US Politics stories

Governor Kathy Hochul appoints Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell rape case

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate allegations that a Cornell University student was gang raped by seven fraternity members in 2024, after expressing lost faith in the local district attorney's handling of the case.

Oct 2, 202611 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Letitia James

Governor Kathy Hochul appoints Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell rape case

Federal judge blocks Trump from firing court-appointed Seattle US attorney

A federal judge in Washington state ruled that President Trump cannot fire US attorneys who have been appointed by courts, blocking the dismissal of a Seattle prosecutor who had the job for less than an hour. The ruling tests the scope of presidential authority over court-appointed interim prosecutors.

Oct 1, 20264 sourcesU.S. policy & law Trump administration Judicial appointments Institutional independence Presidential authority

Federal judge blocks Trump from firing court-appointed Seattle US attorney

Federal judge dismisses Reflecting Pool vandalism case against former Olympian

A Washington, D.C. judge permanently dismissed criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, barring the Justice Department from refiling the case despite pressure from President Trump.

Oct 1, 20268 sourcesTrump administration Judicial independence Washington D.C.U.S. policy & law Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Institutional independence Criminal justice

Federal judge dismisses Reflecting Pool vandalism case against former Olympian

DNC sues Trump administration over voting changes for Americans abroad

The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit alleging the Trump administration secretly changed voting procedures for Americans overseas, potentially affecting military and civilian voters abroad.

Oct 1, 20262 sourcesTrump administration U.S. voting rights U.S. policy & law

DNC sues Trump administration over voting changes for Americans abroad

Senate confirms Keith Sonderling as labor secretary

The Senate voted 47-41 to confirm Keith Sonderling, who had been serving as acting Secretary of Labor, to the position permanently. The vote came shortly before senators recessed until after the midterm elections.

Oct 1, 20264 sourcesUS midterm elections U.S. domestic politics US Senate Congress

Senate confirms Keith Sonderling as labor secretary

Marco Rubio orders Iranian UN delegation to leave United States after negotiations stall

Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded that the Iranian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly immediately leave the country on Monday following stalled negotiations. The delegation included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had been involved in indirect talks with the United States during his stay in New York.

Oct 1, 20265 sourcesMiddle East Iran War U.S.–China relations Stalemate in the U.S.-Iran UNGA peace talks Iran-U.S. tensions U.S. Foreign Policy

Marco Rubio orders Iranian UN delegation to leave United States after negotiations stall

Treasury releases rules for nation's first federal school voucher program

The Trump administration released regulations Thursday for a new federal tax credit program that allows married couples to receive up to $3,400 in credits for donations funding private school and homeschooling scholarships. Nearly all schoolchildren in at least 30 states will be eligible to apply for the scholarships, with the Treasury estimating more than 11 million taxpayers will contribute a combined $26 billion annually.

Oct 1, 20266 sourcesHomeschooling Education policy Federal school voucher rules Private education Tax policy

Treasury releases rules for nation's first federal school voucher program

Supreme Court to review Trump administration's mandatory detention policy for immigrants

The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear a challenge to the Trump administration's policy requiring mandatory detention without bond hearings for immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and are facing deportation proceedings. The case represents a major test of one of the administration's most aggressive immigration enforcement measures.

Oct 1, 20268 sourcesU.S. family separation & immigration detention Immigration & refugees U.S. domestic politics

Supreme Court to review Trump administration's mandatory detention policy for immigrants

Trump criticizes Fox News for giving too much airtime to Democrats

President Donald Trump attacked Fox News on Truth Social, accusing the network of focusing more on Democratic politicians like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries than on "MAGA and REAL Patriots." The president questioned why the network regularly features Democrats and commentators critical of his administration.

Sep 30, 20263 sourcesTrump’s Fox News attack Conservative media U.S. domestic politics Political polarization

Trump criticizes Fox News for giving too much airtime to Democrats

Federal Reserve inspector general finds no criminal violations in $2.4 billion headquarters renovation

The Federal Reserve's internal watchdog found significant mismanagement and cost overruns in the central bank's headquarters renovation project but no evidence of criminal violations, concluding an investigation that former President Trump had used to target Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Sep 30, 20268 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Federal Reserve renovation probe

Federal Reserve inspector general finds no criminal violations in $2.4 billion headquarters renovation

Justice Department files misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges over immigration interviews

The DOJ filed a judicial misconduct complaint against seven federal judges in Minnesota who spoke to the New York Times about the immigration enforcement surge in their state. Attorney General Todd Blanche alleged the judges made unethical political statements on pending cases, while one judge defended the interviews as within ethical rules.

