it resumed hydrocarbon transportation from Las Flores Canyon to Pentland Station on March 14, projecting daily sales of 50,000 barrels by April 1.

California previously challenged the Trump administration’s January decision to redesignate the Sable pipeline network as “interstate” infrastructure despite operating entirely within California county boundaries.

That earlier legal challenge remains under review by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

WASHINGTON – Defense Department officials announced Monday they have updated their media access procedures following a federal court ruling issued last Friday, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

“The Department always complies with court orders but disagrees with the decision and is pursuing an appeal,” Parnell stated on social media platform X, noting the policy changes would take effect right away.

Under the new guidelines, Parnell explained that reporters visiting the Pentagon must be accompanied by official Defense Department staff members at all times.

The Pentagon’s “Correspondents’ Corridor” will shut down effective immediately, Parnell announced. He added that officials plan to create a new media work area outside the main Pentagon building but still within the facility’s grounds, which will become available once construction is complete.

Last Friday’s federal court decision struck down media access restrictions implemented by the Trump administration. The blocked policy would have allowed the Pentagon to label journalists as potential security threats if they requested information not cleared for public distribution.

Disturbing video showing federal agents detaining a distressed woman at San Francisco International Airport has sparked fierce criticism from California Democratic officials on Monday, though the incident was not connected to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to send immigration personnel to understaffed airports amid the partial government shutdown.

Social media footage captured a woman weeping and screaming as officers restrained her and worked to place handcuffs on her while her child witnessed the scene. According to the Department of Homeland Security, authorities apprehended Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Jimenez at the airport on Sunday due to an unresolved final deportation order to Guatemala dating back to 2019.

San Francisco Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener, who is running for Congress, organized a press conference Monday outside the airport to criticize the federal authorities’ actions. Multiple Democratic candidates seeking the California governor’s office also issued sharp rebukes of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the video’s circulation.

“We don’t want ICE here and when ICE descends on our communities, it only creates fear,” Wiener said.

The video sparked widespread concern on social media platforms regarding Trump’s decision to station ICE personnel at airports as numerous Transportation Security Administration workers have resigned or called in sick after working weeks without compensation. ICE agents were observed at multiple airports Monday following Trump’s announcement that he would deploy them unless Democrats approve funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. Democratic lawmakers say they’re refusing to compromise until the administration implements changes following a Minnesota enforcement operation that resulted in two protesters being fatally shot.

Airport officials confirmed that San Francisco International Airport is not among the facilities where ICE officers are anticipated to be stationed. This is because the airport employs private security contractors for passenger screening, making it unaffected by the ongoing congressional standoff.

“We believe this is an isolated incident and have no reason to suspect broader enforcement action at SFO,” airport spokesman Doug Yakel said in a statement.

During transport to the international terminal for processing, Lopez-Jimenez tried to escape and fought against law enforcement personnel, according to an unnamed DHS representative in an email statement. DHS regularly maintains offices or processing centers at international airport terminals. ICE intends to deport the family to Guatemala, the statement indicated.

“This arrest occurred BEFORE ICE officers were even deployed to bolster TSA efforts to help American travelers who are facing hours long lines across the country,” the statement said.

In the detention footage, the officers disregarded multiple demands from witnesses to display their identification credentials. The agents wore civilian clothing, and at one moment an officer instructed the gathering to move back. Additional videos reveal a substantial crowd of observers, many recording the incident. One clip appears to show the woman ultimately being wheeled away in a wheelchair with the child following behind.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and an airport representative stated they view this as an isolated occurrence rather than evidence of a wider immigration enforcement campaign. Lurie, a Democrat, described the incident as “upsetting.”

A Christopher Columbus monument has been installed on the grounds of the White House by the Trump administration, generating controversy among critics.

The placement of the statue has sparked opposition from various groups who object to the decision to honor the historical figure on the presidential property.

WASHINGTON — Federal immigration agents have been positioned at airports nationwide in an effort to address extensive security line delays resulting from staffing challenges during the partial government shutdown.

However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel lack specialized aviation security training, and their prominent involvement in President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration policies has sparked debate about their effectiveness in reducing passenger wait times and potential impact on traveler relations.

Officials have provided limited information about the specific duties these immigration agents will perform. Trump has characterized airports as “fertile territory” for immigration operations, though he emphasized that ICE’s primary purpose there is to provide assistance.

On Monday, ICE personnel were observed positioned near security checkpoints and passenger lines, but they were not conducting passenger screenings. Extended wait times persisted at several airports.

Industry experts indicate there are significant limitations to ICE’s potential contributions.

Using ICE agents as replacements for Transportation Security Administration personnel represents a flawed approach to an increasingly critical travel crisis, according to Keith Jeffries, former TSA security chief at Los Angeles International Airport.

“Can they do some of the duties? Perhaps,” stated Jeffries, currently serving as vice president at K2 Security Screening, a company that provides airport equipment installation.

“There is just zero chance for them to be operating X-rays, conducting bag checks and pat-downs,” Jeffries explained, noting that TSA personnel undergo extensive classroom instruction in security protocols, followed by “weeks or months” of hands-on training.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border enforcement leader, indicated Sunday that immigration officers might manage exit lanes, which could allow some TSA staff to focus on security operations.

Travel industry blogger Zach Griff, who writes “From the Tray Table,” expressed cautious optimism about utilizing ICE personnel to support TSA operations while emphasizing that their deployment doesn’t represent a comprehensive solution to airport challenges.

Similar to Jeffries’ assessment, Griff highlighted the complexity of incorporating ICE agents or other personnel into baggage screening operations, which constitute TSA agents’ primary responsibility.

“That is a specialized training process that the TSA goes through with all of its agents. That’s not something that they can just kind of spin up,” Griff explained.

ICE personnel undergo their own specialized preparation that bears little resemblance to airport security procedures.

The agency encompasses Homeland Security Investigations agents and deportation officers within Enforcement and Removal Operations. Both groups receive fundamental instruction in firearms and vehicle operation, but deportation officers concentrate on immigration regulations, while HSI agents undergo extended training for complex criminal investigations, with some operating in airport environments.

ICE agents and their methods, including intensive arrest operations and expanded detention authority, have faced intense criticism since the Trump administration initiated immigration enforcement campaigns across multiple cities last year.

