Politics
- PoliticsAssociated Press
Trump administration revokes deportation protections for 600,000 Venezuelans
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday that the Trump administration has revoked a decision that would have protected roughly 600,000 people from Venezuela from deportation. On “Fox and Friends," Noem said that she reversed the decision made by her successor, Alejandro Mayorkas, in the waning days of the Biden administration that extended Temporary Protected Status. “Before he left town, Mayorkas signed an order that said for 18 months they were going to extend this protection
2 min read - USAssociated Press
Trump looks to repurpose federal money to expand school choice programs
Private school vouchers and other school choice initiatives would expand under an order coming from President Donald Trump telling government agencies to repurpose federal dollars. The Education Department is being told to use discretionary money to prioritize school choice programs and give states new guidance on how they can use federal money to support K-12 voucher programs. The executive order that he plans to sign Wednesday could free up some pockets of federal money to be used on school
3 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
President Donald Trump appeals his New York hush money conviction
President Donald Trump has appealed his hush money conviction, seeking to erase the verdict that made him the first person with a criminal record to win the office. Trump’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal Wednesday, asking the state’s mid-level appeals court to overturn his conviction last May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The case, involving an alleged scheme to hide a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 Republican campaign, was the only one of
3 min read - PoliticsHuffPost
Tim Walz: ‘While Trump Was Out Golfing, He Threw The Country Into Crisis’
Before a judge issued a temporary restraining order to stop the freeze on federal funding, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz denounced Donald Trump.
2 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate criticized for attending briefing with Democratic donors
The liberal candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court participated in a briefing with Democratic donors billed as a “chance to put two more House seats in play,” a move that Republicans say shows that she is committed to redrawing congressional districts to benefit Democrats. Both candidates are also accepting large donations from partisans, including the Democratic and Republican parties, as both sides fight for control of the court in the battleground state. Waukesha County Judge Brad Schime
3 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
The legal battle over Trump's federal funding freeze is just beginning
The Trump administration's push for a sweeping pause on federal grants and loans totaling potentially trillions of dollars is on hold for now, on the order of a federal judge. The Constitution gives Congress control over federal spending, a setup key to the framers' vision of separating major powers between branches of government. Once appropriations are approved, the White House has the job of doling out money to states, agencies and nonprofits through the Office of Management and Budget.
3 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Trump's Commerce Secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, vows to sell his business interests in 90 days
Billionaire financier Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Commerce Department, said Wednesday that he would sell all of his business holdings within 90 days. Lutnick, head of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has complicated business dealings. Lutnick, who was head of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has emerged as an outspoken supporter of Trump's hardline trade policies.
2 min read - USAssociated Press
Justice Department drops criminal proceedings against Trump co-defendants in classified records case
The Justice Department on Wednesday abandoned all criminal proceedings against the two co-defendants of President Donald Trump in the Florida classified documents case, wiping out any legal peril the pair could have faced. Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira were charged with conspiring with Trump to obstruct an FBI investigation into the hoarding of classified documents that the Republican took with him when he left the White House after his first term. U
1 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
After rebuke from legislative leaders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledges to veto immigration bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised Wednesday to veto a sweeping immigration bill, in the latest escalation of a statehouse showdown between the governor and the state's Republican legislative leadership, who have sparred over whose proposals would best carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The bill, which was shepherded by House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, allocates half a billion dollars to beefing up state and local coordination with federal la
4 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
A Democratic Party in crisis will elect its new chairman on Saturday
The Democratic National Committee will elect a new chair on Saturday as the party seeks new leadership to guide Democrats through Donald Trump's second presidency. Eight candidates have lined up to replace outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison. The contest will be decided at the DNC's winter meeting in suburban Washington.
5 min read - PoliticsNBC News
RFK Jr. to face grilling from senators at his first confirmation hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to face his first Senate confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump's nominee to be the secretary of health and human services.
5 min read - BusinessBusiness Insider
Elon Musk is trying to help Boeing out with its much-delayed new Air Force One for Trump
Boeing has lost more than $2 billion producing the Next Air Force One after President Donald Trump renegotiated the deal in his first term.
