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As DOGE hammers away at the US government, Republicans stir with quiet objections
By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKINGUpdated 12:38 PM CST, February 12, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Katie Britt has been working to make sure the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency doesn’t hit what she called “life-saving, groundbreaking research at high-achieving institutions,” including her state’s beloved University of Alabama.
Kansas GOP Sen. Jerry Moran is worried that food from heartland farmers would spoil rather than be sent around the world as the U.S. Agency for International Development shutters.
And Idaho GOP Rep. Mike Simpson warns national parks could be impaired by cutbacks at the start of summer hiring in preparation for the onslaught of visitors.
“We need to have a conversation with DOGE and the administration about exactly what they’ve done here,” said Simpson, a seasoned lawmaker who sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee. “It’s a concern to all of us.” ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Senator seeks watchdog inquiry into Kash Patel, alleges behind-the-scenes role in purge at FBI
A top Democratic senator has asked the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate after he says he received information that Kash Patel had been “personally directing the ongoing purge” of agents at the bureau.
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Analysis: Tall tales and little transparency drive Trump and Musk’s government wrecking ball | CNN Politics
To hear Elon Musk and President Donald Trump tell it, the federal government is being abused by rapacious fraudsters spending your tax dollars.
www.cnn.comTrump's former personal lawyer defends him at a Senate hearing and decries 'partisan lawfare'
President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, criticized the criminal cases against the Republican as “partisan lawfare” during his confirmation hearing to become the No. 2 Justice Department official.
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Durbin accuses Patel of ordering FBI firings before his confirmation as FBI director and lying about it
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said he has "highly credible information" that Patel is behind the firings at the FBI, though he is not yet the FBI director.
www.cbsnews.comStock market today: Most of Wall Street sinks after inflation worsens
Most U.S. stocks fell after a report said inflation is unexpectedly worsening for Americans. The S&P 500 dropped 0.3% Wednesday, though it had been on track for a much worse loss of 1.1% at the start of trading.
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Trump freezes U.S. law banning bribery of foreign officials
Although President Trump can't overturn the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, experts say he can change how it is enforced.
www.cbsnews.comTrump upends US policy on Ukraine and says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war
President Donald Trump has upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine, saying he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war.
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GOP hardliners threaten revolt over Johnson plan to implement Trump agenda | CNN Politics
Speaker Mike Johnson’s budget plan is in trouble as multiple GOP hardliners seek last-minute changes that could risk support from the party’s centrist middle — jeopardizing leadership’s plans to kickstart President Donald Trump’s agenda in Congress.
www.cnn.com
'Ridiculous': Bondi personally strips DOJ walls of Biden, Harris, Garland portraits
Attorney General Pam Bondi called it "ridiculous" that portraits of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Merrick Garland were still hanging on the Justice Department walls three weeks into Trump's term.
USAID employees detail harrowing exits from DR Congo amid violence as Trump administration dismantles agency | CNN Politics
US Agency for International Development employees this week recounted the panic they experienced in the days after they were ordered to return from their assignments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
www.cnn.comMusk appears at White House defending DOGE's work but acknowledging mistakes
President Donald Trump’s most powerful adviser, Elon Musk, has made a rare public appearance at the White House to defend the swift and extensive cuts he’s pushing across the federal government while acknowledging there may be mistakes.
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Top public school teachers fear looming Department of Education changes
President Donald Trump is preparing an executive order that would call for the secretary to submit a proposal to diminish the Education Department.
'Makes sense': GOP, Dems unite behind Trump's plan to fire the penny
Democratic and Republican lawmakers spoke with Fox News Digital on Capitol Hill about whether they agree with President Donald Trump's elimination of the penny.
Judge clears way for Trump’s plan to downsize federal workforce with deferred resignation program
A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.
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U.S. sending nonviolent, "low-risk" migrants to Guantanamo, despite vow to detain "the worst" there
While the Trump administration has highlighted transfers of dangerous criminals to Guantanamo Bay, it is also sending nonviolent, "low-risk" migrants.
www.cbsnews.com
When the pain hits home, Republicans balk at Trump's spending cuts and tariffs
From reducing NIH funding to slashing USAID to imposing new tariffs, Republican lawmakers are beginning to speak out — carefully — against some of Trump's actions.
www.nbcnews.comWhite House says it's the judges — not Trump — causing a 'constitutional crisis'
The White House says court rulings going against President Donald Trump's administration are coming from “judicial activists” on the bench whose decisions amount to a “constitutional crisis.”
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Trump and allies ramp up attacks on judges, courts as agenda hits legal roadblocks
Trump and his allies are continuing to question judicial oversight of the executive branch, ramping up criticism of judges who've put some of his agenda on pause.
How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 2/12/2025
U.S. stocks fell after a report said inflation is unexpectedly worsening for Americans. The S&P 500 dropped 0.3% Wednesday, though it had been on track for a much worse loss of 1.1% at the start of trading.
