Capitol agenda: GOP bets on immigration fight, not big bills

US women's hockey team captain: Trump joke 'distasteful'

Hilary Knight, the captain of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team, said Wednesday that President Trump’s “distasteful” joke about her squad should not overshadow their accomplishments. “I just thought the joke was distasteful and unfortunate, and I think just the

Falling crime and a strong border haven't lifted Trump's ratings — why not?

Most Americans are not blind to improvement. But acknowledgment is not the same as trust.

Transcript: Trump Racist Tirade at Dems Bursts MAGA Post-Speech Bubble

T he following is a lightly edited transcript of the February 25 episode of the Daily Blast podcast. Listen to it here . Greg Sargent: This is The Daily Blast from The New Republic , produced and presented by the DSR Network. I’m your host, Greg Sargent. Sargent: During his

Orban and Fico: Putin's NATO pawns

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban — fighting for his political life ahead of Hungary’s April 12 elections — is once again attacking Ukraine. This time, he is callously blackmailing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by refusing to backstop Ukraine’s electrical grid if

Instagram launches new tool alerting parents about suicide, self-harm searches

Instagram is launching a new tool that will alert parents if their teens repeatedly try to search for terms associated with suicide and self-harm on the platform. The tool, which will roll out in the U.S. and several other countries next week, will flag for parents if their

Trump keeps world guessing on Iran

President Trump is pushing for a diplomatic solution with Iran while also warning of potential military action, as high-stakes talks take place in Geneva with the clock ticking on a potential deal.

Where redistricting battles stand in key states as midterms ramp up

Several court challenges, roadblocks in Maryland's upper chamber and a late special legislative session in Florida are injecting uncertainty into a handful of states looking to pass new congressional maps ahead of November's midterms, as both Democrats and Republicans look to

What’s Behind Noam Chomsky’s Obituary-Marring Epstein Friendship?

Jacobin ’s top story on Noam Chomsky is from 2024: “ Let’s Celebrate Noam Chomsky, the Intellectual and Moral Giant. ” Following Chomsky’s star turn in the recently released files of child rapist Jeffrey Epstein, this headline in America’s leading socialist magazine hasn’t, as

Vigdis Hjorth Keeps Going Back

“To inherit or not to inherit, that is the question” for a woman who wants to make art, “as Virginia Woolf also thought,” the Norwegian novelist Vigdis Hjorth writes in her novel A House in Norway . The fictional narrator of Woolf’s essay “A Room of One’s Own” receives an

Trump adds pressure on Thune to pass voting bill despite 'talking filibuster' misgivings

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is coming under fresh pressure to act on the GOP’s voter ID legislation after President Trump prodded him to pass the bill during the State of the Union address Tuesday. The GOP leader has been the focus of sustained calls from House

Slater’s departure at DOJ signals new era for antitrust under Trump

The abrupt departure of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) top antitrust enforcer is raising questions about the Trump administration’s approach to major anti-monopoly cases and controversial mergers. Gail Slater announced her plans to resign earlier this month after less than a

Pathetic: Maryland Democrats Have Surrendered on Gerrymandering

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has spent months pleading with Democrats in Maryland’s state Senate to adopt a redistricting plan that would likely result in Democrats winning all eight of the state’s U.S House seats, instead of their current seven. National Democratic groups and

High school walkouts over ICE stir debates among parents, officials

Parents and some elected officials are cheering on high school students participating in anti-immigration enforcement walkouts over the past two months, while others have safety concerns about so many teenagers leaving school grounds. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D),

Did Mike Huckabee Just Green-Light Israel to Invade Half the Levant?

When Mike Huckabee, the former Republican governor and evangelical minister, was named as President Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel, it set a tone for the nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship under the second Trump administration. Huckabee, who has said there is no

Democrats conflicted over Trump’s Iran push

Democrats in both chambers of Congress are conflicted over how to respond to President Trump’s deployment of military forces against Iran, with some open to launching limited strikes against the regime and others worried about triggering another war in the Middle East.