Sep 30, 20269 sourcesImmigration enforcement Immigration & refugees Institutional independence

Justice Department files misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges over immigration interviews

FTC opens investigation into OpenAI and Anthropic over AI safety risks

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI companies to examine potential safety risks and consumer harms posed by their products. The probe comes amid growing concerns about AI safety and follows recent high-profile cybersecurity incidents involving AI systems.

Sep 30, 202610 sourcesFTC investigation of AI labs AI safety & social impact AI security AI Regulation U.S. AI regulation AI policy

FTC opens investigation into OpenAI and Anthropic over AI safety risks

Christa Pike survives botched Tennessee execution after legal battles and failed lethal injection

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike survived an execution attempt after a day of last-minute legal battles that saw a federal appeals court stay reversed by the Supreme Court, followed by a failed lethal injection that left her alive after two doses. Governor Bill Lee subsequently halted remaining executions for the year and ordered an outside review.

Sep 30, 202621 sourcesCriminal justice reform Christa Pike’s execution

Christa Pike survives botched Tennessee execution after legal battles and failed lethal injection

Bipartisan Senate group reaches deal on permitting reform to speed energy project approvals

Senators from both parties announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation to speed up federal approval of pipelines, power lines, and other major infrastructure projects, though a vote will not occur before the midterm elections.

Sep 30, 20265 sourcesEnergy security & geopolitics US midterm elections Environmental regulation Infrastructure policy Energy & environment US Senate Congress

Bipartisan Senate group reaches deal on permitting reform to speed energy project approvals

Immigration judge rules US can deport Wisconsin mosque leader under Cold War-era law

An immigration judge ruled that the US government can deport Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, under a controversial Cold War-era law based on his pro-Palestinian advocacy and past convictions in Israel.

Sep 30, 20266 sourcesU.S. policy & law Palestine Israel-Gaza war Immigration First Amendment rights Religious freedom Human rights

Immigration judge rules US can deport Wisconsin mosque leader under Cold War-era law

Senate Democrats block GOP data center bill aimed at addressing energy costs

Senate Democrats blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would have encouraged states to protect consumers from power rate hikes caused by data center growth, denying Republicans a legislative win ahead of the midterm elections.

Sep 30, 20264 sourcesU.S. domestic politics US Senate AI Data Center Gold Rush Energy & environment U.S. policy & law Senate Democrats Congress Republican Party US midterm elections AI compute & environmental impact

Senate Democrats block GOP data center bill aimed at addressing energy costs

US completes troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12-year mission against Islamic State

The United States military completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq on Wednesday, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group. President Donald Trump hailed the withdrawal as a victory for both countries, calling it the end of 'a very expensive excursion into Hell.'

Sep 30, 20269 sourcesCounter-terrorism U.S. withdrawal from Iraq Wars & conflicts U.S. Foreign Policy Iraq

US completes troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12-year mission against Islamic State

Senate blocks resolution demanding report on Israeli violence in West Bank

The Senate voted 47-51 to block a Democratic resolution that would have required the State Department to report on violence and human rights violations in the occupied West Bank, including deaths of American citizens. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it.

Sep 30, 20266 sourcesCongress West Bank Democratic Party Israel-Gaza war US Senate U.S. policy & law U.S. domestic politics Human rights State Department John Fetterman

Senate blocks resolution demanding report on Israeli violence in West Bank

Hegseth appoints Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to lead Pentagon warfare study

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will co-lead 'Project Meridian,' a Pentagon study examining the future of warfare and military technology.

Sep 30, 20267 sourcesPete Hegseth Pentagon Trump administration Defense & military alliances Military technology U.S. domestic politics

Hegseth appoints Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to lead Pentagon warfare study

Boeing wins $20 billion Navy contract for next-generation fighter jet

The Pentagon awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $20.7 billion to build the U.S. Navy's next-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the F/A-XX. The decision marks Boeing's second consecutive major fighter jet win and caps months of competition with Northrop Grumman.