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Trump fires USAID inspector general who released report on impact of agency cuts
President Trump fired the USAID inspector general one day after he released a report detailing the impact of the administration's cuts to the agency.
www.cbsnews.comUS defense chief suggests Ukraine should abandon hope of winning all territory back from Russia
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic. Speaking Wednesday to NATO allies, Hegseth also suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia and instead prepare for a negotiated peace settlement to be backed up by internationa
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Advocates ask court to give migrant detainees at Guantanamo access to lawyers
A group of advocates filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to require the Trump administration to give migrant detainees at Guantanamo Bay access to lawyers.
www.cbsnews.comHouse Republicans unveil blueprint to extend $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and lift the debt ceiling
House Republicans have set the stage for advancing many of President Donald Trump’s top domestic priorities.
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Live updates: Tulsi Gabbard is sworn in as intel chief; judge unfreezes Trump's federal buyout plan
Follow live updates as the Senate votes on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination. The House DOGE subcommittee, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, holds its first hearing.
www.nbcnews.com
DOGE 'playbook' unveiled by GOP senator as Musk-led agency shakes up federal government
Sen. James Lankford published a 26-page book of “federal fumbles" that he believes could be a playbook for Trump’s DOGE, which is being spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Eastern storm cuts power to tens of thousands as California braces for flooding
Heavy snow and freezing rain from Kentucky to the nation's capital caused hundreds of crashes and left tens of thousands of residents in the dark.
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Donald Trump offers Vladimir Putin a way back in from the cold
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg analyses how one phone call between Moscow and DC has already upended east-west relations.
www.bbc.com
Trump 2nd term live updates: Judge denies request for injunction blocking federal buyout offer
A federal judge in Boston has denied a request to issue a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump's plan to offer a buyout to federal employees.
House GOP releases budget calling for trillions in cuts to taxes and spending
The blueprint conflicts with a Senate budget resolution, which doesn't address taxes or the debt ceiling. It also includes less funding than the Senate's for immigration enforcement.
www.nbcnews.comTrump doubles down on plan to empty Gaza. This is what he has said and what's at stake
Rights groups say that behind U.S. President Donald Trump's vows to turn Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” lies a plan to forcibly drive a population from its land.
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Big spending, big cuts: House Republicans scramble to strike a deal on Trump's agenda
The Senate is racing ahead with its own plan as the House GOP grappled with fighting among its members.
www.usatoday.com
Trump tries to tackle an audacious campaign pledge: From the Politics Desk
Plus, one of 2025's marquee races for governor provides an early immigration test for Democrats.
www.nbcnews.comPowell says Trump's comments won't affect interest rate decisions by the Fed
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday President Donald Trump’s calls for lower interest rates won’t lead the central bank to change its rate decisions.
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U.S. to send cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik to Russia in prisoner swap for Marc Fogel
The deal will see Alexander Vinnik returned to Russia in a swap for American teacher Marc Fogel.
www.cbsnews.comUS eggs prices hit a record high of $4.95 and are likely to keep climbing
Egg prices have reached a record high in the U.S. as an ongoing bird flu outbreak that began in 2022 is making eggs terribly expensive right now.
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Senior Ukraine official accused of being Russian 'rat'
Intelligence chief Vasyl Malyuk was seen personally arresting the suspect, named by media as Dmytro Kozyura.
www.bbc.com2 top ICE officials are reassigned amid Trump administration frustrations over immigration arrests
Two top immigration enforcement officials have been reassigned amid frustrations in the Trump administration about the pace of immigration arrests.
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When El Salvador agreed to put migrants in "mega-prison," the U.S. paved the way for nuclear power
The nuclear agreement is a potential national security win for the United States, one expert said.
www.cbsnews.comSenate confirms Gabbard as Trump's director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line
The Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.
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Pete Hegseth sets out hard line on European defence and Nato
The US defence secretary tells Europe to spend more and take responsibility for Ukraine's future defence.
www.bbc.com
‘Mr. Brexit’ advocates for UK DOGE over 'complete waste' of taxpayer money
Farage said Elon Musk’s DOGE investigations inspired him to reevaluate where British taxpayer money is going.
Exclusive: Gabbard to meet with US allies in Munich on first trip as DNI
During her first full day as director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard will meet with U.S. allies at the Munich Security Conference.
Post misrepresents satirical petition as $1 trillion offer for California | Fact check
A tongue-in-cheek petition seeking to crowdfund $1 trillion to help Denmark purchase California is presented in the post as a legitimate offer.
www.usatoday.com
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs warns Hamas not to test Trump ahead of Saturday ultimatum
U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler discusses the Trump administration's stance on Hamas delaying the next planned release of Israeli hostages on "The Story."
Steve Bannon pleads guilty to defrauding donors in private border wall scheme | CNN Politics
Conservative firebrand Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in a fundraising effort to build a wall along the southern US border in a deal that allowed him to avoid prison.
www.cnn.comRussia releases imprisoned American Marc Fogel in what US calls a step toward the end of Ukraine war
A Pennsylvania schoolteacher who's back on American soil after his release from Russia has spoken to his wife, his two children and his 95-year-old mother.
