Congress battens down the hatches for long DHS shutdown

Negotiations will keep going but Democrats and the White House are far apart.

FBI ups reward to $100K in Nancy Guthrie search

The FBI on Thursday raised its reward for information leading investigators to Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, to $100,000 amid the agency's search near Tucson, Ariz. The agency also revealed new identifying information about a possible suspect

RFK Jr. says he 'used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats' on Theo Von podcast

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during the latest episode of Theo Von's podcast Thursday that he once snorted cocaine off of a toilet seat while talking about not fearing germs. Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist, appeared on "This Past

Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez: Maduro still 'legitimate president'

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Thursday that Nicolás Maduro is still the “legitimate president” following his capture and arrest by the Trump administration. “Yes, I can tell you that President Nicolás Maduro is the legitimate president. I can, I will tell

Confusion reigns over Trump meeting with governors

A series of contradictions and reversals from the White House and National Governors Association (NGA) this week has bred widespread confusion over the fate of the bipartisan group’s annual meeting with the president. All governors are expected to gather Feb. 19-21 in

Trump threatens primaries over tariff vote

Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Trump threatens Republicans who rejected Canada tariffs President Trump threatened “consequences come Election time” for Republican lawmakers who oppose his

Judge hands Hegseth loss in bid to punish Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Judge hands Hegseth loss in bid to punish Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video A federal judge has blocked the Pentagon’s efforts to censure Sen.

Trump approval on immigration slips among independents: Poll

Approval of President Trump's immigration agenda has seen a decline among independents, with most saying that the administration has overstepped with its deportation efforts, according to an AP-NORC poll released Thursday. Polling found that 23 percent approved of Trump's

Bipartisan congressional delegation saves US-Mexico joint military exercise

Appeals court won’t let Trump freeze Gateway tunnel funding, for now

A federal appeals court allowed a judge’s order to take effect Thursday that requires the Trump administration to resume funding for the Gateway tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey. By declining to intervene, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit paved

Anthropic donates to pro-AI safeguards group

{beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Anthropic gives $20M to group backing AI safeguards Anthropic said Thursday that it is giving $20 million to Public First Action, a group launched last year by two former members of Congress to support efforts to develop AI

Whistleblower Complaint Tulsi Gabbard Blocked Is About Jared Kushner

The whistleblower complaint against Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard was related to a conversation between two foreign nationals about Jared Kushner, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter who spoke with The Wall Street Journal Thursday. The Journal

Trump erases legal basis for climate regs

{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story Trump erases legal basis for climate regs The Trump administration on Thursday repealed the landmark 2009 legal finding that climate change poses a threat to the public — and axed climate rules for cars and

Newsmax host rips Trump's DOJ over Epstein redactions: 'I want somebody to go to jail'

A Newsmax host on Wednesday lambasted President Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ) over its redactions throughout the files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling for "somebody to go to jail." Carl Higbie, host of "Carl Higbie Frontline," said the Trump

Senate departs with DHS shutdown looming and negotiators at loggerheads

The Senate left Washington on Thursday without a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), all but ensuring a shutdown of the agency that could stretch into next week. The two sides remain at loggerheads over the reforms Democrats are demanding to immigration

McMahon leading delegation to Olympic closing ceremony

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will lead a U.S. delegation to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Italy later this month, the White House announced Wednesday. The closing ceremony is set to be held Feb. 22 at Verona Arena in Verona, Italy, with a grand finale that

Karrin Taylor Robson suspends Arizona governor bid

Developer Karrin Taylor Robson announced Thursday she’s dropping her bid for Arizona governor, expressing concerns over a messy Republican primary heading into November. In a statement posted on the social platform X, Taylor Robson said “we cannot afford a divisive Republican

RFK Jr. Brags About How He “Used to Snort Cocaine Off of Toilet Seats”