Sep 29, 20264 sourcesPentagon Defense & military alliances Northrop Grumman

Boeing wins $20 billion Navy contract for next-generation fighter jet

Kristi Noem files for divorce after 34 years of marriage

Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem, citing 'irreconcilable differences' after 34 years of marriage, months after being fired by President Trump.

Sep 29, 20268 sourcesDepartment of Homeland Security Trump administration U.S. domestic politics Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem files for divorce after 34 years of marriage

Republican senator's basketball mix-up derails Jack Smith perjury accusation

Sen. Eric Schmitt's attempt to accuse former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury collapsed during a Senate hearing when he confused the Atlanta Hawks NBA team with the Iowa Hawkeyes college team, undermining his claim that Smith lied about attending a basketball game.

Sep 29, 20269 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Congress Trump administration US Senate Jack Smith Senate hearing

Republican senator's basketball mix-up derails Jack Smith perjury accusation

Ken Paxton says Trump's Dallas convention hurt GOP Senate campaigns

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton privately told donors that President Trump's midterm convention in Dallas hurt Republican candidates' poll numbers, according to leaked audio obtained by The New York Times.

Sep 29, 20269 sourcesRepublican Party strategy Republican Party Senate races Trump administration Texas U.S. domestic politics US midterm elections New York Times

Ken Paxton says Trump's Dallas convention hurt GOP Senate campaigns

Judge orders Bureau of Prisons to restore collective bargaining agreement with union

A federal judge ordered the Bureau of Prisons to reinstate its collective bargaining agreement with the agency's union after the bureau's director terminated it last year, claiming the union was an "obstacle to progress."

Sep 29, 20262 sourcesCriminal justice system

Judge orders Bureau of Prisons to restore collective bargaining agreement with union

Senate Republicans block Democratic effort to stop Trump from canceling $810 million in congressionally approved funds

Senate Democrats' attempt to prevent President Trump from clawing back $810 million in funding approved by Congress was blocked by Republican Senator Ron Johnson on Wednesday. The White House plan to cut the federal funding using a controversial budgeting maneuver faces legal challenges as the fiscal year ends.

Sep 29, 20265 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Trump grant cuts report

Senate Republicans block Democratic effort to stop Trump from canceling $810 million in congressionally approved funds

Hakeem Jeffries outlines Democratic priorities ahead of potential House takeover in midterms

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says affordability and accountability will be top priorities if Democrats regain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections, where polling shows they have a solid chance of winning the majority.

Sep 29, 20263 sourcesGovernment accountability Economic affordability Democratic Party strategy United States midterm elections

Hakeem Jeffries outlines Democratic priorities ahead of potential House takeover in midterms

California bans law enforcement use of electric shock gloves

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law Tuesday banning local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks to people. The ban takes effect next year and runs until 2030, coming weeks after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved to equip its officers with the devices.

Sep 29, 20266 sourcesCriminal justice reform Immigration enforcement

California bans law enforcement use of electric shock gloves

Supreme Court allows Trump administration to resume third-country deportations

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the Trump administration to restart its policy of deporting immigrants to countries other than their homeland without giving them an opportunity to raise humanitarian concerns, lifting a lower court's block on the practice.

Sep 29, 20264 sourcesSupreme Court Immigration Human rights Trump administration U.S. policy & law

Supreme Court allows Trump administration to resume third-country deportations

Pete Hegseth announces new drone command, base competition and military cuts in Pentagon speech

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled six major military initiatives in his 'State of the Force' address to troops at Quantico, including establishing a new autonomous weapons command, soliciting bids for a modern military base, cutting 20% of generals and admirals, and announcing Elon Musk will help develop next-generation weapons. The speech also emphasized cultural changes and increased focus on religion in the military.

Sep 29, 20268 sourcesDefense & military alliances Pete Hegseth’s State of the Force address Autonomous weapons systems

Pete Hegseth announces new drone command, base competition and military cuts in Pentagon speech

Trump's economic approval hits new low, rivaling Biden's worst in AP-NORC poll

A new AP-NORC poll shows Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of President Trump's handling of the economy, with only 17% approving of his handling of cost of living and just 26% approving of his overall economic management. The approval ratings have sunk to levels that rival some of the worst polling from former President Biden's term.

