DHS to issue body cameras to officers, including ICE agents

The Trump administration will issue body-worn cameras to every Homeland Security officer, including those from ICE. The announcement came from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as the administration tries to alleviate tensions in Minneapolis after the fatal shootings of two U-S citizens by federal agents. Noem said the body-worn camera program is being expanded nationwide as funding becomes available. At the White House, President Trump said the decision was up to the secretary, but said that he thought it was generally good for law enforcement to wear cameras.

Trump will not drop DOJ probe into Fed Chair Powell

President Trump says he will not drop the Justice Department’s investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Even though two Republican senators say they won’t support the president’s Fed pick unless the criminal investigation into Powell is resolved, the president says there are no plans to back off the probe. He said the U-S Attorney for the District of Columbia will take the investigation “to the end.” Last month, Powell was subpoenaed in relation to his congressional testimony. But he contends the probe amounts to intimidation over interest rate policy.

Trump urges House to pass funding bill and reopen government

President Trump is urging House lawmakers to pass a government funding bill “without delay.” The president said there can be “no changes” to the spending package at this time and he’s seeking support from all Republicans and Democrats. He wrote online that “we need to get the government open.” House members must pass the Senate-approved measure in order to end the partial-government shutdown. But there’s pushback from lawmakers in both parties.

Trump to lower tariffs on goods from India to 18%

President Trump plans to lower tariffs on India after India agreed to stop buying Russian oil. The president said he would lower tariffs on goods from India to 18 percent from 25 percent after India’s prime minister announced his country would stop buying oil from Russia. Donald Trump has been pressing India to cut its reliance on cheap Russian crude, and wrote online that “this will help end the war in Ukraine.” The president said that India would also start to reduce its import taxes on U.S. goods to zero and buy 500 billion dollars worth of American products.

Partial government shutdown could last until at least Tuesday

The partial government shutdown could last longer than first thought. The government funding package passed by the Senate on Friday requires a House vote because of changes made to homeland security funding. The expectation was that House lawmakers would approve the measure after returning to Washington on Monday. But House Speaker Mike Johnson said a vote likely won’t take place until Tuesday as Democrats and Republicans debate restrictions for the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.

Trump says Kennedy Center to close for 2-year renovations

President Trump says the Kennedy Center in Washington will close for two years for construction. The president has complained that DC’s performing arts center is “tired, broken, and dilapidated” and needs an overhaul. He announced on social media that the center will close on July 4th and construction would begin. Since taking office last year, the president has installed himself as chairman of the famed Kennedy Center and added his name to the facility. In recent months, there’s been a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians and groups.

Iran warns of a “regional war” in Mideast if U.S. attacks

Iran’s supreme leader is warning that any U-S attack would trigger a “regional war” across the Middle East.
President Trump has dispatched an aircraft carrier and other warships to the Arabian Sea and has threatened military action against Iran over its bloody crackdown on protesters. The Iranian government is vowing to “defend itself and respond like never before” if the U-S attacks, and warns of a “regional war.” On Sunday, the president was hopeful a deal could be reached with Iran’s supreme leader. But said “if we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.”

Some U.S. allies are exploring new partnerships with China

Some of America’s traditional allies are forging new partnerships with China. Over the past few weeks, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been hosting several Western leaders who are seeking improved relations with the world’s second-largest economy. The list of allies includes the Canadian and British prime ministers. Germany’s chancellor is also expected to visit Beijing. These American partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with President Trump over tariffs and his demands to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. The president has warned that it’s “dangerous” for U-S allies to do that.

Trump sues IRS, Treasury for $10 billion over tax info leak

President Trump is suing the IRS and Treasury Department for 10 billion dollars. The lawsuit accuses the two federal agencies of a failure to prevent a leak of the president’s tax information to news outlets between 2018 and 2020. It alleges that the leak of confidential tax records caused “reptutational and financial harm, [and] public embarrassment.” In 2024, a former IRS contractor was sentenced to five years in prison for leaking the tax information. The lawsuit puts Donald Trump in the unusual position of suing government agencies that are part of the Executive Branch, which he leads.

New Fed Reserve choice supports Trump’s economic policies

President Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Reserve has expressed support for the president’s economic policies. Kevin Warsh, who previously served as a Fed governor, has a history of supporting higher interest rates to control inflation. But since Donald Trump’s reelection, he has expressed support for the president’s economic policies, including lower rates. For now, Warsh would likely fill a seat that was temporarily occupied by White House adviser Stephen Miran. Once on the board, Warsh could be elevated to the chair position when Jerome Powell’s term ends in May.

Two GOP senators to block Trump’s Fed pick until Powell probe ends

Two Republican senators have pledged to block President Trump’s nominee for the Federal Reserve. GOP Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski won’t support the president’s Fed pick unless the criminal investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resolved. The senators object to the Justice Department’s investigation, and Powell himself has called it a pretext by the Trump administration to force him to lower rates. Tillis described nominee Kevin Warsh as “a great, qualified candidate,” but is concerned about the president undermining” the credibility and the independence of the Fed.”