Immigration officers could assist with managing crowds in the massive security lines that have recently extended throughout airport terminals and beyond building entrances, Jeffries suggested.

However, ICE’s deployment could attract demonstrators who have previously disrupted their enforcement activities, potentially diverting additional airport security resources from passenger processing, Jeffries observed. Notably, Lauren Bis from the Department of Homeland Security declined Sunday to identify which airports would receive ICE officers, citing security considerations.

Introducing armed ICE agents into airports during a period of heightened immigration enforcement tensions may create discomfort among many travelers, Griff noted.

“There are going to be people who are going to be uncomfortable seeing ICE agents at the airport,” Griff stated.

Trump suggested Monday that immigration arrests might occur at airports, describing them as “fertile territory” for ICE operations. However, he added, “that’s not why they’re there, they’re really there to help.”

Trump also addressed a key issue in the congressional funding dispute — protective face coverings worn by ICE officers. In a Monday social media message, Trump expressed support for officers wearing masks when apprehending “hardened criminals,” but requested “NO MASKS” when assisting with airport operations.

Face coverings used by ICE officers have become a contentious point in immigration discussions. Opponents argue that masks enable ICE agents to avoid responsibility for potential rights violations. ICE leadership maintains they’re essential for protecting officers from personal information exposure.

Democrats have demanded that ICE officers be prohibited from wearing masks as a condition for agreeing to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which would restore TSA worker compensation.

Democratic leaders have expressed concerns about deploying ICE to airports.

“Everywhere ICE goes, trouble follows,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “We’ve seen that, and it is highly likely the airports will be no exception. No one trusts that ICE is going to make things better.”

Jeffries, the former Los Angeles Airport TSA security director, emphasized that resolving the congressional deadlock and fully funding DHS represents the only viable long-term solution.

“There is no substitute — and I don’t even think ICE would disagree with that,” he concluded.

A seasoned federal prosecutor was named Monday to lead New Jersey’s U.S. attorney’s office, bringing closure to a contentious legal battle between federal courts and the Trump administration over who controls the position.

U.S. District Court Judge issued a brief order designating Robert Frazer as the state’s chief federal prosecutor through an arrangement worked out between federal judges and the Department of Justice.

“The Department of Justice thanks the district court for working with the Department to appoint Robert Frazer to serve as US Attorney so that once again criminal prosecutions can resume without needless challenge or delay on behalf of the people of New Jersey,” the department said in a statement.

The appointment follows U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann’s decision earlier this month to remove three Justice Department officials who had been sharing oversight of the office. Brann determined their appointments represented an unlawful seizure of power by the Trump administration. These officials had replaced Trump’s original nominee for U.S. attorney, his former personal lawyer Alina Habba, whom Brann had previously blocked from taking the role because she served beyond the legal timeframe without Senate approval.

The three removed officials — Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio — had been installed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to take over from Habba on an open-ended basis, an uncommon arrangement.

During a court session last week, another New Jersey federal judge required the three officials to testify under oath and dismissed a government representative from the proceedings due to frustration over the Justice Department’s disorganized management of federal prosecutions in the state.

Habba, who currently serves as a senior adviser at the Justice Department, praised Frazer’s appointment on social media Monday, stating “New Jersey deserves a great chief federal law enforcement official who is in line with President Trump’s agenda of making this country safe and NJ great!”

Frazer, who previously worked as senior trial counsel within the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office, did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

The court system and Trump’s administration have clashed over procedures for choosing U.S. attorneys, who typically must receive Senate confirmation to remain in their roles permanently.

Federal judges have determined in additional cases that individuals installed as chief federal prosecutors in Nevada, Los Angeles and northern New York were all serving without proper legal authority.

Lindsey Halligan, who had pursued charges against two Trump opponents, stepped down from her role as acting U.S. attorney in Virginia following a judge’s November ruling that her appointment lacked legal basis. The same judge also determined that criminal charges she filed against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey should be thrown out.

In certain situations, judges have used their legal authority to name U.S. attorneys to manage prosecutor offices while waiting for presidential nominees to receive Senate approval. The Justice Department has responded by immediately dismissing these court-appointed officials.

Travelers at LaGuardia Airport in New York City are voicing their displeasure as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers begin working alongside TSA personnel for security screening duties.

The deployment follows President Trump’s announcement that ICE agents would be dispatched to airports across the United States to provide additional support for Transportation Security Administration screening operations.

Passengers at the busy New York airport have expressed frustration with the new security arrangements, though specific details about their concerns were not immediately available.

The United States Mint has authorized the creation of a 24-karat gold coin that will bear the image of President Trump, marking what experts describe as an unprecedented break from longstanding traditions.

Caroline Turco, who serves as a curator at the Money Museum, characterizes this decision as a dramatic departure from established customs that carries significant symbolic weight.

The approval represents a notable shift in how the U.S. Mint approaches commemorative currency featuring political figures, according to numismatic experts.

The nation’s highest court examined legal arguments today in a significant voting rights case that questions whether states have the authority to accept mailed ballots that were postmarked by Election Day but delivered afterward.

The legal challenge carries significant potential consequences for voting procedures across the country, as justices weigh the balance between state election authority and federal oversight of ballot counting timelines.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — During a Memphis Safe Task Force meeting on Monday, President Donald Trump announced his intention to visit Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley, while conducting official business in the Tennessee city.

“I’m going to see Graceland after this, I think. Is that right?” Trump mentioned during the meeting. “I love Elvis.”

The planned visit to one of America’s most popular tourist destinations presents a notable contrast to the serious domestic and international challenges Trump addressed at the start of his Memphis remarks.

Across the nation, travelers are experiencing extensive delays at airport security lines, prompting Trump to deploy federal immigration agents to support the Transportation Security Administration amid an ongoing Homeland Security shutdown. Meanwhile, despite Trump’s announcement in Tennessee that he had ordered a “temporary” suspension of planned strikes against Iranian power facilities, U.S. military personnel remain engaged in the broader regional conflict that has claimed the lives of at least 13 American service members.