Sep 29, 20268 sourcesCost of living U.S. domestic politics Trump economic approval poll Public opinion polling U.S. economic policy

Trump's economic approval hits new low, rivaling Biden's worst in AP-NORC poll

Pete Hegseth announces 20% cut to senior military officer positions

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will announce plans to reduce by 20% the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals during his State of the Force address, marking a significant restructuring of military leadership.

Sep 29, 20265 sourcesTrump administration Defense & military alliances Pete Hegseth U.S. domestic politics

Pete Hegseth announces 20% cut to senior military officer positions

Kurt Olsen resigns from DOJ grand conspiracy probe

Kurt Olsen, a Trump loyalist and 2020 election denier who was assigned to the Justice Department's 'grand conspiracy' investigation targeting Trump's perceived enemies, has resigned. He is the second prosecutor to quit the troubled probe, which has faced multiple setbacks.

Sep 28, 20268 sourcesJustice Department investigation Trump administration U.S. domestic politics 2020 Election Department of Justice U.S. policy & law

Kurt Olsen resigns from DOJ grand conspiracy probe

Samuel Alito recuses from major Supreme Court climate case

Justice Samuel Alito announced he will recuse himself from a major climate change case involving oil companies, following pressure over his stock holdings in fossil fuel companies.

Sep 28, 202615 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Judicial ethics Climate diplomacy & agreements Environmental regulation Supreme Court

Samuel Alito recuses from major Supreme Court climate case

Jack Smith testifies before Senate on Trump investigations

Former special counsel Jack Smith appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to defend his two criminal investigations of President Trump, telling lawmakers he stands by his decisions and will not be silenced by threats of prosecution.

Sep 28, 202615 sourcesU.S. policy & law Jack Smith Senate hearing Trump administration U.S. domestic politics Congress

Jack Smith testifies before Senate on Trump investigations

US ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports takes effect

The Trump administration's ban on approximately $1 billion worth of Canadian products, including alcohol, dairy, and motorcycles, went into effect Tuesday, escalating the trade war between the longtime allies.

Sep 28, 202612 sourcesGlobal trade U.S. domestic politics Tariffs & trade wars Trump administration Trade policy

US ban on nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports takes effect

Mistrial declared in DC Council member Trayon White bribery case

A federal judge declared a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict in the bribery case against Washington DC Council member Trayon White, who was accused of accepting cash from a city contractor. Prosecutors plan to retry the case.

Sep 28, 20263 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Political Corruption Washington D.C.U.S. policy & law Local governments Criminal justice

Mistrial declared in DC Council member Trayon White bribery case

Education Department rescinds Biden-era Title IX protections for LGBTQ students

The Department of Education formally rescinded the Biden administration's 2024 interpretation of Title IX that protected students from sex-based discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The move marks a return to rules from the first Trump administration.

Sep 28, 20266 sourcesEducation policy Trump administration Biden Administration Civil rights LGBTQ+ mental health U.S. policy & law

Education Department rescinds Biden-era Title IX protections for LGBTQ students

Cornell University reopens investigation into alleged fraternity gang rape

New York prosecutors reopened an investigation into allegations that a Cornell University student was drugged and gang-raped by seven fraternity members in 2024, following public outcry over the case and a civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim.

Sep 28, 20262 sourcesCriminal justice Higher education Public accountability

Cornell University reopens investigation into alleged fraternity gang rape

Andrew Bailey resigns as FBI co-deputy director after one year

FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation after just over a year in the newly created position, citing family reasons. He had overseen election integrity investigations.

Sep 28, 202620 sourcesU.S. domestic politics Election integrity

Andrew Bailey resigns as FBI co-deputy director after one year

US Army awards up to $7 billion in counter-drone contracts through JIATF-401 task force

The US Army's Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) has awarded contracts worth up to $7 billion to address the growing drone threat. The sprawling indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts represent a major investment in counter-unmanned aerial systems capabilities.

Sep 28, 20264 sourcesDefense & military alliances Counter-drone systems

US Army awards up to $7 billion in counter-drone contracts through JIATF-401 task force

Trump announces $15 billion Iowa steel plant project

President Trump announced plans for Mesabi Metallics to build a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, which the administration is calling the largest in U.S. history. The announcement comes as Trump campaigns for vulnerable Republicans in the battleground state ahead of midterm elections.

