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Top Political News Compilation - Weekend Updates, February 14 & 15, 2026
No clear path to ending the partial government shutdown as lawmakers dig in over DHS oversight
By AAMER MADHANIUpdated 12:49 PM CST, February 15, 2026
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Lawmakers and the White House offered no signs of compromise Sunday in their battle over oversight of federal immigration officers that has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September. Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.
Congress is on recess until Feb. 23, and both sides appear dug into their positions. The impasse affects agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The work at ICE and CBP goes on unabated because Trump’s tax and spending cut law from 2025 provided billions more to those agencies that can be tapped for deportation operations. About 90% of DHS employees were to continue working during the shutdown, but do so without pay — and missed paychecks could mean financial hardships. Last year there was a record 43-day government shutdown. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Bondi criticised after saying all Epstein files have been released
Lawmakers, including those who wrote the law requiring their publication, argue the release is insufficient.
www.bbc.comTrump’s damage is done. Democrats – and Europe – are struggling to define what’s next
Democratic presidential hopefuls descended on the Munich Security Conference over the weekend as they might normally flood Des Moines, Iowa, or Manchester, New Hampshire. They found a Europe that’s al...
Schumer says Dems will fight voter ID push 'tooth and nail,' balks at DHS role in elections
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that Senate Democrats will block the GOP-backed SAVE America Act requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote.
7 highlights from CBS News town hall with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore: Trump, Epstein and whether he'll run for president
In a CBS News "Things That Matter" town hall, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore blasted President Trump — but also urged Democrats to change their perception as "the party of no and slow."
www.cbsnews.com
Savannah Guthrie pleas for Nancy Guthrie release as FBI analyses glove
The FBI says it recovered a DNA sample from the glove, which was found in a field a few miles from Guthrie's home.
www.bbc.comSchumer Calls 'Bull' On Noem's Voter Fraud Fearmongering
The Senate Minority Leader called a strict, Republican-backed voter ID bill "Jim Crow 2.0" during an interview on CNN.
Mace slams DOJ over letter about completing Epstein files release: ‘They’re missing names’
Late Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) criticized the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) justification for redacting certain names from the Jeffrey Epstein files. Mace, on...
What to know about the Homeland Security shutdown
A partial shutdown of the federal government has begun. But unlike the record 43-day shutdown last fall, the closures will be narrowly confined this time.
apnews.com
National Institutes of Health faces leadership vacuum as director positions sit open
More than half of the NIH's institutes and centers don’t have permanent directors, giving the Trump administration an unusual opportunity to reshape the agency. The latest departure came on Friday.
www.nbcnews.comTrump says Board of Peace will unveil $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges at inaugural meeting
President Donald Trump says that members of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding Gaza and will commit thousands of personnel to international stabilization and police forces for the territory.
apnews.com
Border czar Tom Homan says "I don't like the masks" on ICE officers, but they "have to protect themselves"
Democrats have demanded reforms to immigration enforcement, including barring officers from wearing masks.
www.cbsnews.comTrump's border czar says 'small' security force will remain in Minnesota after enforcement drawdown
More than 1,000 immigration agents have left Minnesota’s Twin Cities area and hundreds more will depart in the days ahead as part of the Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge.
apnews.com
Rep. Massie says he doesn't have confidence in Bondi as attorney general
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie says he doesn't approve of how AG Pam Bondi conducted herself after Wednesday's clash over DOJ's Epstein files in House hearing.
'Be practical.' Obama says Democrats need to change approach on homelessness
Obama discussed internal frictions between moderate and progressive Democrats on the issue of homelessness in an interview.
www.usatoday.com
Justice Department lists hundreds of prominent people named in Epstein files in letter to Congress
The Department of Justice on Saturday sent Congress a list of “politically exposed persons” in the millions of files released related to its probes into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Derek Dooley didn't vote for years. Now he wants Georgia voters to send him to Washington
Many political candidates pitch themselves as outsiders. Derek Dooley goes a step further. Not only is the former football coach running for the first time, but he says he didn't vote for nearly two decades.
apnews.com
Trump told Netanyahu he would support Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program, sources say
President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December at Mar-a-Lago with Mr. Trump saying the U.S. would support strikes if no deal was made with Iran.
www.cbsnews.com[URL...