The legendary performer’s mansion, featuring its distinctive stone exterior and white-columned entryway, sits just miles away from the roundtable discussion venue. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi also participated in the meeting. The estate began welcoming visitors as a museum in 1982, honoring Presley, the entertainer who passed away in August 1977 at 42 years old. The attraction now welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests annually.

Guests can explore various areas of the residence, including the kitchen and famous Jungle Room, all preserved as they appeared when Elvis lived there. Across from the main museum stands a comprehensive Presley-themed entertainment facility operated by Elvis Presley Enterprises, showcasing the star’s collection of vehicles and aircraft.

Trump acknowledged that while he’s sometimes tempted to “tell a little fib” and claim he had personally known the music legend, he expected his Graceland experience to be brief, saying “not going to be a very long stay, but I want to see that.”

The president’s campaign events frequently feature Presley’s hits during pre-rally entertainment, including “Suspicious Minds,” “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” and a combination of “Dixie” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Large digital displays at his political gatherings sometimes showcase footage from Presley’s performances.

Over the years, Trump has repeatedly drawn parallels between himself and Elvis. In early 2024, he shared a split-image photograph on social media combining half of Presley’s face with his own.

“For so many years people have been saying that Elvis and I look alike. Now this pic has been going all over the place,” Trump posted. “What do you think?”

Months later, he distributed a black-and-white image showing Trump positioned next to the singer as he held a guitar.

Trump has also referenced the deceased musician during public appearances, including a 2018 rally in Tupelo, Mississippi — where Presley was born — joking about their supposed resemblance.

“We love Elvis. I shouldn’t say this, you’ll say I’m very conceited because I’m not, but other than the blonde hair when I was growing up they said I looked like Elvis, do you see that, can you believe it?”

Despite facing skepticism about its practicality, the U.S. Census Bureau will move forward with an experimental program this spring that tests whether mail carriers can effectively collect census information in two southern communities as part of preparations for the 2030 population count.

Beginning in June, several dozen postal workers in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Huntsville, Alabama will conduct door-to-door visits to gather demographic information including race, ethnicity and household composition from residents who haven’t completed the test questionnaire online. The Census Bureau announced Monday that invitations for the online portion will be distributed to 154,600 residents in both locations starting May 1.

This experimental approach serves as a trial run for potential new strategies for the constitutionally mandated population count that occurs every ten years, which plays a crucial role in determining congressional representation and allocating federal funding.

“They typically think that it’s kind of a cool thing that they’re a little bit of a guinea pig,” said Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

The two cities will implement different versions of the program. In Spartanburg, 25 postal employees will incorporate census questions into their regular delivery routes, identifying themselves as postal workers while earning their standard pay of $28.79 per hour, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2024. Traditional census workers in that location receive $17.75 hourly.

Huntsville will take a different approach, recruiting 25 postal worker volunteers to conduct census interviews during off-duty hours on evenings and weekends. These workers will present themselves as Census Bureau staff and receive the same $19.75 hourly compensation as other census employees.

According to Renfroe, incorporating census duties into their daily responsibilities will simply become another factor that postal carriers consider alongside weather conditions, traffic patterns and mail volume when planning their workday.

“Letter carriers, they know their people,” he said. “You’ve got kind of some trust already built in there.”

The concept of utilizing postal workers for in-person census collection has circulated for many years among advocates who argue it would make use of an established workforce while capitalizing on mail carriers’ familiarity with neighborhood residents.

However, a 2011 Government Accountability Office analysis concluded that employing mail carriers for census work would not prove financially beneficial due to their substantially higher wages compared to temporary census staff.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose department supervises the Census Bureau, believes using postal workers could reduce costs since they already visit homes daily, according to Postmaster General David Steiner in an Associated Press interview.

Steiner recalled Lutnick explaining that traditional census workers “are going back three and four times and five and six times to the same house until they can find someone there.” Lutnick questioned, “Who would they rather speak to? Someone that just shows up at their door or their mail carrier who they see every day, they probably trust very much, they probably know.”

However, 21 Democratic state attorneys general challenged the proposal earlier this month in correspondence to the Commerce Department, arguing that the Census Bureau hasn’t demonstrated how postal worker involvement would reduce expenses or improve operational efficiency.

A similar postal worker pilot program was originally scheduled for a 2018 census test in Rhode Island prior to the 2020 count, but officials cancelled it due to conflicting privacy policies between the Census Bureau and Postal Service. While Census Bureau regulations classify household addresses and vacancy status as confidential, postal service guidelines permit sharing such information with law enforcement and other agencies.

The Census Bureau stated Monday that postal workers participating in the 2026 test will comply with all bureau confidentiality standards. They will complete identical training to regular census workers and take a lifetime oath to safeguard respondent privacy, officials said.

The Trump administration implemented several eleventh-hour modifications to the 2026 census test that advocacy groups fear could signal problems for the 2030 count. Changes include eliminating four additional test sites, restricting online responses to English only rather than English, Spanish and Chinese, and substituting questions from the American Community Survey, which includes citizenship inquiries, instead of the traditional shorter census form.

A group of Voice of America reporters filed a federal lawsuit Monday claiming the Trump administration has transformed the international broadcasting service into a vehicle for government propaganda rather than independent journalism.

The legal challenge contends that VOA programming directed toward audiences in Iran, China, North Korea and Kurdish regions fails to meet legal requirements for unbiased reporting. According to the court filing submitted to the U.S. District Court in Washington, these broadcasts now echo administration messaging while burying unfavorable news stories.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA’s parent organization, defended its approach by stating that American taxpayer funds should support programming that advances U.S. policy objectives and serves national interests.

This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between media professionals and the Trump administration, which has consistently favored news organizations that provide supportive coverage with minimal critical examination, particularly evident in Pentagon briefings.

Last week, a federal judge mandated that hundreds of VOA staff members who had been on paid administrative leave for twelve months return to their positions, ruling that Trump appointee Kari Lake overstepped her authority as USAGM leader. The administration plans to challenge this decision.

Since World War II, Voice of America has transmitted programming worldwide with the mission of demonstrating press freedom to nations lacking such traditions. However, journalists Barry Newhouse, Ayesha Tanzeem, Dong Hyuk Lee and Ksenia Turkova claim Trump administration loyalists now control editorial decisions for the limited VOA programming still operating.

