Category: Politics

Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa secured victory in Tuesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to reports from national media outlets, positioning herself for a November face-off against incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

The 52-year-old lawmaker, who has represented her district since winning election to the Texas House in 2016, entered the primary as the clear frontrunner. Hinojosa brings nearly ten years of experience as the former chairwoman of the Texas Democratic Party to her gubernatorial bid.

The November general election presents significant challenges for Hinojosa, as she attempts to unseat Abbott, who is pursuing his fourth consecutive term in office. Texas Democrats have not claimed the governor’s mansion since 1990, highlighting the steep climb ahead for the party.

Before entering politics, Hinojosa built her career as an attorney specializing in civil rights and labor law. Her primary campaign earned backing from multiple major newspapers across Texas, including The Houston Chronicle. While the Chronicle acknowledged she may not be “a scintillating candidate,” the publication described her as the “Democrats’ best hope” for reclaiming the state’s top executive office.

California’s top Democratic Party official is making an unusual plea to gubernatorial hopefuls: take a hard look at your chances and consider stepping aside.

Rusty Hicks, who leads the California Democratic Party, issued the warning Tuesday as concerns mount that an overcrowded primary field could create an opening for Republicans to seize control of the governor’s mansion.

The Golden State uses an open primary format where the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of their political party. This creates a scenario where Democrats could theoretically be shut out entirely if Republican candidates capture the two highest vote totals in the June 2nd primary.

In a public message to Democratic contenders, Hicks acknowledged the situation: “Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low.”

But he added a cautionary note: “However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility.”

California implemented its current primary system in 2012, and while both major parties have typically been represented in general elections since then, Democrats have maintained their winning streak in all statewide races beginning in 2011.

The upcoming race will determine who succeeds Gavin Newsom, currently in his second and final term as governor. Newsom, who faces term limits under state law, is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

The Democratic field has swelled to more than a dozen declared candidates, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee. Meanwhile, fewer than a dozen Republicans have entered the contest.

Given the crowded Democratic field, party leadership has opted against backing any single candidate, according to Hicks. This decision reflects ongoing concerns about vote splitting among too many contenders.

With Friday marking the final day for candidates to file their paperwork, Hicks emphasized the urgency for hopefuls to realistically evaluate their campaign prospects and fundraising capabilities.

During a Tuesday press conference at the White House, President Trump pushed back against allegations that Israel influenced the United States into military conflict, arguing instead that Iranian leadership posed an immediate threat to strike first.

Speaking alongside German Chancellor Frederick Merz in the Oval Office, Trump addressed reporters’ questions about the circumstances leading to current military operations. “We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that [the Iranians] were going to attack first,” the president stated.

Trump emphasized his conviction about Iran’s intentions, telling reporters: “They were going to attack. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.”

The president went further, suggesting he may have influenced Israel’s decision-making rather than the reverse. “So if anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand,” he remarked.

This statement comes amid conflicting intelligence assessments. The Pentagon informed Congress on Sunday that no intelligence supported the idea that Iran was preparing a preemptive attack.

The controversy emerged following Monday briefings by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to key congressional leaders, where Rubio reportedly indicated American military actions began based on expectations that Israel was planning to launch strikes.

Addressing Iran’s current military status, Trump declared during the same press conference that ongoing conflict has severely damaged Iranian capabilities. “Just about everything’s been knocked out. So we’ll see how we do,” the president said.

Trump also expressed concerns about potential leadership changes in Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran beginning February 28.

“I guess the worst case would be—we do this, and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person … That could happen,” Trump acknowledged.

The president expressed hope for new Iranian leadership that would benefit the population. “We’d like to see somebody in there that’s going to bring it back for the people,” Trump added.

Trump cautioned Iranian citizens against street demonstrations while military operations continue.

When questioned about exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi potentially leading Iran, Trump described him as seeming like a decent person but indicated preference for leadership from someone currently residing within Iran.

WASHINGTON – Top executives from major U.S. defense companies are scheduled to meet with Trump administration officials at the White House this Friday to discuss speeding up weapons manufacturing, according to five sources with knowledge of the planned gathering.

The meeting will include representatives from major contractors such as Lockheed Martin and RTX, the parent company of Raytheon, among other key defense suppliers, sources told reporters on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions.

This high-level gathering highlights Washington’s growing concern about weapons inventory levels following recent military operations against Iran that significantly depleted munitions supplies. U.S. weapons stockpiles have been steadily reduced by billions of dollars since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles being heavily drawn down. The Iran conflict utilized more long-range missiles than those provided to Ukraine.

According to at least one source, the meeting’s primary focus will be pushing defense manufacturers to accelerate their production timelines.

Neither Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon, nor the White House provided immediate responses to comment requests, while RTX declined to comment. In a Monday social media statement, Trump claimed the U.S. maintains a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and that “wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies.”

The White House session coincides with Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg’s recent Pentagon efforts to develop a supplemental budget request of approximately $50 billion, which could be announced as early as Friday, according to one source. This additional funding would cover replacement costs for weapons deployed in recent Middle East and other conflicts. The preliminary figure remains subject to change.

Efforts to increase production have gained momentum following Saturday’s U.S. military strikes against Iran, which involved Tomahawk cruise missiles, F-35 stealth aircraft and low-cost one-way attack drones.

Raytheon, which manufactures Tomahawk missiles, has established a new Pentagon agreement to eventually increase production to 1,000 units per year. Currently, the Pentagon plans to purchase 57 missiles in 2026 at an average price of $1.3 million each.

The administration has been increasingly pressuring defense contractors to emphasize production capabilities over shareholder distributions. President Trump issued an executive order in January directing the identification of contractors considered to be underperforming on contracts while paying profits to shareholders.

The Pentagon is preparing to publish a list of underperforming contractors. Named companies will have 15 days to provide board-approved improvement plans. Should these plans be deemed inadequate, the Pentagon may pursue enforcement measures, including contract cancellations.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has clinched victory in Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial primary, positioning himself for a bid at a fourth consecutive term, according to projections from major news outlets.

The 68-year-old incumbent, who maintains strong ties with former President Donald Trump, has been a commanding force in Texas state government since his initial election victory in 2014. Throughout his tenure, Abbott has championed a progressively right-leaning policy platform that positioned Texas – the nation’s largest Republican-controlled state – at the forefront of restrictive abortion legislation even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, prohibited so-called immigration “sanctuary cities” in 2017, established the nation’s most extensive school voucher initiative, and relaxed firearms regulations.

Current polling data indicates Abbott maintains a commanding lead heading into the November general election.

A prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump has secured the Republican nomination for a pivotal U.S. Senate race that could influence which party controls Congress next year.

Michael Whatley, who previously led the Republican National Committee and received Trump’s endorsement for the North Carolina Senate contest, claimed victory in Tuesday’s primary election. Media outlets reported that Whatley captured more than 30% of the vote in a competitive field of seven candidates, allowing him to avoid a runoff election.

The November general election will pit Whatley against Roy Cooper, the well-regarded former Democratic governor of North Carolina. This matchup represents a key opportunity for Democrats as they work to flip control of the Senate.

Cooper enters the race as a formidable opponent in a state where Democrats haven’t claimed a Senate victory since 2008. However, party strategists believe current political conditions – including concerns about economic issues and Trump’s controversial immigration policies – could create an opening for a Democratic win.

The Senate seat opened up when Republican incumbent Thom Tillis, who frequently disagreed with Trump’s approach, announced his intention to retire from Congress early next year in 2025.

North Carolina has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles, establishing itself as a crucial swing state. Trump managed to carry the state in 2024, but by a narrow margin of just over 3 percentage points.

For Democrats to regain Senate control, they must pick up a net total of four seats while also protecting several of their own vulnerable incumbents. Political analysts expect the North Carolina race to attract massive spending from both parties, potentially making it among the costliest Senate contests nationwide.

Hundreds of Texas voters faced significant confusion and were redirected from polling sites during Tuesday’s primary election after recent modifications to voting procedures created widespread problems in two major counties.

A Dallas County judge mandated that polling locations extend their hours by two additional hours beyond the standard 7 p.m. deadline, responding to what was described as “voter confusion so severe” that it overwhelmed and crashed the county election department’s website. This emergency order came following a request submitted by the area’s Democratic Party.

The source of the confusion stemmed from changes to long-standing voting practices in Dallas and Williamson counties. For several years, residents in both locations had enjoyed the convenience of casting ballots at any polling site within their county boundaries. However, this primary election marked a shift after local Republican organizations chose not to participate in the countywide voting arrangement. According to state regulations, both major political parties must consent to countywide voting for the system to operate.

As a result, voters throughout both counties were restricted to casting their ballots exclusively at their designated home precincts on Tuesday.

The two Democratic candidates competing in the U.S. Senate primary race criticized the impact these changes had on voter participation and demanded extended polling hours.

“Both Dallas and Williamson county voters have grown accustomed to countywide voting, including on election day,” stated the campaign of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. “This effort to suppress the vote, to confuse and inconvenience voters, is having the intended effect as people are being turned away from the polls.”

State lawmaker James Talarico’s campaign expressed being “deeply concerned” about numerous reports of voters arriving at polling sites only to be redirected elsewhere.

The situation became even more complex because voting locations might vary based on a person’s party registration, explained Nic Solorzano, who speaks for the Dallas County Elections Department.

“We’re seeing a lot of people that are going to their vote centers that they usually go to … and not realizing they can’t do that anymore. They have to go to their precinct-based location,” Solorzano stated.

Officials had not immediately clarified whether the judge’s extended hours decision affected all voting precincts or applied only to Democratic polling locations.

Tuesday marked the beginning of the 2026 midterm election cycle in Texas, alongside North Carolina and Arkansas. Apart from the Texas complications and a technical issue with electronic poll books in one rural North Carolina county that delayed statewide results by one hour, voting proceeded relatively smoothly.

Dallas College student Tomas Sanchez experienced the confusion firsthand when he arrived at his campus voting location to participate in the Democratic primary. Officials informed him he was operating under a “mistaken impression” and needed to travel approximately 6 miles to his assigned precinct near his residential neighborhood.

“This is something that we were really concerned about, honestly,” Solorzano acknowledged. He noted that after almost seven years of allowing voters to cast ballots anywhere within the county, “then we kind of had to retool our entire operation to go back to precinct-based voting for Election Day.”

County election officials had attempted to prepare voters through various communication methods, including posting signs, broadcasting advertisements, and distributing text messages and mail notifications about the changes. On election day, former poll workers were positioned outside voting sites with tablets to assist people in locating their correct polling places.

Although Solorzano indicated his department wasn’t maintaining official counts of redirected voters, local Democratic leaders described the numbers as substantial.

Dallas Democratic Party executive director Brenda Allen reported that her organization received hundreds of calls from voters across party lines seeking help finding their correct precincts. She pointed out that congressional district boundaries in the county had also been redrawn during Texas’ recent redistricting process, and new precinct boundaries weren’t finalized until December, providing minimal time for voter education.

“Lots of reports of people being turned away, hundreds of people unable to vote. Both parties are affected by this,” Allen commented. “It’s not great.”

Similar problems occurred in Williamson County, located in the suburbs north of Austin, where the local Democratic Party headquarters was overwhelmed with calls, according to executive director Madison Dickinson.

“We’re having significant problems with the precinct-level voting,” she reported, adding that Republican voters were also confused by the modifications and contacted the Democratic Party seeking assistance.

Republican organizations maintained a lower profile regarding the changes on social media, though the Dallas County Republican Party did share a link directing voters to their assigned polling locations. The Williamson County Republican Party did not provide comments when contacted.

LOS ANGELES — Concerned that California’s unique voting system could lead to an unexpected Republican victory, the state’s Democratic Party leader issued an urgent plea Tuesday asking struggling candidates to exit the gubernatorial contest.

State Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks issued a public statement expressing concern that California’s crowded Democratic field might split the party’s votes so thin that only Republican contenders could make it to the general election in November. This scenario is possible because of California’s distinctive “top-two” primary format, where all candidates compete on a single ballot and only the two highest vote-getters proceed to November, regardless of their party affiliation.

While unlikely, Hicks warned that such a development could have consequences beyond losing the governor’s office for the first time since 2006. Without a Democratic candidate on the November ballot, voter participation might drop significantly when the party needs high turnout to help reclaim control of the U.S. House and counter President Donald Trump’s political influence in Washington.

“I recognize my suggestions are hard for many to contemplate and may be even viewed as overly harsh,” Hicks stated. While his letter didn’t specify individuals, it seemed directed at several candidates polling in single digits, including multiple minority candidates.

The reaction from those trailing in polls came quickly. Tony Thurmond, the state’s schools superintendent who is Black, accused the party of “essentially telling every candidate of color … to drop out.” He pledged to continue his campaign.

“Aren’t we supposed to be the party who embraces democracy?” he stated in a video shared on social platform X.

Betty Yee, a former state controller whose parents immigrated from China, made no reference to Hicks’ appeal when she announced Tuesday that she was officially filing her candidacy paperwork. Meanwhile, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign responded that “voters choose the next governor, not political gatekeepers.”

Hicks’ rare direct involvement in the race follows weeks of mounting Democratic concerns about potentially facing an all-Republican November ballot. The top GOP contenders are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative media personality Steve Hilton, both Trump supporters.

This gubernatorial election represents the first time since California adopted its “top two” primary format over ten years ago that no clear Democratic favorite has emerged, drawing numerous party members into the competition.

The Democratic field includes current and former congressional representatives Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and Xavier Becerra, who previously led health policy in the Biden administration; wealthy businessman Tom Steyer; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; former state Assembly majority leader Ian Calderon; plus Thurmond, Yee, and Mahan.

Polling from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows the race has split into two tiers, with Hilton, Porter, Bianco, Swalwell, and Steyer running competitively in the top group, while remaining candidates lag significantly behind.

Governor Newsom, who hasn’t endorsed anyone in the contest, shared Hicks’ worries about a potential Democratic catastrophe. Regarding Hicks’ message, Newsom said, “I’ll be candid with you. My first reaction is: I get why he sent it. There is some concern.”

The situation has also sparked internal Democratic tensions. Villaraigosa’s team released a statement urging Becerra to withdraw, arguing it would prevent a Republican sweep. Both candidates are Latino and competing for support within that voter base.

Democratic strategist Drexel Heard II, who formerly led the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, endorsed Hicks’ approach, texting that “any party’s role and mission has always been to shepherd the best candidates and then win the race.”

A Republican victory in California would send shockwaves through national politics. Democratic voter registration exceeds Republican numbers by almost 2-to-1 across the state. Democrats also control the legislature overwhelmingly, leaving Republicans with minimal influence.

Democratic anxiety intensified after Silicon Valley business owner and Republican Jon Slavet ended his campaign. His withdrawal allows conservative voters to concentrate their support between the two leading GOP candidates, Bianco and Hilton.

Hicks maintained that Democratic candidates without a “viable path” to November should withdraw from the race.

Democratic analyst Paul Mitchell has been conducting polling simulations to calculate the probability of both Republican candidates advancing from the June 2 primary. With Slavet no longer running, Mitchell estimates a 25% chance of an all-Republican November ticket.

In the primary, Democrats are projected to capture approximately 60% of votes, with Republicans taking 40%.

While Democratic support will be divided among many candidates, “Republicans are consolidating their vote behind two candidates,” Mitchell explained. Slavet’s exit “just helps clarify the concern Democrats have.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill erupted in frustration Tuesday as Trump administration officials faced intense scrutiny over the escalating Iran conflict, with Congress demanding clear explanations about military strategy, long-term plans, and the human and financial toll of what has rapidly expanded into a broader Middle Eastern war.

For the second consecutive day, Trump administration representatives met behind closed doors with House and Senate members, attempting to prevent an upcoming congressional vote on war powers restrictions that would limit Trump’s authority to continue the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.

“The president determined we were not going to get hit first. It’s that simple,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a heated exchange at the Capitol.

Rubio walked back his previous day’s comments suggesting Trump launched strikes because Israel was prepared to act unilaterally. He now claims the president chose to attack over the weekend because conditions offered the best opportunity for a successful operation.

“There is no way in the world that this terroristic regime was going to get nuclear weapons, not under Donald Trump’s watch,” he stated.

The abrupt shift to military engagement has thrown Capitol Hill’s political and legislative priorities into chaos while raising serious concerns about the potential for extended warfare and government overthrow following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Military casualties have reached six American service members.

These developments have accelerated congressional efforts to pass war powers legislation — one of the most significant decisions legislators can make, particularly with active combat underway — while administration representatives inform lawmakers that additional funding will be necessary to sustain the conflict. This comes as the competitive midterm election cycle begins, which could threaten Trump’s narrow Republican congressional majority.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer expressed worry about “mission creep” in what could become an extended war after leaving the classified briefing.

During morning Armed Services Committee proceedings, senators challenged Trump officials regarding Rubio’s Monday assertion that the president launched preemptive strikes believing Israel was ready to attack, hoping to prevent Iranian retaliation against American military installations and overseas interests.

Sen. Angus King, the Maine independent, called it “very disturbing” that Trump initiated warfare because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to bomb Iran. Previous American presidents, he noted, “have consistently said, ‘No.’”

Defense official Elbridge Colby informed senators that the president ordered the military campaign to eliminate Iranian missile capabilities and prevent nuclear weapons development.

Trump himself rejected suggestions that Israel influenced his decision. During Oval Office comments, he stated, “I might might have forced their hand.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Trump supporter from Oklahoma, praised the president’s actions, saying he “did the world a favor.”

“How about we say, ‘Thank you, Mr. President, for finally getting rid of this nuisance,’” he suggested.

However, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questioned how this aligns with Trump’s “America First” pledge to avoid lengthy overseas military commitments.

Trump has indicated the conflict might continue indefinitely and hasn’t dismissed the possibility of deploying ground forces to Iran.

“‘America First’ and ‘peace through strength’ are served by rolling back — as the military campaign is designed to do — the threats posed,” Colby replied. “This is certainly not nation-building. This is not going to be endless.”

Concerns are mounting about Iran’s future leadership following Khamenei’s death after decades in power, with fears that a power vacuum could trigger widespread instability.

Democrats cautioned against deploying American ground troops to Iran following more than twenty years of warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“I am more fearful than ever we may be putting boots on the ground,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., following the classified briefing.

“The reason why there’s so much consternation on our side is because President Trump has not given us a clear reason why he is in Iran,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “If he wants to declare war on Iran, that is the job and responsibility of Congress under the Constitution.”

Republicans maintain that Americans shouldn’t determine Iran’s political future.

“That’s going to be largely up to the Iranian people,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican.

Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, referenced the January U.S. operations in Venezuela that removed President Nicholas Maduro and installed his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, as leader.

Cotton told CBS over the weekend that he expects “some leaders inside of Iran who might be jockeying to audition for the role of Iran’s Delcy Rodriguez.”

Trump, while encouraging Iranians to reclaim their nation, has admitted the uncertain situation.

“Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” Trump said Tuesday. He also dismissed suggestions of installing Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince from Iran’s former monarchy, as the country’s new leader.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said over the weekend, “It’s about the threats, not about who’s in charge. If the next group in Iran continues to threaten America, they will meet the same fate.”

Both congressional chambers are preparing votes on war powers measures designed to limit Trump’s ability to continue Iranian military operations without legislative consent.

The Constitution grants Congress, not the president, authority to declare war. However, lawmakers frequently avoid this responsibility, allowing executive branch power to expand in deploying military forces without congressional authorization.

“Why are we spending billions of dollars to bomb Iran?” asked House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who predicted strong Democratic support for the resolution.

House Speaker Mike Johnson countered that restricting presidential authority would be “frightening” while American forces are actively engaged in combat.

Some legislators suggest that if Congress doesn’t vote to constrain Trump, they should consider an Authorization of the Use of Military Force, requiring lawmakers to formally endorse the Iranian operation.

Former President George W. Bush successfully obtained congressional authorization before launching post-9/11 military campaigns.

NEW YORK CITY – Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined forces with New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday to unveil plans for providing 2,000 no-cost childcare slots for two-year-olds in America’s most populous city, marking the beginning of the mayor’s effort to deliver on his sweeping campaign pledge of universal free childcare.

Officials announced that the initiative, dubbed “2K,” will expand dramatically in its second year to serve 12,000 children among the estimated 100,000 two-year-olds living in New York City. The program will move forward without the tax increases that Mamdani had previously advocated for but Hochul had resisted, though neither leader outlined financing strategies beyond the second year.

New York State will provide the program’s funding – $73 million in year one and $425 million in year two – as part of the state’s broader $1.2 billion commitment to free early childhood education initiatives.

When reporters pressed Hochul about potential tax increases to support the program, she responded firmly: “We can do it with existing revenues. Take what I’m saying as your answer.”

While Mamdani avoided discussing financing details during Tuesday’s announcement, he defended the program’s economic benefits, stating: “we’re making what Wall Street would call a good investment. Researchers estimate that every dollar spent on early childcare returns as much as $13.”

Universal childcare formed a cornerstone of Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign alongside promises to freeze rents and eliminate bus fares. The mayor, who assumed office in January, now faces the challenge of implementing these ambitious proposals.

Financial hurdles have already complicated his free public transit initiative. When questioned about the bus fare elimination last month, Mamdani acknowledged that “it continues to be a budget conversation” while the city searches for alternative revenue sources to replace income lost by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the state-controlled transit system.

The mayor’s rent freeze proposal awaits action from the Rent Guidelines Board, which determines annual rent adjustments for approximately one million regulated apartments throughout the city. Mamdani recently appointed a majority of board members, including the chairperson, positioning himself to influence upcoming decisions.

The board has not yet set a date for its meeting on future rent rates, though last year’s session took place in late June.

Virginia state officials are taking their fight to limit children’s social media usage to a federal appeals court after a judge blocked their controversial new law.