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Obama calls Los Angeles homelessness an ‘atrocity,’ criticizes 'losing' political strategy
Former President Barack Obama criticized the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, calling it an "atrocity," given the billions of dollars elected officials have thrown at the problem over the years.
Obama was speaking with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen when he touched on criticism local residents and business owners have voiced for years.
"I think it is morally — ethically speaking — it is an atrocity that in a country this wealthy, we have people just on the streets, and we should insist on policies that recognize their full humanity — people who are...
Continue reading...Obama was speaking with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen when he touched on criticism local residents and business owners have voiced for years.
"I think it is morally — ethically speaking — it is an atrocity that in a country this wealthy, we have people just on the streets, and we should insist on policies that recognize their full humanity — people who are...
Sharia law victim who fled Somalia issues endorsement in critical Senate race
EXCLUSIVE: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a high-profile women’s rights activist who fled Sharia law, has endorsed Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, for re-election in a critical Senate race that could determine whether the GOP retains its majority.
In a video announcing her endorsement, Ali, a speaker and author who fled Somalia after suffering female genital mutilation, said that "only John Cornyn has a proven record of stopping radical Islamic extremism."
"I've seen firsthand what radical Islam does to women, to families, and to nations who ignore the warning signs...
Continue reading...In a video announcing her endorsement, Ali, a speaker and author who fled Somalia after suffering female genital mutilation, said that "only John Cornyn has a proven record of stopping radical Islamic extremism."
"I've seen firsthand what radical Islam does to women, to families, and to nations who ignore the warning signs...
Rubio shines on global stage while AOC, Whitmer, and Newsom take heat
Some of President Donald Trump's top Democratic critics who may run for the White House in 2028 used appearances at a high-profile European conference this past weekend to blast the Republican president's agenda and try to beef up their foreign policy chops.
But for some of these Democrats with national ambitions, the international stop at the prestigious Munich Security Conference may have backfired.
Meanwhile, a highly anticipated address by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who may be on the GOP's 2028 ticket, won positive reviews for his charm...
Continue reading...But for some of these Democrats with national ambitions, the international stop at the prestigious Munich Security Conference may have backfired.
Meanwhile, a highly anticipated address by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who may be on the GOP's 2028 ticket, won positive reviews for his charm...
Maduro raid questions trigger Pentagon review of top AI firm as potential ‘supply chain risk’
A dispute stemming from questions about the use of AI firm's Anthropic’s model during the U.S. operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has triggered a Pentagon review of the company’s partnership, with senior officials raising concerns that Anthropic could represent a "supply chain risk."
Axios first reported on the growing tensions between the Pentagon and Anthropic, a tech company known for emphasizing safeguards on AI.
Anthropic won a $200 million contract with the Pentagon in July 2025.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA STRIKE SPARKS...
Continue reading...Axios first reported on the growing tensions between the Pentagon and Anthropic, a tech company known for emphasizing safeguards on AI.
Anthropic won a $200 million contract with the Pentagon in July 2025.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA STRIKE SPARKS...
US build-up of warships and fighter jets tracked near Iran
BBC Verify has seen US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln near Iran ahead of talks between the two countries
Continue reading...Actor Robert Duvall, who starred in The Godfather, dies aged 95
The Oscar-winner died "peacefully" at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday, his family says.
Continue reading...Ancient bone may prove legendary war elephant crossing of Alps
It would be the first hard evidence that elephants were used in battle by General Hannibal.
Continue reading...Bondi Beach shooting accused faces court for the first time
The 24-year-old faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack.
Continue reading...'It's never too late': Savannah Guthrie's new plea for mother's release as FBI analyses glove
The FBI says it recovered a DNA sample from the glove, which was found in a field a few miles from Guthrie's home.
Continue reading...They didn't just ignore audit warnings — California lawmakers quietly killed dozens of audit-backed bills
For decades, California lawmakers requested state audits, Californians have paid for those audits, and the State Auditor provided detailed recommendations on how to fix waste, fraud, and oversight failures across state government.
In most cases, CBS News California found lawmakers did not act on those recommendations.
When they did act, former majority party leaders quietly killed dozens of audit-backed bills in committee. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed at least a dozen more.
A CBS News California investigation found lawmakers failed to enact roughly...
