Markwayne Mullin, Maga ‘warrior’ and ICE defender, to replace Kristi Noem

Donald Trump nominated Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem after criticism of her $220 million ad campaign and leadership. Mullin, a first-term senator and member of the Cherokee Nation, is a staunch supporter of hardline immigration policies, backing mass deportations, defending ICE, and opposing sanctuary cities. He has drawn attention for controversial remarks, including suggesting American-born children … Continue reading Markwayne Mullin, Maga ‘warrior’ and ICE defender, to replace Kristi Noem

Trump fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem

President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after criticism over her handling of immigration enforcement and disaster response. He announced he would nominate Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace her and named Noem as “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative. Noem had faced intense scrutiny from Republicans over a $220 million ad campaign encouraging undocumented immigrants … Continue reading Trump fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem

Texas lawmaker admits he had affair with aide who died by suicide

Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales has publicly admitted to having an affair with his former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide last September. Gonzales described the affair as a “lapse in judgment” and said he reconciled with his wife and sought forgiveness through his faith. The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct or offered unfair … Continue reading Texas lawmaker admits he had affair with aide who died by suicide

Minnesota Gov. Walz, AG Ellison testify at House Oversight Committee hearing on fraud

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison testified Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee on alleged misuse of federal funds and fraud in the state’s social services programs. Republicans, led by Chairman James Comer, accused Walz and Ellison of knowing about fraud as early as 2019 and retaliating against whistleblowers, while continuing payments to programs like the $250 million Feeding Our Future initiative. … Continue reading Minnesota Gov. Walz, AG Ellison testify at House Oversight Committee hearing on fraud

Utah Republican announces he won’t seek reelection

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, joining over 30 other House and Senate Republicans stepping down this year. Owens, who has served in Congress since 2021, cited his focus on advocating for at-risk children and education as motivating his public service. He emphasized completing his current term fully committed to representing Utah’s values of faith, family, free markets, and … Continue reading Utah Republican announces he won’t seek reelection

House kills effort to release all congressional sex misconduct, harassment reports

The House voted 357-65 to refer Rep. Nancy Mace’s resolution on making sexual misconduct reports public to committee, effectively killing it. Mace, a Republican running for South Carolina governor, sought to have the Ethics Committee release all allegations against lawmakers and aides following reports about Rep. Tony Gonzales sending sexual texts to a late aide. The bipartisan leaders of the Ethics Committee argued public disclosure … Continue reading House kills effort to release all congressional sex misconduct, harassment reports

Spain PM hits back over Trump threats to cut trade over military base access

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sharply criticized U.S. strikes on Iran, calling the escalating Middle East conflict a “disaster” and warning against repeating past mistakes like the Iraq invasion. His comments follow President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off trade with Spain after Madrid blocked U.S. use of jointly operated bases for the strikes. Sánchez emphasized that Spain would not participate in actions harmful to … Continue reading Spain PM hits back over Trump threats to cut trade over military base access

Arkansas man charged with murder wins sheriff nomination

Aaron Spencer, who is awaiting trial for killing the man accused of sexually abusing his daughter, won the Republican nomination for sheriff in Lonoke County, Arkansas. He secured over 53% of the vote, defeating incumbent Sheriff John Staley and another candidate. An Army veteran and farmer, Spencer has argued that his actions were justified under Arkansas law to protect his daughter. He said his experience … Continue reading Arkansas man charged with murder wins sheriff nomination

Texas GOP Senate primary heads to runoff, with Cornyn, Paxton on ballot

The Texas Republican Senate primary will go to a May 26 runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, as neither secured the 50% threshold to avoid a second round. Third-place finisher Rep. Wesley Hunt garnered enough support to prevent an outright win, with polls showing Paxton slightly ahead before the primary. Cornyn and national Republicans have warned that a Paxton nomination … Continue reading Texas GOP Senate primary heads to runoff, with Cornyn, Paxton on ballot

Talarico wins Texas Senate Dem nomination

State Rep. James Talarico won the Texas Senate Democratic primary over Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in a high-spending, hard-fought contest, keeping Democratic hopes alive for a November upset in the traditionally Republican state. Talarico will face the winner of a May runoff between Republican Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton, a race likely influenced by any endorsement from former President Donald Trump. No Democrat … Continue reading Talarico wins Texas Senate Dem nomination

Marjorie Taylor Greene launches huge attack on Trump over Iran

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Trump for launching Operation Epic Fury on Iran, saying he broke his promises to avoid foreign wars and regime change, calling the actions “America last.” Greene questioned Trump’s motives and mental state, claiming the war does not serve the American people. Trump also publicly expressed frustration with the U.K. after Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially denied U.S. use of … Continue reading Marjorie Taylor Greene launches huge attack on Trump over Iran

Epstein files: House committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi

The House Oversight Committee voted 24-19 to subpoena Pam Bondi for a deposition regarding the DOJ’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and its compliance with the Epstein Transparency Act. The subpoena follows criticism that the Department of Justice removed tens of thousands of previously public Epstein documents, despite the law requiring all files, including those related to Ghislaine Maxwell, to be released. Rep. Nancy … Continue reading Epstein files: House committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi

