Category: Politics

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated Friday that the United States may eliminate sanctions on additional Russian oil supplies, following Washington’s decision to grant a 30-day exemption permitting Russian crude oil stuck at sea to be sold to India.

Speaking on Fox Business’ “Kudlow” show, Bessent stated, “We may unsanction other Russian oil.”

The Treasury Secretary explained that vast quantities of restricted oil remain in limbo on vessels worldwide. “There are hundreds of millions of sanctioned barrels of sanctioned crude on the water and in essence, by unsanctioning them, Treasury can create supply, and we are looking at that,” Bessent said.

The comments come as the administration weighs options for addressing global oil markets and supply concerns.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump addressed sports industry leaders on Friday, declaring that escalating expenses related to college football player compensation are damaging university athletic programs across the nation and require congressional intervention. The president also indicated he may issue an executive order addressing the situation.

During the White House East Room event, Trump explained that name, image and likeness compensation agreements for football players have created financial strain for universities, with some institutions being forced to eliminate other athletic programs like fencing.

“We have to save college sports,” Trump stated to the assembled sports leaders.

The landscape changed dramatically following a 2021 Supreme Court decision that permitted college athletes to receive compensation for their name, image and likeness rights, overturning a previous NCAA prohibition that had been in place until five years prior.

Trump emphasized that congressional legislation is necessary to reform how NIL agreements are utilized.

“The amount of money being spent and lost by otherwise very successful schools is astounding,” he remarked.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking at the same gathering, confirmed that lawmakers are developing legislation to tackle the issue and expressed confidence in bipartisan backing.

“We want to accomplish the necessary ends, and we think we’re very close,” Johnson stated.

Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban advocated for implementing an effective revenue-sharing framework and finding solutions for football players who remain eligible to compete for six or seven years, reaching their mid-twenties while still in college athletics.

HONOLULU — Colleen Hanabusa, a groundbreaking politician who became Hawaii’s first female state Senate president before serving multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, passed away Friday morning at age 74.

Mike Formby, her longtime friend and former House chief of staff, confirmed that Hanabusa died following a five-month fight against cancer.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced her death Friday and directed both U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff through Monday morning as a mark of respect.

Green praised Hanabusa for breaking down barriers as the state Senate’s first female leader and noted that she “spent decades advocating for her community with strength, determination and heart.” He added, “Her legacy of leadership and public service will continue to inspire generations to come.”

The attorney grew up in Waianae on Oahu’s west side, where her family operated an automotive service business.

From 1999 through 2010, she served constituents from the Waianae Coast and Leeward Oahu regions in the state legislature.

A pivotal moment in her career came in 2012 when U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye passed away while Hanabusa was serving in Congress. Inouye had written a hand-signed note on his final day, expressing his desire for Hanabusa to take his place, describing it as his “last wish.”

However, then-Governor Neil Abercrombie selected Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz for the Senate position instead.

Determined to honor Inouye’s request, Hanabusa later abandoned her House seat to pursue the Senate role.

“Brian was not elected. He was appointed,” she stated during that campaign. “And I don’t think the people have really had an opportunity to weigh in on who they want to represent them in the United States Senate.”

The 2014 Senate race ended in heartbreak for Hanabusa, who fell short by less than one percent against Schatz.

She successfully regained her former House position in 2016, returning to Washington for another term.

Following that victory, she shared her concerns about Donald Trump’s presidential election win.

“I just didn’t expect the rest of the nation to vote as resoundingly as they did,” Hanabusa commented after her own election results came in. “It’s just a statement about how they feel. And when you think about the things that he said and he stood for, it’s got to give everyone cause to just pause and think about, ‘What are we saying to the world, what are we saying to each other?’”

In 2018, she once again left her congressional role to seek the governor’s mansion but was defeated by former Governor David Ige in the Democratic primary contest.

Most recently, Honolulu’s mayor named Hanabusa to oversee the city’s troubled rail project, which has faced significant delays and cost overruns, in 2021.

Her husband John Souza survives her, along with two cherished dogs, Frannie and Pupper, according to Formby, who currently works as managing director in the Honolulu mayor’s office.

The Pentagon’s top technology official has revealed new details about a contentious dispute with artificial intelligence company Anthropic regarding the military use of autonomous weapons systems, including discussions about President Trump’s planned Golden Dome missile defense initiative that would deploy American weapons in space.

Defense Undersecretary Emil Michael, who serves as the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, described Anthropic’s ethical limitations on its Claude chatbot as unreasonable barriers as the military works to increase automation in drone swarms, underwater vessels, and other combat systems to match capabilities being developed by competitors like China.

“I need a reliable, steady partner that gives me something, that’ll work with me on autonomous, because someday it’ll be real and we’re starting to see earlier versions of that,” Michael stated during a podcast that aired Friday. “I need someone who’s not going to wig out in the middle.”

These revelations follow the Pentagon’s official classification of the San Francisco-based Anthropic as a supply chain security threat, effectively terminating its defense contracts through regulations meant to protect national security infrastructure from foreign interference.

The AI company has announced plans to challenge the classification in court, as the designation impacts its partnerships with other defense contractors.

President Trump has also directed federal agencies to cease using Claude immediately, though he granted the Pentagon a six-month transition period to remove the technology from classified military networks, including systems currently deployed in the Iran conflict.

According to Anthropic, the company only sought to limit two specific applications of its technology: widespread surveillance of American citizens and completely autonomous weapon systems.

Michael, who previously worked as an Uber executive, shared his perspective on months of discussions with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei during an appearance on the “All-In” podcast, hosted by Silicon Valley investors Jason Calacanis, David Friedberg, and Chamath Palihapitiya.

Notably absent from the episode was co-host David Sacks, a former PayPal executive who now serves as Trump’s AI advisor and has publicly criticized Anthropic, particularly for recruiting former Biden administration personnel after Trump’s return to office.

When negotiations stalled last week, Michael publicly attacked Amodei on social media, claiming he “has a God-complex” and “wants nothing more than to try to personally control” military operations. However, during the podcast, he framed the disagreement as part of the military’s broader integration of artificial intelligence.

Michael explained that the military is creating protocols for various levels of automated warfare based on threat assessment.

“This is part of the debate I had with Anthropic, which is we need AI for things like Golden Dome,” Michael explained, describing a hypothetical situation where the United States would have just 90 seconds to counter a Chinese hypersonic missile attack.

He argued that a human missile defense operator “may not be able to discriminate with their own eyes what they’re going after,” while an automated response would pose minimal risk “because it’s in space and you’re just trying to hit something that’s trying to get you.”

In another example, he asked, “who could oppose if you have a military base, you have a bunch of soldiers sleeping, that you have a laser that can take down drones autonomously?”

Responding to Michael’s podcast statements, Anthropic referenced an earlier comment from Amodei stating “Anthropic understands that the Department of War, not private companies, makes military decisions. We have never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner.”

Michael, who assumed his role as defense undersecretary for research and engineering last May, said he took control of the military’s “AI portfolio” in August. At that time, he began reviewing Anthropic’s existing contracts, some established during the Biden administration, questioning usage terms he considered overly restrictive.

“I need to have the terms of service be rational relative to our mission set,” he explained. “So we started these negotiations. It took three months and I had to sort of give them scenarios, like this Chinese hypersonic missile example. They’re like, ‘OK, we’ll give you an exception for that.’ Well, how about this drone swarm? ‘We’ll give an exception for that.’ And I was like, exceptions doesn’t work. I can’t predict for the next 20 years what (are) all the things we might use AI for.”

This led the Pentagon to demand that Anthropic and other AI companies permit “all lawful use” of their technology, according to Michael.

While Anthropic refused this broader authorization, its competitors including Google, OpenAI, and Elon Musk’s xAI accepted the terms, though some are still preparing their systems for classified military applications, Michael noted. Anthropic’s other major concern involved preventing bulk surveillance of American citizens.

“They didn’t want us to bulk-collect public information on people using their AI system,” Michael said, characterizing the negotiations as “interminable.”

Anthropic has challenged aspects of Michael’s account of the discussions and stressed that its proposed safeguards were limited in scope and not related to any current Claude applications. The dispute’s next phase will likely unfold in federal court.

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning about American higher education during a White House meeting Friday, claiming the nation’s entire university system faces collapse unless urgent action addresses the financial chaos in college athletics.

Speaking to sports officials, lawmakers, and education leaders gathered in the East Room, Trump announced plans to issue a comprehensive executive order within seven days aimed at forcing Congressional action on the mounting crisis. The president acknowledged his order would likely face legal challenges that could return the matter to federal courts.

“The whole educational system is going to go out of business because of this,” Trump stated when questioned about prioritizing sports issues amid other pressing national concerns.

The crisis stems from recent changes allowing college athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness, which has created severe budget strains for many universities while regulatory frameworks remain incomplete.

Trump expressed nostalgia for the previous system, saying “I thought the system of scholarships was great,” referring to the former era when student-athletes received only educational financial aid. He criticized the court settlement that enabled current payment structures as “horrible,” calling it something that “threw the sports world and college the college athletic world into ‘tithers.’”

Meeting attendees – including conference commissioners, NCAA leadership, and Olympic officials but notably excluding any of the NCAA’s 550,000 student-athletes – largely agreed on the need for immediate intervention. The gathering focused on the SCORE Act, a stalled House bill that could serve as the foundation for reform efforts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated sufficient votes now exist to advance the legislation, though significant disagreements remain about funding solutions.

Texas Tech regent Cody Campbell, present at the summit, requested inclusion in a smaller working group to help craft Trump’s executive order. Campbell has advocated for revising the Sports Broadcasting Act to permit college conferences to combine their television rights, potentially generating an additional $6 billion to sustain athletic programs for decades.

However, major conferences including the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten dispute these projections.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized the urgency of Senate action, telling lawmakers: “This is not about revenue, this is about structures and national standards.” He outlined how the SCORE Act would address multiple issues, including a controversial limited antitrust exemption for the NCAA that faces Democratic opposition.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, whose committee plays a crucial role in advancing legislation, stressed the need to examine both expenses and revenue streams in developing solutions.

“If we wait another year, wait another two years, the programs in your state are going away and the students in your state are losing their scholarships,” Cruz warned. “It would be an absolute travesty if we let that happen.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A south Minneapolis grocery store owner who has been serving Latino families for more than five years says his business is now facing closure because of lasting financial harm from the country’s most extensive immigration enforcement operation.

Daniel Hernandez reports that his customers continue avoiding public spaces or have dramatically cut back their purchases, while 10 out of 12 Latino small businesses leasing space in his building have remained closed since the operation began. Despite the Trump administration reducing the scope of the crackdown and dismissing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, the economic consequences continue to affect the community.

The Mexican immigrant explained that since the enforcement action started in December, just one tenant — an ice cream shop owned by Ecuadorians — has managed to reopen.

“I don’t know if my business will survive, being honest,” Hernandez said. “The amount of damage is so big that I am afraid.”

Noem’s removal came following growing criticism of her leadership, particularly regarding her management of the enforcement operation and the response to fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents.

The exact number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal personnel remaining in Minnesota remains unclear after reaching approximately 3,000 during the operation’s peak. Noem testified to Congress this week that 650 officers were still deployed.

However, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar reported to Minnesota Public Radio that White House border coordinator Tom Homan contacted her to dispute that figure, stating they had reduced staffing to the original level of slightly more than 100 ICE agents, plus additional investigators handling fraud cases.

Federal immigration and homeland security agencies did not respond to Friday requests for clarification.

Similar to Hernandez’s Colonial Market, numerous immigrant-owned businesses and those serving immigrant populations are experiencing continued financial difficulties from dramatic sales declines.

“Instead of spending $150, now they spend $30, $40,” Hernandez said.

Some customers have stopped visiting entirely — either from fear of detention regardless of immigration status, or because financial constraints prevent them from working.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reported last month that small businesses have suffered collective revenue losses in the tens of millions. He calculated the federal immigration operation cost the city’s economy $203 million during January alone and resulted in 76,000 residents experiencing food insecurity.

“We warn our community that the fight is not over,” stated Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and a Somali American, during Friday’s press conference. “It is a good day to say good riddance to Kristi Noem. But it’s not a good day to walk away from the fight.”

Many activists believe their intensive community mobilization against the operation was instrumental in forcing the administration to retreat. They credit the experience with creating robust neighborhood support systems that will endure and continue advocating for social justice.

Minneapolis resident Patty O’Keefe, who was arrested in January for following a federal agent’s vehicle, expressed satisfaction about Noem’s departure but emphasized more changes are needed.

“It’s a sign that we’re winning, that the Trump administration feels like they have to make a change to save face because they’re losing public support and losing the narrative,” she said. “And I think it’s a testament to the hard work of Minnesotans who fought back against this war of political retribution and xenophobia that has been and continues to be waged against us.”

Brandon Sigüenza, who was arrested alongside O’Keefe, said the community isn’t celebrating because the enforcement continues.

“I don’t think Minneapolitans are necessarily dancing in the streets. Because there’s still no justice for Renee Good, there’s still no justice for Alex Pretti,” Sigüenza said.

Psychologist Lucy Olson helped establish a covert grassroots network that expanded to include 2,000 volunteers supporting approximately 500 immigrant families with legal aid, housing, food, and rental assistance. She believes the mutual support systems created during the crackdown will persist to address ongoing community needs.

“For those of us who had the honor of participating as volunteers, I think we will never be the same,” Olson said. “I think there’s been cross-cultural friendships, the opportunity to build out neighborhood networks that have changed the face of our city.”

Civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong told the press conference with Hussein that Noem should have been dismissed following Good and Pretti’s deaths.

Levy Armstrong, an ordained nondenominational Christian minister, is among 39 individuals facing indictments for their alleged participation in a January protest at a St. Paul church where pastor David Easterwood serves as a senior local ICE official. She said she had been praying for Thursday’s news of Noem’s dismissal.

“So while we celebrate the fact that this woman has been removed from her high perch — where she thought she was untouchable, she thought she could literally allow these agents to get away with murder — we recognize that this system is very broken,” Levy Armstrong said.

Brenda Lewis, who leads Fridley Public Schools in suburban Minneapolis, said Noem’s dismissal “doesn’t really matter” because student safety in her district remains compromised.

Fridley, serving many Somali and Ecuadorian families, has experienced increased ICE presence over two months. Federal vehicles appeared in neighborhoods near schools and at school board members’ residences.

Among the district’s approximately 2,700 students, more than 112 have withdrawn enrollment, Lewis reported. An additional 400 students are attending virtually. The district has also lost $130,000 in funding due to decreased meal program participation.

“It’s not a Democrat or a Republican issue,” Lewis said. “It’s about children’s safety, and we need to really come together and ensure that this absolute removal of safety for school children by a federal agency can never ever happen again in the state or the country.”

While Minnesota’s leading Republican officials generally backed Noem’s management of the operation, they have remained largely quiet about her removal. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer — the state’s highest-ranking Republican — did not respond to Friday requests for comment.

However, moderate GOP state Senator Jim Abeler from suburban Anoka noted he contacted Noem in January expressing “grave concerns” about some of her officers’ conduct in Minnesota.

“With her departure, I hope that what happened in Minnesota won’t happen anywhere else,” Abeler said in a statement.

A Brooklyn federal jury delivered a guilty verdict Friday against a Pakistani businessman who orchestrated a failed assassination scheme targeting American political leaders, with prosecutors linking the plot to Iran’s military forces.

Asif Merchant, 47, was found guilty on terrorism and murder-for-hire charges after a week-long trial where he admitted to attempting to arrange killings during the height of the 2024 presidential election season. The jury reached their decision in just a few hours of deliberation.

During his testimony, Merchant revealed he was following orders from an operative within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the country’s elite paramilitary force. He stated that while his handler never identified specific targets, discussions included then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, sitting President Joe Biden, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who was also seeking the Republican nomination at the time.

Iran’s government has rejected accusations of plotting to eliminate American officials.

The conspiracy unraveled when Merchant demonstrated his intentions to an associate by arranging items on a napkin to simulate a shooting at a political rally. When he requested help finding professional killers, the associate instead connected him with undercover FBI operatives who documented their interactions.

During a meeting in a parked Manhattan vehicle, Merchant told the supposed assassins he required services that might involve eliminating “some political person” and provided them with $5,000 in cash.

“This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement,” Attorney General Pam Bondi declared following the conviction.

Defense attorney Avraham Moskowitz has not responded to requests for comment.

Merchant spent decades working in Pakistan’s banking sector before transitioning to clothing and other commercial ventures. He maintains families in both Pakistan and Iran and previously traveled to America for his textile business operations.

According to his court testimony, Merchant encountered a Revolutionary Guard intelligence officer approximately three years ago. This contact provided him with surveillance evasion techniques and various assignments, including the assassination plan.

Merchant insisted he felt compelled to follow his handler’s directions to safeguard family members living in Iran. He claimed he reluctantly participated while expecting to be apprehended and able to clarify his circumstances to law enforcement before any violence occurred.

“I was going along with it,” he testified in Urdu through a court translator.

Federal prosecutors highlighted that Merchant confessed to actively pursuing the scheme on behalf of the Revolutionary Guard, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization, and failed to voluntarily contact authorities.

Law enforcement arrested him on July 12, 2024, as he prepared to depart for Pakistan. This occurred one day before a separate, unrelated assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials indicated the Pennsylvania shooter appeared to operate independently, though they had been monitoring Iranian threats against Trump, which Iran dismissed as “unsubstantiated and malicious.”

When Merchant later spoke with FBI agents about potential cooperation, he did not mention acting under duress to protect his family.

Prosecutors contended he failed to substantiate his defense of operating under coercion. Merchant attempted to convince jurors he simply believed the agents wouldn’t accept his explanation because they appeared to “think that I am some type of super-spy,” which he insisted he was “absolutely not.”

Merchant now faces a potential life sentence in federal prison.

The Executive Director of the National Symphony Orchestra has resigned from her position, leaving the prestigious ensemble based at Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Jean Davidson announced her resignation on Friday, telling the New York Times that “It’s no secret that this has been a really hard year.” She revealed that she began seeking new employment opportunities several months ago and will now lead the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in California.

The National Symphony Orchestra has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding Davidson’s departure.

Her resignation comes during a period of significant upheaval at the Kennedy Center, the nation’s premier cultural venue named in honor of President John F. Kennedy following his death. President Donald Trump has assumed the role of chairman and implemented major organizational changes, including installing a board that voted to incorporate his name into the institution. Trump recently revealed plans to shut down the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation period.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who serves as an ex-officio Kennedy Center board member, initiated legal action last year challenging the name modification. She has now expanded her lawsuit to request court intervention to prevent efforts to “shutter and gut” the facility.

Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, responded to the legal challenges in a statement, saying “We’re confident the court will uphold the board’s decision on the name change and the desperately needed renovations which will continue as scheduled.”

Beatty’s lawsuit also alleges that Trump-appointed Republican board members illegally removed voting privileges from her and other congressional ex-officio board members representing both political parties.

When asked about the voting rights dispute, Daravi’s office directed inquiries to previous statements made to the Washington Post, where she maintained that ex-officio members have historically not participated in voting. “The bylaws were revised to reflect this longstanding precedent and everyone received the technical changes both before the meeting and after revisions,” Daravi explained in correspondence with the Post.

The Kennedy Center has experienced numerous performance cancellations since Trump’s return to office, with dozens of artists withdrawing from scheduled appearances. While various reasons have been cited for these cancellations, several performers have specifically mentioned disagreement with elements of Trump’s political agenda. The venue traditionally hosts significant cultural events, including the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony held each December.

ATLANTA — Georgia Republican legislators are advancing additional measures to restrict local prosecutors, claiming their probe into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis demonstrates the necessity for such actions.

Willis secured an indictment in August 2023 against Trump and 18 co-defendants, alleging their involvement in a comprehensive conspiracy to unlawfully reverse the 2020 presidential election outcome. The case was thrown out in November when courts prohibited Willis and her team from continuing the prosecution due to an “appearance of impropriety” related to a romantic involvement she maintained with a prosecutor she recruited to spearhead the case.

Multiple state senators supporting legislation that cleared the chamber Friday are campaigning for statewide positions, with primary elections scheduled for May 19. The prospects for prosecutor-related bills remain uncertain in the House, which maintains less partisan divisions than the Senate while still under Republican leadership.

The Senate-approved legislation expands the grounds for disciplining or dismissing local prosecutors through a commission established in 2024 to oversee elected district attorneys throughout Georgia, along with elected solicitors general handling minor offenses in certain counties.

The proposal empowers the commission to take action against prosecutors for breaching bar regulations, failing to inform crime victims about prosecutorial decisions, not responding to public records requests, or demonstrating “undue bias or prejudice” toward defendants.

“We received substantial evidence and heard testimony regarding prosecutor behavior and the genuine erosion of public confidence in the independence and fairness of prosecuting attorneys statewide,” stated Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican seeking the attorney general position.

While Cowsert rejected claims the legislation specifically targeted Willis, Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has received Trump’s backing in his gubernatorial campaign, offered a different perspective.

“Fani Willis’ lawfare against President Trump and his supporters has demonstrated the critical importance of oversight through the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission,” Jones declared in a statement. “This legislation provides the PAQC with tools to address DAs who avoid transparency, participate in unprofessional conduct, and fail to fulfill their obligations to crime victims.”

Among 140 complaints submitted to the commission in 2025, only three complaints concerning the same rural county solicitor general avoided dismissal. Washington County Solicitor General Michael Howard stepped down in July during an investigation, promising never to seek prosecutor office again.

Senators previously approved legislation strengthening the commission’s investigation capabilities during the session. However, this represents a modest result from the investigation, which included Willis’ own December appearance featuring heated exchanges with Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal, who is seeking the lieutenant governor role.

A second Friday proposal failed that would have required district attorneys and certain county officials in five Democratic-leaning metro Atlanta counties to run on nonpartisan ballots. This change would have affected Willis, a Democrat. Sen. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Acworth, contended nonpartisan officials would deliver better results. The measure collapsed after eight Republicans opposed it.

A third proposal initially would have permitted Georgia’s attorney general to intervene in major criminal cases without district attorney approval, but Democrats supported the revised version after Cowsert modified it to allow district attorneys to seek assistance.

The state Senate established the Special Committee on Investigations in January 2024 to examine misconduct allegations against Willis, an elected Democrat, regarding her Trump prosecution.

WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure came to an abrupt end Thursday when President Donald Trump announced her dismissal, following intense congressional scrutiny over a controversial $220 million advertising campaign that prominently showcased the outgoing secretary.

The dismissal followed two days of heated congressional hearings where Noem faced sharp questioning from Republican lawmakers about the expensive ad campaign, which included a video of her riding horseback through a forest near Mount Rushmore while delivering tough border security messages.

According to an administration official speaking anonymously, the costly advertising effort and several other leadership missteps, including problems with an immigration operation in Minnesota and staff management issues, contributed to Trump’s decision to remove her from the position.