The lawsuit cites Iran war coverage as an example, noting that broadcasts into Iran omitted casualty figures from American airstrikes and excluded viewpoints from international leaders outside the administration, while giving minimal attention to an elementary school bombing. Additionally, the Lake-appointed supervisor of Persian, Kurdish and Afghan programming requires personal approval for all guest appearances, according to the filing.

“Through VOA’s journalism, those living in authoritarian societies get a taste of democracy,” the plaintiffs said in a statement. “Without editorial integrity, VOA will be no different than government mouthpieces our audiences already hear in their own country.”

The administration has questioned whether taxpayers should fund content that contradicts American interests. During congressional testimony last year, Lake advocated for removing the traditional separation between government officials and journalists at agencies including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “We should be able to have control over what kind of content goes out,” she stated. “It should be in alignment with our foreign policy.”

The Agency for Global Media responded Monday that it “is responsible for oversight of its networks, including Voice of America, and for ensuring compliance with the VOA charter, which requires authoritative, accurate journalism that is reflective of and clearly presents U.S. policies.”

Press freedom organizations PEN America and Reporters Without Borders backed the VOA journalists in their legal action Monday.

The federal government will provide $1 billion to French energy giant TotalEnergies to abandon two offshore wind development sites as part of the current administration’s broader push against renewable energy projects.

Department of Interior officials announced Monday that TotalEnergies has accepted what amounts to a full reimbursement for wind energy leases located off North Carolina and New York’s coastlines. The company plans to redirect these funds toward fossil fuel development projects.

While the Trump administration previously attempted to stop offshore wind construction through direct orders, federal courts struck down those efforts. Environmental advocates are calling the TotalEnergies agreement an alternative strategy to prevent wind energy development. President Trump has prioritized fossil fuel expansion, arguing it will reduce energy costs, improve grid reliability, and support America’s competitive position in artificial intelligence technology.

Following Trump’s election victory, TotalEnergies had already suspended work on both wind projects.

As part of the deal, TotalEnergies has committed to avoiding any future offshore wind development within U.S. waters. Company CEO Patrick Pouyanné explained in a public statement that the firm is abandoning American offshore wind development in return for lease fee reimbursement, “considering that the development of offshore wind projects is not in the country’s interest.”

Pouyanné indicated the returned lease payments will fund construction of a Texas liquefied natural gas facility and expand oil and gas operations, describing this as “more efficient use of capital” for U.S. activities.

Following these investments, TotalEnergies will receive reimbursement up to the original lease purchase amounts, according to DOI officials.

“We welcome TotalEnergies’ commitment to developing projects that produce dependable, affordable power to lower Americans’ monthly bills while providing secure U.S. baseload power today — and in the future,” stated Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

The previous Biden administration had promoted offshore wind as a key climate solution. Trump reversed these energy policies immediately upon taking office through executive actions favoring oil, gas, and coal development. Internationally, offshore wind markets continue expanding, with China dominating new installations worldwide.

Shortly before Christmas, the Trump administration stopped construction at five major Atlantic Coast wind projects, citing national security issues. Project developers and affected states filed lawsuits, and federal judges permitted all five projects to restart construction, essentially finding the government failed to demonstrate immediate risks requiring construction halts.

Coincidentally on Monday, one wind farm previously targeted by the administration, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, began supplying electricity to Virginia’s power grid. Developer Dominion Energy announced this operational milestone.

Environmental organizations have condemned the TotalEnergies agreement. The Natural Resources Defense Council characterized it as reckless to stop projects intended to reduce energy expenses.

Ted Kelly, clean energy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, criticized the proposed arrangements as “an outrageous misuse of taxpayer dollars to prevent Americans from having clean, affordable power exactly when they need it most.”

TotalEnergies acquired its Carolina Long Bay project lease in 2022 for approximately $133,000. The development was designed to produce over 1 gigawatt of electricity, sufficient for roughly 300,000 households. The company also purchased the New York and New Jersey lease in 2022 for $795,000. This larger project had potential to generate 3 gigawatts of clean electricity, enough to supply nearly one million homes.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have been dispatched to airports throughout the nation to support Transportation Security Administration operations during the ongoing partial government shutdown. The deployment delivers on President Donald Trump’s commitment to provide additional resources as security checkpoint delays mount nationwide.

The government shutdown has resulted in extended waiting periods at airport security screening areas across the United States, prompting the decision to bring in federal immigration agents as backup support.

The Associated Press has compiled a collection of photographs documenting the presence of ICE agents at various airport locations.

WASHINGTON — Cultural organizations and historic preservation advocates have filed legal action to prevent major structural modifications at the Kennedy Center before a planned two-year shutdown that President Donald Trump says is needed for renovations at the iconic performing arts facility.

The legal challenge targeting Trump, the Kennedy Center, and other administration officials doesn’t question the necessity of standard maintenance and repairs. However, it contends that the more extensive modifications Trump has alluded to should undergo the standard review procedures that apply to significant projects throughout Washington, D.C.

Trump has indicated that modifications at the Kennedy Center might be so extensive that the building’s steel framework could be “fully exposed.”

“Demolition, new construction, major reconstruction, major renovation, or major aesthetic transformation of the Kennedy Center would permanently destroy historic fabric, degrade the monumental core’s vistas and public grounds, and compromise the Kennedy Center’s memorial purpose and architectural integrity, causing permanent, irreversible harm that no subsequent remedy can fully undo,” the suit argues.

Officials from the White House and Kennedy Center did not immediately provide responses to requests for comment.

Several attorneys participating in Monday’s legal filing have previously pursued other court cases challenging Trump’s efforts to modify Washington’s historic district, including his unexpected demolition of the White House East Wing last year to create space for a ballroom. In the Kennedy Center case, the attorneys referenced a “broader pattern of unauthorized damage to historic buildings in the capital district.”

A federal judge dismissed the ballroom lawsuit last month, determining it was unlikely to prevail on its legal arguments.

Following years of minimal attention to the Kennedy Center during his initial presidency, Trump has exercised significant control over the facility since returning to office. Within just one month of his second term, he removed the center’s existing leadership and installed a personally selected board of trustees that appointed him as chairman. He brought in Richard Grenell as president, a role he maintained until Matt Floca took over the position last week.

