Category: Politics

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department announced Friday it would continue suspending penalties on Russian oil deliveries for another month, contradicting recent statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who had rejected such action.

The 30-day waiver protects Russian petroleum shipments already loaded onto vessels as of Friday from facing U.S. sanctions. This marks the second such exemption, following a similar temporary measure implemented in March that covered oil loaded by March 11. The decision highlights how ongoing conflict in Iran has strengthened Russia’s position in global energy markets, despite restrictions imposed following Moscow’s Ukraine invasion.

During a White House appearance Wednesday, Bessent had firmly dismissed the possibility of continuing the waiver program. “We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil,” he stated. Federal officials have not yet provided an explanation for changing course on this policy position.

Former President Donald Trump announced Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed satisfaction regarding the current situation at the Strait of Hormuz, while also discussing plans for an upcoming meeting between the two leaders.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that “President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening.” The former president went on to describe their planned encounter, saying “Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi — Much will be accomplished!”

The announcement comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to affect global shipping routes, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a critical waterway for international commerce and oil transport.

WASHINGTON — A senior federal prosecutor leading the investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan was taken off the case following her concerns about whether criminal charges could be successfully pursued, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke Friday.

Maria Medetis Long informed defense attorneys working on the investigation that she would no longer be involved in the Brennan case. Her removal occurred after she raised questions about whether prosecutors had adequate evidence to build a criminal case against Brennan, the source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of internal Justice Department discussions.

While the Justice Department confirmed that Medetis Long is no longer working on the investigation, officials declined to provide details about why she was removed. In a statement, the department explained that “as a matter of routine practice, attorneys are moved around on cases so offices can most effectively allocate resources. It is completely healthy and normal to change members of legal teams.”

CNN was first to report on Medetis Long’s removal from the case. She has not responded to requests for comment via email and phone.

Medetis Long heads the national security division at the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida, which has been examining Brennan for months as part of one of President Donald Trump’s primary complaints — the federal government’s previous investigation into possible connections between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Brennan led the CIA under President Barack Obama and held that role when intelligence agencies released a comprehensive report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The Justice Department received a referral last year from Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican leader of the House Judiciary Committee, claiming that Brennan provided false testimony regarding the creation of that intelligence assessment — allegations that Brennan and his legal team have strongly disputed.

Federal investigators have recently issued numerous subpoenas and are preparing for more witness interviews in the investigation, though it’s uncertain whether any criminal charges will result or how Medetis Long’s exit might affect the case or witness cooperation.

Trump recently replaced Pam Bondi as attorney general, expressing frustration over the slow pace of criminal investigations targeting political adversaries including Brennan.

Todd Blanche, Bondi’s deputy who is now serving as acting attorney general, has stated that Trump has both the authority and responsibility to pursue investigations of individuals he has had “issues with.”

In a previous incident last year, Trump effectively pushed out Erik Siebert, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, after Siebert declined to pursue criminal charges against two other Trump critics — former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. A replacement prosecutor loyal to Trump, Lindsey Halligan, was quickly installed and obtained indictments against both Comey and James, but the cases were dismissed when a judge ruled that Halligan’s appointment was illegal.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities have documented a historic number of deaths in federal custody during the current fiscal year, according to newly released government statistics.

Since the fiscal year began in October, 29 individuals have lost their lives while detained by ICE, a figure that has already exceeded the previous high of 28 fatalities recorded in 2004.

The troubling milestone represents the highest annual death count in immigration detention facilities in more than two decades, based on official federal data tracking mortality rates in these facilities.

This sharp increase in fatalities comes as the Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement operations across the country, leading to higher detention populations in ICE facilities nationwide.

PHOENIX (AP) — Former President Donald Trump made an appearance alongside Erika Kirk at Dream City Church in northern Phoenix during a Republican political event. The gathering was organized by Turning Point Action and dubbed the “Build the Red Wall” rally, aimed at generating support for GOP candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

The event represents an early effort to mobilize Republican voters and candidates ahead of the next major election cycle.

This report is based on photographic coverage compiled by Associated Press photo editors.

NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City announced his support Friday for Lindsey Boylan’s City Council campaign, backing the woman who became the first to publicly level sexual harassment allegations against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The endorsement marks another move by the mayor to leverage his political influence in Democratic races across the city.

In his statement of support, Mamdani praised Boylan as someone who “represents the kind of fearless leadership this moment demands.”

“She has shown a willingness to tell hard truths, to challenge entrenched power, and to stand up for working people even when it isn’t easy. That courage matters,” the mayor stated.

During last year’s mayoral campaign, when Mamdani defeated Cuomo in both the Democratic primary and general election (where the former governor ran as a third-party candidate), Boylan frequently protested outside Cuomo’s campaign stops to highlight the harassment allegations that ultimately ended his governorship.

The backing represents part of Mamdani’s broader strategy to push New York politics in a more progressive direction, following his rapid rise from political newcomer to national progressive figure last year.

Shortly after his mayoral victory, Mamdani supported Brad Lander in his contest against U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, who enjoys backing from moderate Democrats including Governor Kathy Hochul, one of the mayor’s key supporters.

Earlier this month, the mayor entered another political contest by supporting Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist legislator, to replace retiring U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez. This created tension with Velázquez, who had supported Mamdani’s mayoral bid but prefers a different successor for her Brooklyn and Queens district.

Mamdani’s choice to support Boylan puts him at odds with Council Speaker Julie Menin, who has backed a different candidate for the Manhattan seat, as the two leaders clash over the city’s financial challenges.

The mayor openly discussed his broader political strategy in announcing his support for Boylan.

“As we work to usher in a new era in our city’s politics, and advance our affordability agenda, I need partners in the work like Lindsey and that’s why I am proud to endorse her campaign for City Council,” Mamdani explained.

Boylan expressed gratitude for the mayor’s backing after previous unsuccessful campaigns for Congress and Manhattan borough president.

“I was proud to support the Mayor in his campaign to bring affordability and change to New York City,” she stated. The special City Council election is scheduled for April 28.

Boylan first came forward in 2020 with allegations that Cuomo sexually harassed her during her time as an economic development advisor in his administration. Her accusations included claims of an unwanted kiss and inappropriate remarks.

While Cuomo has consistently denied these allegations, he stepped down from office in 2021 following a state attorney general’s investigation that found he had sexually harassed 11 women, including Boylan.

When asked about Mamdani’s endorsement Friday, Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi maintained the former governor “never harassed anyone.” He also criticized Boylan as “a perennial candidate” who doesn’t deserve support.

“Mamdani endorsing her tells you everything you need to know about him and his new era,” Azzopardi commented.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is preparing to direct federal agencies to reassess regulations surrounding ibogaine, a plant-based substance currently prohibited in the United States but utilized overseas for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and various mental health conditions, according to three sources with knowledge of the plan.

The substance, extracted from an African shrub, currently falls under Schedule I classification in America, which designates it as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” per Drug Enforcement Administration guidelines. This places ibogaine in the same category as heroin and ecstasy.

Internationally, the substance receives therapeutic use in countries with more lenient regulations for addressing mental health disorders. Mexico operates numerous ibogaine treatment facilities that frequently serve American military veterans seeking alternative treatments.

Sources speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization indicated the presidential directive could be issued as early as Saturday. However, they warned that details may still undergo modifications as the administration completes its proposal, and any reclassification would likely not dramatically change the substance’s current legal standing.

White House representatives declined to provide comment. CBS initially reported on the potential executive action.

Multiple veterans’ advocacy organizations, including one headed by former Energy Secretary Rick Perry from Trump’s first administration, have campaigned for expanded ibogaine availability within the United States.

Perry and W. Bryan Hubbard, serving as chairman and CEO respectively of Americans for Ibogaine, made an appearance on April 1 during the widely-followed “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast to advocate for the substance and expressed intentions to arrange a meeting with Trump regarding the issue.

“I certainly hope that this message reaches the president, and I will try to make sure that it does,” Rogan stated to the guests.

Research published in 2022 within the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment examined multiple studies and determined that ibogaine decreased cravings and withdrawal effects in individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders while potentially offering benefits for depression and PTSD treatment.

When administered in elevated amounts, ibogaine may produce hallucinatory effects. The substance has also been associated with heart-related deaths, leading practitioners to sometimes provide magnesium supplements alongside ibogaine to reduce cardiovascular risks.

A 2025 research study published in Nature Mental Health by Stanford University scientists discovered that ibogaine combined with magnesium enhanced brain functions related to “cognitive flexibility” and decreased PTSD symptoms in affected individuals.

“From a psychological and physiological level, there’s very promising signals that make us want to learn more,” stated Kirsten Cherian, a clinical assistant professor and neuropsychologist at Stanford University who served as a principal investigator in the 2025 research. “There are people out there with neurological diseases that there’s no treatment for, or there’s no cure for. It’s like a one-way street.”

Supporters anticipate the directive will eliminate substantial obstacles to medical research and compassionate treatment applications.

Numerous possibilities exist for future therapeutic approaches, Cherian explained, but American medical professionals require authorization to conduct domestic studies of the substance to gather superior medical evidence, particularly regarding ibogaine’s safety profile.

In December, Trump authorized an order reducing restrictions on marijuana and CBD products, praising their potential practical therapeutic uses.

The December directive – portions of which remain unimplemented – would maintain controlled status for these substances while having the federal government acknowledge their “moderate-to-low potential for physical and psychological dependence,” according to DEA guidelines. This would increase accessibility for both patients and researchers.

The current administration established a pilot initiative that provides Medicare reimbursement for certain seniors receiving CBD treatments for various medical conditions.

Texas enacted legislation in 2025 to encourage Food and Drug Administration approval of ibogaine for PTSD treatment purposes. The state committed $50 million this year to finance independent clinical trials of the substance to meet FDA approval standards.

“This is just a huge sigh of relief in that our voices have finally been heard, and the veteran community could really stand to experience some significant shifts,” said Amber Capone, CEO and founder of Veterans Experiencing Treatment Solutions, an organization advocating for ibogaine access.

Capone’s spouse, a former Navy SEAL, utilized ibogaine during his struggle with PTSD, prompting the couple to establish an organization supporting such treatment approaches.

“There’s no doubt whatsoever in our minds that it works,” she explained. “But we just can’t say, ‘Believe us.’ The research has to corroborate what we know to be true, and it feels like we could finally, finally be making some impact.”

President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service are currently negotiating a potential settlement for his massive $10 billion legal claim against the federal tax agency over unauthorized disclosure of his tax documents.

Legal representatives from both sides submitted a request to a Miami federal court on Friday, asking for a three-month suspension of proceedings “while the parties engage in discussions designed to resolve this matter and to avoid protracted litigation.” The attorneys indicated that this temporary halt “could narrow or resolve the issues efficiently.”

Neither the White House nor the Department of Justice, which is defending the IRS, provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

The lawsuit also names Trump’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, along with the Trump Organization, as additional plaintiffs in the case.

This pause would provide Justice Department attorneys additional time to navigate the complex conflict of interest issues inherent in a case where the president is taking legal action against his own administration. Department of Justice lawyers ultimately answer to the president, while both the IRS and Treasury Department fall under executive branch authority.

The legal dispute stems from actions by Charles Littlejohn, a former IRS contractor who illegally disclosed Trump’s tax documents to news organizations including the New York Times and ProPublica. The leaked information revealed that Trump paid minimal or zero federal income taxes across multiple years, according to 2020 Times reporting.

Trump and his co-plaintiffs claim the unauthorized releases resulted in monetary damages and public humiliation, while damaging their reputations and standing in the community.

Federal prosecutors brought charges against Littlejohn in 2023 for illegally sharing tax information belonging to Trump and thousands of other wealthy individuals to media organizations, stating he acted with political motivations. Littlejohn subsequently entered a guilty plea to charges of improper disclosure and received a five-year prison sentence.

Any financial settlement in Trump’s case would likely come from public funds. Trump has previously stated he plans to donate any money received from this litigation to charitable causes.

The current president has initiated numerous high-dollar lawsuits in his individual capacity since securing his second presidential term in 2024, many targeting media organizations over their coverage.

Trump is pursuing a $15 billion case against the New York Times and Penguin Random House regarding articles and a publication he claims were designed to damage his reelection campaign. He’s also seeking $10 billion from the BBC over how the network edited footage of his remarks before the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident.

