Political Headlines
Texas Senate primary candidate Talarico responds to allegations he called fellow Dem ‘mediocre Black man’
Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico speaks during a campaign launch rally, September 9, 2025 in Round Rock, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- With just one month until the high-stakes primary election in the Texas U.S. Senate race, Democrats are butting heads, with Democratic State Rep. James Talarico pushing back on allegations that he made controversial remarks about the race of his former opponent.Talarico on Monday responded to a video from former Rep. Colin Allred, who is running for Texas' 33rd Congressional District, claiming that Talarico made comments critical of Allred on the basis of race.On Sunday, a TikTok creator alleged that Talarico, in a private conversation, said that Allred was a "mediocre Black man" and that he would would rather run ... Read More
US fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone approaching US aircraft carrier
Sailors and marines man the rail as the U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is guided by tugboats in San Diego Bay as it returns to its homeport of Naval Air Station North Island after a 5-month deployment to the Middle East on December 20, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone as it approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. Later in the day, a Navy destroyer came to the assistance of a U.S.-flagged tanker that was harassed by multiple Iranian small boats as it transited the Strait of Hormuz.The ... Read More
Military stands down troops ordered to prep to deploy to Minneapolis
The Minnesota National Guard sits at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, United States, on January 26, 2025. (Arthur Maiorella/Anadolu via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- The Pentagon’s Northern Command over the weekend stood down more than 1,500 federal troops placed on alert for potential deployment to Minneapolis, according to two U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the situation. ABC News first reported that roughly 1,500 active duty soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska had been ordered to prepare for a possible mission to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.Additional units across the country, including some 200 Texas National Guard troops, also had been directed to make preparations.No specific mission was ever outlined, and placing units on alert ... Read More
Judge blocks administration from ending TPS protections for more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants
On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in front of the Orange County Courthouse, advocates and former elected officials asked President Trump to create a pathway to permanent residency for Haitians who face deportations as their temporary protected status expires on Feb. 3. (Natalia Jaramillo/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants.In an 83-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes granted a stay maintaining the legal status of Haitian nationals "pending judicial review." In her ruling, she accused Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of "preordaining" her termination decision, saying she "did so because of hostility to nonwhite immigrants.""There is an old adage among lawyers," ... Read More
Comer continues contempt threat after Clintons agree to depositions on Epstein
Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Rep. James Comer (R-KY) speaks to reporters as he arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- House Oversight Chairman James Comer has set a noon deadline Tuesday for Bill and Hillary Clinton to agree to the GOP's specific terms for depositions that the Clintons signaled Monday night they generally would comply with, warning that if they do not then Republicans will reconvene to move contempt resolutions toward a full House vote."The Oversight Committee is seeking clarification the Clintons accepted the standard deposition terms that they were subpoenaed for: transcribed, filmed depositions in February with ... Read More
House votes to advance funding package to end partial government shutdown amid clash over ICE restrictions
U.S. Capitol Building (Photo by Mike Kline (notkalvin)/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- After drama and delay, the Republican-led House advanced a government funding package to end the partial shutdown, setting up debate ahead of a final vote on passage.The tally on the procedural vote was 217-215. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only no vote along with all Democrats. The vote was held open for about 45 minutes.House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faces an incredibly tight margin, could only afford to lose one Republican vote with all members present and voting.Initially, several Republicans held out on casting their votes, including Reps. Byron Donalds, Troy Nehls, Andy Ogles and Victoria Spartz. Republican leaders ultimately worked the holdouts to secure enough votes to ... Read More
DOJ raises ‘national security’ concerns in legal fight over Trump ballroom
The construction for the ballroom on the White House’s East Wing as seen from the top of the Washington Monument, Nov. 17, 2025. (ABC News)(WASHINGTON) -- Even before a federal judge has decided whether he'll halt construction of the White House ballroom, the Trump administration has preemptively asked the judge to stay any injunction he might issue, warning that the project is "imperative for reasons of national security."The government’s overnight filing, entered just before the end of the day Monday, also says halting the construction would "leave an unsightly excavation site in President’s Park indefinitely."The administration’s stay motion comes a week-and-a-half after Judge Richard Leon publicly aired his deep skepticism of the government’s arguments that the president has the power to build a ... Read More
Trump urges Republicans to ‘take over’ and ‘nationalize’ voting
U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 02, 2026. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump on Monday called on Republicans to "take over" and "nationalize" voting as he continued to make false claims about the electoral process in the U.S. with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon.Trump made the comments in an interview with former FBI Director Dan Bongino, who resigned from his post in December and returned to podcasting.Trump alleged noncitizen voting was improperly influencing election outcomes, though experts insist such instances are incredibly rare and already illegal, and told Bongino it was "amazing that the Republicans aren't tougher on it.""The Republicans should say, 'We want to take over,'" Trump said. "We should take ... Read More
White House faces questions over UAE royal’s investment in Trump family’s crypto firm