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Trump elected chair of the Kennedy Center by newly constituted board | CNN Politics
The newly constituted board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has elected President Donald Trump as its chairman.
www.cnn.com
Trump administration considering using defense funding to ramp up deportations
The administration has been unhappy with the current pace of immigrant arrests and deportations, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement budget has been a factor.
www.nbcnews.com
White House defends blocking AP reporter from Oval Office because of AP policy on 'Gulf of America'
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's move Tuesday to block an AP reporter from attending events in the Oval Office and the Diplomatic Reception Room because of AP's style policy on the "Gulf of America."
apnews.com
How Trump is reshaping the Kennedy Center, moving away from "woke culture"
President Trump is changing the composition of the Kennedy Center's board — and wants to change the types of performances the center shows.
www.cbsnews.comUS inflation got worse with rising prices on groceries and gasoline
The consumer price index increased 3% in January from a year ago, Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed, up from 2.9% the previous month.
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Trump says he expects to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia - live updates
The US president says the meeting with the Russian leader would also involve Saudi Arabia's crown prince.
www.bbc.com
Federal health agencies restore webpages and datasets following judge's order
Federal health agencies have restored several webpages and datasets, following a judge’s order to bring back public access to information that had been removed to comply with a presidential executive order.
apnews.com
Analysis: Musk shows why he’s such a powerful ally for Trump and would be an even more menacing enemy | CNN Politics
Elon Musk’s Oval Office address showed why he’s a menacing foe for the federal government and why President Donald Trump is playing with fire by ceding him so much power.
www.cnn.comIsrael threatens 'all hell will break loose' on Hamas in latest Gaza ceasefire crisis
Israel’s defense minister says “all hell will break loose” if Hamas does not release three hostages as planned this weekend.
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Egypt reportedly releases details on plan to rebuild Gaza; there's no mention of 'cooperation' with the US
Egyptian sources have reportedly revealed initial details of a proposal for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but it appears to omit plans to "cooperate" with the U.S. or Israel.
FACT FOCUS: FEMA funding to New York City to assist migrants is misrepresented
FEMA payments to New York City for migrant assistance came under scrutiny this week as Elon Musk claimed his Department of Government Efficiency had uncovered $59 million in illegal payments to house migrants in luxury hotels when it was meant for American disaster relief.
apnews.com
US embassies instructed to prepare for staff reductions: Sources
The State Department has begun instructing U.S. embassies around the world to start planning for staff reductions, sources told ABC News.
Sotomayor says presidents have largely followed rule of law, offers words of caution
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said presidents have historically obeyed judicial rulings with a few exceptions while advocating for the court to move cautiously to maintain a system of checks and balances.
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At least one U.S. citizen released from detention in Belarus, Trump official says
Adam Boehler, the U.S. envoy for hostages, disclosed the release Wednesday.
www.cbsnews.comWhat Marbury v. Madison means for the Supreme Court — and America
President Donald Trump has been critical of federal judges who've moved to block some of his most contentious actions, such as his effort to freeze federal spending.
apnews.com
Hegseth rules out NATO membership for Ukraine and says Europe must be responsible for country’s security | CNN Politics
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the war between Ukraine and Russia “must end,” that Kyiv joining NATO is unrealistic, and that the US will no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security as the Trump administration shifts its attention to securing the US’ own...
www.cnn.com
Trump's labor nominee once worked at Planned Parenthood, risking further GOP ire
Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer told the Senate committee considering her nomination that it was a "brief, part-time job" and that she doesn't "personally" support abortion.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump upends US policy on Ukraine and says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war
President Donald Trump has upended three years of U.S. policy toward Ukraine, saying he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war.
apnews.com
What will dismantling the Education Department mean for your student loans?
The Trump administration is gearing up for large changes to the Department of Education, which oversees a $1.6 trillion portfolio of student loans.
House GOP's budget impasse thaws just as winter storm sacks Capitol
As snow falls on D.C., House Republicans push forward on President Donald Trump's agenda with multiple bills and visits to the Capitol.
RFK Jr.'s nomination for health secretary advances in Senate, teeing up final vote
The Senate voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, teeing up a final vote on his confirmation.
www.cbsnews.comWith public broadcasters pressured by the Trump administration, PBS shuts down its diversity office
During a time of pressure on public broadcasters, PBS says that it is shutting down its office of diversity, equity and inclusion and firing the two executives who staffed it.
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NATO allies scramble for direction as Trump team signals concessions to Moscow | CNN
Wednesday’s meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels was, on paper, about coordinating military aid for Ukraine and welcoming the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth into the international fold. In practice, it was a day that saw the Trump administration upend the alliance’s approach to...
www.cnn.com
Trump starts Ukraine peace talks as he and Putin plan Saudi meet
The conversations signaled a new intensity and pace in the U.S. efforts to end the nearly 3-year-old war.
www.usatoday.com
For China, USAID’s demise could be a soft power win in Southeast Asia
Washington’s retreat from the region leaves space that Beijing may be keen to fill, analysts say.