The Commonwealth filed an appeal on Tuesday, asking the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond to overturn a preliminary injunction issued February 27 by U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles in Alexandria.

The disputed legislation, which former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law last May, would have restricted minors under 16 to just 60 minutes of social media access per day. The measure also mandated age verification for all platform users and went into effect at the beginning of this year.

Youngkin and supporters crafted the law to protect young people from what they described as social media’s “addictive” features and to safeguard children’s mental wellbeing.

However, NetChoice, an industry organization representing major tech companies including Google, Meta Platforms (which owns Facebook and Instagram), and Elon Musk’s X platform, challenged the restrictions in court. The group argued Virginia’s law infringed on First Amendment protections by limiting access to legally protected speech, maintaining that parents should make these decisions for their families.

Judge Giles, who was nominated by former Democratic President Joe Biden, acknowledged the state’s legitimate concerns about protecting children from social media dependency but ruled that Virginia’s approach was overly broad.

The federal appeals court will now determine whether NetChoice has strong grounds for their constitutional challenge to succeed.

WASHINGTON – Top officials from President Donald Trump’s national security team spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill attempting to build congressional support for ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran, as lawmakers from both parties demanded greater oversight.

The high-level briefings featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine addressing first the full Senate, then the House of Representatives.

While Trump’s Republican Party maintains narrow control of both chambers and typically supports his foreign policy moves, the Middle Eastern conflict has created unusual bipartisan pushback regarding military engagement without legislative consent.

Several lawmakers expressed interest in receiving additional intelligence briefings, particularly as the administration may soon request supplemental war funding from Congress.

Ohio Republican Representative Warren Davidson voiced skepticism on social media, stating: “America First was supposed to be a rejection of the globalist war machine. I look forward to seeing the intelligence the administration found so persuasive, then voting.”

Questions arose after Secretary Rubio revealed Monday that U.S. attacks on Iran were coordinated with Israeli plans. Maine Senator Angus King, an independent who aligns with Democrats, raised concerns during Tuesday’s Armed Services hearing: “Have we now delegated the most solemn decision that can be made in our society, the decision to go to war, to another country.”

FUNDING QUESTIONS EMERGE

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana both indicated it remains unclear whether Congress will need to approve additional war funding.

Following Monday evening’s leadership briefing, Johnson acknowledged funding discussions had occurred. “There are more details to be determined, how long the operation goes and what the need is,” Johnson explained to reporters.

Democratic leaders signaled strong resistance to any funding requests without proper congressional authorization. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York argued Trump must secure legislative approval before seeking financial support for military operations.

Both chambers plan votes on war powers resolutions this week – the Senate on Wednesday and the House on Thursday – aimed at blocking continued Iranian attacks without congressional consent.

Jeffries predicted solid Democratic backing for the measure, explaining: “There is a requirement under the Constitution that it is members of Congress that make the decision as to whether to get us entangled in this kind of armed conflict and that’s what the resolution this week will be all about.”

Republican lawmakers have previously defeated similar efforts to force Trump to seek legislative approval for military actions. Even if current resolutions pass, they would likely lack the two-thirds majority needed in both chambers to override a presidential veto.

A major artificial intelligence company’s ethical battle with the Pentagon is reshaping how Americans view AI technology in warfare while highlighting serious questions about whether these systems are reliable enough for military operations.

Claude, the AI chatbot created by Anthropic, surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in mobile app downloads across America for the first time this week, according to data from Sensor Tower research firm. The surge appears connected to public support for Anthropic’s refusal to compromise its ethical guidelines regarding military applications.

The Trump administration declared Claude a supply chain threat on Friday and ordered federal agencies to discontinue its use after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei maintained his company’s restrictions against autonomous weapons development and domestic surveillance programs. Anthropic plans to fight the Pentagon’s decision in federal court once it receives official notification of the sanctions.

While military analysts and human rights advocates have praised Amodei’s principled position, some experts criticize the AI industry’s previous aggressive marketing that convinced government officials to deploy this technology in critical situations.

“He caused this mess,” stated Missy Cummings, a former Navy fighter pilot who currently leads the robotics and automation center at George Mason University. “They were the No. 1 company to push ridiculous hype over the capabilities of these technologies. And now, all of a sudden, they want to be for real. They want to tell people, ‘Oh, wait a minute. We really shouldn’t be using these technologies in weapons.’”

Anthropic representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Pentagon officials declined to discuss whether Claude remains in use for operations, including the Iran conflict, citing security protocols.

In a December research paper presented at a leading AI conference, Cummings advocated for government restrictions on generative AI systems “to control, direct, guide or govern any weapon.” Her concerns center not on AI becoming too intelligent, but on the frequent errors—known as hallucinations or confabulations—that make large language models “inherently unreliable and not appropriate in environments that could result in the loss of life.”

“You’re going to kill noncombatants,” Cummings told The Associated Press during a Tuesday interview. “You’re going to kill your own troops. I’m not clear whether the military truly understands the limitations.”

Defending his company’s position last week, Amodei emphasized these technological shortcomings, stating that “frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons. We will not knowingly provide a product that puts America’s warfighters and civilians at risk.”

Among major AI developers, Anthropic had been uniquely authorized for classified military systems, working alongside data analysis firm Palantir and additional defense contractors. President Trump announced Friday that the Pentagon has six months to eliminate Anthropic’s military applications, coinciding with his approval of Saturday’s Iran strikes.

Cummings, who previously advised Palantir, suggested Claude may have already contributed to military strike planning.

“I just fundamentally hope that there were humans in the loop,” she explained. “A human has to babysit these technologies very closely. You can use them to do these things, but you need to verify, verify, verify.”

This approach contradicts messaging from AI companies suggesting their technology approaches human-like intelligence, she noted.

“If there’s culpability here, I’d say half is Anthropic’s for driving the hype and half is the Department of War’s fault for firing all the people that would have otherwise advised them against stupid uses of technology,” Cummings observed.

One social media user described Anthropic’s government troubles as a “Hype Tax”—a post shared by President Trump’s senior AI advisor David Sacks, who frequently criticizes the company.

Despite potential legal complications that could harm Anthropic’s defense contractor relationships, the controversy has enhanced its reputation as an ethics-focused AI developer.

“It’s applaudable that a company stood up to the government in order to maintain what it felt were its ethics and were its business choices, even in the face of these potentially crippling policy responses,” said Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute.

Consumer response has been immediate, with Claude downloads surging to become the top iPhone application on Saturday and leading all mobile platforms nationwide by Monday, Sensor Tower reported. This success came at ChatGPT’s expense, as OpenAI’s consumer standing suffered following Friday’s announcement of a Pentagon partnership to replace Anthropic in classified environments.

Apple App Store data showed ChatGPT’s one-star reviews—the lowest possible rating—increased by 775% on Saturday and continued climbing into the week, prompting OpenAI to implement crisis management measures.

“We shouldn’t have rushed to get this out on Friday,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged in a Monday social media statement. “The issues are super complex, and demand clear communication. We were genuinely trying to de-escalate things and avoid a much worse outcome, but I think it just looked opportunistic and sloppy.”

Altman scheduled an “all-hands” employee meeting for Tuesday to address the situation.

“There are many things the technology just isn’t ready for, and many areas we don’t yet understand the tradeoffs required for safety,” Altman stated. “We will work through these, slowly, with the (Pentagon), with technical safeguards and other methods.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Congressional ethics investigators have launched a formal probe into South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace following accusations that she improperly claimed housing reimbursements from a program designed to help lawmakers cover Washington living expenses.

The third-term Republican congresswoman has rejected the accusations, calling the investigation process “partisan” and claiming ethics officials have “ignored” evidence she provided in her defense.

Following its own review, the Office of Congressional Conduct concluded it found “substantial reason to believe that Rep. Mace engaged in improper reimbursement practices.” The office has now forwarded its findings to the House Ethics Committee for further examination.

The congressional program in question assists House members with the financial burden of maintaining residences both in Washington and their home states, covering expenses like meals, transportation, and housing costs. According to the investigation report, Mace collected approximately $9,500 during her second term in 2023 and 2024 that exceeded “the true costs” of the Washington residence she occupied with her then-fiancé.

The Office of Congressional Conduct noted that because Mace “refused to interview” during their inquiry, investigators “was unable to determine how or why Rep. Mace decided to seek the maximum allowable reimbursement when it exceeded her expenses incurred.”

While acknowledging that “Mace’s lodging expenses may have exceeded the maximum allowable reimbursement for some months,” the report concluded that available evidence “suggests Rep. Mace did not take appropriate measures to ensure she sought reimbursement for expenses actually incurred.”

In a December filing to the committee, Mace’s legal representative William Sullivan Jr. argued that the congresswoman’s former fiancé, from whom she separated in late 2023, has been “engaged in an ongoing campaign to discredit and injure the Congresswoman through false narratives and misuse of legal process, and that any information originating from them would raise serious credibility concerns.”

Sullivan further contended that ethics officials refused to reveal whether the former fiancé participated in their investigation. He argued the referral to the Ethics Committee “appears to rely heavily on unverified materials originating from individuals with personal or adversarial motives.”

Florida Republican Representative Michael Guest, who chairs the Ethics Committee, confirmed his panel received the Mace referral in December. Guest emphasized that launching an investigation does not constitute evidence of misconduct and noted the committee will not provide additional statements until completing its review.

A federal court has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to eliminate New York City’s groundbreaking traffic fee designed to ease congestion and fund public transportation improvements.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled Tuesday that the Department of Transportation overstepped its authority when it tried to cancel the $9 charge that was previously approved under Joe Biden’s presidency.

The judge determined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was correct in claiming the department’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious” due to insufficient justification for the reversal.

In his comprehensive 149-page decision, Liman emphasized that New York’s state legislature enacted the fee, the governor signed it into law, and federal agencies had given proper authorization before implementation.

“The democratic process worked,” the judge stated, while acknowledging that Trump and other critics could pursue additional challenges to the program that started January 5, 2025.

Governor Kathy Hochul praised the ruling as validation of what she called a “once-in-a-lifetime success story” that has delivered significant benefits during its first year, including decreased traffic jams and essential transit funding.

“The judge’s decision is clear: Donald Trump’s unlawful attempts to trample on the self-governance of his home state have failed spectacularly,” Hochul declared. “Congestion pricing is legal, it works, and it is here to stay.”

The Department of Transportation has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The fee applies to most vehicles entering Manhattan below Central Park, with costs varying by vehicle type and timing, typically around $9 in addition to existing bridge and tunnel tolls.

While similar traffic reduction programs operate in cities like London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, this marks the first such initiative in the United States.

Trump, whose Trump Tower and other real estate holdings sit within the fee zone, has been a vocal opponent of the program.

He promised during his campaign to eliminate New York’s plan immediately upon taking office. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy followed through in February by withdrawing federal approval.

Duffy characterized the toll as “a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners” and warned of potential federal funding cuts for New York projects if the program continued.

However, Judge Liman issued a temporary restraining order preventing such retaliation while he considered the case. The same judge had previously rejected multiple lawsuits from opponents including New Jersey’s governor, New York City teacher unions, trucking organizations and suburban officials.

Hochul herself had initially expressed doubts about the toll, which was developed years before she became governor. She delayed its 2024 launch due to economic worries before ultimately reducing the fee from $15 to $9.

As the program reached its first anniversary in January, Hochul joined transit officials in highlighting its achievements ahead of her reelection campaign.

Recent Metropolitan Transportation Authority data shows the toll has prevented approximately 27 million vehicles from entering central Manhattan, cutting air pollution by 22% and reducing travel times by 23% for those who choose to drive and pay.

The program has also brought in more than $550 million for the region’s underfunded transit network, surpassing initial estimates.

Economic indicators within the fee zone have improved since implementation, with higher sales tax collections, office lease activity and pedestrian traffic contradicting predictions of economic harm.

“Traffic is down, business is up, and we’re making crucial investments in a transit system that moves millions of people a day,” said MTA CEO Janno Lieber. “New York is winning.”

MINNEAPOLIS (TV Delmarva) — Tensions erupted in a federal courtroom Tuesday as a judge confronted Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor during an unusual contempt hearing, describing their interaction as marked by “testy and frosty” moments.

The heated confrontation between U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan and U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen represents part of a broader national trend of mounting friction between federal judges and Justice Department personnel over immigration enforcement issues.

During the proceedings, Rosen directly challenged the judge, declaring “Your honor has made a remark smearing myself.”

Judge Bryan convened the hearing to determine whether Rosen, along with a senior deputy and a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement official, should face contempt charges for allegedly disregarding court directives to return personal belongings to dozens of previously detained immigrants who were subsequently released. These items include money, identification papers, and personal clothing.

“The court cannot ignore the respondents’ unlawful conduct,” Bryan stated when announcing the hearing, pointing to “numerous unlawful violations of court orders.”

The judge characterized the hearing as “an extraordinary measure” and warned it would mark “a historic low point” for the federal prosecutor’s office should contempt citations be issued.

When tensions peaked during the session, Bryan acknowledged that he and the prosecutor had “been a little testy and frosty with each other” before calling a recess. The hearing was scheduled to continue later that afternoon.

This confrontation exemplifies a growing nationwide pattern of judicial criticism regarding immigration enforcement practices. Recent weeks have seen multiple judges across the country issuing sharp rebukes and harsh rulings related to the administration’s mass deportation efforts, with the Justice Department apparently struggling to manage the overwhelming caseload.

Similar incidents have occurred in other jurisdictions. A Minnesota district judge recently took the unusual step of holding a government attorney in contempt for failing to return identification documents to an immigrant. Meanwhile, a West Virginia judge criticized federal and state officials for indefinitely detaining non-citizens, arguing such practices violate constitutional due process rights.

“Continued detention without individualized custody determinations, after this court’s repeated holdings that such detention violates the Fifth Amendment, will result in legal consequences,” U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin warned in his ruling.

Minnesota’s chief federal judge has become particularly vocal in his criticism. Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee viewed as conservative, recently issued stern warnings to Rosen and ICE officials, threatening criminal contempt charges if they continue ignoring court orders.

“The Court is not aware of another occasion in the history of the United States in which a federal court has had to threaten contempt — again and again and again — to force the United States government to comply with court orders,” Schiltz wrote.

Administration officials have pushed back against judicial criticism, claiming judges are failing to properly apply the law and rushing through cases inappropriately.

WASHINGTON — In an unexpected policy reversal, the Trump administration announced Tuesday it will continue pursuing legal action against several prominent law firms, just 24 hours after dropping the court case entirely.

The sudden change of direction marks the newest chapter in a year-long campaign by the Republican administration to penalize top-tier law firms whose lawyers previously handled cases Trump disagreed with or were connected to investigations targeting him.

Federal courts have consistently sided against the government when the targeted law firms challenged the executive orders. This led the Justice Department to file an appeal. However, on Monday, Justice Department lawyers submitted paperwork to the federal appeals court in Washington withdrawing their appeal, effectively ending enforcement efforts against Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, Susman Godfrey and WilmerHale.

But Tuesday brought another twist when the Justice Department filed new court documents without explanation, retracting Monday’s withdrawal and stating they would continue the appeal. The department argued that since the appeals court hadn’t yet approved their dismissal motion, the law firms suffered no damage from the position change. Officials noted they informed attorneys representing all four firms about the reversal, and those lawyers expressed opposition.

White House officials directed inquiries about the policy shift to the Justice Department, where representatives refused to provide comment.

Perkins Coie released a statement noting the Justice Department had “offered no explanation to either the parties or the court for its reversal.”

“We remain committed to defending our firm, our people, and our clients,” the firm stated.

Susman Godfrey declared in their response that the firm “will defend itself and the rule of law — without equivocation.”

The series of executive orders, which form part of a wider Trump administration retaliation effort, direct that lawyers at these firms lose their security clearances, have government contracts canceled, and face prohibition from entering federal buildings. The affected firms have characterized these orders as an unconstitutional attack on the justice system.

Several other major law firms have avoided similar orders by negotiating settlements in advance, requiring them to collectively provide hundreds of millions of dollars in pro bono legal services supporting causes favored by the Trump administration.

WASHINGTON – A top Pentagon official raised serious concerns Tuesday about artificial intelligence agreements that could bring military operations to a standstill, warning that contract limitations threaten the military’s ability to conduct and plan combat missions.

Emil Michael, the under secretary of defense for research and engineering, expressed alarm after examining terms governing AI systems already integrated into highly classified military commands. Michael did not identify which AI company’s contracts prompted his concerns.

Speaking at Washington’s American Dynamism Summit, where technology firms focused on defense and space gathered, Michael’s remarks followed recent tensions over Pentagon use of Anthropic’s AI technology. The dispute led President Donald Trump to prohibit the company from federal contracts, designating it a national security threat.

“I had a ‘holy, holy cow’ moment,” Michael told summit attendees. “There were things … you couldn’t plan an operation … if it would potentially lead to kinetics” or explosions. He outlined numerous limitations embedded within agreements covering commands overseeing aerial operations across Iran, China and South America.

According to Michael, the agreements were designed so that violating service terms could cause the AI system to “just stop in the middle of an operation.” At the time of his assessment, Anthropic’s Claude represented the sole AI platform accessible to Defense Department classified networks.

Michael’s worries intensified when a high-ranking executive from an unidentified AI firm questioned whether their technology had been utilized in what Michael described as one of the military’s most effective recent operations. Reports indicate Anthropic’s Claude assisted in planning the U.S. raid that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January.

“What we’re not going to do is let any one company dictate a new set of policies above and beyond what Congress has passed,” Michael stated.

These revelations may clarify the conflict between Anthropic and the Defense Department. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the company a “supply-chain risk” due to its unwillingness to compromise on restrictions regarding autonomous weapons and mass surveillance capabilities.

Shortly afterward, competitor OpenAI secured its own Pentagon agreement. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s statement indicated the Defense Department had accepted similar restrictions for OpenAI’s technology.

The Department of Justice made an unexpected about-face Tuesday, announcing it will continue fighting to reinstate former President Donald Trump’s executive orders that penalized four major law firms, just one day after attempting to abandon those legal battles.

Federal courts had previously overturned the Trump administration’s executive orders that targeted the law firms Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. The orders took aim at these firms based on their legal representation work, diversity initiatives, and political connections, prompting the administration to file appeals last year.

In a whiplash series of legal maneuvers, the Justice Department on Monday filed paperwork with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit requesting dismissal of its pending appeals. However, by Tuesday, the department had submitted new documents asking the court to ignore its previous withdrawal request.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that American military forces have successfully struck numerous Iranian military installations, claiming that “just about everything has been knocked out.”

The president delivered these remarks from the Oval Office prior to his scheduled meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

When questioned by reporters, Trump explained his decision to authorize military action against Iran stemmed from his intuition, stating he ordered the attack because “I had a feeling” that Iran would launch strikes against America while nuclear program discussions remained stalled.

The president offered no supporting evidence for his assessment. Iranian officials had been expecting to resume diplomatic discussions with American representatives following talks conducted in Geneva the previous Thursday.

According to Trump, Iran continues launching missiles, though he expressed confidence that Tehran’s missile capabilities would be eliminated through continued American military operations.

“They’ve shot a lot of them, and we’re knocking out a lot,” Trump stated.

President Trump is championing new voting regulations that would impose stricter requirements on how Americans cast their ballots, according to recent reports.

The former president is backing enhanced limitations on mail-in voting procedures while also endorsing the SAVE Act, legislation that would mandate voters provide documentation proving their U.S. citizenship before casting ballots.

UCLA election law expert Richard Hasen is examining the potential consequences of these proposed voting changes and what they could mean for future elections.

WASHINGTON – A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it attempted to shut down Manhattan’s pioneering congestion pricing initiative.

The groundbreaking traffic management system, which became the first of its kind in America when it launched in January 2025, aims to cut down on vehicle congestion while generating revenue for improvements to New York’s deteriorating subway and bus infrastructure. Federal District Judge Lewis Liman delivered the ruling that declared the Trump administration’s February 2025 attempt to shut down the program violated federal law.

Judge Liman had previously issued a temporary restraining order in May that blocked the federal government from withholding funding for New York infrastructure projects as retaliation for the congestion pricing initiative. Tuesday’s judgment reinforces that protection by formally declaring the Transportation Department’s actions unlawful.

A state appeals court in Ohio has blocked implementation of a controversial law that would have mandated proper burial services for aborted fetal remains. The court determined that the measure conflicts with constitutional abortion protections that Ohio residents approved through a ballot initiative in 2023.

The blocked legislation would have required abortion providers to arrange and pay for burial services for all fetal remains from terminated pregnancies. According to the appeals court ruling, this financial burden and procedural requirement could create barriers that interfere with women’s access to abortion services.

The legal challenge centers on whether the burial mandate violates the reproductive rights amendment that Ohio voters incorporated into their state constitution last year. The appellate judges concluded that imposing these additional costs and requirements on medical facilities could obstruct the abortion process.

Tuesday marked the official start of midterm election season as voters in three states headed to polling locations for primary contests. Citizens in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas began selecting their preferred candidates for November’s crucial general election, which will determine congressional control and leadership in state governments nationwide.

Texas emerged as the day’s main battleground, featuring intense primary battles in both major parties for United States Senate nominations. Political observers anticipate the Republican contest may extend to a runoff election if no candidate secures a majority.

In Arkansas, established Republican officeholders maintained strong positions heading into their primary elections. Senator Tom Cotton, pursuing a third consecutive term, faced challenges from Arkansas State Police trooper Jeb Little and Bradford minister Micah Ashby.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who previously worked as President Donald Trump’s press secretary during his initial administration, encountered no Republican opposition in her bid for a second gubernatorial term. Political analysts expect both Sanders and Cotton to cruise to victory in November, given Arkansas hasn’t chosen a Democratic candidate for statewide office since 2010.