Throughout her 13-month service, Noem consistently positioned herself as the visible representative of the department’s immigration enforcement efforts. Her social media presence featured numerous videos showing her participating in migrant arrest operations, photographs of her at an El Salvadoran prison, and airport announcements where she blamed Democrats for government shutdowns.

The Mount Rushmore advertisement combined patriotic imagery including rocket launches and wheat fields with footage of Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and his response to an assassination attempt. In the video, Noem delivers a stern warning while dressed in western attire.

“Anyone who searches for freedom can always find a home here, but that freedom’s a precious thing. And we defend it vigorously. You cross the border illegally, we’ll find you,” Noem states in the promotional material.

“But if you come here the right way, your American dream can be as big as these open skies. From President Trump and me, Welcome home,” she continues.

During this week’s congressional questioning, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana challenged the appropriateness of the massive spending while the administration fought against government waste. Kennedy directly asked about presidential approval for the campaign.

“The president approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?” Kennedy inquired.

“Yes, sir,” Noem responded. “We went through the legal processes. Did it correctly.”

Lawmakers also pressed Noem about contract awards related to the campaign. The Associated Press previously reported that the Department of Homeland Security bypassed standard competitive bidding procedures, citing urgent border conditions, and awarded initial funding to two firms with Republican connections.

When Noem defended the campaign’s effectiveness to Kennedy, he replied sharply: “Well, they were effective in your name recognition.”

Kennedy suggested the campaign created serious problems for the president, expressing doubt about Trump’s supposed approval. “It’s just hard for me to believe knowing the president as I do, that you said, ‘Mr. President, here’s some ads I’ve cut and I’m going to spend $220 million running them’ that he would have agreed to that,” Kennedy stated.

Trump later contradicted Noem’s testimony in an NBC News interview, claiming ignorance about the campaign and expressing displeasure with it.

“I spent less money than that to become president. I didn’t know about it,” Trump said.

Kennedy revealed that Trump contacted him Tuesday evening in an angry state about the situation. “Her version and the president’s version of whether the president, A) was informed and B) consented are decidedly different,” Kennedy explained.

Following Noem’s termination, Kennedy described speaking with Trump after the secretary’s testimony, saying the president was “mad as a murder hornet.”

When Trump initially selected Noem for his Cabinet, he praised their long relationship and called her “very strong” on border security. As recently as January, following controversy in Minneapolis, Trump said she was performing “great.”

Beyond the Mount Rushmore advertisement, Noem appeared in additional promotional content and maintained a constant social media presence showing her fieldwork. From her first days in office, she made herself visible during enforcement operations, including arrests in New York City where she wore protective gear and described removing “dirtbags off the streets.”

Her public appearances included piloting aircraft in Alaska, participating in firefighting training exercises, and accompanying agents during a Chicago raid near a Walmart location. In one controversial video, she stood before crowded prison cells in El Salvador, warning potential illegal immigrants about possible consequences.

While Noem successfully elevated her public profile, she ultimately became another senior administration official to clash with the president and face removal from her position. Trump announced Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement and said Noem would serve as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new Western Hemisphere security initiative.

MIAMI — Federal prosecutors in Miami are exploring potential criminal charges against officials from Cuba’s government, sources familiar with the situation report. This development unfolds as President Trump continues discussing the prospect of a “friendly takeover” of the Caribbean nation.

Jason Reding Quiñones, who serves as the federal prosecutor for South Florida, has assembled a specialized team combining federal attorneys with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and additional agencies. Their mission involves developing criminal cases targeting individuals linked to Cuba’s government and ruling Communist Party, according to sources who requested anonymity since they lack authorization to speak publicly about the initiative.

The specific Cuban leaders under scrutiny and the nature of potential charges remain unclear at this time.

When asked for comment Friday, the Justice Department stated that “federal prosecutors from across the country work every day to pursue justice, which includes efforts to combat transnational crime.”

This prosecutorial effort emerges amid Trump’s increasingly confrontational approach toward Cuba’s communist regime.

Following the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally, Trump announced last month that his administration was conducting high-level discussions with Havana officials regarding “a friendly takeover” of the island. He reiterated these assertions this week, indicating Cuba would receive his focus after concluding military action with Iran.

“They want to make a deal so bad,” Trump commented regarding Cuba’s leadership.

Although Cuba has diminished as a primary national security concern in Washington over recent years, it continues holding significant importance for Miami’s federal prosecutor’s office, where Cuban-American exile communities heavily influence the region’s political, economic, and cultural landscape.

The local FBI division maintains a specialized Cuba unit that played a crucial role in 2024’s arrest of former Ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha, who faced accusations of secretly working for Cuba since the 1970s.

Recently, multiple Miami-area Republican representatives, along with Florida Senator Rick Scott, have urged the Trump administration to revive criminal proceedings related to the 1996 incident where four aircraft operated by anti-communist exiles were shot down.

In their February 13 correspondence to Trump, legislators including Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez referenced decades-old reporting suggesting former President Raúl Castro, who commanded Cuba’s military then, authorized the attack on the unarmed Cessna planes.

“We believe unequivocally that Raúl Castro is responsible for this heinous crime,” the lawmakers stated. “It is time for him to be brought to justice.”

Though no charges against Castro have been announced, Florida’s attorney general indicated this week that state-level proceedings into the incident would begin.

The current administration has also criticized Cuba for failing to assist American anti-terrorism initiatives, placing it among a small group of nations including North Korea and Iran that the United States designates as state terrorism sponsors.

This classification results from Cuba’s protection of American fugitives and its unwillingness to surrender Colombian rebel commanders during their peace negotiations with that South American country.

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas congressman’s unexpected withdrawal from his reelection campaign has positioned a controversial firearms enthusiast to claim the Republican nomination in a massive congressional district spanning the state’s border region.

Brendan Herrera, age 30, first became well-known through online videos featuring himself firing various weapons while using the moniker ‘The AK Guy.’ Two years ago, he narrowly lost to incumbent Representative Tony Gonzales but managed to push the race to a runoff in this week’s primary election.

On Thursday evening, Gonzales announced his exit from the race following his acknowledgment of an extramarital relationship with a former employee who subsequently took her own life. This development leaves Herrera without any Republican opposition in Texas’s 23rd congressional district.

Democratic candidates are hoping to capitalize on the situation by portraying Herrera as an extreme right-wing candidate, though they face significant challenges in a solidly conservative district that extends 800 miles along the Mexican border.

‘I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision,’ Herrera said in a statement. ‘I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves.’

After relocating from North Carolina to Texas in 2020, Herrera amassed millions of followers through YouTube content showcasing firearms testing at shooting ranges. He identifies as a ‘Second Amendment Absolutist’ and has been highly critical of Gonzales’s backing of gun control measures following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, located within their district.

Herrera has drawn scrutiny for controversial remarks regarding the Holocaust. During a 2022 video, he referred to a German submachine gun as ‘the original ghetto blaster’ while performing goose-stepping movements to German music.

In the same footage, while shooting at a White Claw beverage can, a masked companion asks Herrera whether he’s ‘hiding any White Claw underneath the floorboards?’

Herrera responds affirmatively before yelling, ‘Gestapo right there!’ and firing at a case of drinks. He then remarks, ‘they did not see that coming,’ deliberately pronouncing ‘not see’ to sound like ‘Nazi.’

The video later shows Herrera stating, ‘I’m not really a big fan of fascism,’ while claiming his comments were historical humor.

Democratic candidate Katy Padilla Scott, a former educator, quickly condemned Herrera over the controversial footage Friday morning.

‘Parents I talk to in #TX23, particularly those in Uvalde, are disgusted that this man could represent our families in Congress,’ Padilla Scott wrote on social media.

However, Republican officials remain confident about retaining the seat and dismiss Democratic chances of capturing it with Herrera as their nominee.

‘Texas’ 23rd District is deep red, and Democrats know it,’ stated Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. ‘While they talk a big game in Washington, they don’t even have a credible recruit and are too busy defending their own vulnerable members across Texas to compete here.’

Texas Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser suggested his party must weigh whether Herrera creates unnecessary complications during a challenging midterm cycle.

The party prefers to consider the district ‘in the bag and off the board,’ he explained, but ‘it probably won’t be.’

‘They’re going to take a look at this one,’ Steinhauser noted. ‘Does it hurt the Republican Party to support this particular candidate?’

The district ranks as the nation’s second-largest and served as a consistent congressional battleground until redistricting occurred in 2021. It became a Republican stronghold in 2024 when former President Donald Trump won the area by almost 15 percentage points.

Trump had previously backed Gonzales. Recently, an attorney representing the former president issued a ‘cease and desist’ notice to Herrera’s campaign, alleging they distributed misleading campaign materials featuring Trump’s likeness.

Support for Gonzales deteriorated amid the controversy surrounding his affair and the woman’s suicide, with House Republican leadership pressuring him to abandon his campaign.

Gonzales indicated he will complete his current term, helping his party preserve its narrow House majority.

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s political landscape has shifted into high gear as candidates officially entered the race Friday for the state’s May 19 primary elections, setting up competitive battles for both the U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s mansion in this pivotal swing state.

The Republican field challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is emphasizing their allegiance to President Donald Trump while directing their criticism primarily at the sitting senator rather than attacking fellow GOP contenders. Meanwhile, candidates vying to replace term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp are positioning themselves within crowded primary fields from both major parties.

The candidate qualification period in Georgia transforms the state Capitol into a political showcase where hopefuls deliver their campaign messages and demonstrate their electoral strength. Here’s what emerged from the proceedings:

The Republican challenge to Ossoff includes U.S. Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, along with Derek Dooley, who previously coached football at the University of Tennessee.

During a Monday rally with his supporters, Ossoff made his case for re-election, stating that voters should return him to office because “they recognize this president has gone too far, that the chaos and the corruption and the cruelty are wrong for Georgia and wrong for the country.”

The incumbent senator emphasized that voters understand “a need for checks and balances” against Trump, cautioning: “My opponents will be his puppets.”

Collins labeled Ossoff “California’s third senator” while highlighting his endorsements, including Wednesday’s backing from The Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy organization.

“We need to be spending every minute that we got making sure that this country is safe, making sure it’s productive, and making sure that it is affordable to people here,” Collins stated.

Dooley emphasized that his coaching background provides him with skills to connect with voters who typically don’t support Republican candidates.

“It’s important we have a candidate that can appeal to a lot of these crossover voters, people who don’t always vote in the midterms, who don’t always vote Republican,” he explained.

Carter expressed a singular focus during his qualification registration: “We’ve got to get rid of Jon Ossoff.”

“My plan is to win,” Carter declared. “Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.”

Health care executive Rick Jackson became the final major gubernatorial candidate to qualify Friday, greeting schoolchildren during his registration while asserting that despite his substantial advertising expenditures, “there is no way to buy an election. You’ve got to earn it.”

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has Trump’s endorsement, expressed confidence despite Jackson’s high-profile campaign launch into the eight-candidate Republican field.

“The newness is going to wear off, and they’re going to look to the person who’s been most consistent throughout the years,” Jones said. “And I have that.”

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger successfully completed his qualification Wednesday without incident, despite a 2022 Georgia Republican Party resolution urging party officials to block his candidacy. This resolution reflects the significant animosity many Republican activists hold toward Raffensperger after he declined to assist Donald Trump in overturning his 2020 Georgia election defeat.

Raffensperger is avoiding those controversies in his gubernatorial campaign, focusing instead on economic issues: “the most important thing right now is how do you kind of deal with this affordability crisis and you create good paying jobs.”

Attorney General Chris Carr, another major Republican contender, highlights his accomplishments in job recruitment and crime prevention, noting that constituents “care about jobs, safety, education, affordability.”

“They don’t really want to talk about social issues the way the right and the left traditionally have,” Carr observed, despite ongoing debates between Jackson and Jones regarding transgender policy issues.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor widely considered the Democratic frontrunner among eight candidates, told reporters Monday that her policy agenda including affordability measures, free technical education, and state income tax relief for teachers will resonate beyond Democratic voters to general election participants who haven’t supported Democrats in the past 24 years.

“I’m speaking my truth on what I feel a leader and a governor in this state needs to offer to people, so I don’t have to worry about changing my message for a general election audience,” Bottoms explained.

Geoff Duncan, who switched from Republican to Democrat, continued emphasizing his potential appeal to crossover voters, saying he remains “focused on the affordability crisis, the health care crisis, and unfortunately still the Donald Trump crisis.”

Former state Senator Jason Esteves promoted his own policy platform while criticizing both Bottoms and Duncan. He pointed out that Bottoms declined to seek re-election as mayor and that Duncan, after supporting Republican initiatives as lieutenant governor that he now opposes, also withdrew from political life.

“We can’t afford to have folks that will stay silent, nor can we have folks that are going to be absent or quit when the going gets tough,” Esteves declared.

Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond became emotional while describing his impoverished childhood as a Black man and his subsequent political achievements as proof of the “American dream.”

“I’m here representing all of those Georgians who couldn’t afford to be here today, who are pulling two jobs, working overtime, can’t afford the pay their insurance,” he said.

The leader of the National Symphony Orchestra at Washington’s Kennedy Center is stepping down to take over operations at a Los Angeles performing arts venue, marking another high-profile exit from the nation’s premier cultural institution.

Jean Davidson will become the new executive director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, officials announced Friday. Davidson had been running the National Symphony Orchestra since joining the Kennedy Center in 2023, following an eight-year tenure leading the Los Angeles Master Chorale at The Music Center.

“The arts are where a community sees itself, and where it imagines what’s possible next,” Davidson stated. “I’m honored to join the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Arts at this pivotal moment.”

Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell praised Davidson’s contributions in a statement to The Associated Press, saying she deserved recognition for her work.

“I have enjoyed working with Jean to cultivate new donors and patrons while cleaning up the financial mess at the (center),” he commented.

In her own statement to The Associated Press, Davidson reflected on her time with the orchestra: “It has been a great honor to serve the NSO and to work alongside Gianandrea Noseda, Steven Reineke, the extraordinary musicians, and the dedicated staff and board. I’m deeply proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.”

However, Davidson revealed to the Los Angeles Times that staying at the Kennedy Center had become increasingly challenging due to circumstances beyond her influence.

The departure comes as the Kennedy Center faces significant upheaval under Trump’s renewed focus on the institution. Unlike his first presidency when he largely overlooked the venue, Trump has now made it central to his campaign against what he calls “woke” culture. He removed the center’s former leadership and installed new trustees who voted to rebrand it as the Trump Kennedy Center, though legal experts say such a change requires congressional approval.

The turmoil has prompted several prominent artists including Renée Fleming, Philip Glass and Bela Fleck to cancel scheduled performances. The Washington National Opera also ended its long-standing partnership with the center. Trump recently announced plans to shut down the facility this summer for a two-year renovation project.

Davidson will replace Robert van Leer at the Wallis, who recently departed to become performing arts program director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

President Donald Trump plans to continue his strict immigration enforcement policies under the guidance of key adviser Stephen Miller, despite removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her position, according to current and former government officials and congressional members.

Trump terminated Noem’s role on Thursday following months of disputes over aggressive immigration enforcement methods and congressional concerns regarding department contracts and internal chaos within her agency.

However, Miller — who serves as White House deputy chief of staff and designs Trump’s immigration policies — maintains his authority over immigration matters, according to three government officials. Trump’s selection for the next homeland security secretary, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, is considered to share Trump’s strict immigration stance.

“Stephen is a survivor,” one official commented, speaking anonymously about internal White House operations. The source indicated that Noem’s dismissal reflected concerns about policy implementation rather than opposition to Trump’s restrictive immigration agenda.

When asked for comment, a White House representative stated that Miller coordinates various issues — spanning from immigration to anti-cartel activities — and is “working to ensure the President’s policy agenda is implemented.”

Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor Mullin’s office provided responses to comment requests.

Trump secured his return to the White House in 2024 through a campaign emphasizing the prevention of unauthorized immigration and increased deportations. Immigration served as one of Trump’s strongest polling topics after taking office and became a central Republican Party priority. However, following criticism of aggressive enforcement in American cities, public support for his immigration policies has decreased in recent months, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data.

Republicans maintain slim majorities in both congressional chambers but face November midterm elections that could threaten their Washington control.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt posted on X Thursday regarding Noem’s removal, stating that Trump’s immigration objectives remain constant.

“President Trump’s immigration agenda is keeping our border secure and deporting illegal alien criminals from our country, and it will continue without interruption,” she declared.

During Noem’s tenure, DHS deployed thousands of federal immigration officers to Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and other Democrat-controlled cities to locate immigration violators, conducting operations in residential areas and pursuing day workers in Home Depot parking facilities.

Following the fatal shooting of two American citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — by federal agents in Minneapolis, the administration announced it would adopt a less visible “targeted” strategy for immigration arrests.

Current and former federal immigration personnel reported no immediate policy changes since Noem’s departure announcement, though several anticipated the administration would continue avoiding high-profile operations in American cities after the Minneapolis incident.

The 48-year-old Mullin joined the Senate in 2023 after serving ten years in the House of Representatives. Similar to Noem, he operates a ranch and owns a cattle operation in Oklahoma that doubles as a wedding venue among other enterprises.

Despite being a freshman senator, Mullin has distinguished himself among the 100 senators, occasionally presiding over Senate sessions while wearing a prominent, light-colored cowboy hat.

He briefly pursued mixed martial arts fighting and attracted significant media coverage in 2023 when he stood during a Senate hearing to challenge Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to “stand your butt up” and fight.

Mullin supported a Republican-backed funding measure last year that allocated a record $170 billion for immigration enforcement through September 2029 and endorses fundamental aspects of Trump’s immigration agenda.

Republican legislators commended Mullin following news of Trump’s nomination for DHS secretary, a role requiring Senate majority approval.

“He’s strong on the border and that’s what we need,” Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt told reporters Thursday. “The deportations will continue.”

Noem faced harsh criticism from both parties for quickly labeling Good and Pretti as participants in “domestic terrorism” after their deaths and before completing a thorough investigation.

Mullin similarly characterized Pretti as dangerous despite video evidence contradicting that assertion. During a Fox News interview on January 24, the day Pretti died, he called Pretti “a deranged individual” who carried a loaded weapon and intended “to cause max damage.”

Capitol Hill Democrats celebrated Noem’s departure but maintained that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods require modification. Democrats have withheld DHS funding since mid-February attempting to pressure the White House toward more moderate approaches.

Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy indicated that funding negotiations operate from the White House and expressed doubt that Noem’s firing would resolve the deadlock.

“I think we’re better off without her, but she wasn’t running the department,” Murphy stated Thursday. “Stephen Miller runs that department and will continue to run the department so I don’t really think much will change.”

WASHINGTON — Legal representatives for The New York Times made their case Friday before a federal judge, arguing that restrictive Pentagon policies are preventing journalists from providing Americans with crucial information about military activities during wartime.

During the initial court hearing for the newspaper’s lawsuit against the Defense Department, Times lawyer Theodore Boutrous emphasized to U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman the critical need for public awareness, stating: “It’s more important than ever for the public to know as much as they can.”

While Judge Friedman did not issue an immediate decision on whether to compel the Pentagon to restore press credentials for reporters who departed the facility last October rather than accept the new restrictions, his comments indicated doubt regarding central elements of the government’s justification for the policy.

The judge, appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, expressed that it is “more important than ever” for Americans to access “a variety of views” concerning federal government operations and leadership decisions.

“A lot of things need to be held tightly and secure, but openness and transparency allows members of the public to know what their government is doing,” Friedman stated.

Justice Department lawyer Michael Bruns defended the credentialing requirements as serving the government’s “compelling interest” and fulfilling its “statutory obligation” to safeguard national security information.

“This is not a trivial exercise,” Bruns contended.

Friedman indicated his intention to render “as prompt a decision as I can, because I know it’s important for lots of reasons.”

The Times filed suit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, alleging the credentialing requirements infringe upon journalists’ constitutional protections for free speech and due process.

Times representative Charles Stadtlander referenced recent U.S. military actions against Iran and resulting American military casualties, saying these events “illuminate the public’s right to access deep, impartial reporting on the details of the military actions happening as we speak.”

“Today was an important opportunity for The New York Times’s lawyers to make our case for the clear importance and public service of allowing journalists to report fully on the Pentagon,” Stadtlander commented.

The Pentagon’s current press pool consists primarily of conservative media organizations that accepted the policy terms. News outlets that declined the new requirements, including The Associated Press, have maintained their military coverage from locations outside the building.

Separately, The Associated Press awaits a ruling from a three-judge appeals court panel regarding its own legal challenge against the Trump administration. The AP alleges retaliation through reduced access to presidential activities due to the outlet’s refusal to adopt the president’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Pentagon officials have defended their approach as implementing “common sense” regulations that shield the military from potential national security breaches.

“The goal of that process is to prevent those who pose a security risk from having broad access to American military headquarters,” government lawyers stated.

Times legal counsel argues the policy aims to suppress critical media coverage of President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The First Amendment flatly prohibits the government from granting itself the unbridled power to restrict speech because the mere existence of such arbitrary authority can lead to self-censorship,” they contended.

The newspaper also challenges the Pentagon’s inconsistent application of its regulations. The Times highlighted that Trump supporter Laura Loomer, a right-wing commentator who accepted the Pentagon requirements, seemingly violated policies against soliciting unauthorized information through her “tip line” promotion.

Government officials did not object to Loomer’s “general tip line” while determining that a Washington Post tip line breaches policy because it allegedly “targets” military personnel and department staff.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials granted authorization Friday allowing business transactions with Venezuela’s government-controlled gold mining operation, Minerven, marking another step in the Trump administration’s strategy to influence the South American nation’s valuable natural resources.

The authorization came following a visit by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Venezuela earlier this week, where he held discussions with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and met with representatives from over 24 American mining and mineral extraction firms. Many of these companies had previously conducted operations in Venezuela before withdrawing.

During his visit, Burgum reported that Venezuelan officials provided safety guarantees to mining enterprises considering investments in the nation, where mineral-wealthy regions have historically been dominated by guerrilla fighters, criminal organizations and other unlawful groups.

The new authorization specifically prohibits individuals and businesses from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba from participating in any agreements with Minerven.

This initiative represents part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to counter China’s dominance in critical mineral markets, particularly those resources found in abundance throughout Venezuela. The licensing arrangement supports the administration’s broader strategy to stabilize the historically troubled nation after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro two months earlier.

In related developments involving Venezuela’s natural resources, American authorities recently moved to claim legal control over a sanctioned oil tanker and approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil that were confiscated near Venezuela’s coastline in December. This January, Rodríguez enacted legislation allowing private ownership in Venezuela’s petroleum industry.

Congressional representatives engaged in heated debate Wednesday over whether families using food stamps should be allowed to purchase hot rotisserie chicken as the House Agriculture Committee reviewed the Farm Bill.

The discussion centered around an amendment proposed by Representative Rick Crawford, a Republican from Arkansas, that would expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include heated rotisserie chicken. Under current regulations, SNAP recipients can buy the same chicken only when it’s served cold.

The amendment has garnered backing from lawmakers across party lines during the committee’s markup session, suggesting potential for the change to move forward in the legislative process.