Sep 28, 202610 sourcesU.S. domestic politics US midterm elections Republican Party Trump administration

Trump announces $15 billion Iowa steel plant project

UN human rights experts warn Trump's third-country deportation policy violates human rights

More than two dozen UN human rights experts have warned that the Trump administration's policy of deporting migrants to third countries—nations other than their countries of origin—has triggered a cascade of human rights violations and puts migrants at heightened risk of abuse, torture, and persecution. The warning comes as the Justice Department asks the Supreme Court to revive the program.

Sep 28, 20265 sourcesDeportation policy U.S. domestic politics International law Human rights Immigration & refugees

UN human rights experts warn Trump's third-country deportation policy violates human rights

Two senior FBI counterterrorism agents removed over Katie Miller investigation handling

Two veteran FBI agents overseeing counterterrorism operations in Washington were removed from their positions and reassigned over their handling of an investigation involving Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller.

Sep 27, 20262 sourcesTrump administration Federal law enforcement Government accountability Extremism & counterterrorism in the Middle East U.S. domestic politics

Two senior FBI counterterrorism agents removed over Katie Miller investigation handling

Republicans pour money into battleground states as polls show struggles in red territory

National Republican groups are making massive late investments in Senate races in traditionally safe states like Texas and Kansas as new polling shows Democrats competitive. GOP operatives express concern about defending seats once considered secure.

Sep 26, 20268 sourcesDemocratic Party Senate races Texas Republican Party U.S. domestic politics US Senate Campaign finance US midterm elections

Republicans pour money into battleground states as polls show struggles in red territory

Trump announces rollback of Biden-era fuel economy standards

President Trump said he approved new fuel economy standards that eliminate Biden-era electric vehicle mandates and relax efficiency requirements for automakers. The announcement comes as diesel prices hit record highs during the Iran war.

Sep 26, 20267 sourcesAutomotive industry Iran War Joe Biden Energy transition Trump administration U.S. policy & law Environmental regulation

Trump announces rollback of Biden-era fuel economy standards

White House blocks CNN from Air Force One trip, replacing network with conservative outlet

The White House has barred CNN from traveling on Air Force One for President Trump's Saturday trip to Tennessee, replacing the network with conservative outlet Real America's Voice News. The decision disrupts CNN's TV press pool duties and marks the latest escalation in the administration's ongoing dispute with news media.

Sep 25, 20266 sourcesTrump administration policies

OpenAI agents accessed US government websites without authorization

OpenAI disclosed that its AI agents inappropriately accessed websites for the Departments of Commerce and Education, and attempted to hack a third government site, during tests that went awry.

Sep 25, 20265 sourcesGovernment cybersecurity AI agents OpenAI AI security AI safety & social impact AI Regulation

OpenAI agents accessed US government websites without authorization

Trump cancels $810 million in federal funding using pocket rescission

President Trump canceled nearly $1 billion in congressionally approved spending, marking the second pocket rescission in 50 years. The cuts target programs including immigrant services and diversity initiatives.

Sep 25, 20268 sourcesExecutive power Trump administration Congress U.S. domestic politics Immigration

Trump cancels $810 million in federal funding using pocket rescission

Supreme Court rejects Missouri GOP congressional map for third time

The Supreme Court on Friday blocked Missouri Republicans' attempt to implement a new congressional redistricting map for the third time this month, upholding a state court order as the November midterm elections are already underway. The Trump-backed map would have created an additional Republican-leaning district.

Sep 25, 20267 sources2026 midterm elections Republican Party politics Supreme Court decisions

Supreme Court rejects Missouri GOP congressional map for third time

Trump administration settles with unions over shutdown mass-layoff policy

The Trump administration reached a settlement with federal unions over a lawsuit challenging reductions in force (RIFs) conducted during the 2025 government shutdown. As part of the settlement, the administration rescinded its mass-layoff policy that had threatened widespread layoffs as a bargaining chip and sent RIF notices to thousands of federal employees during the lapse in appropriations.

Sep 25, 20263 sourcesGovernment shutdowns Labor unions Trump administration policy

Trump administration settles with unions over shutdown mass-layoff policy

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