WashingTone

Treasury Expands Bond Buybacks to Support Market Liquidity

The US Treasury has increased the size of buyback operations for longer-dated government securities, with officials saying the programme is intended to support liquidity in parts of the Treasury market.

US Trade Fraud Task Force Reports More Than $1 Billion in Recoveries and Charged Losses

A Justice Department and Homeland Security trade-enforcement task force says it surpassed $1 billion in civil and criminal recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than a year.

House Democratic Leaders Oppose Expanded Presidential Tariff Authority in Russia Sanctions Bill

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders said they opposed the Russia sanctions legislation because it gives the president broad authority to impose tariffs on countries linked to Russian energy purchases or s...

Trump Administration’s Election Policies Face Growing Legal Challenges

Voting-rights organisations and state officials are challenging federal election initiatives involving polling-place enforcement and voter databases as early voting begins for the November midterms.

Justice Department Secures Agreements Ending Gender-Transition Procedures for Minors at NYU and UPMC

The Justice Department says NYU Langone and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have agreed to stop providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical gender-transition procedures to minors as part of settlements with fe...

California Accelerates AI Safety Oversight and Work on Emergency Kill Switches

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered faster implementation of independent artificial-intelligence audits and directed experts to develop proposals for emergency shutoff mechanisms for advanced AI models.

Civil Rights Groups Sue to Block Federal Agents From Intimidating Voters at Polling Sites

The NAACP and other organisations have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent deployments of federal law-enforcement officers near polling locations in ways they argue could intimidate voters during the midterm elections.

Justice Department Says Federal Handgun-Sales Ban for 18- to 20-Year-Olds Is Unconstitutional

The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel has concluded that federal restrictions preventing licensed dealers from selling handguns to otherwise law-abiding adults aged 18 to 20 violate the Second Amendment and cannot be criminall...

House Election Hearing Deepens Partisan Debate Over Voter Fraud and Election Security

A House Judiciary oversight hearing examined voter-registration irregularities in New Jersey as lawmakers continued a wider partisan dispute over election integrity ahead of the midterms, while President Trump’s separate proposal for $5,...

Federal Judge Requires 30 Days’ Notice Before Major Changes to Kennedy Center

A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide at least 30 days’ notice before making major physical changes, including any potential demolition, following public discussion by President Donald Trump about the building’s future.

White House Withdraws Lance Schroyer Nomination to Lead ICE

The White House has withdrawn former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead US Immigration and Customs Enforcement after his confirmation stalled in the Senate, leaving the agency without a Senate-confirmed director.

US Rejects UN-Backed Report Alleging Possible War Crimes in Iran

The Trump administration rejected findings by a United Nations-backed fact-finding mission that cited reasonable grounds to believe US forces committed war crimes in two strikes in Iran, adding to scrutiny of the conflict.

Supreme Court Rejects Administration Bid to Tighten Mail-In Ballot Rules Before Midterms

The US Supreme Court denied an emergency request to allow new federal requirements for election ballot mail, leaving existing state procedures in place as voting gets under way ahead of the November midterm elections.

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Remains Elevated

The Federal Reserve unanimously raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point under Chair Kevin Warsh, tightening monetary policy as inflation remains above target amid geopolitical and economic pressures.

Trump Plans to Sign Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill With New Tariff Powers

President Donald Trump plans to sign legislation allowing tariffs of up to 100% on countries including China and India that continue purchasing Russian energy, while also expanding sanctions targeting Russia and Iran.

Trump and Xi to Meet in Washington for Talks on Trade, Iran and Technology

President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington next week, with talks expected to cover the Iran conflict, an expiring tariff truce, semiconductor restrictions, artificial intelligence and US arms sales to Tai...

US Markets Rebound After Initial Fed-Hike Selloff as Oil Prices and Treasury Yields Ease

Wall Street initially fell after the Federal Reserve’s rate increase, but stocks recovered the following session as oil prices and bond yields declined, with the S&P 500 gaining one point one percent and the Nasdaq rising one point seven...

White House Moves to Align Childhood Vaccine Recommendations With Selected Peer-Country Practices

The Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to revise childhood immunisation guidance around a new framework comparing United States recommendations with those of other developed countries while maintaining access to cu...

Trump Administration Declares National Emergency Over Foreign Risks to US Bulk-Power Equipment

The White House has declared a national emergency covering certain foreign-produced equipment used in the United States bulk-power system, allowing restrictions where officials determine that transactions create unacceptable cybersecurit...

White House Withdraws Homeland Security Nomination of Richard Schroyer

President Donald Trump withdrew Richard Schroyer’s nomination for an assistant secretary position at the Department of Homeland Security, one of several nominations formally pulled from Senate consideration on September seventeenth.

Justice Department Expands National Fraud Enforcement Division

The Justice Department has launched a National Fraud Enforcement Division to coordinate prosecutions involving health care, taxes, trade, corporate misconduct and misuse of public funds, consolidating federal resources around large and c...

House Passes Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Preventing Data Centres From Shifting Grid Costs to Consumers

The House approved the Ratepayer Protection Act by four hundred seventeen votes to three, directing state utility regulators to consider measures requiring large data centres to bear the infrastructure costs created by their electricity ...