'El Mencho' killing signals volatile new chapter in Mexico's drug war

The killing of one of Mexico's most notorious drug kingpins over the weekend signals the start of a more forceful chapter in the country's war against drug cartels, as President Trump has pressured Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to take the fight to powerful criminal

Trump Erupts at Speech Critics as Even Some GOPers Admit It Fell Short

On Wednesday, Donald Trump exploded wildly on Truth Social, ripping into Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who attacked him during his speech. He called them “Low IQ,” “mentally deranged,” and “LUNATICS,” and even savaged Robert De Niro, who also criticized the speech, as

Whitmer defends trans rights after Trump SOTU: ‘No matter who comes after you, I'll stand in the way’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Wednesday defended transgender rights in her State of the State address, a day after President Trump criticized gender transition in his State of the Union address. “In Michigan, everyone deserves to be who they are and love who they love.

Whitmer says US-Canada bridge Trump threatened to block ‘will open’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said Wednesday that a bridge between the U.S. and Canada that President Trump previously threatened to block from opening is set to go ahead. “For the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada, the Gordie Howe

On eve of nuclear talks, Trump hits Iran with new sanctions

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story On eve of nuclear talks, Trump hits Iran with new sanctions The U.S. is imposing new sanctions on Iranian individuals, companies and ships accused

Former Air Force pilot who provided 'defense services' to Chinese military arrested: DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday that a former Air Force pilot was arrested because he provided “defense services” to Chinese military forces. In a press release Wednesday, the DOJ said 65-year-old Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. had been arrested in Jeffersonville, Ind.,

The Clintons are in the hot seat — and lawmakers are hungry for Epstein-related prosecutions

They face questions about what, if anything, they knew about Jeffrey Epstein's illegal activities.

Trump doesn’t give Congress much to do before the midterms

Tuesday’s State of the Union address is unlikely to make more than a ripple in the congressional agenda.

Harris: Trump's State of the Union speech 'full of lies,' reminded her of 'show-and-tell'

Former Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday slammed her 2024 presidential election opponent President Trump over his Tuesday State of the Union address. “I watched it. It was full of lies. And, you know, when he wasn't lying, he was — it reminded me of our kids going to

Trump builds case for war with Iran ahead of pivotal talks

President Trump used Tuesday’s State of the Union address to touch on the myriad reasons why an attack on Iran might be justified, from the regime’s history of attacks on Americans to its violent suppression at home, alleged nuclear ambitions and plans to build a missile that

Trump State of the Union piles pressure on Johnson for second reconciliation push

President Trump used much of his State of the Union address Tuesday night to promote GOP legislation likely to hit a wall with Democrats, turning up the heat on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to pursue a complicated avenue to pass it with only Republican votes. Johnson may have

Apple rolls out age verification tool

Apple is rolling out an age verification tool in the U.S. and abroad to ensure users are at least 18. App developers in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and the U.S. states of Utah and Louisiana are now able to use the company’s updated Declared Age Range Application Programming

Trump’s atypical surgeon general pick faces Senate scrutiny: Key takeaways

After months of delay, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. surgeon general, Casey Means, appeared before the Senate, facing intense questions over her qualifications, personal health care practices and career as a social media influencer. Means appeared before the Senate

DOE loans Southern $26.5B

{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story DOE loans Southern $26.5B The Energy Department on Wednesday announced it would dole out its largest-ever loan, lending $26.5 billion for electric power in Georgia and Alabama. © AP Photo/Evan Vucci The loan,

Omar says her State of the Union guest was arrested for standing during Trump's speech

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said her guest for the State of the Union was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on “Unlawful Conduct” charges on Tuesday evening for standing during President Trump’s address. In a post on the social media platform X, Omar said her constituent Aliya

Trump’s surgeon general nominee weaves through contentious Senate hearing

Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Health Care The Big Story Trump’s surgeon general nominee weaves through contentious Senate hearing Casey Means, President Trump’s second nominee to be U.S. surgeon general, finally appeared before the Senate for her

