Poli Alert Politics & Civics

A federal judge on Monday dismissed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, ruling that the president failed to adequately demonstrate the publication acted with malicious intent. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles found that Trump’s complaint did …

Maryland Democrats abandoned a controversial effort to redraw the state’s congressional map late Monday, delivering a setback to Wes Moore as party leaders clashed over how aggressively to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts nationwide. The proposal died when the legislative session ended without action, with the Democratic-controlled state Senate leaving the …

Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales announced plans Monday to leave Congress as both lawmakers faced potential expulsion votes tied to allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell, a Democrat, said he would resign amid intensifying scrutiny, while Gonzales, a Republican, said he would file for retirement from office when Congress returns. …

Four members of Congress — two Democrats and two Republicans — could face expulsion from the House in the coming weeks, an extraordinarily rare rebuke from their colleagues. Debate about whether to expel certain lawmakers, which would require the support of two-thirds of that chamber, resurfaced this weekend when California …

Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor Sunday as he faced mounting pressure from fellow Democrats following allegations of sexual assault made by a former staffer. “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote on social media. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry …

Donald Trump is facing rare public criticism from prominent voices on the religious right after posting an AI-generated image that appeared to depict himself in a Christ-like role, prompting accusations of blasphemy and calls for its removal. The image, shared Sunday night on social media as Trump returned to Washington …

Top Democrats used a prominent civil rights gathering led by Al Sharpton to mount a forceful defense of diversity, equity and inclusion policies and voting rights, warning of what they described as a sweeping Republican effort to roll back longstanding protections. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told attendees at the …

Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday against sharp criticism from Donald Trump, saying he has “no fear” of the administration and will continue advocating for peace amid escalating global conflicts. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria, Leo said his stance is rooted in religious teachings …

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would “immediately” move to impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of high-stakes peace talks with Iran that ended without a deal or clear path forward. In his first public comments after more than 20 hours …

President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested he may grant sweeping pardons to top administration officials before leaving office, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, raising new concerns about how far he could go in wielding one of the presidency’s most expansive powers. “I’ll pardon everyone who has come …

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday she may make another run for the White House in 2028, offering her clearest indication yet that she is seriously considering a third presidential bid. “Listen, I might,” Harris said when asked directly about her plans by the Rev. Al Sharpton during an …

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for governor of California, denied allegations of sexual misconduct Friday after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior, including claims of assault and harassment. The allegations, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and later expanded by CNN, include claims from a former …

U.S. consumer prices rose sharply in March as the war with Iran drove a surge in energy costs, complicating the Federal Reserve’s efforts to bring inflation back to its target, according to new government data released Friday. The Consumer Price Index, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, increased 0.9% …

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained sharply reduced Thursday despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, underscoring lingering uncertainty over access to one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Only a handful of vessels have transited the waterway since the truce was announced. Data from …

In an unexpected public statement, first lady Melania Trump on Thursday denied having any relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, pushing back on what she described as “false” claims circulating online. “I never had a relationship” with Epstein or Maxwell, she said from the …