What country can flex that the man in charge of its public health policy proudly snorts cocaine off of toilets? As far as this writer is aware, just the United States. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. boasted about his drug-huffing past during an interview with podcaster Theo Von

Potomac wastewater spill appears to be largest in US history

A wastewater spill into the Potomac River that began last month now appears to be one of the largest in American history. DC Water, a local water utility, said in a press release last week that part of a sewer system known as the Potomac Interceptor collapsed along the Clara

Culver City mayor responds to Bondi crime claims during heated exchange

The mayor of Culver City, Calif., clapped back at claims made by Attorney General Pam Bondi about the city’s crime rates. During a back-and-forth with Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) about right-wing extremism at a heated congressional hearing Wednesday, Bondi accused the

Only One Democrat Voted to Keep Funding Homeland Security

The lone Democrat in the Senate to vote to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded was none other than Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman. The progressive turned Trump sympathizer voted to advance a bill funding DHS for the next year, using the justification that he opposes

'Melania' producer: Request to take down music 'ridiculous'

“Melania” producer Marc Beckman defended the documentary’s use of music from the 2017 film "Phantom Thread," after the film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson, and composer, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, said the documentary used the music without their approval. “It’s a blatant

Minnesota officials face off at fiery Senate hearing over ICE: 5 takeaways

Senators faced off with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison during a fiery hearing Thursday that brought bitter divisions over the actions of federal immigration law enforcement officials in Minnesota to Capitol Hill. Ellison defended his criticisms of Immigration and

Obama, Dem leaders slam Trump for repeal of EPA climate finding

Former President Obama and other influential Democratic leaders on Thursday criticized the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to repeal a landmark legal finding about climate change's danger to the public. The Trump administration on Thursday repealed the

Russia blocks WhatsApp

Russia on Thursday moved to block the WhatsApp messaging platform owned by Meta, further restricting international communications for citizens and visitors. In 2022, Meta Russia was designated as an extremist platform by Russian authorities, and access to its platforms —

Suspect in 2012 Benghazi consulate attack pleads not guilty to federal charges

A man facing federal charges in connection with the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans has pleaded not guilty. Zubayr al-Bakoush appeared Thursday in federal court in Washington after he was extradited to the U.S. last week to face

NTSB chair says FAA and Pentagon communication issues 'astounding' but 'not surprising'

Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), expressed concern Thursday at the lack of communication between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Defense Department, a day after the closure and subsequent reopening of airspace above

Minnesota Democrat: Claims immigration surge made state safer 'wildly untrue'

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) on Thursday slammed claims that the federal immigration operations in Minnesota, which the administration said will draw down over the next week, made the state safer as "wildly untrue." "I’m glad to hear that the Admin plans to withdraw ICE

Judge rules ICE must let religious leaders into Illinois facility for Ash Wednesday

A federal judge ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow religious leaders into a detention facility in the Chicago suburbs for Ash Wednesday next week and enable them to offer communion going forward. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman said denying

Pro-crypto super PAC plans to spend $1.5M opposing Al Green

A pro-crypto super PAC said Thursday that it plans to spend $1.5 million opposing Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) in the Democratic primary race. Protect Progress, which is affiliated with the industry's leading super PAC Fairshake, pointed to Green’s voting record on crypto

Trump Says “Staffer” Who Posted Obama Video Faced No Consequences

Donald Trump could not care less that he virtually endorsed a blatantly racist clip of former President Barack Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama. The president admitted Thursday that no one will face consequences for a video that temporarily appeared on his

Former Army colonel sentenced to 2 years for sharing classified war plans with woman he met online

A retired United States Army colonel has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for sending a woman he met online classified information about U.S. war plans, federal authorities announced Wednesday. Kevin Charles Luke, 62, pleaded guilty in October 2025, admitting to

Lawyers for US citizen shot by Border Patrol agent accuse Trump administration of spreading lies

The lawyers for a Chicago woman who was shot five times by a U.S. Border Patrol agent accused the Trump administration on Wednesday of spreading lies about the shooting and of mishandling the investigation. Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen, was in her car in October when a

