WashingTone

CISA Releases Election Security Plan 40 Days Before U.S. Midterms

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a national election infrastructure plan outlining threat-sharing, cybersecurity and physical-security support for state and local officials ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Trump Uses United Nations Address to Defend U.S. Military Action Against Iran

President Donald Trump defended his administration’s use of military force against Iran during his United Nations General Assembly address as the gathering unfolded amid wider disputes over trade, security and international conflicts.

Federal Judge Orders White House to Restore Access for CNN, Politico and MS NOW

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the White House to reinstate press credentials for CNN, Politico and MS NOW, finding that the outlets were likely to succeed on claims that their access was revoked without constitutionally adequ...

US$87.6 Billion White House Supplemental Funding Request Remains Before Congress

The Trump administration’s US$87.6 billion supplemental request includes US$67 billion for the Pentagon, much of it connected to military operations and weapons needs arising from the Iran conflict, with lawmakers yet to complete action ...

House Leaves Washington With Hegseth Impeachment Vote Delayed Until After Midterms

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home ahead of the November elections, delaying Republican Representative Thomas Massie’s effort to force a vote on impeaching Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the administration’s handling of ...

Senate Rejects Resolution Seeking to Limit Trump’s Military Action Against Iran

The U.S. Senate rejected a war powers measure on Iran by a 50-49 vote, with four Republicans joining Democrats in supporting restrictions on military action not specifically authorised by Congress.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Restore Third-Country Deportation Policy

The Justice Department asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a lower-court ruling requiring migrants to receive effective notice and an opportunity to challenge deportation to countries other than their own.

Trump Administration Announces $54.6 Million for Rural Healthcare Projects in Arkansas

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced $54.6 million for 54 projects covering rural healthcare workers, maternal services, preventive care and chronic disease programmes in Arkansas.

Trump Orders Tighter Importer Requirements and Expanded US Customs Enforcement

A presidential order directs federal agencies to strengthen importer-of-record requirements, increase disclosure and bonding obligations and expand customs enforcement against companies seeking to evade US trade rules.

Trump Administration Orders Wider Use of AI Tools in Federal Cybersecurity

The White House has directed federal agencies to expand access to artificial intelligence-enabled cybersecurity tools and coordinate their use across government systems and critical infrastructure.

White House Directs Federal Agencies to Accelerate Shift to Post-Quantum Cryptography

A Trump executive order requires federal agencies to speed their migration toward post-quantum encryption standards, including deadlines for protecting high-value systems against future cryptographic threats from advanced quantum computers.

Trump Administration Implements New Classification for Senior Policy-Influencing Federal Jobs

The administration is moving senior policy-influencing career positions into the new Schedule Policy/Career category, which retains merit-based hiring but removes some traditional procedures governing disciplinary action and dismissal.

DHS Moves Toward State Voter Eligibility Lists Under Trump Election Order

The Department of Homeland Security has been directed to create voter eligibility lists for individual states under a Trump executive order, a policy that remains subject to continuing litigation over federal and state authority in elect...

Federal Judge Rejects Justice Department Demand for Washington State’s Unredacted Voter Rolls

A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking Washington state’s complete voter-registration file, marking the department’s 25th court loss in its nationwide effort to obtain unredacted state voter data.

Trump Extends H-1B Restrictions as Administration Pursues Higher Visa Fees

President Donald Trump extended restrictions on certain H-1B workers for another year, while the programme now uses a weighted selection system favouring higher-paid applicants and the administration separately pursues a proposed $103,26...

US-Backed Board of Peace Unveils $2.45 Billion Gaza Recovery Plan

The Board of Peace proposed a six-month, 66-project programme worth $2.45 billion to begin reconstruction and governance work in Gaza, including temporary housing, rubble removal and hospital repairs.

Federal Judge Orders White House to Restore Press Credentials for CNN, Politico and MS NOW

A federal judge issued a temporary order requiring the Trump administration to restore White House hard-pass credentials to journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW after finding that the revocations lacked adequate due process.

Trump Uses UN General Assembly Speech to Emphasise US Sovereignty, Iran and Opposition to Global AI Rules

President Donald Trump used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to emphasise national sovereignty, take a hard line toward Iran and reject international regulatory controls over artificial intelligence.

US Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution by 50-49 Vote

The Senate rejected a resolution directing President Donald Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran, with 50 senators voting against the measure and 49 supporting it.

Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates to 3.75%-4% as Inflation Remains Elevated

The Federal Reserve unanimously raised its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point, its first increase since 2023, saying inflation remains elevated despite solid economic activity and resilient domestic spending.

Trump Hosts Xi Jinping at White House for Talks on Trade, AI and Iran

US President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit in Washington, with trade, artificial intelligence and the war in Iran among the issues on the agenda as the two governments seek to manage tensions in t...

Trump Says Planned Arlington Triumphal Arch Would Double as Military Facility

President Donald Trump said his proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington Memorial Bridge would house drones, snipers and ammunition for national-security purposes, adding to opposition from preservationists, veterans groups and other critic...

Trump Calls on ICC Member States to Withdraw From Court During UN Address

President Donald Trump urged countries belonging to the International Criminal Court to leave the institution, arguing that its jurisdiction threatens US sovereignty and objecting to potential proceedings involving American military pers...