Voting locations across El Paso and Hudspeth counties opened their doors to approximately one million residents in Texas’s western Mountain Time Zone region.

Arkansas polling sites operated from 7:30 in the morning until 7:30 in the evening, with voters required to present photo identification before casting ballots.

Roughly 2,600 voting locations opened at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time and remained accessible until 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Many citizens had already participated through mail-in voting or early in-person voting periods that concluded Saturday.

North Carolina features a competitive Senate race following Republican Senator Thom Tillis’s decision to retire rather than seek another term after disagreements with Trump. Former Governor Roy Cooper is pursuing the Democratic party’s nomination, while former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley seeks to represent Republicans in the general election.

North Carolina voters also selected nominees for House of Representatives positions, including the Republican candidate who will face Democratic Representative Don Davis in the 1st District. Legislative redistricting during Trump’s presidency made this district more favorable to Republican candidates as part of efforts to maintain House control.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump declared that America’s military arsenal is vast enough to sustain warfare indefinitely, making the bold claim as current tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

Through an overnight social media message, Trump stated the nation possesses a “virtually unlimited supply” of military munitions, asserting that conflicts “can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies.”

“The United States is stocked, and ready to WIN, BIG!!!” Trump posted online.

These remarks arrived on Monday evening as the ongoing conflict reached its fourth day after U.S. and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes against Iran over the weekend.

The statement represents a notable shift for Trump, who during his second presidential term campaigned on avoiding new military conflicts while prioritizing domestic economic issues. Throughout his political career, he has frequently criticized America’s prolonged military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite general Republican backing for the Iran operations, some prominent MAGA supporters have voiced opposition to the recent strikes, particularly with November’s midterm elections approaching.

Earlier Monday, Trump provided no specific timeline for concluding operations against Tehran, though he mentioned initial projections suggested a four to five week duration.

“We’re already substantially ahead of our time projections. But whatever the time is, it’s OK. Whatever it takes,” Trump stated during his first public appearance since hostilities began, briefly addressing the situation before a White House Medal of Honor presentation.

Notably, Trump has yet to deliver a formal televised address to the American people, which typically occurs during significant military operations.

WASHINGTON — The question of who emerged victorious has been answered by The Associated Press countless times throughout American elections spanning almost two centuries since the news organization’s establishment.

Announcing a winner requires meticulous and comprehensive examination of current vote counts along with various election information. The primary objective is establishing whether any scenario exists where the candidate in second place could surpass the frontrunner. When such possibilities are eliminated, the leading candidate is declared victorious.

Here’s an examination of how AP functions and determines election outcomes through what’s known as race calling:

America lacks a central organization that gathers and distributes election outcomes. Local offices numbering in the thousands manage elections according to state-established guidelines. Frequently, states don’t provide current result tracking themselves.

AP bridges this void by collecting vote outcomes and announcing winners, delivering essential information during the gap between Election Day and official result certification, a process typically requiring several weeks.

The organization’s vote compilation combines data that might otherwise remain unavailable online for days or weeks following elections, or be spread across numerous local websites. Without uniform national standards or consistent state expectations, it guarantees standardized data format, terminology, and strict quality oversight.

AP employs vote count correspondents who collaborate with local election administrators to gather results straight from counties or precincts conducting initial counts. These correspondents relay information via telephone or electronic means immediately upon availability. When results appear on state or county websites, AP collects them from those sources as well.

Counties frequently refresh vote totals while counting ballots overnight. AP continuously updates its tally as these outcomes become available. During general elections, AP processes up to 21,000 vote updates hourly.

While votes arrive, AP examines races to identify winners.

A crucial factor AP evaluates is the quantity of uncounted ballots and their geographic origins. When official or precise tallies of remaining votes aren’t accessible, AP estimates turnout for every race using multiple factors, utilizing this estimate to monitor counted votes versus remaining ballots.

AP also attempts identifying how previously counted ballots were submitted and remaining vote types, including mail-in ballots or those cast in person on Election Day.

This matters because voter method selection often correlates with party preference. Following the politicization of mail voting during the 2020 election, Democrats have shown greater tendency toward mail voting, while Republicans have favored in-person Election Day voting.

Many states allow prediction of which votes get counted first, based on previous elections or election official announcements. In other locations, votes carry clear type identification upon release.

This aids in determining whether early advantages will diminish or expand. For instance, when states initially count Election Day in-person votes before mail-in ballots, early Republican leads might decrease as more mail ballots get processed. However, if mail ballots receive priority counting, early Republican advantages could signal decisive victories.

Nearly always, races receive calls well before complete vote counting. AP’s election journalism and analysis team declares races immediately upon clear winner determination.

During competitive contests, AP analysts might wait for additional vote tallies or confirmation regarding remaining ballot quantities.

Competitive races with active tabulation — particularly in states counting substantial post-election night votes — could be labeled “too early to call.” Races might be “too close to call” when margins remain unclear even after counting all ballots except provisional and delayed absentee votes.

AP race calls aren’t predictions or speculation-based. They represent declarations founded on vote result analysis and election data showing one candidate has won and no other competitor can overtake the winner once complete counting concludes.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will face senators Tuesday in her first Capitol Hill testimony since fatal shootings of two demonstrators in Minneapolis sparked national controversy over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods.

Noem’s testimony before the Judiciary Committee follows a weekend bar shooting in Texas under investigation as potential terrorism, raising concerns about Iranian tensions affecting domestic security.

Congressional battles over her department’s funding remain unsettled due to immigration enforcement tactics, though last year’s spending legislation provided substantial resources for the Republican administration’s deportation efforts.

Noem’s last congressional appearance occurred in December. Since then, President Trump’s immigration policies implemented by her agency have faced strong opposition in Minnesota, resulting in two protester deaths — both American citizens — at the hands of federal immigration agents.

What began as an anti-fraud initiative in Minnesota eventually involved deploying hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection personnel to the state. Community members responded by organizing demonstrations, using whistles to alert neighborhoods about ICE presence, and delivering food to immigrants afraid to venture outside.

ICE officers fatally shot Renee Good on January 7, triggering intense backlash from Minnesota officials and residents demanding Homeland Security cease state operations. On January 24, Customs and Border Protection agents killed Alex Pretti, another Minnesota resident who was recording enforcement activities.

These fatalities prompted demands for accountability and transparency. Noem initially characterized both Good and Pretti as aggressors, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who have demanded her resignation.

Following public anger over the deaths, Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to oversee ground operations. Homan has announced a reduction of ICE and CBP personnel deployed for Operation Metro Surge, while maintaining the president’s broader deportation agenda will proceed.

Democrats plan aggressive questioning of Noem, alleging officers under her authority have overstepped boundaries, employed excessive force, and violated constitutional rights while implementing Trump administration policies.

“Secretary Noem is the public face for an abominable anti-immigrant crusade. Her agents continue to wreak havoc on our cities and act with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families, and American citizens,” stated Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s ranking Democrat, before the hearing.

The Homeland Security Department declined to provide comment.

Homeland Security has frequently attributed conflicts in Minneapolis, Chicago, and other enforcement locations to Democratic leaders who allegedly encourage public resistance against officers conducting arrests.

Noem is scheduled to testify before a House committee Wednesday.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will appear before Senate lawmakers Tuesday to answer questions about the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, as her department remains without full funding due to Democratic opposition.

The former South Dakota governor, who was selected by President Trump for the position last year, may also address concerns about potential security threats following recent U.S. military actions against Iran and allegations of internal dysfunction within her agency.

Under Noem’s leadership, the department has implemented Trump’s immigration priorities, which include sending thousands of masked federal officers into American cities to conduct neighborhood sweeps targeting suspected immigration violators, often resulting in confrontations with local residents.

Noem is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, followed by testimony to the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.

President Trump has maintained that large-scale deportation operations are necessary following what he describes as excessive illegal immigration during Joe Biden’s presidency, and he continues to support Noem’s performance in the role.

Noem has faced mounting criticism following incidents in Minneapolis this January where federal immigration officers fatally shot two American citizens. Rather than awaiting complete investigations, Noem immediately labeled the victims “domestic terrorists,” drawing condemnation from lawmakers in both parties as video footage later contradicted her characterizations of the incidents.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency operates under Noem’s departmental oversight.

Congressional Democrats have blocked new appropriations for her department, demanding modifications to current immigration enforcement methods. Although funding expired last month for the agency employing 260,000 people, most immigration enforcement and national security functions continue as they are classified as essential services.

House Democrats initiated impeachment proceedings against Noem in January, alleging that immigration officers under her supervision have infringed upon American citizens’ civil liberties, that she has obstructed congressional oversight of migrant detention facilities, and that she awarded government contracts to Republican-connected companies and individuals tied to her personal associates.

The impeachment initiative faces slim chances of success given Republican control of the House.

Noem’s testimony may also address questions regarding her senior advisor, longtime Trump associate Corey Lewandowski.

Reuters reported last week, based on source accounts, that Lewandowski inappropriately entered a government aircraft cockpit uninvited during a flight last year, subsequently dismissing the pilot over a misplaced blanket belonging to Noem. While Lewandowski disputed the accuracy of these source accounts, he declined to address specific aspects of the incident.

Trump’s immigration stance, previously considered a political asset, may now present challenges for Republicans seeking to maintain congressional majorities in November’s midterm elections. A February Reuters/Ipsos survey revealed that although most Americans support removing immigrants lacking legal status, approximately 60% believe immigration enforcement has become excessive.

WASHINGTON – Texas voters head to the polls Tuesday to select Democratic and Republican nominees for November’s congressional elections that will help decide which party controls the U.S. House for the coming two years. Redistricting efforts have significantly altered the political landscape across the state.

Six congressional contests stand out as particularly noteworthy on this opening night of the midterm primary season:

GREEN RELOCATES TO NEW DISTRICT

Redistricting has transformed Houston-area District 9 to strongly favor Republican candidates, prompting current Democratic Congressman Al Green to seek office in a different district.

Leading Republican contenders include state Rep. Briscoe Cain, who has received Governor Greg Abbott’s endorsement, and Alex Mealer, a former oil and gas finance executive and small business owner who earned President Donald Trump’s support.

GONZALES CONFRONTS CONTROVERSY

District 23, stretching from western San Antonio to El Paso along the Mexican border, has become turbulent due to accusations against three-term Republican incumbent Tony Gonzales. Local news outlets have reported allegations that Gonzales solicited explicit photographs from a staff member who later died by suicide. Gonzales has denied these claims.

His primary challenger is Brandon Herrera, a firearms manufacturer who goes by “the AK guy.” Herrera positions himself as more conservative than Gonzales, who frustrated many Republicans by voting to confirm President Joe Biden’s 2020 election results and supporting a 2022 gun control measure that became law.

The Republican primary winner is expected to easily win the general election.

CUELLAR CONFRONTS DIFFICULT REELECTION

Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, who has served 21 years in the House, encounters a tougher reelection battle for his San Antonio-area District 28, which has been redrawn to be more favorable to Republicans.

Considered perhaps the most conservative Democrat in Congress, Cuellar endured years of legal difficulties that complicated previous campaigns. His legal troubles diminished in December when Trump pardoned him on charges including bribery.

Cuellar is likely to face Republican Tano Tijerina, a Webb County judge and former Major League Baseball player who has received endorsements from both Trump and Abbott.

REPUBLICANS TARGET DALLAS SEAT

District 32, encompassing Dallas, has undergone such dramatic redistricting in Republicans’ favor that current Democratic Representative Julie Johnson has decided to run in an adjacent district.

The Republican primary showcases Jace Yarbrough, a constitutional law attorney who has secured endorsements from Trump, conservative donors, and prominent House Republicans.

Additional Republican candidates include Ryan Binkley, who mounted an unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid; Paul Bondar, who sought a congressional seat in Oklahoma in 2024; and Darrell Day, the 2024 nominee for this position who calls himself the “MAGA candidate.”

VICENTE GONZALEZ FACES UPHILL BATTLE

District 34 has become more Republican-friendly through the inclusion of the Corpus Christi region, meaning Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez will face a challenging November contest if he survives Tuesday’s primary.

Gonzalez, first elected in 2017, has shifted rightward on certain immigration matters and supported legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, as his constituency has grown more Republican-leaning recently.

Self-described democratic socialist Etienne Rosas, a researcher and academic, is challenging Gonzalez in the primary.

Seven candidates are competing for the Republican nomination, with the top two both sharing the surname Flores.

Eric Flores, a former federal prosecutor in Texas, has gained endorsements from Trump, Abbott, and other leading Republicans. Mayra Flores, a former House member who was subsequently defeated twice by Gonzalez in general elections, has lost Trump’s support.

However, she is relying on strong voter name recognition.

LIBERAL AUSTIN DISTRICT UNDERGOES CHANGES

Redistricting has made District 35, which previously connected the liberal cities of Austin and San Antonio, more competitive for Republicans, prompting incumbent Democrat Representative Greg Casar to run in a different district.

Eleven candidates are pursuing the Republican nomination, with four considered most viable. These include state Representative John Lujan, who has Abbott’s endorsement; former marketing professional Joshua Cortez; Air Force veteran and kickboxing gym owner Carlos De La Cruz; and Navy veteran Jay Furman, who lost to Cuellar in 2024.

Democratic contenders include Johnny Garcia, a former sheriff’s deputy; Maureen Galindo, a tenants’ rights organizer; John Lira, who has previously run for Congress; and Whitney Masterson-Moyes, who operates a sporting clays facility.

The 2024 midterm election season officially launched Tuesday as voters in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas headed to the polls for primary contests that will shape the battle for Congressional control during President Donald Trump’s final two years in office.

These initial primary elections will select Republican and Democratic candidates for November’s general election, when all 435 House seats and one-third of the Senate’s 100 positions will be decided by voters nationwide.

The voting occurs just days following U.S. military action against Iran, which some administration officials privately believe could create political challenges for Trump and GOP candidates as polling shows voters prioritize domestic concerns like cost of living and border security.

Democrats need to gain just three House seats to secure a majority in that chamber come November, while their path to Senate control remains more challenging. Historical trends show the president’s party typically suffers losses during midterm cycles, and Trump’s approval numbers have declined recently.

Should Democrats capture either chamber, they could obstruct Trump’s policy priorities and launch potentially damaging investigations into his administration.

LONE STAR STATE CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS PARTY DIVISIONS

The intense Texas Senate Republican primary has become an early indicator of internal party conflicts affecting both major parties.

Long-serving Senator John Cornyn, representing the GOP establishment after more than 20 years in Washington, faces a serious challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump loyalist who maintains strong support among MAGA voters despite numerous controversies.

Cornyn warns that a Paxton nomination could transform a reliably Republican seat into a competitive contest, potentially threatening the party’s narrow Senate control. Paxton counters by portraying Cornyn as disconnected from Texas voters’ priorities.

Both contenders emphasize their Trump allegiance, including support for the recent Iran military operations, though the former president hasn’t issued an official endorsement.

Republican Senate leadership supports Cornyn, with his allies spending $69 million on advertisements compared to Paxton’s $4 million, according to AdImpact data, demonstrating party concerns about the controversial Paxton candidacy.

With another conservative candidate, Representative Wesley Hunt, also competing, the race will likely proceed to a May runoff between the two highest vote-getters.

Among Democrats, state Representative James Talarico, who emphasizes his Christian beliefs and appeals to Republican voters, runs neck-and-neck with Representative Jasmine Crockett, whose sharp Trump criticism has earned national attention.

While Democrats have long sought to flip Texas, the party hasn’t won statewide since 1994. However, party officials believe the scandal-ridden Paxton—who survived Republican impeachment proceedings, faces securities fraud charges, and endured a public divorce—could be vulnerable in November.

Political experts still favor Paxton given Texas’s conservative voter base.

“Ken Paxton is still a Republican in a very Republican state that’s got a turnout machine that understands how to win elections,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor.

REDISTRICTING CREATES NEW COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

North Carolina voters will select nominees for another pivotal Senate contest, where Republican Thom Tillis’s retirement opened a seat in this battleground state.

Democrats hope former Governor Roy Cooper, facing minimal primary opposition, can capture the seat in November. The well-regarded Cooper has won six statewide campaigns.

Michael Whatley, former Republican National Committee chairman with Trump’s backing, leads public polling against six other GOP candidates.

Tuesday’s elections debut new congressional district maps in Texas and North Carolina, after Republican legislators redrew House boundaries last year at Trump’s direction to maximize GOP seats, sparking nationwide redistricting battles.

Several Texas House incumbents face potential defeat Tuesday. Republican Tony Gonzales, already battling a conservative YouTuber challenger, has resisted bipartisan resignation calls following allegations of a relationship with a female staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales denies any wrongdoing.

In Houston’s vicinity, two Democratic incumbents, Al Green and Christian Menefee, compete against each other after redistricting eliminated Green’s former district.

President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes against Iran on March 1, 2026, are creating friction within his political base, which was repeatedly assured of a non-interventionist foreign policy approach.

During his campaign, Trump consistently pledged to his ‘Make America Great Again’ supporters that he would pursue an ‘America First’ strategy that would avoid new military conflicts abroad. However, the current Iranian military engagement is putting that commitment to the test.

The escalation has drawn criticism from within Trump’s own political circle, including from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has publicly condemned the president for breaking his campaign promises. Greene has accused Trump of abandoning the ‘America First’ principles that were central to his political platform and his assurances of avoiding new military entanglements.

The Iranian conflict represents a significant challenge for the MAGA movement, as supporters must now reconcile their anti-war expectations with the reality of their chosen leader’s military actions. This situation is testing how adaptable the movement’s followers will be regarding one of their fundamental policy positions.

President Trump’s administration has established an ambitious objective to develop one million registered apprenticeship programs across the United States, with Arkansas being designated as the state to lead this significant workforce development initiative.

The administration has tasked Arkansas with pioneering the implementation of this expansive apprenticeship program that aims to provide hands-on training opportunities for workers nationwide.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Parliamentary elections are taking place Thursday across Nepal, coming just one year after young protesters successfully brought down the administration that emerged from the country’s last electoral contest.

Key details surrounding Thursday’s voting:

This national election occurs only three years following Nepal’s last parliamentary contest, after political turmoil resulted in the administration’s downfall in 2025. An interim leadership took control and subsequently scheduled new elections.

Election Commission data shows nearly 19 million Nepalis have voter registration. The breakdown includes approximately 966,000 male voters and 924,000 female voters. An additional 200 individuals registered under an “others” classification, encompassing those not identifying as male or female plus LGBTQ+ community members.

Voter registration numbers have increased by almost 1 million people compared to the November 2022 parliamentary election, as the youth-driven protests generated heightened political engagement.

Nepal sets its voting eligibility at age 18, with officials encouraging young adults meeting requirements to complete registration.

The September 2025 youth-organized demonstrations that toppled the former administration and prompted these early elections have emerged as a central campaign theme.

Various political organizations have committed to elevating younger voter concerns, vowing to address corruption issues and enhance governmental operations.

Citizens will choose 165 House of Representatives members directly for Parliament’s influential lower chamber. Political parties will fill the remaining 110 positions in the 275-seat House using proportional representation, with party vote shares determining lawmaker appointments.

Nepal’s governments have typically formed through coalition arrangements, requiring two or more parties to unite for House majority control. The nation experiences ongoing political instability, witnessing 15 different governments across the past twenty years.

The Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) represent the country’s traditionally powerful political forces. Both parties participated in last year’s ousted government and now confront public frustration. The National Independent Party, established in 2022, has gained considerable campaign momentum. Former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, who previously worked as a rapper, serves as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Monday turned down the Trump administration’s request to delay the billion-dollar process of repaying tariffs that the Supreme Court declared unlawful last month.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit moved the case forward to a lower court to handle the next steps in the refund proceedings.

Last Friday, attorneys for the Trump Justice Department had asked the Federal Circuit to take a cautious approach and wait 90 days before proceeding. However, the court declined this request.

On February 20, the Supreme Court determined that Trump’s extensive tariffs imposed on most nations worldwide violated the law, opening the door for importers who paid these fees to pursue reimbursement.

By mid-December, the federal government had gathered over $130 billion through these tariffs, and according to Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates, could face refund obligations totaling $175 billion.

However, the Supreme Court provided no direction regarding repayments in its ruling, not even addressing the refund issue. The U.S. Court of International Trade in New York will now determine how this complex reimbursement process should move forward.

Trade attorney Ryan Majerus, who works as a partner at King & Spalding and previously served as a U.S. trade official, shared his expectations: “I would expect the Court of International Trade to quickly issue an order requesting a status update from the government on their plans with respect to refunds (or expedited briefing). I expect the court to take an aggressive posture, asking the government to justify how they intend to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.”

Siddartha Rao, a partner at Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney law firm, reported receiving numerous client inquiries about the situation.

“We are somewhat in uncharted territory,” he explained.

The Trump administration has been working to implement new tariffs to replace those invalidated by the Supreme Court.

Rao noted that one major concern involves how the government will actually fund these refunds.

“Everyone is sort of cognizant of the fact that it’s not like there’s over a hundred billion dollars sitting in, you know, in a room somewhere to just cut checks,” Rao explained. “So, you know, this is a Treasury problem, and it may very well be that the administration is reimposing tariffs for the reasons that it’s cited … it’s important for strategic trade agreements and for bargaining power and all of that. But it also might be that they need to raise revenue to pay out refunds.”

WASHINGTON — White House officials have provided an explanation for a prominent red mark visible on President Donald Trump’s neck during a recent public appearance, stating it results from a prescribed skin treatment.

The discoloration became a topic of public discussion after photographers captured detailed images of the president’s neck area during a Medal of Honor presentation held in the White House East Room on Monday.

According to a statement from Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, “President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor.” Barbabella added that “The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.”