The venue’s programming has shifted to include more Trump-aligned events, hosting occasions like the debut screening of first lady Melania Trump’s documentary, “Melania.”

The board has also declared the facility renamed as the Trump Kennedy Center, a modification that experts and legislators say requires congressional approval, and physically installed the president’s name on the building’s exterior.

The arts community’s reaction was immediate and severe. Performers including actor Issa Rae, musician Bela Fleck and author Louise Penny were among many artists who canceled scheduled appearances, while advisors such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming stepped down from their positions. This month, National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson departed to lead the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Eight historic preservation and architectural organizations filed a federal lawsuit Monday targeting President Donald Trump and Kennedy Center leadership over plans to extensively renovate the Washington D.C. performing arts venue.

The coalition, led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States and the American Institute of Architects, claims in their Washington federal court filing that the administration moved forward with the reconstruction without securing necessary congressional authorization and skipping required federal oversight processes.

According to the legal challenge, the proposed renovation exceeds the scope allowed under the Kennedy Center’s founding legislation, which restricts the board’s powers to essential repairs and upgrades needed for basic building operations. The extensive project would force a two-year closure of the facility.

“The Kennedy Center is not a personal project of any president,” Rebecca Miller, executive director of the DC Preservation League, said in a statement. “It is a national cultural monument built to honor John F. Kennedy and to serve the American people.”

Neither the White House nor Kennedy Center representatives provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

This Kennedy Center renovation represents one element of Trump’s broader Washington transformation initiative, which includes constructing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the demolished White House East Wing previously stood.

A separate National Trust lawsuit challenging the ballroom construction awaits a federal judge’s decision this month on whether to halt that project.

The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 as a living tribute to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy, has already sustained unauthorized alterations according to Monday’s lawsuit. The filing alleges the administration improperly repainted the building’s 200 gold columns white and installed new exterior signage that positions Trump’s name above Kennedy’s.

Additional renovation work is scheduled to commence following the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

Trump has justified his decision to shutter the Kennedy Center for the two-year renovation period, arguing the timeline allows for efficient completion of the extensive work.

“When you do marbles, you can’t have people walking over the marble every night, as it’s drying and setting, and going to a play,” he said.

WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court declined Monday to consider the case of a Texas-based digital journalist who maintained her detention was unlawful, disappointing media groups and First Amendment advocates who had been watching the proceedings closely.

The court allowed a split federal appellate decision to remain unchanged, which determined that Priscilla Villarreal — who operates under the online handle La Gordiloca — lacked grounds to file suit against law enforcement and government officials following her detention for requesting and publishing confidential police details.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor stated: “It should be obvious that this arrest violated the First Amendment.”

The Supreme Court had previously instructed the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider Villareal’s matter following the high court’s decision in a separate Texas case. Last June, the justices allowed a former municipal official to continue her legal challenge alleging she was also improperly detained.

That separate matter involved Sylvia Gonzalez, who previously served on the city council in Castle Hills, a community near San Antonio. Gonzalez claimed her arrest was retaliatory and connected to a conflict with a political opponent.

However, the 5th Circuit maintained its original position, and this time the Supreme Court chose not to step in without providing reasoning. Villareal’s legal team argued in their high court petition: “The Fifth Circuit has doubled down on granting officials free rein to turn routine news reporting into a felony.”

A state court judge had earlier thrown out the criminal charges against Villareal, determining that the statute under which she was arrested in 2017 violated constitutional principles. She subsequently attempted to pursue monetary damages against the officials involved. The complete 5th Circuit panel voted 9-7 that the Laredo and Webb County officials Villareal targeted in her lawsuit deserved legal protection from such claims.

Villareal had requested and received from a law enforcement officer the names of an individual who died by suicide and a family involved in a vehicle collision, then shared this information through her Facebook page. According to the arrest documentation, authorities alleged she pursued this information to increase her social media following.

ATLANTA — Immigration enforcement officers were observed Monday morning at one of the nation’s busiest airports following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would send federal agents to help the Transportation Security Administration during an ongoing government shutdown.

Associated Press reporters spotted several federal agents positioned near crowded security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday.

While federal law enforcement personnel regularly work at international airports — with Customs and Border Protection screening international arrivals and Homeland Security Investigations handling smuggling and trafficking cases — their presence at TSA checkpoints represents an unusual shift from standard operations.

The deployment differs from typical airport security procedures, where transportation security officers normally manage passenger screening rather than federal immigration investigators.

Since Congress failed to renew Department of Homeland Security funding last month, hundreds of thousands of agency employees — including TSA workers, Secret Service personnel, and Coast Guard members — have continued their duties without receiving paychecks.

The decision to station immigration agents at airports has raised concerns about potentially heightening existing tensions.

During a Sunday announcement, Trump indicated he would send federal immigration officers to airports for tasks such as monitoring exit areas and verifying passenger identification, unless Democrats approved funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s funding expired February 14 when Democrats declined to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection budgets without operational reforms following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Democratic lawmakers maintain their push for significant reforms to federal immigration enforcement, including requirements for ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants before forced home entries, prohibition of face coverings, and mandating clear identification on uniforms.

In a Monday social media statement, Trump instructed ICE officers to remove face coverings while working at airports. Trump indicated support for mask-wearing when agents deal with “hardened criminals” but suggested such measures were unnecessary when addressing the “MESS at the airports.”

The nation’s highest court heard oral arguments Monday in a case that could reshape how mail-in ballots are handled across the country, with justices weighing whether states should be allowed to accept and tally ballots that arrive after Election Day.

While every state mandates that ballots must be cast or bear a postmark by Election Day, 14 states currently provide extended timeframes for receiving and processing mailed ballots, with some allowing up to several weeks past the election for counting.

The court’s decision, expected by the end of June, will be implemented in time to affect ballot counting procedures for the 2026 midterm elections.

Leading the argument against late ballot counting, Solicitor General D. John Sauer made his eighth appearance before the high court, advocating for eliminating grace periods except for military personnel and overseas voters. Sauer previously secured a major victory with the presidential immunity ruling that protected Trump from prosecution related to 2020 election challenges.