Petition for Denmark to buy California for $1 trillion surpasses 200,000 signatures
A satirical online petition is catching the attention of Californians and Danes alike.
www.cbsnews.com5 economic forces that could shape the first year of Trump's presidency
Like most presidents, Donald Trump faces an economy that seldom bends to political ambitions. The Republican has promised strong growth, high tariffs, income tax cuts and booming oilfields.
apnews.com
Wasabi worries and truffle troubles: Tariffs threaten crops that U.S. farmers struggle to grow
Many of the specialty crops Americans enjoy are almost entirely imported from abroad. The few growers who cultivate these items domestically say it’s a difficult, risky business.
www.nbcnews.com
MI5 lied to courts to defend handling of violent neo-Nazi agent
In an unprecedented admission, the Security Service apologises for “inaccurate” evidence.
www.bbc.comTrump readies matching tariffs on trade partners, possibly setting up a major economic showdown
President Donald Trump could sign an order as soon as Wednesday to require that U.S. tariffs on imports match the tax rates charged by other countries.
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DOGE brought receipts: Leavitt’s list of waste found by Musk and team
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt came to Elon Musk and DOGE's defense, producing a list of contracts the Trump team deemed waste, fraud, and abuse.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
How the Make America Healthy Again movement swung from RFK Jr. to Trump | CNN Politics
Health influencer Calley Means helped orchestrate the shotgun marriage of MAGA and MAHA supporters.
www.cnn.comChristian aid groups receive millions in USAID funds. Now their humanitarian work is collapsing
Christian aid groups are being hard-hit after the Trump administration froze most foreign aid and sidelined the U.S. Agency for International Development.
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Rat birth control and 'Rat Walks' among new initiatives to curb NYC’s rat population
ABC News looks at New York City’s fight against rats as city officials and residents take matters into their own hands, uncovering new methods to curb the rat population.
Republicans once railed against armed IRS agents. Now they want them for immigration enforcement
For years, Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have railed against the IRS and its cadre of armed agents.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi announces lawsuit against New York over immigration enforcement
This is Bondi's first major announcement as attorney general.
www.cbsnews.com
NASA says that, yes, an asteroid buzzing by in 2032 could hit Earth
But — importantly — the chances are still "extremely low," though they have ticked up since the object was first detected.
www.nbcnews.com
Donald Trump says Ukraine ‘unlikely’ to return to its pre-2014 borders
The US president has held calls with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as peace negotiations reportedly begin.
Things to know about Russia's release of American Marc Fogel and the impact on ending Ukraine war
President Donald Trump’s announcement that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine followed a prisoner swap between the two nations.
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Donald Trump call with Vladimir Putin confirms Ukraine not in driving seat
The BBC's Frank Gardner says improved relations between DC and Moscow may spell trouble for Kyiv.
www.bbc.com
Immigration divides New Jersey Democrats in an early test for the party
The New Jersey governor’s race is an opportunity for Democrats to regroup after Trump’s win. Immigration is an early dividing line in a crowded primary.
www.nbcnews.comSenate Republicans vow action to boost border funds after briefing with Trump officials
Senate Republicans are vowing to move quickly on a budget plan that could pave the way for about $340 billion in additional border security and defense spending.
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Putin viewed as 'great competitor' but still a US 'adversary' as Ukraine negotiations loom, Leavitt says
U.S. sees President Vladimir Putin as a "great competitor" and "adversary" as it works to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
FEMA yanks back $80 million that New York City meant to cover hotel costs for migrants
Officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency has yanked back more than $80 million from New York City.
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Greenland's future must align with US interests, senator says during committee hearing
In a Commerce hearing Senators said Greenland's future should align with U.S. interests, but Greenland leaders insist the country is not for sale.
www.usatoday.com
Trump has subdued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. So what does this agency do?
President Trump and other critics of the agency say it needs to be shut down. Supporters of the agency point to its record of protecting consumers.
www.cbsnews.com
Judge reinstates Trump's deferred resignation offer - Washington Examiner
George O’Toole of the U.S. District Court ruled that the plaintiffs, several labor unions, lacked a “direct stake” in Trump’s directive.
www.washingtonexaminer.comJudge orders LSU to reinstate professor who was removed from class following political comments
A judge has ordered Louisiana State University to fully reinstate a professor who was removed from his teaching duties last month after he used vulgar language to criticize Gov.