Administration officials declined to provide additional details about the specific medication being used, the exact start date of the treatment, or the particular condition being addressed. However, photographic evidence suggests the skin discoloration has been present since at least February 23, when Trump appeared at a White House event for “angel families,” which occurred one day prior to his State of the Union speech.

Medical records from Trump’s April 2025 physical examination revealed he was using mometasone cream on an as-needed basis for an undisclosed skin issue.

At 79 years old, Trump holds the distinction of being the oldest individual to assume the presidency when he took office in January. Given his age, his physical condition receives significant public attention and medical oversight.

In December, Barbabella reported that Trump underwent MRI scans of his heart and abdomen in October as standard preventive care appropriate for men in his age group, with results described as “perfectly normal.” The October examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center concluded that Trump maintains “exceptional health,” according to his doctor’s assessment.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Monday that America isn’t preparing to send ground troops to Iran at this time, though President Donald Trump maintains those military capabilities as potential options.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Rubio explained that the current administration expects to accomplish its established goals without deploying ground forces to the Middle Eastern nation.

The Secretary of State’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, as the Trump administration continues to evaluate its strategic approach in the region.

The state of Minnesota filed a federal lawsuit Monday aimed at preventing the Trump administration from blocking $243 million in Medicaid payments, cautioning that healthcare services for vulnerable families could face cuts if the funding freeze proceeds.

State officials are requesting a Minneapolis federal court to grant an emergency restraining order that would stop the administration from withholding the Medicaid dollars, which serve as a crucial healthcare lifeline for Americans with limited income.

The legal action follows Vice President JD Vance’s announcement last week that the administration would “temporarily halt” certain Medicaid payments to Minnesota due to suspected fraud issues, describing it as part of an intensive effort to crack down on the misuse of taxpayer money.

Minnesota’s top legal official, Attorney General Keith Ellison, highlighted his office’s successful record in combating Medicaid fraud, noting over 300 criminal convictions and $80 million recovered in judgments and restitution payments since taking office.

“Trump’s attempts to look like he’s fighting fraud only punish the people and families who most need the high-quality, affordable healthcare that all Minnesotans deserve,” Ellison stated. “As long as I am attorney general, I will do everything in my power to defend our tax dollars, both from fraudsters and from the Trump administration’s cruelty.”

The court filing targets the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with Dr. Mehmet Oz in his role as CMS administrator and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. serving as HHS secretary.

Federal health officials did not respond to requests for comment by late Monday evening.

According to Ellison’s office, the potential funding reduction represents approximately 7% of Minnesota’s three-month Medicaid allocation. Officials warn the state might need to drastically reduce healthcare programs for low-income residents or slash other government services if the cuts move forward.

In Minnesota, the Medicaid program operates under the name Medical Assistance and covers 1.2 million residents who lack the financial means to purchase health insurance independently. Families of four earning $42,759 or less annually may qualify for Medical Assistance benefits, according to state officials.

The legal challenge argues the administration broke due process rules by attempting to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars without demonstrating Minnesota’s failure to comply with Medicaid requirements through proper investigation and formal hearings.

State attorneys claim federal officials failed to provide Minnesota with specific information about their decision, violating federal regulations. The lawsuit references established legal principles, including one stating that while Congress can attach requirements to federal funding for states, “the conditions must be set out unambiguously.”

Minnesota’s legal filing also contends the administration violated constitutional protections by applying new requirements retroactively to the state’s Medicaid funding arrangement.

The complaint describes the funding freeze as unreasonable and arbitrary, characterizing it as part of a broader pattern of political retaliation against Minnesota.

Federal officials announced plans to suspend $259.5 million in Minnesota Medicaid payments for the final quarter of 2025, with the state’s lawsuit specifically challenging $243 million of that total amount.

Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales fought to survive a heated primary challenge on Tuesday while confronting demands for his resignation over claims he had an extramarital relationship with a staff member who tragically took her own life.

The embattled congressman, who has refused to step down from office, participated in the country’s initial major primary contest of 2026 while facing criticism from Republican colleagues following media reports last month that purportedly revealed intimate text communications between him and his former employee.

Gonzales found himself in a repeat battle against Republican opponent Brandon Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and popular YouTube personality focused on gun rights who came within fewer than 400 votes of defeating Gonzales during their 2024 primary race.

Despite the controversy, President Donald Trump gave his backing to Gonzales in December, and the congressman joined other Texas Republicans during Trump’s recent visit to the state’s coastal region.

“There will be opportunities for all of the details and facts to come out,” Gonzales stated last week while in Washington. “What you’ve seen is not all the facts.”

The father of six children initially secured his congressional seat in 2020 following two decades of military service in the U.S. Navy, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

His 2020 victory surprised Democratic strategists in the expansive border district that spans from western San Antonio all the way to El Paso along the Mexican frontier. Trump’s unexpectedly robust showing among Hispanic voters in the Rio Grande Valley helped propel Gonzales to victory.

In recent social media statements, Gonzales claimed he was being subjected to blackmail and later indicated he believed he was facing “coordinated political attacks.”

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the publication acquired text messages where the former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, allegedly told a coworker about having an affair with Gonzales.

The Associated Press has not verified or obtained independent copies of these communications. Legal representation for Adrian Aviles, the deceased woman’s spouse, confirmed that her husband learned of the alleged relationship prior to her death.

Santos-Aviles, age 35, died in September 2025 after igniting herself in her Uvalde residence’s backyard. Officials at the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently determined her death was suicide.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Tuesday’s primary elections in North Carolina will officially launch what’s expected to become one of America’s most watched Senate battles, setting up a likely showdown between ex-Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.

Both candidates lead their respective party fields and are expected to secure their nominations when voting concludes. The primary ballot also features numerous other contests for House seats, state legislative positions, and judicial offices.

As one of three states beginning this year’s midterm election cycle alongside Texas and Arkansas, North Carolina represents a key battleground where Democrats have maintained the governor’s mansion even while voters supported President Donald Trump. The primary takes place amid ongoing tensions from the U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran.

The conflict, which started over the weekend, has resulted in at least six American military deaths, escalated into broader regional warfare as Iran struck back, and caused oil and gas prices to spike. Trump, who ran on “America First” isolationist principles and initiated military action without congressional approval, now faces growing scrutiny about the war’s justification and how it will end.

This North Carolina Senate contest could prove decisive in determining Senate control, with Republicans currently holding the majority. The position became available after Sen. Thom Tillis chose retirement following disputes with President Trump. Political analysts predict a flood of outside spending could make this the costliest Senate campaign in American history, potentially hitting $1 billion.

Democrats view Cooper, who completed two gubernatorial terms and enjoyed decades of statewide political success, as their strongest candidate for victory. To regain Senate control, Democrats must flip four seats, with strategists identifying North Carolina, Maine, Alaska, and Ohio as their most promising targets.

Cooper competes against five lesser-known Democratic challengers on Tuesday. The Republican Senate primary also includes Navy veteran Don Brown and Michele Morrow, who ran as the GOP’s 2024 state education superintendent candidate.

Cooper jumped into the race shortly after Tillis announced his retirement plans last summer, with Whatley following suit. Whatley received Trump’s endorsement after the president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump chose not to run. Both candidates have spent months campaigning primarily against each other rather than focusing on primary opponents.

Whatley pledges to advance Trump’s legislative priorities if elected, describing an agenda that reduced taxes and government spending while strengthening America’s military capabilities.

“It’s very important for us to have a conservative champion and for President Trump to have an ally in the Senate,” he said while voting early in Gastonia. “We’re going to be fighting for every family and every community in North Carolina.”

Some primary voters believe Congress needs Democratic leadership to balance Trump and policies they view as harmful.

“I think we need to send a message. And I think the more Democrats that show up, and the more independents that show up for this midterm election, and the more seats we can take from the Republicans, the more he might get the message,” said Lisa Frucht, 67, said as she cast a ballot for Cooper at an early voting site north of Raleigh.

Republican voter Gary Grimes, who selected Whatley, suggested Democratic congressional control would trigger additional unsuccessful impeachment attempts against Trump.

“It’ll be a repeat of what they did to Trump in the first term,” said Grimes, 71, “And they can’t see anything except getting Trump, at any cost.”

No Democrat has captured a North Carolina Senate seat since 2008. Cooper, 68, maintains an undefeated record in North Carolina elections dating to his initial state House campaign in the mid-1980s, including 16 years as attorney general and eight years as governor through 2024.

Whatley, 57, previously served in President George W. Bush’s administration, worked for former North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole, and operated as an energy industry lobbyist.

Cooper and his supporters have focused their campaign criticism on Whatley’s loyalty to Trump and his policy positions, arguing he supports increased tariffs and Medicaid cuts while bearing responsibility for delayed Hurricane Helene recovery assistance.

Speaking to reporters after voting in Raleigh recently, Cooper said he wants to “make sure that I’m a strong, independent senator who can work with this president when I can, stand up to him when I need to and recognize that people are struggling right now.”

Whatley, Trump, and fellow Republicans have attacked Cooper’s criminal justice record, claiming he implemented lenient crime policies during his gubernatorial tenure. They have repeatedly referenced last August’s fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light-rail system. Trump acknowledged Zarutska’s mother as a guest at last week’s State of the Union address.

Cooper recently told reporters that his career centers on “prosecuting violent criminals and keeping thousands of them behind bars.”

Tuesday’s elections also feature primary contests in all North Carolina House districts except one. These include a five-way Republican primary in the northeastern 1st Congressional District, currently held by Democratic Representative Don Davis, who ran unopposed in his primary.

The Republican-led General Assembly redrew the 1st District last fall to create more conservative-leaning boundaries, part of Trump’s nationwide redistricting effort before the 2026 elections to maintain House control. Davis won his 2024 race by fewer than 2 percentage points.

DALLAS — Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn faces a challenging battle to secure his fifth term in Tuesday’s GOP primary, while Democratic voters will decide between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico for their party’s nominee heading into November’s general election, where Democrats remain optimistic about their prospects.

Texas joins North Carolina and Arkansas in launching this year’s midterm primary season, with these contests occurring as the United States and Israel engage in warfare with Iran. The conflict, which erupted over the weekend, has resulted in the deaths of at least six American military personnel, escalated into a broader regional crisis following Iranian retaliation, and caused oil and natural gas prices to surge. President Donald Trump, who ran on an “America First” isolationist platform and initiated military action without Congressional approval, now confronts growing scrutiny about the war’s justification and exit plan.

Tuesday marks the conclusion of voting in North Carolina and Arkansas primaries that signal the beginning of the 2026 midterm cycle, as Democrats seek to break Republican control in Washington and obstruct Trump’s agenda.

In the Republican primary, Cornyn confronts opposition from MAGA-backed Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, and Rep. Wesley Hunt in a race anticipated to proceed to a May runoff between the leading vote recipients. All three GOP candidates have emphasized their connections to Trump, though the former president has not made an endorsement in this contest.

Both Crockett and Talarico contend they represent the superior general election option in a state where Trump won by nearly 14 points in 2024 and where no Democrat has claimed statewide victory in more than three decades.

Voters will also select House candidates under newly drawn congressional district maps that Republican legislators — encouraged by Trump — redesigned to boost GOP representation.

Cornyn seeks to prevent becoming the first Texas Republican senator in history to lose renomination.

His strained relationship with Trump contributes to Cornyn’s vulnerability. He and supporting organizations have invested $64 million solely in television advertisements since July attempting to shore up his standing.

Paxton launched his serious campaign efforts just last month but has gained national attention through lawsuits targeting Democratic programs. He maintains popularity in Texas despite surviving a 2023 impeachment proceeding on corruption allegations, from which he was cleared, and facing accusations of extramarital affairs from his spouse.

Senate Republican leadership, which supports Cornyn, fears that Paxton’s potential weaknesses would force the party to spend heavily defending the seat if he becomes the nominee — resources that could be deployed more effectively elsewhere.

Paxton has aired advertisements highlighting endorsements from Turning Point USA, the organization established by late conservative leader Charlie Kirk, along with Kirk’s endorsement before his assassination in September.

Hunt’s October entry into the race complicated any candidate’s ability to reach the 50% threshold required to prevent a May 26 runoff.

All three Republican contenders have broadcast advertisements emphasizing their close relationships with Trump.

For Democrats, their first significant 2026 primary presents a choice between contrasting approaches as the party seeks its first Texas Senate victory since 1988.

Talarico, a seminary student who frequently cites Biblical references, has conducted rallies statewide including in strongly Republican territories. Crockett, who has developed national recognition for sharp critiques of Republicans, has concentrated on mobilizing Black voters in Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas.

Talarico had outspent Crockett on television advertising by more than four-to-one through late February. He received significant attention last month when CBS declined to broadcast his interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert stated the network canceled the segment due to concerns about violating Trump’s FCC regulations. Talarico’s campaign reported raising $2.5 million within 24 hours after the interview — which aired online — was removed from television.

Texas Republicans’ unusual mid-decade redistricting aimed to help Trump’s party capture five Democratic-controlled seats to prevent losing House control. This created internal Democratic conflicts between incumbent members and established what are expected to be November’s most competitive races.

In the 34th District, former Rep. Mayra Flores seeks a political return. Flores created history in a 2022 special election as the first Republican to prevail in the Rio Grande Valley in 150 years, though she lost her full-term bid that same year. She competes against Eric Flores, a Trump-endorsed attorney, for the nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.

In the 23rd District, Rep. Tony Gonzales appears vulnerable after Republican colleagues demanded his resignation over an affair with a staff member who died by suicide. He faces gun manufacturer and YouTube personality Brandon Herrera, who identifies as “the AK guy.” This district encompasses Uvalde, location of the tragic 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.

Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw encounters a challenge in the 2nd District from GOP state Rep. Steve Toth, who received Sen. Ted Cruz’s endorsement.

Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira is campaigning in District 21, covering southwest Texas, for the position held by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who is pursuing the state attorney general office. Teixeira, a Republican, played for four MLB franchises, including the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees during their 2009 World Series championship.

Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy recipient, is competing in South Texas’ 15th District against physician Ada Cuellar. The winner will face two-term Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz.

In the 33rd District, Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson confronts former Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and 2024 Senate candidate. Johnson, serving her first term, faces vulnerability partly because Allred previously represented portions of this district, which spans the Dallas and Fort Worth regions. He also maintains a national fundraising apparatus from his Senate race.

Democratic Rep. Al Green is also battling to retain his position after his Houston-centered 9th District was redrawn to favor Republicans. Green, 78, now competes in a newly configured 18th District against Democratic Rep. Christian Menefee, 37, who won a January special election for the current 18th District. The new district incorporates two-thirds of Green’s former territory.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking reelection and likely faces Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa in the general election.

Four-term U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is pursuing the GOP nomination for state attorney general, with Paxton running for Senate. Roy has served as a prominent conservative Freedom Caucus member.

WASHINGTON – Republican members of Congress stood behind President Donald Trump’s military strikes against Iran on Monday, asserting the commander in chief acted within his constitutional powers, while Democratic lawmakers questioned the justification and announced plans for war powers legislation this week.

Top administration officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine provided classified briefings to congressional leadership about the Iranian operations, which began two days earlier alongside Israeli forces targeting the Islamic republic.

Before entering the briefing session, Rubio explained to media that an urgent threat existed because U.S. officials were aware Israel intended to strike Iran and anticipated Iranian retaliation against American military personnel.

GOP legislators cited this anticipated retaliation as the basis for the “imminent threat” requiring immediate U.S. military response.

House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed reporters following the classified session, stating: “Because Israel was determined to act with or without the U.S., our commander in chief and the administration … had a very difficult decision to make.”

Johnson continued: “In my view, right now … our military and the commander in chief, he is presiding over the completion of an operation that was limited in scope, limited in its objective, and absolutely necessary for our defense. I think that operation will be wound up quickly.”

Democratic representatives countered that the Constitution grants Congress exclusive authority to declare war, arguing Trump overstepped his bounds by launching what he described as a potentially weeks-long military campaign without legislative consent.

They criticized the administration for presenting inconsistent rationales for the Iranian offensive and raised concerns about whether American strategic interests were driving policy decisions.

Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner noted the administration has offered multiple justifications within the past week, ranging from dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities to halting ballistic missile programs, pursuing regime change, and destroying naval assets.

Warner emphasized that Trump’s senior officials have failed to demonstrate a clear and present danger to the United States.

“I stand firmly with Israel. But I believe at the end of the day, when we are talking about putting American soldiers in harm’s way, when we have American casualties and expectations of more, there needs to be the proof of an imminent threat to American interests. I still don’t think that standard has been met,” Warner stated.

As of Monday evening, six American service members had lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.

Administration representatives are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill Tuesday for comprehensive briefings with the complete Senate and House membership.

Lawmakers expect to conduct votes later this week on war powers measures designed to prevent Trump from continuing Iranian military operations without formal congressional war authorization.

While the Constitution assigns Congress, rather than the president, authority over military deployments, exceptions exist for targeted operations addressing national security concerns.

Despite Trump’s Republican Party maintaining narrow control in both congressional chambers, and some GOP members joining Democratic war powers initiatives, the party has successfully blocked previous attempts to require legislative approval for military actions.

Communities throughout Vermont are experiencing a shift in their traditional town hall discussions, as residents increasingly bring contentious national and global topics to local government meetings.

Municipal gatherings that historically centered on neighborhood concerns like road maintenance, budget approvals, and local ordinances are now becoming battlegrounds for debates over divisive issues affecting the broader nation and world.

This trend reflects a growing pattern across New England and other regions, where citizens are using their most accessible democratic forums to voice opinions on matters extending far beyond their town boundaries.

The transformation of these grassroots political meetings demonstrates how national polarization is filtering down to the most local levels of American democracy, changing the nature of community discourse in small towns.

WACO, Texas (AP) — As Texas voters prepared for Tuesday’s Senate primary election, candidates found themselves navigating the delicate topic of recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran during their final campaign push Monday.

The developing international conflict created an unexpected backdrop for the hotly contested race, with Republican hopefuls showing stronger backing for the Trump administration’s military response compared to their Democratic counterparts. However, given the uncertain nature of the situation and America’s unclear long-term strategy, most candidates approached the subject with notable restraint.

During a brief 15-minute speech at a Waco restaurant, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton barely acknowledged the overseas military action at his final campaign stop before election day.

When pressed by journalists following his remarks, Paxton defended President Trump’s decisions while acknowledging his limited access to classified information as a state official. He expressed confidence that the military response wouldn’t alienate Trump’s core supporters, despite the president’s previous promises to avoid what he terms “forever wars” – conflicts lacking clear withdrawal plans.

However, Paxton sidestepped questions about whether Trump had effectively communicated the strikes’ objectives to the public.

“An open-ended war? I don’t have any intelligence, but I don’t think that’s Trump’s idea,” Paxton stated. “He wants to get this over with.”

Among Paxton’s supporters gathered at George’s Restaurant and Bar in Waco, enthusiasm for the administration’s approach was evident.

Local resident Connie Stamps praised the action, particularly the elimination of Iranian leadership, saying it “is going to be good for the whole world.”

“I’m very thankful we have a president who does what he says he’s going to do,” she declared, rejecting suggestions that Trump was contradicting his anti-war campaign promises. “He cares about the whole world. He’s the peace president.”

Throughout his three presidential campaigns, Trump has consistently opposed extended foreign military involvement, though his administration has shared limited details about long-term objectives beyond dismantling Iran’s power structure. Recent weeks had seen ongoing diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Iran regarding nuclear program agreements.

Senator John Cornyn, facing primary challenges from both Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt, similarly gave minimal attention to Iran during his campaign event in Schertz, near San Antonio.

When questioned afterward, Cornyn endorsed the strikes, which the Trump administration launched without prior congressional authorization. Asked about Trump’s communication of war objectives, Cornyn offered a measured response.

“We’ll have a debate in Congress what the goals and objectives are,” he explained, while asserting, “I am completly satisfied in the president’s explanation.”

Cornyn praised Trump’s video announcement regarding the attacks, saying: “I think the president made a cogent and good explanation. I think there will be more debate.”

The senator revealed that during a recent Air Force One trip to Texas with Trump, the president sought input from the state’s congressional delegation about potential strikes, with the group expressing unanimous support.

Veteran Elton Hartwich, identifiable by his Vietnam War cap, voiced strong support for the military action and urged broader public backing.

“I think it should be backed by more poeple,” he said. “I think we as Americans gotta look back at what Iranians did to our people.”

Conversely, David Ozuna from New Braunfels, who attended Cornyn’s gathering, opposed the strikes and criticized Trump’s explanations as insufficient. His stance stems from personal experience with family members who were killed or injured during military service.

“I think that we as citizens, before we send our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers to support this thing, deserve to have a good explanation as to what we’re doing, what the objective is and where we’re going,” Ozuna emphasized.

On the Democratic side, Senate candidate James Talarico, competing against Representative Jasmine Crockett for the party’s nomination, briefly addressed the conflict during a University of Houston rally, focusing solely on mourning three fallen U.S. service members.

Houston resident Charles Padmore offered harsh criticism of the Iranian strikes, describing them as “absolutely horrible.”

“It shouldn’t have happened. It’s illegal. We’re the aggressor. They didn’t do anything to us, really, so we shouldn’t have been so aggressive in attacking them, and a lot of people have died,” Padmore argued.

He criticized Trump’s failure to clearly articulate national objectives and expressed concern about prolonged conflict. “This could go for years to come if they don’t have a clear exit strategy,” he warned.

Hennepin County’s chief prosecutor revealed Monday she is pursuing criminal charges against federal immigration agents following alleged misconduct during recent enforcement operations across the Twin Cities area.

County Attorney Mary Moriarty disclosed during a press briefing that her office is examining 17 separate incidents, including one where Border Patrol official Greg Bovino allegedly hurled a smoke device at demonstrators on January 21st. A separate January 7th incident involved federal agents conducting an arrest near a school while using chemical spray with students and faculty nearby.

