Political Headlines
ICE officers soon will help with airport security unless Democrats end shutdown, Trump says
[caption id="attachment_1490094" align="alignnone" width="1024"] President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)[/caption]WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. In a pair of social media posts, Trump first threatened and then said he had made plans to put officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in airports if the congressional standoff continues. He made the announcement as a partial shutdown contributes to long lines to pass through screening at ... Read More
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies
[caption id="attachment_1490091" align="alignnone" width="1024"] FILE - Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, July 24, 2019. Mueller, a former FBI director, died on Friday, March 20, 2026. He was 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)[/caption]WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert S. Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation's premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has died. He was 81. “With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away” on Friday night, his family said in a statement Saturday. “His family ... Read More
Senate once again fails to advance DHS funding bill
The U.S. Capitol is seen on March 16, 2026, in Washington, DC. The U.S. House of Representatives postponed its votes for the day due to the chance of severe thunderstorms around the DC area. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Democrats once again on Friday blocked a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security on Friday as they continue to insist on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection in exchange for funding the agency.It marks the fifth time since the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security -- which began in mid-February -- that the funding bill has failed to be advanced in the Senate.The vote comes as many federal workers continue to go ... Read More
2,200 more Marines, 3 Navy ships likely headed to Middle East: Officials
In this handout image provided by the U.S. Navy, the USS Boxer (LHD 4) departs from Naval Air Station North Island January 14, 2004 in San Diego, California. (Tiffini M. Jones/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Three Navy ships carrying 2,200 Marines left San Diego earlier this week for a previously scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific, but two U.S. officials tell ABC News their ultimate destination is likely the Middle East.The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is aboard the USS Boxer, the USS Comstock and the USS Portland -- along with 2,000 sailors.If it receives final orders to the Middle East, joining the 31st MEU, it will be an increase of close to 9,000 additional forces to the region.The 31st ... Read More
White House urges Congress to take a light touch on AI regulations in new legislative blueprint
[caption id="attachment_1489749" align="alignnone" width="2560"] President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the State Dining Room of the White House, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)[/caption]WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said on Friday that Congress should “preempt state AI laws” that it views as too burdensome, laying out a broad framework for how it wants Congress to address concerns about artificial intelligence without curbing growth or innovation in the sector. The legislative blueprint outlines a half-dozen guiding principles for lawmakers, focusing on protecting children, preventing electricity costs from surging, respecting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship and educating Americans on using the technology. The announcement comes as state governments have ... Read More
Traumatic brain injury emerging as signature injury in Iran war: US official
Ohio Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades commander of Special Troops Command pins the Purple Heart medal on Staff Sgt. Aaron Futrell April 10, 2022, during a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in North Canton, Ohio. (Ohio National Guard)(NEW YORK) -- Traumatic brain injuries are quickly emerging as the signature wound of the U.S. war with Iran so far, echoing a pattern of post-9/11 wars, according to a U.S. official.More than 200 U.S. troops have so far been wounded in the war, and at least 140 of those were TBI-related injuries, the U.S. official said. It’s a surge being driven by Iran’s reliance on one-way attack drones and the concussive blasts they deliver in strikes against American troops in countries across the ... Read More
Pentagon seeking $200B more for Iran war, official says
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth provides updates on military operations in Iran during a press briefing at the Pentagon on March 19, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the Pentagon will be asking Congress for more money to cover the Iran war, saying he wants to ensure current and future costs are covered "above and beyond."A senior administration official confirmed that a $200 billion request was sent from the Pentagon to the White House on Wednesday. The Washington Post first reported the request.It was not clear whether the White House had formally submitted the request to Congress as of Thursday morning or what kind of reception it would have among lawmakers, who remain ... Read More
Some IVF parents launch campaign against former Alabama justice who made controversial ruling
The Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery, Alabama, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. (Andi Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(MONTGOMERY, Ala.) -- The former Alabama Supreme Court justice who wrote the controversial ruling that temporarily halted in vitro fertilization services two years ago is running for state attorney general -- and a group of conservative IVF parents is banding together to try to stop him.Jay Mitchell wrote the majority opinion in a ruling that classified frozen embryos as people, prompting three of the state's largest IVF treatment providers to halt care out of fear of wrongful death lawsuits when handling embryos."Unborn children are 'children' ... without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics," Mitchell wrote in the majority ruling ... Read More
Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be DHS secretary narrowly clears Senate committee with Democratic support
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) arrives to testify during a confirmation hearing to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to be the secretary of Homeland Security narrowly cleared a committee vote Thursday morning with the help of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, teeing up the Oklahoma Republican's nomination for a final vote on the Senate floor as soon as next week.Mullin's nomination advanced out of Senate Homeland Security Committee by a vote of 8-7. He needed a simple majority of votes to clear the committee.After a series of contentious exchanges during Wednesday's confirmation hearing, Sen. Rand Paul, ... Read More
Senate is expected to take up the SAVE America Act this week. Here’s what to know
President Donald Trump speaks as Vice President JD Vance listens in the Oval Office of the White House, March 16, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- The Senate is expected to take up the SAVE America Act this week after President Donald Trump earlier this month thrust the bill into focus with a threat to withhold his signature on all other legislation until the GOP voting reform bill hits his desk.Debate on the bill could kick off in the Senate as soon as Tuesday, but on Monday the president seemed doubtful that it would get to his desk."I think it's imperative that it gets done. I'm not sure it is," Trump said when asked about the bill's outlook."I hope ... Read More
Top Democrats refer Noem to DOJ for alleged perjury
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- The two top Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary committees are referring outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to the Department of Justice for perjury due to her testimony to congressional committees earlier this month, according to a letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi.Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland allege that Noem's statements on a variety of topics including DHS following judges' orders and a controversial multimillion-dollar ad campaign "appear to violate criminal statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly making false statements to Congress."In response ... Read More
DHS providing furloughed FEMA staff with unemployment resources amid shutdown
The U.S. Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sign at Federal Center Plaza in Washington, D.C., Feb. 15, 2026. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters, FILE)(WASHINGTON) -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is encouraging Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees who are furloughed due to the partial government shutdown to apply for unemployment, according to internal documents reviewed by ABC News.The shutdown directly affects the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and FEMA, which are not funded until Congress can resolve its differences over funding the agency.The information went to FEMA employees who are furloughed and now asked to file with unemployment departments in the state in which they are based.DHS is asking creditors for "flexibility" for its employees "who are experiencing challenges with ... Read More
Trump rails against Supreme Court, court system and judge in social media posts
he U.S. Supreme Court is seen on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. court system in two posts on social media over the weekend, including disparaging a Supreme Court ruling over his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement tariffs.He also took aim at a ruling by a U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Friday that blocked the Justice Department’s subpoenas as part of their criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell."The decision that mattered most to me was TARIFFS! The Court knew where I stood," Trump said on Sunday night.The Supreme Court last month delivered a major blow to Trump by invalidating most of his global ... Read More
Analysis: Two weeks into war with Iran, Trump has been knocked back on his political heels
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — In the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump increasingly has been knocked on his political heels. He’s grown more agitated with news coverage and has failed to find a way to explain why he started the war — or how he will end it — that resonates with a public concerned by American deaths in the conflict, surging oil prices and dropping financial markets. Even some of his supporters are questioning his plan and his overall poll numbers are declining. Meanwhile, Moscow is getting a boost from the war’s early days after Trump eased sanctions on some Russian oil shipments. That, combined with rising oil prices, ... Read More
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles diagnosed with breast cancer: Trump
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens as President Donald Trump announces the creation of the U.S. strategic critical minerals reserve during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on February 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump said in a social media post Monday that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been "diagnosed with early stage breast cancer" and has decided to start treatment immediately.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. ... Read More
Some GOP donors plot shadow ‘draft Rubio’ 2028 effort as his star rises: Sources
