WashingTone

Federal Judge Again Blocks Kennedy Center From Adding Trump’s Name to Building

A federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center cannot add President Donald Trump’s name to the performing arts complex without congressional approval, reinforcing an earlier order against the board’s renaming effort.

House Democrat Opens Probe Into Russian Oligarch’s Reported Role in Donald Trump Jr. Wedding Celebration

Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, opened an investigation into reports that Russian businessman Umar Kremlev helped finance a celebration linked to Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding.

Bernie Sanders Convenes Senate Briefing on Risks From Advanced Artificial Intelligence

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is bringing lawmakers together with artificial intelligence experts as concern grows in Congress over safety, automation and the government’s ability to regulate increasingly capable AI systems.

FBI Director Kash Patel Defends Looser Hiring Rules After Bipartisan Senate Scrutiny

FBI Director Kash Patel defended changes removing several automatic employment disqualifications, including certain past conduct involving theft, prostitution and bestiality, saying the revised rules were intended to allow consideration ...

Trump Pledges $5,000 Payments if Republicans Retain Congress and Announces $500 Health Rebates

President Donald Trump has proposed $5,000 payments to American adults if Republicans retain congressional control while his administration separately plans $500 refunds for about one million Affordable Care Act enrollees.

Republican Thomas Massie Moves to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Over Iran War

Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of violating congressional war-powers requirements during US military operations against Iran, setting up a potential House vote.

Federal Judge Blocks New US Visa Time Limits for Foreign Students and Journalists

A federal judge halted Trump administration rules that would have imposed fixed limits on how long international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists could remain in the United States without seeking extensions.

EPA Repeals Biden-Era Greenhouse Gas Limits for US Power Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency repealed major federal greenhouse gas requirements for coal and natural gas power plants and proposed eliminating remaining power-sector emissions standards, reversing a central part of previous US cli...

US Military Destroys Iranian Boats Attempting to Seize American Sea Drone

The US military said it destroyed two Iranian boats attempting to take an American unmanned surface vessel in waters off Iran, adding to direct hostilities as Washington and Tehran contest access around the Strait of Hormuz.

US Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration Mail-Ballot Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

The Supreme Court prevented the Trump administration from imposing new Postal Service requirements on mail ballots, allowing states to continue established voting procedures as the November congressional elections approach.

White House Criticizes Republicans Over Private Responses to Capitol Unrest

The White House publicly targeted Republican lawmakers whose leaked messages showed alarm during unrest at the Capitol while they later avoided similar criticism in public.

Democratic Lawmakers Press House Speaker to Challenge Trump's Proposed National Mall Monuments

A senior House Democrat urged Speaker Mike Johnson to take legal action against plans for a triumphal arch and large George Washington statue, arguing that the White House cannot bypass congressional approval.

Republican Florida Legislative Nominee Faces Backlash Over Participation in Neo-Nazi March

Republican officials are confronting controversy after reports showed a party nominee for the Florida legislature had participated in a march involving extremist groups.

Federal Judge Sentences North Carolina Man in Cyber Extortion Case Against Major Tech Company

The Justice Department secured a prison sentence against a hacker who tried to ransom stolen corporate intellectual property obtained from a major international technology company.

Former U.S. Government Employee Pleads Guilty to Offering Classified Information to Foreign Government

A former intelligence employee admitted using encrypted communications to offer sensitive national-security documents to an unspecified foreign government.

American Citizen Sentenced to Two Years for Acting as Unregistered Chinese Agent

A federal judge in Washington sentenced a U.S. citizen to two years in prison after a counterintelligence investigation found the individual had acted as an unregistered agent of China.

Air Force Special Operations Deploys Havoc Spear Cruise Missile in Africa

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command used the new low-yield precision weapon against militant targets in Africa, providing an operational test of the missile in combat.

U.S. Middle East and Ukraine Diplomatic Efforts Stall

Administration envoy Jared Kushner returned from Gaza without a ceasefire agreement while negotiations over ending the war in Ukraine remained delayed, adding pressure on the White House over its foreign-policy agenda.

Mitch McConnell Returns to Senate and Casts Deciding Vote on Federal Judicial Nominee

The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican returned to the Senate floor after a serious fall in June and supplied the vote needed to break a deadlock over a conservative nominee to an Ohio federal court.

Trump Faces Ethics Questions Over $45,000 Cash Gifts to Three Senior White House Aides

Financial disclosures showed President Donald Trump gave three senior aides, including Natalie Harp and Margo Martin, $45,000 each in personal cash gifts in addition to their federal salaries.

Pentagon Seeks New Encryption Architecture to Prepare for Quantum Computing Threats

The Defense Department requested industry proposals for software-defined encryption systems as military planners prepare for the risk that future quantum computers could defeat existing cryptographic protections.

Army Cyber Command Deploys Autonomous AI Agents to Hunt Military Network Intrusions

The U.S. Army is using machine-learning systems to autonomously identify and respond to sophisticated cyber threats across Defense Department networks before human operators intervene.