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Hegseth rules out Ukraine NATO membership as part of any ceasefire with Russia
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. will no longer be the "primary guarantor of security in Europe," which he said must step up to secure Ukraine.
www.cbsnews.com
Republicans war against the courts for thwarting Trump's agenda
"These judges are acting as judicial activists rather than honest arbiters of the law," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
www.washingtonexaminer.comBelarus releases 3 people, including an American and a jailed journalist
U.S. officials say Belarus has released three people, including an American and a journalist, who’d been detained for more than three years.
apnews.com
Gaza: Confusion and mistrust hang over efforts to save ceasefire
Egypt and Qatar are "intensifying diplomatic efforts" as concern grows that fighting will resume.
www.bbc.comAlabama governor vows to sign bill that writes definitions of male and female into state law
Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation that would write definitions of male and female into state law that exclude transgender people from being recognized under their gender identity.
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Tulsi Gabbard sworn in at White House hours after Senate confirmation
Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as director of national intelligence (DNI) on Wednesday after being confirmed by the Senate several hours earlier.
27 religious groups sue Trump administration to protect houses of worship from immigration arrests
The lawsuit from more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services.
www.cbsnews.com
A global coffee price spike is about to drip into your mug
Disruptive weather linked to climate change has dented coffee bean supplies, which industry experts warn could soon leave a bitter taste in consumers’ mouths.
www.nbcnews.com
Teens fighting New Hampshire’s ban on trans girls in sports target Trump’s order next
Last fall, a federal judge ruled that the two students can try out for and play on girls school sports teams while the teens challenge the state ban.
www.nbcnews.comWhat to know about the Trump administration moving to drop corruption charges against NYC mayor
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been thrown a lifeline by the Trump administration. A top Justice Department official on Monday moved to drop federal corruption charges against the embattled leader of America’s largest city.
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Senate votes to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence | CNN Politics
The Senate voted Wednesday, to confirm former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
www.cnn.comGovernment watchdogs fired by Trump sue his administration and ask a judge to reinstate them
Eight government watchdogs have sued over their mass firing that removed oversight of President Donald Trump’s new administration.
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Tar balls wash ashore on Florida beaches, but the source of the sticky black goo is a mystery
The U.S. Coast Guard has been searching for tar balls that began showing up on Florida beaches over the weekend
Trump's halt of US law banning business bribes abroad raises specter of a 'Wild West' of dealmaking
President Donald Trump's decision to pause enforcement of a law banning companies from bribing foreign government officials threatens to upend a half-century of U.S. policy embraced by both Republican and Democratic administrations.
apnews.com
Trump speaks with Putin, says talks to end Ukraine war will begin "immediately"
President Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and directed his national security team to lead negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
www.cbsnews.comScholz clashes with Merz over German economy and migration at last parliament meeting before poll
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accused his main rival in Germany’s upcoming election of “constant about turns,” while Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and front-runner, accused Scholz of leaving behind an economic “disaster.”
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An Iraq War vet is facing deportation. This veterans' group is demanding his release.
An Iraq War vet in Arizona was detained by immigration authorities. A national vets group says he's been unfairly targeted by the Trump administration
www.usatoday.com
Biden administration slow-walked Marc Fogel designation as 'wrongful detainee,' Republicans say
The Biden administration had slow-walked its designation of American Marc Fogel as a "wrongful detainee" in Russia, Republicans and officials who worked on freeing Fogel told Fox News Digital.
A rare bipartisan coalition in Alabama pushes ban on machine gun conversion devices
A bipartisan coalition in Alabama has come together to endorse a public safety package that would ban devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns.
apnews.com
Israel issues more war threats; Egypt, Qatar scramble to rescue Gaza deal
Hamas says Saturday’s exchange may go ahead, but that Israel is yet to meet its humanitarian commitments.
House Republicans release budget plan, with trillions in tax and spending cuts
House Republicans released a budget resolution on Wednesday, laying a foundation for approving President Trump's agenda.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump teases meetings with Putin during Gabbard swearing-in ceremony - Washington Examiner
Trump previewed the meetings after his first announced call with Putin since returning to the White House.
www.washingtonexaminer.comFBI says it found 2,400 new JFK assassination records
The FBI said it’s working to transfer the records to the National Archives and Records Administration to be included in the declassification process.
apnews.comDOGE’s power expands as federal agencies start planning large-scale layoffs | CNN Politics
The next stage of the Trump administration’s efforts to slash the federal workforce is underway.
www.cnn.com
Congestion pricing off to strong start, your personal ‘dopamenu,’ craft beer crisis: Catch up on the day’s stories | CNN
CNN’s 5 Things PM brings you the stories you might have missed during your busy day.
www.cnn.comCourt-ordered redistricting will require do-over legislative elections this year
The Mississippi House has approved a resolution that would allow five seats in the chamber to be re-decided in a November special election to comply with a federal court order.
apnews.com
US inflation unexpectedly increases
US inflation increased by more than expected last month, pushing up the cost of living for Americans.
www.bbc.comThe relationship between the White House and its press corps is time-tested — and can be contentious
When the Trump administration barred Associated Press reporters from presidential events, it did so after an or-else demand that the news agency change its style from the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” in line with the president's executive order.
apnews.com
Trump pushes Gaza plan in meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II
President Trump hosted Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday as he escalates pressure on the Arab nation to take in refugees from Gaza.
www.cbsnews.comWatch the latest videos from the Washington Examiner
Watch the latest videos from the Washington Examiner, featuring in-depth analysis, commentary, and interviews. Get the latest news & issues affecting America.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Google says U.S. faces a power capacity crisis in AI race against China
Google ran into a “very stark reality that we didn’t have enough capacity on the system to power our data centers in the short term.”
www.nbcnews.comJim Justice says he turned West Virginia's budget from cow dung to gold. Gov. Morrisey disagrees
When he ended his term as governor to head to the U.S. Senate, Jim Justice assured West Virginians he was leaving the state in glowing financial condition. New Gov.
