Eduardo Porter resigned from the Washington Post, citing Jeff Bezos's apparent appeasement of Donald Trump. Simultaneously, Stephen Colbert's show was canceled by Paramount, following a settlement with Trump and amidst a sale to Skydance, which agreed to eliminate diversity programs. These incidents, along with universities' self-censorship to avoid...
President Trump urged Senate Judiciary Chair Grassley to abolish the "blue slip" tradition, allowing home-state senators to veto judicial nominees. This follows the expiration of Alina Habba's temporary appointment as US Attorney for New Jersey, where she aggressively targeted Democrats. Habba's nomination is blocked by New Jersey senators using...
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) temporarily halted all grant and contract payments, totaling roughly $15 billion, due to an obscure Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive. This action, attributed to OMB Director Russell Vought, threatened crucial research funding. While the pause was reportedly lifted after political pressure,...
Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected President Trump's call to abolish the Senate's "blue slip" tradition, which considers home-state senators' views on judicial nominees. Thune and other Republicans, including Senators Grassley, Barrasso, Kennedy, and Tillis, defended the tradition, arguing it's been used by both parties and ensures nominees are...
West Point rescinded a job offer to Jen Easterly, a former Biden cybersecurity official, after pressure from right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll cited concerns about hiring practices and ordered a review. This action follows a pattern of Pentagon leadership influencing military academy staffing and curriculum,...
FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly discovered burn bags containing thousands of classified documents related to the Trump-Russia probe, including an annex to John Durham's report. These documents allegedly reveal a coordinated plan to create false intelligence about Trump-Russia collusion. Former officials, including Trump and Tulsi Gabbard, claim this...
President Trump imposed a 40% tariff on Brazil, raising the total to 50%, citing threats to US national security, foreign policy, and economy. The action addresses Brazil's alleged human rights abuses, censorship, and coercion of US companies. The order, using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, targets Brazilian...
Cracks are appearing in the traditionally unwavering Republican support for Israel. Influencers within the MAGA movement, citing images of starvation in Gaza and questioning the 'special relationship', are challenging the orthodoxy. Figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene have used strong language, even suggesting genocide, while others propose cutting aid....
The UK may recognize Palestine by September unless Israel takes peace steps in Gaza. France also plans recognition, adding to pressure on Israel amid a severe Gaza food crisis. Separately, the EPA proposes removing pollution limits on fossil fuels, potentially harming air quality and hindering climate change efforts....
President Trump's recent tax and spending bill significantly alters US safety net programs. Over a decade, it cuts over $1 trillion from healthcare and food assistance, imposing work requirements and shifting costs to states. Republicans frame this as necessary to control spending, while critics like the Center for...