Earlier this week, a judge dismissed Trump’s $10 billion claim against the Wall Street Journal concerning an article about an inappropriate birthday message for deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The court gave Trump until April 27 to refile the case, which he indicated he plans to do.

A federal court in Wisconsin has handed down a 20-month prison sentence to a former state resident who illegally channeled hundreds of thousands of dollars into U.S. political campaigns after giving up his American citizenship.

Roger Hoffman, 70, received his sentence Wednesday from U.S. District Judge James Peterson, who also imposed a $150,000 fine. Hoffman’s defense lawyer, Mark Maciolek, has not responded to requests for comment.

The self-employed investor, who originally lived in Madison, obtained citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis in January 2009, according to a 2021 grand jury indictment. Six months later, in July 2009, he formally gave up his U.S. citizenship.

Despite losing his American citizenship status, Hoffman continued directing more than $400,000 toward both state and federal elections across the United States for over ten years. He accomplished this by working through an assistant, referred to in court filings only as M.W., to get around federal laws that bar foreign citizens from participating in American electoral processes.

In September, Hoffman entered a guilty plea to one charge of making prohibited campaign donations as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors. Under the plea deal, he acknowledged that prosecutors could demonstrate he illegally contributed approximately $345,000 to federal campaigns from 2010 through 2020.

Legal filings indicate Hoffman’s donations went to both federal candidates and Wisconsin state politicians and political organizations, with the majority of funds going to federal recipients. However, the documents do not identify which specific candidates or parties received the money.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Madison has not yet responded to inquiries about the donation recipients.

According to a Friday press release from the prosecutor’s office, Judge Peterson criticized Hoffman during the sentencing proceeding for showing “a resolute pattern of dishonesty.”

WASHINGTON – The chief executive of artificial intelligence company Anthropic made a visit to the White House on Friday for discussions with administration officials.

Dario Amodei, who leads the AI startup, was spotted entering the executive mansion for the meeting. The visit occurred while his company remains embroiled in disagreements with the Department of Defense.

The nature of the White House discussions was not immediately disclosed, though the timing coincides with ongoing tensions between Anthropic and Pentagon officials.

A court decision in Arizona’s largest county has shifted more election oversight power to the county recorder following a legal battle with local supervisors who previously shared election responsibilities.

The ruling may significantly affect election procedures in Arizona, a crucial swing state preparing for several competitive races this fall. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, has faced ongoing scrutiny from election conspiracy advocates since former President Donald Trump’s 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the state.

Republican County Recorder Justin Heap initiated legal action against the mostly Republican board of supervisors last summer, arguing they had unlawfully assumed control over various election duties. Heap contended that the board had moved funding, information technology personnel, and essential responsibilities — including drop box oversight and early voting location setup — away from his department through a deal made with his predecessor, whom he had defeated in the Republican primary.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney largely supported Heap’s position in Thursday’s ruling, which became publicly available Friday. The supervisors “acted unlawfully and exceeded its statutory authority by seizing the Recorder’s personnel, systems and equipment and refusing to return them” to the recorder’s office, Blaney determined.

The judge also clarified that the recorder’s department must handle in-person early voting oversight along with other responsibilities, while the board maintains duties such as choosing Election Day polling sites, providing polling location supplies, and recruiting poll workers.

“The Board’s assertion of plenary authority over election administration through its general supervisory powers is inconsistent with Arizona law,” Blaney stated in his decision.

Board Chairwoman Kate Brophy McGee indicated the board may challenge the ruling.

“I disagree with other portions of the ruling, and I will explore all options with the Board of Supervisors, including an expeditious appeal,” McGee, a Republican, stated. “From day one, the Board of Supervisors has provided Recorder Heap the resources and staffing needed to fulfill his statutory duties. We will continue to do so because voters always come first.”

Heap, a former Republican state representative, won election in 2024 after defeating incumbent Stephen Richer in the GOP primary and a Democratic opponent in the general election. While Heap has avoided directly endorsing false assertions about stolen 2020 and 2022 elections, he has expressed concerns about voter confidence and management issues within the state’s electoral system.

Unfounded fraud allegations following the 2020 presidential race resulted in violent threats against Richer and other Maricopa County election personnel. Richer has accused Heap of fostering an environment of suspicion and hostility toward the election office.

“He catered to the really ugly stuff that the people in that office had to live through,” Richer commented about Heap in a recent interview. “And he allied with people who were very much in the eye of the storm in terms of creating it.”

After assuming office, Heap ended the previous arrangement between Richer and the board that had redistributed election responsibilities between the two offices. Heap pursued his lawsuit with support from America First Legal, a conservative advocacy organization established by Stephen Miller, currently serving as deputy chief of staff in the White House.

WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is scheduled to discuss Anthropic’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology with the company’s CEO Dario Amodei, as the federal government examines how the new Mythos model could impact national security and economic interests.

An unnamed White House official confirmed the Friday meeting, explaining that the administration is actively consulting with leading AI companies about their technological developments and software security measures. The official emphasized that any new technology being considered for government use would undergo thorough technical review.

This scheduled discussion occurs amid ongoing friction between the Trump administration and Anthropic, a company known for its cautious approach to AI development and efforts to establish protective measures that reduce potential dangers while enhancing economic and security advantages for the United States.

President Trump previously attempted to ban all federal agencies from utilizing Anthropic’s Claude chatbot following a contract disagreement with the Pentagon. In a February social media statement, Trump declared the administration “will not do business with them again!”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth additionally moved to classify Anthropic as a supply chain threat, marking an unusual action against an American company that Anthropic is now contesting in two federal courts. The company requested guarantees that the Pentagon wouldn’t employ its technology for completely autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance of Americans. Hegseth maintained that the company should permit any Pentagon uses considered legal.

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued a March decision that prevented enforcement of Trump’s social media order directing federal agencies to cease using Anthropic’s products.

Anthropic chose not to comment on the upcoming meeting.

The San Francisco-headquartered company announced its new Mythos model on April 7, describing it as remarkably advanced and restricting access to selected customers due to its ability to exceed human cybersecurity professionals in identifying and exploiting computer system weaknesses.

While some industry observers have questioned whether Anthropic’s assertions about overly powerful AI represent a marketing strategy, even company critics acknowledge that Mythos may signal significant AI progress.

David Sacks, a prominent Anthropic critic and former White House AI and crypto czar, urged taking the development seriously.

“Anytime Anthropic is scaring people, you have to ask, ‘Is this a tactic? Is this part of their Chicken Little routine? Or is it real?’” Sacks commented on the “All-In” podcast he co-hosts with fellow tech investors. “With cyber, I actually would give them credit in this case and say this is more on the real side.”

Sacks explained, “It just makes sense that as the coding models become more and more capable, they are more capable at finding bugs. That means they’re more capable at finding vulnerabilities. That means they’re more capable at stringing together multiple vulnerabilities and creating an exploit.”

The technology’s potential advantages and dangers have drawn international attention as well.

The United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute evaluated the new system and determined it represents a significant improvement over earlier models, which were already advancing quickly.

“Mythos Preview can exploit systems with weak security posture, and it is likely that more models with these capabilities will be developed,” the institute stated in its assessment.

Anthropic has engaged in discussions with the European Union regarding its AI systems, including advanced versions not yet available in Europe, according to European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier on Friday.

Axios initially reported the planned meeting between Wiles and Amodei.

Alongside the Mythos announcement, Anthropic launched Project Glasswing, an initiative uniting technology leaders including Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, plus companies like JPMorgan Chase, to protect global critical software from potential serious consequences the new model could create for public safety, national security and economic stability.

“We’re releasing it to a subset of some of the world’s most important companies and organizations so they can use this to find vulnerabilities,” explained Anthropic co-founder and policy chief Jack Clark during this week’s Semafor World Economy conference.

Clark noted that while Mythos leads current technology, it isn’t a unique development.

“There will be other systems just like this in a few months from other companies, and in a year to a year-and-a-half later, there will be open-weight models from China that have these capabilities,” he stated. “So the world is going to have to get ready for more powerful systems that are going to exist within it.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A federal court has thrown out a Justice Department lawsuit that demanded comprehensive voter information from Rhode Island, marking another victory for states resisting federal data collection efforts.

U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy ruled in favor of Rhode Island’s election officials and civil rights groups on Friday, determining that federal law does not authorize the U.S. Department of Justice “to conduct the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here.”

The Justice Department declined to provide a statement about the ruling, citing ongoing legal proceedings in an email response.

McElroy’s ruling mirrors rejections issued by federal courts nationwide since the Justice Department launched efforts to collect comprehensive voter information from states. The requested data encompasses birth dates, home addresses, driver’s license numbers, and portions of Social Security numbers.

Federal authorities claim the voter information is necessary for maintaining election security, while Democratic and some Republican state leaders have pushed back against these demands, arguing they breach state and federal privacy protections.

“The executive branch seems to have no problem taking actions that are clear Constitutional overreaches, regularly meddling in responsibilities that are the rights of the states,” Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore said in a statement. “But the power of our democratic republic, built on three, coequal branches of government, is clearer than ever before.”

Election administrators have expressed worry that federal agencies might use the confidential information for additional purposes, including investigations into potential non-citizens. These fears intensified when DOJ lawyers revealed in the Rhode Island proceedings that the department wanted complete voter registration data to share with the Department of Homeland Security for citizenship verification purposes.

According to the Brennan Center, no fewer than 12 states have either delivered or agreed to deliver their comprehensive voter registration databases to the department: Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

The DOJ has initiated legal action against at least 30 states plus the District of Columbia in attempts to compel the release of this information. Beyond Rhode Island, federal judges have denied these efforts in California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Oregon. In Georgia, a judge threw out a DOJ case due to improper venue, leading the government to refile in a different jurisdiction.

In her Rhode Island decision, McElroy aligned with the federal judge’s ruling in Oregon. That decision determined the federal government lacked entitlement to complete voter registration databases containing private information and concluded the Justice Department had not established a legitimate basis or objective for requesting the voter files.

“Absent from the demand are any factual allegations suggesting that Rhode Island may be violating the list maintenance requirements,” McElroy wrote.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s legal representatives have requested a federal judge grant a 90-day suspension of his $10 billion legal action against the Internal Revenue Service while both parties attempt to negotiate a settlement.

The lawsuit centers on allegations that the IRS improperly disclosed the president’s confidential tax information to media organizations during a two-year period from 2018 to 2020.

According to court documents submitted Friday, Trump’s attorneys are seeking the temporary halt to facilitate productive discussions between the parties.

“This limited pause will neither prejudice the parties nor delay ultimate resolution,” the court filing states. “Rather, the extension will promote judicial economy and allow the Parties to explore avenues that could narrow or resolve the issues efficiently.”

Legal and ethics specialists have raised numerous concerns about the case, questioning whether it’s appropriate for the head of the executive branch to pursue aggressive litigation against a federal agency under his administration’s control.

The president initiated the legal action in a Florida federal courthouse earlier this year, claiming the unauthorized disclosure of his personal and Trump Organization tax documents resulted in “reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, unfairly tarnished their business reputations, portrayed them in a false light, and negatively affected President Trump, and the other Plaintiffs’ public standing.”

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the president’s sons, are also named as plaintiffs in the litigation.

The case traces back to Charles Edward Littlejohn, a former IRS contractor from Washington, D.C., who received a five-year prison sentence in 2024 after admitting guilt for disclosing tax information about Trump and other individuals to two media outlets.

While the news organizations weren’t identified in criminal charging documents, the timeline and details correspond with New York Times coverage of Trump’s tax returns and ProPublica’s reporting on wealthy Americans’ tax obligations. The Times investigation revealed Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes during his first year as president and paid no income taxes in certain years due to massive reported losses.

When questioned in February about his plans for any potential monetary awards from the lawsuit, Trump indicated charitable intentions.

“I think what we’ll do is do something for charity,” he stated.

“We could make it a substantial amount,” he said at the time. “Nobody would care because it’s going to go to numerous very good charities.”

Multiple ethics oversight organizations have submitted friend-of-the-court briefs opposing the president’s legal action.

Democracy Forward, a watchdog organization, argued in their February submission that the situation is “extraordinary because the President controls both sides of the litigation, which raises the prospect of collusive litigation tactics,” and “the conflicts of interest make it uncertain whether the Department of Justice will zealously defend the public fisc in the same way that it has against other plaintiffs claiming damages for related events.”