Tensions flare as lawmakers question Iran war’s costs, risks and strategy

Lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol expressed growing concern over the Trump administration’s rationale and strategy for the war with Iran, demanding clarity on objectives, exit plans, and the cost in lives and resources. Closed-door briefings with House and Senate members revealed conflicting explanations from officials, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Trump acted to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while some suggested the … Continue reading Tensions flare as lawmakers question Iran war’s costs, risks and strategy

Tillis calls Noem’s leadership a “disaster” in fiery Senate hearing

Sen. Thom Tillis sharply criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday, calling her leadership a “disaster” and faulting her for mishandling immigration enforcement and disaster response. The hearing, her first since the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during the Minnesota crackdown, featured hostility from Tillis, Democrats, and skeptical Republicans, with criticism over costly DHS ad campaigns and perceived mismanagement. Noem defended her … Continue reading Tillis calls Noem’s leadership a “disaster” in fiery Senate hearing

Trump and Merz discuss Iran, tariffs and Ukraine

During talks in Washington, DC, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged US President Donald Trump to develop a long-term strategy for the Middle East, stressing a “common approach” for the security of the US, Europe, and Israel. Trump praised Merz personally and described the US-Germany relationship as strong, while criticizing the UK and Spain for refusing to support US strikes on Iran. He announced plans to … Continue reading Trump and Merz discuss Iran, tariffs and Ukraine

Macron orders nuclear warhead increase and unveils ‘forward deterrence’ plan for Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron announced an increase in France’s nuclear warhead stockpile and pledged to defend the country’s “vital interests” without hesitation. Speaking from a ballistic-missile submarine base in Brittany, he said France would no longer disclose the size of its nuclear arsenal. Macron emphasized that any use of France’s nuclear weapons would be unavoidable for potential adversaries. The country currently has an estimated 290 … Continue reading Macron orders nuclear warhead increase and unveils ‘forward deterrence’ plan for Europe

Trump rebukes Starmer over UK refusal to back strikes on Iran

President Donald Trump has criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to support U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the “relationship is obviously not what it was.” Starmer defended his stance, emphasizing that the UK would only allow bases to be used for defensive purposes to protect allies, citing lessons learned from Iraq and the need for lawful, well-planned actions. Trump compared Starmer unfavorably to … Continue reading Trump rebukes Starmer over UK refusal to back strikes on Iran

Trump threatens to cease all trade with Spain

President Donald Trump threatened to cut all U.S. trade with Spain after the country refused to allow American forces to use its bases for strikes on Iran. Trump also criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for denying access to Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, citing past mistakes in Iraq. The U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel using naval and air assets across the Middle … Continue reading Trump threatens to cease all trade with Spain

Trump pledges to ‘avenge’ fallen US service members as tensions with Iran intensify

President Donald Trump vowed to “avenge” the deaths of three U.S. service members as the conflict with Iran intensifies across the Middle East. In a video statement, he offered condolences to the families of the fallen, warned that more casualties are likely, and emphasized strong U.S. and Israeli resolve. The strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian officials have triggered Iranian missile and … Continue reading Trump pledges to ‘avenge’ fallen US service members as tensions with Iran intensify

Republicans praise U.S. strikes on Iran as Democrats question strategy

Congressional reactions to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have largely split along party lines, with Republicans supporting the operation and Democrats questioning the strategy and urging congressional approval. Lindsey Graham said the U.S. should not put boots on the ground and that eliminating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei serves America’s interest in countering state-sponsored terrorism. Democrats were divided: Ro Khanna argued Americans are not safer despite Khamenei’s … Continue reading Republicans praise U.S. strikes on Iran as Democrats question strategy

Lawmakers stress new urgency around war powers votes after Iran strikes

Congressional efforts to restrict President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Iran without legislative approval have intensified after the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury. Lawmakers plan votes this week on war powers resolutions requiring Trump to seek Congressional authorization for continued military engagement, citing the Constitution and the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries urged … Continue reading Lawmakers stress new urgency around war powers votes after Iran strikes

Starmer says he will give US permission to use UK bases for Iran missions

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reversed his earlier decision and will allow the U.S. to use British bases for “defensive” missions targeting Iranian missile capabilities. Starmer said destroying missiles at their storage sites or launchers is the only way to stop the threat amid rising risks to British military, civilian, and commercial interests in the Middle East. The U.S. requested permission for these specific … Continue reading Starmer says he will give US permission to use UK bases for Iran missions

Trump says Iran operation could take “four weeks or less”

On Day 2 of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, the Pentagon confirmed the first American casualties, with three U.S. service members killed in Kuwait. President Donald Trump said the operation will continue “until all objectives are achieved” and could last up to four weeks, with more casualties possible. The initial strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and about 40 senior Iranian officials, based on intelligence shared … Continue reading Trump says Iran operation could take “four weeks or less”

Senate Democrats demand tariff refunds begin ‘immediately’

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats are demanding refunds after the Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump’s tariff policies last week. In a Friday letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, they urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection to start refunding over $130 billion in illegal tariffs within 90 days, prioritizing small businesses and those hardest hit. The move follows lawsuits … Continue reading Senate Democrats demand tariff refunds begin ‘immediately’

Canada’s PM Carney in India to reset ties and bolster trade

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in India Friday on a key visit aimed at diversifying trade amid tensions with the United States. He is set to meet business leaders in Mumbai and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, covering trade, energy, technology, AI, and defense. The visit follows U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and car parts, prompting … Continue reading Canada’s PM Carney in India to reset ties and bolster trade