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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Homeland Security Dept shutdown likely at midnight
Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 6:17 am
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire at midnight. Lawmakers have left town after failing to pass a homeland security funding bill. Democrats and the White House traded offers this week, but the Senate fell short of the votes needed to advance a bill. The expected result is a partial –or mini– government shutdown affecting the DHS, which employs more than a quarter million workers. A shutdown could drag on a while with Congress now on a 10-day break.
Listen DownloadJudge blocks Pentagon’s censure of Dem Sen. Mark Kelly
Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 3:02 pm
A federal judge has blocked the Pentagon from punishing Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly for his role in a video message to U-S troops. Earlier this year, Defense Secretary Hegseth censured Senator Kelly, who is a former U-S Navy pilot, for telling members of the military to uphold the Constitution and resist unlawful orders. But a federal judge ruled that Pentagon officials violated Kelly’s First Amendment free speech rights. U-S District Judge Richard Leon wrote that “our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it.”
Trump’s EPA revokes scientific finding that backed climate policy
Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 2:45 pm
The Trump administration has revoked a key scientific finding that supported U-S regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. President Trump’s EPA rescinded a 2009 declaration that carbon dioxide and other gases endanger public health. The president hailed the move to roll back climate regulations. He argued that the Obama-era scientific finding “had no basis in fact.” However, the administration’s decision is expected to spur legal challenges.
Listen DownloadJudge says Trump’s BBC lawsuit can go to trial in 2027
Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 11:15 am
A U-S judge says President Trump’s 10 billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC can go to trial. A federal judge in Florida rejected an attempt by Britain’s national broadcaster to delay proceedings and set a February 2027 trial date. In December, Donald Trump filed a lawsuit over the way the BBC edited a speech he gave on Jan. 6, 2021 — the day of the U-S Capitol riot. The claim seeks 5 billion dollars in damages for defamation and 5 billion for unfair trade practices. The BBC has apologized, but rejects claims it defamed the president.
Listen DownloadImmigration crackdown in Minnesota is coming to an end
Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 10:31 am
The Trump administration is ending its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota. The immigration crackdown that prompted protests and led to the shooting deaths of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis is coming to an end. Border czar Tom Homan said “Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals” because of the ICE operation. He said the immigration sweeps resulted in the arrest of more than 4-thousand people.
In deregulatory move, Trump to repeal scientific climate finding
Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 6:39 am
The Trump administration is formally repealing an Obama-era scientific finding that greenhouse gases pose a public health threat. The climate rule, known as the endangerment finding, has been the foundation for federal climate regulations. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says revoking that scientific finding “”will be the largest deregulatory action in American history.” The administration believes the move will save as much as 1-point-3 trillion dollars in avoided regulations — the bulk coming from less expensive new vehicles.
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House Republicans pass strict new voter ID requirements
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 8:20 pm
House Republicans passed legislation that would impose strict new voter ID requirements. The bill, known as the SAVE Act, was approved on a mostly party-line vote. It requires Americans to present proof of citizenship when they register to vote and to show a valid photo identification before they cast ballots. Republicans say it’s needed to prevent voter fraud. Democrats warn it will make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. The bill heads to the Senate, where finding 60 votes to get past filibuster rules may be difficult.
House votes to end Canada tariffs in rare rebuke of Trump
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 8:12 pm
The Republican-controlled House has narrowly approved a measure disapproving of President Trump’s tariffs on Canada. The final vote of 219 to 211 was a rare rebuke of the president and GOP House leaders. Six Republicans joined all but one Democrat in favor of a resolution to terminate the president’s use of a national emergency to put punitive trade measures on Canadian goods. The resolution stands a good chance of passage in the Senate. However, it’s unlikely to become law, since it would take two-thirds majorities in both chambers to overcome an expected White House veto.
Trump says he ‘insisted’ to Netanyahu that U.S. talks with Iran continue
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 2:59 pm
President Trump told Israel’s prime minister that the U-S will continue its nuclear talks with Iran. After meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu for more than two hours, the president said it was a “very good meeting,” but “nothing definitive” was reached. He wrote online that he “insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated.” Netanyahu has long pushed for stronger U-S action toward the Iranian regime, including a call for an end to all uranium enrichment.
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Bondi clashes with lawmakers over Epstein files
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with lawmakers during an explosive congressional hearing. She accused Democrats of attacking President Trump and said she’s “not going to put up with it.” A combative Bondi slung insults as she faced questions about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The attorney general vigorously defended her department, but repeatedly refused to directly answer questions.
Listen DownloadHouse rejects Trump’s bid to prevent challenges to his tariffs
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 11:48 am
House lawmakers have rejected President Trump’s bid to prevent Congress from challenging his tariffs. Three Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of being able to debate tariffs. It was a setback for the Trump White House, which had lobbied GOP lawmakers. Democrats have introduced resolutions to end the president’s tariffs on several countries — and Tuesday’s vote allows them to move forward. Punchbowl News reports that Speaker Mike Johnson said “this is life with a small majority.”
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Netanyahu to discuss Iran talks with Trump at White House
Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 6:44 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pays a visit to the White House as the U-S engages in talks with Iran. Days after the Trump administration resumed nuclear negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu will encourage the president to expand the scope of the high-stakes talks. The prime minister has long pushed for stronger U-S action toward the Iranian regime, including a call for an end to all uranium enrichment. But Iran has always rejected the Israeli demands, saying it would only accept some limits on its nuclear program.