U.S. Air Force Accelerates MQ-9 Reaper Replacement After Middle East Combat Losses

Procurement officials are fast-tracking next-generation stealth drones after older MQ-9 Reapers suffered heavy losses against advanced Iranian air-defense systems.

Pentagon Adds Grok and ChatGPT to Military AI Portal Alongside Google Gemini

The Defense Department expanded its generative AI environment to include multiple commercial language models for military planning, intelligence analysis, logistics and strategic simulations.

U.S. Air Force Plans Fleet of 500 Collaborative Combat Drones by Decade's End

Air Force procurement officials are accelerating plans to field hundreds of autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters as the Pentagon modernizes its air-combat capabilities.

U.S. Space Force Confirms Deployment of Offensive Space-Control Systems

Military leaders said targeted disruption systems have been deployed to protect U.S. satellite infrastructure and counter adversary space capabilities, marking a further expansion of American military activity in orbit.

Pentagon Expands Generative AI Use in Military Software Development

The Defense Department introduced its Accelerated Mission Software directive allowing wider use of generative artificial intelligence in military coding while keeping human developers accountable for security and system integrity.

China Commits to $17 Billion in U.S. Agricultural Purchases as Tariff Talks Advance

The White House said China agreed to increase purchases of American beef and poultry over three years as Washington and Beijing pursue progress in negotiations aimed at reducing trade tensions.

Senate Democrats Demand Answers After Iranian Drone Strike Kills Six U.S. Service Members in Kuwait

Lawmakers asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for briefings on military preparedness and medical capacity after a drone strike at Port Shuaiba killed six service members and wounded 30.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Relocate FBI Headquarters to Ronald Reagan Building

A U.S. district judge ruled that the administration unlawfully abandoned an approved plan for a new FBI campus in suburban Maryland and barred the government from redirecting funds to move operations into the Ronald Reagan Building.

EPA Finalizes Repeal of Major Federal Climate Protections

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin finalized a broad rollback of federal emissions restrictions, fulfilling a major Trump administration deregulatory goal and drawing opposition from environmental groups and Democra...

Pentagon Watchdog Says Iran Conflict Has Cost More Than $33 Billion and Depleted Munitions

The Defense Department inspector general told Congress that Operation Epic Fury has cost more than $33 billion in four months while reducing U.S. munitions stocks and resulting in losses of F-15 fighters and MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Pentagon Faces Criticism Over Television Segment on U.S. Airman’s Iran Rescue Mission

A television interview detailing a U.S. military rescue operation inside Iran drew criticism from political observers who said the segment was designed to build public support for the conflict with Tehran.

Kennedy Center Board Weighs Trump Tribute as Institution Faces Financial Crisis

Trustees of the Kennedy Center are considering adding President Donald Trump’s name to the building’s facade as the institution seeks additional federal support amid warnings of severe financial distress.

House Speaker Rejects Calls for Pause on Advanced AI Development

House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected proposals for a legislative moratorium on advanced artificial intelligence, arguing that tighter restrictions could weaken the United States against China in the global technology race.

DHS Watchdog Finds Serious Failures at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Facility

The Department of Homeland Security inspector general found that the Florida detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz held detainees in cramped metal cages and failed to meet federal standards for space, medical care and humane treat...

Former CIA Director John Brennan Subpoenaed in Justice Department Investigation

Federal prosecutors issued a grand jury subpoena to former CIA Director John Brennan as part of an investigation into whether intelligence officials conspired against President Donald Trump.

U.S. Defense Bill and Supplemental Military Funding Remain Stalled Amid Iran Conflict

Congress has yet to reach agreement on the annual defense authorization bill or tens of billions of dollars in additional military funding while U.S. forces remain engaged in hostilities with Iran.

Trump Urges Ukraine to Stop Strikes on Russian Diesel Refineries

President Donald Trump said he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure, arguing that the strikes were disrupting global energy supplies and contributing to fuel shortages.

House Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Avert U.S. Government Shutdown

The House approved a continuing resolution by 370-48 to fund federal agencies through Dec. 11, easing a spending standoff weeks before the November midterm elections.

Washington Groups Protest Large-Scale Tree Removal at East Potomac Golf Course

Environmental advocates and local officials are challenging federal land managers over extensive tree removals at the East Potomac golf course, renewing debate over local influence on federally controlled land in Washington.

Wisconsin Lawmaker Survives Emergency Water Landing After Small-Aircraft Failure

A Wisconsin state legislator escaped a small aircraft after an emergency water landing and swam to safety, disrupting regional political schedules ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump Urges Republican Activists to Mobilize Ahead of Midterm Elections

Speaking at the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas, President Donald Trump framed the congressional elections as a referendum on his presidency and called for an aggressive campaign to retain Republican control.

Pennsylvania Reports Probable Measles Death of Unvaccinated Adult

Pennsylvania health officials said an unvaccinated 40-year-old woman died from complications linked to a probable measles infection, adding to national debate over vaccination policy and declining immunization rates.

U.S. Jewish Institutions Spend More Than $1 Billion a Year on Security

Annual security costs for synagogues and Jewish community centers have exceeded $1 billion ahead of the High Holy Days, prompting calls for expanded federal grants amid concerns over rising antisemitism.