It’s Primary Day in Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina

Three states are kicking off the 2026 election cycle with primaries. Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina are holding primary elections for party nominations ahead of the November midterms. Among those three, Texas is generating the most interest with heated Senate races. Incumbent Republican John Cornyn is facing off against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Congressman Wesley Hunt. In the Democratic contest, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is facing State Representative James Talarico.

Court rejects DOJ’s attempt to slow tariff refund process

A federal court has rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to slow the tariff refund process. The Justice Department wanted to slow the process of refunding billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs. But a federal court refused, sending it to a lower court to sort out. The legal activity follows last month’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down the tariffs as illegal, clearing the way for the importers who paid them to seek refunds.. However, the high court offered no guidance on refunds.

Trump: Iran operations to last 4-5 weeks, but could be longer

President Trump says the U-S military action against Iran could last a month or more. Two days after authorizing Epic Fury, the president said combat operations against Iran will take some time. Speaking at a White House Medal of Honor ceremony, he said the U-S military will do what is necessary to meet the objectives of destroying Iran’s missiles and navy, and preventing that country from developing nuclear weapons and sponsoring terror.

Hegseth says Iran war “is not Iraq…is not endless”

The Trump administration is insisting the war with Iran will not be an “endless” Middle East conflict.
Addressing concerns that combat operations could spiral into a long-running regional conflict, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said this military mission has a defined objective. He said the mission is to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy, and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Hegseth wouldn’t rule out putting U-S troops on the ground, saying the Pentagon will not forecast what it will or will not do.

Trump warns of more U.S. casualties in ongoing Iran combat

President Trump is paying tribute to the first American casualties in the military attack against Iran. In a White House video statement, the president offered his prayers and condolences. He also warned that, “sadly, there will likely be more” U-S casualties before the end of combat operations.

Trump mourns loss of U.S. troops in strikes against Iran

President Trump says American troops have died during the U-S attacks on Iran. The president mourned the loss of American service members and said there could be more U-S casualties in the coming weeks. In a video statement, he called those killed “true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.” The president also offered prayers for the full recovery of wounded U-S troops.

U.S. combat operations against Iran could last several weeks

President Trump says U-S combat operations against Iran could last for several weeks. The president says the military operation known as “Epic Fury” is just getting started. In a phone interview with the British newspaper the Daily Mail, the president said the military campaign could last “four weeks or so.” He has described the mission as “right and necessary.”

U.K. allows U.S. to use British bases for some military ops

The United Kingdom is allowing the United States to use British bases for some of its military operations against Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country accepted a U-S request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles. Starmer said doing so would “prevent Iran firing missiles across the region.” The prime minister reiterated that Britain was not involved in the air strikes, but agreed to cooperate with the U-S military because the British people were at risk.

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.