House ethics panel finds Florida Democrat committed 25 violations

The House Ethics Committee has determined that a Democratic congresswoman violated numerous rules and ethics standards. After meeting for several hours Thursday night, the congressional panel found that Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida committed 25 ethics violations. The allegations center around her receipt of millions of dollars from her family’s health care business after Florida made an overpayment. It’s a ruling that could give momentum to a GOP push to expel her from Congress. The committee said it would recommend a punishment in the coming weeks.

Trump again delays deadline for Iran to reopen Hormuz

For the second time this week, President Trump postponed his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, the president extended his deadline until Friday. But now he’s giving Iran another 10 days to cooperate and reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 6th. He said he was delaying an attack on Iran’s power plants because talks aimed at ending the war are going “very well.” However, Iran continues to say it is not negotiating with the U-S and has rejected a 15-point proposal from the White House.

Trump tells Iran to “get serious soon” about ceasefire talks

President Trump has issued a new warning to Iran. The president wrote on his social media site that Iranian negotiators “better get serious soon, before it’s too late.” If they don’t, he said, “there is no turning back and it won’t be pretty. The president described the negotiators as “very different and strange,” insisting that Iran is “begging” the U-S to make a deal ending the war.”

Lawmaker wants to block Trump’s name from Kennedy Center

A lawmaker is asking a federal judge to block Donald Trump’s name from being added to the Kennedy Center. Ohio Democrat Joyce Beatty filed a motion to block and reverse efforts to add Donald Trump’s name to the historic performing arts center here in the nation’s capital. She argued that Congress was clear in its intent that the Center is named for the late President John F. Kennedy — and no one else. In December, the president’s hand-picked board of directors voted to rename the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center.

Trump reschedules travel to China in mid-May

President Trump will now travel to Beijing in mid-May after the Iran war forced a delay. The White House announced that the president’s rescheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place on May 14 and 15. Donald Trump originally planned to travel to China later this month, but delayed the trip so he could help oversee the U-S and Israeli war against Iran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president plans to host Xi for a White House visit later this year at a date yet to be announced.

Democrat flips seat in Donald Trump’s Florida district

A Democrat won a special election this week in President Trump’s Florida home district. The president’s endorsement of Republican Jon Maples wasn’t enough to stop Democrat Emily Gregory from winning Tuesday’s election. Gregory flipped the state seat that represents Donald Trump’s home district and his Mar-a-Lago resort. Donald Trump had urged his “Palm Beach County friends” to vote for Maples. Democrats celebrated Gregory’s victory as the latest sign voters are turning against the president and Republicans.

U.S. offers 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran

The Trump administration has offered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran. White House correspondent Pakistani officials, who have offered to mediate negotiations between the U-S and Iran, confirmed that Iran received the 15-point proposal. They said the plan includes sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, missile limits, and access for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. News of the proposal came as the U-S military is preparing to deploy at least one-thousand troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days.

Poll: Most Americans believe Iran war has “gone too far”

Most Americans do not support the ongoing war against Iran. A new AP-NORC poll shows that a majority of Americans surveyed believe the military action against Iran has gone too far. 90 percent of Democrats feel that way, as do about 60 percent of independents. Republicans are more divided. The polling data show that many Americans are worried about affording gasoline. Keeping the price at the pump down is the rare goal that unites both major political parties.

Trump says U-S is “in negotiations right now” with Iran

President Trump says the United States is talking with Iran to end the war, even as Iran denies any negotiations. The president says the U.S. is “in negotiations right now” with a new crop of Iranian officials after killing the country’s leadership. Meanwhile, on Pakistan’s offer to mediate U-S-Iran war talks, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as a “fluid situation” and that “sensitive diplomatic discussions” are taking place.

Senators discussing plan to end DHS shutdown and pay TSA

Senators are discussing a proposal to end the Homeland Security budget stalemate that has lasted for several weeks. The plan being discussed would authorize funding for much of the Homeland Security department, including TSA airport workers who are going without pay. But Congress would withhold funding from ICE and its removal operations, which are of the core to the dispute. Senate leaders from both parties say the two sides are “working in a serious way” and “hopefully headed in the right direction.”

OK Governor picks energy exec to fill Mullin’s vacant Senate seat

Oklahoma’s governor has picked an energy executive to fill the vacant U-S Senate seat through the end of the year. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Alan Armstrong to finish the Senate term of Markwayne Mullin, the new homeland security secretary. The governor had pledged to pick a “conservative voice” to fill Mullin’s seat. Mullin, who was confirmed this week to take over DHS, would have been up for reelection in November. Armstrong’s time in Congress will be temporary because under Oklahoma law he must agree to not run for a full term this fall.