President Donald Trump continues to assert that maritime drug smuggling into the United States has been virtually eliminated during his time in office.

In a recent Truth Social message, Trump declared that drug trafficking via ocean routes has declined by 98.2%, claiming these shipments have been “stopped.”

When the White House was asked to provide evidence for Trump’s figure, officials pointed The Associated Press toward Customs and Border Protection seizure statistics.

However, drug policy specialists argue that Trump is incorrectly interpreting the CBP information, noting that the actual scope of drug trafficking cannot be measured since authorities have no way to track narcotics that evade detection.

Let’s examine what the data actually reveals.

TRUMP’S CLAIM: “98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED!”

THE REALITY: This statement distorts official government information. According to CBP records, drug confiscations in coastal and interior waters dropped 98.2% between July 2025 and November 2025. But this figure doesn’t represent total drug trafficking activity and only compares two individual months rather than showing a broader pattern. The amount of narcotics entering the country without being caught remains unknown.

“Drug seizure data measure interdiction activity, not actual trafficking volume,” explained Dessa Bergen-Cico, a Syracuse University public health professor who researches drug trafficking. “As drug policy researchers have noted, no one knows how much goes uncaught, and changes in seizure data are insufficient to make definitive claims about policy outcomes.”

Interdiction activity means stopping illegal drugs before they reach their intended destination.

During July 2025, CBP confiscated 223,923 pounds of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines from open waters and coastal areas. By November 2025, that figure dropped to 4,463 pounds, creating the 98.2% difference.

According to Bergen-Cico, variations in drug seizure amounts can indicate changes in smuggling pathways, law enforcement tactics, agency responsibilities, drug availability and market demand, or combinations of these elements.

Maritime drug seizures kept declining through December 2025, when authorities intercepted 2,268 pounds. The numbers started climbing again in early 2026. March data, the most recent available, shows 28,500 pounds were seized that month.

Yet none of these figures represent the complete picture of drug trafficking — only what gets confiscated. What remains unclear is what percentage of drugs are actually intercepted versus how many slip through undetected.

Jonathan Caulkins, who teaches operations research and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University and studies drug policy, said the “ignorance of what are the correct figures for either of these important concepts” leads to confusion and wrong conclusions.

Trump’s Monday Truth Social message also threatened to target Iran’s “fast attack ships” if they approached vessels enforcing a blockade of Iranian shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Both Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Friday that the strait has reopened completely, though Trump stated the blockade would persist until Iran negotiates with the U.S. to end the conflict. Abbas indicated the strait would stay open during the remaining days of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah forces.

Beginning in September, the Trump administration has launched a series of attacks on ships allegedly involved in drug smuggling throughout Latin American waters. At least 51 vessels have been targeted and 178 individuals have died, with the most recent reported attack occurring Wednesday in the eastern Pacific. More strikes took place Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Bergen-Cico noted that cocaine represents the most frequently seized substance in coastal and interior regions, pointing out minimal differences between quantities intercepted during the Biden and Trump presidencies. Cocaine seizures fell 79% from August 2025 to January 2026, a decrease she attributed “driven primarily” to the Trump administration’s naval strikes.

However, this still only measures enforcement activity rather than total trafficking amounts. Additionally, it reflects just one agency’s operations — CBP.

The reduction in coastal and interior drug seizures between fiscal years 2025 and 2026 “do not straightforwardly indicate reduced drug flow,” Bergen-Cico stated. “Rather, they reflect a jurisdictional and operational transition in which traditional CBP maritime interdiction has been partially displaced by U.S. military and Coast Guard operations.”

WASHINGTON — Energy companies scored a major legal victory Friday when the nation’s highest court unanimously decided their environmental damage cases should be heard in federal rather than state courts in Louisiana.

The procedural ruling allows oil and gas corporations to restart their legal battles in federal court after a Louisiana jury previously ordered Chevron to pay more than $740 million for coastal cleanup efforts. This represents just one of several similar legal challenges facing the industry.

The energy companies, supported by the previous Trump administration, contended these cases belonged in federal jurisdiction because their operations helped rapidly boost aviation fuel production for the U.S. military during World War II.

The Supreme Court accepted this argument. In an 8-0 decision authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court emphasized that Congress has historically permitted federal courts to handle lawsuits involving government contractors. Thomas explained that this particular case involves Chevron’s wartime contributions to increasing aviation fuel supplies.

According to U.S. Geological Survey data, Louisiana’s coastal regions have suffered the loss of over 2,000 square miles of land during the past 100 years, with oil and gas operations identified as a major contributing factor. State coastal protection officials project an additional 3,000 square miles could disappear in upcoming decades.

Interestingly, Republican Governor Jeff Landry supported these environmental lawsuits during his tenure as attorney general, despite his historical backing of the oil and gas sector. Legal representatives for Louisiana local officials claim the companies’ Supreme Court challenge was simply a delay strategy.

The corporations brought their appeal after Plaquemines Parish jurors determined that Texaco, which Chevron purchased in 2001, had spent decades breaking Louisiana’s coastal protection rules. The jury found the company failed to restore wetlands damaged by canal dredging, well drilling, and the disposal of billions of gallons of contaminated water into marshlands.

Friday’s Supreme Court decision reverses a 2024 ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that had kept the case in Louisiana state court.

Chevron praised the high court’s ruling, stating the allegations relate to work performed under federal oversight. “Chevron looks forward to litigating these cases in federal court, where they belong,” the company said in a statement.

The corporation disputes any responsibility for Louisiana’s land loss and maintains that legal action is inappropriate for activities that occurred before environmental regulations existed.

This case represents one among dozens of lawsuits filed in 2013 accusing major oil companies including Chevron and Exxon of violating state environmental laws for many years.

Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the decision due to financial connections with ConocoPhillips. He has previously stepped aside from other cases because of his stock investments.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump announced Friday that America plans to collaborate with Iran in retrieving enriched uranium and transporting it to U.S. soil.

During a telephone conversation with Reuters, Trump outlined his vision for the recovery operation. “We’re going to get it together. We’re going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery… We’ll bring it back to the United States,” Trump explained.

The former president described the material as “nuclear dust” and indicated the retrieval would happen “very soon.”

Trump’s reference to “nuclear dust” appears to describe what he believes is left behind following bombing strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities by American and Israeli forces in June of last year.

The chief executive of artificial intelligence company Anthropic, Dario Amodei, has a scheduled meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles this Friday, according to a report from Axios. The meeting appears to signal possible progress in resolving an ongoing disagreement between the AI company and the Pentagon.

The Trump administration is reportedly recognizing the advanced features of Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence system, called Mythos, particularly its sophisticated abilities to test cybersecurity defenses, the report indicates.

Neither the White House nor Anthropic provided immediate responses when asked for comment. Reuters was unable to confirm the report independently.

A source familiar with the discussions told Axios it would be “grossly irresponsible” for the United States government to deny the country access to the technological benefits this new system provides, warning that doing so could advantage China.

The Mythos system, which was unveiled on April 7, is currently being used through Anthropic’s “Project Glasswing,” a restricted program that allows certain organizations to test the unreleased Claude Mythos Preview system for protecting against cyber threats.

Bloomberg News reported Thursday that federal officials are planning to distribute a version of Anthropic’s Mythos technology to key government agencies.

Company co-founder Jack Clark confirmed Monday that Anthropic has been in discussions with the Trump administration about Mythos, despite the Pentagon ending its business relationship with the AI company following a contract disagreement.

Worcester County residents will have the chance to weigh in on their local government’s spending plans during a public hearing scheduled for May 5.

County officials announced the hearing will focus on the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2027, giving community members an opportunity to review how their tax dollars will be allocated.

The public session represents a key step in the budget approval process, allowing residents to voice their opinions and ask questions about the county’s financial priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Details about the specific time and location of the May 5 hearing were not immediately available in the initial announcement.

WASHINGTON — Federal lawmakers are intensifying oversight of online prediction markets following revelations that people were placing bets on sensitive military operations and foreign policy developments.

The controversy erupted when Massachusetts Democratic Representative Seth Moulton discovered users on Polymarket, a major prediction betting platform, were wagering on the timing of a U.S. military rescue mission for a downed airman in Iran. Screenshots showed 15% of bettors predicted an April 3 rescue, while 63% wagered on April 4.

Moulton, a former Marine with four Iraq deployments, condemned what he called a “dystopian death market” on social media. The platform subsequently halted the betting, stating it failed to meet their integrity standards.

“This is war profiteering and Congress needs to step in and stop it,” Moulton declared. He criticized Polymarket as “completely unwilling to self-regulate when it comes to betting on the lives of our service members.”

The incident has sparked bipartisan concern in Congress about prediction markets — online platforms where users bet on outcomes ranging from sports events to religious prophecies. These concerns center on potential insider trading using classified government information.

“It’s a national conversation about what it means to have market integrity,” explained Kristin Johnson, former commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees these markets.

Washington’s response has been notably rapid compared to past regulatory delays with tobacco, opioids, and social media platforms. The markets face criticism for potentially corrupting sports integrity and fueling gambling addiction among young men.

Polymarket operates primarily offshore, beyond direct U.S. regulatory reach, while its main competitor Kalshi functions under domestic oversight. Donald Trump Jr. serves on Polymarket’s advisory board and as a paid Kalshi adviser, with his venture capital firm 1789 Capital investing in Polymarket.

Recent Associated Press reporting revealed suspicious activity on Polymarket, where new accounts made precisely timed bets on U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations on April 7, generating hundreds of thousands in profits. The White House issued warnings against staff using private information for market trading the same day the report published.

Earlier concerns arose when an anonymous user earned over $400,000 betting on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s removal, raising insider trading suspicions.

Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young, also a former Marine, expressed growing alarm. “I became especially concerned about market distortions, improper decision making, and undermining of public trust through self-enrichment after the news broke about Venezuela,” he stated.

Young partnered with Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin on legislation prohibiting federal employees from using confidential information for prediction market betting. Their bill represents one of several bipartisan congressional efforts targeting these platforms.

Potential presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel proposed broader restrictions, suggesting bans on all federal employee and family member participation. He also recommended a 10% fee on prediction markets and online gambling to fund scientific and health research.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, another possible Democratic presidential contender, issued executive orders preventing his appointees from using nonpublic information for market trading.

While no legislation has clear passage prospects currently, the scrutiny highlights different market approaches. Polymarket officials remained silent for comment, operating mainly offshore with limited U.S. functions restored only after Trump’s return to office.

Kalshi promotes its regulated status and supports additional oversight. “We support Congress and regulators taking action to police insider trading, keep prediction markets onshore and under federal regulation,” spokesperson Elisabeth Diana said. “Not all prediction markets are the same.”

White House spokesman Davis Ingle confirmed Trump’s position that “members of Congress and other government officials should be prohibited from using nonpublic information for financial benefit.”

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, responsible for overseeing prediction markets, faces capacity questions. Dennis Kelleher, president of Better Markets advocacy group, questioned whether the agency has “experience, expertise, budget, technology to actually in any way supervise, regulate or police gambling on everything from whether it’s Iran, Venezuela, whether it’s reality TV, whether Christ is going to come back before the end of the year.”

The commission currently operates with only one member, Michael Selig, a former CFTC attorney who represented cryptocurrency clients before Trump’s appointment. This staffing concerns congressional Democrats, with Illinois Senator Richard Durbin noting the Chicago office’s enforcement attorneys dropped from 20 to zero.

During Thursday’s House Agriculture Committee hearing, Selig defended agency operations, stating they were hiring staff and improving efficiency. He refused to delay new regulations pending board appointments but emphasized insider trading concerns.

“Nothing is more important than protecting market integrity,” Selig testified.

However, CFTC enforcement only extends to domestically regulated markets, primarily affecting Kalshi. Polymarket recently launched a U.S.-compliant platform with a waiting list, representing a small fraction of its offshore operations.

At a Vanderbilt University discussion, Selig blamed the previous Biden administration for creating regulatory conditions that discouraged domestic market operations.

Multiple states have attempted restricting prediction markets as unlicensed gambling, but the CFTC has asserted exclusive regulatory authority, filing lawsuits against Connecticut, Arizona, and Illinois this month.

This creates an unusual Washington situation with broad legislative agreement on addressing prediction market issues, but varying opinions on solution scope.