Donald Trump Jr., co-founder of World Liberty Financial, during the Token2049 conference in Singapore, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The crypto conference runs through Oct. 2. (Photographer: Suhaimi Abdullah/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump's cryptocurrency firm, World Liberty Financial, sold a $500 million stake to a member of the Emirati royal family shortly before his inauguration last January, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, sparking concerns over a potential conflict of interest. According to the Journal, which reviewed undisclosed corporate documents, a firm associated with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, an Abu Dhabi royal who operates an enormous state investment fund, purchased a 49% stake in World Liberty, which is co-owned by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his ... Read More
Top Justice Department official plays down chance for charges arising from Epstein files revelations
[caption id="attachment_1476913" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A document with an email chain from Jeffrey Epstein illustrates the amount of redactions of personally identifiable information that the U.S. Department of Justice was required to do before release of Epstein documents, is photographed Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)[/caption]WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Justice Department official played down the possibility of additional criminal charges arising from the Jeffrey Epstein files, saying Sunday that the existence of “horrible photographs” and troubling email correspondence does not “allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.” Department officials said over the summer that a review of Epstein-related records did not establish a basis for new criminal investigations, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said that position remains unchanged even ... Read More
Speaker Johnson faces tough choices as partial government shutdown drags and debate over ICE deepens
[caption id="attachment_1476907" align="alignnone" width="1024"] House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to members of the media at the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)[/caption]WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson faces tough days ahead trying to muscle a federal funding package to passage and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown as debate intensifies over the Trump administration's sweeping immigration enforcement operations. Johnson signaled he is relying on help from President Donald Trump to ensure passage. Trump struck a deal with senators to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader package after public outrage over two shooting deaths during protests in Minneapolis against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the plan approved by the ... Read More
Trump continues to defend Homan, Noem amid immigration enforcement backlash
Border czar Tom Homan speaks during a news conference about ongoing immigration enforcement operations on January 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)(NEW YORK) -- President Donald Trump took to social media to show his support for two of his administration leaders amid the leadership shakeup following last week's fatal shooting in Minneapolis.The president praised the work of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who came under fire following the deaths of Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of federal agents, and thanked Border Czar Tom Homan, who he sent to Minneapolis this week to smooth over boiling tensions. Despite several videos showing the 37-year-old Pretti did not have a firearm in his hands when ... Read More
Trump picks Kevin Warsh for Fed chair, but key Republican vows to block him over Powell investigation
Kevin Warsh, former governor of the US Federal Reserve, walks to lunch during the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, US, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The annual event has been a historic breeding ground for media deals and is usually a forum for tech and media elites to discuss the future of their industry. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump announced conservative policymaker and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as his pick to be the new Federal Reserve chairman.In a post on Truth Social early Friday morning, Trump said that he has "known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down ... Read More
Trump’s National Guard deployments could cost $1.1 billion this year, CBO estimates
Members of the National Guard stands at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on MLK Day on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump's use of federalized National Guard troops in U.S. cities is projected to have cost roughly $496 million last year, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.If current troop levels are maintained, the deployments could cost as much as $1.1 billion this year, according to CBO estimates.Monthly costs vary widely by location and troop levels, according to the estimate for 2026, ranging from about $6 million for roughly 350 Guard members in New Orleans, to $28 million for 1,500 troops in Memphis, and $55 million for nearly 2,950 personnel ... Read More
Government funding negotiations hit snag after Democrats announce deal
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sign stands at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Senate, now facing an impasse in negotiations, did not cast votes on a government funding deal on Thursday, sending the government ever closer to a partial shutdown with a little more than 24 hours until funding runs out.Senate Democrats announced earlier Thursday they had struck an agreement with the White House to move forward with a plan that would see the Department of Homeland Security funding bill separated from a package of five other bills. Programs funded by the five-bill package would be funded until the end of September. DHS would be funded ... Read More
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor amid immigration turmoil
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) attends a field hearing at the Minnesota Senate Building on January 16, 2026 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)(NEW YORK)-- Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced on Thursday her candidacy for governor of Minnesota, saying her home state was in need of a leader who could "fix things in our state" and who would "stand up and not be rubber stamps" to the Trump administration."I believe we must stand up for what’s right and fix what’s wrong," Klobuchar said in a video message announcing her run. "That’s why today, I am announcing my candidacy for governor of the state of Minnesota.""I like my job in the Senate," she added. "But I love our state more than any ... Read More
Bessent says Americans ‘should be worried about affordability,’ but blames Biden for cost issues