“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of the legal fight, and we are committed to doing this correctly,” Moriarty declared. “Operation Metro Surge caused immeasurable harm to our community.”

Neither the Department of Homeland Security, which supervises Border Patrol operations, nor Bovino responded to requests for comment.

Bovino has become a prominent figure in the current administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, implementing aggressive methods during operations in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago and Los Angeles. During the Chicago operation, federal agents repeatedly used chemical agents for crowd control in residential areas, prompting a judge to require Bovino to wear recording equipment and make daily court appearances regarding the enforcement actions. However, that judicial order was reversed before his initial required appearance.

Federal agents adopted confrontational methods when managing protesters in Minneapolis-St. Paul and arrested multiple individuals who were whistling and filming arrests.

Bovino was ultimately reassigned from his leadership position in the Minnesota operation following fatal shootings by federal officers of two individuals: 37-year-old mother Renee Good and 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, both killed on separate days in January. These deaths sparked nationwide protests and criticism of Department of Homeland Security force policies.

Moriarty’s office has established a digital platform where photographs, video footage and witness statements from any period during Operation Metro Surge can be submitted.

While the current administration has supported federal officers’ actions, Moriarty is clearly signaling that her office is “collecting evidence about all sorts of possible crimes,” according to Rachel Moran, who teaches criminal law and policing at University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.

In situations where officers inappropriately deployed chemical weapons, forcibly threw individuals down or destroyed vehicle windows, Moran cited as examples, prosecutors might be examining assault or property destruction charges.

“These would be situations where the state has to determine: Is there evidence that agents acted unlawfully and outside the scope of their authorized duties?” Moran explained. “I think agents did illegal things here. I watched it.”

While federal officers carried out immigration enforcement across the entire Twin Cities region, Moriarty’s investigation will concentrate solely on events within Hennepin County, encompassing Minneapolis and numerous surrounding communities.

Her office is simultaneously investigating the deaths of Good and Pretti, and she expressed being “confident” about pursuing charges. Moriarty stated Monday that her office is ready to take legal action against the federal government to obtain requested evidence for the investigations if they don’t respond by Tuesday.

“The question is, should we charge in federal court? Do we expect the federal government to obstruct us? I would say they’re already doing that,” Moriarty commented.

The Department of Justice initiated a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death but determined no civil rights probe was warranted for Good’s death. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has prevented state investigators from examining evidence in her case.

The DOJ and FBI did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite acknowledging the obstacles her office faces in prosecuting federal agents, Moriarty emphasized their dedication to transparency and accountability.

Mark Osler, who worked as criminal division director under Moriarty for one year during 2023 and 2024, believes the public can expect greater clarity regardless of whether charges result.

“One of the most important roles that prosecution has … is truth-telling, is to bring to the surface what actually happened at a given time,” stated Osler, currently a law professor at University of St. Thomas. “We’ll all know more than just what we saw in those initial videos by the time she’s done. I’m confident of that.”

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior is threatening disciplinary action against staff members who leaked internal documents showing how the Trump administration intended to alter historical narratives at national park locations across the country.

The leaked government database, initially covered by the Washington Post and published on public websites Monday, exposed extensive plans by the Trump administration to modify or eliminate content related to African-American history, LGBT rights, climate change, and other subjects at hundreds of national park facilities.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department dismissed the revelations, stating: “The narrative being advanced is false and these draft, deliberative internal documents are not a representation of final action taken by the department.” The National Park Service operates under Interior Department oversight.

President Trump has made targeting cultural and historical venues – including museums, monuments, and national parks – a priority in his effort to eliminate what he describes as “anti-American” ideology.

These directives and executive actions have resulted in the removal of slavery-related exhibits, the restoration of Confederate monuments, and other measures that civil rights organizations argue could undo decades of advancement.

The Interior Department spokesperson claimed the internal working papers were manipulated in a misleading manner prior to their public release. The spokesperson further characterized the leak as both inappropriate and unlawful, though did not cite which specific statute was allegedly broken.

“Employees who altered internal records and leaked in an effort to hurt the Trump administration will be held accountable,” the spokesperson stated.

The current administration has worked to suppress internal opposition within federal agencies and has taken disciplinary measures against workers who have spoken out against its initiatives.

In recent months, several Federal Emergency Management Agency staff members were placed on administrative leave following their signatures on a public letter criticizing agency leadership, while certain Environmental Protection Agency workers faced termination after signing a letter condemning government actions.

Former President Bill Clinton has revealed that Donald Trump once spoke to him about enjoying ‘great times’ with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, according to sworn testimony released Monday.

The revelation came during Clinton’s videotaped testimony before the House Oversight Committee, where he described a conversation with Trump at a golf tournament sometime between 2002 and 2003.

During that exchange, Clinton testified under oath, Trump mentioned their past friendship before it deteriorated. ‘Somehow he knew I had flown in Jeffrey Epstein’s aircraft,’ Clinton recounted to lawmakers. ‘He said, ‘You know, we had some great times together over the years, but we fell out all because of a real estate deal.”

According to Trump’s previous statements, his friendship with Epstein ended after the financier recruited young women who were employed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

Clinton emphasized that Trump’s comments did not suggest any improper conduct involving Epstein. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Clinton’s testimony.

Both former presidents had connections to Epstein prior to his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Neither Clinton nor Trump has faced criminal charges related to Epstein, and both have maintained they witnessed no evidence of sex trafficking activities.

The wealthy financier, who hosted numerous business and political figures at his luxury properties in New York, Florida, and the Caribbean, was taken into custody again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He died in his jail cell later that year in what authorities determined was suicide.

During the Trump administration, the Justice Department made public millions of documents from Epstein investigations, including photographs showing Clinton with women whose identities were concealed.

Clinton has consistently denied any wrongdoing while expressing regret about his past association with Epstein.

In his recent testimony, Clinton explained that former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers introduced him to Epstein, describing the financier as a philanthropist willing to provide private jet transportation for Clinton’s global AIDS foundation work. Clinton acknowledged using Epstein’s aircraft for international trips to Asia, Africa, and Europe, plus one domestic flight, but said he stopped accepting such assistance after 2003.

‘I thought Mr. Epstein was an interesting man, but I didn’t think he was really interested in what I was doing,’ Clinton stated during his testimony.

The former president denied having any sexual contact with individuals connected to Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, though he did acknowledge receiving a neck massage from a flight attendant who was later identified as an Epstein abuse victim. Clinton said he was unaware of Epstein’s history of abusing young women recruited as masseuses.

‘I didn’t think it was anything unusual. I can’t tell you how many airplanes I’ve been on where rich people asked me to go and they had someone offering massage. All these boats that you go on and all that, they all do that. And usually I don’t do that,’ he explained.

Clinton also testified that he never traveled to Epstein’s private Caribbean island and was unaware that Epstein had visited the White House 17 times during his presidency from 1993 to 2001.

The Republican-controlled committee also issued a subpoena to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who testified last week that she had no recollection of ever meeting Epstein.

Minneapolis-area prosecutors announced Monday they are examining possible criminal conduct by federal immigration enforcement officers during a controversial operation that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty revealed her office has launched an investigation into what she termed “potentially unlawful behavior” by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, an immigration crackdown that faced strong community opposition earlier this year.

The prosecutor’s office has established an online portal where residents can submit video footage and other evidence of incidents involving Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official who previously referred to himself as “commander at large,” along with other federal agents suspected of criminal activity.

“We will investigate and pursue charging where appropriate, and we’ll seek collaboration with local law enforcement wherever and whenever needed,” Moriarty stated during a news conference. “Make no mistake, we are not afraid of any legal fight.”

While recognizing the challenges in prosecuting federal agents who have substantial legal protections, Moriarty emphasized: “There is no absolute immunity for federal agents.”

The Department of Homeland Security, which supervises both Border Patrol and ICE operations, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Moriarty noted that federal authorities have provided no information to her office regarding the investigation.

The county attorney had previously created similar evidence-gathering portals concerning the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Those death investigations remain active, according to Moriarty.

The immigration enforcement campaign started in early December. Following the controversial shootings, President Donald Trump’s Border czar Tom Homan assumed control of the operation in late January, replacing Bovino, who has faced significant criticism from Democratic officials and civil rights advocates for his management of enforcement actions in Minnesota and other states.

According to a January report in The Atlantic, citing a Homeland Security official and two knowledgeable sources, Bovino was reassigned from his traveling enforcement role back to his previous position as Border Patrol sector chief in El Centro, California. Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed Bovino’s current assignment status.

After taking over, Homan met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, establishing a more cooperative approach. In February, Homan announced the departure of thousands of agents from the area, while stating that immigration enforcement activities would continue.

The nation’s highest court delivered a significant ruling Monday, temporarily suspending California regulations that can prevent schools from sharing details about transgender students’ gender identity with their parents unless the student agrees to the disclosure.

The Supreme Court sided with Christian families and educators who filed suit against these safeguards, arguing the policies infringed upon their constitutional rights to religious freedom and parental authority under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The court approved an emergency petition to restore a lower court’s decision while the legal battle moves forward, overturning an appeals court’s previous suspension of that ruling.

The court’s three liberal members opposed Monday’s action.

This California case represents one of numerous legal battles nationwide involving efforts to safeguard the privacy of transgender and gender-nonconforming students in educational settings.

The justices are simultaneously weighing whether to hear a separate case involving a Massachusetts school district regarding staff support for students’ gender identity. In 2024, the court declined to review similar legal challenges from Wisconsin and Maryland.

The Supreme Court, dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority, has faced repeated requests to rule on President Donald Trump’s administration and Republican-controlled states’ efforts to limit transgender individuals’ rights.

Last year, the high court supported Tennessee’s prohibition on gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender minors and also permitted Trump’s military ban on transgender service members. On January 13, justices heard arguments about Idaho and West Virginia laws preventing transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams, with conservative justices seemingly prepared to support those limitations.

California’s statutes include multiple provisions, such as privacy rights under the state constitution, which officials say could apply when transgender students oppose revealing their gender identities to parents or guardians, sometimes due to concerns about hostility, rejection, or potential violence.

Those bringing the 2023 constitutional challenge argued the policies force public schools to enable “secret gender transition” and to “hide children’s expressed transgender status at school from their own parents – including religious parents.”

The Democratic-led state has maintained the provisions don’t actually prohibit sharing information with parents and sometimes even permit or mandate disclosure when withholding such information could threaten the student’s wellbeing.

Christian educators from the Escondido Union School District in San Diego County initiated the lawsuit, contending that following these policies violated their First Amendment protections for free speech and religious practice.

Two deeply Catholic married couples also joined the litigation, claiming their children identified as transgender boys at school without parental knowledge or approval, violating their religious freedoms and their parental rights under the 14th Amendment’s due process clause to guide their children’s care.

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez ruled for the plaintiffs in December and issued an injunction blocking these policies.

“A child’s gender incongruity is a matter of health. Matters of a child’s health are matters over which parents have the highest right and duty of care,” Benitez stated in his decision.

Benitez prohibited the state regulations that would stop school staff from notifying parents “about their child’s gender presentation at school” or permit using names or pronouns that don’t “match the child’s legal name and natal pronouns” without parental approval.

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals suspended Benitez’s decision on January 5, pointing to numerous flaws in the judge’s reasoning.

“A preliminary review of the record shows that the state does not categorically forbid disclosure of information about students’ gender identities to parents without student consent,” the 9th Circuit stated in its ruling.

WASHINGTON — A comprehensive look at President Donald Trump and his administration’s public communications regarding Iran reveals a pattern of contradictory and evolving messaging spanning several months.

Following military action against Iran last summer, Trump and his team consistently proclaimed that the operations had completely eliminated Iran’s nuclear capabilities and would prevent weapons development for years to come. However, in the days leading up to recent coordinated strikes with Israel, the same officials began issuing increasingly urgent alerts about Tehran’s nuclear threats.

The mixed messaging extends beyond nuclear concerns. When widespread demonstrations broke out across Iran in January, Trump initially issued strong military threats through social media, only to retreat from those positions after claiming he received assurances that Tehran had stopped killing demonstrators and canceled planned executions. International monitoring groups, however, reported that more than 7,000 people died during the government’s suppression of the protests.

Additionally, despite years of criticizing previous conservative administrations for pursuing “regime change” policies, Trump appeared to shift his position and embrace such concepts.

Following recent weekend attacks, administration officials have provided various justifications for the latest military action against Iran, some of which contradict their previous eight months of statements.

Key statements from Trump include a June 24, 2025 Truth Social post declaring: “THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CNN on June 25, 2025: “Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.”

A White House press release from June 25, 2025 stated: “The precision strikes perfectly hit their targets and destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, resulting in the total obliteration of Iran’s ability to create a nuclear weapon.”

However, when intelligence reports suggested Iran’s nuclear program had only been delayed by months, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed these accounts in a June 25, 2025 Politico interview, calling it “a false story and it’s one that really shouldn’t be re-reported.”

By June 30, 2025, Trump told Fox News: “They’ve been trying it for 25 years. The last thing they’re going to do is nuclear. We had to hit them, though. They were close to getting a nuclear bomb. Absolutely.”

Trump reinforced his claims in a July 19, 2025 Truth Social post: “All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or OBLITERATED. It would take years to bring them back into service and, if Iran wanted to do so, they would be much better off starting anew, in three different locations, prior to those sites being obliterated, should they decide to do so.”

During his February 24 State of the Union address, Trump stated: “They’ve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore.”

Speaking to reporters in Texas on February 27, 2026, Trump expressed frustration with negotiations: “They have to say ‘we’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they just can’t quite get there.”

On regime change, Trump posted on Truth Social June 22, 2025: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

Vice President JD Vance offered a different perspective to NBC News on June 22, 2025: “Our view has been very clear that we don’t want to regime change. We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it’s already been built out. We want to end their nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here.”

Regarding Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the weekend strikes, Trump posted on Truth Social June 27, 2025: “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’” This came after Trump claimed knowledge of Khamenei’s location during June strikes.

When asked about regime change on February 13, Trump told reporters: “Seems like that would be the best thing that could happen. For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking. In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives while they talk. Legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off.”

On Friday, when questioned about potential military-driven regime change, Trump responded: “There might be, and there might not be,” adding “It would be nice if we could do it without, but sometimes you have to do it with.”

Following Khamenei’s death, Trump posted on Truth Social February 28: “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.”

In a February 28 video message, Trump stated: “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”

Trump issued a direct appeal to Iranian citizens in a Sunday video statement: “I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment—to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country.”

Defense Secretary Hegseth addressed the regime change question at a March 2 Pentagon briefing: “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change.”

Regarding Iran’s missile capabilities, Secretary of State Rubio told reporters February 25: “Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short range ballistic missiles, that threaten the United States and our bases in the region, and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the U.A.E. and Qatar and Bahrain.”

Trump expanded on the missile threat during a March 2 White House Medal of Honor ceremony: “The regime already had missiles capable of hitting Europe and our bases — both local and overseas — and would soon have had missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America.”

Hegseth explained during Monday’s Pentagon briefing that Iran “was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions.”

Concerning the January protests in Iran, Trump posted on Truth Social January 2: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

On January 10, Trump posted: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

Trump intensified his rhetoric on January 13: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!”

However, by January 14, Trump’s tone shifted during White House remarks: “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping — it’s stopped, it’s stopping. And there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions — so I’ve been told that on good authority.”

On January 16, Trump told reporters while departing the White House: “You had yesterday scheduled over 800 hangings. They didn’t hang anyone. They canceled the hangings. That had a big impact.”

At Monday’s Medal of Honor ceremony, Trump adopted a markedly different approach: “This was our last, best chance to strike — what we’re doing right now — and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime. And they are indeed sick and sinister.” He concluded: “You can’t deal with these people. You got to do it the right way.”

WASHINGTON — During oral arguments Monday, Supreme Court justices signaled they may strike down the federal prohibition preventing marijuana users from possessing firearms, creating unexpected bipartisan agreement on the bench.

Most justices appeared inclined to support a limited decision favoring Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas resident who challenged his criminal prosecution for gun possession while using cannabis several times weekly.

The Trump administration urged the nation’s highest court to uphold criminal charges against Hemani based on federal statutes prohibiting firearm ownership by illegal drug users. However, justices across the ideological spectrum expressed doubt about the law’s validity.

Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned the government’s position, asking: “What is the government’s evidence that using marijuana a couple of times a week makes someone dangerous?”

While the Trump administration previously challenged various gun regulations, Principal Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris defended this particular statute as necessary protection against potentially hazardous individuals obtaining weapons. The same law formed the basis for Hunter Biden’s gun conviction related to cocaine addiction, though he received a presidential pardon from his father, former President Joe Biden.

Justice Neil Gorsuch highlighted the contradictory nature of current marijuana policy, noting: “What do we do with the fact that marijuana is sort of illegal and sort of isn’t, and that the federal government itself is conflicted on this?” Cannabis remains federally prohibited despite legalization in approximately half of all states.

Gorsuch helped establish the conservative majority’s 2022 landmark ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires gun regulations to demonstrate strong historical precedent from America’s founding era.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, representing the court’s liberal wing, argued the cannabis firearm prohibition lacks sufficient historical foundation. “I think your argument sort of falls apart under the Bruen test,” she told government attorneys.

Federal lawyers referenced historical statutes disarming “habitual drunkards” as precedent supporting their position. However, Gorsuch countered by citing founding fathers’ drinking habits, including John Adams consuming hard cider at breakfast and James Madison’s daily whiskey ration. “Are they all habitual drunkards who would be properly disarmed for life under your theory?” he asked.

Hemani’s attorney Erin Murphy distinguished historical alcohol restrictions as targeting extreme cases, arguing modern cannabis consumers who use products like sleep-aid gummies can safely handle firearms.

The litigation created uncommon political partnerships, with both the American Civil Liberties Union and National Rifle Association supporting Hemani alongside marijuana advocacy organizations like NORML. Conversely, gun safety organizations such as Everytown, typically opposing Trump administration Second Amendment positions, backed the federal prohibition.

Several justices worried that ruling for Hemani might enable weapon access for users of more dangerous substances including methamphetamine or heroin. Eliminating current restrictions could force courts to repeatedly evaluate individual drugs’ danger levels.

Chief Justice John Roberts expressed concern about judicial overreach, stating: “It just seems to me that this takes a fairly cavalier approach to the necessary consideration of expertise and the judgments we leave to Congress and the executive branch.”

This represents the court’s second firearms case this term following their 2022 decision. Justices also seem prepared to invalidate Hawaii’s law restricting weapons in commercial establishments and hotels.

The court will issue its final ruling before June’s conclusion.

The House Oversight Committee’s Republican members have made public recorded testimony from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of their continuing examination of Jeffrey Epstein-related materials.

The recorded depositions were released as the committee continues its investigation into documents connected to the Epstein case.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — While progressive Democrats nationwide are pushing for bold liberal policies to help regain Congressional control this year, centrist party members are sounding a different alarm — warning that strategy could backfire.

At Third Way’s recent gathering, moderate Democratic leaders repeatedly emphasized that the party must avoid shifting too far to the left during midterm elections and future presidential nominations if they want any chance of reclaiming the White House.

The exclusive two-day event, titled “Winning the Middle,” offered strategic guidance for appealing to centrist voters.

Speakers advised attendees to communicate simply rather than using academic language, maintain genuine social media presence without living entirely online, and embrace patriotic symbols like the American flag without worrying about conservative associations.

Third Way co-founder Matt Bennett explained that his moderate Democratic organization intends to hold frequent meetings as the 2028 presidential race draws near, bringing together individuals who will shape and support Democratic candidates.

“We’re doing it early, and we’re doing it much, much more aggressively than we did last time,” Bennett stated. “We’ve got a team in place that is talking every day to the 2028ers.”

Jim Messina, who directed Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election effort, argued that Democrats haven’t yet figured out how to connect with voters effectively.

“In 2026, we’re going to win, because we have one great nominee, and his name is Donald Trump,” he explained, suggesting Trump’s low approval ratings will benefit Democrats. “But we’re going to lose the presidential election in 2028 if we can’t find an economic message that identifies with most people.”

When pressed to deliver the “brutal truth” to Democrats, Messina responded, “We have no economic message, and if we don’t get one, we’re not going to win.”

The Charleston venue was strategically chosen. South Carolina has played a crucial role in Democratic presidential primaries, notably helping propel Joe Biden to his 2020 victory. Though the Democratic National Committee’s updated primary calendar remains months away from completion, Bennett anticipates the state will continue wielding significant influence.

“We need to socialize these ideas immediately, so that they can begin to take hold and be widely shared by the time we get to the main part of their primary cycle,” Bennett noted.

Conference participants received abundant advice on presentation style.

“Democrats come across as like professors, academics, elites — I mean, my God, rip off your freaking sport coat and talk to me,” declared Joe Walsh, a former tea party Republican congressman from Illinois who switched to the Democratic Party last year. “Voters in general are just crying out for authenticity.”

However, Walsh cautioned against mimicking politicians like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has started touring early primary states including South Carolina. Newsom has adopted Trump’s confrontational social media approach, using similar all-caps messaging to criticize the former president.

“I think the mimicking and the copying a lot of the Trumpism isn’t the way you’re actually going to reach a lot of folks,” Walsh observed. “Voters in general are just crying out for authenticity.”

Policy messaging also received attention during the conference. Only a handful of the more than 100 attendees indicated they had incorporated “affordability” — currently a popular campaign term — into their communications materials.

“I think some of you are lying,” joked Gabe Horwitz, who oversees Third Way’s economic initiatives, suggesting the actual number was much larger.

Melissa Morales from Somos Votantes, an organization focused on Latino voter engagement, urged Democrats to eliminate that word from campaign language.

“It barely makes sense in English, and it is a nightmare to translate into Spanish, so can we please call it something else?” she requested.

