Trump Escalates Pressure on Iran, Warning of New Infrastructure Attacks Over Blocked Shipping Route
President Donald Trump sharply escalated his rhetoric toward Iran on April 5, threatening to target key pieces of the country’s infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil-shipping routes. In a Truth Social post published on Easter Sunday, Trump warned that Tuesday would be “Power Plant […]
White House Acts to Cover DHS Paychecks While Congress Remains Stuck on Funding Deal
President Donald Trump said he would soon sign an emergency order to pay Department of Homeland Security employees who have been working without pay since the partial DHS shutdown began in mid-February. The move is designed to address one of the most visible and politically damaging effects of the prolonged funding standoff, which has left […]
Judge Challenges Trump’s Plan for Giant ‘Independence Arch’ Near the National Mall in Washington
A federal judge is raising serious questions about President Donald Trump’s plan to build a large “Independence Arch” near the National Mall, adding another legal obstacle to one of the administration’s most visible symbolic projects. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan sharply questioned whether Trump has the authority to move forward with such a major monument […]
Trump Draws Cheers and Boos at Kennedy Center as His Overhaul of the Venue Deepens
President Donald Trump attended the opening night of the musical Chicago at the Kennedy Center on March 31, in a visit that highlighted both his growing control over the institution and the deep controversy surrounding its future. Trump drew applause as he arrived, though some members of the audience also booed. The mixed reaction reflected […]
In Unprecedented Move, Trump Attends High-Stakes Supreme Court Hearing on Immigration Policy
President Donald Trump made history on April 1, by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court. His visit centered on one of the most controversial policies of his current term: an executive order signed on his first day back in office that seeks to limit birthright citizenship for […]
New White House Plan Would Deeply Shrink Consumer Watchdog Instead of Dismantling It Entirely
The Trump administration has unveiled a revised plan to dramatically reduce the size of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, stepping back from an earlier effort to nearly wipe out the agency but still seeking to cut about two-thirds of its workforce. The new proposal was disclosed in a court filing to the U.S. Court […]
New Proposal Would Shut Chinese Carmakers Out of the U.S. Market Entirely
A Republican senator is preparing legislation that would significantly expand the U.S. ban on Chinese automobiles, taking a much harder line than current rules by targeting not just imported vehicles, but also the software, hardware, and business partnerships tied to Chinese carmakers. Senator Bernie Moreno plans to introduce the bill next month, arguing that Washington […]
Fed Faces Growth-and-Inflation Squeeze, but Powell Signals No Rush to Move
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the U.S. central bank is in a position to wait and watch how the expanding Iran war affects inflation and the broader economy, signaling that policymakers do not yet see a need to change interest rates even as new risks emerge. Speaking at Harvard University on March 30, Powell […]
Trump Says White House Ballroom Project Is Ahead of Schedule Despite Legal Challenge
President Donald Trump said the new White House ballroom project is moving faster than expected and costing less than planned, even as the construction faces legal and political opposition. Speaking aboard Air Force One on March 29, Trump said the ballroom was “ahead of schedule and under budget,” and pointed to new renderings as he […]
Democratic Lawmakers Demand Data on U.S. Gun Exports Tied to Cartels and Criminal Violence
Two senior Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Commerce Department for detailed information about U.S. exports of semi-automatic firearms, arguing that legally approved American gun sales may be helping fuel cartel violence and broader criminal activity across the Western Hemisphere. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Gregory Meeks of New York asked Under Secretary of […]