3 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Trump makes moves to expand his power, sparking chaos and a possible constitutional crisis
Just a little over a week into his second term, President Donald Trump is taking steps to maximize his power, sparking chaos and what critics contend is a constitutional crisis as he challenges the separation of powers that have defined American government for more than 200 years. The new administration's most provocative move came this week, as it announced it would temporarily halt federal payments to ensure they complied with Trump's orders barring diversity programs. The technical-sounding
6 min read - PoliticsReuters
Trump health pick Kennedy under attack for vaccine views in contentious Senate hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to lead the top U.S. health agency, came under attack for his anti-vaccine views at a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, with one senior Democrat saying he embraced conspiracy theories and "quacks" to dissuade use of life-saving medicines. Kennedy sought to defend his record before the Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for advancing his nomination to the full Senate, promising lawmakers th
3 min read - PoliticsPolitico
GOP steps aside as Trump assaults Congress’ power
The president goes after the "power of the purse" with nary a peep from Republican leaders.
6 min read - USNBC News
Here are the cities where ICE raids are taking place
Following President Donald Trump's return to office, immigration enforcement operations have started to sweep through major U.S. cities.
8 min read - PoliticsThe Guardian
Trump’s Pentagon strips Mark Milley of security clearance and guard detail
Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, also seeks review of retired general’s rank in latest move by Donald Trump’s administration against his critics
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Migrants describe flights aboard US military planes carrying out Trump's swift deportations
Margarita Raymundo walked down the ramp of the U.S. Air Force cargo jet and onto the tarmac of Guatemala City’s airport, barely three days after a U.S. Border Patrol agent had apprehended her, along with three other migrants. The swift deportation Monday was disorienting for her and the 63 other migrants aboard and only possible because the Trump administration has enlisted the military to quickly scale up its deportation capacity, which usually relies on chartered flights. In the first week o
3 min read - USAssociated Press
Judge set to sentence former Sen. Bob Menendez, who was convicted of taking bribes of cash and gold
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez faces the possibility of a long prison term when he is sentenced Wednesday for selling his once-considerable clout in Washington for gold bars, a luxury car and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash bribes. Prosecutors have asked a federal judge to give the Democrat 15 years behind bars for crimes that include acting as an agent of the Egyptian government. Menendez's lawyers say he deserves less than two years in prison, citing his decades of public service and
5 min read - USAssociated Press
South Carolina's McMaster is now the longest serving governor at the job he loves
Wednesday is a big day for South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. Yes, he's giving his eighth State of the State address. It's another bit of history for the 77-year-old Republican who also is the oldest governor in South Carolina's 249 years as a state. Chances are that if McMaster mentions the milestone in Wednesday night's speech before the General Assembly, it will be just in passing.
4 min read - USAssociated Press
Trump is looking to boot transgender troops from the military. Here's why that's complicated
President Donald Trump has launched his second bid to oust all transgender troops from the military, and once again it will be headed to the courts to sort it out. Although the new order will affect only a tiny fraction of America's 2.1 million service members, it has taken on oversized importance to Trump and his administration, who see transgender forces as a sign the military is “woke” or not focused on training and winning wars. Trump's order to push out transgender troops, issued late Mon
7 min read - PoliticsNBC News
Netanyahu to meet with Trump at the White House next week
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to become the first foreign leader to meet with President Donald Trump during his second term with a trip to the White House next week.
2 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Florida lawmakers pass sweeping immigration bill to help with Trump crackdown
Florida lawmakers passed a sweeping immigration bill Tuesday, setting aside half a billion dollars in public funds to help carry out President Donald Trump 's crackdown on those in the country illegally. In a state where roughly one in every five residents is an immigrant, the legislation would require every level of government — as well as government contractors — to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement “to the fullest extent possible.” Following more than four hours of deliberation
5 min read - PoliticsNBC News
Republicans are in their honeymoon phase. But big clashes over Trump's agenda are unresolved.
The focus at the House GOP's three-day retreat was on party unity rather than diving into the weeds on big funding cuts and legislative procedure.