Continue reading...In most cases, CBS News California found lawmakers did not act on those recommendations.
When they did act, former majority party leaders quietly killed dozens of audit-backed bills in committee. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed at least a dozen more.
A CBS News California investigation found lawmakers failed to enact roughly...
GOP states move to make church service disruptions a felony after Minnesota storming
A growing number of U.S. states have introduced legislation that would make it a felony for protesters to disrupt church services or other places of worship, in an apparent effort to head off anti-ICE demonstrations like those that unfolded weeks earlier in Minnesota.
In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed into law a Republican-led bill that strengthens penalties against demonstrators who disrupt church services in the state and creates a so-called "buffer zone" around worshipers to further protect churchgoers.
In Alabama, House...
Continue reading...In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed into law a Republican-led bill that strengthens penalties against demonstrators who disrupt church services in the state and creates a so-called "buffer zone" around worshipers to further protect churchgoers.
In Alabama, House...
RNC mocks 'Forget someone again??' after Dems’ Presidents Day post leaves out big name
Democrats were mocked for leaving one of their most popular presidents off their party’s Presidents' Day message after Republicans noticed that former President Bill Clinton was absent.
The former Arkansas governor and 42nd commander-in-chief was missing from a "Happy President’s Day" image that included John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Franklin Roosevelt, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
The only Democratic presidents missing between Roosevelt and Biden’s tenures were Clinton and Harry Truman.
In response, the RNC retweeted the...
Continue reading...The former Arkansas governor and 42nd commander-in-chief was missing from a "Happy President’s Day" image that included John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Franklin Roosevelt, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
The only Democratic presidents missing between Roosevelt and Biden’s tenures were Clinton and Harry Truman.
In response, the RNC retweeted the...
NAACP asks judge to limit how feds use Georgia voter data seized by FBI
The NAACP formally asked a federal judge to protect voter information seized by the FBI from an election warehouse in Atlanta on Sunday.
The NAACP and other organizations say the documents contain "sensitive personal information," and asked the judge to impose limits on how the FBI can use the data. Their motion argues the seizure from the Fulton County elections building "infringed constitutional protections of privacy, and interfered with the right to vote."
The motion asks the judge to "order reasonable limits on the government’s use of the...
Continue reading...The NAACP and other organizations say the documents contain "sensitive personal information," and asked the judge to impose limits on how the FBI can use the data. Their motion argues the seizure from the Fulton County elections building "infringed constitutional protections of privacy, and interfered with the right to vote."
The motion asks the judge to "order reasonable limits on the government’s use of the...
Democrat lawmakers rush to bash Trump even as jobs, inflation reports beat projections
Democrats are sticking to their skepticism about President Donald Trump’s performance on the economy, blasting the country’s "unaffordability" even as the reporting from January exceeded expectations on inflation and the job market.
January’s
Continue reading...January’s
Australian IS families in Syria camp turned back after leaving for home
The group of 34 women and children with family links to Islamic State group have been held in the Roj camp for nearly seven years.
Continue reading...US attorney general criticised after saying all Epstein files have been released
Lawmakers, including those who wrote the law requiring their publication, argue the release is insufficient.
Continue reading...GOP lawmaker joins Democrat-led effort to limit Trump's pardon power
A House GOP lawmaker has become the first member of his party to support a Democrat-led effort to limit presidential pardon power.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., signed on in support of legislation led by Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., to establish a congressional review process for presidential pardons.
It comes after President
Continue reading...Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., signed on in support of legislation led by Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., to establish a congressional review process for presidential pardons.
It comes after President
‘War on Drugs’ crusader Bill Bennett breaks with Trump as White House moves to ease federal marijuana rules
Former Reagan Education Secretary William Bennett is siding with Trump on much of the administration’s agenda, but drawing a firm line on marijuana policy — arguing the White House should not move to federally reschedule cannabis.
"I love Donald Trump," Bennett said during a phone call to Fox News Digital. "I love almost everything he does, but I don't love this."
Bennett spoke to Fox News Digital Friday in reaction to Trump signing an executive order in December 2025 directing the Justice Department to expedite moving marijuana from Schedule I to...
Continue reading..."I love Donald Trump," Bennett said during a phone call to Fox News Digital. "I love almost everything he does, but I don't love this."