Federal Reserve Keeps Rates Elevated After September Quarter-Point Increase

The Federal Reserve’s target range stands at 3.75% to 4% and the interest rate on reserve balances at 3.90% after policymakers raised rates by a quarter percentage point on September 16, citing persistent inflation alongside solid econom...

Democratic Lawmakers Seek Pentagon Watchdog Probe of Awards to Companies Tied to Trump’s Sons

Democratic lawmakers have asked the Defense Department inspector general to investigate $3.2 billion in government awards to companies backed by investment groups associated with Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, citing potential conflict...

Trump Declines Proposed Industry-Funded AI Watchdog After Tech Executives Raise Objections

President Donald Trump did not move forward with a proposed industry-funded artificial intelligence oversight body after Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Nvidia chief Jensen Huang separately raised concerns about the plan, according to rep...

Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Enforcement and Extends Entry Restrictions

President Donald Trump ordered stronger interagency enforcement of the H-1B program, including scrutiny of third-party placement and outsourcing practices, while separately extending restrictions on certain H-1B entries for another year.

House Votes 417-3 to Push Large Data Centers Toward Covering Grid Upgrade Costs

The US House overwhelmingly approved legislation directing state regulators to consider standards requiring data centers and other large electricity users to cover the incremental power-system costs created by their demand.

Federal Appeals Court Revives Missouri Congressional Map as Supreme Court Appeal Looms

The Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Missouri to use a Republican-backed congressional map for the November elections, setting up another expected Supreme Court challenge after absentee voting had already begun under the previo...

Federal Judge Orders White House to Restore CNN, MS NOW and Politico Press Credentials

US District Judge Timothy Kelly granted a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the White House to restore press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico while the organizations challenge their exclusion from the complex.

US, Denmark and Greenland Sign Expanded Arctic Defense Agreement

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement allowing expanded US military activity, additional defense areas and broader access across Greenland as the three governments respond to growing strategic competition in the Ar...

Trump Threatens Iran and Defends US Military Actions in UN General Assembly Address

President Donald Trump said the United States could “annihilate” Iran if negotiations fail and defended American military actions involving Iran and Venezuela during a combative address to world leaders at the United Nations.

US and China Extend Trade Truce Ahead of Xi Jinping’s Washington State Visit

Washington and Beijing extended their trade truce by two months to January 10 as President Donald Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks expected to cover tariffs, technology competition, Taiwan and wider security tensions.

White House Counterterrorism Strategy Elevates Drug Cartels as a Top National Security Priority

The administration’s counterterrorism strategy places Western Hemisphere cartel networks alongside longstanding terrorist threats, emphasizing financial disruption, border security and operations aimed at weakening transnational narcotic...

FBI Investigates Cyber Breach Claim Involving Jobs Portal and Employee Data

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is examining a cybercriminal group’s claim that it compromised the FBI’s jobs portal and potentially accessed employee personal information, with investigators still determining where the breach occurred.

Trump Defends US Military Action Against Iran in UN General Assembly Address

President Donald Trump used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to defend US military action against Iran and maintain pressure on Tehran, placing the conflict prominently on the international diplomatic agenda.

Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Natural Gas Initiative

The Washington Supreme Court has invalidated Initiative 2066, ruling that the 2024 voter-approved measure covering natural gas access and state energy policy violated the state constitution’s single-subject requirement.

US Senate Campaigns Intensify With Republicans Holding a 53-47 Majority

With the 2026 primary season largely complete, attention is shifting to competitive Senate contests including Michigan and Maine as Republicans seek to defend their current 53-seat majority in the November 3 elections.

House Speaker Mike Johnson Ends Pre-Election Session Early as Pending Votes Are Delayed

House Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the chamber’s remaining September votes and sent lawmakers home ahead of the midterm elections, postponing consideration of measures including an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete H...

SBA Suspends 870,000 Borrowers Over $39 Billion in Suspected Pandemic Loan Fraud

The Small Business Administration has suspended 870,000 borrowers linked to an estimated $39 billion in suspected fraudulent pandemic-era loans as federal agencies expand enforcement under Operation No Doze.

White House Launches 24-Hour Trump TV Streaming Channel Amid Press Dispute

The White House has launched “Trump TV: The Essentials Station,” a round-the-clock digital stream of administration speeches, announcements and other material as its confrontation with several major news organizations intensifies.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico Sue Trump Administration Over White House Access Ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a federal lawsuit alleging First and Fifth Amendment violations after the White House revoked their access, while ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC suspended presidential television pool coverage in protest.

Trump Signs Bipartisan Russia and Iran Sanctions Law With New Tariff Powers

President Donald Trump has signed legislation expanding sanctions on Russia and extending Iran-related measures, while authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas under specified conditions.

Trump Threatens Iran With Annihilation in UN Address and Announces Expanded US Presence in Greenland

President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly that Iran could face annihilation without a peace agreement, while also announcing an expanded US military presence in Greenland and urging members of the International Criminal Court t...

United States Spending Stopgap Averts Immediate Shutdown as Immigration Funding Remains Politically Contested

President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending federal government funding through December 11, removing the immediate September shutdown risk, while immigration enforcement remains a major budget issue after Congress separately ...