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Musk staffer 'mistakenly' given ability to edit Treasury Department payment system, legal filings say
The filings also provided new insights into DOGE's ongoing mission with the Treasury Department.
Relatives of Israeli hostages are terrified as the Gaza ceasefire teeters
Families of the hostages in Gaza are struggling to maintain hope as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems increasingly at risk of falling apart.
apnews.com
Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel confirmed as Ohio lieutenant governor
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel replaces Sen. Jon Husted, who took over Vice President JD Vance's Senate seat last month.
www.usatoday.com
DHS fires four FEMA officials over payments to NYC to house migrants | CNN Politics
The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it fired four Federal Emergency Management Agency officials over payments provided to New York City to house migrants, arguing without evidence that the officials circumvented leadership.
www.cnn.comHow Elon Musk $97.4 billion bid complicates matters for OpenAI
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has dismissed a $97.4 billion takeover bid led by rival Elon Musk, but the unsolicited offer could complicate Altman’s push to transform the maker of ChatGPT into a for-profit company.
apnews.com
Legal showdown looms as Trump tests limits of presidential power
A judge accused the Trump administration of defying his orders, setting up a battle that could end up at the Supreme Court.
www.bbc.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene shares what's next for House DOGE panel, whether Elon Musk would testify
House GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke with reporters after the first hearing of her DOGE subcommittee under the House Committee on Oversight.
Wisconsin Supreme Court justice rejects Republican call to step down in key union case
A liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice has rejected a Republican request that she not hear a pending case that seeks to restore collective bargaining rights that tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and other state workers lost in 2011.
apnews.com‘Some of the things that I say will be incorrect’: Musk backs away from false claim of $50 million for Gaza condoms | CNN Politics
Elon Musk acknowledged Tuesday that there might not have been a federal plan to spend $50 million on condoms for Gaza – two weeks after the White House press secretary told the false story at an official briefing and more than a week after the president baselessly doubled the phony figure to...
www.cnn.comHegseth didn't request over $137,000 in upgrades to his new military residence, official says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not request more than $137,000 in repairs and upgrades to military housing at Fort McNair that will become his official residence.
apnews.com
Pharma-linked group wins over media - Washington Examiner
Influential media outlets have been circulating research from a shadowy group without disclosing its links to the pharmaceutical industry.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump scores ‘unequivocal victory’ against Pulitzer Prize board members, court denies request to dismiss suit
Trump scored yet another legal victory when a Florida appellate court unanimously affirmed the trial court order denying the Pulitzer Prize defendants' motions to dismiss the president’s lawsuit.
ACLU sues for access to migrants flown to Guantanamo this month
Civil rights attorneys have sued the Trump administration to gain access to detained migrants who they say have been flown to Guantanamo Bay and held there without being able to consult lawyers or speak to relatives.
apnews.com
How Pakistan’s Imran Khan is losing a remittance war against the government
Despite Khan’s calls to the diaspora to stop sending money back home, remittances are soaring — even from supporters.
Tesla has sued customers and journalists in China — and won most times, review finds
Tesla has sued its own customers and journalists in China for defamation – and won just about every time. Elon Musk's company has pioneered an aggressive legal strategy there.
www.cbsnews.comFlorida lawmakers work to settle DeSantis rift as they open a new session on immigration
Florida lawmakers are gaveling in another special legislative session on immigration, aimed at leveraging state and local resources to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
apnews.com
Aid groups tell judge that Trump's foreign aid pause has 'devastated' operations
A coalition of aid groups said at an emergency hearing Wednesday that the Trump administration's 90-day pause on foreign aid had already "devastated" their operations.