A former White House aide turned federal prosecutor who pursued high-profile cases against Donald Trump’s political adversaries is now under scrutiny by the Florida Bar for potential professional misconduct.

Lindsey Halligan, who briefly held the position of acting U.S. attorney for Virginia’s Eastern District, is the subject of an active disciplinary investigation, according to confirmation from Florida Bar officials. The Campaign for Accountability, a watchdog organization that requested the inquiry, made public a letter verifying the ongoing probe.

Bar representatives confirmed an open file exists regarding Halligan but refused additional comment, citing the confidential nature of disciplinary proceedings. Halligan has not responded to requests for comment about the investigation.

The disciplinary action stems from Halligan’s controversial tenure leading one of the Justice Department’s most respected prosecution offices. Despite lacking federal prosecution experience, she was placed in the role last September after the Trump administration pressured out her predecessor, Erik Siebert, seeking charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

While Halligan successfully obtained indictments in both cases, her prosecutorial approach immediately drew criticism. Defense attorneys representing Comey highlighted numerous procedural problems in the grand jury proceedings, pointing to legal and factual mistakes that compromised the process.

A federal judge harshly criticized Halligan in November for making “fundamental misstatements of the law,” particularly her alleged indication to grand jurors that Comey lacked Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

Both prosecutions ultimately collapsed when another judge determined Halligan’s Justice Department appointment violated legal requirements. She departed the position in January following these rulings.

The bar complaint revisits these events and alleges Halligan may have breached professional conduct standards by continuing to identify herself as the district’s acting U.S. attorney in court documents even after judicial determination that her service was illegal.

According to the complaint, “In this way, Ms. Halligan appears to have issued false or misleading communications regarding herself and her services.”

Florida International University has opened a formal investigation after discovering a group chat containing racist slurs, antisemitic remarks, and misogynistic content that was initiated by a Miami-Dade Republican Party official.

According to the Miami Herald, which reviewed and confirmed the authenticity of the messages, the chat included university students along with prominent conservative figures from the campus community. State Republican leadership has publicly condemned the content.

University officials announced Thursday that campus police are examining student behavior in the chat while working alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

“FIU does not and will not tolerate violence, hate, discrimination, harassment, racism or antisemitism,” declared university President Jeanette Nunez, who previously served as Florida’s lieutenant governor and as a Republican state legislator. “This is not who we are. This is not what FIU stands for.”

Florida’s Republican Party issued its own statement announcing “an internal review of this situation” while denouncing “the repugnant comments” as being “completely contrary” to the party’s values and principles.

This incident follows a similar controversy from last fall when New York’s Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican group after offensive group chat messages surfaced, including inappropriate jokes about sexual assault and casual references to gas chambers.

The Republican Jewish Coalition joined the chorus of criticism Friday, with spokesman Sam Markstein reinforcing the Florida GOP’s position.

“Antisemitism and bigotry have no place in the Republican Party,” Markstein stated.

WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department announced Friday it has lifted Russia-related sanctions against a United Arab Emirates shipping company, according to an official notice posted on the agency’s website.

Globe Trekkers, a freight and logistics firm operating out of the UAE, had previously been subject to U.S. sanctions tied to Russia. The Treasury’s website confirmed the company’s removal from the sanctions list as of March 6.

The notice provides no additional details about the reasoning behind the decision to remove the sanctions or the timeline for when they were originally imposed on the logistics company.

MIAMI – A senior White House official declared Thursday that eliminating drug cartels throughout the Western Hemisphere requires military intervention rather than conventional law enforcement methods.

Stephen Miller, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, addressed Latin American defense officials during a gathering at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Florida.

“We have learned after decades of effort is that there is not a criminal justice solution to the cartel problem,” Miller stated during his remarks to the assembled defense leaders at the conference.

Miller’s comments represent a significant policy position regarding how the United States views the ongoing battle against organized crime networks operating across the Americas.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a firm message Friday regarding potential negotiations with Iran, declaring that the United States would only accept complete capitulation from the Middle Eastern nation.

The president stated that “unconditional surrender” would be the only terms under which America would consider striking any agreement with Iran.

Trump’s remarks signal a hardline stance toward diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic, leaving little room for traditional negotiation processes.

The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee expressed optimism Friday that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will deliver his mandatory congressional briefing in the near future.

During an interview with Bloomberg TV, the committee leader indicated he expects the first of two annual Fed updates to lawmakers to take place shortly. Powell, who is preparing to step down from his role, typically provides this testimony between the Federal Reserve’s initial two policy meetings each year.

However, the appearance remains unscheduled as the Justice Department continues investigating comments Powell made during his testimony before senators last summer. This ongoing probe has created uncertainty around the timing of the Fed chair’s required congressional update.

CHICAGO (AP) — Campaign printing shops working overtime. Debate coordinators struggling with too many participants. Political advertisements flooding television screens and social platforms.

These indicators reveal Illinois is experiencing one of its most chaotic primary election cycles in recent memory.

With congressional lawmakers leaving office at unprecedented rates nationwide, Illinois feels this wave of departures more intensely than most states. Six House and Senate positions have become available in this strongly Democratic state due to senior lawmakers stepping down. This situation has created an unusual opportunity for the party to bring in fresh candidates — with almost 60 contenders competing for these six positions — allowing winners to influence the future Democratic caucus. However, it has also given voters extensive research to complete before the March 17 primary.

“Having all these names and faces thrown at you and trying to remember which one is which, it’s disorientating,” voter James Beatley said.

For his entire 21 years, the same Chicago-area representative, departing Rep. Danny Davis, has served him. Now Beatley faces 13 Democratic options. This has already sparked animated conversations about campaign financing and term limits among fellow Democrats at the University of Illinois Chicago, a political activity center in the country’s third-largest city where Beatley attends school.

He hasn’t made his choice yet.

According to Associated Press research, Illinois accounts for approximately one-fourth, or five of 21, of all Democratic House departures and 10% of total House retirements nationwide. One expert’s analysis shows this represents Illinois’ highest number of vacant House positions in at least seven decades.

Presently, five of Illinois’ 17 congressional positions, roughly 29%, stand empty. University of Illinois political researcher Brian Gaines notes the percentage reached similar levels twice during the 1940s, when seven of Illinois’ then-26 seats were vacant.

Departing officeholders claim it’s time to rebuild the party amid an increasingly polarized political climate, despite sacrificing experience.

“Illinois is undergoing tremendous change, and you can kind of feel it,” said the 84-year-old Davis, who was first elected in 1996. “It opens up opportunities for a new generation of leadership.”

The numerous contenders in the five vacant Chicago-area House races include candidates in their twenties, attorneys, and two former members seeking to return. They’ve disagreed over Israel-related funding and opposition to harsh immigration enforcement that disrupted cities like Chicago.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s district, where she’s stepping down after 14 terms, has the most candidates. Fifteen Democrats include Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh, and state legislators.

Maria Lordots, pursuing teaching studies at UIC, will cast her ballot in Schakowsky’s district, covering parts of Chicago’s North Side and surrounding areas. The 20-year-old has examined candidate websites but found social media frustrating.

“You see a few clips, and that sort of influences you to or away from a candidate,” she said. She’s backing Abughazaleh due to dissatisfaction with establishment Democrats.

Roberto Gomez-Valadez, a 21-year-old UIC business student, understands her frustration.

He lives in a Chicago suburb where Rep. Robin Kelly is pursuing retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s position. Kelly’s district features 10 Democratic contenders including state legislators and former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the late civil rights leader.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Gomez-Valadez, who intends to support state Sen. Robert Peters because of his accessibility during their personal meeting. “When there’s so many candidates, overlapping opinions, it’s so much harder to stand out.”

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is also seeking the Senate position, leaving eight Democrats competing for his congressional seat, including former Rep. Melissa Bean. Another vacancy exists due to Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s departure, though the Democratic primary remains uncontested following Garcia’s political maneuvering to place his chief of staff on the ballot.

Even experienced political observers struggle to follow all the debates.

The League of Women Voters has organized candidate discussions for roughly a century. Illinois coordinators report this year’s debate count exceeds double the typical number.

“It’s usually our schtick, and it’s a thing this time around,” said Roberta Borrino from the League of Women Voters of Illinois.

The candidate overflow has created space and time constraints. Some discussions span two days. One organization had candidates present in groups, with some waiting in separate rooms while others debated.

During a recent UIC debate for Davis’ district, three candidates shared each microphone. Candidates received 45 seconds for responses and one rebuttal during two hours.

“You have to get really good at answering questions in barely no time,” said candidate Anabel Mendoza, a 28-year-old immigrant rights organizer. “You get really good at getting to the point.”

Some residents are receiving congressional political mail for the first time.

Richard Lewandowski operates a family printing business in Chicago that’s operated for 50 years. To meet campaign mailer demand, workers are laboring seven days weekly for up to 12 hours daily.

“You only see a midterm like this once every 20 years,” Lewandowski said.

Competitive state Legislature races and constitutional officer contests add to the intensity. Billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker, pursuing a third term, has endorsed his Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for the Senate.

Since most Democratic primary victors are expected to win in November, the stakes remain high.

Election officials report encouraging signs of recovery after 2024 recorded the lowest turnout in over 50 years. Statewide primary participation two years ago reached 19%, according to the Illinois Board of Elections.

In Chicago, over 43,000 early ballots have been submitted by mail and in person with two weeks remaining until the primary. This number doubles the approximately 20,000 from the 2022 midterm primary and roughly quadruples the 10,000 from 2018 with the same timeframe, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.

“When districts are competitive it does bring additional people to the polls,” board spokesman Max Bever said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent criticism of media coverage highlighting American military deaths reflects a decades-old government concern about news reporting that shows the human toll of armed conflict.

Speaking at a Pentagon briefing Wednesday about the ongoing Iran conflict, Hegseth criticized news organizations for their coverage of six U.S. Army reservists who died in an Iranian strike on a Kuwait operations facility.

“When a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front-page news,” Hegseth said. “I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad. But try for once to report the reality. The terms of this war will be set by us at every step.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced Hegseth’s position during her own briefing when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins questioned the remarks.

“You take every single thing this administration says and try to use it to make the president look bad,” Leavitt said. “That’s an objective fact.”

This tension between government officials and journalists over war coverage traces back to the Vietnam conflict of the 1960s, when television brought graphic battlefield images directly into American homes for the first time. Many officials believed these nightly broadcasts gradually shifted public opinion from support to opposition.

Since Vietnam, Americans have rarely witnessed such detailed, up-close coverage of military operations – a pattern that continues with the current conflict led by President Donald Trump and Hegseth.

Timothy Naftali, a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, explained the government’s approach.

“For many presidents, the lesson seemed to be: Don’t allow the realities of war into people’s living rooms if you can help it,” Naftali said.

Modern warfare coverage often resembles video game imagery – distant explosions lighting up the sky – while the human suffering remains largely hidden from public view.

During World War II, journalists worked alongside military units, with correspondents like Ernie Pyle and Walter Cronkite, plus photographers Robert Capa and Margaret Bourke-White becoming widely recognized. However, television had not yet become prevalent.

Vietnam marked perhaps the most open American conflict for media access. Correspondents based in the region provided continuous reports of casualties and destruction.

When CBS anchor Walter Cronkite, host of America’s most-watched evening newscast, visited Vietnam in 1968 and declared negotiated peace the only sensible solution, President Lyndon Johnson reportedly said: “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost Middle America.”

The 1991 Gulf War brought new restrictions when President George H.W. Bush became upset over split-screen television coverage showing returning service members’ coffins while he was simultaneously joking with reporters at the White House. The Pentagon subsequently prohibited such ceremony coverage, citing family privacy concerns, though critics argued it aimed to prevent coffin imagery.

This prohibition remained largely intact until President Barack Obama ended it in 2019.

Journalists attempting to reach combat zones during 2000s conflicts faced significant movement restrictions or complete access denial. Jessica Donati, who reported for The Wall Street Journal and Reuters in Afghanistan, noted in a 2021 Modern War Institute article that “it’s easier these days for journalists in Afghanistan to embed with the Taliban than with the U.S. military.”

The current conflict’s distance from American territory and limited ground operations in Iran have kept U.S. casualties relatively low, making individual deaths more significant news events. Multiple journalists have noted that military casualty reporting existed long before Trump’s presidency, with CNN’s Jake Tapper calling Hegseth’s statement “a warped way of looking at the world” and “ahistorical.”

“The news media covers fallen service members because they have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” he said. “It’s a tribute. It’s an honor.”

Ground reporting from Iran has been extremely limited. CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen led the first U.S.-based television network team to enter the country Thursday, traveling across the nation to Tehran.

Washington Post military correspondent Dan Lamothe responded to Hegseth’s comments on social media, pledging to continue casualty coverage regardless of administration criticism – work performed under presidents from both parties.

“These efforts haven’t always been perfect,” Lamothe wrote. “But they’ve highlighted sacrifices by American servicemembers and their families, and shortcomings that sometimes allowed these deaths to happen. We’ll continue to do so. It’s too important to stop.”

Robert H. Reid, who served as a senior Stars and Stripes editor from 2014 to 2025, discovered that military readers wanted comprehensive coverage beyond casualty statistics. They sought personal details about fallen service members – their backgrounds, families, and interests.

Reid, who spent most of his career as an Associated Press international correspondent, emphasized the importance of honoring these individuals’ sacrifices through detailed reporting, noting that in decades to come, only their loved ones will remember them.

“The public needs to know that war is not a video game,” Naftali said. “It affects people.”

The Trump administration will convene top executives from major defense companies at the White House Friday to address the urgent need for increased weapons manufacturing, according to sources familiar with the plans.

The high-level meeting comes as military officials work to rebuild weapons inventories that have been significantly reduced following recent U.S. military actions against Iran and other operations worldwide.

Major defense corporations, including Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly Raytheon), along with their key suppliers, have received invitations to participate in the discussions, sources revealed on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the meeting.

The gathering highlights the administration’s intensified efforts to restore weapons supplies after Iranian operations consumed substantial munitions reserves.

Pentagon officials have encountered challenges reaching agreements with large defense companies as rapidly as desired, a U.S. official disclosed to Reuters earlier this week.

Neither Lockheed Martin nor the White House provided immediate responses to requests for comment, while RTX chose not to discuss the upcoming meeting.

The current administration has increasingly pressured defense manufacturers to focus on production capabilities rather than distributing profits to shareholders. In January, Trump issued an executive order designed to identify contractors who may be underperforming on government contracts while prioritizing shareholder distributions.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza, the United States has depleted weapons stockpiles worth billions of dollars, including artillery equipment, ammunition supplies, and anti-tank missile systems.

Preparations for Friday’s meeting included a previously undisclosed conference call Wednesday evening between Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg and selected defense contractors, according to sources who requested anonymity. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this development.

The discussions center around agreements with major contractors such as Lockheed Martin, according to two government sources and one industry executive. The company secured a seven-year deal with the Pentagon in January to boost annual PAC-3 missile interceptor production capacity from approximately 600 units to 2,000 units yearly. Additionally, Lockheed has announced plans to increase Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptor production four-fold, from 96 to 400 units annually.

Air defense system demand, particularly for PAC-3 interceptors, has increased dramatically among the U.S. and allied nations due to rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts involving Iran.

The White House gathering may align with the announcement of a supplemental budget request totaling approximately $50 billion, which Reuters initially reported Tuesday. These additional funds would finance the replacement of weapons utilized in recent conflicts, including Middle Eastern operations. The preliminary figure remains subject to change based on operational duration.

This supplemental funding request would supplement an extra $150 billion in defense spending already incorporated into Republicans’ comprehensive legislative package, which they have described as “one big beautiful bill.”

BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz encounters his inaugural electoral challenge this Sunday as Baden-Wuerttemberg residents cast their ballots in a crucial state election that could reshape his political standing since assuming office last May.

The southwestern German state, renowned as the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and a traditional automotive manufacturing hub, previously served as a reliable conservative territory. However, Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has spent the last ten years playing second fiddle to a Green Party-dominated government coalition.

Current polling data indicates this political arrangement may persist, though uncertainty remains over whether 37-year-old political newcomer Manuel Hagel from the CDU or seasoned Green Party candidate Cem Ozdemir will emerge victorious to succeed the well-regarded Green incumbent Winfried Kretschmann.

Recent ZDF polling shows both candidates locked in a tight race at 28% each, raising concerns that a Green Party triumph could fuel internal criticism of Merz, whose approval numbers have reached historic depths.

However, Ozdemir, the moderate former agriculture minister, would likely pose minimal challenges to federal government operations in the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper legislative chamber representing state interests.

Election observers will closely monitor the performance of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which polling suggests maintains approximately 20% support, reflecting the party’s nationwide momentum in recent years.

Merz has categorically rejected any collaboration with the AfD, whose influence in Baden-Wuerttemberg – among Germany’s wealthiest regions – has grown amid the automotive sector’s ongoing struggles.

The evolving German political landscape becomes evident through the potential entry of the far-left Left Party into state parliament and the dramatic decline of the center-left Social Democrats to single-digit polling numbers.

The U.S.-led Iranian conflict casts uncertainty over the election, having already driven up fuel costs and threatening broader economic consequences if hostilities persist, though direct voting impact appears minimal.

“Voters are smart, they know that in Baden-Wuerttemberg, it’s about state political issues,” said Manfred Guellner, head of the polling group Forsa.

Following Sunday’s Baden-Wuerttemberg contest, neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate will hold its election on March 22, with additional votes scheduled in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern this September.

Three former U.S. presidents will gather in Chicago this Friday to pay their respects to civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who passed away last month at age 84.

Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton are scheduled to attend the public memorial service alongside thousands of other mourners at the House of Hope, a venue with 10,000 seats located on Chicago’s South Side.

Jackson dedicated his life to championing voting rights and fighting against segregation throughout his 84 years.

This Friday’s ceremony is anticipated to be the most significant tribute celebrating Jackson’s life and contributions to American society.

Current President Donald Trump will be absent from the service due to scheduling conflicts and other commitments, according to a White House representative.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is scheduled to deliver remarks at the service, stated: “Rev. Jackson will be remembered for his oratory prowess, but in Chicago we knew him as a brilliant strategist, master negotiator and organizing savant.”

The guest list also includes former First Ladies Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton, the latter having served as Secretary of State. Musical performances will feature Jennifer Hudson, BeBe Winans, and Pastor Marvin Winans, event organizers announced.

Some scholars view the gathering of prominent Democratic figures as a response to the current administration’s stance on diversity and civil rights programs.

The Trump administration has rolled back various diversity initiatives and has criticized educational materials about slavery that it considers “anti-American.” The administration has also endorsed reinstating Confederate monuments that honor Civil War leaders who defended slavery.

University of Chicago American history professor Jane Dailey explained: “It’s fair to interpret the attention that this event is getting as speaking back to the people who are complaining about diversity.”

Commemorative activities started in Chicago the previous week, attracting elected leaders, activists, and local residents. Jackson’s remains were also displayed for public viewing in South Carolina, his birthplace.

As a powerful orator and long-time Chicago resident, Jackson became a central figure in America’s civil rights movement following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968. For more than fifty years, he worked tirelessly to eliminate segregation and expand political participation for African Americans and other underrepresented groups.

Jackson’s two bids for the presidency energized millions of new voters through his “Rainbow Coalition” movement, compelling the Democratic Party to focus on issues important to working families, agricultural communities, and people of color.

Professor Dailey noted: “He pried open windows for other people in his insistence on opening the political process to more and more people.”

Federal health officials have issued new guidance to state governments across the nation, making it clear that children cannot be removed from their homes simply because parents disagree with their child’s desire to identify as a different gender. The Department of Health and Human Services distributed the directive to all 50 states following scattered incidents where such family separations have reportedly occurred. The Trump administration is taking action to prevent these situations from spreading further. According to HHS officials, “Parents have the right to raise their children according to their religious beliefs.”

Citizens turned out Thursday to express their strong opposition to President Trump’s proposed ballroom project during a public hearing before the approval board.

The regulatory body responsible for reviewing the president’s ballroom proposal received extensive public testimony, with the overwhelming majority of speakers voicing their disapproval of the plan.

The hearing provided a forum for community members to share their concerns about the proposed development with the decision-making panel.

Transgender individuals living in Kansas are grappling with the consequences of recently passed legislation that has made their official identification documents invalid.

The new state law has effectively nullified the driver’s licenses and birth certificates of transgender Kansas residents, leaving many to evaluate their next steps in response to this significant change in state policy.

The legislation represents a major shift in how the state handles identification documents for transgender citizens, creating uncertainty for those affected by the new requirements.

CHICAGO — A distinguished gathering of political leaders, Grammy-winning musicians, religious figures and elected officials will come together Friday in Chicago to honor the legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the renowned civil rights leader who died last month.

The tribute ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. protégé and former two-time presidential hopeful comes after previous memorial gatherings that attracted substantial attendance in both Chicago and South Carolina, Jackson’s birthplace.

Friday’s Chicago memorial — taking place at a prominent African American church featuring a 10,000-capacity venue — is projected to be the most well-attended. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the organization Jackson established, confirmed that former Democratic presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton will be present, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Gospel artist BeBe Winans is among the scheduled musical performers.

“These homegoing services are welcome to all. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, right wing, left wing because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American,” Jackson’s son, Jesse Jackson Jr., stated last month. “Dad would have wanted us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences, to find ways of moving forward and moving together.”

The veteran civil rights activist passed away last month at 84 following his struggle with a uncommon neurological condition that impacted his movement and speech capabilities. According to family members, he remained active at his office until the previous year and used hand gestures to communicate. Among his last public appearances was the 2024 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago.

Jackson’s endeavors spanned the globe as he championed causes for disadvantaged and marginalized communities, focusing on voting access, healthcare, employment opportunities and educational advancement. He achieved diplomatic successes with international leaders and utilized the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to transform calls for African American empowerment and self-reliance into corporate accountability, pushing business leaders toward creating a more inclusive and fair society.

Memorial services held in Chicago and South Carolina brought together community leaders, student organizations and ordinary citizens who expressed how Jackson’s initiatives — from educational scholarships to prisoner advocacy — had impacted their lives. Multiple states lowered their flags to half-staff as a mark of respect.

Plans for Washington, D.C. services were postponed after House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected a request to have Jackson lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol rotunda, citing that tradition generally limits such recognition to specific officials, including former presidents. Information about any future Washington event has not been released.

During Jackson’s final months, he welcomed numerous visitors to Chicago, including the Clintons and Rev. Al Sharpton, who also participated in last week’s Chicago memorial service.

“He has been the central mentor of my life,” Sharpton remarked. “The challenge for us that we’ve got to make sure that all he lived for was not in vain.”

The Trump administration has decided against using the Treasury Department to intervene in oil futures trading, according to a Bloomberg News report published Friday that cited an unnamed source with knowledge of the discussions.

While administration officials had considered involving the Treasury Department in market operations, they ultimately concluded that such intervention would have minimal impact on oil prices, the report indicated.

Oil prices worldwide have surged since hostilities with Iran began Saturday, with the expanding conflict causing disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies. However, prices dropped Thursday for the first time in nearly a week after reports emerged suggesting possible U.S. market intervention.