Trump touts possible war-ending agreement with Iran

President Trump says the United States and Iran are having “productive” talks aimed at ending the war.
The president refuses to guarantee a positive outcome, but says the two sides could reach an agreement soon. He says the Iranians have agreed to not develop a nuclear weapon and that the U-S would take possession of Iran’s enriched uranium critical to its nuclear program. However, Iranian officials deny that talks have been held.

Senate confirms Mullin as new Homeland Security secretary

Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as the new secretary of Homeland Security. The Senate voted mostly along party lines, confirming Mullin 54 to 45. President Trump selected the Republican senator from Oklahoma to take over the department after firing Secretary Kristi Noem. Mullin takes over the department during a difficult time. Democrats are demanding changes in the department’s immigration operation, which has created a budget battle — leading to long lines at U.S. airports.

Pentagon to empty press work space, move reporters to annex

The Trump administration is removing media offices from the Pentagon after losing a lawsuit brought by The New York Times. A federal judge sided with the Times, which had sued over limits placed on reporters’ access in the building. The Pentagon is immediately closing the press work space that reporters have used for decades to cover the U-S military. Journalists will eventually be moved to an “annex” outside the building. The Pentagon Press Association said the announcement “is a clear violation of the letter and spirit of last week’s ruling.”

Tehran disputes Trump’s claim of talks with Iran to end war

There are conflicting messages coming from the U-S and Iran about talks to end the military conflict. President Trump says Iran wants ‘to make a deal” and that U-S envoys have been holding talks with a “respected” Iranian leader. But Iran denied talks had been held. Iran’s parliament speaker said. “No negotiations” have taken place and that “fakenews is [being] used to manipulate the financial and oil markets.”

Trump directs ICE officers to remove masks in airport security role

President Trump has directed ICE officers not to wear face coverings in their work at airports. The president supports immigration officers wearing masks when dealing with “hardened criminals.” But he says face coverings are not necessary in their work assisting with airport security. ICE officers have been deployed to airports to supplement the Transportation Security Administration during a government shutdown that has caused long lines at security checkpoints.

Trump extends deadline for attacking Iran’s power plants

President Trump is postponing his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Hours ahead of his original Monday deadline, the president announced that the United States will delay attacks on Iranian power plants for five days. In a social media post, he said the two countries have had “very good and productive conversations” that could yield “a complete and total resolution” in the war. The president had warned of a strike against Iran’s power plants if the Iranians didn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Clock is ticking toward Trump’s Strait of Hormuz deadline

The clock is ticking toward President Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the all-important Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, the president set a 48-hour deadline for Iran to fully reopen the vital waterway or the United States would, in his words, “obliterate” Iran’s power plants. In response, Iran warned that the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely closed” immediately if the U-S followed through on Donald Trump’s threat. A day before the president gave his ultimatum, he said he was considering “winding down” military operations.

Hundreds of ICE officers to help TSA screeners with airport security

Hundreds of immigration officers will be deployed to U-S airports to help with security. The expanded role for immigration officers comes as TSA screeners have worked more than a month without paychecks because of a budget impasse in Congress. In recent days, travelers have waited many hours in airport security lines. The president’s decision is drawing concerns that the agents’ presence may escalate tensions. Border czar Tom Homan is leading the new airport security effort and says the plan is a “work in progress.”

Senate advances Homeland Security nomination toward final vote

President Trump’s homeland security nominee is one step closer to being confirmed. The Senate has advanced the nomination of Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin to be the next head of the Department of Homeland Security. A confirmation vote is expected as early as Monday. If approved, Mullin would replace Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired earlier this month.

Judge blocks Pentagon’s restrictive news media policy

A federal judge has blocked the Pentagon’s restrictive press policy. The judge ruled that it’s unlawful for the Trump administration to limit news reporters’ access to the Pentagon. At issue was a new credentialing policy. In December, The New York Times sued the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Hegseth for adopting a policy that violates journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Reporters from news outlets that refused to consent were forced to leave the Pentagon. The Defense Department said it will appeal.

Trump administration files new lawsuit against Harvard

The Trump administration has filed a new lawsuit against Harvard University. The Justice Department lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, says Harvard’s leadership failed to address antisemitism on campus. As a result, it argues, the government can freeze existing grants and seek repayment for grants already paid. It’s the latest chapter in a battle between President Trump and the university. In a pair of lawsuits filed by Harvard, the school has said it’s being unfairly penalized for refusing to adopt the administration’s views.

U.S. military deploys more warships and 2,500 Marines to Mideast

Trump berates NATO allies as “cowards” over Iran war

President Trump continues to berate NATO allies for their refusal to join the U-S-Israeli war against Iran.
NATO and European leaders have rejected Donald Trump’s demand that they “join the fight” against Iran. Those leaders have said it’s not Europe’s war and they don’t want to be drawn into a wider conflict. The president continues to lash out at allies, writing in a Friday social media post that “without the USA, NATO is a paper tiger.” He goes on to call them “cowards” and vows that, quote, “we will remember.”