“They’re not asking us for economic theory, they’re asking us for a set of everyday solutions,” Morales continued. “And if we want to connect with them, that’s how we’re going to have to do it.”

WASHINGTON — Democrats who had been feeling discouraged about their lack of control in the nation’s capital have found reasons for hope in recent months.

The party, which has historically struggled with internal ideological conflicts, has largely come together in opposing President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration approach, especially following the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis. With midterm elections approaching and Democrats needing only a handful of additional seats to regain control of the House, the party has successfully kept the administration playing defense through attacks on Trump’s economic record and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier.

However, recent military action by the United States and Israel targeting Iran threatens to fracture this newfound solidarity. At first, Democratic leaders tried to strike a balance — condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died over the weekend, while simultaneously pushing for Congress to approve war powers legislation that would limit Trump’s military options.

“We need a strong, clear, vocal united opposition party to fight back and put a check on his power,” Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston, Illinois, who is competing in a Democratic congressional primary this month, said in an interview.

Yet cracks are beginning to show as several Democrats, particularly those with strong pro-Israel positions, are expressing doubts about the war powers measure. Ohio Representative Greg Landsman refuses to support an Iran resolution. Representative Josh Gottheimer had already announced his opposition before the strikes occurred.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who supported war powers legislation regarding Venezuela in January, has now split from his party colleagues on the Iran measure and dismissed claims that the attack violated international law, creating tension with party leadership.

“John Fetterman knows better,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday on CNN as he pressed for an Iran vote this week.

The Republican Party is also experiencing internal conflict, with prominent supporters of Trump’s “America First” agenda openly questioning how these strikes align with his long-standing criticism of military involvement overseas.

Trump, who provided little advance warning to Americans about the possibility of such significant military action, announced Monday that the operation might continue for four to five weeks. He has not outlined a clear strategy for ending the conflict and has cautioned that American military deaths could increase, which will severely test public support for the engagement.

The military action could also drive up gasoline prices and create economic instability that may strengthen Democratic claims that the president is disconnected from the financial struggles of ordinary Americans.

Nevertheless, this situation creates difficulties for Democrats, who have been engaged in intense internal discussions about the party’s stance toward Israel following the Gaza conflict. Former President Joe Biden’s strong support for Israel during the heated 2024 campaign season conflicted sharply with younger voters who were angry about the situation facing Palestinians in Gaza. When Kamala Harris became the party’s nominee that year, she had trouble winning over some younger voters who are essential for Democratic victories.

When asked whether he was concerned those divisions could resurface, Paco Fabian, the political director for the progressive advocacy group Our Revolution, said “definitely” and acknowledged that Democrats “aren’t monolithic.” But he also suggested a shift was underway, noting the results of a New Jersey special election last month.

During that race, the super PAC connected to the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs committee tried to defeat the moderate candidate, Tom Malinowski, after he criticized unconditional aid to the Israeli government. Those tactics seemed to backfire when the more progressive candidate, Analilia Mejia, won the primary.

“A lot of folks are waking up to that influence,” Fabian said. “Given what’s going on right now, I don’t think the moment is doing AIPAC and Israel any favors.”

Public opinion regarding Israel appears to be changing. Three years ago, 54% of Americans had greater sympathy for Israelis compared with 31% for Palestinians, according to Gallup polling released last month. Currently, their support is roughly equal, with 41% saying they sympathize more with Palestinians, and only 36% expressing the same sentiment about Israelis.

Initial public reaction to the airstrikes seemed more critical than supportive, early surveys indicated. Approximately 6 in 10 American adults opposed the U.S. decision to launch military operations in Iran, according to a CNN poll conducted through text messaging over the weekend. A separate quick survey from The Washington Post conducted via text message on Sunday found that roughly half of respondents opposed the strikes, while 39% supported them. About 1 in 10 remained undecided.

Democrats and independents accounted for most of the opposition in those early surveys, while Republicans showed much stronger support.

The CNN survey revealed that most Americans believe Trump should be required to obtain congressional authorization for any additional military action in Iran. About 8 in 10 Democrats and roughly 7 in 10 independents agreed with this position, compared to about 3 in 10 Republicans.

The immediate political consequences of the Iranian attacks could become apparent as early as Tuesday during the first primary contests of this year’s midterm election cycle.

In North Carolina, Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam was already entering her campaign to challenge two-term Representative Valerie Foushee with endorsements from Our Revolution and other leading progressive organizations. After accepting support from AIPAC-connected groups during her 2022 race, Foushee’s campaign has refused such contributions this time around. Over the weekend, she stated she does not support “Trump’s illegal war with Iran” and would back the war powers resolution.

Still, Allam, who would become North Carolina’s first Muslim member of Congress if elected, quickly released a video before Tuesday’s election criticizing Trump for “starting another endless war” and vowing to never accept support from “the pro-Israel lobby.”

Before the March 17 primary in Illinois, AIPAC-aligned organizations have also attacked Biss, the Evanston mayor who hopes to become the Democratic nominee to replace retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky. In the interview, Biss discussed the “backlash I’m hearing people have against AIPAC, their MAGA-aligned money and their Trump-aligned policy agenda.”

When asked about such predictions, Patrick Dorton, a spokesman for AIPAC’s affiliated super PAC, said “the key distinction will be between those who recognize that Iran is a murderous regime that tortures women for leaving their hair uncovered, hangs gay people, and executes peaceful democratic protestors, and those who will turn a blind eye to the regime’s atrocities.”

WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court delivered a win to Republicans on Monday by determining that New York’s sole GOP-controlled congressional seat in New York City can maintain its current boundaries through the 2026 election cycle, overturning a lower court decision that found the district undermines minority voting rights.

The high court’s decision blocks a state court order that would have required New York’s redistricting commission to redraw the boundaries of the district represented by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, which encompasses Staten Island and a portion of Brooklyn.

This decision represents a significant win for the GOP in the ongoing nationwide battle over congressional map-drawing that may ultimately decide which party controls the narrowly divided U.S. House. Republicans maintain a slim majority in the chamber.

Both New York’s Republican leadership and the Trump administration had requested the Supreme Court’s involvement in the matter. Congressional candidate filing periods in New York commenced last week.

A lower court judge had determined that the district’s boundaries were configured to weaken the electoral influence of Black and Hispanic communities and directed the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission to create new district lines.

This New York controversy represents one piece of a broader redistricting conflict that began when President Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans to redraw their state’s congressional maps for partisan advantage. Democratic leaders responded with similar redistricting efforts in California, with additional states joining the practice.

The Supreme Court has permitted both the California and Texas redistricting plans to proceed in current elections while legal challenges remain pending.

Following his characteristic non-traditional style, President Trump’s administration delayed making direct, live public statements to Americans for more than two days after initiating military action against Iran.

Trump explained his decision to launch the military operation before a White House ceremony celebrating military heroes on Monday, though he declined to take any reporter questions. Earlier that same day, Pentagon officials Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine conducted a media briefing for journalists.

During the preceding two days, Trump released a pair of pre-recorded videos through Truth Social, his media company’s social platform, and conducted phone conversations with over a dozen news reporters. Several of these telephone interviews resulted in incomplete answers that some observers felt created more confusion than clarity.

This communication approach drew criticism that Trump failed to adequately explain the war’s reasoning and goals, particularly as American forces began experiencing their first combat losses. In comparison, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who partnered with the U.S. in the Iran operation, made two public statements on the conflict’s opening day and spoke with reporters Monday at a missile strike location where nine people died. Israeli military officials have conducted multiple daily press conferences.

“The American people need a commander in chief, and he has been absent in that role,” former Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel stated during a CNN appearance Monday. Emanuel, a Democrat considering a 2028 presidential campaign, criticized Trump’s leadership approach.

New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker posted on social media that “after Trump launched a new war on Iran, he did not rush back to the White House to make an Oval Office address to rally the nation as other presidents have done. He stayed at Mar-a-Lago to attend a glitzy political fundraiser.”

White House communications director Steven Cheung responded to Baker’s criticism: “Imagine being a reporter so consumed with Trump Derangement Syndrome that he wants President Trump to mimic the failed policies of the past. The truth is that President Trump spent the majority of his time monitoring the situation in a secure facility, in constant contact with world leaders, and made multiple addresses to the nation that garnered hundreds of millions of views. He also took dozens of calls with reporters.”

Among those calls was one with Baker’s Times colleague Zolan Kanno-Youngs. Many reporters covering Trump have access to his cell phone number, and the president frequently accepts their calls for impromptu interviews. Following the attack, he spoke with journalists from ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Axios, Politico and an Israeli television network.

The majority of these conversations were short and provided limited insight; Politico’s Dasha Burns reported that Trump answered her call but said he was too occupied to speak. The public couldn’t directly hear Trump’s comments and relied on journalists’ reporting of the conversations.

“I spoke to President Trump today and he told me that the operation in Iran is going to go very fast,” Israeli Channel 14 News reporter Libby Alon wrote about her interview on X. “It’s doing very well, and (will) make the people of Israel very happy, and the people of the world very happy.”

The Times described its six-minute conversation, reporting that Trump “offered several seemingly contradictory visions of how power might be transferred to a new government — or even whether the existing Iranian power structure would run that government or be overthrown.”

During one of his two Trump conversations, ABC News’ Jonathan Karl asked about Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, and the president responded: “I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well I got him first.” CNN’s Jake Tapper went live shortly after his Monday call, reporting Trump told him “the big one is coming soon,” apparently referring to a planned future strike.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded to requests for comment: “President Trump is the most transparent and accessible president in American history. The American people have never had a more direct and authentic relationship with a president of the United States than they have with President Trump.”

Pentagon journalists received short notice about Hegseth’s Sunday evening briefing. While reporters from The Associated Press, Reuters, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and Stars & Stripes gained access to the briefing room, Hegseth didn’t acknowledge them for questions. He instead fielded inquiries from NewsNation and Trump-supporting outlets including the Daily Caller, Daily Wire, One America News and the Christian Broadcasting Network. Most traditional news organizations abandoned their regular Pentagon positions last fall rather than accept Hegseth’s new restrictions on their reporting.

Hegseth criticized the “foolishness” of those seeking advance operational details, such as whether Americans would deploy beyond air support, and stated the operation would persist until achieving its goals. He initially disregarded NBC News’ Courtney Kube when she shouted a question: “President Trump put a four-week time limit on it. Are you saying he’s wrong?”

Hegseth later criticized Kube for posing “the typical NBC sort of gotcha-type question. President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it might take — four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, it could move up, it could move back. We’re going to execute at his command the objectives he set out to achieve.”

Differing from previous administrations’ Pentagon briefings, reporters received designated seating assignments, with Trump-supporting outlets placed in front rows. Jennifer Griffin, Hegseth’s former Fox News Channel colleague who departed the Pentagon with other reporters after rejecting his new regulations, sat by herself in the back row.

NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana military officials announced Monday they will keep 120 National Guard troops stationed in New Orleans until August, extending their mission by six months.

The soldiers are part of a larger group of 350 Guard members who arrived in the city in late December to provide security for New Year’s celebrations and major events including the Sugar Bowl. Originally concentrated in the famous French Quarter area, these troops were initially set to return home following the conclusion of Mardi Gras festivities.

New Orleans joins other Democratic-led cities including Washington and Memphis, Tennessee, where federal authorities have positioned armed military personnel under President Donald Trump’s administration. Separately, hundreds of federal agents also arrived in Louisiana last December as part of an immigration enforcement operation in the New Orleans area.

Trump highlighted the New Orleans military presence as a “big success” during his recent State of the Union speech. Last month, the president claimed the troops helped reduce violent crime in the city within their first week of arrival. However, New Orleans police statistics indicate violent crime has dropped substantially over the past three years, following broader national patterns.

A Louisiana National Guard statement explained that the remaining troops will maintain a “visible presence to deter criminal activity in New Orleans.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, a Democrat who initially resisted the deployment, now says the military personnel will help the city in upcoming weeks. She noted that National Guard soldiers provided valuable assistance during last year’s Mardi Gras celebration following the tragic New Year’s Day vehicle attack in the French Quarter that claimed 14 lives.

“I continue to support the partnership with the LA National Guard to assist in our major events and there are several coming up in the next few weeks,” Moreno stated.

Though Moreno didn’t specify which events she meant, New Orleans typically sees large crowds during spring celebrations like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry, a strong Trump supporter, first requested National Guard assistance last September, pointing to concerns about violent crime despite data showing decreases.

“This continued deployment will help us combat violence in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana,” Landry posted on X Monday, mentioning that Louisiana also sent Guard troops to Washington, D.C., previously.

Kate Kelly, speaking for Governor Landry, confirmed federal funding will cover the extended deployment costs. She didn’t answer questions about potential Guard operations beyond New Orleans.

Major General Thomas Friloux, who leads the Louisiana National Guard, said the troops have successfully collaborated with various city, state and federal agencies to enhance public safety during major events, including the busy Mardi Gras period and carnival season.

“We remain committed to those partnerships as we continue supporting efforts to keep the City of New Orleans safe for residents and visitors,” Friloux stated.

Montana Republican Ryan Zinke, who previously held the position of Interior Secretary under Donald Trump, announced Monday he will step away from Congress after his current term, pointing to medical issues as the reason for his decision.

The announcement creates a potential opening for Democratic candidates in Montana, a state that has shifted significantly toward conservative politics in recent election cycles.

Zinke, who served as a Navy SEAL before entering politics, explained in a message to voters that he has endured several surgical procedures in recent years due to injuries from his military service, with additional medical treatments still ahead. While emphasizing that his health condition poses no threat to his life, he acknowledged that recovery would demand substantial time away from his duties.

“My judgement and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absences and missed votes,” he wrote.

Zinke’s political journey began in Montana’s state legislature, where he served four years before winning his first congressional seat in 2014. Trump selected him to lead the Interior Department in 2017, though Zinke stepped down from that role in 2018 as multiple ethics probes emerged. He successfully returned to electoral politics in 2022, claiming victory by a narrow margin in Montana’s newly established western congressional district, then securing reelection in 2024 with a more decisive win.

A congressional committee made public on Monday video recordings showing former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton being questioned under oath about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier who was convicted of sex crimes.

The depositions, recorded over multiple days last week and lasting several hours, revealed how both former officials sought to create distance between themselves and Epstein. The former president testified that he had severed ties with Epstein well before the financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges involving solicitation of prostitution from a minor.

According to Bill Clinton’s testimony, his initial encounter with Epstein occurred in 2002 when he traveled on Epstein’s aircraft for charitable endeavors involving the Clinton family, and their association concluded the following year.

“There’s nothing that I saw when I was around him that made me realize he was trafficking women,” Bill Clinton told the committee.

While records show Epstein made multiple visits to the White House during Clinton’s time in office and photographs exist of the two men meeting, the former president testified he could not remember those encounters.

Hillary Clinton testified that she had no recollection of ever encountering Epstein personally.

Despite their denials, both faced extensive questioning from legislators who are seeking to hold accountable anyone who may have known about or overlooked Epstein’s exploitation of minors.

WASHINGTON — White House officials explained Monday that a prominent red mark visible on President Trump’s neck comes from a preventative skin treatment he’s currently using, though they declined to provide additional specifics about the medical condition being addressed.

The discolored area became a topic of widespread discussion after news photographers took detailed shots of the president’s neck area during Monday’s Medal of Honor presentation ceremony held in the White House East Room.

White House physician Sean Barbabella issued a statement saying, “President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor. The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.”

Officials have not answered additional inquiries about the specific medication being used, the start date of the treatment, or the particular condition being prevented. However, detailed photographs from previous events, including a White House gathering on February 23 — one day prior to the State of the Union speech — show similar discoloration in the same neck area.

Medical records from Trump’s April 2025 health examination indicated he was using mometasone cream on an as-needed basis for a skin issue that was not further detailed.

At 79 years old, Trump holds the distinction of being the oldest individual to assume the presidency when he took office this past January. Due to his age, medical professionals and the public maintain heightened attention on his health status.

In December, Barbabella reported that Trump underwent MRI scans of his heart and abdominal area in October as standard preventative care for men in his age group, with all results coming back as “perfectly normal.” The October examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center concluded that Trump maintains “exceptional health” overall, the physician stated.

WASHINGTON – America’s emergency oil stockpile has served as a crucial tool for presidents seeking to manage fuel costs during times of international conflict, though the current administration has no immediate plans to tap into these reserves.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which represents the world’s largest emergency oil supply, currently contains 415.4 million barrels stored in underground salt dome facilities along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines. Officials indicate the Trump administration is not presently considering releasing oil from the SPR, according to a government source speaking Monday.

However, energy analysts suggest that continued price increases following recent U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, could prompt the administration to reconsider this position.

The reserve’s storage capacity reaches approximately 714 million barrels, primarily consisting of high-sulfur sour crude that American refineries are equipped to process.

Historical wartime deployments of the reserve include several significant releases:

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, former President Joe Biden authorized the largest-ever emergency release of 180 million barrels over a six-month period beginning in March. While both Biden and Trump have initiated modest replenishment efforts, congressional funding remains necessary for substantial restocking.

When Iranian-backed Houthis targeted Saudi Arabian oil facilities in 2019, disrupting over half of the kingdom’s crude production, then-President Trump indicated readiness to utilize the reserve if necessary. The release ultimately proved unnecessary as Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq facility and Khurais field quickly restored operations.

Former President Barack Obama coordinated with international partners in June 2011 to release 30 million barrels during Libya’s civil war, with the International Energy Agency facilitating an additional 30 million barrel release from member nations to address global market disruptions.

The reserve’s first major wartime deployment occurred during Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, when former President George H.W. Bush authorized sales totaling approximately 21 million barrels in two separate phases. An initial 3.9 million barrel test sale took place in October 1990, followed by a January 1991 authorization for 34 million barrels, of which 17.3 million were ultimately sold as coalition forces launched airstrikes against Iraqi military targets.

Federal agencies are cutting all ties with artificial intelligence company Anthropic following a direct directive from President Trump to cease using the startup’s technology products.

On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced via social media that his department would completely discontinue using all Anthropic services, including the company’s Claude AI platform. This action follows Trump’s Friday mandate ordering government entities to sever relationships with the AI firm.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is also eliminating its use of Anthropic technology, according to Director William Pulte, who posted the announcement on X. Pulte indicated that mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would likewise stop using the company’s products.

The Pentagon has indicated it will classify Anthropic as a supply chain security concern, delivering a significant setback to the artificial intelligence company following disagreements over technology safety protocols.

Trump has established a six-month transition period for the Defense Department and other federal agencies currently utilizing Anthropic’s services to phase out their operations.

This government action represents an unusual rejection of a major American AI company that has helped maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence technology critical to national security. The move could isolate Anthropic in a way typically reserved for foreign competitors.

Meanwhile, competing AI firm OpenAI revealed late Friday that it secured its own agreement to provide technology services to the Defense Department’s secure networks.

PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine Democratic candidate seeking to challenge a longtime Republican senator has secured another notable endorsement, demonstrating continued momentum despite ongoing campaign challenges.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego announced his support Monday for Graham Platner, a first-time candidate who works as an oyster farmer and served as a combat veteran. Gallego praised Platner as embodying “the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” Gallego stated. The Arizona Democrat secured his Senate position in 2024 with a victory margin exceeding 2 points, even as Trump won Arizona by nearly 6 points.

Platner’s endorsement list already includes Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who serves as an independent but works with Democrats, along with New Mexico’s Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has chosen to support Platner’s primary rival, Maine Governor Janet Mills.

The 41-year-old Platner and 78-year-old Mills are both targeting Republican Senator Susan Collins, age 73, who serves her fifth term and recently declared her intention to seek reelection. Securing a Maine victory represents a critical component of Democratic strategy to regain Senate control, with the party requiring four additional seats to achieve majority status. Democrats have identified Maine, North Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio as key battleground states.

Platner has built support through his outsider appeal and focus on economic fairness messaging. His campaign has weathered storms including scrutiny over past social media content and a tattoo that appeared similar to Nazi imagery, which he has since had modified.

Gallego, considered among potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028, previously campaigned in New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida last fall, supporting Democrats who ultimately won their races.

“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner commented in response to the endorsement.

AUSTIN, Texas — The 2026 midterm election season officially begins Tuesday as Texas voters participate in highly competitive Senate primaries that could reshape the political landscape heading into November’s general election.

With Republicans maintaining a 53-47 Senate advantage, Democrats acknowledge their challenging path to regaining control of the chamber in 2026. However, party leaders believe strong primary outcomes in Texas could potentially make the traditionally red state more competitive during a midterm cycle that historically favors the opposition party over the sitting president’s party.

Tuesday’s primary elections extend beyond Texas, with Arkansas and North Carolina also selecting their nominees. Texas voters will decide contests for every statewide position, including governor and state legislative seats.

On the Republican side, Senator John Cornyn encounters his most formidable primary challenge after sailing through his previous four Senate campaigns without serious opposition. This cycle, he confronts a field of eight candidates led by state Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt. Historical data shows only two Texas incumbent senators have suffered primary defeats over the past century.

The Democratic primary features a competitive battle between U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and state Representative James Talarico, with Ahmad Hassan, who has previously sought office in both Texas and Minnesota, also in the running.

Governor Greg Abbott seeks his fourth consecutive term while facing ten Republican primary opponents. The Democratic gubernatorial field includes former U.S. Representative Chris Bell, state Representative Gina Hinojosa, and six additional active contenders.

Congressional races take on added significance as candidates compete within newly drawn district boundaries. State Republicans redesigned these maps following encouragement from President Donald Trump as part of their strategy to retain House control.

The redistricting’s effects are already apparent among Democratic incumbents. Representatives Christian Menefee and Al Green must compete against each other and two additional candidates in the reconfigured 18th Congressional District. Meanwhile, in the newly formed 33rd Congressional District, Democratic Representative Julie Johnson faces former Representative Colin Allred and two other primary challengers.

