U.S. and Russia reestablish military-to-military dialogue

The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue for the first time in more than four years. It’s seen as a sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Trump took office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the UAE. Meanwhile, the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the U.S. expired Thursday. The START treaty dates back more than half a century to the Cold War and set limits on each country’s missiles, launchers and strategic warheads.

Trump touts religion in unusual prayer breakfast speech

President Trump delivered an unusual speech at the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast. The president spoke at the annual gathering of political and religious leaders, boasting he has “done more for religion than any other president.” During his speech, Donald Trump questioned how a person of faith can be a Democrat, he cursed several times, and called one Republican lawmaker a “moron.” He concluded by listing his administration’s religion-related accomplishments and said “prayer is America’s super power.”

Trump says federal agents can use “softer touch” in enforcement

President Trump says federal agents engaged in immigration enforcement need to use a “softer touch.” In response to the ongoing unrest in Minnesota and cooperation from state and local officials, the administration is drawing down the number of ICE and Border Patrol officers. President Trump told NBC News that ordered the removal of 700 federal agents from the state. Asked about lessons learned from Minnesota, the president said he learned that “we can use a little bit of a softer touch. But,” he added, “you still have to be tough.”

Man convicted of trying to assassinate Trump gets life in prison

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Trump in Florida in 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison. Ryan Routh was sentenced to life without parole after being convicted on several charges, including trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate. In September 2024, he aimed a rifle through shrubbery as Donald Trump played golf at his West Palm Beach country club. In a sentencing memo, the federal judge wrote that Routh remains unrepentant and that his crimes “undeniably warrant a life sentence.”

Trump administration withrdrawing 700 federal agents from Minn.

The Trump administration is immediately withdrawing 700 federal agents from Minnesota. Border Czar Tom Homan said cooperation from state and local officials led to the administration’s decision to reduce the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota. He said about 700 of the roughly 3-thousand federal officers will be withdrawn. The announcement came after President Trump seemed to signal a willingness to ease tensions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, especially since the second fatal shooting of a U-S citizen by federal officers.

Gov’t shutdown is over, but debate continues over homeland security

Clintons finalize agreement to testify in House Epstein probe

Trump holds Oval Office talks with “terrific” Colombian president

Trump signs funding package to reopen federal government

House passes funding bills to end partial gov’t shutdown

Navy shoots down Iranian drone near U.S. aircraft carrier

Clintons agree to testify in House probe of Jeffrey Epstein

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.