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a photo opportunity ahead of a meeting in the State Department Building, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- A year ago, the stage seemed set for Vice President JD Vance to succeed President Donald Trump as the MAGA heir apparent in 2028.Vance, just 40 years old at the time of the 2024 election, came into office with wave of support from Republicans and the backing of the president's family.And while the vice president remains well-positioned ahead of a likely 2028 campaign, questions are quietly emerging over Vance's inevitability, especially as Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s profile and responsibilities have grown throughout the ... Read More
In Illinois’ Democratic primaries, generational change and heavy spending take center stage
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi talks to reporters after meeting with some of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers at the Capitol, Sept. 2, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Democratic voters in Illinois are heading to the polls on Tuesday for a slate of midterm election primaries where incumbents aren't on the ballot, including a marquee Senate race animated by the prospect of generational change and House races dogged by major outside spending.Six Democratic-favoring seats are opening up in Illinois' congressional delegation, including the U.S. Senate seat currently held by the retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, and five House seats that are being vacated either due to retirements (in the 4th, 7th, and 9th districts) or because their incumbents ... Read More
UFC to host training sessions with FBI: ‘Tremendous opportunity’
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel delivers remarks on an arrest connected to the 2012 U.S. Embassy attack in Benghazi, at the Department of Justice on February 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- The UFC will host training sessions at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this weekend, the mixed martial arts promotion and FBI announced on Thursday. FBI Director Kash Patel has long been a UFC fan and talked about doing this type of training in one of his first calls with staff at the FBI. "I'm thrilled to announce this historic seminar between the FBI and the UFC at Quantico," Patel said in a statement. "This is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to ... Read More
Trump to visit northern Kentucky as MAGA proxy battle against Thomas Massie heats up
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference at Trump National Doral Miami on March 9, 2026 in Doral, Florida. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump is traveling to Hebron, Kentucky, on Wednesday to deliver another speech focused on economic messaging. But this time, it's in the district of Rep. Thomas Massie, the six-term Republican that the president is actively working to oust.Just two months ahead of a contentious Republican primary between Massie and Trump-endorsed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, the president is set to make two stops in the area: at a packaging facility in Hebron, Kentucky, and then at ThermoFisher in Reading, Ohio, where he’ll discuss efforts to lower prescription drug prices.The visit comes ... Read More
Dems call for probe into ‘troubling pattern’ of legal wins for Pam Bondi’s brother
Carolina Amesty and her attorney, Brad Bondi, arrive at the federal court in downtown Orlando, Fla., Feb. 18, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Two congressional Democrats are calling on the Justice Department's internal watchdog to launch a probe into what they characterized as a "troubling pattern" of favorable outcomes for clients who hired defense attorney Brad Bondi, the brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi, for representation in cases involving the Justice Department.The lawmakers, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., penned a letter Wednesday asking the DOJ's inspector general to review "whether Attorney General Pamela Bondi properly recused herself from, or otherwise improperly influenced, several cases involving defendants represented by her brother.""We are concerned that ... Read More
House Oversight Committee to depose Epstein’s longtime accountant
Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) (R) speaks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) -- The House Oversight Committee is set to depose Jeffrey Epstein's longtime accountant on Wednesday, potentially shedding light on how the disgraced financier was able to manage his multimillion-dollar fortune.Richard Kahn served as Epstein's accountant for over a decade, and some of Epstein's victims allege he played an instrumental role in creating the "complex financial infrastructure" that enabled the financier's crimes.Kahn has consistently denied any wrongdoing and says he was unaware of Epstein's crimes while serving as his accountant. The closed-door deposition -- a recording of ... Read More
Trump administration opens investigation into Arizona’s 2020 election results
Rob Bonta, attorney general of California, from left, Kris Mayes, Arizona's attorney general, and Dan Rayfield, Oregons attorney general, speak to members of the media outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Photographer: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- The Department of Homeland Security's investigations arm is investigating 2020 election results in Arizona, the state's attorney general, Kris Mayes, and a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday.It is not typical for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to investigate election results, though the agency has investigated voter fraud cases in the past. The agency serves as the investigative arm of DHS and usually investigates transnational crime, including drug smuggling and ... Read More
Russia denies giving Iran intelligence on US troops in Middle East, Witkoff says