Democrats launch probe into organization leading White House efforts to celebrate nation's 250th birthday

A handful of Democratic senators on Wednesday launched a probe into a private group that is co-leading America’s 250th anniversary celebration. The Freedom 250 group is working alongside the America250 commission, which was congressionally authorized more than a decade ago to

TPUSA Purges Staff Amid Fallout From Charlie Kirk Death Conspiracy

Turning Point USA has recently fired several employees, as a right-wing commentator’s conspiracy theories about founder Charlie Kirk’s death have reportedly begun to take root at the far-right organization, The Bulwark reported Thursday. Last week, Aubrey Laitsch, a former

Fetterman only Senate Democrat to vote to keep Homeland Security funded

Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) was the only Democratic senator to vote to advance a full-year funding package for the Department of Homeland Security, sticking with his long-held position of opposing government shutdowns for any reason. Fetterman in a statement posted on social

CNN's Collins: Leavitt 'to her credit' pushed Saudis on attending event

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins credited White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt for allowing her to cover an event last year involving President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite pushback from Saudi officials. During an interview published Wednesday with

Lawmakers express bipartisan outrage as DOJ accused of 'spying' on members' Epstein searches

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of spying on them as they reviewed the unredacted Epstein files on DOJ computers, tracking the documents they examined. Attorney General Pam Bondi was photographed during a congressional

AI safety researcher quits Anthropic, warning 'world is in peril'

A pair of researchers resigned from Anthropic and OpenAI this week, with one warning that the “world is in peril” from a multitude of crises. Mrinank Sharma announced his resignation from Anthropic in an open letter to his colleagues Monday. Sharma, who has served on the

Another grand jury fails to indict Trump's political enemies — move on!

Trump's retribution campaign is hitting a losing streak.

Russia dismisses Trump tariff threats on Cuba: ‘We don’t have much trade’

The Kremlin on Thursday said it is discussing options with Cuba to provide assistance to the island in the face of President Trump threatening tariffs on any country providing oil to Havana. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it is “impossible to discuss these issues in

Thomas Massie slams Pam Bondi, says Epstein files still being hidden

Massie takes the view, however that anyone who associated with Epstein after 2018 is fair game. Is that fair? You be the judge.

CBP Chief Defends Violent Tactics in Minnesota as “De-Escalation”

The heads of Customs and Border Protection and ICE were grilled by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Thursday about the conduct of federal agents. Republican Senator Rand Paul called out the agency heads for what happened on Minneapolis’s streets

DHS shutdown imminent after Senate Democrats block Homeland Security bill

Senate Democrats voted Thursday to block a motion to advance a House-passed bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, putting Washington on the brink of a partial government shutdown that will affect more than 260,000 federal employees. The motion, which required 60

NJ governor signing order banning ICE from launching actions on state properties

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signed an executive order Wednesday banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from undertaking operations on state property. Sherrill’s order makes an exception for immigration operations authorized by a judicial warrant, reflecting a

Los Angeles neighborhood installing sirens to warn of ICE activity

Because the effort isn't city-sanctioned, organizers say they're working directly with willing homeowners and local businesses, placing the sirens on private property rather than going through city permitting channels.

DHS shutdown all but certain after failed Senate vote

Trump Wipes Out EPA’s Power to Fight Climate Change

President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday rejected scientific evidence that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, undermining a foundational pillar in the fight against climate change. The agency revoked the 2009 endangerment finding, an

Texas smokehouses squeezed as beef supply tightens nationwide

At the heart of the issue is a dwindling cattle supply.

Trump repeals landmark finding that climate change endangers the public

The Trump administration on Thursday repealed the landmark 2009 legal finding that climate change poses a threat to the public — and axed climate rules for cars and trucks that were regulated under the finding. The repeal is an aggressive escalation in the administration’s