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Grand Jury refuses to indict 6 Democrats in military video
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 10:15 pm
A grand jury has refused to indict Democratic lawmakers in connection with a video message to the military. Late last year, the Justice Department opened an investigation into Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin and four other Democratic lawmakers. In the video, they reminded U-S service members to follow established military protocols and to resist “illegal orders.” At the time, President Trump called it “seditious behavior” by the lawmakers and “punishable by death.” But a grand jury in Washington declined to indict them.
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Lutnick admits meetings with Epstein contradicting previous claims
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 2:40 pm
President Trump’s Commerce secretary is facing calls for his resignation over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In testimony before Congress, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Epstein twice after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. That contradicts his previous claim that he had decided to “never be in the room” with Epstein again after 2005. But the White House is standing by Lutnick and says “the president fully supports the secretary.”
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Trump threatens to block opening of bridge between Canada and Michigan
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 11:38 am
President Trump is threatening to block the opening of a bridge between Canada and Michigan. The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is scheduled to open this year. But the president said he “will not allow it” to open until the United States “is fully compensated for everything we have given them.” He wrote online that Canada has treated the U-S “very unfairly for decades.” The bridge, which has cost more than 4-and-a-half billions dollars to build, has been financed by Canada and will be jointly owned by Canada and Michigan. GC, Wash.
GOP Sen. Susan Collins running for 6th term in Maine
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 11:33 am
Republican Senator Susan Collins is officially running for re-election in Maine. The 73-year-old Collins is seeking a sixth term and her bid for re-election faces a challenge from both sides of the aisle. She is a Republican but has remained in office despite Maine becoming increasingly blue. There’s a renewed Democratic effort to oust her in a race that could determine control of the U-S Senate. Collins often clashes with President Trump, including on the issue of military force in Venezuela. After her vote, the president said Collins and the others who opposed him “should never be elected to office again.” GC, Wash.
Congress faces Friday midnight deadline on DHS funding
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 6:40 am
Congress is facing another Friday midnight deadline to agree on federal funding. The government is funded through September, except for one agency — the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill this week to figure out how to fund DHS, which has more than a quarter-million employees. t Democrats are demanding changes to how ICE enforces the nation’s immigration laws. ICE already has funding thanks to a separate bill passed last year. But if there’s no agreement, funding would dry up for FEMA, TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ghislaine Maxwell appeals for clemency as she declines lawmaker questions
Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 6:05 pm
The former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein declined to answer questions from House lawmakers in a deposition. Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee during a video call.. But she indicated that if President Trump ended her prison sentence, she was willing to testify that neither he nor former President Bill Clinton had done anything wrong in their connections with Epstein. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, but they have not been credibly accused of wrongdoing.
Congress debates masks in homeland security funding showdown
Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Republicans and Democrats are bitterly divided over federal agents wearing masks, as Congress works to avert another partial government shutdown. Facing Friday’s midnight deadline, lawmakers are locked in a debate over funding Homeland Security. And a central question is whether to ban face masks by immigration enforcement officers. The House Democratic leader says unmasking the federal agents is a “hard red line” in the negotiations. But most Republicans say the current political climate leaves the immigration officers exposed to harassment if their faces and identities are made public.
DOJ allows Congress to review unredacted Epstein files
Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 11:20 am
The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter to lawmakers, the DOJ said members will have access to the more than 3 million files released by the department. To access the files, lawmakers will need to give the administration 24 hours’ notice and they will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers, not their staff, will have access to the files. President Trump wants to move on from the issue, but many questions remain about Epstein and his connections.
Trump administration appeals ruling on releasing NYC tunnel funds
Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 12:27 am
The Trump administration has appealed a ruling on releasing New York City tunnel funds. Last September, the Transportation Department froze federal funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project in New York. But last Friday, a U-S District judge ordered the federal government to release the money for the project. On Sunday, the Trump administration appealed. Donald Trump reportedly had offered to unfreeze the funds if Democrats agreed to rename Washington Dulles Airport and New York’s Penn Station after him.
Trump criticizes U.S. Olympians and Super Bowl Halftime show
Mon, Feb 9, 2026 at 12:22 am
President Trump spent part of his weekend criticizing participants in two of the biggest sporting events.
The president first took aim at Americans competing at the Olympics, saying one of the athletes should have stayed home. After freestyle skier Hunter Hess said that “wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U-S,” the president called him a “real loser.” And then Donald Trump complained about Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny. He wrote online that the Puerto Rican singer’s show was “terrible” and was” an affront to the greatness of America.”
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Clintons want their Epstein depositions held in public
Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 7:09 am
The Clintons have agreed to testify in a congressional Jeffrey Epstein investigation, but they don’t want to do it behind closed doors. Facing the threat of a contempt charge, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reversed course and said they would testify before the House Oversight Committee later this month. However, both Clintons are pushing to make their testimony public. Hillary Clinton said “there’s nothing more transparent than a public hearing, cameras on.” And Bill Clinton said a closed-door deposition “serves only partisan interests.” So far, Republican Chairman James Comer has insisted on holding the depositions in private.
Trump says U.S.-Iran talks were “very good” with more planned
Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 10:15 pm
President Trump says the U-S held “very good” talks with Iran. Officials from both countries participated in the indirect talks held in Oman. The president described them as “very good” and said more were planned for early next week. But he kept up the pressure, warning that if the country didn’t make a deal over its nuclear program, “the consequences are very steep.” Meanwhile, he signed an executive order that may impose a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran
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