According to Bloomberg News, officials also showed reluctance to immediately utilize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, noting that the reserve currently sits at approximately 60% capacity.

Neither the White House nor Treasury Department provided immediate responses to requests for comment after business hours, and Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report.

On Thursday, a senior White House official had indicated that Treasury was expected to soon unveil measures designed to address climbing energy costs resulting from the Iran conflict, potentially including oil futures market actions.

The official, who requested anonymity when discussing internal deliberations, declined to elaborate on specific details of the proposed plan, stating they preferred not to preempt any Treasury announcement.

WASHINGTON – Federal authorities on Thursday made public previously unreleased FBI interview records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, documents that contain serious allegations made by an anonymous woman during multiple meetings with agents.

The woman spoke with FBI investigators on four separate occasions during 2019 as federal authorities examined the activities of Epstein, who faced sex trafficking charges. While the Justice Department had earlier confirmed these interviews occurred and released one summary detailing her accusations against Epstein regarding teenage abuse, three additional interview summaries had remained undisclosed until now.

According to the newly released documents, posted on the department’s official website Thursday, the woman alleged that Trump tried to coerce her into performing oral sex following an introduction by Epstein. She claimed this incident occurred in New York or New Jersey during the 1980s when she was 13 to 15 years old.

White House representatives did not provide immediate comment on these revelations. However, according to Politico’s initial reporting on the matter, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the woman’s accusations as “completely baseless accusations, backed by zero credible evidence.”

Justice Department officials have issued warnings that some documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump.” Reuters was unable to verify the woman’s allegations independently, and FBI documentation indicates agents ceased contact with her in 2019.

Department officials explained on social media platform X that Thursday’s released records were part of 15 documents that had been “incorrectly coded as duplicative” and consequently not published previously.

These revelations emerge amid congressional criticism of how the Justice Department has managed Epstein investigation documents, which federal law mandates be made available to the public. Democratic lawmakers have alleged that Trump’s administration has withheld records connected to Trump, prompting a House committee to vote for subpoenaing Attorney General Pam Bondi for questioning about document handling procedures.

Trump has maintained that his relationship with Epstein concluded in the mid-2000s and has denied knowledge of the financier’s criminal activities. Previously disclosed department records indicate Trump used Epstein’s aircraft multiple times during the 1990s, which Trump has disputed. Following initial sexual misconduct allegations against Epstein, Trump contacted Palm Beach’s police chief stating that “everyone has known he’s been doing this,” according to FBI interview documentation.

During the woman’s final recorded interview in October 2019, conducted while Trump served as president, agents inquired whether she would provide additional information about Trump. The agent documented her response, writing that she “asked what the point would be of providing the information at this point in her life when there was a strong possibility nothing could be done about it.”

A federal judge will conduct a private meeting Friday with government attorneys to establish procedures for distributing up to $175 billion in tariff refunds following last month’s Supreme Court ruling that declared the levies unconstitutional.

Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade will convene with legal representatives from the customs agency tasked with reimbursing more than 300,000 importers who paid the contested tariffs. Court clerk Gina Justice confirmed Thursday that the private session constitutes a “settlement conference.”

Federal attorneys have indicated that processing refunds for former President Donald Trump’s trade policies presents an unprecedented challenge requiring individual examination of tens of millions of tariff transactions.

While federal courtrooms typically operate with public access, judges occasionally conduct private sessions to address scheduling matters or handle confidential information. The court’s online calendar lists Friday’s gathering as a “closed conference.”

The refund procedure case stems from a lawsuit filed by Atmus Filtration Inc, a single importer claiming $11 million in improper tariff payments. Despite being filed recently, this case has become the primary vehicle for determining refund litigation affecting approximately 2,000 similar cases.

Atmus representatives will participate in Friday’s 10:30 a.m. meeting through remote access, according to court records. Neither the company’s legal team nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection responded to comment requests.

Judge Eaton, selected by the court to oversee these matters, expressed his preference for establishing procedures that avoid courtroom proceedings. On Wednesday, he issued comprehensive orders directing CBP to begin processing illegal tariff refunds for potentially hundreds of thousands of importers through existing agency mechanisms, clarifying that the directive extends beyond just Atmus.

The Supreme Court’s February 20 decision invalidated extensive portions of Trump’s tariff program, determining the former president overstepped his constitutional authority and undermining a cornerstone of his economic agenda. However, the high court offered no refund guidance, prompting Justice Brett Kavanaugh to warn in his dissent that the reimbursement process could become a “mess.”

Most affected importers are small enterprises, with many expressing concern about the potentially expensive and time-consuming refund procedures.

During Friday’s conference, Eaton anticipates CBP attorneys will present solutions for processing paperwork from 79 million shipments and distributing refunds.

“I don’t believe that any of this has to be chaotic with respect to anybody, because I know that you’re going to try to come up with a way of doing it,” Eaton stated during Wednesday’s proceedings. “And so on Friday, we’re going to hear at least the initial ideas from the customs service as to how this will proceed.”

A legal professional familiar with similar trade refund matters told reporters they anticipate Friday’s meeting will produce a publicly announced process, potentially as early as the same day, enabling relatively swift refunds for most importers without requiring litigation.

Several importers, including VOS Selections and Learning Resources, initiated lawsuits in early 2025 that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. Legal representatives for VOS Selections and other importers have requested case transfers to Judge Eaton, though the court has not yet responded to these requests.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An eleventh-hour effort by California’s leading Democratic Party official to reduce the number of candidates running for governor has failed spectacularly, keeping the race packed with contenders and heightening Democratic worries about a potential Republican victory in November.

Current Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who is stepping down, has recognized party concerns that numerous Democratic hopefuls might split votes in the June 2 primary, potentially creating an opening for a Republican to win the governorship in a state that typically votes overwhelmingly Democratic.

With Friday marking the final day for candidates to officially join the race, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks’ recent appeal for struggling candidates to withdraw has been mostly disregarded. Only former state Assembly majority leader Ian Calderon has dropped out since then. Meanwhile, Hicks faces accusations from Democratic contenders of intimidation, elitism, and insensitive comments about race.

Democratic political strategist Bill Carrick from Los Angeles explained that Hicks was making an unrealistic request, asking candidates in an open race to quit when no clear frontrunner has emerged and the primary remains months away.

“People don’t say, ‘You want me to drop out? OK,’” Carrick observed, pointing out that candidates have spent months or longer building campaigns and fundraising.

Even candidates polling poorly in this confused field “don’t see themselves so far from being competitive,” Carrick noted.

This gubernatorial contest represents the first time since California voters approved the state’s “top two” primary format over ten years ago that no dominant candidate has emerged, drawing numerous Democrats into the competition.

The Democratic field features current and former congressional members Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and Xavier Becerra, who previously led health policy in the Biden administration. Other contenders include former state controller Betty Yee, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state education chief Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Following his withdrawal Thursday, Calderon backed Swalwell’s candidacy.

On the Republican side, the main contenders are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative media personality Steve Hilton, both allies of President Donald Trump.

Reflecting widespread party anxiety, Hicks contended that a crowded Democratic field might fragment the party’s primary support into tiny portions, potentially allowing two Republican candidates to reach the November election. Under California’s distinctive top-two primary structure, all candidates appear on a single ballot, and only the two highest vote-getters proceed to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation, making an all-Republican November contest theoretically possible.

Hicks cautioned that having no Democratic candidate in the November election could reduce voter participation when the party seeks to reclaim House control and counter Trump’s Washington agenda.

Most candidates remained unmoved by the appeal. Thurmond, who is Black, stated the party is “essentially telling every candidate of color … to drop out.” Mahan argued Thursday that candidates still have sufficient time to gain traction, observing that “people are just starting to tune in.”

A recent survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed the field divided into two tiers, with Hilton, Porter, Bianco, Swalwell, and Steyer running competitively, while remaining candidates lag significantly behind.

Both Swalwell and Porter expressed concerns Thursday about Democrats being shut out of the general election, though neither specified which candidates should withdraw.

“That’s a decision for individual candidates to make,” Swalwell informed reporters following a candidate debate.

Porter warned that California cannot risk electing a governor who would support Trump’s agenda.

“There is a role for every candidate, always, in every race, to look at whether or not they have a path forward,” Porter told reporters Thursday. “I’m sure those are hard moments for them.”

Sam Rodriguez, who previously served as the state party’s political director, suggested Hicks should have sought delegate backing for a resolution encouraging lower-performing candidates to withdraw if they cannot demonstrate substantial polling support.

Such an approach might have proven more effective. While Hicks made his appeal alone as chair, recent party changes have worked “to give the delegates more voice,” Rodriguez explained.

A Texas Democrat who secured his party’s U.S. Senate nomination through internet stardom now faces a Republican offensive targeting his extensive online presence.

James Talarico built his path to victory over years of viral content creation, but GOP operatives are now combing through his digital footprint to weaponize progressive statements on divisive topics including race relations, gender identity, faith, and border policy. Conservative strategists believe these remarks could sink his chances in Texas, where Democrats have long struggled to gain electoral ground.

Before achieving national recognition through his online presence, Talarico served as a relatively obscure state representative. The seminary student and Baptist preacher’s grandson transformed his profile by appearing on numerous podcasts and maintaining an active social media presence. His ability to frame liberal policies through religious arguments has impressed Democratic leaders who see potential for statewide appeal.

However, this extensive media presence has provided opposition researchers with abundant material. Following his primary victory over Rep. Jasmine Crockett this Tuesday, conservative groups immediately began circulating video compilations of controversial moments.

In one legislative address, Talarico declared that “God is nonbinary,” though he later clarified this was meant as theological provocation to illustrate that “God is beyond gender.”

Another clip shows him saying “Our southern border should be like our front porch. There should be a giant welcome mat out front,” but omits his continuation: “and a lock on the door.”

A five-year-old social media post where Talarico wrote “Radicalized white men are the greatest domestic terrorist threat in our country” while discussing mass shootings targeting minority communities has drawn particular attention.

Chris LaCivita, a Republican strategist working for a super PAC backing incumbent Senator John Cornyn, shared that post and called it “great ad copy” for his party. Cornyn faces Attorney General Ken Paxton in a GOP runoff election.

Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, describing Talarico to Politico as “a terribly weak candidate” who is “more woke than even the very highly untalented Jasmine Crockett.” Trump predicted Talarico would be “much easier than her” to beat in November.

“He is radically out of touch with Texans and they will not vote for this in November,” stated Samantha Cantrell, speaking for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

During his Wednesday victory address, Talarico prepared supporters for incoming attacks, attributing them to wealthy interests and political establishment figures clinging to influence.

“They’re going to throw everything they have at us,” he told the crowd. “They’re going to call me a radical leftist. They’re going to call me a fake Christian. They’ll call our movement un-Texan, un-American. They’ll call us a threat.”

Talarico framed the expected criticism as evidence that “we’re a threat to their corrupt system.”

“Our campaign is building a movement poised to change the politics of this state and take power back for working people,” responded campaign spokesperson JT Ennis. “While they lob stale attacks to mislead Texans, we are uniting the people of Texas to win in November.”

Democratic strategists hope GOP primary voters will select Paxton, who carries baggage from corruption allegations, personal scandals, and his own history of inflammatory rhetoric.

While Trump has indicated he will endorse in the Republican primary, he has not revealed timing or his preferred candidate. Party leadership is pushing him to support Cornyn’s bid for a fifth term.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani offers a recent example of a Democrat overcoming scrutiny for progressive positions that became political vulnerabilities. Mamdani appeared on Fox News to apologize to police officers for previous criticism, including 2020 calls to “defund this rogue agency.”

However, the political landscapes of New York and Texas differ dramatically. Trump carried Texas by nearly 14 percentage points while losing New York by a similar margin.

EL PASO, Texas — A comprehensive investigation has uncovered alarming conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, the United States’ largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, according to documents and recordings obtained by The Associated Press.

Emergency call records from over 100 incidents, combined with witness testimonies and legal documents, paint a troubling picture of overcrowded conditions, inadequate medical care, insufficient nutrition, and widespread psychological distress at the facility.

Former and current detainees paint a grim picture of daily life for approximately 3,000 individuals housed in noisy, unsanitary conditions. They report difficulties accessing healthcare while illnesses spread throughout the population, significant weight loss due to inadequate meals, and intimidation from security personnel who reportedly use physical force during confrontations.

“Every day felt like a week. Every week felt like a month. Every month felt like a year,” said Owen Ramsingh, a former property manager in Columbia, Missouri, who spent several weeks in the camp before his deportation in February to the Netherlands. “Camp East Montana was 1,000% worse than a prison.”

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson who did not provide their name rejected claims of subprime conditions, saying Camp East Montana detainees receive food, water and medical treatment in a facility that is regularly cleaned.

The investigation revealed several key findings:

Emergency response data from El Paso shows facility personnel contacted 911 services almost daily during the first five months following the center’s mid-August launch, totaling 130 documented calls.

Audio recordings capture harrowing moments: one features a man weeping after being attacked by another detainee, while another documents a physician reporting a man repeatedly striking his head against walls while expressing thoughts of self-harm. A third call involves a nurse describing a pregnant woman experiencing intense pain while infected with coronavirus.

Medical emergencies have affected detainees ranging from a 19-year-old who fell from his bunk to a 79-year-old experiencing breathing difficulties. Documentation shows at least 20 incidents involved seizures, with several resulting in significant head injuries.

The emergency calls demonstrate a pattern of self-harm attempts and expressions of suicidal ideation among detainees.

Two fatalities have occurred at the facility. On Jan. 3, ICE reported that security personnel responded to a 55-year-old Cuban man’s self-harm attempt, subsequently using restraints and physical force to subdue him. Medical examiners determined Geraldo Lunas Campos’s death was a homicide caused by asphyxia.

On Jan. 14, personnel reported the suicide death of a 36-year-old Nicaraguan man, occurring days after his detention while working in Minnesota.

Beyond these deaths, El Paso records document at least six additional suicide attempts.

The DHS spokesperson said the facility’s staff “closely monitors at-risk detainees” and provides mental health treatment.

The Washington Post reported in September that a required ICE inspection found conditions at the facility violated at least 60 federal standards for immigration detention. But that report has never been released, unlike dozens of other inspections at facilities posted on ICE’s website.

DHS has called claims of violations described in the Post story false without explaining why the inspection report was wrong. ICE’s current database on detention facilities indicates Camp East Montana has never been inspected but is scheduled for one this fiscal year.

A DHS spokesperson said ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight recently completed an inspection at Camp East Montana but provided no other information and the results have not been made public.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, an El Paso Democrat who has toured the camp several times, is calling for its closure.

“This facility should not be operational. It feels like this contractor is reinventing the wheel, and people are losing their lives in their experiment,” she said.

She said the facility had temporarily cut its population below 1,900 when she visited last month and will be closed to visitors temporarily because of a measles outbreak.

During one inspection, a female detainee presented Escobar with a small portion of scrambled eggs that remained frozen in the center. The congresswoman discovered that detainees had organized protests after administrators eliminated juice, fruit and milk from their meal service.

Escobar met with a detainee from Ecuador who said his arm had been broken during a violent arrest by immigration agents in Minnesota. Weeks later, the congresswoman could still the fractured bones in his forearm poking up under the skin.

Escobar called for an investigation into contractor Acquisition Logistics LLC, which was awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to build and operate the camp. She said the company, which didn’t return messages, and its subcontractors were not delivering services paid for by taxpayers.

“People should be moved by the abject cruelty, but if they’re not, I hope they’re moved by the fraud and corruption,” Escobar said.

If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

ATLANTA — Republican leaders in Georgia are growing increasingly concerned as their party faces a divided primary field while Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff leads the nation in campaign fundraising and continues building support among voters.

The situation in Texas this week has only heightened these worries. Without former President Donald Trump stepping in with an endorsement to narrow the field, Senator John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton are heading toward a costly and divisive runoff that could drain resources from more competitive races across the country.

While Trump has indicated he will eventually pick a side between the Texas candidates, he hasn’t revealed his timeline or preference. There’s also no indication the former president plans to get involved in Georgia’s May 19 primary, potentially setting up Republicans for the same challenging scenario.

State party chair Josh McKoon expressed his concerns about the timeline, saying “I’d like to have as many days as I can to focus the public’s attention on the choice between our nominee and Sen. Ossoff.” He added, “Assuming that President Trump does not weigh in, it seems like it is more likely than not that we will have a runoff.”

Three major Republican candidates are vying for the nomination: Representative Mike Collins, Representative Buddy Carter, and former football coach Derek Dooley. All three have branded themselves as the strongest Trump ally who could best serve the former president’s agenda in Washington. A Trump endorsement would likely determine the winner given his influence within the party.

Faith & Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed emphasized the power of Trump’s backing, calling it “the gold standard of the party” and “the strongest endorsement I’ve ever seen in my career.”

Ossoff appears to welcome the Republican infighting over Trump’s support. During a speech at Georgia’s state capitol this week, he said, “My opponents have already made clear they will be Donald Trump’s puppets.”

National Republican leaders are sounding alarms about the fractured field. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told The Washington Examiner last month that the crowded primary could lead to a general election defeat in Georgia.

“We need to get it down to one candidate as soon as possible,” Scott explained. “And if we are able to do so, we have a chance to be successful there. But as long as we have three candidates, it’s going to be tougher for us.”

Republican strategist Stephen Lawson, who supports Collins, warned that Ossoff “continues every day going unscathed.” He stressed, “I do think there has to be some sense of urgency on settling on a candidate and clearing the field sooner rather than later.”

Collins has secured numerous in-state endorsements and backing from the Club for Growth, an influential conservative organization. He markets himself as the “America First MAGA candidate.” However, he’s currently dealing with an ethics complaint from a congressional watchdog alleging his policy adviser and former chief of staff improperly hired his girlfriend as an intern despite her not completing required work. Collins has dismissed the complaint as “bogus.”

Carter, a longtime political figure in southeast Georgia, positioned himself differently in a recent interview, stating “I’m the one without any baggage.” He calls himself a “MAGA warrior” and has advocated for stronger immigration enforcement throughout the state, despite criticism of harsh tactics used elsewhere.

The financial disparity between parties is stark. Ossoff has amassed more than $25.5 million in campaign funds, while his potential Republican opponents lag far behind: Collins with $2.3 million, Dooley with $2.1 million, and Carter with $4.2 million (much of it his own money).

Despite this gap, McKoon remains optimistic that Republican donors will rally around whoever emerges as the nominee and help level the playing field financially.

Trump’s endorsement history in Georgia presents a mixed record. In 2021, his backed candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler lost to Ossoff and Senator Raphael Warnock. The following year, Warnock defeated Trump-endorsed football legend Herschel Walker.

Carter speculated that Trump might avoid making an endorsement to protect the narrow Republican House majority, which includes both Carter and Collins. “The president really is probably going to sit this one out,” Carter predicted.

Collins took a different approach, praising Trump’s strategic timing, saying he has “always had the impeccable ability to put his name on someone at the right time to get the most bang for his buck.”

The candidates aren’t just working to prove their Trump loyalty to voters—they’re also trying to convince the former president they have the best chance of winning in November. According to Reed, electability is Trump’s primary concern.

“The only thing that drives Trump more than finding candidates that are loyal both philosophically and personally is identifying and getting behind candidates that can win,” Reed explained. “He wants to win.”

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s effort to eliminate what it considers “wokeness” from the military is dramatically altering how the Pentagon works with American universities, severing decades-old partnerships with elite institutions that have educated top military leaders while forming new alliances with Christian colleges and state schools.

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his restructuring efforts by removing over a dozen top-tier universities from a military fellowship program that traditionally serves as a pathway to senior leadership positions. While this represents a relatively small change, it carries significant symbolic weight and has university administrators worried about additional reductions that could remove military personnel from their programs entirely.

Despite Hegseth’s broad declarations about ending all military enrollment at institutions he labels as anti-American, his actual cuts have been more selective. His focus has remained on graduate-level programs and professional certificates while leaving intact a much larger initiative that provides educational funding for approximately 200,000 active-duty and reserve personnel.

This broader initiative, called Tuition Assistance, provides financial support to service members pursuing education at virtually any accredited American institution. The funding reaches hundreds of campuses, including the same selective schools that Hegseth claims have “gorged themselves” on government dollars. However, an Associated Press review reveals that non-Ivy League institutions receive far more Pentagon funding, particularly large online universities and some for-profit schools that have faced fraud allegations.

The AP’s examination of 2024 data shows that approximately 350 military members used Tuition Assistance at Harvard, Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, and other institutions targeted by Hegseth’s eliminations. In comparison, over 50,000 enrolled at the American Public University System, a for-profit online education provider with only a 22% graduation rate.

More than one-third of students receiving the benefit enrolled at for-profit institutions, exceeding enrollment at all private nonprofit colleges combined. State universities attract the largest share of military students through the program, with roughly 40% selecting these campuses. The benefit provides up to $4,500 annually.

The Pentagon’s decision to influence where service members should pursue education represents a dramatic departure from previous policy and constitutes “incredible overreach,” according to Lindsey Tepe, who specializes in military education at the American Council on Education, an organization representing university presidents.

“This is clearly the start of a broader effort to reshape military education, and I do think that this is a bad precedent to set,” Tepe said.

The changes have sparked anxiety about potential additional cuts, with some questioning whether programs like Tuition Assistance, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or other military educational initiatives covering law, medicine, and engineering studies might face similar restrictions.

Hegseth’s memo from last week made no reference to these programs. Instead, he focused on the Senior Service College Fellowship, an elite program allowing military personnel to pursue advanced education at universities, research institutions, and government agencies. This opportunity typically goes to mid-career professionals advancing toward leadership or specialized military positions.

The program affects relatively few students, with fewer than 80 participants across the 15 universities being eliminated this fall, according to Pentagon documentation. Beyond several Ivy League institutions, the Defense Department announced it would prohibit Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Alumni from these institutions include numerous current and former military leaders. Retired Army General James McConville, who served as army chief from 2019 to 2023, completed a fellowship at Harvard, his military record shows. Lt. Gen. William Graham Jr., who currently heads the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, participated in MIT’s program.

Some critics argue the Trump administration is sacrificing technical knowledge for political ideology by excluding these institutions. These universities typically house leading researchers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum computing fields, explained William Hubbard, a vice president at Veterans Education Success, a nonpartisan organization.

“I’m not sure our enemies would be too upset about this,” said Hubbard, a Marine Corps veteran. “If I were waking up in Beijing and heard this news, I would be pleased.”

Harvard, frequently criticized by President Donald Trump, faces additional penalties. The Pentagon announced it’s prohibiting all graduate-level professional military education at Harvard, including fellowships and certificate programs.

Harvard’s government school responded this week by allowing active-duty personnel to postpone admission for up to four years. The institution also secured “expedited consideration” for these students at alternative universities, including the University of Chicago and Tufts University.

Notably, Hegseth earned his master’s degree from Harvard but ceremonially returned his diploma during a 2022 Fox News broadcast.