After meeting with Trump, Jordan's king says his country opposes displacing Palestinians in Gaza
President Donald Trump has hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House and has renewed his insistence that Gaza could somehow be emptied of all residents, controlled by the U.S. and redeveloped as a tourist area.
apnews.comTrump wants to kill congestion pricing. But it’s working | CNN Business
President Donald Trump wants to end New York City’s landmark congestion pricing policy – but the tolling program is off to a strong start.
www.cnn.comPritzker delays $1.2B invasive carp project over concerns Trump won't cover federal share
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has decided to delay work on a $1.2 billion project meant to prevent invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes out of concerns that the Trump administration won't pay the federal government's share of the costs.
apnews.com
House Republicans to move forward with budget plan as Senate pursues competing proposal
Speaker Mike Johnson said House GOP expects to move forward on budget plan this week that lays foundation for approving Trump's agenda.
www.cbsnews.comKansas' Democratic governor vetoes a GOP-backed ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors
The Democratic governor in Kansas has vetoed a proposed Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.
apnews.com
Kristi Noem asks the IRS to help with Trump immigration crackdown
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she needed the tax agency's agents to crack down on illegal immigration.
www.usatoday.com
Trump's plan to scrap the penny spikes interest for coin collectors
Collectors said the value of certain pennies could rise if the U.S. Treasury stopped manufacturing the coin.
www.cbsnews.comTennessee governor signs new school voucher program that will exclude some immigrant families
Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation designed to drastically expand school voucher access throughout the Volunteer State that will allow families to use taxpayer dollars on private school expenses regardless of income.
apnews.com
House $4.5 trillion tax cut number could force hard choices on GOP - Washington Examiner
At the heart of the House GOP’s reconciliation plans is an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, better known as the Trump tax cuts.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Over 160 unexploded bombs from World War II found under children's playground
Over 160 unexploded practice bombs dating all the way back to World War II have been discovered underneath a children’s playground in the United Kingdom, officials said.
New York City's mayor has 4 months to persuade Democratic voters he's not Trump's puppet
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared that he is “no longer facing legal questions” after the Trump administration moved to drop the bribery charges that have been hanging over his reelection campaign — but he may still be facing an impossible choice.
apnews.com
Amid deadly raids, Israeli army orders evacuation of another West Bank camp
Israeli army storms Nur Shams camp as it continues three-week ‘open war against existence of Palestinian people’.
House Dems reintroduce reparations legislation: 'We refuse to be silent'
House Democrats on Wednesday reintroduced legislation that aims to find ways to deliver reparations to African Americans who are descendants of slaves.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor says she has faith court orders will be honored | CNN Politics
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said Tuesday that she has faith federal court orders will be honored in the United States amid a roiling debate over President Donald Trump’s commitment to following judicial rulings that have put some of his policies on hold.
www.cnn.comJudge leaves intact a ban on DOGE access to Treasury records pending a hearing Friday
A federal judge has left intact a ban that prevents Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury Department records containing sensitive personal data for millions of Americans, though she made clear that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is exempt.
apnews.com
Austria's political crisis deepens as far right fails to form government
The far-right Freedom Party quits coalition talks, fuelling uncertainty.
www.bbc.com
Putin invited Trump to Moscow to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump discussed ending the war in Ukraine, and Putin invited Trump to Moscow, the Kremlin said.
www.usatoday.com
Senate Finance Committee approves Jamieson Greer, Trump's choice to be top U.S. trade negotiator
The Senate Finance Committee approved President Donald Trump’s choice to be America’s top trade negotiator Wednesday, largely along party lines.
apnews.com
DOGE slashes millions more in 'nonsense' contracts across several federal agencies
The Trump administration's DOGE effort has canceled several million dollars in contracts across various agencies, all aimed at slashing government waste.
Appeals court rejects Trump administration push to reinstate spending freezes on grants and loans
A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected a Trump administration push to reinstate a sweeping pause on federal funding, a decision that comes after a judge found the administration had not fully obeyed an earlier order.
apnews.com
Ronald Rowe, who led U.S. Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt, is retiring
Rowe led the Secret Service as acting director after Kimberly Cheatle's resignation in the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania last July.
www.cbsnews.comFrontier makes another takeover bid for Spirit Airlines and it is rejected, again
Spirit Airlines is rebuffing the latest takeover offer from Frontier Group, with the discount airline saying that it prefers focusing on its current reorganization plan.
apnews.com
Trump has ‘forward’ vision for war in Ukraine: Adam Boehler - Washington Examiner
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said that Trump is fulfilling a campaign promise in seeing to the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.washingtonexaminer.comOil and gas advocate named by Trump to lead agency that manages federal lands
President Donald Trump has nominated a longtime oil and gas industry representative to oversee an agency that manages a quarter-billion acres of public land concentrated in western states.
apnews.com
USAID cuts fallout: Wasted food, 'free-for-all' ISIS camps, less HIV prevention
Elon Musk said he would put USAID in a woodchipper. The agency's top watchdog was fired after criticizing the plan.
www.usatoday.com
White House bars AP reporter from Oval Office because of AP style policy on 'Gulf of America'
The White House blocked an Associated Press reporter from attending an event in the Oval Office after demanding the news agency alter its style on the Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump has ordered renamed to the Gulf of America.
apnews.com
Is there anyone in government Trump can’t fire? Why Humphrey’s Executor may be in peril at the Supreme Court | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s purge at independent agencies is putting a target on a nearly 100-year-old Supreme Court precedent that protects certain officials from the political whims of the White House.
www.cnn.comWhat does having the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on hold mean for consumers?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the latest U.S. government agency to have its work halted by the Trump administration.
apnews.com
Who sells the most steel and aluminium to the US and who is facing tariffs?