5 min read - PoliticsNBC News
Trump administration may pull money from TSA, Coast Guard to help fund costly deportations
The executive branch is allowed to move money appropriated by Congress from one agency to another within a department, and this Trump administration would not be the first to do so in order to make up for an ICE budget shortfall.
4 min read - PoliticsPolitico
Florida’s GOP Legislature passes its own immigration bill over DeSantis objections
“I’m not going to take lectures from someone who a year ago didn’t think Donald Trump should be president,” said state Sen. Randy Fine.
4 min read - PoliticsPolitico
EPA fires science advisers
The move echoes an approach taken under former President Joe Biden.
1 min read - HealthNBC News
Trump signs sweeping order to further restrict trans care for minors nationwide
President Donald Trump signed a broad executive order targeting transition-related medical care for minors on Tuesday.
4 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Trump fires two Democratic commissioners of agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplace
President Donald Trump fired two of the three Democratic commissioners of the federal agency that enforces civil rights law in the workplace, an unprecedented move aimed at implementing his crackdown on certain diversity and gender rights policies. The two commissioners of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels, confirmed in statements Tuesday that they were fired late Monday night. Both said they were exploring options to challenge their dismissals,
4 min read - PoliticsPolitico
Trump-backed Patronis, Fine win Florida GOP primaries for Congress
Both Republicans will now advance to the April 1 special election, where they are expected to be heavy favorites in the solid GOP districts.
2 min read - PoliticsNBC News
The constitutional battle at the center of Trump's funding freeze: From the Politics Desk
President Donald Trump's effort to freeze federal aid spending has sparked a constitutional battle that could end up before the Supreme Court.
7 min read - USBusiness Insider
Judge blocks Trump's plan to freeze federal grants
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's directive to freeze federal grants, preventing the order from taking effect.
3 min read - USWashington Post
Confusion reigns for states trying to secure Medicaid dollars
States on Tuesday suddenly found themselves no longer able to access critical Medicaid dollars that provide health care for the poorest Americans, as the turmoil of President Donald Trump’s spending freeze spread to all corners of the country. At least 20 states were unable to draw funds from a payment system maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services hours after a White House memo Monday ordered a pause on the disbursement of grants and loans. At $872 billion, Medicaid supports a
4 min read - PoliticsPolitico
The Gulf of America is Only the Beginning
The early skirmishes over global landmarks are nothing compared to the fights over renaming public projects after President Donald Trump himself.
5 min read - USNBC News
Transgender service members challenge Trump's military ban
Two national LGBTQ legal organizations filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender people from serving and enlisting in the military.
6 min read - PoliticsNBC News
Trump's effort to withhold federal funding triggers constitutional showdown
The Trump administration's attempt to withhold federal funding is fueling a long-brewing legal battle over the core constitutional principle that Congress gets to decide how to spend taxpayer money.
5 min read - PoliticsNBC News
Karoline Leavitt holds first briefing as Trump's White House press secretary
WASHINGTON— Press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the White House briefing room, where she defended President Donald Trump's plans to slash federal spending and its mass deportation efforts.
5 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Illinois Republicans ask state Supreme Court to toss 'gerrymandered' legislative map
The Republican leader of the Illinois House and five voters on Tuesday filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to throw out the legislative district map as unconstitutionally drawn to favor Democrats. “Drawn by the party in power, these maps are designed to entrench Illinois Democrats in control while silencing the voices of voters who support the minority party,” McCombie, a Republican from the Mississippi River city of Savanna, said. Mapmaking in Illinois is a process that invariably
2 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Trump funding freeze raises uncertainty for universities, states and nonprofits
A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect. President Donald Trump's administration said the freeze would not affect federal assistance to individuals, such as Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships. States on average receive about 30% of their revenues from the federal government, according to Federal Fund
6 min read - BusinessAssociated Press
Pork giant Smithfield's CEO touts growth outlook, minimizes threats from deportations, bird flu
Smithfield Foods' CEO says he hopes that everything the company has done to make working in its plants more attractive ever since COVID tore through the industry during the pandemic will help it weather the impact of President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations. Smithfield went public Tuesday more than a decade after the world's largest pork producer was bought by China's WH Group. CEO Shane Smith says he believes the company is positioned to grow in the next few years.