In last week’s memo, Hegseth criticized elite universities he describes as “factories of anti-American resentment” that undermine military principles. He recommended 15 replacement institutions for the fellowship program, selected for promoting intellectual freedom and having “minimal public expressions in opposition of the Department,” according to the document.

Liberty University tops the replacement list, a Christian institution with 16,000 campus students in Virginia and another 120,000 in online programs. The school already maintains a substantial military presence, enrolling over 7,000 students through Tuition Assistance, the AP analysis shows. Recent scandals have affected the campus, including the 2020 resignation of longtime president Jerry Falwell Jr.

Liberty issued a statement saying it hasn’t yet coordinated with the Pentagon about potential partnerships but appreciates Hegseth’s leadership. “We love this country and fully support the men and women in uniform who devote their lives in service to our nation,” the statement said.

Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian school separately working with the White House on the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, also appears on the list. Hillsdale President Larry Arnn stated that too many institutions have abandoned America’s founding principles.

“If officers want serious education in the principles they swear to defend, Hillsdale is exactly where they should be,” Arnn said.

The replacement institutions include several flagship state universities, such as premier research schools like the University of Michigan, which recently reduced diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and the University of North Carolina. Hegseth stated that redirecting the fellowship will ensure “a more rigorous and relevant education to better prepare them for the complexities of modern warfare.”

A coalition of 24 states filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging President Donald Trump’s recently implemented 10% tariffs on imported goods, marking the first court challenge to the administration’s latest trade policy moves.

The legal action comes after the Supreme Court delivered a major blow to Trump’s trade agenda on February 20, invalidating most of his earlier tariff program. In response, Trump immediately announced new import duties using different legal justification.

According to a spokesperson from Oregon’s Attorney General office, the participating states – predominantly led by Democratic leadership and including New York, California, and Oregon – contend that these replacement tariffs violate federal law just like their predecessors.

The lawsuit, being filed in New York’s U.S. Court of International Trade, challenges Trump’s use of the Trade Act of 1974 to justify the tariffs. The states maintain this law was designed for addressing urgent monetary crises, not the standard trade imbalances that occur when wealthy countries like America purchase more goods internationally than they sell abroad.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated Wednesday that the current 10% rate established in Trump’s February 20 executive order will likely increase to 15% in the coming days.

Tariffs have become a cornerstone of Trump’s international strategy during his second presidency, with the administration asserting broad executive power to implement trade duties without congressional approval. However, the Supreme Court’s February ruling significantly undermined this approach by rejecting Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for tariff authority.

Following that judicial setback, Trump publicly criticized the opposing justices and pivoted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 – another law that had never previously been utilized for U.S. tariff implementation. The administration has also maintained other import duties on products including automobiles, steel, and aluminum using more established legal frameworks that face fewer court challenges.

The plaintiff states contend that the Trade Act specifically permits tariffs only for addressing “balance of payments” shortfalls – a economic condition not seen since Richard Nixon’s presidency when America was transitioning away from the gold standard.

These balance-of-payments provisions were primarily created to handle monetary emergencies such as dramatic dollar devaluation in international currency markets, the states argue. They claim Trump has incorrectly applied this standard to target ordinary “trade deficits” that naturally occur when nations import more than they export.

The legal filing seeks a court injunction halting the new tariffs and requiring refunds for any payments already collected under Section 122 authority.

Separately, the court system is managing approximately 2,000 business lawsuits seeking reimbursement for over $130 billion in tariff payments made under the now-invalidated IEEPA program before the Supreme Court’s February decision. On Wednesday, the court directed U.S. customs officials to begin processing these refund requests.

Congressional Democrats are drafting new legislation to crack down on prediction betting platforms following suspicious trading activity that raised red flags about potential insider knowledge of military operations.

Representative Mike Levin of California and Senator Chris Murphy are spearheading the legislative effort after traders made substantial profits betting on events in Iran just hours before U.S.-Israeli air strikes occurred.

“Chris Murphy and I are working on this. It’s unbelievably clear to me that if anyone is using prior knowledge of military action for financial gain that should be absolutely illegal,” Levin said during a recent interview.

The controversy centers around platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, where users can place bets on real-world events. Analytics company Bubblemaps discovered that six trading accounts earned $1.2 million in profits from wagers on the removal of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, placing these bets just hours before the military action that resulted in his death.

Current federal law through the Commodity Exchange Act prohibits event contracts considered “contrary to the public interest,” including those related to warfare, terrorism, or assassinations. However, Levin argues these existing regulations provide too much wiggle room for betting platforms.

“There is no good way for people to be betting on war and death,” Levin stated, noting that fellow Democratic colleagues share his concerns and he anticipates building broader support for the initiative.

This isn’t the first time such platforms have drawn scrutiny. Last month, six Democratic senators criticized the betting sites after an unidentified trader earned approximately $410,000 in profits by wagering on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s removal from power.

Following Saturday’s revelation about the Iran-related trades, both Levin and Murphy took to social media platform X to express their concerns. Murphy indicated the suspicious activity demonstrated that insiders were capitalizing on warfare and promised to introduce legislation “ASAP.”

Polymarket responded to criticism this week by removing betting options related to the possibility of nuclear explosions worldwide after facing significant online backlash.

A Kalshi representative defended their platform’s practices, stating they prohibit and actively monitor for insider trading violations. “We also don’t list markets directly tied to death,” the spokesperson added.

Polymarket, which primarily operates in international markets, has previously defended prediction markets as tools that utilize collective intelligence to generate accurate and unbiased forecasts.

While the proposed legislation faces an uphill battle to become law in the immediate future, it adds mounting pressure on prediction betting platforms amid growing concerns that such wagering could incentivize conflict or the disclosure of classified government information.

Federal authorities have released previously undisclosed documents from Jeffrey Epstein case files that make reference to President Trump, according to reports from NPR.

The Department of Justice made these materials available to the public after an investigation by NPR discovered that numerous pages of documentation had been held back from earlier releases.

The newly published records are connected to accusations involving the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, according to the reporting.

NPR’s investigation revealed that dozens of pages of Epstein-related documentation had been kept from public view before this latest release by federal authorities.

A leading Republican member of Congress is cautioning Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent against permitting expanded Chinese business investment in the United States, arguing it could damage President Trump’s manufacturing revival initiatives.

Representative John Moolenaar, who leads the House select committee focused on China policy, sent correspondence to Bessent expressing concerns about Chinese companies that receive government backing, enabling them to sustain losses while pushing out American competitors.

According to the March 4th correspondence reviewed by news outlets, Moolenaar warned that welcoming increased Chinese investment would help China’s struggling economy while weakening the administration’s national security protections and domestic industrial rebuilding efforts.

“Beijing seeks to subsidize its broken economic model on the back of the American taxpayer and capitalize on the ill-gotten gains of its mass intellectual property theft by exporting its state-subsidized industrial overcapacity to our shores,” Moolenaar said.

The congressman’s letter arrives before Trump’s anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for March 31 through April 2. Administration officials hope the leaders can reach agreement on extending the current tariff cease-fire despite continuing industrial and technology competition.

Chinese direct investment in America has dropped significantly in recent years as government officials discuss the importance of “de-risking” the nation’s economy, though some reports suggest both countries are exploring ways to restart mutual investment opportunities.

Trump has prioritized American manufacturing revival through his economic policies, including tariff strategies, and has worked to secure investment pledges from allies in critical sectors like computer chip production and shipbuilding.

In February 2025, the president issued an executive directive highlighting concerns about Chinese investment that could target America’s most valuable technological assets.

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office stated this week in policy documents that it would pursue “constructive foreign investment” that strengthens America’s industrial foundation without compromising national security.

While not directly mentioning China, the USTR’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda committed to utilizing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to protect against security risks and encourage “productive, market-based investment.”

Moolenaar specifically cautioned against expanded access for Chinese companies in automotive and lithium-ion battery sectors. The Michigan representative has previously examined Ford’s collaboration with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, which Pentagon officials say has connections to China’s military.

Treasury Secretary Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, China’s chief trade representative, are scheduled to meet in mid-March to prepare for the presidential summit.

Neither China’s Washington embassy nor the Treasury Department immediately responded to requests for comment regarding potential discussions about increasing reciprocal investment between the nations.

WASHINGTON – Following a Supreme Court decision in late February that declared President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs unlawful, a federal judge has mandated that the U.S. government commence refund payments that could total as much as $182 billion, according to budget experts.

Senior Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade issued the directive on Wednesday, requiring the Customs and Border Protection agency to present preliminary plans by Friday for a comprehensive refund system designed to prevent thousands of separate legal challenges.

During Wednesday’s court proceedings, Eaton emphasized the government’s obligation, stating: “I want to make it clear to the customs service that they have to refund any money that was unlawfully collected.”

However, the specific process for distributing these refunds remains uncertain at this time.

Research teams from major universities have provided varying calculations of the potential refund amounts based on tariff data and projections.

The Penn Wharton Budget Model at the University of Pennsylvania projects that CBP accumulated as much as $182 billion in total revenue from tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act spanning from February 4, 2025, through February 23, 2026.

Their analysis, conducted specifically for Reuters, utilized a comprehensive forecasting system examining tariffs across approximately 11,000 product classifications from 233 nations worldwide.

Using an alternative calculation method, Penn-Wharton researchers arrived at a secondary estimate of roughly $177 billion in IEEPA tariff collections. This figure was determined by analyzing what percentage of overall U.S. Treasury customs income consisted of IEEPA tariffs through December 14, then projecting that same proportion to subsequent customs revenues.

According to the most recent CBP data from December 14, IEEPA tariff assessments totaled $133.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Yale University’s Budget Lab calculated IEEPA tariff collections at $168 billion through February 19, using forward estimates based on the December 14 CBP assessment figures, placing their projection somewhat below Penn-Wharton’s estimates.

Yale researchers also determined that by January 2026, all Trump-era tariffs implemented in 2025 increased average inflation-adjusted customs revenue by $194.8 billion compared to the 2022-2024 baseline. This encompasses a $174.7 billion increase throughout 2025 and an additional $20.1 billion in January 2026 alone.

The Yale team calculated that before the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, the effective U.S. tariff rate had reached 9.9%.

Following the high court’s decision, the Trump administration implemented an interim 10% worldwide tariff using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, with plans to increase it to 15%.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects the 10% tariff will produce approximately $35 billion in fresh net revenue during the 150-day period permitted under current law, potentially reaching $50 billion at the 15% level.

Any extension would require Congressional authorization, but if approved or replicated through alternative tariff mechanisms, CRFB estimates decade-long revenue could surpass $900 billion at 10% or reach $1.3 trillion at 15%.

According to CRFB analysis, the Section 122 tariffs would compensate for more than half the revenue loss from the Supreme Court ruling at 10%, and over three-quarters at 15%.

Penn Wharton’s projections for 10-year Section 122 revenue are slightly higher, estimating $1.51 trillion assuming a 15% rate, with potential 2026 revenue of $136 billion if maintained for a full year.

The Defense Department has made good on the Trump administration’s warning by officially classifying artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a supply chain threat in an extraordinary action that may compel federal contractors to cease using the company’s Claude AI assistant.

Pentagon officials announced Thursday they have “officially informed Anthropic leadership the company and its products are deemed a supply chain risk, effective immediately.”

This determination appears to close the door on any additional discussions with Anthropic, coming almost one week after President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth alleged the firm poses risks to national security.

The president and defense secretary revealed a list of potential sanctions last Friday, coinciding with tensions over Iran, following Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s refusal to compromise on his concerns that the company’s technology might enable widespread domestic surveillance or fully automated weapons systems.

The California-based firm did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment Thursday. Anthropic has previously threatened litigation if the Pentagon moved forward with what the company characterized as a “legally unsound” measure “never before publicly applied to an American company.”

Pentagon representatives did not respond to inquiries by deadline.

Several defense contractors have already begun severing relationships with Anthropic, an emerging leader in the technology sector that markets Claude to numerous businesses and government organizations. Lockheed Martin announced it will “follow the President’s and the Department of War’s direction” while seeking alternative large language model providers.

“We expect minimal impacts as Lockheed Martin is not dependent on any single LLM vendor for any portion of our work,” the defense contractor stated. It remains unclear whether this classification targets Anthropic’s use across all federal contractors or specifically those working with military agencies.

The Pentagon’s choice to implement regulations originally created to counter supply threats from foreign enemies has drawn swift condemnation from critics and some allies of Trump’s Republican government. Federal regulations define supply chain risk as a “risk that an adversary may sabotage, maliciously introduce unwanted function, or otherwise subvert” a system to disrupt, compromise or conduct surveillance.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat serving on both the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, described it as “a dangerous misuse of a tool meant to address adversary-controlled technology.”

“This reckless action is shortsighted, self-destructive, and a gift to our adversaries,” she stated in a written response Thursday.

Neil Chilson, a former Federal Trade Commission Republican chief technologist who currently oversees AI policy at the Abundance Institute, characterized the move as “massive overreach that would hurt both the U.S. AI sector and the military’s ability to acquire the best technology for the U.S. warfighter.”

Earlier Thursday, a coalition of former defense and national security leaders sent correspondence to federal legislators voicing “serious concern” regarding the classification.

“The use of this authority against a domestic American company is a profound departure from its intended purpose and sets a dangerous precedent,” wrote the group of former officials and policy specialists, including ex-CIA director Michael Hayden and retired military leaders from the Air Force, Army and Navy.

The letter emphasized that such classifications are designed to “protect the United States from infiltration by foreign adversaries — from companies beholden to Beijing or Moscow, not from American innovators operating transparently under the rule of law. Applying this tool to penalize a U.S. firm for declining to remove safeguards against mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons is a category error with consequences that extend far beyond this dispute.”

Despite losing major defense contractor partnerships, Anthropic has seen dramatic growth in consumer adoption during the past week as users support its ethical position. The company reports more than one million daily Claude signups this week, propelling it ahead of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini as the leading AI application in over 20 nations on Apple’s app store.

The Pentagon conflict has also intensified Anthropic’s competitive feud with OpenAI, which announced a Friday agreement with the Pentagon to essentially substitute ChatGPT for Anthropic in classified settings.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later acknowledged he regretted hastily pursuing an agreement that “looked opportunistic and sloppy.”

WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Thursday made public previously unreleased documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation that contain unverified allegations against President Donald Trump, which the Justice Department says were accidentally excluded from earlier document releases.

Last week, the department announced it was reviewing whether any records had been improperly held back after multiple media outlets noted that certain FBI interview summaries from 2019 were missing from the large collection of documents already released to the public.

Federal agents had conducted four separate interviews with a woman making accusations against Trump, but only one interview summary had appeared in the initially published files.

Thursday’s release revealed these missing documents had been “incorrectly coded as duplicative,” leading to their unintentional omission from the investigative materials concerning the disgraced financier, who took his own life in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

“As we have consistently done, if any member of the public reported concerns with information in the library, the Department would review, make any corrections, and republish online,” the department stated on X.

Trump has repeatedly rejected any misconduct related to Epstein. The Justice Department previously stated in January that certain documents include “untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.”

These latest revelations emerge amid continued controversy surrounding Attorney General Pam Bondi’s oversight of the file releases mandated by congressional legislation. On Wednesday, five House Oversight Committee Republicans joined Democratic colleagues in voting to subpoena Bondi for sworn testimony, reflecting growing dissatisfaction within the president’s own party.

The Trump administration has encountered persistent political challenges since document releases began in December, with opponents claiming the department has concealed certain files, applied excessive redactions, or in other instances, failed to adequately protect sensitive information. The department accidentally published unredacted nude photographs showing victims’ faces along with names, email addresses and other identifying details.

Justice Department representatives have stood by their document handling procedures, emphasizing their efforts to comply with legal requirements for rapid release while safeguarding victims. Officials have acknowledged that mistakes were unavoidable considering the massive volume of materials, the numerous attorneys reviewing documents, and the mandated timeline for publication. The department maintains its authority to withhold records that could expose abuse victims, duplicate materials, legally privileged communications, or information tied to active criminal cases.

Among Thursday’s newly released documents were records involving a woman who reached out to federal agents following Epstein’s 2019 arrest. She alleged that a man called “Jeff” residing in Hilton Head, South Carolina, had sexually assaulted her there during the 1980s when she was approximately 13 years old. The woman explained to investigators that she was unaware of the perpetrator’s identity at the time, but years later determined he was Jeffrey Epstein after a friend sent her his photograph from a news article.

During a subsequent interview one month later, the woman made additional allegations, claiming Epstein had orchestrated her mother’s imprisonment, physically abused her, facilitated sexual encounters with other men, and once transported her to New Jersey or New York, where she alleged biting Donald Trump during an attempted sexual assault.

Federal investigators interviewed the woman twice more, requesting additional details about her claimed encounters with Trump, but noted she refused to provide further information and ceased communication. No evidence exists that Epstein maintained residence in South Carolina, and it remains uncertain whether Trump and Epstein had any relationship during the alleged timeframe.

This woman’s account represents one of numerous unsubstantiated and sometimes bizarre reports that federal authorities received from citizens alleging improper conduct by Trump and other prominent figures following Epstein’s arrest.

CHICAGO (AP) — Democratic Party leaders are grappling with how to reconstruct a successful coalition capable of regaining control in Washington, with many seasoned politicians looking back to when the party faced similar divisions before being transformed by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s groundbreaking campaign.

Through his two White House runs, Jackson — who stood as the nation’s leading civil rights figure at the time — assembled what he called a Rainbow Coalition, bringing together voters from different racial and economic backgrounds to mirror America’s diversity. Though Jackson didn’t secure the nomination in either race, his approach became so powerful that it evolved into an aspirational model for Democrats.

“America is not like a blanket, one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size,” Jackson said in his 1984 Democratic National Convention speech. “America is more like a quilt. Many patches, many pieces, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread.”

Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaigns, built on a multicultural voter base that mirrored Jackson’s concept, led many Democrats to view the Rainbow Coalition as their path to victory.

“What Reverend planted in American politics were seeds that continue to blossom and bloom,” said Donna Brazile, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee and longtime mentee to Jackson.

However, this approach has weakened recently as Donald Trump’s conservative movement has dominated among white working-class Americans while also gaining ground with minority communities that previously formed the backbone of Democratic support.

Democratic officials are now preparing for intense internal debates about reviving the Rainbow Coalition and applying lessons from Jackson’s legacy following his death last month.

Jackson’s organizational network has reshaped party leadership.

Brazile launched her political career working on Jackson’s initial presidential run. Similar to other activists Jackson guided, she advanced through Democratic ranks, serving in Washington D.C. government and advising Bill Clinton’s campaigns before managing Al Gore’s 2000 presidential effort.

“In electoral politics, Jesse Jackson became a player because he understood the power of the Black vote,” said Brazile. She also remembered his strategy to expand beyond that base. “Reverend told us straight up that our patch was not big enough,” she said. “Reverend began shifting his rhetoric from Black empowerment to speak to any of those who didn’t have a seat at the table.”

During her role as Democratic National Committee chair in 2016, Brazile oversaw an election where party officials faced criticism for how they handled Bernie Sanders’ insurgent challenge to Hillary Clinton.

Defending her leadership while acknowledging the recurring tensions between progressive and moderate wings, Brazile pointed to lessons from her own journey.

“Reverend understood that you needed a roux,” said Brazile, referring to the cooking technique. “In gumbo, you need the seasoning of those who came before but every now and then you also need some new salt. We have to coexist. The moderates need the progressives, and the progressives need the moderates. That’s the dance of American politics.”

Brazile’s progression from Jackson supporter to party establishment isn’t unusual. Numerous Democratic officials credit Jackson as their mentor and continue following his example for building broad voter coalitions. Others point to his campaigns as their political starting point, invoking his influence while proposing vastly different directions for the party.

With party leaders and potential 2028 candidates gathering in Chicago for Jackson’s memorial services, many are reflecting on his political impact.

Progressive leaders view Trump’s upcoming second presidency as an opportunity to redirect both Democrats and the nation toward an ambitious liberal agenda.

“He served to challenge the party as a moral leader,” said Rev. William Barber, a minister and Jackson mentee who co-chairs the Poor People’s Campaign focused on economic justice. “He didn’t spend time saying what he was against. He spent all of his time talking about what he was for.”

Barber announced that activists, religious leaders and progressive legislators will convene soon to discuss adapting Jackson’s movement to today’s political environment.

“Anyone serious about taking on the extremism we see going on now in Congress and general assemblies and the presidency needs to grab onto the vision that was expressed in 1988 because it is so necessary in this moment,” Barber said regarding Jackson’s second campaign message.

Though Jackson maintained clear political positions, other proteges emphasize his willingness to work with people across the political spectrum. Some believe he would encourage Democrats to adopt realistic strategies for the challenging 2028 race.

“He was incredibly progressive. But he was even more so pragmatic. He was a problem solver,” said Steven Benjamin, Columbia, South Carolina’s first Black mayor and Jackson mentee. Benjamin contends Jackson’s practical approach enabled his diverse coalition and that Democrats need bold yet careful planning.

“I would tell all those who may consider themselves somewhere under the Democratic banner that we’ve got to find ways to coalesce around central values and never compromising those values,” said Benjamin, a former Biden senior adviser and Third Way think tank board member. “Everything else, you have to find ways to be thoughtful and pragmatic about how to actually solve problems.”

Additional observers highlighted Jackson’s magnetic personality and commitment to hearing from the varied communities he represented.

“We have to learn, as Reverend Jackson and others of his day did so effectively, to listen more than we talk,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist. “We have to show up and hear from folks about what their priorities are, instead of showing up, telling people what we think their priority should be.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin for the position of Homeland Security secretary has created an unforeseen opening in the U.S. Senate from the reliably conservative state.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt will have the authority to select Mullin’s successor should he vacate his Senate position, according to state law. In a Thursday statement, Stitt indicated he plans to choose “a strong, small government conservative voice to support President Trump.”

Mullin had not served a complete six-year Senate term, having won election in 2022 to complete the remaining time left by the late Senator Jim Inhofe, who resigned before his term ended.

The person Stitt selects will serve only temporarily in the Senate role. State legislation prevents the appointee from seeking election in the upcoming race scheduled for November, a provision lawmakers created to eliminate any incumbency benefits.

The open Senate position in Oklahoma is expected to trigger a cascade of political movements throughout the state. Potential candidates being discussed include Representatives Kevin Hern from Tulsa and Stephanie Bice from Oklahoma City, along with former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon, whom Mullin beat in a Republican primary runoff during 2022.

The three-day candidate filing window opens April 1st. Republican candidates are anticipated to have a significant advantage in maintaining party control of the seat.

President Donald Trump expressed little worry about climbing fuel costs connected to ongoing military actions against Iran, stating in an exclusive Reuters interview Thursday that the operation takes priority over economic concerns at gas stations.

When questioned about higher pump prices, Trump responded, “I don’t have any concern about it. They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”

This represents a notable change from Trump’s recent messaging, as he had celebrated declining fuel costs during last month’s State of the Union speech and at a Texas energy rally just hours before Saturday’s air strikes commenced.

