President Donald Trump Wednesday signed into law the first bill of his second term, a measure that would require immigration officials to detain immigrants arrested or charged with property crimes, among others, and give broad legal authority to state attorneys general to challenge federal immigration law. “Today’s signings bring us …
Read More »Former Sen. Bob Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years in Bribery Scheme
A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced former Sen. Bob Menendez, the only sitting senator ever to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent, to 11 years in prison for taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for helping three businessmen and the governments of Egypt and …
Read More »White House Rescinds Federal Funding Freeze Amid Legal and Political Backlash
The White House announced Wednesday that it had rescinded a controversial directive from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that called for a pause on payments for federal grants and programs. However, the administration clarified that while the initial freeze was lifted, efforts to scrutinize and realign federal spending …
Read More »Sean Duffy Confirmed as Transportation Secretary in Bipartisan Vote
Sean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation, positioning him at the helm of a crucial federal agency tasked with overseeing the nation’s highways, railroads, and airspace. The Senate approved his nomination in a bipartisan 77-22 vote, making the former Wisconsin congressman and reality TV star …
Read More »Caroline Kennedy Denounces RFK Jr. in Scathing Letter Ahead of Senate Hearings
A day before Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services Secretary, his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, sent a blistering letter to senators urging them to reject his nomination. In the two-page letter addressed to committee leaders, the former U.S. ambassador to Australia described RFK Jr. as a …
Read More »Senate GOP Blocks Resolution Condemning Trump Pardons of Jan. 6 Attackers
U.S. Senate Republicans Tuesday blocked a resolution condemning pardons for supporters of President Donald Trump who violently attacked and injured police officers when they broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray requested unanimous consent for the resolution on the floor but was met with opposition …
Read More »Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Freeze on Broad Swath of Federal Payments
A federal district judge ruled Tuesday the Trump administration must wait until at least next week before it can move forward with pausing federal spending on trillions in grants and loans, though she emphasized the short-term administrative stay might not continue after a Feb. 3 hearing. District Judge Loren L. …
Read More »Trump Administration Offers ‘Deferred Resignations’ to Nearly 2 Million Federal Employees
The Trump administration announced Tuesday its plan to implement sweeping changes to the federal workforce, including a voluntary “deferred resignation” program and enhanced conduct standards. This unprecedented move, aimed at downsizing the government, offers federal employees a week-long window to accept buyouts worth approximately seven months of salary. A memo …
Read More »Rep. McCormick Defends Federal Aid Freeze, Suggests Kids Should Work Instead of Relying on Free School Lunches
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) is facing backlash after defending the White House’s federal aid freeze, which includes funding for school lunch programs, and suggesting that children should work instead of receiving free meals. During a CNN interview on Tuesday, McCormick argued that the funding pause offers an opportunity to reassess …
Read More »Trump Administration Memo Announces Abrupt Freeze On Broad Swath of Federal Payments
The Trump administration will temporarily stop payments on multiple federal programs Tuesday evening, cutting off Americans who rely on what could be trillions in funding and likely setting off a legal challenge over Congress’ constitutional spending authority. The two-page memo from the Office of Management and Budget announcing the freeze appeared …
Read More »Senate Confirms Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary
On Monday, the Senate confirmed Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager and longtime financial expert, as the 79th U.S. Treasury secretary. With a bipartisan vote of 68-29, Bessent became the first openly gay person to hold the position, signaling a historic moment for the country. Fifteen Democrats and one independent …
Read More »Justice Department Fires Lawyers Involved in Trump Prosecution
The Justice Department announced Monday that it has terminated several career prosecutors involved in cases against former President Donald Trump, escalating concerns over political retaliation in the wake of Trump’s return to the presidency. The affected officials worked under Special Counsel Jack Smith on investigations into Trump’s handling of classified …
Read More »Senate Dems Push for Vote on Condemning Trump Jan. 6 Pardons
Democratic and independent U.S. senators introduced a resolution Monday to condemn President Donald Trump’s clemency for the rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, injuring numerous law enforcement officers and sending lawmakers into hiding as they tried to certify the 2020 presidential election results. Senate Minority Leader Chuck …
Read More »Trump Reinstates The ‘global gag rule’ on Abortion
President Donald Trump has directed his administration to block global aid recipients from telling patients about abortion — a move that could weaken reproductive health care worldwide. The move, announced in a presidential memorandum Friday, revives a policy known as the “global gag rule” that Trump and many other Republican …
Read More »U.S.-Colombia Standoff Ends After Deportation Flights Dispute
The White House claimed victory on Sunday after resolving a diplomatic standoff with Colombia over deportation flights, which escalated when President Donald Trump threatened severe economic sanctions. The dispute arose after Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to accept deportation flights from the U.S., accusing Trump of mistreating migrants. The tension …
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