Donald Trump plans to place 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, valued at about $50bn in 2024.
DRAIN THE SWAMP Act seeks to move DC bureaucracy ‘out of crazy town,’ House DOGE leader says
Florida Republican Congressman Aaron Bean is putting forward the DRAIN THE SWAMP Act to compel the relocation of a swath of the federal bureaucracy outside Washington, D.C.
Canada’s new fentanyl czar says goal is to totally stop the drug from entering the US
The man appointed by the Canadian government to help stop fentanyl from entering the United States says his goal is to totally eliminate the drug crossing the border.
apnews.com
Fremont, California, could jail people for 'abetting' homeless people - Washington Examiner
The Fremont City Council voted 6-1 to enact a penalty on individuals “causing, permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing” a homeless encampment.
www.washingtonexaminer.comNew report says Russia is better able to withstand heavy battlefield losses than Ukraine
An annual review of the global military situation says Russia’s stockpiles of Cold War-era weapons and larger population have allowed it to withstand heavy battlefield losses in Ukraine as the West fails to provide Ukraine with the aid needed to mount a counteroffensive.
apnews.com
Denmark would buy California from Trump in joke petition: '100% real ... in our dreams'
The tongue-in-cheek campaign comes as President Donald Trump has made it clear that his interest in purchasing Greenland is definitely not a joke.
www.usatoday.com
Hungary's Orbán meets head of far-right German party AfD, calling her 'the future of Germany'
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is hosting Alice Weidel, the Alternative for Germany party's candidate for chancellor, a rare meeting between a European leader and Germany’s far-right party.
apnews.com
Elon Musk defends DOGE in Oval Office as Trump orders agencies to comply with cuts
Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, took questions for the first time since the president gave him broad authority to overhaul the executive branch.
www.cbsnews.comPlastic straws have come to symbolize a global pollution crisis. Trump wants them to stay
Straws might seem insignificant, but the plastic straw has come to symbolize a global pollution crisis over the past decade.
apnews.com
Wrongfully detained American teacher Marc Fogel meets with Trump after being released from Russia in an ‘exchange’ | CNN Politics
Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained for more than three years in Russia, was welcomed back to the US by President Donald Trump on Tuesday night after the White House secured his release in an “exchange.”
www.cnn.comNorth Carolina legislators fleshing out details on $500M more proposed for Hurricane Helene relief
North Carolina House members have advanced a Republican package to boost state recovery funding after Hurricane Helene by another $500 million.
apnews.com
Supreme Court leans toward allowing ban on youth transgender care
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a Tennessee law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under 18.
www.usatoday.com
Fort Liberty may become Fort Bragg again, but named after a different soldier
Fort Liberty may become Fort Bragg again. The idea is getting mixed reviews. The North Carolina Army installation originally named for Confederate Gen.
apnews.com
Noem 'clawed back' FEMA money sent to NYC migrant hotels - Washington Examiner
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she recovered the entirety of the funds that "FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels."
www.washingtonexaminer.com
‘Trump effect’: How US tariffs, ’51st state’ threats are shaking up Canada
Canadian politicians are trying to tap into growing nationalist sentiment amid US President Donald Trump’s threats.
Musk touts DOGE transparency but downplays his own potential conflicts of interest | CNN Politics
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who is now leading a sweeping effort to reshape the federal government, offered the most sustained defense of his far-reaching moves during a question-and-answer session in the Oval Office late Tuesday.
www.cnn.com
Syria’s leader, Russia’s Putin make first contact since al-Assad’s fall
Statements of support have been exchanged in al-Sharaa’s first phone call with Russian president since taking power.
Germany extends border controls by 6 months as election rivals focus on migration ahead of poll
Germany’s outgoing government is the border checks it imposed on all its frontiers last fall by another six months as it attempts to cut the number of migrants arriving in the country.
apnews.com
North Korea condemns Donald Trump's proposal to take over Gaza as 'bluster'
North Korean state media on Wednesday denounced Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and relocate Palestinians and accused Washington of robbery.
www.usatoday.com
Trump administration appeals Maryland judge's ruling blocking birthright citizenship order
President Donald Trump's administration says it’s appealing a Maryland federal judge’s ruling that blocks the president’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for people whose parents are not legally in the country.
apnews.com
LSU anti-Trump professor to be reinstated after vulgar comments - Washington Examiner
A judge ruled that LSU cannot interfere with tenured law professor Ken Levy’s employment, including suspension, over the incident.
www.washingtonexaminer.comTrump elected chair of the Kennedy Center by newly constituted board | CNN Politics
The newly constituted board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has elected President Donald Trump as its chairman.
www.cnn.comTrump steel, aluminum tariffs likely to drive up car costs, industry leaders say
President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel imports this week are likely to wreak havoc on American auto manufacturing, industry leaders say.
apnews.com