U.S. Sailors prepare ordnance on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 4, 2026. (US Navy)(WASHINGTON) -- Russian officials denied in a phone call with President Donald Trump that they are sharing intelligence on U.S. military assets with Iran, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday."We can take them at their word," Witkoff said during an interview with CNBC. "That's a better question for the intel people, but let's hope that they're not sharing."Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday for about an hour. "Yesterday on the call with the president, the Russians said that they have not been sharing. That's what they said," Witkoff said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ... Read More
Hegseth says Trump, amid mixed messages on timeline and nation building, will decide when Iran war is over
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine conduct a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, in Washington, March 10, 2026. (Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Brann/DoD)(WASHINGTON) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said the U.S. will end its war with Iran "on our timeline" and "at our choosing" amid mixed messaging from the administration on the timing of the operation and its ultimate objective.Hegseth notably declined to give a further assessment on how much longer the military campaign will last, saying Tuesday would be the most intense day of strikes yet in the 11-day conflict and that it will be up to President Donald ... Read More
Trump dismisses soaring gas prices as ‘a little glitch’ of Iran war, but potential political costs loom
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media traveling on Air Force One while heading to Miami on March 7, 2026. President Trump and other members of the government attended the dignified transfer of six soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command who were killed in action by an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, during Operation Epic Fury. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Ten days into the U.S. war with Iran, Americans are starting to feel the economic fallout as oil and gas prices soar.Gas prices skyrocketed to a national average of $3.47 on Monday, up nearly 50 cents from last week, according to data from AAA. Plus, oil prices on Monday surpassed $100 ... Read More
Pentagon IDs 7th US service member killed in Iran war
The Defense Department has identified Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Ky., who succumbed to his injuries following a March 1 attack on his base in Saudi Arabia. DoD(WASHINGTON) -- The Defense Department on Monday identified another U.S. service member who died following the opening wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, marking the seventh U.S. service member to die in the war with Iran. Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, died Sunday from injuries he sustained during a March 1 retaliation strike on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia from Iran."He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved," Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, the top officer for Army Space and Missile Defense Command, ... Read More
Sen. Andy Kim introduces bill to combat illiteracy: ‘Reading unlocks life-long success’
Senator Andy Kim, during a news conference ahead of the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Photographer: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Senator Andy Kim, D-N.J., is aiming to tackle the nation's literacy crisis with a new bill focused on increasing children's access to books.Kim will introduce his "Open Books, Open Doors Act" on Monday, urging the Department of Education to authorize $100 million in annual grants to states and local communities to combat illiteracy and what he calls the country’s “book deserts,” which is an area that doesn’t have reliable access to books."Reading is a powerful tool that every child in America should have," Kim said ... Read More
Trump to speak at ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit aimed at taking on cartels
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he hosts the “The Shield of the Americas Summit ,“ a gathering with heads of state and government officials from 12 countries in the Americas at the Trump National Doral Golf Club on March 7, 2026 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) -- President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a 'Shield of the Americas' Summit on Saturday in Doral, Florida, an event that is billed by the White House as a 'historic' grouping of over 17 Latin American countries that are committed to cooperating with the U.S. in taking on the cartels and securing the American border following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.Trump will host heads ... Read More
US believes Russia is providing Iran with locations of American troops, sources say
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 3, 2026. (US Navy)(WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. believes that Russia has been providing Iran the locations of American troops in the Middle East, including aircraft and ships, according to two people familiar with the intelligence.The alleged assistance, first reported by The Washington Post, is alarming because it would enable the Iranians to target specific locations with ballistic missiles and drones, putting U.S. service members at risk.When asked about the aid to Iran, an intelligence official confirmed that the U.S. believes Russia is supplying Tehran intelligence, but did not say exactly what ... Read More
CBP asks judge for more time to work on tariff refunds
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection logo is displayed on the side of a patrol boat on September 26, 2025, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- A Customs and Border Protection official on Friday told a federal judge that the agency does not have the technology or manpower to immediately process $166 billion in tariff refunds, arguing the process would distract from its role addressing "imminent threats to national security."In a sworn filing, the official said that CBP needs an additional 45 days to create a system to process refunds for the more than 53 million entries related to the unlawful tariffs."CBP has never been ordered to, nor has it attempted to, process a volume of ... Read More
Top of page