Young acknowledged his proposal as preliminary, noting lawmakers need greater prediction market understanding. “But I think we can all agree at this early stage, as usage of these platforms grows and real money is put at stake, that this is a measure that should be taken immediately,” he concluded.

Virginia’s Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger has enacted new legislation establishing legal protections for access to birth control methods. The law creates enforceable rights for individuals seeking contraceptive medications and devices, with legal recourse available when access is denied.

The statute encompasses “any drug, device, or biological product intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy.” Critics from pro-life organizations emphasize that this broad definition includes emergency contraceptives such as Plan-B, which they argue are now classified as protected rights under Virginia law.

Arizona state legislators have voted down a controversial proposal that would have permitted terminally ill residents to seek physician assistance in ending their lives. The measure faced strong opposition from pro-life groups who argued that what begins as a personal choice could eventually become an expectation placed on vulnerable individuals.

Before ultimately defeating the proposal, state lawmakers voiced significant concerns regarding proper oversight mechanisms and the potential for at-risk populations to face coercion in making end-of-life decisions. The legislation would have granted doctors legal authority to help terminally diagnosed patients hasten their deaths.

EASTLAKE, Ohio – After nearly two decades crafting brass instruments, 62-year-old Keith Czika watched his workplace prepare to shut its doors forever, with production heading overseas to China. The longtime employee at the Conn Selmer facility thought he had found a potential lifeline through the plant’s billionaire owner, John Paulson, who happens to be a key supporter of President Donald Trump.

As a three-time Trump supporter, Czika pitched an idea to his union coworkers in January: publicly challenge Paulson by connecting the factory closure to Trump’s campaign promises about bringing manufacturing jobs back to America. Paulson had previously spoken out against companies that move operations offshore during the 2024 election cycle.

However, the United Auto Workers’ public pressure campaign – featuring a community rally where local leaders criticized Paulson, social media content, and a White House petition requesting Trump’s involvement – could not prevent the shutdown. The Eastlake facility will close its doors at the end of June, resulting in 150 lost positions.

According to CEO John Fulton’s January announcement to employees, Conn Selmer – America’s top band instrument manufacturer – plans to relocate production of tubas, sousaphones, and certain French horns to China, representing virtually the entire output of the Ohio location.

This unsuccessful campaign demonstrates the limited influence that blue-collar employees – a crucial segment of Trump’s voter base – possess, even when their concerns align with his populist America First platform.

The situation also reveals potential electoral challenges for Republicans approaching November’s midterm elections. Trump and his supporters face difficulties maintaining the voter coalition that secured his 2024 victory. The president’s approval numbers have declined due to elevated costs, an unpopular conflict in Iran, and public criticism of Pope Leo, who maintains support among many Catholic Trump voters.

“Why Paulson would make the decision to go to China is beyond me at this point. China, for one, is an economic enemy of the United States,” Czika stated.

Czika’s frustration with Paulson mirrors broader concerns among working-class Americans regarding economic trends and their role within them. Manufacturing jobs in the United States have decreased by approximately 100,000 positions since Trump took office in January 2025, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics information.

The White House has not provided a response to requests for comment.

During conversations with Reuters, twelve Conn Selmer employees expressed feelings of loss regarding positions they valued, creating and finishing instruments used by musicians ranging from school bands to professional performers. They worried about finding equally satisfying or well-compensated work.

Conn Selmer, which chose not to comment for this report, released a January statement indicating it would transfer professional French horn manufacturing from Eastlake to an existing Indiana facility while remaining “deeply committed to U.S. manufacturing.” The statement referenced moving remaining instrument production “offshore” without specifically mentioning China.

Republican Lake County Commissioner John Plecnik, whose district includes Eastlake, cautioned that his party could lose union worker support before November’s elections.

“MAGA equals put American jobs first,” Plecnik explained. “If we don’t keep the promise of protecting jobs, I wouldn’t blame them for going right back and voting Democrat.”

Among six workers who told Reuters they supported Trump in 2024, five indicated they would continue backing Republican candidates in November. Only one said her frustration over the closure would likely cause her to avoid voting in the upcoming election.

Paulson served a crucial role in Trump’s 2024 campaign, organizing a Palm Beach fundraiser in April that generated approximately $50.5 million. Months later, he publicly supported a central message of Trump’s populist campaign.

“We can’t have American producers closing American factories and offshoring. We need to protect American jobs and protect American manufacturing,” Paulson told CNBC in September 2024.

Paulson’s investment company controls Steinway Musical Instruments, which owns Conn Selmer. He has not responded to comment requests.

During campaign events, Trump promised that manufacturing growth would “happen fast and beautifully,” and when he implemented comprehensive tariffs on trading partners last April, he predicted they would cause factories to “come roaring back.”

Despite a 20.4% tariff on Chinese-manufactured brass instruments, Conn Selmer has not been discouraged from following competitors who relocated production to China years earlier to reduce labor expenses.

During the January meeting, CEO Fulton informed workers they needed to identify $13 million in cost reductions to preserve the facility.

By mid-March, employees gathered in a poorly lit American Legion hall to receive information about their severance benefits.

For Annette Dombrowski, who had celebrated her wedding in that same venue 43 years ago, the plant’s closure carried deep personal significance. Following the severance briefing, she struggled with tears while discussing her concerns about finding employment to supplement Social Security benefits strained by ongoing inflation.

“I think all of America is crap right now,” said the 64-year-old custodian. “I’m starting to regret my vote for Trump,” she added, noting she would probably abstain from November voting.

Czika maintains that tariffs could eventually help restore American manufacturing, which he believes can compete on quality even if not matching China’s labor costs. He emphasized that while his Trump support remains strong, it comes with conditions.

“If you keep your promises, that’ll be fine,” he said. “If you don’t, that’ll be a problem. America First. Bring manufacturing back.”

A recent Associated Press investigation has revealed concerning issues with the hiring practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, finding that several newly recruited officers began their duties before completing comprehensive background screenings and had histories of financial difficulties, legal troubles, and employment issues.

ICE announced this year that it successfully completed a massive recruitment drive, bringing on 12,000 additional officers and special agents to effectively double its workforce size. These personnel are tasked with supporting President Donald Trump’s large-scale deportation efforts, backed by $75 billion in congressional funding allocated to the agency.

However, the rapid pace at which these individuals were added to federal employment rolls for positions with significant authority and national security importance has sparked concerns both within and outside the organization.

ICE maintains strict confidentiality regarding employee identities, claiming this protection is essential to prevent harassment, unlike many local police departments. This secrecy prevents a complete assessment of the new personnel.

The Associated Press examined over 40 officers who voluntarily disclosed their new ICE positions on LinkedIn profiles, utilizing public records to investigate their backgrounds. The investigation yielded several notable findings:

One new hire identified is Carmine Gurliacci, 46, who left his position as a Richmond Hill, Georgia police officer to join ICE’s Atlanta office in December, based on resignation documents obtained through public records requests.

Court documents reveal he declared bankruptcy in 2022, claiming zero income and two years of unemployment following his relocation from New York to Georgia. He reported residing with a friend and performing household tasks for shelter, while listing significant unpaid debts including loans, bills, child support, and other obligations totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Records also show he previously filed for bankruptcy in 2013 while in New York, reporting $95,000 in debts. Gurliacci, who worked at six different Georgia law enforcement agencies over three years, refused to provide comment.

The investigation identified two additional new ICE employees with recent bankruptcy filings, including one officer and one agency attorney. Multiple other recent hires faced previous lawsuits regarding unpaid debts.

Claire Trickler-McNulty, who held ICE positions during the Obama, first Trump, and Biden administrations, described financial problems as a “pretty big red flag” for applicants since such issues could make them vulnerable to bribery and extortion schemes.

However, she noted that ICE’s aggressive promotion of signing bonuses reaching $50,000 would naturally appeal to financially struggling candidates.

Andrew Penland, 29, represents another concerning hire, joining ICE after leaving his position as a Greenwood County, Kansas sheriff’s deputy in December.

Penland spent most of his law enforcement career with Bourbon County, Kansas, but departed last year while facing litigation alleging he arrested a woman on fabricated charges in 2022. Settlement documents show the county’s insurance company paid $75,000 to resolve the woman’s lawsuit.

June Bench, who filed the lawsuit, expressed outrage upon learning of Penland’s ICE employment. She had previously attempted unsuccessfully to convince Kansas authorities to examine all his arrests and pursue disciplinary measures.

“That’s scary to me. He abuses his power,” Bench said regarding Penland’s work with ICE.

Following contact from reporters, Penland removed his LinkedIn profile and notified ICE about the media inquiry but provided no response to the Associated Press.

The investigation uncovered two other new ICE staff members who faced lawsuits alleging improper force during previous law enforcement roles, though those cases were ultimately dismissed.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, declined to address questions about individual hiring choices. However, officials confirmed that some candidates received “tentative selection letters” and temporary work authorization before completing full background investigations.

“ICE is committed to ensuring its law enforcement personnel are held to the highest standards and rigorously vets them throughout the hiring process,” the department stated. “Vetting is an ongoing process, not a one-time occurrence.”

The screening process involves examining criminal records and credit ratings, plus conducting background investigations that include interviewing former employers and associates, which can require several weeks. The massive hiring surge has overwhelmed the agency, which promoted positions that didn’t require college education.

An internal document first disclosed by Reuters in February instructed ICE supervisors to forward any “derogatory information about a newly hired employee’s conduct” to internal affairs for investigation. Such information might include employee terminations or forced resignations, according to the memo.

During a February congressional hearing, ICE’s acting director Todd Lyons expressed pride in the recruitment effort, which generated over 220,000 applications.

“This expansion of a well-trained and well-vetted workforce will help further ICE’s ability to execute the president’s and secretary’s bold agenda,” he stated.

A massive federal hiring campaign has brought thousands of new immigration enforcement officers onto the job, but many arrived with troubling employment histories that might have disqualified them under normal circumstances.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement expanded its workforce by 12,000 officers and agents after receiving $75 billion from Congress to support President Trump’s deportation initiatives. The agency processed over 220,000 applications in what officials called an unprecedented recruitment drive.

However, an Associated Press review of more than 40 recent hires who publicized their new positions on professional networking sites uncovered concerning patterns. Among the new employees were individuals with multiple bankruptcies, rapid job turnover, and previous allegations of law enforcement misconduct.

One case involved an officer with two bankruptcy filings and employment at six different law enforcement agencies within three years. Another new hire faced accusations of falsifying a police report that led to an innocent woman’s arrest, resulting in a $75,000 legal settlement. A third candidate had previously failed to complete police academy training and worked just three weeks as a patrol officer before resigning.

Claire Trickler-McNulty, who worked for ICE across multiple administrations, warned about the risks of rushed hiring processes. “If vetting is not done well and it’s done too quickly, you have higher risk of increased liability to the agency because of bad actions, abuse of power and the lack of ability to properly carry out the mission because people don’t know what they are doing,” she explained.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons defended the hiring surge during February congressional testimony, stating he was proud of the recruitment effort. “This expansion of a well-trained and well-vetted workforce will help further ICE’s ability to execute the president’s and secretary’s bold agenda,” Lyons testified.

The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that some candidates received preliminary job offers and began working temporarily before completing full background investigations. Officials emphasized that screening remains an ongoing process rather than a single evaluation.

Among the specific cases examined was Carmine Gurliacci, 46, who left his position with Richmond Hill, Georgia police to join ICE’s Atlanta office in December. Court records show Gurliacci declared bankruptcy twice – once in 2013 with $95,000 in debts, and again in 2022 when he reported no income and was living with friends while unemployed.

Financial difficulties represent significant warning signs for federal law enforcement positions, according to experts, as they may make officers vulnerable to corruption or bribery – issues that have previously plagued ICE operations.

Following his 2022 bankruptcy discharge, Gurliacci worked for six different Georgia law enforcement agencies over three years, consistently resigning before moving to his next position. At one campus security job, he cited “unforeseen personal issues that render me unable to fulfill my duties” in his resignation letter.

Another new ICE employee, Andrew Penland, 29, joined the agency after leaving his deputy sheriff position in Greenwood County, Kansas. Penland’s previous employer, Bourbon County, Kansas, paid $75,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging he arrested a woman on fabricated charges in 2022.