Bennett spoke to Fox News Digital Friday in reaction to Trump signing an executive order in December 2025 directing the Justice Department to expedite moving marijuana from Schedule I to...
Shutdown flips ICE oversight fight as DHS moves to block surprise lawmaker visits
The Department of Homeland Security told a court Friday that it could once again ban federal lawmakers from making unannounced visits to ICE detention centers after funding restrictions passed by Congress had expired.
Government lawyers wrote to the D.C. federal court that there was "no lawful basis" for the court to continue blocking the policy, saying the partial government shutdown cleared the way for DHS to enforce it. The policy has been a point of contention in court for months as Democratic House lawmakers show up unannounced at facilities...
Continue reading...Government lawyers wrote to the D.C. federal court that there was "no lawful basis" for the court to continue blocking the policy, saying the partial government shutdown cleared the way for DHS to enforce it. The policy has been a point of contention in court for months as Democratic House lawmakers show up unannounced at facilities...
Montana governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits
A western state’s governor and attorney general are launching an investigation into potential violations of a statewide ban on sanctuary cities and sanctuary-jurisdictional policies, pledging zero tolerance for failure to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte told Fox News Digital that he and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, both Republicans, will investigate the capital city of Helena under SB 200, which permits civil legal action and enforcement of fines against jurisdictions found in violation.
"In Montana...
Continue reading...Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte told Fox News Digital that he and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, both Republicans, will investigate the capital city of Helena under SB 200, which permits civil legal action and enforcement of fines against jurisdictions found in violation.
"In Montana...
‘At some point, you age out’: Obama urges Democrats to pass torch to younger candidates
Former President Barack Obama says the Democratic Party needs to elevate a younger generation of candidates if it wants to win at the ballot box in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
Obama, who was 47-years-old when first elected president in 2008, is warning that older politicians can "age out" and lose a crucial connection to a younger electorate.
"I’m not making a hard and fast rule here, but I do think that Democrats do well when we have candidates who are plugged into the moment, to the zeitgeist, to the times and the particular struggles...
Continue reading...Obama, who was 47-years-old when first elected president in 2008, is warning that older politicians can "age out" and lose a crucial connection to a younger electorate.
"I’m not making a hard and fast rule here, but I do think that Democrats do well when we have candidates who are plugged into the moment, to the zeitgeist, to the times and the particular struggles...
Schumer pushes bill to give Pride flag same status as US, military flags
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is making a push to have the Pride flag considered on the same level as the U.S. flag in the eyes of the federal government.
Schumer announced plans to introduce legislation that would make the flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ movement, a congressionally authorized flag. The distinction would enshrine the flag with similar protections as the U.S. flag, military flags, POW/MIA flags and others recognized by Congress.
His move comes after the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from a national monument...
Continue reading...Schumer announced plans to introduce legislation that would make the flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ movement, a congressionally authorized flag. The distinction would enshrine the flag with similar protections as the U.S. flag, military flags, POW/MIA flags and others recognized by Congress.
His move comes after the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from a national monument...
ICE assaults spike 1,500% as Dems draw ‘hard red line’ to unmask agents in DHS battle
Senior Trump administration officials defended the use of masks and other facial coverings by federal immigration enforcement officers, citing a sharp increase in assaults and violent threats against agents amid the administration’s hard-line immigration crackdown.
White House border czar Tom Homan on Sunday defended the use of masks and other facial coverings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as necessary to protect agents from a rise in assaults and violent threats reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
"I don't like the...
Continue reading...White House border czar Tom Homan on Sunday defended the use of masks and other facial coverings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as necessary to protect agents from a rise in assaults and violent threats reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
"I don't like the...
U.S., Hungary sign civil nuclear deal as Trump deepens ties with Orbán
The United States and Hungary signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement on Monday, as the Trump administration deepened bilateral ties with a controversial ally at a politically sensitive moment for Budapest.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Budapest for meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and senior members of his government, during which Rubio and Orbán signed the pact.
The deal comes two months before Hungary's next parliamentary elections, which may determine whether Orbán can maintain his two-decade grip on...
Continue reading...U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Budapest for meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and senior members of his government, during which Rubio and Orbán signed the pact.
The deal comes two months before Hungary's next parliamentary elections, which may determine whether Orbán can maintain his two-decade grip on...