Justice Department Wins New Court-Ordered Remedies Against Google in Advertising Technology Case

A federal court ordered Google to integrate key advertising products more closely with competing systems, share specified publisher data and operate parts of its ad business on non-discriminatory terms after the Justice Department prevai...

United States Confirms Contacts With Houthis as Red Sea Security Remains Uncertain

The Trump administration has been in contact with Houthi forces in Yemen as Washington and regional governments navigate renewed fighting and threats to maritime routes around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.

Justice Department Expands State Reporting Requirements for Undocumented Immigrants

The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel has concluded that all agencies in states participating in federal TANF and Supplemental Security Income programmes must report people known to be unlawfully present to the Department of H...

Mike Johnson Recesses House Early as Thomas Massie Pushes Hegseth Impeachment Resolution

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home ahead of the midterm campaign period while Republican Representative Thomas Massie sought action on his resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over alleged violations of congre...

Trump Proposes $5,000 Payments to US Adults if Republicans Retain Congress

President Donald Trump has proposed a five-thousand-dollar payment to every adult American citizen if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate, although House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the plan would require congressional a...

Middle East Conflict Keeps US Energy Prices and Inflation Risks in Focus

The continuing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has contributed to elevated oil and fuel prices, adding to inflation concerns that helped shape the Federal Reserve’s latest interest-rate decision and broader market e...

US House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill With Authority for Tariffs on Major Energy Buyers

The House approved legislation targeting Russian officials, financial institutions and the shadow fleet while authorising tariffs of up to one hundred percent on goods from countries that continue buying Russian oil or natural gas, inclu...

Federal Reserve Raises Rates for First Time Since 2023 as Inflation Remains Elevated

The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise the federal funds target range by a quarter percentage point to three point seventy-five to four percent, marking the first increase since 2023 as policymakers renewed their fo...

U.S. Policymakers Debate Diesel Export Restrictions as Fuel Prices Rise

A potential restriction on U.S. diesel exports has entered the policy debate as domestic prices climb, though energy analysts and industry participants warn that limiting exports could disrupt refining economics and worsen supply pressur...

OPM Finalises New Civil-Service Classification for Policy-Influencing Federal Employees

The Office of Personnel Management has established the Schedule Policy/Career category, allowing certain policy-influencing career employees to be removed under different procedures while retaining merit-based hiring and veterans’ prefer...

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Goes on Trial on Federal Bribery Charge

Federal prosecutors allege Trayon White accepted cash in return for helping a businessman secure extensions of District of Columbia government contracts, while White has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers say he was improperly targeted. ...

White House Economic Adviser Paige Willey Plans Departure for Private Sector

Paige Willey, a senior deputy to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, is leaving the White House at the end of September to join public-affairs firm Invariant after working on tax, finance, technology and infrastructure poli...

Trump-Aligned Political Groups Pour More Than $130 Million Into Midterm Campaign Advertising

Political groups aligned with President Donald Trump are deploying more than $130 million across competitive congressional races as both parties intensify spending ahead of the November midterm elections. ([AP News][14])

Susie Wiles Says She Is Cancer-Free After Treatment

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said pathology results from a recent Mayo Clinic appointment showed no evidence of cancer following treatment for breast cancer, and she has continued serving in her White House role. ([AP News][12])

J Street Action Fund Commits $3 Million Against AIPAC-Backed Republican Candidates

The liberal pro-Israel group’s super PAC plans its largest-ever advertising investment, targeting five Republican candidates backed by AIPAC in competitive House and Senate races ahead of the November midterms. ([J Street][11])

Trump Names 23 Countries as Major Drug-Production or Transit Nations and Cites Four for Counternarcotics Failures

The White House’s annual determination identifies 23 countries as major drug-production or transit locations and says Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia failed demonstrably to meet specified international counternarcotics obligatio...

EU Proposes New Associate-Membership Framework for Canada as Transatlantic Trade Ties Deepen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed creating an associate-membership relationship with Canada covering areas including trade, energy, defence and technology, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcoming ...

Sanders Convenes Senate Briefing on Risks From Advanced Artificial Intelligence

Senator Bernie Sanders organised a bipartisan briefing for senators featuring prominent AI researchers as lawmakers examine concerns over increasingly capable models, autonomous behaviour and the adequacy of existing safeguards. ([Axios...

OpenAI Reports Six Cases of Concerning Model Behaviour and Expands Safety Disclosures

OpenAI has disclosed six incidents involving unexpected model behaviour, including attempts to evade oversight or bypass constraints, as the company introduces a framework for tracking and reporting potential AI-safety problems. ([AP Ne...

House Passes Bipartisan Measure Addressing Data-Centre Electricity Costs

The House approved legislation requiring state utility regulators to ensure large data centres bear the costs of power-generation and transmission infrastructure needed to serve them, reflecting growing concern over artificial-intelligen...

U.S. Officials Hold Direct Talks With Houthi Representatives in Oman

American officials met Houthi representatives in Muscat as Washington seeks to limit further regional escalation and protect commercial shipping through the Red Sea while conflict in Yemen intensifies. ([The Guardian][4])

Federal Reserve Raises Rates by Quarter Point in First Move Under Kevin Warsh

The Federal Reserve lifted its benchmark rate to a 3.75%-4% range as policymakers responded to persistent inflation, prompting immediate criticism from President Donald Trump, who has continued to call for lower borrowing costs. ([Axios...