Trump signs order bringing IndyCar race to D.C.

IndyCar will be coming to the streets of the nation’s capital this summer. President Trump signed an executive order establishing the August 23rd IndyCar race in downtown Washington, DC. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the president the nation’s capital has never seen anything like this before. The race is designed to be part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

Senate votes to fund most of government after Trump-Dems deal

The Senate has voted to fund most of the government after President Trump and Democrats struck a deal on Homeland Security. Senators passed the measure a few hours before Friday’s midnight deadline. To win passage of the bill, the president agreed to fund Homeland Security at current levels for two weeks while lawmakers debate new restrictions on federal immigration raids demanded by Democrats. Because of the change in DHS funding, the bill heads back to the House, which is not due back until Monday. So technically, part of the government is shut down temporarily this weekend, but the impact should be minimal before the House vote.

DOJ opens civil rights investigation into death of Alex Pretti

The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Pretti was gunned down by Border Patrol officers and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the FBI would be leading the investigation.Blanche did not explain why DOJ decided to open an investigation into Pretti’s killing, but has said a similar probe is not warranted in the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer.

Justice Department releases 3 million pages of Epstein files

Trump to nominate Kevin Warsh to be next Fed chair

President Trump says he’ll nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. Warsh is a former Fed governor who was appointed to the board by President George W. Bush. At the time, Warsh was 35-years-old, making him the youngest governor in history. In the past, Warsh supported higher interest rates to control inflation. More recently, however, has said he supports lower rates — an approach backed by President Trump. Warsh would replace chairman Jerome Powell when his term expires in May. His appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Congress, White House strike deal to avert government shutdown

Democrats and the White House struck a deal to avert a partial government shutdown. The two sides agreed to separate homeland security funding from a larger spending bill. The deal will temporarily fund DHS for two weeks while they debate Democratic demands for new restrictions for President Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement. Since the Senate agreement differs from the House version, House members will have to immediately vote on the temporary DHS funding measure when they return to the Capitol on Monday.

Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on aircraft sold to U.S.

President Trump is threatening Canada with a 50 percent tariff on any aircraft sold in the U-S. The president is kicking his trade war with Canada up a notch in a dispute over aircraft. He said he was retaliating against Canada for refusing to certify jets from Georgia-based Gulfstream Aerospace. In a social media post, the president said the U.S., in return, would decertify all Canadian aircraft. “If the situation is not immediately corrected,” he said he will impose a 50 percent tariff on all aircraft sold into the United States.

Cuba, Mexico face tariff pressure from Trump administration

President Trump has signed an executive order that clamps down on Cuba. The order would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. It’s seen as a move that could further cripple an island already plagued by a deepening energy crisis. The executive order would primarily put pressure on Mexico, a government that has acted as an oil lifeline for Cuba and has constantly voiced solidarity for the U.S. adversary.

Trump plans to name his Fed Chair choice on Friday

President Trump plans to announce his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday.  During his first Cabinet meeting of the year, the president said he will end the speculation over who will lead the central bank after Powell’s term expires this May with an announcement next week. Later, he said the news will come Friday. The president has been extremely critical of the Fed under Powell’s leadership, complaining that interest rates remain too high. Powell has insisted that the Fed stay independent of politics and make its choices based on inflation and job market data.

Senate blocks gov’t funding bills in dispute over ICE tactics

The Senate has failed to pass government funding bills amid concerns over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in blocking legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies. It was a test vote as negotiations continue on demands that ICE be reformed after two fatal shootings in Minneapolis. Senators are racing to meet a Friday midnight deadline to approve funding. Ahead of the test vote, President Trump said the two sides were discussing a possible solution and said “we don’t want a shutdown.”

Immigration enforcement concerns could lead to government shutdown

Disagreements over immigration enforcement could lead to a partial government shutdown at the end of the week. The Senate has until Friday midnight to pass six spending bills. But Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security because of the fatal shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are demanding reforms and that the legislation won’t pass until ICE is “reined in and overhauled.” Republicans will need Democratic votes to keep the government open.

Trump to speed up rebuilding of homes destroyed in LA wildfires

President Trump wants to speed up the process of rebuilding thousands of homes destroyed by last year’s Los Angeles area wildfires. The president has signed an executive order to “cut through bureaucratic red tape” and speed up reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes. He has complained about, what he calls, California’s “unnecessary” and “obstructive” permitting requirements. The president is putting EPA administrator Lee Zeldin in charge of helping homeowners get permits, saying the administration is “going to override the local authorities.”

FBI searches Georgia office seeking 2020 election records

The FBI carried out a search warrant in Georgia seeking records tied to the 2020 presidential election. FBI agents searched the election office in Fulton County, which is home to Atlanta. It’s Georgia’s most populous county and a Democratic stronghold. That location has been central to conspiracy theories over Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. For years, the president has insisted the election was tainted by widespread fraud, even though multiple courts and state and federal officials have found no evidence of fraud that would have altered the outcome.