The incident involved June Bench, who was accused by a county official neighbor of nearly striking him with her vehicle. Body camera footage showed Penland encouraging the neighbor to press charges and promising the case would be resolved through plea negotiations without requiring testimony.

Despite Bench’s denials and claims the accusation stemmed from a personal dispute, Penland arrested her on felony assault charges and impounded her car. His report claimed surveillance video showed Bench’s vehicle speeding and forcing the neighbor to jump aside.

Bench spent a week in jail before being released, and prosecutors eventually dismissed the charges due to insufficient evidence. When she obtained the surveillance footage Penland referenced, it showed her making a routine turn with no near-collision occurring.

“That’s scary to me. He abuses his power,” Bench said upon learning of Penland’s ICE employment.

A third hire, Antonio Barrett, initially failed to complete a Colorado law enforcement academy in 2020, requiring special arrangements for a one-day makeup session to graduate. He worked only three weeks as a police officer in La Junta, Colorado, before resigning and never returning to local law enforcement.

Barrett previously faced an excessive force lawsuit while working as a corrections officer, accused of inflicting unnecessary pain on a handcuffed inmate during a 2017 incident. Courts ultimately dismissed the case, ruling the officers’ actions were not excessive.

Marshall Jones, a police recruitment expert at Florida Institute of Technology, suggested ICE likely hired candidates who met minimum qualifications but would normally be rejected during typical hiring processes. “If you’re hiring hundreds or thousands of people, even with the best of background processes, there are going to be outliers,” Jones noted.

Former ICE academy instructor Ryan Schwank testified in February that agency leadership reduced training time for use of force, firearms safety, and protester rights. He reported that some new recruits are as young as 18, lack college education, and have limited English proficiency.

“We’re not giving them the training to know when they’re being asked to do something that they’re not supposed to do, something illegal or wrong,” Schwank testified.

ICE maintains that new officers receive 56 days of formal training plus 28 days of supervised field experience, and that most new hires have completed previous law enforcement academies. The agency offered signing bonuses up to $50,000 and eliminated college degree requirements to attract candidates.

An internal memo obtained by Reuters instructed ICE supervisors to refer any “derogatory information about a newly hired employee’s conduct” to internal affairs investigators, including information about terminations or forced resignations from previous positions.

WASHINGTON — Congressional representatives worked through the night Thursday into Friday morning to address a contentious intelligence surveillance authority that faces imminent expiration, with leadership summoning members back for an emergency late-night voting session.

GOP leadership introduced a modified proposal extending the surveillance authority for a five-year period with amendments — a departure from the unmodified extension that President Donald Trump had requested and that Speaker Mike Johnson had initially supported.

Democratic lawmakers criticized the rushed legislative process as votes were scheduled for the early morning hours Friday.

“Does anybody actually know what the hell is in this thing?” Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern said after the proposal was unveiled.

The legislative battle centers on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which authorizes intelligence agencies including the CIA, National Security Agency, and FBI to gather and examine extensive overseas communications data without obtaining warrants. This process can inadvertently capture communications involving U.S. citizens who communicate with foreign surveillance targets.

The legislation’s prospects have remained uncertain throughout the week as Congress grapples with the familiar tension between protecting civil liberties and addressing intelligence officials’ warnings about potential national security threats. The surveillance authority expires April 20 and requires Senate approval following House passage.

“There are a lot of opinions,” Johnson said earlier Thursday. “We want to make sure that we have this very important tool for national security, but we also do it in a way that jealously guards constitutional rights.”

ATLANTA — The Democratic race for Georgia governor presents a stark contrast to four years ago when Stacey Abrams drew national attention and massive fundraising for her gubernatorial campaign.

This election cycle tells a different story. Despite potentially improved chances of victory, Democratic candidates are facing significantly less media coverage and financial support as they prepare for next month’s primary election.

These challenges create concern that Democrats might squander another opportunity to capture the governor’s mansion, which they haven’t held since 1998.

However, national Democratic leaders insist they won’t allow that outcome. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, declared Georgia “in play” and promised adequate funding for whoever emerges as the nominee.

“We’re going to make sure the Democratic candidate in Georgia has the funding they need to compete,” Beshear stated during his Saturday visit to Atlanta for a party fundraising dinner.

The financial disparity is striking. Republicans have invested close to $100 million in television advertisements, while Democrats have allocated just $1.24 million. Political analysts predict no Democratic candidate will secure a majority in the May 19 primary, which would extend the party’s period of uncertainty.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appears positioned for a potential June 16 runoff, benefiting from greater name recognition and her status as the sole Black woman candidate in a party that traditionally depends on Black women’s support. The competition for the second runoff position remains unpredictable, with several viable candidates including former Republican Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former state Senator Jason Esteves, and former state labor commissioner Mike Thurmond, who also served as DeKalb County’s CEO.

The Republican field features healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, who has committed or spent $50 million on his campaign—double any previous Georgia gubernatorial primary candidate’s investment. Other GOP contenders include Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Attorney General Chris Carr.

This situation differs markedly from 2022, when Abrams out-fundraised Republican Governor Brian Kemp before ultimately losing her second consecutive race against him.

Despite the funding disadvantage, Democratic candidates express confidence about their prospects.

“I’ll still win,” Bottoms declared following a Monday campaign appearance, reflecting the sentiment among Democrats who believe financial resources cannot overcome voter dissatisfaction with Republican leadership.

Bottoms positions herself as a “battle-tested leader” who gained valuable national experience serving in President Joe Biden’s administration. She emphasizes healthcare expansion, affordable housing initiatives, and educational improvements as central campaign themes.

“When given the opportunity to lead, I led on behalf of not just the city of Atlanta, but people across the state, and I am ready to go and fight for all of our communities to make Georgia a better place for our children,” Bottoms explained Wednesday.

Unlike Democratic primaries elsewhere featuring sharp ideological divisions, Georgia’s contest lacks significant policy disagreements. The race also avoids the stylistic contrasts seen in other states’ recent primaries. Only Esteves, who began the campaign with minimal statewide recognition, has chosen to directly challenge his opponents.

Wednesday evening’s televised debate, featuring Bottoms, Duncan, and Thurmond, demonstrated the candidates’ reluctance to engage in aggressive attacks. Duncan offered only subtle criticisms of Bottoms’ mayoral tenure, while Thurmond clarified that his criticism of Duncan’s support for expanded gun-carry legislation wasn’t personally directed.

Esteves is counting on momentum building late in the campaign to secure a runoff spot. The 42-year-old candidate, whose heritage includes a Puerto Rican father and Black mother, has invested approximately $1 million in recent advertising—the only substantial Democratic spending so far. He argues his background enables him to construct the “multiracial, multigenerational coalition” necessary to appeal to Georgia’s young and diverse voter base.

His campaign messaging frequently highlights his background as a middle school educator and small business owner, alongside his professional experience as an attorney, school board member, and state legislator.

“A lot of the challenges that Georgians are facing, I am facing in real time,” Esteves said Wednesday. “They’re looking for someone who not only wants to solve their issues, but can identify personally with their issues.”

Esteves stands alone among Democrats in criticizing Bottoms’ handling of crime, civil unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic during her mayoral tenure, particularly her unexpected decision to forgo seeking reelection.

“The fact that she did not run for reelection confirmed people’s belief that when the going gets tough, she stepped out on the city,” Esteves argued.

Bottoms defends her administrative record and explains her decision not to seek another term was “based on what was best for me personally and my family.”

Esteves has also consistently targeted Duncan, claiming he “oversaw some of the passage of the worst bills” during his lieutenant governor tenure, including Georgia’s abortion ban following detection of fetal cardiac activity. While numerous state legislators support Esteves, his most prominent advocate has been Shanette Williams, whose daughter Amber Nicole Thurman died at a suburban Atlanta hospital in 2022 after complications from abortion medication.

Duncan gained prominence for opposing Trump’s efforts to reverse his 2020 election defeat to Biden. He has spent recent months expressing regret for his Republican record while arguing he represents the only Democratic candidate capable of attracting sufficient moderate support to deliver victory for his new party. Duncan has recently begun receiving endorsements from moderate Democrats and labor organizations.

“I don’t want to only earn your vote, I want to earn your trust,” Duncan stated during Wednesday’s debate.

Thurmond describes himself as a “throwback” candidate whose extensive government experience—including leadership of the state child welfare agency, service as labor commissioner, and helping stabilize the DeKalb County school system as superintendent—would enable rapid implementation of Democratic priorities.

“I have a track record of service to the people of Georgia, and I believe this election would turn not on promises, but on performance,” Thurmond said following Wednesday’s debate.

His campaign strategy focuses on building support among rural constituents and veteran Democrats. His endorsers include Roy Barnes, Georgia’s most recent Democratic governor, and Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and surviving civil rights leader from the 1960s movement.

WASHINGTON — During a recent flight from his Mar-a-Lago resort back to the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump had pressing matters on his mind that didn’t involve ongoing conflicts or government funding disputes.

Instead, the president was eager to showcase large artistic blueprints for a $400 million White House ballroom project featuring elaborate hand-carved Corinthian columns of the highest quality.

“I’m so busy that I don’t have time to do this. I’m fighting wars and other things,” Trump said before extensively detailing plans for “the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.”

This split focus has become ammunition for Democratic critics and a source of worry for some Republicans concerned he’s not prioritizing issues voters care about most before November’s midterm elections.

The disconnect was evident Thursday when Trump traveled to Las Vegas to discuss tax relief for tip earners while his administration simultaneously advanced plans for a 250-foot Triumphal Arch near the Lincoln Memorial, complete with a Liberty-style statue and golden eagles.

The president’s ability to connect with working-class Americans has always seemed at odds with his background as a wealthy real estate mogul. However, his populist agenda and economic messaging during the 2024 campaign helped secure his return to office.

Republican strategist Rick Tyler observed that Trump’s wealth was actually an asset during his initial 2016 presidential bid.

“While other people, like Mitt Romney, played down how rich he was, Trump was giving free helicopter rides at the Iowa State Fair,” Tyler said. “People loved it.”

Nevertheless, Trump’s fixation on presidential luxuries while many Americans worry about expenses has prompted accusations that he resembles the infamous French queen.

“‘Fighting wars’ and surging gas prices, yet Trump has time to brag about his billionaire backed ballroom,” Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, responded on X to Trump’s Air Force One presentation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate, has been more explicit in drawing parallels to the pre-revolutionary French monarch known for excessive luxury — even sharing an AI-created image showing Trump’s face on her body via social media.

“TRUMP ‘MARIE ANTOINETTE’ SAYS, ‘NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!’” Newsom wrote in October 2025, during the beginning of a 43-day government shutdown.

When questioned about these Marie Antoinette references, White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended the president, stating Trump “is going to go down in history as the most successful and consequential president in our lifetime.”

“His successes on behalf of the American people will be imprinted upon the fabric of America and will be felt by every other White House that comes after him,” Ingle said in a statement.

Similar criticism followed Trump during his initial presidency. Recently, however, he’s shown little concern about allegations of being disconnected from Americans’ financial struggles, potentially creating challenges for Republicans trying to maintain congressional control.

Approximately two-thirds of Americans described Trump as “out of touch” with most people’s concerns in the United States, according to a February ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, though the same percentage expressed similar views about the Democratic Party.

Presidents typically become isolated from voters, protected by security layers and surrounded by supportive staff. Author Elaine Kamarck argues in “Why Presidents Fail And How They Can Succeed Again” that presidents become too absorbed in their political stories rather than public concerns. However, regarding Trump, “All of this stuff is frankly unique to him.”

She referenced the ballroom along with Trump’s other White House modifications, plans to add his signature to currency, and renaming the Kennedy Center after himself.

“It’s a reflection, I think, of his own background as a businessman and somebody who made his fortune selling his name,” said Kamarck, who worked in Bill Clinton’s White House.

As Trump concentrates on the ballroom and other Washington developments, certain public infrastructure projects elsewhere have stalled.

Joe Meyer, Covington, Kentucky’s former mayor, spent years advocating for essential upgrades to the Brent Spence Bridge linking his community with Cincinnati, a project designated as a federal priority since Trump’s first term.

Federal funding for improvements received approval under President Joe Biden but faced delays due to a Trump-mandated review. Construction is finally scheduled to start later this year, though postponements will likely restrict design choices and slow progress, Meyer explained.

