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.

More Russia-Ukraine peace talks take place in Geneva this week

Another round of U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Russia and Ukraine will take place this week. The talks in Geneva will be held just days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. While negotiators try and secure a truce, the two sides continue fierce fighting. Russia has carried out a relentless bombardment of Ukraine’s civilian areas and the country’s power grid, while Kyiv has been launching almost daily long-range drone attacks. President Trump is pushing for a June deadline to reach a deal.

The latest government shutdown only affects Dept of Homeland Security

A mini government shutdown has begun — affecting only the Department of Homeland Security. DHS funding has stopped following failed efforts by Congress and the White House to reach an agreement. During the shutdown, immigration enforcement operations will continue because a bill passed last year gave ICE about 75 billion dollars. But other agencies in the department will feel the impact — including the Transportation Security Administration, FEMA, the Secret Service and the Coast Guard.

Trump hopes U.S. and Iran can reach nuclear deal “quickly”

President Trump hopes the U-S and Iran can come to an agreement “very quickly.” When it comes to striking a deal with Iran on its nuclear program, the president said he hopes that can happen “over the next month.” He said a failure to do so will result in steep consequences. The president held White House talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu this past week and said he had insisted to the prime minister that negotiations with Iran needed to continue.

A second U.S. aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East

A second U-S aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high. The USS Gerald R. Ford has been ordered to sail from the Caribbean Sea to the Mideast. It’s the world’s largest aircraft carrier and its deployment comes as President Trump considers whether to take possible military action against Iran. The Pentagon has been sending warships to the region as the White House increases pressure on Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program.

President Trump pardons five former NFL players

President Trump has pardoned five former NFL players. The players were convicted for crimes that include perjury, counterfeiting, and drug trafficking. The White House pardon adviser said the president is committed to “second chances.” Joe Klecko, Nate Newton. Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted the clemency.

Homeland Security Dept shutdown likely at midnight

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.

Judge blocks Pentagon’s censure of Dem Sen. Mark Kelly

Trump’s EPA revokes scientific finding that backed climate policy

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.

Judge says Trump’s BBC lawsuit can go to trial in 2027

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.

Immigration crackdown in Minnesota is coming to an end

In deregulatory move, Trump to repeal scientific climate finding

House Republicans pass strict new voter ID requirements

House votes to end Canada tariffs in rare rebuke of Trump

Trump says he ‘insisted’ to Netanyahu that U.S. talks with Iran continue

Bondi clashes with lawmakers over Epstein files

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.

House rejects Trump’s bid to prevent challenges to his tariffs