Wicker appoints retired Army General to National Defense Strategy commission

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), told The Hill on Wednesday that he has appointed retired four-star U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane to serve on the Commission on the National Defense Strategy (NDS). “General Keane has

Vance, Oz announce pause in Medicaid funds to Minnesota amid fraud probe

Vice President JD Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz announced on Wednesday the Trump administration will halt certain Medicaid funds to Minnesota as a part of the effort to crack down on fraud in the state. “We have decided to

Bessent calls on Congress to cement retirement plan

Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Bessent on new Trump retirement plan: ‘We can do it through reconciliation’ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled Tuesday that lawmakers could use the budget

Court rejects bid to block IRS from sharing immigrants data with DHS

A federal appeals court on Tuesday denied a migrant advocacy group’s request to temporarily block the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from sharing immigrants’ data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied

Tariff rate for some nations will rise to 15 percent: Trade representative

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday said some nations will face a 15 percent tariff or higher as President Trump looks to rewire trade policy in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that struck down most of his sweeping tariffs. “Right now, we have the 10

DOJ's new era of antitrust under Trump

{beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story DOJ 's new era of antitrust under Trump The abrupt departure of the Justice Department’s top antitrust enforcer is raising questions about the Trump administration’s approach to anti-monopoly cases and controversial mergers. © AP

Clintons to appear for high-profile depositions in Epstein probe

House lawmakers are preparing this week to grill former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of Congress’s investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The high-profile depositions, scheduled for Thursday and Friday in New York,

Mexican mothers join search for Nancy Guthrie

Mexican mothers with experience searching for missing people are helping Arizona and federal authorities amid their search for NBC "Today" host Savannah Guthrie's mother. The Madres Buscadoras de Sonora — Spanish for Searching Mothers of Sonora — has distrubuted photos of Nancy

Cruz endorses Crenshaw primary challenger

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is backing a primary challenger to Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), a notable move against a fellow Lone Star State Republican incumbent. “I am proud to endorse @SteveTothTX for Congress in Texas’s 2nd Congressional District,” Cruz said in a Tuesday post on

Netflix CEO to Visit White House as Republican A.G.s Turn Against Him

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos will go to the White House Thursday as he looks to push through a merger that even Republicans say presents antitrust concerns. The proposed deal would see Netflix acquire Warner Bros. Discovery at the cost of $70 billion. Though it’s not clear if

5 hurt when US military plane hits barrier on takeoff in Philippines

U.S. service members were injured in a military aircraft training accident Tuesday in the Philippines, the Defense Department has confirmed. Philippine officials initially said Wednesday that an Air Force plane carrying five American personnel hit a concrete barrier while

Crockett up by double digits in Texas Senate Democratic primary poll

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) holds a double-digit lead over her opponent in a hypothetical Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, according to a survey released this week. The two-week University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll, which concluded Feb. 16, shows the

Massachusetts Democrats press Trump on Cuba policy amid crisis

Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) along with Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) wrote a Wednesday letter to President Trump questioning his foreign policy initiatives in Cuba. The neighboring island reportedly has been crippled by Trump administration's

The Winners in Trump’s America Are Not You and Me

The United States, you may have heard, is the “hottest” country in the world. It’s a phrase that President Trump often deploys to sell his presidency, and he did so again in Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address . “What a difference a president makes. A short time ago, we

Frozen blueberries recalled in several states under FDA's highest risk level

An Oregon-based company is recalling nearly 60,000 pounds of frozen blueberries that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Rejects Trump for Second Time in One Week

The U.S. women’s hockey team is telling Donald Trump that they’d love to meet up, they’re just really busy right now. After both U.S. hockey teams took gold in Milan last week, Trump rhapsodized over the men, personally calling the team up to offer an invitation to his State of

Cuba says 4 shot dead on US registered speedboat

Cuba's Interior Ministry on Wednesday said four people aboard a U.S. speedboat were killed following a confrontation with Cuban border security officers amid worsening conditions in the island nation and rising tensions with the U.S. Five Cuban border guards intercepted the