Scott Bessent, US treasury secretary, speaks during the Trump Accounts Launch Summit in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. The US Treasury Department is bringing together senior administration officials, everyday Americans, and key stakeholders to highlight the upcoming launch of Trump Accounts. Photographer: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- As the cost of many basic goods, including groceries, continues to rise, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang, he understands the hardships facing millions of people, but argued that the Biden administration is responsible for the rising costs."Look, Americans should be worried about affordability. The Biden administration destroyed affordability," he told ABC News on Wednesday, contending inflation under ... Read More
FBI conducting ‘court ordered activity’ at Georgia election site
(ATLANTA) -- The FBI said Wednesday there was court-authorized activity at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center.It is unclear exactly what they are looking for, but it comes after President Donald Trump has repeatedly said there was voter fraud in the 2020 election, specifically in Georgia.This past November, a Georgia prosecutor dropped the Fulton County election interference case that was brought in 2023 against Trump and 18 others for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.The charges were brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis following then-President Trump's Jan. 2, 2021, phone call in which he asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" the votes needed to win ... Read More
Record-high 45% identify as political independents as high-stakes midterm elections approach
In this June 3, 2025, file photo, Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at an event at 92NY in New York. (John Lamparski/Getty Images, FILE)(WASHINGTON) -- With a polarized political climate approaching the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections, more Americans are identifying as independents than ever before, according to a Gallup poll conducted throughout 2025.A record-high 45% of Americans called themselves political independents in 2025. The figure is a record since Gallup started measuring in 1988 -- with the previous high for independents at 43% in 2014, 2023 and 2024.Gallup found that an equal share of Americans identified as Republicans and Democrats -- 27% each.These findings come as the midterm elections approach in November and several tight races are expected as Republicans in the ... Read More
Trump says ‘massive Armada’ heading to Iran, warns time is running out for nuclear deal
U.S. President Donald Trump walks over to reporters to make a brief statement before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Marine One on January 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Samuel Corum/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday said a "massive Armada" was heading toward Iran and warned Tehran to make a nuclear deal or the next attack will be "far worse.""A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary," ... Read More
Trump hints at ‘more relaxed’ federal tactics in Minnesota after shootings
US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump previewed a "more relaxed" approach from federal agents operating in Minnesota following two deadly shootings in Minneapolis in recent weeks, during an exclusive interview with ABC News' Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott on Tuesday.Trump has assigned White House "border czar" Tom Homan to lead the operation in Minnesota following fierce local and national backlash to violent incidents involving federal agents there.Asked what would change with Homan now in charge, the president said "we can start doing maybe a little ... Read More
FBI leading investigation after man charges Rep. Ilhan Omar during town hall, police say
Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, speaks during a town hall event in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. A man was apprehended during a town hall event with Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar after spraying unknown substance, according the to Associated Press.(Angelina Katsanis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)(MINNEAPOLIS) -- The FBI is now leading the investigation after a man charged the podium where Rep. Ilhan Omar was giving remarks during a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday, police said.The man appeared to squirt a liquid at her and was then tackled to the ground by a security guard after a brief struggle.The man, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, was arrested and booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of ... Read More
Trump says Homan mission to Minneapolis going ‘very nicely’ amid shooting backlash
President Donald Trump departs the White House, January 27, 2026, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday touted the arrival of his border czar, Tom Homan, on a mission to Minneapolis -- as he took personal charge of dealing with the backlash following the second fatal shooting of an American citizen by federal agents in the city.The president, who had said Homan would report directly to him, sounded positive about his change in course so far, saying Homan had met with Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and would do the same with Minneapolis Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey."I hear things are going very nicely," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for Iowa, where he ... Read More
Kristi Noem met with Trump amid scrutiny over deadly Minneapolis shooting: Sources
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference in the National Response Coordination Center at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, January 24, 2026 in Washington. (Al Drago/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, two sources told ABC News, as the administration faces fallout over federal agent operations in Minnesota and the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.Noem's top adviser, Corey Lewandowski, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House communications director Steven Cheung were also present, according to sources.White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who had called Pretti a "domestic terrorist" without evidence, was not at ... Read More
Congressional GOP criticism grows over Pretti shooting and Minnesota ICE operation
Sen. David McCormick leaves the Senate Republicans' lunch meeting in the Capitol, Nov. 19, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- Congressional Republicans appeared split Monday in their responses to the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday -- from calling for an investigation to remaining silent or backing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has not issued a statement on the shooting and his office has not responded to ABC News' requests for comment.Senate Majority Leader John Thune issued a statement on Monday that did not directly address the shooting but applauded the White House dispatching border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota in hopes of "turning down the temperature," while encouraging Minnesota officials ... Read More
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