Several Republican incumbents face potentially difficult primary battles. Representatives Dan Crenshaw and Tony Gonzales encounter strong challenges in the 2nd and 23rd congressional districts respectively. Gonzales has weathered calls for his resignation from Republican colleagues following allegations regarding a relationship with a former staff member who died by suicide.

Texas election law requires primary winners to secure majority support to avoid a May 26 runoff election.

Democratic candidates traditionally face steep odds in Texas general elections. The party hasn’t captured any statewide office since 1994, spanning positions from governor to railroad commissioner. No Texas Democrat has won a Senate seat since 1988, with Lyndon Johnson being the last Democrat to hold Cornyn’s current position.

Harris County, encompassing Houston and representing the state’s largest population center, significantly influences both party primaries. Dallas and Travis counties maintain importance in Republican contests while contributing larger vote shares in Democratic races. Tarrant County, home to Fort Worth, typically carries greater weight in Republican primaries.

For the Republican Senate primary, counties showing strongest Trump support could prove decisive, given the campaign’s focus on questioning Cornyn’s conservative credentials during the Trump presidency. While many counties where Trump received 80% or more support in 2024 are rural with smaller populations, they collectively represented approximately one-fifth of previous state GOP primary votes. Historical data shows both Cornyn and Paxton won overwhelming majorities in these Trump strongholds during their last primaries, though Cornyn’s performance lagged behind his statewide numbers while Paxton exceeded his.

Democratic primary observers should monitor counties with substantial Hispanic populations along the border, particularly El Paso and Hidalgo counties, plus areas with significant African American populations in East Texas, part of the broader Southern region known as the Black Belt.

The Associated Press maintains its policy of declaring winners only when no mathematical possibility exists for trailing candidates to overcome deficits. Until races are officially called, the AP continues covering significant developments while clearly stating that winners haven’t been determined.

Texas law mandates automatic recounts solely for tied elections. Losing candidates may request and fund recounts when margins fall below 10% of the leading candidate’s total. The AP may call races subject to potential recounts if leads appear too substantial for recounts or legal challenges to alter outcomes.

Polls close at 7 p.m. local time statewide, though Texas spans two time zones. Most polling locations close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with westernmost areas closing at 9 p.m. Eastern. While significant results from most regions will be available between 8-9 p.m. Eastern, the AP won’t call statewide races until all polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Coverage will include vote tallies and winner declarations for contested primaries across U.S. Senate, House, gubernatorial, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, railroad commissioner, state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, state Board of Education, and both legislative chambers.

Any eligible voter may participate in either party’s primary. Texas doesn’t require party registration, but primary participation establishes party affiliation for May runoff eligibility purposes.

Texas had approximately 18.5 million registered voters as of the November 2025 general election.

The 2022 primaries saw nearly 2 million Republican gubernatorial primary participants and roughly 1.1 million Democratic voters. Early voting accounted for about 53% of Republican primary ballots and 58% of Democratic primary votes.

This year’s early voting totals reached nearly 1,177,000 Democratic primary ballots and more than 1,009,000 Republican primary ballots by Thursday.

During 2024 Senate primaries, the AP began reporting results at 8:09 p.m. Eastern, nine minutes after most polls closed. Final updates occurred at 4:41 a.m. Eastern for the Democratic primary with 96% of votes counted, and 5:46 a.m. Eastern for the Republican primary with 98% tallied.

Counties historically release complete or nearly complete early and absentee voting results in initial updates before reporting Election Day totals.

Tuesday marks 84 days until potential runoff elections and 245 days until the 2026 midterm elections.

WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s primary elections in North Carolina will determine the candidates for a pivotal U.S. Senate contest that could influence which party controls the evenly split chamber come November. Voters will also choose nominees for various U.S. House seats, state legislative positions, and Court of Appeals races.

Following Republican Senator Thom Tillis’s retirement announcement last June, North Carolina has emerged as one of the few states where Democrats see a realistic chance to capture a GOP-held Senate seat in what’s otherwise a challenging electoral landscape. With Republicans currently maintaining a 53-47 Senate advantage, Democrats require a net gain of four seats to reclaim control.

Twelve contenders — split evenly between both parties — are seeking to replace Tillis. Tuesday’s primary victors will advance to the November general election showdown.

Leading the Republican field is Michael Whatley, who previously served as Republican National Committee chair and has secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The GOP race also includes author and lawyer Don Brown, along with conservative activist Michele Morrow, both of whom pursued different offices in 2024. Brown previously sought the Republican nomination in the 8th Congressional District, while Morrow mounted a strong campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Though Margot Dupre’s name remains on the ballot, election officials have disqualified her candidacy.

On the Democratic side, former two-term Governor Roy Cooper faces five challengers. Both Whatley and Cooper have significantly outpaced their primary opponents in fundraising efforts.

House races will take place using newly drawn district maps — state lawmakers redrew boundaries in 2025 as part of Trump’s initiative to increase Republican House representation through mid-decade redistricting. The reconfigured 1st Congressional District, now designed to favor Republicans, features five GOP candidates vying to unseat Democratic Representative Don Davis. Laurie Buckhout, who came close to defeating Davis in 2024, is making another attempt and will compete against Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck, state Senator Bobby Hanig, Lenoir County Commissioner Eric Rouse, and attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell.

The heavily Democratic 4th Congressional District, encompassing the Raleigh-Durham region, will see Democratic Representative Valerie Foushee in a primary rematch against Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam. Allam finished second to Foushee in a crowded 2022 Democratic field that featured former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed Allam’s candidacy.

Wake and Mecklenburg counties, containing Raleigh and Charlotte respectively, represent the state’s most populous areas and typically generate the highest voter turnout in both party primaries. Guilford County, the third-largest with roughly half the population of Wake or Mecklenburg, also holds significant influence, though Durham County usually takes precedence in Democratic contests while Forsyth County carries more weight in Republican races.

Trump’s backing should benefit Whatley considerably in a state where the then-former president won every county during his 2024 primary battle against former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Cooper demonstrated similar dominance, winning every county in his 2020 primary reelection campaign and losing only five small counties in his 2016 primary race.

In the 4th District contest, Allam previously captured her home base of Durham — the district’s largest county — during the 2022 primary against Foushee, while Foushee secured Orange County and achieved commanding victories in four smaller counties. The redrawn 4th District retains Durham and Orange but now includes portions of Wake and Chatham counties while losing the four smaller areas where Foushee performed strongest. Should Allam and Foushee divide Durham and Orange by comparable margins to 2022, Wake County’s results could prove decisive.

The Associated Press maintains strict standards for declaring winners, only doing so when no mathematical possibility exists for trailing candidates to overcome their deficits. Until a race is officially called, the AP continues monitoring significant developments while clearly stating no winner has been determined.

North Carolina’s primary system allows second-place finishers to demand runoff elections when the leading candidate receives less than 30% of total votes.

The state doesn’t conduct automatic recounts, though candidates may request them when margins fall below 0.5% of total votes or 10,000 votes in statewide races, or 1% in other contests. The AP may still declare winners in recount-eligible races if the lead appears too substantial for legal challenges to alter outcomes.

Polling locations close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The AP will deliver vote tallies and winner declarations for contested primaries covering U.S. Senate, House, state Senate and House, plus state Court of Appeals positions.

Only registered party members can participate in their respective primaries, meaning Democrats cannot vote in Republican contests and vice versa. Unaffiliated voters may choose either party’s primary.

Current registration figures from February 21 show approximately 7.7 million eligible North Carolina voters. Republicans hold a slight edge over Democrats, with each party claiming roughly 2.3 million registered members. More than 3 million voters remain unaffiliated with any party.

The 2022 Senate primaries drew nearly 765,000 Republican votes and about 619,000 Democratic ballots. Early voting accounted for approximately 37% of Republican primary turnout and 46% of Democratic participation.

This year’s early voting numbers show more than 416,000 Democratic ballots and nearly 295,000 Republican ballots cast through Saturday.

During the 2022 Senate primaries, initial AP results appeared around 7:50 p.m. Eastern, roughly 20 minutes after polls closed. Final updates came at 12:25 a.m. Eastern with over 99% of votes tallied.

Most North Carolina counties release complete or near-complete mail and early voting results in their first updates before reporting any Election Day totals.

Following Tuesday’s primaries, 245 days will remain until the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal proceedings against Aid Access, alleging the organization unlawfully delivers abortion medications to residents within Texas borders, defying the state’s anti-abortion statutes.

In the legal filing, Paxton claims that “Aid Access’s illegal acts in Texas are not theoretical — they have already caused the deaths of unborn children across the state. Aid Access is a notorious part of a growing network of out-of-state abortion traffickers that deliberately target Texas residents.”

The lawsuit represents the latest effort by Texas officials to enforce restrictive abortion laws by targeting organizations that provide abortion services from outside the state’s jurisdiction.

A Republican legislator in Idaho has put forward legislation requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court take another look at its landmark 2015 ruling that made same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States.

State Representative Tony Wisnewski is behind the proposed measure, which would formally petition the nation’s highest court to revisit the decision. According to Wisnewski, “The government has to recognize that the family is the fundamental building block of society.” The lawmaker contends that same-sex marriage weakens this foundational institution.

This isn’t the first time Idaho legislators have pursued this approach. A comparable proposal successfully moved through the Idaho House of Representatives during the previous legislative session, though it ultimately stalled and failed to gain approval in the state Senate.

A prominent Christian legal organization is calling on the Trump administration to address concerns about federally funded medical education programs that allegedly compel students to take part in abortion procedures.

Alliance Defending Freedom has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services regarding roughly 50 medical training programs that receive government funding while potentially mandating student involvement in abortions. The legal group contends that such requirements are inappropriate for taxpayer-supported programs.

“No family medicine residency can tell applicants or employees that any aspect of abortion is a necessary part of the program,” the organization stated in their correspondence to federal officials.

The request aligns with President Trump’s campaign commitment to eliminate all government funding for abortion-related activities. The incoming administration has pledged to implement comprehensive restrictions on taxpayer support for such procedures.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas residents will head to polling stations Tuesday to select their party’s nominees across a wide range of federal, state and local races during primary election day.

The victorious candidates will advance to compete in the November midterm contests within a state where Democratic statewide victories have been absent since 2010. Beyond state-level positions, the Republican Party currently controls all four of the state’s U.S. House seats and maintains commanding majorities in both legislative chambers.

Senator Tom Cotton, seeking his third term as Arkansas’ Republican U.S. Senator, will compete against two challengers in his party’s primary. On the Democratic side, the nomination contest features Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar against farmer and small business owner Hallie Shoffner.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Republican incumbent pursuing a second term in 2026, encounters no opposition in her primary race. Similarly, the state’s Republican lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor and treasurer all run without primary challengers as they seek reelection.

The Democratic gubernatorial nomination pits State Sen. Fred Love against magazine publisher Supha Xayprasith-Mays in their effort to challenge Sanders this November. Xayprasith-Mays previously sought the nomination in 2022 but finished fourth in that Democratic primary.

Additional competitive primary battles will determine nominees for secretary of state, commissioner of state lands, two U.S. House districts, and over two dozen state legislative seats in both chambers.

Hotly contested statewide primary races have become uncommon in Arkansas during recent election cycles. Cotton faced no primary opposition in both 2014 and 2020, while Sanders and Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman secured their 2022 primary victories with 83% and 66% of votes, respectively.

Pulaski County, which encompasses Little Rock, represents the state’s largest population center. As Arkansas’ most Democratic-leaning region — where Vice President Kamala Harris achieved her strongest state performance during the 2024 presidential election — Pulaski and similar Democratic-friendly counties typically exert greater influence in Democratic primaries compared to Republican contests.

During the 2016 GOP presidential primary, then-U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida captured over one-third of Pulaski County votes, sufficient to win the county against multiple opponents. However, despite strong showings in Pulaski and Benton County in northwest Arkansas, Rubio finished third statewide behind Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. While Pulaski represented Trump’s weakest county performance in 2016, he swept all Arkansas counties eight years later during his 2024 primary campaign against former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Arkansas election law mandates that candidates receiving less than 50% of primary votes must compete in a March 31 runoff against the second-place finisher.

The Associated Press maintains its policy of avoiding projections and only declaring winners when no mathematical possibility exists for trailing candidates to overcome their deficits. Should races remain undecided, the AP continues reporting significant developments, including candidate concessions or victory claims, while clearly noting that no winner has been declared.

While Arkansas lacks automatic recount provisions, candidates may request and fund recounts, with costs reimbursed if results change. The AP may announce winners in recount-eligible races when determining that leads exceed margins that recounts or legal challenges could overturn.

Polling locations close at 7:30 p.m. local time, corresponding to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Associated Press will deliver vote tallies and winner declarations for contested primaries including governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House Districts 2 and 4, secretary of state, commissioner of state lands, state legislative races, plus a nonpartisan state Supreme Court position and special elections for state Senate District 26 and state House District 70.

Arkansas permits but doesn’t mandate party registration for voters. State law allows parties to establish specific eligibility criteria for primary participation. For 2026, Democratic Party rules permit registered Republicans to vote in Democratic primaries, while Republicans implemented a rule last June preventing registered Democrats from participating in Republican primaries.

Following the November 2024 general election, Arkansas maintained approximately 1.8 million registered voters.

The 2022 Republican primary drew roughly 348,000 participants, while about 94,000 voted in the Democratic primary. Early voting accounted for approximately 49% of Republican primary ballots and 52% of Democratic primary votes before primary day.

This year’s early voting totals show more than 61,000 Democratic primary ballots and approximately 125,500 Republican primary ballots cast through Saturday.

During the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary, the AP began reporting results at 8:45 p.m. ET, just 15 minutes following poll closure. The final vote update occurred at 3:11 a.m. ET with roughly 98% of total ballots counted.

Historical patterns show counties typically release complete or near-complete early and absentee voting results in initial updates before reporting Election Day in-person voting totals.

Tuesday’s primaries occur 245 days before the 2026 midterm elections.

WASHINGTON — Federal lawmakers are preparing to hold war powers discussions regarding President Trump’s military actions against Iran under unprecedented conditions — the conflict has already begun, and the nation finds itself essentially engaged in warfare.

Military strikes are occurring, casualties are mounting, and threats of retaliation continue to escalate, while countless taxpayer funds support a military operation expected to last weeks without clearly defined objectives or endpoints. This situation differs markedly from the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq conflict, which featured extensive congressional deliberations following the September 11, 2001 attacks, or recent limited U.S. strikes on Venezuela. The combined American-Israeli military operation against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, is actively progressing with no apparent conclusion in view.

At least three American military service members have lost their lives, with Trump cautioning Sunday that “there will likely be more.”

This represents a crucial moment for Congress, which holds exclusive constitutional authority to declare war, and for the Republican commander-in-chief, who has repeatedly expanded executive power during his second term with seemingly unlimited views of presidential authority.

“The Constitution is intended to prevent the accumulation of power in any one branch of government — and in any one person in government,” stated David Janovsky, acting director of The Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog organization.

“Congress is the people’s representatives in a way that the president isn’t, even though we tend to focus on the president,” he explained. “We need the people’s representatives to weigh in on whether we, the people, are going to war right now.”

Within the United States, Congress must explicitly authorize military operations through either a war declaration or an authorization for the use of military force to sanction such actions. However, this process occurs infrequently.

Congress has actually declared war only five times throughout American history, last doing so in 1941 to join World War II following the Pearl Harbor assault. Lawmakers approved an AUMF for the 1990 Gulf conflict and again in 2001 and 2002 to initiate post-9/11 military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, Congress also established the war powers resolution during the Vietnam conflict era as a final option — designed to restrain presidents who had initiated military operations without legislative consent.

Both chambers have prepared war powers resolutions for voting this week.

Senator Mark Warner, the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, declared that Trump, as commander-in-chief, “does not have the right to do this on his own.”

“When the president commits American forces to a war of choice, he needs to come before Congress and the American people and ask for a declaration of war,” Warner stated on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

While legislators have condemned the Iranian government and its nuclear programs, Democrats argue Trump has failed to provide justification for the conflict or describe future strategy, and Trump’s MAGA supporters are dividing over what they view as the president’s inability to honor his “America First” pledge by drawing the U.S. into foreign warfare. Many representatives fear prolonged involvement as the operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of regional casualties.

Administration officials are scheduled to update congressional leadership and members this week, though these question-and-answer sessions will occur privately, away from public scrutiny.

Historically, presidents from both parties have gathered extensive power to conduct often limited American military actions to achieve strategic national security objectives without legislative approval. Democratic President Barack Obama’s Libyan operations and Republican George H.W. Bush’s Panama interventions proceeded without congressional endorsement.

Yet limiting presidential war powers remains something lawmakers have seldom managed to achieve. Even if Congress successfully passes a war powers resolution to restrict Trump’s Iran actions, neither chamber would likely gather the two-thirds majority required to override a presidential veto.

Trump has dismissed Congress’s ability to control his actions in warfare and other areas. He provided only brief Iran commentary during last week’s State of the Union speech, treating legislative support as secondary.

John Yoo, a University of California, Berkeley law professor, explained that the Founding Fathers created a constitutional framework where the president and Congress would compete over these matters — with Congress wielding one especially strong weapon through federal budget control.

“Congress, they know how to stop this if they want to,” said Yoo, who assisted in creating the Bush administration’s 2001 and 2002 force authorizations. The Vietnam conflict concluded once Congress eliminated funding, he noted.

But Congress remains under Republican control that generally supports Trump’s approach of directing military force against Iran, and recently authorized significant new Pentagon funding, approximately $175 billion, through the major tax reduction legislation he enacted last year.

With the Republican president’s party controlling both the House and Senate, their reluctance to oppose him comes as no surprise, Yoo observed: “They agree with him.”

Before the debates, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, said Trump has already outlined his Iran strategy.

Cotton explained Sunday that Trump has clarified the U.S. won’t deploy ground troops within Iran. Instead, Americans should anticipate an “extended air and naval campaign” throughout the region, which might lead to downed pilots, though he said military personnel would be retrieved.

He anticipates a campaign lasting several weeks as Iran selects new leadership and decides its response to American attacks.

“There’s no simple answer for what’s going to come next,” Cotton remarked on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump moved forward with military action against Iran even after top advisors privately warned that the escalating situation could prove difficult to control and potentially damage Republican prospects in this November’s midterm elections, two senior White House officials and a Republican familiar with the administration told reporters.

The extensive military operation has received widespread support from foreign policy hawks throughout Washington, many of whom have long advocated for removing Tehran’s authoritarian government. However, several White House staffers are concerned this foreign policy risk could hurt Republican efforts to maintain congressional control, particularly when voters focused on war concerns are more worried about living expenses than overseas conflicts.

Prior to launching the strikes, Trump continuously requested briefings about how the military operations might help him appear strong to domestic audiences, the senior White House officials revealed. Key advisors warned that U.S. intelligence could not clearly guarantee that further escalation would be prevented once military action commenced, and cautioned the administration might be linking its political future to an uncertain outcome.

Trump eventually agreed with advisors who argued that bold action would demonstrate strong leadership, despite potential long-term consequences, according to the officials.

These officials don’t anticipate immediate political consequences. Rather, they predict what one called a “slow-burn effect,” influenced by how long the conflict lasts, the extent of retaliation, American casualty numbers, and effects on fuel prices.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted Sunday revealed that just 25% of Americans supported the U.S. strikes that resulted in Iran’s leader’s death. Approximately half of those surveyed — including 25% of Republicans — indicated they think Trump shows excessive willingness to employ military force. The polling concluded before the U.S. military reported the operation’s first American casualties.

“The President’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury is one that presidents of both parties have contemplated for more than fifty years, but none had the courage to execute,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “Right now, the White House’s main priority is working alongside the Pentagon and the interagencies to ensure the continued and ultimate success of the operation.”

ECONOMIC FOCUS STRATEGY ABANDONED AGAIN

Considering public opinion before the midterms, White House staff and Trump advisors had been encouraging the president to concentrate on issues Americans prioritize most, such as healthcare and affordability, similar to his approach during the State of the Union address delivered four days prior to the attack.

The weekend military strikes highlighted how rapidly that approach has collapsed, at least temporarily. During Sunday interviews, the president indicated the Iran operations would likely require four to five weeks, and he continued preparing the nation for additional American deaths following the military’s announcement that three service members had died.

“The juxtaposition between a successful State of the Union address that focused on affordability and the economic issues that voters care about and going to war in the Middle East days later is not just whiplash-inducing, it’s head-spinning,” said Rob Godfrey, a Republican strategist.

“Making midterm voters comfortable with that juxtaposition will be one of the most important things that the White House needs to undertake in the next few weeks.”

One unofficial Trump advisor, who recently visited the White House, contended that the primary electoral threat comes not from moderate or independent voters, but from Trump’s MAGA base, for whom avoiding foreign intervention was a central element of the president’s 2024 campaign message.

Many of these supporters might simply skip voting during the midterms, when participation rates are typically already lower, the advisor explained.

With 58% of Americans expressing disapproval of Trump’s job performance according to February Reuters/Ipsos polling, Republicans need strong turnout from core supporters to prevent Democratic victories that could shift control of the U.S. House of Representatives and potentially threaten the Republican Senate majority.

COMPETITIVE HOUSE DISTRICTS FACE GREATER RISK

White House staff are analyzing how an extended military involvement in Iran, along with casualties and increased fuel prices, might weaken public support in competitive congressional districts, the White House officials reported.

The White House considers competitive House races, where Republicans maintain a slim majority, far more vulnerable to Iran-related consequences than Senate contests, sources indicated.