Political experts warn that sustained increases in gas costs could damage Republican chances in November’s midterm elections, where congressional control hangs in the balance. Public dissatisfaction with living expenses and economic management already poses challenges for the administration.

While Trump publicly downplays the price increases, behind-the-scenes efforts are underway. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have contacted oil industry leaders to explore solutions for rising energy costs, press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday.

A White House source, speaking anonymously, revealed urgent coordination between energy and national security teams to develop price-reduction strategies.

The same official disclosed that Wiles cautioned in internal meetings that inaction on rising prices would prove “catastrophic” for Republicans in upcoming elections.

Trump has projected a four-to-five-week duration for the Iran campaign, though political and military analysts question this timeline, noting the administration hasn’t clearly defined success goals as the conflict expands regionally.

During the interview, Trump ruled out accessing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the world’s largest emergency oil stockpile. He expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route near Iran, would stay operational because Iran’s naval forces are at the “bottom of the sea.”

International oil markets have surged 16% since Saturday’s conflict began, as regional supply disruptions spread throughout the Middle East.

According to AAA’s fuel price tracking, the national gas average has climbed 27 cents since last week, reaching $3.25 per gallon. Current prices sit 15 cents above last year’s levels.

Trump characterized the increases as minimal, saying costs “haven’t risen very much.”

The administration is wagering that both the Iran conflict and resulting fuel price pain will be temporary.

Energy advisors have informed Trump’s team that initial market shock has been less dramatic than anticipated, recommending patience, according to two sources familiar with internal discussions.

These advisors cautioned that premature administration intervention could backfire by unsettling markets if prices don’t drop quickly.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced earlier this week that the administration was preparing measures to address rising energy costs, but only risk insurance for oil tankers and potential naval escorts through the Strait of Hormuz have been revealed so far.

Three energy industry executives told Reuters the White House faces limited effective options for reducing energy prices.

“When you look across the menu of policy options, domestically or within other countries, they can be helpful, but they don’t move the needle far,” one executive said anonymously to speak freely about administration policies. “I think the primary focus is … to do whatever they can to restore transits through the Strait of Hormuz itself.”

Internal discussions include various alternatives such as suspending federal gasoline taxes and relaxing environmental rules for summer fuel blends to permit higher ethanol content, the two sources revealed.

Officials also considered releasing Strategic Petroleum Reserve supplies, but Trump’s Reuters comments ruled out that possibility for now.

Congressional Republican leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, has similarly dismissed gas price concerns, even as the party prepares to emphasize economic achievements in midterm campaigns.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Iranian officials are contacting Washington seeking diplomatic negotiations while U.S. and Israeli military operations continue against Iran.

During remarks at a White House gathering with Inter Miami soccer team, Trump described the Iranian outreach: “They’re calling, they’re saying ‘how do we make a deal?’ I said you’re being a little bit late.”

The former president praised ongoing military operations against Iran, claiming they have severely damaged Tehran’s weapons systems and naval forces. Trump stated the strikes are eliminating Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, adding “their navy is gone – 24 ships in three days.”

Trump also issued a direct appeal to Iranian diplomatic personnel worldwide: “We also urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran.”

Iran’s United Nations mission in New York refused to provide comment on Trump’s statements.

Regarding energy markets, Trump indicated that oil prices have “pretty much stabilized” but suggested additional measures to ease pressure on petroleum costs would be announced shortly.

A senior White House official confirmed earlier Thursday that the Treasury Department plans to reveal new initiatives targeting rising energy costs, potentially including actions related to oil futures trading.

During a Thursday White House gathering featuring the Inter Miami soccer team, President Donald Trump outlined his foreign policy priorities, stating he intends to resolve the Iranian conflict before addressing Cuba relations.

“Will be just a question of time before you and a lot of unbelievable people are going to be going back to Cuba,” Trump told attendees at the March 5th event.

The President indicated that Cuban leadership is eager for negotiations, claiming the nation wants “to make a deal so badly.”

“We want to finish this one first,” Trump explained when discussing the ongoing Iranian situation before shifting focus to Cuban relations.

President Donald Trump has selected Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as his next Homeland Security Secretary, marking a rapid political ascent for the former plumbing business owner who entered Congress just over a decade ago.

The 48-year-old senator has established himself as one of Trump’s most vocal allies in the upper chamber and is set to join the administration following Thursday’s dismissal of Kristi Noem, who faced growing scrutiny regarding her department leadership.

With a background in mixed martial arts and collegiate wrestling, Mullin has cultivated an aggressive approach in the Senate and strengthened his relationship with Trump after they attended an NCAA wrestling match together in Tulsa during 2023.

“Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

A member of the Cherokee Nation, Mullin secured Oklahoma’s open Senate seat in 2022 after prevailing in a competitive Republican primary. Before entering politics, he operated a thriving plumbing business in Oklahoma featuring distinctive red vehicles branded with “The Red Rooter” signage, launching his initial House campaign as an anti-establishment candidate frustrated with government red tape affecting his business operations.

He eventually captured Oklahoma’s expansive 2nd Congressional District, a rural territory that shifted from Democratic control to increasingly conservative representation over the past ten years.

Mullin’s confrontational Senate moments include a heated 2023 committee session with International Brotherhood of Teamsters leadership, during which he challenged the union chief to “stand your butt up” while rising from his chair and removing his ring.

“If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults,” Mullin declared to Sean O’Brien, the union’s president, following their previous social media disputes. “We can finish it here.”

The senator originally pledged to limit himself to three congressional terms but abandoned that commitment when seeking reelection, acknowledging he “didn’t understand politics” when making his initial promise.

Mullin has also drawn scrutiny for accepting approximately $1.8 million through federal pandemic relief programs intended to support struggling small businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

Treasury Department records revealed that four companies under Mullin’s ownership collected between $800,000 and $1.9 million through the Paycheck Protection Program. His spokesperson previously stated the congressman wasn’t involved in daily business operations and directed inquiries to the companies’ financial officer.

The senator has embraced his Cherokee Nation heritage and championed issues affecting tribal communities, including defending tribal sovereignty rights. He also campaigned for Trump among Native American voters in North Carolina during the 2024 election cycle.

Federal officials are preparing to unveil new strategies to address climbing energy costs, with the Treasury Department expected to make an announcement as early as Thursday that could include unprecedented intervention in oil futures markets, according to a senior White House official.

This approach would represent a departure from traditional methods, as the federal government typically addresses energy price concerns through physical oil supply adjustments rather than financial market interventions. Officials are working urgently to minimize both the political and economic consequences of escalating fuel costs.

Energy markets have seen significant volatility, with Brent crude oil prices reaching approximately $85 per barrel due to concerns that ongoing conflicts could interrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway handles roughly 20% of worldwide oil transportation. Meanwhile, gasoline prices across the United States have risen above $3 per gallon.

Treasury Department representatives were not immediately available to provide additional details about the potential measures.

A federal appeals court delivered a significant victory to President Trump on Thursday, determining he possesses the legal authority to halt refugee admissions to the United States for an indefinite period.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, through a three-judge panel, reversed most of the court orders issued by a Seattle federal judge last year that had prevented the suspension of refugee resettlement activities.

Following his inauguration in January 2025, Trump immediately froze the refugee program, stating that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program needed to guarantee that incoming refugees would “appropriately assimilate.” This action prompted a class-action legal challenge from refugees, their relatives, and organizations that assist with resettlement.

Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Jay Bybee, who authored the panel’s opinion, acknowledged the “enormous practical implications” of the court’s decision to reverse the majority of rulings made by U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, whose pro-plaintiff decisions had been temporarily suspended during the appeals process.

“There are over one hundred thousand vetted and conditionally approved refugees, many of whom may have spent years completing the USRAP process in a third country only to be turned away on the tarmac,” Bybee noted in his written opinion.

However, Bybee, along with his fellow appellate judges who were all nominated by Republican presidents, explained that Congress had provided the president with extensive authority to halt immigrant entry.

“Whether that consequence reflects prudent policy is not a question for this court,” Bybee stated.

Attorney Mevlude Akay Alp, representing the plaintiffs through the International Refugee Assistance Project, responded with a statement criticizing the decision, saying it “removes the ability for refugees stranded by the refugee ban to be safely resettled, or even have their cases processed, while President Trump’s cruel ban continues.”

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

Although the appellate court reversed most of Whitehead’s decisions, it maintained certain injunctions by a 2-1 margin, specifically those preventing the elimination of services for refugees already in the United States and the cancellation of agreements with resettlement support facilities.

U.S. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lee, who was appointed during Trump’s previous term, issued a partial dissent, arguing for the complete reversal of all injunctions issued by Whitehead, who was nominated by former Democratic President Joe Biden.

“District courts cannot stand athwart, yelling ‘stop’ just because they genuinely believe they are the last refuge against policies that they deem to be deeply unwise,” Lee wrote in his dissenting opinion.

Aviation and travel sector executives are calling on lawmakers to resolve the Department of Homeland Security funding impasse as the peak spring break travel period draws near.

Industry representatives warn that continued congressional gridlock could result in Transportation Security Administration personnel and port security staff missing complete salary payments during what is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The funding dispute comes at a particularly challenging time for the travel sector, which relies heavily on federal security operations to maintain smooth airport and port operations during high-volume travel seasons.

Without resolution, the standoff could impact security screening operations and other critical travel infrastructure just as millions of Americans prepare for spring vacation trips.

President Donald Trump terminated Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security secretary on Thursday following mounting concerns about her performance in the role, marking her as the initial Cabinet member to depart Trump’s administration during his second presidency.

The dismissal comes as a collection of photographs documenting Noem’s tenure has been assembled by Associated Press photo editors.

President Donald Trump has dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following mounting criticism of her immigration enforcement approach, announcing Thursday that Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated as her replacement.

The president revealed the decision through social media posts on Thursday, just two days following Noem’s difficult questioning by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Rather than leaving government entirely, Noem will transition to a newly created position as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” according to Trump’s announcement. This fresh security program will concentrate on Western Hemisphere initiatives.

This marks the first Cabinet-level departure during Trump’s current presidential term. Noem’s exit concludes a controversial period leading immigration enforcement operations that sparked significant protests and legal challenges.

In her response on social media platform X, Noem expressed gratitude for the new appointment. “Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” she posted. She emphasized her commitment to collaborating with senior administration officials “to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”

“In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security,” Noem continued in her statement. She claimed her department “delivered the MOST secure border in American history” and that FEMA had “delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate.”

Interestingly, Noem made no reference to her dismissal during a lengthy presentation at a Nashville law enforcement gathering that same day.

Throughout her tenure, Noem positioned herself as the public face of immigration operations, frequently placing herself at the center of enforcement activities.

Despite lacking law enforcement experience, she regularly donned protective gear and joined agents during immigration operations while media cameras captured the scenes.

One particularly notable moment occurred during a March trip to an El Salvador detention facility, where she posed for photographs in front of shirtless, tattooed inmates that the Trump administration had deported as suspected gang members.

During her Thursday address to the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Nashville, Noem spoke for over 20 minutes without acknowledging her termination.

Even during the question-and-answer portion, attendees didn’t bring up the dismissal. When asked about future law enforcement funding, Noem appeared to indicate she would remain in her current position.

“I think your best options for funding alternatives would be through some grants that with the department, we have specific grants towards, terrorism grants,” she responded. “So maybe what I’ll do is I will forward those grant opportunities to all of you so that you can share them with your departments and have that opportunity.”

Mullin will inherit leadership of the government’s third-largest department, responsible for implementing Trump’s strict immigration policies during a crucial period for that agenda.

The first year of Trump’s administration featured highly publicized immigration operations with attention-grabbing names, typically overseen by Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who answered directly to Noem.

Noem frequently participated in these operations personally, accompanying officers during arrest missions.

However, these prominent operations in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis often resulted in confrontations with activists and demonstrators that were recorded and shared widely, fueling opposition to the president’s immigration policies.

The situation reached a breaking point following fatal shootings in Minneapolis, prompting Trump to deploy border czar Tom Homan to assume direct oversight of Minneapolis operations. Bovino was subsequently reassigned to different duties.

While Noem becomes the first Trump Cabinet official to be removed from office, the president’s practice of arranging alternative positions for dismissed officials represents an emerging pattern.

The “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas” position represents a new security program focused on Western Hemisphere concerns, according to Trump’s announcement.

This approach mirrors other recent personnel moves. Former national security adviser Mike Waltz received a United Nations ambassador nomination after accidentally including a journalist in a Signal conversation about military strategies last year.

Similarly, Trump selected IRS Commissioner Billy Long as Iceland ambassador following Long’s contradictory statements regarding administration messaging during his brief two-month tenure.

Additionally, Trump announced in August that former State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce would serve as deputy U.N. representative after her State Department departure.

President Donald Trump announced Thursday a significant cabinet shake-up, naming Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as the next Secretary of Homeland Security to replace Kristi Noem, who has faced mounting criticism over her aggressive immigration enforcement approach.

“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The leadership change comes amid questions about the future direction of Trump’s immigration policies. Noem will transition to a new position as “Special envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” according to the president’s announcement.

The former South Dakota governor became a controversial figure during her tenure, gaining attention for inflammatory social media posts about immigrants and what critics called harsh enforcement tactics. Her approach included deploying masked immigration agents in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C., conducting sweeps in neighborhoods and locations such as Home Depot parking lots.

Noem faced intense scrutiny in January following a deadly incident in Minneapolis where federal immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. She immediately characterized their actions as “domestic terrorism,” but later-released video footage contradicted claims by Noem and other administration officials that the victims were violent aggressors.

The public outcry over these deaths prompted the administration to shift toward more focused immigration enforcement in Minnesota, moving away from the broad sweeps that had sparked violent confrontations with community members opposing the crackdown.

Congressional Democrats initiated impeachment proceedings against Noem, while at least two Republican lawmakers also called for her removal following these incidents. During March congressional hearings, lawmakers from both parties criticized her management of DHS and her enforcement methods, including concerns about a $220 million advertising campaign that prominently featured the secretary.

The staffing transition raises uncertainty about whether the Trump administration will escalate its mass deportation efforts or adopt a more selective strategy. Public support for Trump’s immigration policies declined as agents detained American citizens and used tear gas in streets while attempting to increase deportations, which fell below the administration’s target of one million annually.

Despite serving as a vocal advocate for Trump’s agenda, immigration policy remains under the control of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a longtime Trump advisor. The 54-year-old Noem received quick Senate confirmation to lead the 260,000-employee department when Trump returned to office in January 2025.

Throughout her time in office, Noem used provocative language on social media, calling immigrants with criminal records “scumbags” while arrests of non-criminal immigrants increased under the administration. She personally participated in enforcement operations in New York City and visited a high-security El Salvador prison housing Venezuelan immigrants who had been deported without charges or legal representation.

Border crossings dropped dramatically under Trump’s restrictive policies, a sharp contrast to the elevated illegal immigration levels during former President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration.

Following Trump’s broader agenda, Noem also moved to reduce legal immigration pathways and strengthen screening processes. She terminated multiple Temporary Protected Status programs that had provided work authorization to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, and other countries, triggering legal challenges.

After an Afghan immigrant allegedly attacked National Guard personnel in Washington D.C., Noem stated she advised Trump to implement “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”

Opponents accused Noem of vilifying immigrants and implementing enforcement policies that primarily affected law-abiding working immigrants and their families. During her leadership, deaths in immigration detention facilities reached a 20-year peak while DHS oversight staff experienced significant cuts.

MADISON, Wis. — A 20-year-old Wisconsin man received a seven-year prison sentence Thursday for attempting to burn down a Republican congressman’s office because he opposed the lawmaker’s support for TikTok divestiture legislation.

Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker also ordered Caiden Stachowicz of Menasha to serve seven years of extended supervision following his prison term, according to court documents.

Stachowicz entered a no contest plea in November to arson charges. In return for his plea, which carries the same weight as a guilty verdict during sentencing without admitting wrongdoing, prosecutors dismissed burglary and property damage charges.

Defense attorney Timothy Hogan did not respond to requests for comment.

Court documents reveal that a police officer arrived at the scene of a fire outside Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman’s Fond du Lac office around 1 a.m. on January 19, 2025, and found Stachowicz in the vicinity. The office is located approximately 55 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

Stachowicz admitted to the officer that he ignited the fire due to his dislike of Grothman, the complaint states. His original plan involved breaking into the building to start the fire indoors, but after failing to shatter a window, he doused an electrical box behind the structure and the front entrance area with gasoline before lighting it with a match and observing the flames, according to court filings.

The defendant explained his motivation by saying he wanted to destroy the office because the federal government was eliminating TikTok in violation of his constitutional freedoms and peaceful solutions were no longer viable, the complaint indicates. He noted that Grothman supported the ban but emphasized he had no intention of harming the congressman or anyone else.

In April 2024, Grothman cast his vote for legislation mandating that ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, divest its American operations. The original compliance deadline was January 19, 2025, though President Donald Trump has extended the timeline through several executive orders. TikTok completed arrangements two months ago to establish an American version of the video-sharing platform, which Trump has endorsed.

Representatives from Grothman’s congressional office have not responded to requests for comment.

Texas Senator John Cornyn is launching aggressive attacks against his Republican primary runoff rival while the state anticipates President Donald Trump’s promised backing in the race.

Cornyn’s campaign unveiled a new attack advertisement Thursday targeting state Attorney General Ken Paxton with multiple ethical and personal allegations. The move signals the beginning of what could become an even more contentious and costly second round of campaigning.

The advertisement highlights controversies surrounding Paxton, including his impeachment proceedings on corruption allegations that resulted in acquittal but revealed an extramarital relationship, plus a state securities fraud case that Paxton settled through a plea agreement while maintaining his innocence.

Campaign officials for Cornyn report investing tens of thousands of dollars to ensure voter exposure to the advertisement. While this represents a small fraction of the over $110 million already spent before Tuesday’s primary, it could signal much larger expenditures ahead if the six-minute video becomes shortened television commercials.

Trump refrained from backing any candidate during the primary phase, disappointing Republicans who worry about wasted resources and time in Texas rather than focusing on more competitive swing states. The president indicated Wednesday he plans to announce his choice for the May 26 runoff and expects the unendorsed candidate to withdraw, though no decision has been revealed.

Cornyn barely secured first place in Tuesday’s concluded primary but failed to reach the majority threshold needed to prevent a runoff. Representative Wesley Hunt placed third before being eliminated.

Republican leadership supports Cornyn, the established incumbent pursuing his fifth term, while cautioning that Paxton carries excessive controversy to succeed against Democratic candidate James Talarico in November’s general election.

However, Paxton has demonstrated durability against previous attacks and has positioned himself as a champion for Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. Speaking with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, he declared he would not withdraw regardless of endorsement developments.

“I’m going to give people in Texas a choice,” Paxton said. “The people in Washington can have their own opinion. The president can have his own opinion.”

Paxton presented an alternative proposal through social media, suggesting he might consider withdrawal if Senate Republican leadership eliminated the filibuster to advance Trump-supported legislation requiring strict citizenship verification for voting. This proposal remains stalled in the Senate.

Trump seemed irritated by Paxton’s defiance.

“That is bad for him,” he told Politico. “So maybe, maybe that leads me to go the other direction.”

The president had previously stated on social media that he would endorse a Texas candidate because the divisive race cannot “be allowed to go on any longer.”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her position Thursday following intense scrutiny of her department’s performance on immigration enforcement and emergency response efforts.

The president announced via social media that Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated to replace Noem, just two days after she endured harsh questioning from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

In his announcement, Trump indicated Noem would transition to serve as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” describing it as a newly created security program concentrated on Western Hemisphere operations.

Shortly after Trump’s public statement, Noem appeared at a scheduled Department of Homeland Security gathering where she delivered prepared comments without acknowledging her removal, instead reinforcing points from Trump’s recent State of the Union address.

This marks the first Cabinet-level departure during Trump’s current presidential term. Noem’s exit concludes a controversial period leading the department amid widespread opposition and legal challenges to immigration enforcement strategies.

Her position became increasingly precarious following this week’s congressional hearings, where she encountered unusual but severe criticism from Republican representatives. Lawmakers particularly questioned a $220 million advertising initiative featuring Noem that promoted voluntary departure for undocumented immigrants.

During testimony, Noem stated Trump had prior knowledge of the advertising campaign, though Trump contradicted this claim in a Thursday Reuters interview, denying he approved the promotional effort.

The former South Dakota governor faced ongoing criticism throughout her tenure overseeing Trump’s strict immigration policies, particularly following fatal shootings of two demonstrators in Minneapolis by immigration enforcement personnel. Her department also drew scrutiny regarding its management of congressional funding allocations.

Growing dissatisfaction with Noem’s implementation of the administration’s immigration agenda — especially her response to the Minneapolis shooting incident involving two American citizens — combined with concerns over disaster management contributed to her removal. Both Democratic and Republican legislators criticized her performance during this week’s hearings on multiple fronts.

Beyond immigration matters, Noem encountered bipartisan criticism regarding delays in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding approvals and the administration’s overall disaster response coordination.

While Mullin requires Senate confirmation for the permanent position, federal vacancy legislation permits him to serve in an acting capacity as Homeland Security secretary during the nomination process.

WASHINGTON — The federal commission examining President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction proposal has postponed its decision until April 2nd, according to the panel’s chairman during Thursday’s proceedings.

Will Scharf, who chairs the National Capital Planning Commission and serves as a senior advisor to the Republican president, revealed the scheduling change at the beginning of the panel’s March session.

The commission was expected to render its decision on Thursday after hearing additional project information from White House representatives and commission staff members.

However, Scharf announced the vote would be delayed until April to accommodate all citizens wishing to provide input. The overwhelming response — with over 100 individuals registering to speak — prompted the meeting to move to an online format.

The commission has received numerous written submissions regarding Trump’s proposal for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition to be constructed where the former East Wing previously existed. The president has stated the $400 million project will be funded through private contributions. Trump ordered the East Wing’s demolition in October.

Scharf explained the virtual meeting format would facilitate the public testimony process, which he anticipated could continue into Friday due to the substantial number of registered speakers.

“They are taking time out of what I presume are busy schedules to join us,” he stated. “One way or the other, we are going to make sure that members of the public have the opportunity to be heard on this project.”

Project opponents have criticized Trump for proceeding with the East Wing demolition before obtaining approval from both the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. The fine arts commission granted its approval last month.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, operating as a private nonprofit organization, petitioned a federal court to suspend construction activities until proper submissions were made to both federal commissions and Congress, while also ensuring public input opportunities.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied this request last week, prompting the trust to announce plans for filing a revised legal challenge.

A federal lawsuit has been filed in Washington, D.C. targeting President Trump and Pam Bondi over their handling of TikTok’s asset sale.

The legal complaint alleges the Trump administration sidestepped federal laws specifically created to prevent the dissemination of Chinese propaganda within the United States. Instead of following these regulations, the lawsuit claims the administration facilitated a partial ownership transfer to business associates with close ties to Trump.

The lawsuit was submitted to federal court in the nation’s capital, challenging the administration’s approach to the controversial social media platform’s ownership structure.

