Family Research Council tells Trump, GOP not to ignore abortion

Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader has been killed

President Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader has been killed in a joint U-S and Israeli military operation.
The president announced the death of Ayatollah Khamenei in a social media post, writing that the Supreme Leader was “one of the most evil people in history.” Donald Trump also said the Ayatollah’s passing is “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.” The death occurred after a joint U.S.-Israeli aerial bombardment and the president said heavy bombing would continue for several days.

Trump announces military action against Iran in bid for regime change

The United States and Iran have launched military strikes against Iran. President Trump announced the military action after weeks of a U-S military build-up in the region and the failure of recent nuclear talks. In a video statement, he called on the Iranian people to “seize control” of their country from the Islamic regime. The president also warned of possible American casualties during the combat operations.

U.S. launches combat operations in Iran after failed nuke talks

The United States and Iran have launched military strikes against Iran. The president said Iranian leaders “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions,” forcing the U-S military to take action against Iran and its state-sponsored terrorism. In a video statement, he also warned of possible U-S casualties. The president said the mission’s objective is to end threats from the regime and allow the Iranian people to “take over” their government.

Trump “not happy” with status of Iran nuclear talks

President Trump is “not happy” with the status of Iran nuclear talks. The president told reporters he’s “not thrilled” that Iran hasn’t agreed to U-S demands as the two countries hold negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. He said he’s “not happy” but “we’ll see what happens” after additional talks. Tensions remain high after indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday failed to reach a breakthrough, and as American forces gather in the region.

Clinton tells Congress he “did nothing wrong” in relationship with Epstein

Former President Bill Clinton told U-S House lawmakers that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton told members of Congress he saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse, and by the time the abuse came to light with a 2008 guilty plea, he had long stopped associating with Epstein. The closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York, marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. On Thursday, Hillary Clinton gave her own testimony, telling the House Oversight Committee that she did not encounter Epstein and “had no idea” about his criminal activities.

U.S. Embassy staff in Israel urged to leave amid rising tensions with Iran

U-S Embassy staff in Israel are being urged to quickly leave the country amid the threat of possible military action against Iran. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee encouraged embassy staffers to immediately book flights out of Israel and to make their way to Washington. He wrote in an email that outbound flights may or may not be available “over the coming days.” President Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a far-reaching deal on its nuclear program. Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and denies seeking a nuclear weapon. GC, Wash.

Conservative leader says economic progress must be “tangible”

A conservative leader says Americans need to see and feel the impact of President Trump’s economic policies. Family Research Council president Tony Perkins says economic progress “has to become tangible” before the midterm elections for the president’s policies “to have the desired impact.” Perkins told the Salem Radio Network the economy is trending in the right direction, “but it’s not being felt yet.” Recent polls show the president with a negative approval rating for his handling of the economy.

Hillary Clinton testimony: “no idea” about Epstein’s crimes

Judge allows White House ballroom project to proceed

U.S. and Iran conclude nuclear talks; negotiations to resume

Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in Epstein investigation

Minnesota’s Medicaid funding “temporarily” halted over fraud concerns

U.S.-Ukraine talks scheduled for Thursday in Geneva

American and Ukrainian officials will meet again on Thursday in hopes of ending the war. As the war enters its 5th year, a Ukrainian delegation is set to hold talks with U-S envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The meeting precedes another round of trilateral talks with Russia sometime next week. A U-S push for peace has already brought Russia and Ukraine to the table this year, but the talks have produced no breakthroughs.

U.S. hits Iran with new sanctions ahead of nuclear talks

The Trump administration has hit Iran with a new round of sanctions. The newly imposed sanctions are aimed at people and companies accused of enabling Iran’s ballistic missile program, drone production, and illicit oil sales. They come as the Trump administration presses Iran to make a deal ahead of nuclear talks scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, and as the U-S builds up its largest military presence in the region in decades.

Trump delivers upbeat State of the Union speech, also bickers with Dems

President Trump delivered an upbeat State of the Union address, even as he bickered with Democrats. The president declared that the union is “strong” and is winning under his leadership. There were feel-good patriotic moments featuring the Olympic champion U-S men’s hockey team and medals presented to military members and veterans. But there also was heckling and the president snapping at Democrats. The immigration crackdown, spending cuts, and voter ID were other issues highlighted during the speech.

In speech, Trump doubles down on tariffs and immigration policy

President Trump doubled down on tariffs and his immigration policy during his State of the Union speech. Just days after the Supreme Court struck down his global tariffs, the president said he will continue with tariffs through other regulations and that the tariffs will “substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax.” With justices sitting a few feet away, he described their ruling as “unfortunate.” The president also defended his administration’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. And he announced Vice President Vance will lead a new effort called the “war on fraud.”

Pentagon appeals judge’s ruling blocking Sen. Mark Kelly censure

The Pentagon is appealing an order that blocks punishment for Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. When Kelly participated in a video with other lawmakers calling on troops to resist unlawful orders, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured the former U-S Navy pilot. But a federal judge ruled that Pentagon officials violated Kelly’s First Amendment free speech rights. Now, Justice Department officials have filed a notice with the U-S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Hegseth wrote online that “sedition is sedition.” Kelly said “these guys don’t know when to quit.”

House fails to pass aviation safety bill that could prevent midair collisions

House lawmakers rejected a bill requiring aircraft locator systems to prevent midair collisions like last year’s crash near Washington, DC.The National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending the aircraft locater system since 2008. And experts believe it would have prevented last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River that killed 67 people. The bill passed the Senate and had the backing of the victims’ families and key unions. But it fell short of the necessary votes in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s committed to getting the aviation safety bill done.

State of the Union comes at critical moment in Trump presidency

Trump to face a skeptical public with State of the Union address

Trump directs federal gov’t to protect Potomac River from sewer leak

The federal government is stepping in to help protect the Potomac River after a sewage mishap. The collapse of a major sewer pipe in the DC suburbs of Montgomery County, Maryland, has caused an overflow of more than 240 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River. On Monday, President Trump accused Maryland’s Democratic governor of mismanagement and directed the federal government to step in. But the governor’s office pushed back and said the leak is the federal government’s responsibility.

Treasury Dept to offer whistleblower rewards on fraud, money laundering

The Treasury Department has set up a website for whistleblower tips on fraud and money laundering. In the wake of a scandal involving federal funds intended for social welfare programs in Minnesota, the U-S Treasury is taking steps to root out fraud and abuse. Secretary Scott Bessent said his department would offer rewards to whistleblowers if a tip resulted in a successful enforcement action. The IRS is also
launching a dedicated fraud task force focused on targeting the misuse of funding by 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.

No signs the partial gov’t shutdown will end soon

There are no signs that the partial government shutdown will end any time soon. Democrats and the White House appear dug into their positions in the battle over federal immigration efforts. Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted, but President Trump and his team are resistant to several of their demands. The impasse has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, affecting the TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service, among other agencies.