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Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are drawing massive crowds on their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour across Western states. Over 200,000 people have attended rallies in Los Angeles, Denver, and Sacramento, energized by their anti-Trump, anti-billionaire message. The tour is seen as a boost for the Democratic party's base following their November election losses.
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The State Department has closed its Global Engagement Center, which combated foreign disinformation, citing concerns about restrictions on free speech. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the center's actions to silence American voices were antithetical to U.S. principles. The decision has drawn criticism from former officials who argue it misrepresents the center's focus on countering primarily Russian disinformation campaigns. Congress and previous State Department leadership had supported the center's work.
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The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has referred New York Attorney General Letitia James to the Justice Department for investigation. The FHFA alleges James misrepresented her primary residence to obtain a more favorable mortgage on a Virginia property, potentially violating federal law. James' office denies the allegations, accusing the FHFA of weaponizing the federal government. The referral follows James' successful 2024 lawsuit against Donald Trump and his organization.
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Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed hope for Hezbollah's disarmament in 2025, suggesting integration into the Lebanese army through dialogue. This follows Israel's military campaign that significantly weakened the group. While Aoun acknowledges the delicate situation, he believes that dialogue, coupled with regional shifts and Hezbollah's potential need for reconstruction aid, could make disarmament a possibility. He also stressed that continued Israeli attacks fuel Hezbollah's justification for retaining arms, urging US pressure on Israel to withdraw.
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A proposed Trump administration budget would slash the State Department budget by nearly half, eliminating funding for over 20 international organizations including the UN and NATO. The plan includes embassy closures, cuts to foreign service travel, and the elimination of the Fulbright program and international peacekeeping funds. While the State Department denies a final plan exists, the proposal, if implemented, would significantly reduce US global engagement and has drawn criticism from Democrats who warn of the consequences for US influence.
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A new pro bono legal network, Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network, has been launched to aid federal employees facing job losses or threats under the Trump administration. Over 1000 lawyers across 42 states will offer their services. The network, spearheaded by the AFL-CIO and other unions and civil rights groups, aims to provide legal support to individual workers, union members or not, to challenge employment issues through agencies and administrative boards. This initiative comes as expected dismissals are set to increase, supplementing existing legal efforts against the administration's downsizing.
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The Trump administration is suing Maine for allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' school sports. The Justice Department alleges this violates Title IX and President Trump's executive order aiming to ban transgender athletes from girls' sports. The lawsuit cites instances where transgender students outperformed cisgender girls. Maine's governor, Janet Mills, vows to fight the lawsuit, calling it an attack on states' rights and the rule of law. The dispute stems from conflicting state and federal laws regarding transgender athletes' participation, with Maine prioritizing its own Human Rights Act.
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Donald Trump's trade war has caused global market volatility and decreased his approval rating. While some support his trade goals, many expect higher prices due to tariffs. Independent voters, the largest voting bloc, have shifted against Trump, impacting his approval rating which is currently at its lowest point. Historically, low presidential approval correlates with poor midterm election results for the president's party. Trump's current approval rating suggests potential significant Republican losses in the 2026 midterms, echoing the substantial losses in 2018. The long-term economic impact of his tariffs could further damage his approval.
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Protesters disrupted a Georgia town hall held by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, leading to arrests and the use of stun guns. Three individuals were arrested for charges including battery and obstruction, with two also tased after resisting arrest. Police preemptively planned for potential disruptions based on online posts. The incident is one of several recent contentious town hall meetings involving both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, prompting some Republicans to cancel or switch to virtual events due to escalating confrontations with constituents.
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Colin Carroll, Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg's chief of staff, has been placed on administrative leave, marking the third such incident this week at the Pentagon. A defense source claims this is part of a purge targeting those who disagreed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper. The actions follow investigations into unauthorized disclosures, including a memo ordering polygraph tests. These events come after Hegseth faced criticism for sharing sensitive military information in a group chat that included a reporter. Two other senior appointees were also placed on leave.