MIAMI (AP) — At a regional security conference in Miami on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Latin American nations to intensify their military campaigns against drug trafficking organizations, cautioning that Washington stands ready to pursue unilateral action if partner countries don’t step up their efforts against criminal networks threatening U.S. border security.

“America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if necessary,” Hegseth declared during his address at U.S. Southern Command headquarters, speaking before defense leaders from allied nations across the region.

The Pentagon organized what it called the inaugural “Americas Counter Cartel Conference,” drawing military officials from more than a dozen conservative-leaning governments that maintain strong ties with President Donald Trump, including representatives from Argentina, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. These defense leaders accompanied their presidents to Florida ahead of a planned weekend summit with Trump at his nearby golf resort.

During his remarks, Hegseth emphasized the shared Christian values between the United States and Latin America, arguing these principles face danger due to years of insufficient action and relying solely on traditional law enforcement methods to counter organized crime and terrorist networks throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“Business as usual will not stand,” he declared, promising American assistance to fight cartels, rebuild deterrence capabilities and “make the Americas great again.”

Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who has helped shape Trump’s hardline regional policies, reinforced Hegseth’s message with even stronger language.

“Cartels that operate in this hemisphere are the ISIS (Islamic State group) and al-Qaida of this hemisphere and must be treated just as ruthlessly,” Miller stated, emphasizing that “hard power” and deadly force — rather than criminal prosecution — should be deployed against these organizations.

“The human rights that we are going to protect are not those of the savages that rape, torture and murder but those of the average citizens,” he added.

These discussions occur as the Republican administration works to deploy military resources to reassert American influence in the hemisphere while simultaneously managing military operations in Iran.

Upon assuming office in January 2025, Trump announced a renewed emphasis on Latin American affairs, a strategic shift his national security framework calls the “Trump Corollary” to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to prevent European interference in the Americas. Central to this approach is expanded use of U.S. military forces to eliminate drug cartels that have long been blamed for escalating violence and homicide rates that stunt Latin America’s economic growth and drive migration northward.

“For too long, leaders in Washington abandoned the simple wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine,” Hegseth stated, referring to Trump’s regional security emphasis as the “Donroe Doctrine.”

Trump previously classified cartels from Mexico and Venezuela as foreign terrorist organizations before later announcing that the United States was engaged in “armed conflict” with these groups.

This unprecedented use of executive authority to address drug trafficking forms the legal foundation for Washington’s justification of dozens of attacks against suspected narcotics smugglers in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters — totaling 44 vessel strikes that have killed at least 150 people.

A large-scale naval presence not witnessed in Latin America since the Cold War’s conclusion also enabled the U.S. military mission in early January that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro. He currently faces narcotics charges in New York.

Trump’s strategy has gained backing from regional conservatives like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, who gained power promising to use “mano dura” — an iron fist approach — against criminal organizations. This week marked the first time Ecuador conducted joint military operations with U.S. forces targeting organized crime networks.

However, using military forces to replace roles typically handled by civilian law enforcement carries significant risks in a region where military institutions lack strong oversight, armed forces have histories of human rights violations, and corruption remains a persistent problem.

“Without strong rule-of-law institutions and civilian oversight, militarizing the fight against cartels can weaken the very institutions needed to defeat them,” warned Rebecca Bill Chavez, president of the Inter-American Dialogue and former deputy assistant defense secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs.

WASHINGTON – A congressional committee is demanding transparency from major travel and rideshare companies about their potential use of artificial intelligence to manipulate consumer pricing.

On Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer sent formal inquiries to the chief executives of five prominent companies, including rideshare giants Uber and Lyft, as well as travel booking platform Expedia. The Republican lawmaker is seeking information about whether these firms employ what’s known as ‘surveillance pricing’ – using detailed customer data to increase costs.

In his correspondence to the companies, Comer expressed alarm that advanced pricing algorithms combined with extensive personal consumer information could enable businesses to “weaponize personal data and pad their profit margins at the expense of providing transparency to consumers.”

The investigation also encompasses online marketplace Instacart and travel booking service Booking.com. None of the targeted companies provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the congressional inquiry.

The probe reflects growing congressional concern about how major technology and travel companies leverage consumer data and artificial intelligence in their pricing strategies.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, challenging the administration’s decision to approve TikTok’s restructured ownership arrangement on Thursday.

The legal action, brought by the Public Integrity Project representing two American retail investors who own stakes in competing social media companies, was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs argue that the government’s approval violates a 2024 federal law and seek to force a renegotiation of the arrangement.

According to the filing, the goal is to require a new deal “that doesn’t put administration allies in a position to censor political content on one of the world’s most popular media platforms.”

The legal challenge does not attempt to shut down TikTok, which serves 200 million American users.

Last April, Congress enacted legislation mandating that ByteDance divest its American operations by January 2025 or face prohibition and potentially hundreds of billions in penalties. However, Trump chose not to implement the law’s enforcement, while Bondi informed businesses they would not face consequences for continuing TikTok operations.

ByteDance announced that TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, completed in January with 80% ownership by non-Chinese stakeholders, would protect American user information, applications, and algorithms using data security and cybersecurity protocols. The company provided limited information regarding the ownership transfer or financial terms.

The lawsuit states: “Under the announced deal, ByteDance would still control all the essential elements of TikTok. Such a deal would subvert the very purpose of the TikTok Law, as ByteDance could continue to push Chinese propaganda and censor the content it does not like.”

This ownership restructuring represents a significant development for the social media platform following years of legal battles that started in August 2020 when President Trump initially attempted to prohibit the application due to national security issues.

This marks the first court challenge to the ownership deal and may provide insight into the new joint venture structure that is crucial for TikTok’s continued operation in America, despite criticism from certain congressional members.

Representatives from the White House, Justice Department, and TikTok have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.

Trump has stated that the arrangement satisfies the requirements outlined in the divestiture legislation.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is set to unveil new legislation Thursday aimed at preventing a U.S. Army ammunition facility from distributing military-grade bullets to civilian buyers, citing concerns that some rounds have ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and been linked to numerous mass shooting incidents across America.

The proposed Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act, backed by Senator Andy Kim along with Representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin, would ban Pentagon contractors from distributing military-grade assault weapons and ammunition to civilian purchasers.

The legislation would also mandate that military contractors exclusively work with commercial dealers who implement basic safety measures, including customer background checks and maintaining records showing minimal connections to firearms later involved in criminal activities.

The proposed law specifically addresses the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant located in Independence, Missouri, a World War Two-era facility that serves as the primary rifle ammunition supplier for U.S. military forces.

Winchester, an Olin Corporation subsidiary, operates the facility under an Army contract that permits commercial sales of any ammunition not purchased by the military.

Warren noted that powerful .50-caliber rounds confiscated by Mexican officials from cartel members were tracked back to the Lake City facility.

Olin Corporation and its Winchester subsidiary have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.

“Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence,” Warren stated. “Congress must step in to keep Americans safe, and that means stopping the U.S. military and giant defense contractors from selling weapons of war to cartels, criminal groups, and mass shooters that terrorize our communities.”

A 2023 New York Times investigation revealed that AR-15 ammunition manufactured at the Lake City facility had been utilized in at least twelve mass shooting events since 2012, including the tragedies in Aurora, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, Buffalo, and Uvalde.

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Virginia Democrats’ congressional redistricting initiative, marking his involvement in another state-level mapping dispute as midterm elections approach.

Obama’s endorsement came Thursday, one day following the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to allow the redistricting question to proceed to an April 21 voter referendum. Early voting starts Friday.

This marks Obama’s second endorsement of a Democratic redistricting effort that asks voters to temporarily bypass independent map-drawing processes in favor of party-drawn districts to counteract former President Donald Trump’s push for GOP gerrymandering in Republican-led states. California voters passed a comparable measure last fall to respond to Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting efforts that started in Texas.

In a video provided to The Associated Press before its public release, Obama urges Virginia residents to back the voter referendum on the redrawn districts. He stated the measure will ensure “your voting power is not diminished by what Republicans are doing in other states.”

“This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall,” Obama states in the video, distributed by Virginians for Fair Elections. “And voters will have the final say over what the maps look like.”

Virginia Democrats unveiled a new congressional map in February designed to provide their party with four additional seats. The Democratic-controlled legislature approved the proposed map, and Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger signed it into law.

The map becomes active only with voter approval and Virginia Supreme Court backing.

Obama also emphasizes that it’s a temporary measure, similar to California’s proposal. Following the 2030 census, he explains, “Virginia will go back to a system that lets a bipartisan redistricting commission redraw the maps.”

Virginia’s situation has changed rapidly, with no certainty the new map will be implemented this year even with voter approval.

Wednesday’s Virginia Supreme Court decision was its second ruling allowing the new map to go before voters while justices examine legal challenges to the initiative. The court has yet to determine whether the mid-decade redistricting plan and voter referendum are constitutional, suggesting the April vote might be meaningless if it upholds a lower court’s ruling blocking the effort.

Virginia Democratic legislators have characterized their redistricting proposal as a reaction to Trump’s encouragement of Republican states to redraw their maps to preserve a GOP House majority. Republicans call it an attempt by northern Virginia liberals to control congressional districts throughout the state.

Virginia currently has six Democrats and five Republicans representing the state in the U.S. House, elected from districts created by a court after a bipartisan legislative commission couldn’t reach agreement on a map following the 2020 census.

Redistricting has become a key issue for Obama.

He has highlighted the matter since departing office in 2017 and helped fundraise for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its related organizations, one of which has filed and backed lawsuits in multiple states challenging GOP-drawn districts. Eric Holder, Obama’s former attorney general, leads that organization.

Obama actively supported California’s Democratic redistricting ballot measure last year and appeared in advertisements backing Proposition 50, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld last month.

At an NDRC fundraising event, Obama said partisan gerrymandering wasn’t his “preference.” However, he added, if Democrats “don’t respond effectively, then this White House and Republican-controlled state governments all across the country, they will not stop, because they do not appear to believe in this idea of an inclusive, expansive democracy.”

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and her administrative team have received a personal invitation to attend a congressional markup hearing in the nation’s capital this Thursday, March 5th.

The invitation was extended by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s office, requesting Giordano’s presence at the Washington, D.C. proceedings.

Details about the specific purpose of the hearing or Giordano’s role in the markup session were not immediately available.

Federal officials have failed to release $625 million in promised security funding for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, missing a January 30 deadline and raising concerns among host cities about their ability to adequately prepare for the major international event.

New Jersey Representative Nellie Pou, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, believes partisan motivations are behind the Department of Homeland Security’s failure to distribute the allocated funds.

“I don’t have any doubt that they are using that for political reasons,” Pou told Front Office Sports about DHS’s delayed payments.

The Democratic congresswoman went further, characterizing the Trump administration’s intentions as “100%” political.

Pou’s congressional district encompasses MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host eight World Cup matches, including the championship game on July 19. FIFA has designated the facility as “New York New Jersey Stadium” for tournament purposes, dropping the corporate sponsor name.

The representative disputed explanations from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the funding delay.

“Secretary (Kristi) Noem is saying she isn’t releasing them because of funding impasse. That is absolutely not true,” Pou stated.

In a written statement issued last week, Noem defended the department’s position and blamed Democrats for the holdup.

“FEMA was in the final stages of reviewing applications to ensure proper oversight when Democrats shut down the government putting significant portions of the FEMA staff on administrative leave. No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup Grant Program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250. This Democrat shutdown directly impacts DHS’s ability to keep Americans safe at these events and our national security,” Noem wrote.

“Democrats must end this shutdown now and let DHS get back to our mission of protecting the Homeland,” she continued.

Multiple host cities have expressed urgency about receiving their allocated security grants.

During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, Miami host committee Chief Operating Officer Raymond Martinez warned about his city’s anticipated $70 million grant.

“Within the next 30 days is the drop-dead date. I know that the local agencies are very anxious. But without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination,” Martinez testified.

Kansas City Deputy Police Chief Joseph Mabin also emphasized the critical nature of the federal funding during the same hearing.

“The … funding would be critical for our staffing and our mutual aid partners to come in and assist. We just don’t have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats,” Mabin explained.

Former professional football star Burgess Owens announced Wednesday that he will step away from Congress rather than seek another term, following a redistricting battle in Utah that has created a political scramble among Republican lawmakers.

The 74-year-old congressman’s decision comes after a court-ordered redistricting map has forced Utah’s four sitting Republican House members to compete for just three available seats in the upcoming election. A state judge’s new congressional boundaries have created favorable conditions for Democrats to potentially capture one of Utah’s four House districts.

Owens and fellow Republican officials challenged the redistricting plan in court, but both state and federal judges dismissed their legal efforts, ruling it was too late to modify the district lines for the 2026 elections.

“I will finish this term fully committed and fully accountable,” Owens stated. “My final political sprint will be here in Utah and across the country, helping my colleagues expand our Republican majority.”

The congressman’s withdrawal from the race eliminates a potential primary battle for Representatives Blake Moore, Celeste Maloy, and Mike Kennedy, who can now pursue the three Republican-favorable districts without facing another sitting incumbent.

In the newly created Salt Lake County district, Democrats are fielding multiple candidates, including former Representative Ben McAdams, whom Owens narrowly beat in his initial 2020 congressional victory. The Democratic field includes several progressive candidates positioned to McAdams’ political left.

Before entering politics, Owens had a distinguished NFL career as a safety, playing for the New York Jets and earning a Super Bowl championship with the Raiders in 1980. Currently serving his third congressional term, he has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, describing the former president as “an advocate for Black Americans.”

Owens’ retirement announcement marks a significant milestone: all four Black Republican members of the House have now declared their intention to leave Congress. Representatives Byron Donalds of Florida, John James of Michigan, and Wesley Hunt of Texas are all pursuing different political offices rather than seeking reelection.

The departing congressman indicated he plans to continue advocating for children, families, and opportunity from outside elected office.

These four representatives are part of a larger exodus from the House, with 53 current members—21 Democrats and 32 Republicans—announcing their retirement plans following this year’s elections.

The timing raises questions about Black Republican representation in the next Congress, as primaries are just beginning in early states. The House Republican conference last lacked any Black members between 2013 and 2015.

Among the departing Black Republicans, Donalds was first to announce his plans in February 2025, declaring his candidacy for Florida governor to replace term-limited Ron DeSantis. James followed in April with his bid for Michigan’s open gubernatorial race, while Hunt officially challenged Texas Senator John Cornyn in October. Hunt’s campaign ended Tuesday with a primary loss, leaving Cornyn to face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May runoff.

Throughout Donald Trump’s second term in office, lawmakers have repeatedly challenged his military decision-making authority, beginning with actions in Latin America and now extending to Middle Eastern operations.

The Republican-led House will face another critical vote on Thursday following the Senate’s rejection of a Democratic proposal aimed at constraining Trump’s authority in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Similar to many of his predecessors, Trump asserts extensive, nearly unrestricted command over American military forces. His administration has sanctioned naval strikes in Venezuelan waters, implemented maritime blockades, and greenlit military missions targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power — actions that could constitute acts of war under international standards. Before launching extensive bombing operations in Iran, he also suggested potential military involvement in Greenland and other Latin American regions.

While the Constitution designates the president as military commander, it also establishes congressional oversight responsibilities. Trump has declared he will not approve any legislation that restricts his military options — evidence that some scholars believe demonstrates how civilian military control has shifted from its constitutional foundation.

Military historian Peter Mansoor, a retired U.S. Army colonel and Ohio State University professor, explained the constitutional framework: “The Constitution gives war powers to two different branches of government.” He expressed concern that “the pendulum has swung towards the executive,” noting that “the framers meant for Congress to be the most powerful branch.”

Constitutional provisions regarding military authority are clearly outlined in two key articles. Article I grants Congress the power “to declare war,” while Article II designates the president as “commander in chief of the Army and Navy.” Additionally, Congress maintains control over military funding.

Since World War II, Congress has not issued any formal war declarations. However, American military personnel have engaged in major combat operations in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, among other locations, resulting in casualties and deaths since 1945.

During the Venezuelan operation, an Army pilot sustained injuries, prompting Trump to present him with the Medal of Honor — an award legally reserved for combat actions against foreign adversaries. As of Wednesday, the Iranian conflict has claimed six American service members’ lives.

During last month’s Senate discussions about Venezuela, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky criticized what he called an “elaborate song and dance” and declared it “an absurdity” to suggest Trump’s military actions constituted anything less than warfare.

Virginia Democrat Senator Tim Kaine, who introduced both Venezuelan and Iranian war powers measures, described his latest proposal — which was defeated 47-53 — as preventing presidential attempts to circumvent constitutional requirements.

Throughout American history, Congress has formally declared war against 11 nations across five separate conflicts. The 19th century saw three declarations, World War I prompted two, and World War II generated six. In each instance, presidents formally requested congressional action, typically following direct attacks on American interests or territory.

Even President James K. Polk sought congressional approval for the Mexican War, despite its primary purpose being territorial expansion.

During this same historical period, Congress frequently authorized military force without formal war declarations. Early authorizations typically covered specific naval operations protecting American commercial activities. This approach, first used in 1798, became the standard framework for post-World War II military engagements.

President Harry Truman inherited World War II victory under declarations issued during Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. In 1950, when the newly formed United Nations called for intervention in Korea and requested member nation assistance, Truman deployed American forces in what he termed a “police action” without seeking congressional permission. Congress subsequently approved the Defense Production Act that year to support war mobilization efforts, essentially endorsing Truman’s decision retroactively. This legislation remains available for Pentagon use today.

The conflict known historically as the “Vietnam War” — though often labeled “the Vietnam conflict” by administrations expanding Southeast Asian operations — spanned presidencies from Dwight Eisenhower through Gerald Ford.

Lyndon Johnson convinced Congress to approve the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964, using this authorization to escalate American involvement significantly.

Despite growing casualties and declining public support, Johnson and successor Richard Nixon maintained broad congressional authority. The 1964 resolution stated: “Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.”

Although Congress revoked this measure in 1971, Nixon continued military operations without withdrawal.

According to Mansoor, formal war declarations serve purposes beyond initiating conflicts. They also establish official endings — requiring Senate ratification of peace treaties. Avoiding these legal parameters, he explained, creates conditions for “forever wars.”

As America struggled toward its Vietnam exit in 1973, Congress enacted the War Powers Resolution, designed to establish presidential constraints by mandating communication with lawmakers and enabling congressional votes on military action parameters. This legislation provided the framework for this year’s unsuccessful Venezuelan resolutions and Iranian measures.

In 2020, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed legislation intended to limit Trump’s Iranian military authority at that time. However, the War Powers Resolution has proven ineffective as a practical check on executive power.

Ronald Reagan deployed troops to Lebanon in 1982 as part of an international peacekeeping mission. He did not reference the War Powers Resolution when informing Congress and delayed seeking congressional authorization until 1983 — after military casualties had already occurred.

In 1990, George H.W. Bush informed Congress under War Powers Resolution provisions that he had sent troops to the Middle East following Iraq’s Kuwait invasion. Bush requested congressional “support” rather than “authorization” only after securing United Nations approval for international coalition action led by American forces. Congress authorized military force in January 1991.

Bill Clinton deployed American troops repeatedly — to Somalia, Haiti, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Iraq. He sought congressional funding but not explicit authorizations. When lawmakers pressured Clinton to seek approval for 1998 Iraqi strikes, he asserted presidential authority interpretations similar to Trump’s current arguments.

George W. Bush rapidly mobilized military forces following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. After quick congressional consultation, lawmakers passed a joint resolution authorizing comprehensive action. This unique measure targeted no specific country initially and focused on al-Qaida. Congress supported the measure almost unanimously while requesting reports every 60 days.

Military historian Mansoor observed that Bush used this authorization to conduct anti-terrorism operations globally. Bush returned to Congress in 2002, requesting authorization for Iraqi action.

The congressional authorization Bush received contained no expiration date. His successor, Barack Obama, inherited Iraqi troops and initially maintained their presence. Afghan operations continued through Obama’s two terms, Trump’s first presidency, and into Joe Biden’s administration.

Biden ultimately withdrew American forces from Afghanistan, ending what had become the nation’s longest undeclared war in American history.

WASHINGTON — The new chief executive of the Internal Revenue Service mostly refused to address congressional inquiries about illegal sharing of taxpayer information during his first appearance before lawmakers Wednesday, stating the violations occurred prior to his appointment.

Frank Bisignano, who became IRS CEO in October, appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the agency’s performance during the ongoing 2026 tax filing period. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent continues serving as the IRS’s acting commissioner while Bisignano leads the organization in his newly established role.

In his opening statement, Bisignano highlighted how the Internal Revenue Service is executing the Republican-led tax and spending legislation, which eliminates taxation on tips and overtime pay, removes certain automotive loan interest taxes, establishes tax breaks for senior citizens, and creates Trump Accounts for children’s savings programs.

Democratic committee members, however, focused their questioning on a federal court ruling that found the IRS violated federal law by sharing protected taxpayer data “approximately 42,695 times” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement through an information-sharing arrangement between ICE and the Department of Homeland Security designed to locate and remove undocumented immigrants. Immigration enforcement represents a key priority for Republican President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Was anyone fired? Was anyone disciplined? Was anyone held accountable? Was anyone held to account?” questioned Representative Mike Thompson, a California Democrat.

Bisignano referenced active court cases and refused to discuss the data breaches, stating, “I don’t want to debate the numbers.”

Federal District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled last month that the IRS illegally provided taxpayer records for thousands of individuals to immigration authorities.

Multiple legal challenges targeting the IRS-DHS information agreement remain active in federal court. Two judicial orders have prevented the agencies from conducting large-scale taxpayer data transfers and prohibited ICE from using any IRS information currently in its files. These temporary restraining orders continue to be enforced.

Representative Suzan DelBene of Washington state declared, “This is a catastrophic leadership failure and a huge hit on the public’s confidence in your integrity.”

Bisignano, who simultaneously serves as Social Security Administration commissioner, replied, “Obviously all these events occurred before my tenure.” However, he acknowledged it was “my responsibility to get it right.”

The information-sharing pact, signed last April by Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, permits ICE to provide names and addresses of undocumented immigrants to the IRS for verification against tax filing records. The agreement prompted the previous acting IRS commissioner to step down.

Democratic lawmakers also challenged Bisignano regarding the IRS’s recent termination of union agreements with agency employees. Representative Richard Neal of Massachusetts argued that “by terminating the union contract it makes it easier to take apart the IRS.”

Bisignano, whose father previously worked for the Treasury Department, responded, “Federal employees under statute have greater benefits than any union in the world can provide for their people.”

“They’re losing nothing,” he stated.

WASHINGTON – Federal employment declined by 386,826 positions during President Donald Trump’s initial year of his second presidency, new government statistics reveal.

The Office of Personnel Management, which serves as the federal government’s human resources department, released the workforce data on Wednesday.

This significant reduction in government personnel reflects Trump’s campaign commitment to reduce federal bureaucracy, which he has characterized as excessive and wasteful in its operations.

WASHINGTON — Federal lawmakers have initiated a formal ethics investigation into Texas Representative Tony Gonzales following accusations that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of his staff.