Defending state laws, former Bush administration Solicitor General Paul Clement presented his eighth case this term, adding to his extensive record of over 125 Supreme Court arguments since 2001. Mississippi’s Solicitor General Scott Stewart, who previously convinced the court to overturn abortion rights in the 2022 Dobbs decision, defended his state’s ballot laws in his second high court appearance.

Data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission reveals that mail-in voting expanded in 2024, with three Trump-supporting states – Indiana, South Dakota, and Utah – along with Washington showing increased mail ballot usage compared to 2020. Approximately 30% of voters nationwide used mail ballots in 2024, up from the typical 25% in pre-pandemic elections, though below the 43% recorded during the 2020 election.

California election officials expressed concerns about potential impacts beyond mail ballots. Jesse Salinas, who leads the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials, warned that eliminating grace periods could force all ballot counting to conclude by midnight on Election Day.

“So all of those folks who will want to register and vote on Election Day, we just simply won’t have the ability to process all those” ballots before midnight, he said. This would particularly affect young voters who frequently use California’s same-day registration option.

Alaska faces unique challenges due to its vast geography and remote communities accessible only by plane or boat. The state’s 10-day grace period proves crucial given limited postal services in rural areas, with Native voting rights advocates emphasizing its importance.

Statistics from Alaska’s 2022 general election show that roughly 20% of absentee ballots arrived after Election Day, with even higher percentages from the state’s most isolated communities. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski highlighted the potential consequences, stating “there’s probably no other state where this ruling could have a more detrimental impact than ours.”

Both Alaska Native voting advocates and state legal officials submitted briefs to the Supreme Court outlining the critical need for extended ballot receipt periods given the state’s geographic realities.

WASHINGTON — Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin appears headed for Senate confirmation as the nation’s next Homeland Security Secretary, stepping into President Donald Trump’s cabinet after the controversial firing of Kristi Noem amid mounting criticism over immigration policies and mass deportation efforts.

The former mixed martial arts fighter and longtime Trump ally has positioned himself as someone who can bring stability to the troubled agency, stating his objective would be removing the department from negative headlines. However, Mullin faced sharp questioning about his character and judgment during a contentious confirmation hearing last week, including criticism from Republican Senator Rand Paul, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee.

During an unusual Sunday session, senators moved Mullin’s nomination forward on a mostly partisan 54-37 vote, with final confirmation anticipated Monday evening. Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico broke ranks to support the nomination alongside most Republicans.

Mullin inherits a department in crisis, with funding frozen since mid-February, creating extensive delays at airports nationwide during peak spring break travel. The funding standoff stems from Democratic demands for stricter oversight of immigration enforcement following the deaths of two American citizens during Minneapolis protests this year.

Adding to airport tensions, Trump announced plans over the weekend to deploy immigration agents to assist Transportation Security Administration workers, a move that lawmakers and experts warn could heighten conflicts in already crowded terminals.

Despite serving over a decade in Congress and managing his family’s expanding Oklahoma plumbing operation, Mullin has not been considered a major player on immigration policy. The former collegiate wrestler, known for organizing early morning workout sessions in the House gym, built relationships across party lines and earned a reputation as someone who could bridge political divides.

His selection stems primarily from his unwavering support for Trump, and observers expect him to faithfully implement the president’s immigration strategy. Mullin backed Trump’s previous immigration initiatives and supported ICE operations before receiving the cabinet nomination.

“I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland I’ll be protecting everybody,” Mullin stated during his confirmation proceedings.

Restoring department funding represents Mullin’s most pressing challenge, blocked by Democrats seeking enhanced restrictions on immigration officers. Their demands include requiring agents to identify themselves without masks, avoiding enforcement near schools, churches, and hospitals, using body cameras, and obtaining judicial approval before entering private residences.

Paul opposed Mullin in committee proceedings and abstained from Sunday’s advancement vote, while Democrats remain doubtful, viewing him as another Trump loyalist who will execute the administration’s agenda without question.

Public backing for Trump’s immigration approach has declined following a year of high-visibility operations across multiple cities. Under Noem’s leadership, officers faced accusations of excessive force, maintaining substandard detention conditions, and circumventing legal procedures to expedite deportations.

During his hearing, Mullin acknowledged errors in his previous criticism of Alex Pretti, a protester killed by an ICE officer, promising to avoid prejudging situations before investigations conclude.

Mullin outlined potential policy modifications, including requiring court-signed warrants rather than administrative ones for home entries, except in emergency situations. He recognized community concerns about large ICE detention centers and described cutting federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions as a final option.

However, the White House ultimately directs immigration enforcement strategy, and Mullin is expected to follow presidential guidance. Trump faces pressure from Republican supporters to fulfill his campaign pledge of deporting one million people annually.

The incoming secretary must also address problems at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has faced criticism for its disaster response in hurricane-affected regions. Critics, including fellow Republicans, blamed Noem’s policy requiring personal approval for contracts exceeding $100,000 for slowing relief efforts, while the agency still lacks permanent leadership.

Mullin proposed changes to federal emergency management during his confirmation, rejecting calls to eliminate FEMA and pledging to reverse Noem’s contract approval requirement.

As concerns about cost of living continue to weigh heavily on American families, Democratic lawmakers are embracing a strategy typically associated with Republicans: reducing taxes to help people keep more money in their wallets.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced legislation that would essentially eliminate federal income taxes for individuals earning $46,000 or less per year, while also providing reductions for those making up to approximately $106,000 annually. Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is pushing for households to pay zero income tax on their first $75,000 in earnings.

This shift represents an early indication that Democrats are attempting to reshape their image by borrowing from President Donald Trump’s successful campaign strategy, which featured easily understood promises such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay.

However, these proposals could create conflicts with other Democratic priorities by removing substantial revenue sources that might otherwise fund efforts to reverse Trump’s tax benefits for wealthy Americans or restore Medicaid funding. The plans could also restrict resources available for new programs Democrats typically champion during campaigns.

Booker dismissed any comparisons to Trump’s approach, explaining he was responding to constituents who want “somebody to start fighting for them in a way that is bigger, bolder and more ambitious.”

Similar tax reduction ideas are emerging in state-level campaigns as well. Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor seeking Georgia’s governorship, proposes eliminating state income taxes for public school educators.