“The ballroom is Washington inside-baseball,” Meyer said. “The bridge is just a wreck. It’s frustration that we’ve been dealing with forever.”

While promoting new tip tax deductions, Trump arranged for McDonald’s delivery to the gold-decorated Oval Office and gave the grandmother making the delivery a $100 tip. When she mentioned substantial medical expenses from her husband’s cancer treatment, Trump suggested she bring him to an upcoming UFC event on the White House lawn.

When hundreds of farmers visited the White House for an agricultural policy address, they gathered on the South Lawn next to a gold-painted tractor. Despite light rain, Trump remained dry while speaking to them from a covered second-floor balcony.

“You don’t mind rain,” the president told the farmers below.

He then departed for Miami to address a gathering of Saudi investors who, the president observed, were too wealthy to be impressed by American families struggling to save $5,000.

“I know they’re looking like, ‘What the hell is $5,000?’” Trump joked. “Their shoes cost them more than $5,000.”

When asked in February for advice to young people hoping to purchase homes, Trump responded: “Save a little longer. Wait a little longer.”

Cabinet members have also contributed to perceptions that Trump’s promised “Golden Age” may not benefit everyone. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. recommended Americans purchase liver instead of beef.

“If you go and buy a steak, it’s still pretty expensive. But if you buy the cheaper cuts, it’s great meat. And it is very, very affordable. Or liver, or, you know, all these alternatives,” he told podcast host Joe Rogan.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suggested people could still afford meals consisting of “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla and one other thing.”

The White House has attempted to demonstrate Trump’s awareness of voter concerns by sending him to politically competitive regions to highlight his cost-reduction efforts. However, Trump has undermined this messaging by claiming affordability concerns are a Democratic “hoax.”

Texas-based Republican consultant Brendan Steinhauser believes Trump “can kind of get away with” constructing a ballroom because voters expect such behavior from him as a bold dealmaker and businessman.

But Steinhauser expressed concern that significant gas price increases and a potentially declining economy could impact voters. Before the midterms, Steinhauser noted, Democrats could gain advantage “trying to make it more about Trump and his oligarch friends.”

House Republican leadership appears to be nearing an agreement to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act with minor modifications, according to a Thursday report from Politico that cited four sources familiar with the negotiations.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump urged GOP members of Congress to work collaboratively on extending the legislation that permits U.S. intelligence organizations to monitor foreign communications overseas through data collected from American digital networks. The current authorization is scheduled to lapse next week.

Congressional sources indicate a procedural vote on the measure is scheduled for roughly 12:15 a.m. on Friday.

WASHINGTON — The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, will step down from his position on May 31, federal authorities confirmed Thursday.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin revealed Lyons’ upcoming departure, praising his tenure as head of the immigration enforcement agency. Mullin credited Lyons with strengthening community safety during his time leading ICE.

“We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector,” Mullin stated.

Lyons began his career with ICE in 2007, starting as an immigration enforcement officer in Texas before rising to lead the agency that became central to President Trump’s immigration reform initiatives.

During Lyons’ tenure, Congress provided ICE with significant additional funding, which the agency used to expand its workforce and detention facilities while increasing arrest operations to align with administration priorities.

The agency conducted several prominent enforcement actions in major metropolitan areas, including operations in Chicago and Minneapolis. These deployments were later halted following public outcry after two American protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during the operations.

The identity of Lyons’ replacement remains unknown. The incoming director will inherit an agency with substantial resources but also ongoing political tensions. Congressional Democrats are pushing for new restrictions on immigration enforcement officers before agreeing to approve standard DHS funding.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson praised Lyons on social media platform X, describing him as “an American patriot who made our country safer.”

Stephen Miller, who serves as the president’s deputy chief of staff and designed the administration’s immigration strategy, also commended Lyons’ service.

“His courageous work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans,” Miller stated.

Officials have not disclosed the reasons behind Lyons’ decision to resign.

Public opinion polling shows ICE faced criticism during Lyons’ leadership. An AP-NORC survey conducted in February found that most Americans, including independent voters, viewed the agency unfavorably.

During congressional testimony, lawmakers questioned Lyons about the fatal shootings of Good and Pretti, asking whether he would apologize for how some administration officials described Good as a troublemaker. Lyons refused to offer an apology.

“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the family in private. But I’m not going to comment on any active investigation,” Lyons responded.

When asked about video footage of Pretti’s shooting, Lyons acknowledged viewing it but declined to discuss details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Under Lyons’ authority, ICE implemented a policy memo, initially revealed by The Associated Press, that authorized federal immigration officers to enter private residences and conduct arrests without obtaining warrants from judges.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border security coordinator, praised Lyons’ dedication, describing him as “a highly respected and effective acting Director of ICE” who served with distinction.

WASHINGTON — Members of a House subcommittee voiced deep anxieties about artificial intelligence during a Thursday roundtable discussion that quickly shifted from exploring the technology’s promise to confronting its potential perils.

During the session, Virginia Democrat James Walkinshaw raised concerns about federal employees potentially using AI chatbots to process classified government information. South Carolina Republican William Timmons questioned whether creating fake pornographic content using someone’s appearance through AI should be criminalized.

Virginia Republican John McGuire worried that AI systems might prevent American military personnel from taking necessary lethal action based on the technology’s programmed sense of ethics. Arizona Democrat Yassamin Ansari brought up multiple issues including the Trump administration’s AI use in the Iran conflict, the technology’s heavy energy consumption, and climate implications.

The House Oversight Committee’s subcommittee roundtable titled “Artificial Intelligence and American Power” brought together AI company executives, researchers, and corporate implementation specialists with members of Congress. This occurred while other lawmakers debated federal surveillance authority, the Iran war, and Department of Homeland Security budget matters.

The Thursday meeting highlighted how Capitol Hill leaders are struggling to keep pace with rapid technological advances that increasingly influence global events. However, the discussion soon turned to whether artificial intelligence might overshadow all other national challenges.

“People in our districts across this country are going to start feeling impacts very soon, and if we don’t start thinking properly and aggressively and proactively about the challenges that AI creates, I fear that we’re going to have a revolution on our hands,” said California Democrat Dave Min.

Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost, the subcommittee’s ranking minority member, acknowledged AI’s potential to eliminate diseases and strengthen the economy. However, Frost, who holds the distinction of being Congress’s youngest member, expressed concern that the technology’s advancement would outstrip lawmakers’ ability to respond, potentially creating catastrophic outcomes without early intervention.

“I don’t have faith in this institution to actually put the common sense guardrails in place. And then we fast forward ten years, and the house is on fire,” said Frost. “That won’t be good for anybody, whether it’s the industry or working families and people, or this institution itself.”

Missouri Republican Eric Burlison opened the meeting by commending the industry and expressing amazement at how one panelist’s organization employed AI to streamline and accelerate production processes in their manufacturing facilities.

“It’s truly like the closest thing to Star Trek I’ve ever seen,” Burlison remarked. He subsequently asked about strategies congressional districts could use to attract AI companies as business partners.

Several participants also expressed concern about revelations from technology companies like Anthropic, which recently revealed its Mythos AI system possesses such advanced capabilities that the company is restricting access to selected clients due to its apparent ability to circumvent standard cybersecurity measures and penetrate major institutions including financial institutions, government departments, and large corporations.

“I recognize AI is not going anywhere,” said Arizona Republican Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL with combat experience. “That being said, does anyone on this panel feel or believe, in any way, that as we are going down the road in this AI race, we might be simultaneously engineering our own destruction?”

The gathered specialists and business representatives emphasized AI’s extensive and expanding abilities. Along with their policy suggestions, they encouraged lawmakers to approach policy-making with careful consideration and thorough knowledge.

Mark Beall, who serves as president of government affairs at AI Policy Network Inc. and previously worked at the Pentagon, cautioned that Congress could jeopardize America’s AI leadership position by failing to address critical national security issues.

“I don’t think it’s going to kill us,” Robert Atkinson, who founded the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation technology think tank, told the assembled lawmakers.

“At the same time, I do think it’s important for the federal government to seriously fund AI safety research,” Atkinson continued. “We need to know a lot more about how the models work.”

When lawmakers questioned whether AI firms were acting responsibly, George Washington University law professor Spencer Overton said the incentives for AI companies “are really what they should be.”

“Constituents are looking for you, not for companies, to step up and protect them,” Overton said. “They’re trusting you, the person that they voted for, to do that, as opposed to companies. That’s the way the system works, right?”

Former Navy SEAL Cameron Hamilton is set to be nominated by President Donald Trump as the permanent head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, despite being dismissed from the same position just months ago, sources reveal.

Hamilton served as FEMA’s interim chief from January through May of the previous year before his termination came one day following his congressional testimony. During his appearance before a House Appropriations subcommittee, he publicly opposed the president’s repeated suggestions to eliminate the disaster response agency.

“I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he stated during his Capitol Hill testimony.

The emergency management agency has operated without a Senate-confirmed leader during Trump’s entire second presidency and is now under the guidance of its third interim chief. Critics argue this leadership instability weakens the agency’s ability to respond effectively to disasters.

Sources indicate Trump extended the nomination offer to Hamilton on Wednesday. The individual providing this information requested anonymity as they were not cleared to speak publicly about the matter. White House officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. The New York Times was first to report on Trump’s intention to select Hamilton for the position.

WASHINGTON – The interim director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will step down from his federal role this summer, CBS News reported Thursday, according to two government sources with knowledge of his intentions.

Todd Lyons has informed his coworkers that he intends to leave the agency in June, the report stated.

The immigration enforcement agency, operating under the Department of Homeland Security, has been central to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies that civil rights organizations claim have infringed upon free speech protections and due process guarantees.

A deadly January incident in Minnesota where ICE agents fatally shot two American citizens – Alex Pretti and Renee Good – triggered widespread demonstrations across the country, with human rights advocates arguing the agency’s conduct has fostered dangerous conditions, especially for minority communities.

The Trump administration maintains these enforcement measures are essential for strengthening national security and reducing unauthorized immigration.

Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal officials have decided to reinstate financial support for a major Manhattan transit expansion following legal action by New York state authorities.

In a Thursday court document, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it had finished evaluating the Second Avenue subway extension and would restart reimbursements to state transit agencies for project expenses.

MTA Chief Executive Janno Lieber described the decision as bringing “long-awaited transit justice” to upper Manhattan communities. The subway expansion is creating new stations moving north through Manhattan’s Upper East Side, extending rail service into sections of Harlem.

“It shouldn’t have taken seven months and a lawsuit to get here,” Lieber stated.

Transportation Department officials said the settlement ensures taxpayers’ “hard-earned dollars will not fund unconstitutional DEI initiatives,” referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Federal administrators claimed such principles have driven up costs on government projects and violate constitutional requirements.

“This has always been about securing the best deal for the American taxpayer and ensuring their dollars are spent efficiently and fairly,” the department declared.

MTA representatives did not immediately address the federal agency’s assertions, though during Thursday’s Washington court proceedings, state officials maintained they were already following federal guidelines and funding should never have been suspended, according to The New York Times.

Transportation officials had blocked approximately $60 million from the Second Avenue development during their assessment. The complete project carries a $7.7 billion price tag, with federal contributions totaling roughly $3.4 billion.

The Second Avenue subway disagreement represents one of several major infrastructure initiatives in New York and New Jersey that Trump has attempted to derail while clashing with Democratic leadership in those regions.

In October, the administration also suspended billions in support for a new rail connection linking New York and New Jersey. However, a federal judge in February directed government officials to restart funding for the Hudson River tunnel initiative.

Previously, the Transportation Department canceled approval for New York’s pioneering congestion pricing program and warned of funding cuts if the state continued with the toll affecting drivers entering Manhattan’s busiest areas.

A federal judge determined last month that the agency overstepped its authority by unilaterally withdrawing approval of the $9 charge.

Back in 2019, when Virginia Governor Ralph Northam faced intense scrutiny over a racist yearbook photo, Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax appeared ready to step into the governor’s mansion and make history as the state’s second African American chief executive.

But that moment never came to pass. Shortly afterward, Fairfax confronted his own crisis when two women publicly accused him of sexual assault from incidents years before. While Fairfax maintained his innocence and faced no criminal charges, the allegations severely damaged his standing.