House Ethics Committee leadership announced Wednesday that a bipartisan investigative team will examine claims that Gonzales committed sexual misconduct involving an office employee and potentially provided improper benefits or special treatment through discrimination.

The congressman’s office has not responded to requests for comment from news organizations regarding the investigation.

Gonzales, who is currently serving his third term in Congress, has stated he will not resign over these accusations. Speaking with reporters at the Capitol, he indicated that additional information will eventually be made public.

“What you’ve seen is not all the facts,” Gonzales stated.

The 20-year Navy veteran, who served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan before entering politics in 2020, is a father of six children. This week, he was pushed into a May primary runoff against Brandon Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and YouTube personality focused on gun rights, after failing to secure enough votes in the 2024 Republican primary.

According to reporting by the San Antonio Express-News, text message communications were obtained showing former Gonzales employee Regina Ann Santos-Aviles discussing an affair with the congressman in messages to a coworker.

The Associated Press has not verified these text messages independently. Legal representation for Adrian Aviles, the husband of Santos-Aviles, confirmed that he discovered the alleged affair prior to his wife’s death.

Santos-Aviles, age 35, died by suicide in September 2025 after self-immolation in her backyard in Uvalde, Texas. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office officially classified her death as suicide.

WASHINGTON — Congressional ethics officials announced Wednesday they have begun investigating Texas Representative Tony Gonzales amid claims he engaged in an improper relationship with a member of his staff.

In a bipartisan statement, the House Ethics Committee’s leadership revealed they are examining allegations that Gonzales committed sexual misconduct involving an office employee and potentially provided unfair preferential treatment.

Representatives from Gonzales’ congressional office have not responded to requests for comment from news organizations.

The Republican lawmaker, currently serving his third term, has previously stated he will not resign over these accusations. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, he indicated more information would eventually be revealed.

“What you’ve seen is not all the facts,” Gonzales stated.

The 44-year-old congressman, who is married with six children, initially captured his seat in 2020 following a two-decade military service that included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, he was pushed into a May primary runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and YouTube personality focused on gun rights who came close to defeating Gonzales in the 2024 Republican primary.

According to reporting by the San Antonio Express-News, text messages were discovered showing former Gonzales employee Regina Ann Santos-Aviles admitting to a coworker that she had engaged in an affair with the congressman.

The Associated Press has not verified these text messages independently. Legal representation for Adrian Aviles, Santos-Aviles’ spouse, confirmed that the husband learned of the alleged affair prior to his wife’s passing.

Santos-Aviles, age 35, passed away in September 2025 after intentionally setting herself ablaze at her Uvalde, Texas residence. Medical examiners in Bexar County subsequently determined her death was by suicide.

DALLAS — Texas Republicans are preparing for what could be a brutal and expensive battle ahead.

Veteran Senator John Cornyn and his supporters invested close to $70 million to make it through Tuesday’s initial Republican primary contest. He maintained a narrow lead over Ken Paxton, the state’s attorney general known for his conservative activism, as vote counting continued Wednesday.

The two candidates will now face off in a May 26 runoff election that party officials worry could prove even more contentious and costly than the initial race.

“It’s judgment day for Ken Paxton,” Cornyn declared Tuesday evening.

However, it’s uncertain whether any amount of negative campaigning can derail Paxton — who has faced ongoing allegations involving corruption and personal misconduct — particularly as he presents himself as the type of Make America Great Again champion that President Donald Trump requires in the nation’s capital.

Paxton spoke defiantly to several hundred supporters gathered at a Dallas hotel ballroom, a stark contrast to Cornyn’s smaller media availability.

“We just sent a message, loud and clear, to Washington,” he declared. “We are not going to go quietly, and we are not going to let you buy the seat.”

GOP officials are concerned about the runoff because this 83-day campaign period coincides with what political strategists from both parties recognize as an unusually strong opportunity for Democrats to capture a Texas Senate seat — something that hasn’t occurred in almost 40 years.

Democrats selected state Representative James Talarico as their nominee, whom Republicans quickly labeled a far-left radical — despite privately viewing the 36-year-old progressive Christian as a more formidable general election opponent than his primary rival, Representative Jasmine Crockett.

This Texas race unfolds as Trump works to preserve congressional control during his remaining two years in office. While Republicans feel more optimistic about maintaining their Senate majority compared to the House, a competitive Texas contest could complicate their strategy or drain resources needed for tighter races in states like North Carolina, Maine, Ohio and Alaska.

Washington Republican leadership maintains that Cornyn has the superior opportunity, particularly after his first-place finish in Tuesday’s primary, with Representative Wesley Hunt placing a distant third before conceding. Cornyn’s team suggested the runoff would be unnecessary without “Wesley Hunt’s vanity campaign.”

“Paxton’s problems aren’t just an issue in a Republican primary; they also threaten to put the Senate seat at risk due to his lack of strength against Democrat nominee Talarico,” stated a memo from Cornyn’s campaign.

However, Paxton and his supporters show no indication of retreating.

“The D.C. establishment has done its job: it rallied around its wounded incumbent, opened the fundraising spigot, and flooded the airwaves. But the results, the data, and the reality on the ground all point to the same conclusion: John Cornyn has no viable path to the Republican nomination,” wrote the pro-Paxton Lone Star PAC in their memo. “Cornyn should suspend his campaign, concede the nomination to Ken Paxton, and refuse to allow another $100+ million in Republican resources to be burned in a race that is already decided.”

The sole individual who might prevent this internal party warfare, or at least minimize its damage, is Trump. However, the president has refused to back any candidate in the primary, calling all of them “great,” and it remains uncertain whether his position will shift for the runoff.

Without Trump’s endorsement, Cornyn made clear he would advocate for himself. He informed reporters that Paxton would represent “a dead weight at the top of the ticket for Republicans” come November.

“I’ve worked for decades to build the Republican Party, both here in Texas and nationally,” Cornyn stated. “I refuse to allow a flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton to risk everything we’ve worked so hard to build over these many years.”

Cornyn will encounter significant fundraising challenges, having already exhausted substantial resources in the primary’s first phase. Campaign staff indicated he has scheduled some small fundraising events but nothing immediately following this week’s voting as he returns to the capital.

Additionally, Paxton’s supporters believe the political environment will favor the attorney general.

“The casual and moderate Republican voters who are most likely to support an establishment incumbent are the least likely to return for a runoff,” noted the Lone Star PAC memo. “The committed conservative activists who form Paxton’s base are the most likely to show up.”

U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett acknowledged defeat Wednesday in her bid for the Texas Democratic Senate nomination, endorsing state lawmaker James Talarico who secured victory in the primary contest.

The congresswoman urged Democratic voters to rally around Talarico, who locked up the party’s nomination in results confirmed overnight.

“Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person,” Crockett said in a statement. “This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track.”

Prior to her concession, Crockett’s campaign had indicated they might pursue legal action regarding alleged irregularities during the primary voting process. Campaign representatives have not yet clarified whether those legal challenges will proceed.

Talarico now moves forward to the November general election, where he will square off against whichever Republican emerges from their runoff contest between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

President Donald Trump will welcome executives from major technology companies to the White House on Wednesday to discuss a new initiative designed to shield consumers from electricity rate increases linked to data center expansion.

The meeting will include representatives from Google, Meta, and OpenAI, who will participate in what the administration calls the ‘Ratepayer Protection Pledge’ – a program Trump first outlined during his State of the Union speech.

According to White House officials, this commitment is designed to prevent the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom from driving up electric bills for American families and small business owners.

The announcement comes as November’s midterm elections approach, with many voters expressing growing worry about energy affordability and the mounting pressure data centers place on the nation’s electrical grid systems.

Sources with knowledge of the discussions indicate that participating technology companies will agree to secure or develop their own electricity sources for data centers, whether through constructing new power facilities or expanding existing ones.

The tech giants are also expected to finance improvements to electrical delivery infrastructure and negotiate specialized rate structures with utility providers, according to these same sources.

Major technology corporations attending the White House gathering represent companies investing enormous sums in artificial intelligence computing capabilities that consume significant amounts of electrical power.

The President has encouraged these companies to develop dedicated power sources rather than depending entirely on regional electrical grids, as part of a broader strategy to maintain technological leadership while addressing political and economic energy cost concerns.

However, some experts question whether this approach will generate new electricity supplies quickly enough to reduce grid strain. Jon Gordon, who serves as director at Advanced Energy United, a clean energy trade organization that includes data center operators, expressed skepticism about the timeline.

Gordon noted that Trump’s emphasis on natural gas and fossil fuel power generation for data centers, rather than faster-deployment options like solar and wind energy, could slow progress.

‘The real problem is the inability to get generation online fast enough to meet the data center demand,’ Gordon stated. ‘Hyperscalers paying for the generation doesn’t get it online any faster.’

Both supporters and skeptics will monitor whether this pledge results in meaningful commitments or remains primarily ceremonial, as legislators and consumer advocacy organizations have demanded stronger safeguards against utility rate increases connected to data center development.

Family advocacy organizations are expressing strong approval following a recent Supreme Court decision that blocks California educational institutions from assisting students in gender identity transitions without parental knowledge or consent while related legal challenges proceed through the courts.

This latest ruling comes after the high court’s previous decision from last year that established parents’ authority to remove their children from educational programs or curriculum that advance LGBTQ-related topics. Legal observers note that the Supreme Court appears to be increasingly supportive of parental authority in educational matters and may be starting to reverse previous expansions of gender identity policies within school systems.

BILLINGS, Mont. — Seth Bodnar, who recently concluded his tenure as University of Montana president, announced Wednesday his intention to run as an independent candidate against Republican Senator Steve Daines in this November’s election, following a series of Democratic losses across Montana in recent electoral cycles.

The Associated Press received advance details of Bodnar’s Wednesday announcement. His choice to pursue the race without major party support highlights how weakened Montana Democrats have become, particularly after losing all statewide offices following Senator Jon Tester’s defeat in 2024 after serving three terms.

Wednesday marked the filing deadline for major party candidates seeking spots on November’s ballot. As of Tuesday, no prominent Democratic figures had stepped forward to enter the Senate contest.

Daines, pursuing his third term in office, previously worked as a business executive and maintains strong ties with President Donald Trump. The GOP currently holds a narrow Senate advantage with 53 seats compared to 45 Democrats and two independent members.

In a video statement, Bodnar criticized America’s political framework as dysfunctional, claiming Washington politicians prioritize wealthy and influential interests over ordinary citizens.

“The American dream is getting crushed, and both parties are to blame. They pit us against each other while they line their own pockets,” Bodnar stated in his announcement video. “We need a new approach, an independent senator who will fight for hardworking Montanans.”

The 47-year-old Pennsylvania native from Grove City earned top honors at West Point and completed Army special forces service before transitioning to an executive role at GE Transportation.

Following eight years leading the University of Montana, Bodnar concluded his presidency last month. To secure ballot placement for the general election rather than the primary, he must gather 13,327 petition signatures.

Campaign finance records from the Federal Election Commission indicate Daines has accumulated over $8 million in contributions since his 2020 reelection. His campaign reported nearly $5 million in available funds as of December 31.

These fundraising figures could grow dramatically should the contest intensify: Montana’s 2024 Senate battle between Tester and Republican Tim Sheehy exceeded $300 million in total expenditures, establishing a per-voter spending record for congressional races according to party representatives.

The 63-year-old Daines, originally from Van Nuys, California, but raised in Bozeman, Montana, worked as an executive at Right Now Technologies before winning his House seat in 2012.

After one House term, he successfully captured the Senate position previously occupied by Democrat Max Baucus in 2014. Daines secured victory by a substantial margin against a relatively unknown challenger after Baucus’ intended Democratic replacement, former Lieutenant Governor John Walsh, withdrew following allegations of thesis plagiarism during his time at the U.S. Army War College.

In 2020, Daines defeated Democratic Governor Steve Bullock with a 10-point victory margin. That contest held Montana’s political spending record until the recent Tester-Sheehy race surpassed it.

Between 2023 and 2025, Daines oversaw Republican Senate fundraising operations as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Montana voters historically practiced “ticket splitting,” supporting candidates from both major parties across different races. This moderate tendency diminished as national concerns like immigration and healthcare gained prominence in state political discussions.

This transformation has particularly impacted Montana Democrats, who have surrendered the governor’s mansion, both Senate seats, and every other statewide position they previously controlled since 2014. During 2022’s election, independent candidate Gary Buchanan received more votes than Democrat Penny Ronning in the general election for a Republican-controlled House seat covering eastern Montana.

The Republican winner of that race, former Representative Matt Rosendale, garnered more votes than Buchanan and Ronning’s totals combined.

A group of young male voters who helped propel Donald Trump to victory in 2024 are now grappling with conflicting emotions over his administration’s military strikes against Iran, according to interviews conducted at a New Hampshire college.

Michael Leary, a 19-year-old first-time voter, expressed concern that the Iranian military operation might contradict the “America First” message that convinced him to support Trump. The student from Manchester, New Hampshire said he worried the action could drag America into another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.

However, Leary also acknowledged feeling pleased about reports of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death and wasn’t prepared to criticize Trump’s choice, hoping the joint mission with Israel would conclude quickly without American casualties.

“One of my things with Trump was it was going to be ‘America First.’ That was the rhetoric he was running on,” Leary explained about casting his inaugural presidential vote for Trump in 2024.

“It’s not that I disagree with the war or the strikes … We need to learn more and see what’s going to happen. But it felt like a step back from what he was saying.”

This combination of backing and concern — supporting Khamenei’s elimination while fearing Trump’s “regime change” agenda might entangle America in extended warfare — appeared among five additional Trump supporters during a student discussion Reuters conducted at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire this week.

Young male demographics represented one of 2024’s most surprising electoral shifts, moving toward Trump after Democrats had controlled the youth demographic for years. However, recent surveys indicate this backing is declining due to frustration over continuing inflation and aggressive immigration policies that some consider excessively severe.

Weekend Reuters/Ipsos surveys revealed only 25% of Americans back the Iranian strikes.

The student discussion, though representing a limited sample, provides an initial glimpse into how some young men are interpreting the Iran military action, indicating Trump might have a narrow timeframe to achieve clear American victories and calm a conflict that has expanded into Lebanon, disrupted international markets and driven oil costs significantly upward.

A rapid conclusion to the Iranian conflict could help Trump appear as a decisive military leader, but extended warfare risks alienating the young men who fueled his 2024 comeback.

John Fitzpatrick, a 20-year-old political science student, expressed support for “decapitating” an Iranian government he considered a persistent American threat and characterized Iran’s counter-strikes as “scrambling for one last gasp of air.”

“It would be nice to see regime change — not that we should have boots on the ground or be as deeply entrenched as we were in Iraq,” explained Fitzpatrick, who leads the Saint Anselm College Republicans. “I think it’s overall positive.”

Artemius Gehring, 20, shared similar views, stating Trump’s goal was resolving a decades-long dispute dating to the 1979 hostage situation, when Iranian militants captured the American embassy in Tehran and detained dozens of Americans for 444 days.

“I think what he’s trying to do is just end it,” Gehring stated. “It’s the right move.”

CONCERNS ABOUT MISSING STRATEGY

Tyler Witzgall, a 20-year-old second-year student, said although he endorsed eliminating Khamenei, he remained troubled by the Trump administration’s apparent absence of a solid replacement strategy, a gap he feared might create chaos or potentially civil conflict.

“He’s telling the people of Iran to rise up and take over the government, and that’s easier said than done,” Witzgall observed. “Why are we taking these actions when there’s no specific plan right now or none that we know of?”

Witzgall noted the Iranian strikes, combined with January’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, demonstrated what he viewed as excessive focus on international affairs. He said his Trump vote aimed to strengthen the economy and accomplish domestic goals and wanted more presidential attention directed there.

Trump’s commitments to control inflation, increase economic growth and strengthen immigration policies helped draw young men to his candidacy. Pew Research Center exit poll analysis shows he captured 46% of males aged 18-29 in 2024, versus 51% for Democratic candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris. This represents a significant change from 2020, when Trump lost young men to President Joe Biden by 14 percentage points, 53% to 39%.

Recent surveys show those improvements have disappeared. In February, approximately 33% of men aged 18-29 approved Trump’s White House performance, declining from 43% during the same 2025 period, based on Reuters/Ipsos polling from those timeframes.

The Iranian crisis resolution could determine whether Trump’s approval numbers increase or decrease, with possible implications for Republicans in November’s midterm elections. A CNN survey of 1,004 Americans discovered voters aged 18-34 showed the strongest opposition to the strikes, with 71% expressing disapproval.

Leary said determining whether the Iranian attacks represented the proper decision remained premature.

“It could absolutely turn into the right move, or we could stay in Iran for 30-plus years, spend a ton of money – money that could have been spent at home.”

WASHINGTON – Members of the United States Senate are preparing to cast votes Wednesday on a cross-party measure designed to limit President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran and mandate that Congress authorize any future armed conflicts with the nation.

The initiative represents the most recent attempt by Democratic lawmakers, joined by several Republicans, to constrain Trump’s pattern of military deployments. Those backing the measure characterize it as an effort to restore Congress’s constitutional authority over declarations of war.

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who serves as a primary sponsor of the resolution, emphasized the importance of accountability during a telephone news conference before the scheduled afternoon vote. “I do think it’s really important to put every member of Congress on the record about this,” Kaine stated.

He continued with pointed criticism: “If you don’t have the guts to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on a war vote, how dare you send our sons and daughters into war where they risk their lives?”

Republicans maintain narrow control in both congressional chambers and have previously prevented similar measures aimed at limiting presidential war authority from advancing.

GOP members have criticized Democrats for using national security as a political tool, arguing that Trump has authorized only restricted operations, including the January capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, rather than comprehensive military campaigns.

The ongoing U.S.-Israel military action against Iran, which commenced five days ago, has already escalated significantly, resulting in destruction across Iran, Israel, and the broader Middle East region, while producing the first American military casualties.

House representatives are anticipated to vote on the same measure Thursday.

Louisiana Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence Tuesday that sufficient votes exist to block the resolution, characterizing it as potentially endangering American forces and emboldening Iranian military units.

“Imagine a scenario where Congress would vote to tell the commander-in-chief that he was no longer allowed to complete this mission. That would be a very dangerous thing,” Johnson explained to members of the press.

Johnson’s comments came after receiving a confidential briefing from senior administration officials regarding the Iranian situation.

Should the resolution succeed in the Senate, it would still require House passage and two-thirds support in both chambers to override Trump’s anticipated veto.

Nevertheless, Kaine indicated that he and fellow supporters might pursue additional attempts if the Iranian conflict persists.

“Sometimes people will see things that concern them, and they’ll vote ‘No,’ but then later as events continue to develop they may vote ‘Yes,’” he explained.

Federal authorities are transferring pregnant unaccompanied migrant minors to a South Texas facility that has been previously identified by Office of Refugee Resettlement officials as having insufficient medical capabilities.

The shelter, operated by for-profit contractor Urban Strategies, has raised concerns among government personnel and child welfare advocates who believe the administration’s strategy is designed to consolidate these vulnerable minors in Texas, a state where abortion services are completely prohibited.

This development represents a significant shift in how the federal government handles pregnant migrant teenagers in its custody, with critics questioning whether adequate medical care can be provided at the flagged facility.

Florida’s state university system has implemented a temporary suspension on recruiting international faculty members through the H-1B visa program, a decision that will remain in place until January 5, 2027.

The suspension follows an October directive from Governor Ron DeSantis, who instructed educational institutions to address what he characterized as “visa abuse” within the higher education sector.

According to regulations published on their official website, the Florida Board of Governors, which provides oversight for the state’s public universities, approved this temporary prohibition through a formal vote.

The policy change will impact prospective employees across all 12 institutions within the State University System of Florida, though current visa holders will not be affected.

This development occurs alongside President Donald Trump’s recent implementation of a one-time $100,000 application fee for new H-1B visa seekers, part of his broader immigration policy initiatives.

Neither Governor DeSantis’s office nor the Board of Governors responded to requests for comment regarding the new policy.

The H-1B program enables international professionals with specialized expertise – particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields – to obtain U.S. employment authorization. The program distributes 65,000 visas each year, plus an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals holding advanced degrees, with approval periods ranging from three to six years.

Data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services indicates that Florida’s 12 state universities successfully sponsored more than 600 H-1B visa recipients during the previous year.

During his October announcement, DeSantis stated that American universities “were importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job.”

State Representative Steve Toth emerged victorious over incumbent U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw in Tuesday evening’s Republican primary contest, marking the end of Crenshaw’s congressional career as the sole Texas House Republican who did not receive President Donald Trump’s backing in the nation’s opening major primary of 2026.

The former Navy SEAL, known for his occasional independence from party orthodoxy that sometimes put him at odds with Republican colleagues, campaigned throughout the primary season while defending himself against criticism from conservative factions within the party who questioned whether he supported Trump’s political priorities.

Toth, who serves in the state legislature and belongs to the hard-right Republican faction there, secured a significant late-campaign boost when Republican Senator Ted Cruz announced his support for the challenger.

The incumbent congressman, who suffered the loss of his right eye after being wounded by an improvised explosive device during his 2012 deployment in Afghanistan, had previously disagreed publicly with Cruz regarding the senator’s backing of Trump’s unsubstantiated assertions about winning the 2020 presidential race.

Among Texas Republican congressional candidates in 2022, Crenshaw stood out as one of the rare politicians willing to accept that President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory was valid, a stance that sometimes created friction with his Republican peers.

Conservative activists also targeted Crenshaw after video footage circulated widely showing him denouncing certain Republican figures as “grifters” and “performance artists” who merely echo what conservative constituents want to hear.

The 41-year-old congressman had been pursuing a fifth consecutive term representing the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses suburban communities located north and east of Houston.

Tuesday marked the official launch of the 2026 midterm election season as citizens in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas cast ballots in crucial primary contests that will shape the political landscape heading into November.

These initial primary elections represent the opening chapter of what promises to be an intense campaign season, with both congressional seats and state-level offices hanging in the balance come fall.

The outcomes of Tuesday’s voting will determine which candidates move forward to compete in the general election, where control of both federal and state governments will be decided by voters nationwide.

NBC News projects that Texas will see a Republican Senate runoff between current U.S. Senator John Cornyn and the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither candidate secured the necessary majority in Tuesday’s primary election.

The incumbent Cornyn finished first in the three-candidate race, while U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt came in third place. Since no candidate reached the 50% threshold, Cornyn and Paxton will compete in a runoff scheduled for May 26.

The primary battle proved expensive, with supporters of Cornyn, who has backing from Senate Republican leadership, pouring more than $60 million into efforts to help the sitting senator defeat Paxton.

Political observers note that Republican primary runoff voters typically lean more conservative, which could give Paxton an advantage in the upcoming contest. However, Cornyn has countered by pointing to concerns about Paxton’s past controversies, suggesting these issues could make him a weaker candidate against any Democratic opponent in the general election and potentially put what should be a secure Republican Senate seat at risk.

Despite winning Texas by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, former President Trump chose not to back any candidate in the primary. Whether Trump will make an endorsement before the May runoff remains uncertain.