White House political analysis identifies numerous swing districts where even minor voter doubt could prove critical, or at minimum force vulnerable Republican representatives — including Colorado’s Gabe Evans, Wisconsin’s Derrick Van Orden, and Pennsylvania’s Rob Bresnahan — to vote on difficult war-powers measures and address questions about expanding international conflict when they prefer focusing on domestic concerns like living costs.

A senior Republican operative working to preserve the party’s congressional majorities stated that foreign intervention presents more political danger than benefit for Trump. Foreign policy successes often don’t resonate with voters, though foreign policy disasters typically do.

“Unless this operation goes bad, voters, especially for the midterms, don’t care about foreign policy,” the operative explained.

Trump’s successful capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during a raid last month generated minimal political backlash and caused no American deaths. Nevertheless, since that early January operation, Trump’s approval rating declined from 42% to 39%, according to recent Reuters/Ipsos polling.

Political analysts suggested that a brief conflict resulting in Iran abandoning its nuclear program and establishing new leadership would receive more positive reception than an extended war with many American casualties.

Conversations with Trump supporters reveal that — despite a significant minority expressing concern about his increasing tendency toward foreign intervention — many remain willing to support his shift from self-described “peacemaker” to aggressive military strategist.

“This totally blindsided me, I didn’t even know this was even being thought about,” said BJ Moore, an 83-year-old Trump voter from Atlanta, Georgia, regarding the Iran operation. “No one wants to be involved in a war, but Iran just killed thousands of their own people, so I’m fine with what Trump did.”

WASHINGTON – The road to Senate control runs through eight key battleground states this November, where Republicans currently enjoy a comfortable 53-47 advantage in the upper chamber. Political experts say Democrats face a steep climb to regain the majority, needing to flip four additional seats while protecting their own vulnerable incumbents.

Out of 100 total Senate positions, 35 will appear on ballots this election cycle, but only a handful are expected to be truly competitive.

TEXAS

The Lone Star State’s traditionally red Senate seat could be in jeopardy following a chaotic Republican primary battle. Current Senator John Cornyn, representing the party’s establishment wing, finds himself behind populist Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in recent polling. With Representative Wesley Hunt also in the mix, Tuesday’s primary may head to a May 26 runoff if no candidate secures a clear majority.

Despite facing multiple personal and professional controversies, Paxton maintains strong support among conservative grassroots activists due to his aggressive stance against Texas immigration organizations and alleged voter fraud. His three statewide electoral victories, including his 2022 reelection, demonstrate his political durability, though strategists believe his nomination could create an opening for Democratic challengers.

The Democratic contest features a compelling showdown between Representative Jasmine Crockett, known for her combative political style, and state Representative James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian targeting centrist voters. Political observers suggest Crockett may resonate better with primary voters but could struggle in a general election matchup.

NORTH CAROLINA

An open Senate seat in the Tar Heel State presents Democrats with their best pickup opportunity after Republican Senator Thom Tillis announced his retirement following disagreements with Trump on immigration policy, Federal Reserve matters, and fiscal issues.

Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, known for his moderate approach, appears positioned to win Tuesday’s primary, while Republicans have rallied around Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman who has secured Trump’s backing.

Campaign strategists consider this contest among the year’s most competitive races.

ALASKA

The Last Frontier typically favors Republican candidates, but this year’s Senate race could prove surprisingly competitive as former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola challenges incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

Sullivan has represented Alaska since 2015 and enters the race as the favorite in a state Trump carried by 14 percentage points in 2024.

Despite Sullivan’s mainstream conservative credentials, Alaska voters have historically supported moderate candidates like Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Peltola brings proven statewide appeal as a moderate voice who made history as the first Alaska Native elected to Congress in 2022, though she narrowly lost reelection in 2024.

MAINE

Five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins faces another potentially tight reelection battle. As Senate Appropriations Committee chair, she controls government spending decisions, a role that has created tension with the Trump administration this year.

Collins, a well-known party moderate, represents Republicans’ strongest hope of retaining the seat. Her Democratic challenger will emerge from a June 9 primary featuring current Governor Janet Mills against progressive candidate Graham Platner.

At 77, Mills would become the oldest first-term senator in history if elected, surpassing Collins’ age of 72. Mills gained Democratic support for her defense of transgender rights against Trump administration policies. Platner, a Marine veteran and oysterman, campaigns on populist themes but has faced scrutiny over controversial past social media posts and a tattoo resembling Nazi imagery, highlighting his political inexperience.

GEORGIA

Among the four competitive seats Democrats must defend, two are located in states with Republican governors, illustrating the party’s electoral challenges. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff seeks reelection after winning the seat in a January 2021 runoff.

At 38, Ossoff holds the distinction of being the Senate’s youngest member. He has concentrated on Georgia-specific priorities, including opposing proposed budget cuts to Atlanta’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trump has withheld his endorsement ahead of the May 19 Republican primary, leaving the three-way race wide open between Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, plus Derek Dooley, an attorney and former college football coach backed by the Republican governor.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Democrats face defending an open seat following three-term Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s retirement announcement. The race features well-known figures familiar to New Hampshire’s politically engaged electorate.

Both Republican contenders in the September 8 primary bring Senate experience. John E. Sununu served one term before losing in 2008, while Scott Brown represented Massachusetts from 2010 to 2013. Trump has given his endorsement to Sununu.

The Democratic side features Representative Chris Pappas, a four-term centrist who would make history as the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

OHIO

Once considered a swing state, Ohio has shifted increasingly Republican over the past decade, culminating in long-serving Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown’s defeat in 2024.

Brown is mounting another campaign, hoping to perform better without Trump on the ballot.

However, he confronts a formidable challenger in incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted, who previously served as secretary of state and lieutenant governor before receiving appointment to fill Vice President JD Vance’s former Senate seat.

MICHIGAN

Senator Gary Peters’ retirement creates an open contest in this crucial midwestern swing state, giving both parties realistic chances at victory.

The August 4 Democratic primary features candidates across the party’s ideological range. Four-term Representative Haley Stevens is seeking leadership support, while Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow and progressive activist Abdul El-Sayed position themselves as anti-establishment alternatives.

Trump has endorsed former Representative Mike Rogers for his second Senate bid. Rogers brings military service in the Army, FBI experience, and ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2024.

What began as an ambitious Republican strategy to secure congressional control has ended in a virtual tie, leaving the battle for the House of Representatives right back where it started.

Sixteen months before the midterm elections, former President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting effort, starting with Texas last July. Breaking with over a century of tradition, Trump persuaded Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional boundaries in a bold move to safeguard the party’s narrow House majority.

Initially, Democrats faced significant disadvantages in countering this strategy. With fewer state legislatures under their control and constitutional restrictions in key states like California and New York preventing similar tactics, Republicans seemed positioned to gain up to twelve additional House seats.

However, eight months later, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Trump’s redistricting initiative encountered obstacles in multiple Republican-controlled states, while Democrats mounted their own aggressive campaigns and benefited from favorable judicial decisions, creating an essentially even playing field.

The battle for chamber control in November will ultimately depend on a small number of contested districts, despite the extensive political turmoil and wholesale redrawing of dozens of congressional boundaries nationwide.

“I do think that it is a wash right now,” said Erin Covey, a House analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “It’s a huge amount of turnover and disruption all basically for nothing, if you’re looking solely at partisan seat gain.”

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal challenges targeting several new maps and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing plans for April redistricting. Additionally, the Supreme Court is considering whether to weaken the Voting Rights Act, which could enable Republican-controlled Southern states to eliminate multiple Democratic districts.

TEXAS LEADS THE CHARGE

The Texas redistricting plan that initiated this nationwide effort faces its inaugural test Tuesday, as voters select party candidates for all 38 House seats, plus statewide Senate and gubernatorial races.

The elimination of several Democratic districts has produced unusual primary contests, including a Houston-area matchup between incumbent Democrats Christian Menefee and Al Green.

Tuesday’s primaries in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas officially launch the midterm season. Democrats require just three Republican seat flips to claim House control, though their Senate prospects appear more challenging.

A Democratic House majority could obstruct much of Trump’s legislative priorities while wielding subpoena authority to investigate his administration. Historically, the president’s party typically loses congressional seats during midterms, a pattern Trump’s redistricting campaign aimed to disrupt.

Congressional redistricting normally occurs once per decade following the Census to account for population shifts. Both parties have historically engaged in partisan gerrymandering, manipulating district lines for electoral advantage.

Trump’s mid-decade redistricting represented a dramatic departure from century-old precedent. The Texas map targeted five Democratic incumbents, with Missouri and North Carolina Republicans quickly following with their own aggressive redistricting plans.

While Democrats previously supported anti-gerrymandering legislation, Trump’s actions prompted many party members to advocate responding with similar tactics. Longtime gerrymandering opponents including former President Barack Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Democratic states pursuing their own redistricting efforts.

“I’m sick and tired of this Democratic Party bringing a pencil to a knife fight,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told a party gathering in August. “Let’s grow a damn spine and get in this fight.”

As Texas Republicans advanced their plans, Democratic House members from the state consulted with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding party strategy, according to Representative Julie Johnson from the Dallas area.

Democrats rallied behind California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to amend the state constitution through referendum, installing a map designed to flip five Republican seats. The initially unlikely plan passed the legislature and received overwhelming voter approval in November.

Virginia Democrats subsequently pursued an even more complex constitutional amendment strategy, potentially yielding four additional seats if it survives Republican legal challenges this spring.

JUDICIAL INTERVENTIONS

Court decisions also aided Democratic efforts. Judges in Utah and New York mandated new maps likely to flip one Republican seat in each state.

Meanwhile, Republicans in several states rejected Trump’s pressure campaign, most notably in Indiana, where state Senate Republicans defeated a Trump-endorsed redistricting plan despite threats of political retaliation.

Democrats haven’t achieved universal success. In Maryland, a proposed map eliminating the state’s sole Republican seat remains stalled due to opposition from the Democratic state Senate leader.

Whatever this year’s outcome, the redistricting conflicts Trump initiated appear far from over. Democratic-leaning states Colorado and New York, both with anti-gerrymandering laws, are considering rule changes to permit new maps for the 2028 election.

“We could have just as many states redraw their lines in 2028 as they did in 2026,” Covey predicted.

The nation’s highest court is currently examining a federal statute that prohibits individuals who consume marijuana from owning firearms, creating an unlikely coalition of supporters spanning from conservative Second Amendment advocates to progressive civil rights organizations.

This particular regulation gained national prominence as the identical statute employed in the criminal case against Hunter Biden, the president’s son, regarding his unlawful firearm possession charges.

The legal challenge has brought together groups that typically find themselves on opposite sides of policy debates, highlighting the complex intersection between gun rights and drug policy in American law.

Food assistance programs nationwide are experiencing significant changes as stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients begin taking effect under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The new regulations impose expanded employment obligations for individuals seeking to maintain their food assistance benefits. However, the timeline for putting these requirements into practice varies significantly across different states and local jurisdictions.

Some communities began enforcing the updated standards this past Sunday, while others will phase in the changes according to their own implementation schedules.

The varying rollout means Delaware residents may experience different timelines compared to neighboring states as local agencies work to comply with the federal mandate.

Recent modifications to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are introducing fresh employment obligations for individuals receiving food assistance benefits.

A Martinez from NPR conducted an interview with Ty Jones Cox, a representative from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, to discuss these updated employment stipulations affecting SNAP recipients.

The conversation focused on how these policy adjustments will impact people who depend on food stamps for nutritional support, examining the practical implications of the new requirements for benefit recipients across the country.

SAN ANTONIO — Texas voters will head to the polls Tuesday for what’s shaping up to be one of the most expensive and closely watched Senate primaries in the nation, marking the first major electoral test of the 2026 midterm cycle.

Republican Senator John Cornyn finds himself in an unusual position for a Texas GOP incumbent, battling to avoid becoming the first Republican senator from the Lone Star State to fall in a primary. His main challengers include Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt, both seeking to unseat the longtime senator.

On the Democratic side, party leaders believe they have their strongest opportunity since 1988 to capture a Texas Senate seat, though they must first navigate their own competitive primary battle.

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, known for her sharp exchanges with President Donald Trump, emphasized her Washington experience during a Sunday church visit, highlighting the federal dollars she’s secured for her district.

“So yes, I will clash with folk when it’s time to do so but I actually govern as well,” Crockett stated during her appearance.

Crockett acknowledged the Black women who form her base of support across Texas and beyond. If victorious, she would make history as the first Black woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. Her campaign received a boost Friday with an endorsement from former Vice President Kamala Harris, while Senators Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Ayanna Presley of Massachusetts joined her on the campaign trail over the weekend.

Meanwhile, State Representative James Talarico, a seminary student who promotes his ability to attract Republican voters, planned a San Antonio rally as part of what he calls his final campaign tour.

The spotlight has largely remained on Cornyn’s vulnerable position, with both parties pouring massive resources into the March 3 contest.

“Complacency is a killer,” Cornyn warned supporters Saturday during a stop at a seafood establishment in The Woodlands, near Houston. “It kills relationships. It kills careers.”

Republican leadership in Washington has expressed concern for months about potentially losing what was once considered a safe Texas seat if GOP voters select Paxton, who appeals to Trump supporters but carries significant legal baggage.

Fundraising has reached unprecedented levels for this primary, with Talarico outpacing Crockett in total donations raised. His campaign alone has invested $13 million in television advertisements this year, surpassing all other entities in the race, according to AdImpact, which monitors political advertising.

Total spending on advertising and reserved airtime has exceeded $110 million ahead of Tuesday’s vote, setting a new record for Senate primary contests. Cornyn’s campaign and supporting organizations account for more than $67 million of that total, primarily targeting Paxton while also working to prevent Hunt’s advancement.

Should no candidate secure 50 percent of the vote Tuesday, the primary will advance to a runoff between the top two finishers on May 26.

President Trump’s Friday appearance in Texas, where he spoke about energy policy at the Port of Corpus Christi, attracted all leading Republican Senate hopefuls. Though Trump indicated he’s “pretty much” made his endorsement decision, he stopped short of revealing his choice.

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

Acknowledging their competition, Trump observed: “It’s going to be an interesting one, right? They’re both great people.”

Despite his extensive Texas political background, Paxton has positioned himself as an outsider to Washington politics and a devoted Trump ally.

“I’m not going up to Washington, D.C., to join the swamp club,” Paxton declared at a Fort Worth campaign stop. “I will go up there and fight for you.”

Virginia Senator Mark Warner, who serves as the leading Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, offered his analysis regarding recent U.S. military operations targeting Iran.

Warner, representing Virginia in the U.S. Senate, provided his assessment of the intelligence information that led to American strikes against Iranian targets.

As the ranking minority member of the Senate’s intelligence oversight panel, Warner is among the lawmakers with access to classified briefings on national security matters involving Iran and other international threats.

Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales is working to secure his political future as he confronts a challenging primary election on Tuesday. The congressman finds himself embroiled in scandal while attempting to convince constituents he deserves another term in office.

Voters in his district must decide whether the embattled representative has earned their support despite the swirling allegations and controversy surrounding his candidacy. The primary contest presents a significant test for Gonzales as he seeks to overcome the personal and political challenges that have emerged during his tenure.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump declared Sunday that American military operations against Iran will remain active until the United States fulfills all its strategic goals in the region.

In a video message shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump acknowledged that three American military personnel had lost their lives and cautioned that additional casualties could occur. The president pledged to seek retribution for the fallen Americans.

“Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives,” Trump said.

President Donald Trump provided his assessment of how long a potential conflict with Iran might last, telling the Daily Mail on Sunday that such military action would span roughly four weeks.

In his interview with the British publication, Trump explained his timeline estimate: “It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so — as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks — or less.”

The president indicated he has not closed the door on diplomatic discussions with Iranian leadership, though he stopped short of providing a timeline for when such conversations might occur.

When asked about the possibility of renewed dialogue, Trump responded with uncertainty. “I don’t know,” he stated, according to the Daily Mail’s reporting. “They want to talk, but I said you should have talked last week, not this week,” Trump continued.

WASHINGTON – A new national survey shows limited public support for weekend military action that resulted in the death of an Iranian leader, with just 27% of Americans backing the strikes, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data released Sunday.

The survey found that 43% of respondents opposed the Saturday strikes, while 29% remained undecided. Nearly 90% of those polled indicated they had at least some awareness of the military action that commenced early Saturday morning.

Beyond the immediate strikes, the poll revealed broader concerns about President Trump’s approach to military intervention. More than half of Americans – 56% – view the president as overly aggressive in deploying military force to pursue U.S. objectives abroad. Trump has authorized similar operations in Venezuela, Syria and Nigeria in recent months.

Political divisions were evident in the responses, with 87% of Democrats expressing concern about Trump’s willingness to use military force. However, the sentiment crossed party lines, with 23% of Republicans and 60% of independent voters sharing similar views.

The nationwide online survey collected responses from 1,282 American adults beginning Saturday as the strikes commenced. The poll carries a margin of error of three percentage points.

President Donald Trump revealed during a Sunday television interview that American military actions directed at Iran are progressing more rapidly than originally planned.

Speaking with CNBC, Trump indicated that U.S. military operations targeting Iran are currently “ahead of schedule,” suggesting the mission timeline is moving faster than expected.

The President’s comments provide insight into ongoing American military activities in the region, though specific details about the nature and scope of these operations were not disclosed during the interview.

Former President Donald Trump delivered a stern warning to Iran on Sunday, threatening military action of unprecedented scale if the Middle Eastern nation follows through on threats to retaliate against recent American strikes.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump referenced Iranian statements about planned retaliation, writing that “Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before.”

The former president then escalated his rhetoric, declaring in all capital letters: “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Trump’s social media post on March 1st suggested the U.S. would respond to any Iranian retaliation “with a force that has never been seen before,” marking another instance of heightened tensions between the two nations.

Starting January 1st, millions of Americans receiving Medicaid benefits will need to prove they’re employed, volunteering, or attending school to maintain their healthcare coverage. However, states nationwide are discovering they must invest massive amounts upfront to modernize their technology systems before these new federal requirements can take effect.

An Associated Press review of budget estimates from over 25 states reveals the total cost for necessary technology upgrades and additional personnel will likely surpass $1 billion. This expense comes even as the federal government has allocated $200 million to help states transition to the new system, with the first half of that funding already distributed.

Missouri’s Department of Social Services Chief Information Officer Toi Wilde explained the challenge states face: “Our current eligibility systems are pretty old, and the ability to change them is very, very difficult.”

The new mandates stem from tax legislation signed by former President Trump, designed to reduce government spending through significant Medicaid reforms. The changes will impact four-fifths of all states and affect Medicaid beneficiaries between ages 19 and 64 who don’t have young children and whose earnings exceed standard eligibility thresholds.

Under the updated rules, these Medicaid recipients must complete at least 80 hours monthly of work or community service, or maintain at least half-time student enrollment. Additionally, eligibility assessments will occur every six months rather than annually, potentially causing people to lose coverage more rapidly when their situations change.

Federal projections estimate these two changes combined will reduce government spending by $388 billion over ten years, while resulting in 6 million fewer Americans having health insurance coverage, according to Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Before implementation, states must modernize their online platforms used by Medicaid participants, upgrade outdated computer infrastructure used by government employees, and establish new methods for confirming information across multiple databases.

Given tight deadlines, most states will need to contract with private companies for assistance. At least ten firms have committed to providing reduced-rate services, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Jason Reilly, a partner at consulting firm Guidehouse which is helping multiple states prepare, described the technological improvements: “Making those technology upgrades is going to be a lift. It’s not something straightforward. It’s not easy.”

Currently, most states don’t gather employment or educational data from Medicaid participants. States are exploring connections to external databases for verifying job and academic information, though no comprehensive volunteer database exists.

States are also awaiting federal guidelines, expected in June, that will clarify exemptions to work requirements, including criteria for determining who qualifies as “medically frail.”

Additional pressure comes from federal penalties that will begin in October 2029 for states with excessive Medicaid payment errors.

While Congress guaranteed every state a portion of the $200 million Medicaid allocation, states must separately request additional federal assistance. The federal government covers up to 90% of system development costs, 75% of system maintenance expenses, and half of most other administrative costs.

Missouri received early approval for the 90% federal funding rate. State legislators are now expediting a $32 million budget allocation to solicit contractor bids for technology platform upgrades and chatbot improvements for Medicaid users. The state’s social services department anticipates needing approximately 120 additional employees over the coming year, costing $12.5 million.

Similar substantial expenses are projected elsewhere. Maryland anticipates spending over $32 million in combined federal and state funds for Medicaid implementation, Kentucky expects costs exceeding $46 million, and Colorado projects over $51 million. Arizona estimates implementation could cost $65 million and require 150 additional staff members.

Some states reported even higher anticipated costs to the AP, though they didn’t always separate expenses for Medicaid changes from related Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program modifications also included in the legislation.

Multiple states, including Arkansas, are still calculating cost estimates for the Medicaid changes. Arkansas previously implemented Medicaid work requirements from 2018-2019, during which thousands lost coverage before federal courts halted the program. The Arkansas Department of Human Services indicated many required technology changes might fall under existing vendor agreements and have “a minimal financial impact on our Medicaid budget.”

Nebraska plans to launch Medicaid work requirements in May, seven months before the federal deadline, but hasn’t released cost details and didn’t respond to AP inquiries.

Georgia currently stands as the only state requiring certain Medicaid recipients to work, having received special federal permission years ago to expand coverage to some previously ineligible adults.

Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program accumulated over $54 million in administrative expenses from 2021 through early 2025 — double the medical assistance payments distributed during the same timeframe, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Nearly all expenses resulted from technology modifications to eligibility and enrollment systems.

Some Medicaid experts cite Georgia’s costs and Arkansas’ enrollment reductions as warning signs for other states implementing work requirements.

Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, expressed concern: “A huge amount of funding is going to go to vendors to construct these complicated red-tape systems that prevent people who need it from getting health care. In my view, that is a big, big risk.”