According to court records and those close to him, his life deteriorated dramatically in subsequent years. On Thursday — seven years after he came close to the governor’s office — authorities say he took his own life and that of his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, while their two children were present in their home. The tragic incident occurred during ongoing divorce proceedings and just two weeks before a court-ordered deadline requiring him to vacate the family residence in Annandale, a Washington, D.C. suburb.

Fairfax’s background included work as a federal prosecutor and civil attorney. He initially sought the Democratic nomination for attorney general without success in 2013, then secured victory in the lieutenant governor’s race four years later, sharing the ticket with Northam.

Supporters viewed Northam, a former Republican, as a practical gubernatorial candidate due to his bipartisan approach. Fairfax earned recognition for taking measured stances on divisive topics including Confederate monuments and wage policies.

However, just twelve months into their administration, Northam’s medical school yearbook resurfaced, featuring an image of someone in blackface alongside another person dressed in Ku Klux Klan attire. The governor never clarified which costume he had worn.

Public demands for Northam’s resignation mounted rapidly. If he had stepped down, Fairfax would have automatically assumed the governorship.

Instead, two women stepped forward with accusations against Fairfax.

Vanessa Tyson alleged that Fairfax sexually assaulted her in his Boston hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. At that time, Fairfax was attending Columbia Law School and working as an assistant to Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

Tyson stated Wednesday that the incident left her feeling deeply humiliated and ashamed, leading her to bury the memory while building her academic career. She first began sharing details of the alleged assault with friends in October 2017 after encountering a photograph of Fairfax in campaign coverage.

Just 48 hours after Tyson’s public statement, Meredith Watson released her own accusation, claiming Fairfax had raped her in 2000 during their time as Duke University students.

The Associated Press follows a policy of not identifying alleged sexual assault victims unless they choose to speak publicly, as both Tyson and Watson did.

These allegations created a political firestorm and widespread turmoil. Many Democratic leaders who had remained cautious after the initial accusation quickly denounced Fairfax following the second woman’s statement. Politicians from both parties soon joined calls for his resignation, matching similar demands directed at Northam.

Even under enormous public and political pressure, both Northam and Fairfax completed their full terms, which concluded in 2022.

Fairfax attempted to revive his political ambitions in 2021 through a gubernatorial campaign.

During that race, his campaign staff acknowledged that the sexual assault allegations had fundamentally altered the political landscape. Fairfax maintained that voters, especially African American constituents, would recognize what he claimed — without providing evidence — was a coordinated attack on his reputation.

He placed fourth among five Democratic primary candidates, capturing less than 4% of the total vote.

Legal documents reveal that Fairfax experienced significant financial difficulties after the allegations emerged, leading to his departure as a partner from a prominent law firm. Court papers indicate his “mental and emotional health” deteriorated substantially, resulting in heavy drinking and isolation from his family.

Records show that in 2022, Justin Fairfax purchased a firearm using funds earmarked for his children’s horseback riding instruction. Court documents also detail an incident that year when he left home carrying the weapon and clothing in a suitcase, and was subsequently discovered in a wooded area of a nearby public park.

The murder-suicide occurred just weeks before a judicial deadline requiring Fairfax to leave the family home, according to court filings.

State authorities in Minnesota are pursuing multiple investigations targeting federal immigration enforcement officers following controversial operations conducted during the previous Trump administration in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Hennepin County officials announced Thursday that they have filed criminal charges against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., alleging he aimed his firearm at a driver and passenger while on a Minneapolis freeway. According to a local prosecutor, this marks the first criminal prosecution of a federal officer connected to Minnesota’s immigration enforcement operations.

Federal authorities have challenged Minnesota’s legal authority to investigate federal personnel. Despite this pushback, state officials filed a lawsuit last month seeking access to evidence related to three shooting incidents during the enforcement period, two of which resulted in fatalities.

Several major cases remain under review:

On January 24, Pretti, a 37-year-old critical care nurse, was fatally shot by federal officers while participating in demonstrations on a business corridor. Federal officials claimed they fired in self-defense against Pretti, stating he possessed a semi-automatic weapon and was aggressively fighting officers. However, multiple video recordings dispute this account, revealing Pretti held only a cell phone when officers brought him to the ground. Footage shows an officer discovering a pistol in Pretti’s waistband just before a different officer shot him in the back.

The Justice Department confirmed the FBI is conducting a civil rights probe into Pretti’s death, while Customs and Border Protection is performing its own internal review.

On January 7, Good, a 37-year-old mother, was positioned in a residential street with her SUV, sounding her horn, when immigration agents approached her vehicle. As she started moving forward, an ICE agent positioned in front of her car discharged at least two rounds into the vehicle, resulting in Good’s death.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains the incident is still being examined but claims video evidence demonstrates Good interfered with law enforcement activities and used her vehicle as a weapon, prompting the officer’s defensive response.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the department’s Civil Rights Division does not review every police-involved shooting and requires specific conditions and evidence to justify an inquiry.

Sosa-Celis sustained injuries on January 14 when a federal agent shot him in the right leg. Federal authorities initially claimed Sosa-Celis and an associate attacked an ICE officer using a broomstick and snow shovel. However, federal prosecutors subsequently dismissed all charges against both men, and officials launched a criminal probe into whether two immigration officers provided false testimony regarding the shooting.

DHS reported both officers are currently on administrative duty while ICE and DOJ perform a collaborative investigation.

Ramsey County, encompassing St. Paul, is examining federal officers’ January 18 detention of ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a Hmong American resident, for possible kidnapping, burglary and unlawful detention charges.

ICE personnel forced entry into Thao’s St. Paul residence with weapons drawn, then escorted him outside wearing only underwear and a blanket despite frigid weather. The incident was recorded and widely circulated on social media.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher announced Monday they are seeking information from DHS but have been unable to confirm whether ICE officers possessed an arrest warrant for Thao.

DHS responded in a statement that ICE does not engage in kidnapping and characterized the county’s investigation as a political maneuver.

In early March, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced her office was examining at least 17 incidents and evaluating potential misconduct charges against federal officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino.

The investigation encompasses an incident where Bovino hurled a smoke device at demonstrators on January 21. Another case from January 7 involved federal agents conducting an arrest near a high school while using chemical agents with students and faculty in the vicinity.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pushing an international campaign to replace traditional foreign assistance with private sector investment, drawing sharp criticism from United Nations officials and former diplomats who warn the approach could harm the world’s most vulnerable people.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American diplomats worldwide to secure support for the “Trade Over Aid Initiative” from foreign government leaders by Monday, according to a diplomatic message obtained by The Associated Press. The proposal will be officially presented at the UN by the end of April.

The administration’s plan encourages UN member countries to implement business-friendly changes to their assistance programs by fostering dialogue between governments, private companies and international groups. The initiative promotes free-market policies designed to attract foreign investment, including minimal regulations, reduced taxes, diverse energy options, protection of private property, contract enforcement and reliable court systems.

“The idea that trade and free market capitalism is the surest path to prosperity has been proven by the facts and by history,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “The U.S. remains the most generous country in the history of the world, but those arguing for ‘aid not trade’ are really arguing for lining the pockets of a corrupt NGO industrial complex.”

While countries wouldn’t be legally bound by signing onto the proposal, their participation would signal international sentiment on global aid challenges as major donors including the United States and United Kingdom have reduced humanitarian funding while boosting military spending.

UN officials and international organizations view this latest development as another step away from established aid systems during a time of escalating global conflicts, potentially opening doors for exploitation by profit-seeking corporations.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized the organization’s commitment to achieving its sustainable development goals by 2030, which encompass eliminating poverty, promoting gender equality and addressing climate change urgently.

“For us, trade, investment, and private sector engagement can be powerful drivers of inclusive growth and job creation,” Dujarric told AP. “They should, however, not be used to substitute international development cooperation or for principled humanitarian assistance.”

Eric Pelofsky, a former State Department official under Presidents Obama and Bush who now works at the Rockefeller Foundation, strongly condemned the initiative.

“There’s no American who looks at a picture of a starving child and sees an opportunity for companies to enrich themselves,” Pelofsky stated. “That’s because Americans have historically run to the fire to help rather than looking for ways to sell fire hoses to those suffering. This approach betrays America’s traditions, values, and national security interests — and it makes us less safe.”

This initiative continues the Trump administration’s pattern of withdrawing from international cooperative organizations since taking office in January 2025. The administration has halted support for the World Health Organization, UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO, while also eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The administration now takes a selective approach to UN funding, choosing to support only operations and agencies that align with Trump’s priorities while avoiding those deemed contrary to American interests.

In December, American officials committed $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs — significantly less than previous contributions but still maintaining the country’s position as the world’s largest humanitarian donor, according to the administration.

NEW YORK — A distinguished newspaper editor who previously led The Washington Post has delivered pointed criticism of today’s media landscape, warning that journalists are losing their shared ethical foundation.

Marty Baron, who also served as editor at The Boston Globe and The Miami Herald, delivered his concerns during a keynote speech at New York University’s journalism awards ceremony on Wednesday. Baron warned that the news industry risks adopting a “to each his own” approach to ethics rather than maintaining unified standards.

“We will be doing ourselves no favors if that turns out to be the case,” Baron stated. “All of us will likely be tainted by the worst practices of any one of us.”

During the ceremony, NYU recognized The Associated Press for its “unyielding defense of ethical standards and principles” after the news organization refused to alter its style guidelines when President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico. The AP is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the White House over restricted access, with the case pending before an appeals court.

The university also recognized The Atlantic for its transparent reporting when its editor was accidentally added to communications between Trump administration officials and military personnel, along with student journalists from NYU, Stanford, and the University of Texas at Dallas.

Baron acknowledged he might appear preachy but expressed deep concern that journalists cannot find common ground on ethical principles. He advocated for “seeking the truth with humility” as the profession’s guiding principle.

While Baron highlighted exemplary journalism, including Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Knight Ridder’s pre-Iraq War coverage from over twenty years ago, he focused primarily on troubling trends he’s observed.

He specifically targeted CBS News leadership under Paramount Global executive David Ellison and his selection of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Paramount is currently seeking Trump administration approval for its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would also place CNN under its control. Ellison has promised editorial independence for both CBS News and potentially CNN.

Baron took issue with Ellison’s stated goal of targeting Americans who consider themselves politically center-left or center-right, describing this demographic as the country’s majority. “That is a political goal. It is not a journalistic one,” Baron declared.

He argued that news organizations following such guidelines “are fated to compromise ethics when a rock-solid story moving toward publication is deemed to fall outside the designated political comfort zone.” CBS News did not provide immediate response to requests for comment.

The perceived relationship between Ellison and the Trump administration has influenced how observers view CBS News coverage. Critics pointed to the network’s February reporting on ICE arrests during immigration enforcement actions, where initial reports emphasized that 40% of arrestees had no criminal background and only 14% faced violent crime charges or convictions — contradicting administration claims about targeting the “worst of the worst.” Later CBS Evening News coverage shifted focus to highlight that 60% of arrestees did have criminal histories.

CBS News has also drawn attention for extending invitations to Trump administration officials for its table at the upcoming White House Correspondents Association dinner. While such invitations are standard practice across news outlets at the event, they’re receiving heightened scrutiny given the administration’s media criticism.

Baron also condemned “cable networks that function as mouthpieces and bullhorns for the administration, who routinely funnel on-air personalities into its top positions and who supply them with lucrative landing spots when they exit. These outlets render themselves largely indistinguishable from the governments they are supposed to cover.”

His comments preceded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Thursday criticism of journalists from his Pentagon podium. The former Fox News Channel personality accused reporters of “only looking for the negative” in Iran war coverage, comparing them to biblical Pharisees who doubted Christ’s miracles.

“Your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors,” Hegseth declared Thursday.

Baron criticized media personalities across the political spectrum who view everything through partisan filters, consult only sources who confirm their beliefs, and use isolated facts to support broad conclusions. “This is an outrage and advocacy industry,” he stated, “not a fact-finding profession.”

He also suggested many journalists failed their professional duty regarding former President Biden’s cognitive and physical challenges during his presidency. Baron stepped down from The Washington Post in January 2021, shortly after Biden assumed office.

“Did some among us shy from aggressively exploring his intellectual and physical health for fear of aiding Donald Trump’s campaign and alienating loyal readers, viewers and listeners?” Baron questioned. “My guess is yes. If so, would that be an ethical breakdown in our profession? Again, I’d say yes.”