California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Katie Porter advocates for eliminating state income taxes for families earning under $100,000. She criticized Democrats for historically taking overly complex approaches to policy creation, citing President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act as an example with its credit for those earning less than 150% of their area’s median income. “I don’t even know what 150% the median income is in my area,” Porter remarked.

“I like this proposal more than a complex web of reductions because it’s more straightforward,” Porter explained. “This is a conversation that I think Democrats should have been owning for the last decade.”

During the 2024 presidential race, Trump dominated this messaging territory. While tax policy experts criticized his ideas as ineffective and wasteful, they connected with voters effectively.

Van Hollen remembered hearing hairdressers at his neighborhood barbershop enthusiastically discussing potential savings from Trump’s tip tax elimination proposal, which later became part of the Republican budget legislation that primarily benefited wealthy Americans while cutting Medicaid substantially.

“What our bill does is make sure all those people benefit,” Van Hollen stated.

Despite these new tax reduction proposals, Democrats continue advocating for increased taxes on extremely wealthy Americans.

Van Hollen’s plan includes an additional tax on income exceeding $1 million to fund the lower-income tax cuts. Both Booker and Porter propose raising corporate tax rates at federal and state levels respectively.

According to Yale Budget Lab analysis, Booker’s proposal would still create approximately $7 trillion in deficit spending, though Booker argues the study underestimates savings from eliminating wealthy Americans’ “tax avoidance schemes.”

Tax reductions targeting one income group often benefit higher earners as well, which has been Democrats’ primary criticism of Republican tax policies that typically provide modest savings for working families while delivering larger benefits to affluent taxpayers who already pay more.

Booker’s plan would raise the standard deduction for married couples from $31,500 to $75,000, eliminating taxes for working-class families while providing the largest benefits to those with higher incomes. Yale Budget Lab research shows his proposal would result in those earning up to the 80th income percentile—roughly $106,000 for individuals—saving 5.3% on their taxes, slightly more than those in the 20th-40th percentile range.

While Van Hollen’s cuts decrease as income rises, Yale Budget Lab analysis found they would only reduce the top 20% of earners’ taxable income by about 2%, with the most significant impact—approximately 12%—affecting the top 1%.

Since lower and some middle-income Americans already pay relatively little in taxes, the savings for higher middle-class earners could be more substantial under these proposals, according to policy analysts.

“The breaks that middle-income people are getting out of these proposals is not impressive,” said Vanessa Williamson from the Tax Policy Center.

Democrats’ decision to focus on ultra-wealthy Americans while largely excluding upper-middle-class taxpayers reflects the party’s increasingly affluent voter base, which includes educated urban residents who aren’t billionaires but earn more than most Americans.

“The Democratic approach is different than anything in the past, in that it’s trying to splice away the very wealthiest from people who are also wealthy,” explained Alan Cole, an economist with the conservative Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. “Democratic priorities mirror what their coalition looks like.”

Chuck Marr, vice president at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, emphasized that Democrats will need substantial revenue to reverse Trump’s tax cuts. “Reversing those costs a lot of money,” he noted.

Budget deficits, already elevated following the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased significantly during Trump’s second term, contributing to higher interest rates that worsen voters’ affordability concerns. Marr expressed concern that these proposals might benefit wealthier taxpayers more than intended. “I just don’t think the execution works as well as the intention,” Marr said.

Democratic lawmakers, however, remain enthusiastic about these initiatives. Van Hollen’s legislation has attracted 19 Democratic Senate co-sponsors plus the two independents who align with the party. Major labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO, have also endorsed the proposal.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler contrasted this legislation with previous Democratic worker assistance efforts during a recent press conference introducing the bill. “We need ideas that are as clear and simple as the demands workers have given us,” Shuler stated. “That’s how we restore faith — give people real relief.”

Porter argued her party must reconsider their tax philosophy, acknowledging concerns that California is losing residents to more conservative states like Texas.

“Democrats need to recognize that taxes are a tool, yes, for funding programs to help people,” she said, “but they are also a driver of unaffordability.”

MEMPHIS, March 23 – President Donald Trump turned his attention to domestic law enforcement Monday, traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, to showcase his administration’s crime reduction achievements as the Iran conflict continues into its fourth week and midterm elections approach in November.

The president’s emphasis on crime and immigration represents a strategic pivot to issues his advisers believe will connect with voters, as he navigates challenging military decisions and economic pressures from the ongoing war while working to reshape his law enforcement image following controversial operations in Minnesota.

Federal agents numbering in the thousands were deployed to Memphis beginning in September after FBI statistics showed the city recorded the nation’s highest per capita violent crime rate. This prompted Trump to establish the Memphis Safe Task Force.

“The city, a beacon of American culture that was Elvis’s home and is often called the birthplace of rock and roll and the blues, should be safe and secure for all of its citizens,” Trump’s directive stated when he deployed National Guard units for patrols, similar to his Washington, DC deployment.

Law enforcement statistics show Memphis has experienced approximately a 43% decrease in overall crime compared to the previous year. Task force officials report nearly 7,000 arrests and the confiscation of almost 1,100 illegal weapons since operations commenced.

MIDTERM ELECTION STRATEGY

While Trump’s senior political strategists prefer he address everyday economic concerns, rising costs and his international military engagements have overshadowed his domestic visits to Republican-controlled regions.

Energy prices have climbed since U.S. and Israeli forces began striking Iran on February 28, with Middle Eastern oil and gas shipments disrupted by combat operations. Tennessee motorists are paying over $1 more per gallon compared to the previous month, according to AAA travel analysts.

“We’re in a war that we know nothing about, and we really do make a decent salary, but gas is getting too expensive for us,” said Kimberly Jenkins, 55, a hospital administrator visiting Memphis from Houston, Texas.

Republican strategists believe emphasizing crime reduction in a major urban center will redirect political discourse toward territory their party has traditionally favored.

Trump’s immigration leadership has frequently pointed to the Memphis deployment – which received support from several local Democratic leaders – as a successful model contrasting with aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis that sparked widespread demonstrations after federal officers killed two American citizens.