5 min read - USAssociated Press
California water regulators deny Trump's claim that US military 'turned on the water' in the state
California water officials said this week there's no truth to President Donald Trump's assertion that the U.S. military has entered California and “turned on the water.” Trump's comments, made Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, are the latest in a series of remarks he's made and actions he's taken related to the state's water policy following devastating wildfires that ripped through the Los Angeles area this month. “The United States Military just entered the Great State of Cal
4 min read - BusinessReuters
Trump commerce chief pick will vow 'thoughtful and rigorous' approach in testimony
President Donald Trump's nominee to head the U.S. Commerce Department will tell senators on Wednesday he will "take a thoughtful and rigorous approach" to overseeing the agency but did not offer any specifics on tariffs or China policy. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Wall Street brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, did not address policy specifics in his written testimony for the Senate Commerce Committee seen by Reuters. As commerce secretary, Lutnick is to have "additional direct responsibility" for th
2 min read - PoliticsReuters
US Senate Judiciary Committee asks Trump to detail rationale for firing 18 IGs
The Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the panel's top Democrat asked U.S. President Donald Trump to detail his rationale for firing 18 inspectors general that provide oversight at U.S. government agencies. Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin called on Trump to "immediately" provide the lawfully required substantive rationale, to share the names of each official who will serve in an interim capacity --and noted the law requires 30 days' notice before the government watch
2 min read - USAssociated Press
Former Capitol police officer campaigns in Wisconsin against Republican-backed court candidate
One of the most outspoken officers who defended the U.S. Capitol against rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, accused the Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday of “clearly playing both sides” on the issue of pardoning of people who attacked the Capitol four years ago. Former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn said Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel should clearly denounce President Donald Trump's pardoning of about 1,500 people convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot.
3 min read - BusinessBusiness Insider
Costco's DEI programs face new scrutiny from 19 Republican attorneys general
In a letter to Costco's CEO, 19 Republican state attorneys general urged the company to end the DEI policies it had publicly supported.
2 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
A GOP lawsuit to limit people in the US illegally from the census count will be harmful, voters say
Voters in California and Texas affiliated with a Democratic group want to intervene in a lawsuit filed by four Republican state attorneys general that is attempting to exclude people in the U.S. illegally from numbers used to divvy up congressional seats among states. The five voters said in a motion Monday that the state attorneys general's lawsuit would harm them by taking away congressional representation and Electoral College votes from their states. The lawsuit filed more than a week ago
2 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
Caroline Kennedy warns senators that cousin RFK Jr. is a 'predator'
Calling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a “predator” who is addicted to power, Caroline Kennedy urged the U.S. Senate in a Tuesday letter to reject the nomination of her cousin to be President Donald Trump's health secretary. In a letter to Senators, Ms. Kennedy, who previously served as a U.S. ambassador to Australia and Japan and is the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, etched a damning sketch of her cousin, the latest condemnation Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has received from members of his own,
2 min read - PoliticsReuters
Nutrition programs unaffected by Trump funding freeze, White House says
Nutrition programs that deliver food assistance to millions of U.S. families will not be affected by a White House pause on federal grants and loans, a senior official said on Tuesday. The White House's Office of Management and Budget said in a memo on Monday that federal grants and loans would be put on hold for review to ensure the programs were aligned with President Donald Trump's priorities, such as ending diversity and inclusion efforts. Payments to individuals, including the Supplementa
1 min read - PoliticsHuffPost
The 50-Year-Old Law Trump Is Challenging To Create Chaos
Richard Nixon tried the same thing Donald Trump is trying in not spending money Congress has already approved. It did not end well.
3 min read - PoliticsBusiness Insider
Trump's federal grant pause is the fulfillment of a longtime campaign promise
Donald Trump promised to do everything he could to challenge a Nixon-era impoundment law. The OMB's grant freeze is likely just the first step.
3 min read