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. returned to Capitol Hill Thursday for his first congressional appearance since September, facing intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over proposed budget reductions exceeding 12% for his department.

During his appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee, which marks the beginning of seven budget hearings scheduled for the coming week, Kennedy highlighted the administration’s efforts to overhaul dietary guidelines and eliminate wasteful spending.

Committee Republicans welcomed Kennedy as a “breath of fresh air” and invited him to discuss his department’s recent initiatives. However, Democrats, who have criticized Kennedy’s extensive restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursued a more confrontational approach.

Democratic members challenged Kennedy on what they characterized as administrative inconsistencies regarding fraud prevention, questioned his rationale for program budget reductions, and criticized his decision to scale back vaccine promotion efforts, which they argued has led to preventable fatalities.

Kennedy responded forcefully, frequently elevating his voice while accusing Democratic representatives of distorting his record and previous public statements.

A particularly tense moment occurred when Rep. Linda Sanchez of California confronted Kennedy about recent measles cases nationwide and questioned his role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to reduce pro-vaccination public communications.

“As a mother, this horrifies me,” Sanchez said. “Did President Trump approve your decision to end CDC’s pro-vaccine public messaging campaign?”

Kennedy consistently avoided providing a direct response, stating he first wanted to address the “misstatements that you’ve made” and subsequently defending the Trump administration’s measles prevention efforts, despite declining vaccination rates in certain regions.

“That’s not answering my question,” Sanchez said as the two talked over each other.

However, Sanchez managed to get Kennedy, who was known as an anti-vaccine advocate before entering government, to concede that vaccination might have prevented the death of a 6-year-old Texas child who died from measles last year.

“Do you agree with the majority of doctors that the measles vaccine could have saved that child’s life in Texas?” she asked.

“It’s possible, certainly,” Kennedy said.

Another confrontation developed between Kennedy and Alabama Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell when Kennedy strongly disputed making statements he had actually made in 2024.

The remarks originated during Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Speaking on the “High Level Conversations” podcast last July, he said, “Psychiatric drugs — which every Black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, and those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented to live in a community where there’ll be no cellphones, no screens, you’ll actually have to talk to people.”

“Have you ever re-parented, or parented, I should say, a Black child?” Sewell asked, as her staff held up a poster featuring an abbreviated version of the quote.

“I don’t even know what that phrase means,” Kennedy said. “I’m not going to answer something I didn’t say.”

“You’re making stuff up,” he later claimed.

Podcast recordings confirm he made these statements while discussing proposed free rehabilitation centers he planned to establish in rural locations nationwide.

HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard explained that Kennedy, before joining the administration, was describing environments where young people experiencing isolation, mental health issues and hopelessness could receive re-parenting, which she defined as a psychotherapy concept for “developing the emotional regulation, discipline, boundaries, and self-worth that may not have been established in childhood.”

Kennedy, who spent most of his career as a Democrat and comes from one of America’s most prominent political dynasties, found himself at odds with his former party throughout the hearing. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers opened their remarks by acknowledging their respect for Kennedy’s family members, including former President John F. Kennedy.

The deteriorating relationship between Kennedy and his previous political allies was evident as bitter exchanges continued throughout Thursday’s session.

The health secretary became increasingly defensive and visibly frustrated, repeatedly criticizing Democratic committee members for not allowing him adequate response time.

“They’ve all shut me up,” Kennedy said at one point. “They give a little speech that they can go and market, you know, for fundraising, and they don’t allow me to answer the question.”

Occasionally, interactions remained respectful. Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore employed humor to maintain civility.

“I promise to give you easy, comfortable questions if you don’t yell at me and hurt my feelings,” she told Kennedy. He promised he wouldn’t.

Minnesota prosecutors have filed criminal assault charges against a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in connection with incidents that occurred during a massive immigration enforcement operation earlier this year.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges during a press conference on April 16, 2026, in Minneapolis. According to county officials, this marks the first time criminal charges have been brought against a federal immigration agent related to the large-scale crackdown that brought thousands of federal officers into Minnesota.

The enforcement operation, which took place in February, has drawn significant scrutiny after resulting in the fatal shootings of two American citizens during the widespread immigration raids.

County officials did not immediately release additional details about the specific assault allegations or the identity of the charged ICE agent. The case represents a rare instance of state prosecutors pursuing criminal charges against federal law enforcement personnel.

WASHINGTON — Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, is expected to encounter intense scrutiny regarding his extensive financial portfolio during his upcoming Senate Banking Committee hearing next week.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the committee, revealed to reporters following a Thursday meeting with Warsh that she had pressed him to reveal additional details about his assets beyond what appeared in this week’s financial disclosure documents. The former Fed official and wealthy investor reported financial holdings exceeding $100 million, though exact amounts remain unclear due to range-based reporting requirements.

The nominee maintains significant positions in multiple investment funds and operates his own financial advisory business, Vicarage LLC. While Warsh has committed in ethics documents to divest these holdings and cease advisory work upon confirmation as Fed chair, he has not revealed the complete value of his fund investments or identified certain clients.

“This is a real problem,” Warren stated. “No one has gone forward in the Trump administration without disclosing fully their financial holdings.”

This represents another obstacle for the 55-year-old Warsh, who already confronts an unusually challenging confirmation process for the Fed chairmanship he has pursued for over ten years. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also a Banking Committee member, announced this week his opposition to Warsh’s nomination until a Justice Department probe involving current Fed Chair Jerome Powell concludes. This impasse could push back Warsh’s confirmation beyond Powell’s May 15 term expiration.

Should Warsh gain confirmation, he will likely encounter continued pressure from Trump to lower the Fed’s benchmark interest rate, even as the Iran conflict drives inflation upward and fellow policymakers question rate reductions. He might also serve alongside Powell, who would remain on the Fed’s governing board—an awkward situation not seen since the 1940s.

Warsh served on the Fed’s governing board between 2006 and 2011 and is wed to Jane Lauder, whose father is billionaire cosmetics magnate Ronald Lauder, a prominent Republican contributor. His financial background includes earning approximately $10 million as an advisor to billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller’s family office, his disclosure documents show.

Warren reported that Warsh refused during their discussion to provide additional information about his holdings, “which, frankly, raises more concerns.” She characterized his extensive investment portfolio as “a red flag surrounded by fireworks and sparklers.”

In his disclosures, Warsh cited “pre-existing confidentiality” agreements as preventing him from specifying individual holding sizes or, in some instances, their nature. He owns a position in Polymarket, the prediction betting platform, without indicating its size. He pledged to meet all ethics requirements by divesting these investments if confirmed.

Also Thursday, all eleven Banking Committee Democrats requested postponing next week’s hearing until the Justice Department ends its investigation into cost overruns for a $2.5 billion Fed building renovation project and Powell’s involvement, plus Trump’s attempt to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook.

Both actions “appear to be part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to take control of the Fed,” their letter stated.

The federal government has pulled more than $73.5 million in funding from New York State after officials there declined to cancel approximately 33,000 problematic commercial driving permits held by immigrants, the Transportation Department announced Thursday.

Federal auditors discovered that over half of 200 licenses they examined contained serious issues, including permits that stayed active well beyond the time when immigrants had legal permission to remain in the United States. Following these findings, New York was directed to examine all similar licenses and eliminate those issued illegally.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a nationwide examination of these specialized non-domiciled commercial licenses following a deadly August collision in Florida that claimed three lives. While most states have either followed federal directives or entered into discussions with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, California has forfeited $200 million in funding. Pennsylvania, Minnesota and North Carolina have received warnings about potential funding cuts.

“I promised the American people I would hold any state leader accountable for failing to keep them safe from unvetted, unqualified foreign drivers. I’m delivering on that promise today,” Duffy said.

According to Duffy, immigrants make up roughly 20% of the nation’s truck drivers, though these special non-domiciled permits represent only about 5% of all commercial driving licenses nationwide, totaling around 200,000 drivers. New York had issued 32,606 such licenses.

New York state leaders have stood by their licensing procedures, arguing they follow federal regulations and pointing to audits conducted during the previous Trump presidency that validated their practices. This licensing dispute represents the most recent clash between federal authorities and New York and New Jersey officials regarding transportation funding. Duffy previously froze $18 billion designated for a subway expansion and Hudson River tunnel project in August. He has also warned of funding cuts if New York maintains its congestion pricing program in New York City or fails to address subway crime.

Sean Butler, a spokesman for Governor Kathy Hochul, characterized the commercial license action as part of a broader campaign targeting Democratic-led states.

“This continues a yearlong pattern of Secretary Duffy threatening to withhold money that keeps our roads, subways, and other infrastructure safe for New Yorkers. We will fight back, and once again we will win,” Butler said.

Transportation industry organizations have applauded the department’s initiatives to remove unqualified drivers from highways, shut down questionable driving schools, and pursue trucking companies that break regulations and then simply rebrand themselves to continue operations. Industry representatives argue that too many drivers lacking proper qualifications or English language skills have been permitted to operate 80,000-pound commercial vehicles.

However, immigrant advocacy organizations contend that some drivers are facing unfair targeting. Sikh truckers have faced particular scrutiny following the Florida incident and another fatal crash in California in October, both involving Sikh drivers.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has selected former Deputy Surgeon General Erica Schwartz to serve as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, following a series of leadership changes at the federal health agency.

The nomination, announced Thursday, taps Schwartz who previously worked in Trump’s administration and played a key role in the government’s COVID-19 response efforts, managing national emergency preparedness and public health coordination initiatives.

Through a Truth Social post, Trump also revealed his intentions to appoint healthcare executive Sean Slovenski, Texas health commissioner Jen Shuford, and senior FDA official Sara Brenner to key positions within the CDC.

The agency has experienced significant turnover since Trump dismissed Director Susan Monarez in August following her resistance to vaccine policy modifications proposed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since Monarez’s departure, the CDC has operated under interim leadership, first with Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill, followed by Jay Bhattacharya, who currently directs the National Institutes of Health, taking over the role in February.

WASHINGTON – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that his department is working to restore its workforce following major reductions implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Kennedy revealed that the health agency currently employs 72,000 people and plans to recruit an additional 12,000 workers to rebuild its operations.

The department previously operated with 82,000 employees before DOGE-led efficiency measures slashed the workforce to 62,000 positions last year, according to Kennedy’s statement.

The hiring initiative represents an effort to restore capacity to the nation’s primary health agency after the significant downsizing period.

President Donald Trump defended his stance on Iran’s nuclear capabilities Thursday, emphasizing that Pope Leo needs to recognize the global threat posed by the Middle Eastern nation.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump addressed recent tensions with the religious leader, who has become a vocal opponent of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran in recent weeks.

“The Pope has to understand – it’s very simple – Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger,” Trump declared during the press briefing.

The President has previously labeled Pope Leo as “weak” regarding foreign policy matters and claims responsibility for the Pope’s appointment to his position.

Pope Leo, a Chicago native, made headlines Saturday when he condemned what he called the “madness of war” in a public peace statement.

The current conflict began when U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks against Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations. The escalating violence, including continued U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon, has resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions of people.

Despite Trump’s public disagreement, Pope Leo told Reuters Monday that he plans to continue speaking out against the military actions.

Trump attempted to clarify his position, stating: “The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

The President’s public criticism of the Pope has sparked significant opposition from Christian communities throughout the United States, spanning various political affiliations.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism Thursday about ongoing negotiations with Iran, telling reporters he would consider traveling to Pakistan’s capital if a peace agreement is finalized there.

Speaking to media on the White House lawn before departing for Nevada and Arizona, Trump conveyed a positive outlook regarding diplomatic progress with Tehran. The president indicated he has the option to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran that is scheduled to end next week, though he suggested such an extension might not be necessary.

“If a deal is signed in Islamabad I may go,” the president told reporters. “They want me.”

Trump claimed that Iranian officials have accepted nearly all proposed terms, though he offered no supporting documentation for this assertion. He also stated that Iran has committed to surrendering enriched uranium materials that are believed to have been concealed following joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes conducted last year.

The president continues advocating for a comprehensive agreement that would require Tehran to abandon its nuclear development activities entirely.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

South Carolina legislators remain opposed to historical reinterpretation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yes,” Vought answered.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hearing featured multiple heated exchanges between committee members.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hathaway faced no opposition in securing the Republican nomination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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