“We don’t have this problem” in Memphis, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in January following the second fatal Minneapolis shooting by immigration officers. However, Trump has since attempted to recalibrate his approach, replacing Noem, instructing governors that agent deployments would only occur upon request, and directing officials toward more “targeted” strategies.

This tactical shift may benefit Trump’s Republican Party in November’s midterm contests, where conservatives aim to expand their narrow congressional majorities. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found 61% of participants – including 92% of Republicans and 35% of Democrats – “support deporting unauthorized immigrants” while generally opposing the administration’s aggressive methods.

On Sunday evening before Trump’s Memphis appearance, locals and visitors along Beale Street, where bright signage celebrates the city’s blues and jazz heritage, expressed mixed reactions to the expanded law enforcement presence.

“The crazy presence of National Guard and ramped-up police is only in the predominant tourist areas,” said 33-year-old law student Darius O’Neal, questioning Trump’s political reasons for the operation.

However, Dewayne Hambrick, a 60-year-old Memphis photographer who identifies as a Democrat, acknowledged that while criminal activity persists, “I think it’s been great that the law enforcement is here.”

The nation’s highest court is preparing to examine a Mississippi voting law on Monday that has sparked a legal battle over mail-in ballot deadlines, with potential implications for election procedures across the United States.

The case centers on Mississippi’s policy that allows certain absentee ballots to be counted if they arrive within five business days after a federal election, provided they were postmarked by Election Day. The law restricts mail-in voting to specific groups including senior citizens, disabled individuals, and those residing away from their home addresses.

President Donald Trump’s administration is supporting the legal challenge against this Mississippi statute. Trump previously pledged to eliminate mail-in voting nationwide ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a change that would likely favor Republicans since Democratic voters historically utilize mail-in ballots at higher rates.

The Republican Party has expressed concerns about mail-in voting security, with Trump repeatedly questioning the integrity of such ballots despite limited evidence of voter fraud. The former president continues to make unsubstantiated allegations about widespread fraud in the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden.

Approximately 30 states plus Washington D.C. currently allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even when they arrive after the official voting date.

The Republican National Committee, Mississippi’s state GOP, and additional plaintiffs initiated legal action in 2024 to overturn the law, which was originally enacted in 2020 by the Republican-led Mississippi legislature with bipartisan support during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Republican challengers in 2024, determining that federal election laws establish Election Day as the deadline when ballots must be “both cast by voters and received by state officials.”

The appeals court stated that federal law “does not permit the state of Mississippi to extend the period for voting by one day, five days or 100 days.”

While the 5th Circuit didn’t immediately halt Mississippi’s current procedures, it returned the matter to a lower court for additional review. The case remains paused while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.

Although the appellate ruling directly affects only Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas within the 5th Circuit’s jurisdiction, it raises questions about similar mail-in ballot policies in other states.

In its Supreme Court appeal, Mississippi argued that the lower court’s decision would “override countless state laws from the past 165 years and largely require citizens to vote in person, on Election Day, in their home districts, without the secret-ballot system.”

WASHINGTON — Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, eyeing a potential 2028 White House run, has unveiled a sweeping proposal to prohibit federal workers and their relatives from participating in prediction market gambling as part of his broader campaign against government corruption.

Emanuel’s plan, which he revealed to The Associated Press, would cover personnel and leadership throughout all three branches of government — executive, legislative, and judicial. Should he win the presidency, Emanuel indicated he would create a specialized Justice Department unit dedicated to investigating violations of such betting restrictions.

The initiative comes as legal gambling continues expanding nationwide, raising concerns about its effects on various sectors and addiction rates. Emanuel said his focus on this particular issue stems from troubling reports suggesting Washington insiders may have used classified national security intelligence to profit from wagers placed before recent military operations involving Venezuela and Iran.

“Somebody clearly with inside information inside the government was making bets, made money,” he said in an interview. “You have fellow Americans, what I call the true 1%, the people that volunteer to serve the interests of this country and its national security, they’re putting their lives on the line and you’ve got somebody else sitting in his or her basement placing bets on it.”

Emanuel frames this initiative as one component of a wider effort to reform a capital city that he believes has grown numb to ethical violations during the Trump administration.

“All of Washington has become so accustomed to this amorality and immorality and nobody says anything,” Emanuel said. “Washington needs a good power washing.”

The 66-year-old Emanuel brings extensive Washington experience to his potential campaign. The former Illinois representative helped orchestrate major Democratic gains during the 2006 midterm elections, served as President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff, completed two terms leading Chicago, and most recently worked as U.S. ambassador to Japan under President Joe Biden.

As Emanuel explores his own presidential ambitions for 2028, he faces early competition from several Democratic governors who have already garnered significant attention, including California’s Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also made headlines recently by visiting Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio hometown to deliver sharp criticism of the potential GOP presidential contender.

Emanuel has carved out his own space in this emerging field by releasing multiple policy proposals targeting central Democratic concerns. Following questions about elderly leaders’ fitness for office that arose during Biden’s presidency, Emanuel suggested implementing a mandatory retirement age of 75 for federal officials — a rule that would prevent him from pursuing re-election if he won the presidency. His other proposals include restricting social media access for children under 16 and implementing new literacy programs.

Rather than focusing solely on traditional early primary states, Emanuel has been traveling to communities across the country, from Michigan to Mississippi, presenting his ideas in areas that typically receive less attention from presidential hopefuls.

While Emanuel expressed hope that Congress would collaborate on passing the prediction market betting prohibition, he suggested executive action remains an option if legislative cooperation proves impossible. During the interview, he rejected suggestions that his policy proposals are merely strategic moves designed to influence Democratic Party discussions as the next campaign cycle approaches.

Emanuel explained that initiatives like the betting ban aim to jolt Washington back to the ethical standards that historically guided American politics.

“I put this out there because everybody else is walking around sleepwalking,” he said.

Former President Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iran to respond with counter-threats of its own. The escalating tensions highlight ongoing disputes over the critical shipping waterway.

Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are preparing to tackle an extensive agenda as Congress reconvenes for its new session. Members face numerous pressing issues requiring immediate attention upon their return to Washington.

In domestic enforcement news, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are set to begin deployment operations at airports across the United States starting Monday, marking a significant expansion of immigration enforcement activities at transportation hubs nationwide.