Results for “block trump”

Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad examine the Democrats failed impeachment attempt against US defence secretary Pete Hegseth and ask – could we see another bid soon? The other Donald Trump appointee making headlines is the president’s new chief-of-staff, Stephen Miller. Known as the architect of Trump’s tough immigration policies, the appointment is seen as a clear sign Trump has no intention of playing nice with the other side, despite indicating he would do just that after the Republicans massive midterms loss. Jonathan looks back at Miller’s past to try and decipher how a descendent of a family fleeing persecution developed such hardline views that he has been condemned as a white nationalist Continue reading...

A deal giving Moscow a slice of Ukrainian territory and sanctions relief could be on the table in weeks – yet European leaders are busy squabbling Donald Trump has lost substantial power over domestic policy after last week’s devastating midterm losses, but his ability to cement his legacy by upending US foreign policy remains largely intact. There is every reason to fear a ”great betrayal” of Ukraine in the coming weeks, one that would reward Vladimir Putin for Russia’s war of aggression against Kyiv, and also do lasting damage to the European security order. Yet lilliputian European leaders are too busy squabbling over who should represent them in future peace talks to focus on how to prevent a sellout. Despite fundamental European interests being at stake in this week’s three-way US-Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Europe is relegated to a side room, represented by a posse of officials from the UK, France, Germany, the EU and Nato. Continue reading...

Shahram Poursafi allegedly sought to pay $300,000 to have John Bolton killed in a plot authorities linked to retaliation for Qasem Soleimani’s death.

Tennessee is seeking to block Christa Pike's attorneys from accessing the pentobarbital used in the 50-year-old inmate's botched execution on the grounds that it would reveal the supplier.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was sent a highly classified memo warning about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's relationship with suspected Chinese spy Alice Huang, multiple sources familiar told Axios. Why it matters: Lutnick oversees the agency charged with keeping sensitive U.S. technology out of the hands of American adversaries. The warning raises questions about how the department weighed potential security risks as it cleared advanced Nvidia chip sales to China-affiliated entities. Driving the news : Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the drafting of the memo detailing Huang's relationship with Alice Huang, who U.S. intelligence officials believe is a Chinese intelligence agent, according to The New York Times. The memo, which drew on surveillance of Alice Huang and a chip-smuggling investigation into her company, Megaspeed, circulated before President Trump's trip to May 13–15 trip to China. Rubio also warned Trump directly aboard Air Force One before a refueling stop in Anchorage where Jensen Huang joined the delegation. He hadn't initially been invited to participate, the Times reported Tuesday . On May 14, Reuters reported that the Commerce Department had cleared around 10 Chinese companies to purchase Nvidia's H200 chips. Some export approvals predated the warning. Nvidia disclosed in February it had received an H200 export license, and Huang told Axios' Ina Fried in March the company had licenses covering Chinese customers. Yes, but : It's unclear how those approvals ultimately translated into sales, as China's government has halted some chip-buying activity in spite of U.S. approvals. Megaspeed purchased billions of dollars' worth of Nvidia chips, according to multiple media outlets. What they're saying : Trump said on Monday that it was possible intelligence officials had shown it to him, but he didn't recall: "Certainly, it didn't make much of an impact on me." The Commerce Department did not comment. Catch up quick : Nvidia has been rocked by the sc

Tennessee is seeking to block Christa Pike’s attorneys from accessing the pentobarbital used in the 50-year-old inmate’s botched execution on the grounds that it would reveal the supplier

When Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his G7 counterparts in Paris on Tuesday, he told them that President Trump had considered resuming the war with Iran or cutting a deal — but chose a third option: strangling the Iranian regime, three people who attended the meeting told Axios. Why it matters: The Iran war has become a political albatross in Trump's second term, costing Republicans dearly in the midterms. For months, the president has alternated between threatening to obliterate Iran and predicting it will capitulate and give him the deal he wants. "He's been searching for the solution, but he wasn't sure what's the best way to go," a U.S. official close to Trump said. This debate over which course to follow has led to strife between several factions within the top echelon of the administration. Each faction had the support of U.S. allies in the Middle East — namely Israel favoring renewed strikes and most Gulf countries opposing them. Driving the news: After meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday, Trump said that a new round of strikes against Iran is "quite unlikely" and "doesn't seem to be necessary." Trump said he instead favors continuing the economic crackdown and naval blockade against Iran, in addition to a new operation dubbed "Iron Gate" to cut off land routes that Iran uses to move advanced weaponry and other technology. Behind the scenes: Rubio explained the U.S. Iran policy in a closed meeting on Tuesday with the foreign ministers of the G7 countries in Paris. "The President doesn't just have two options. It's not just return to war or sign a ridiculous peace deal.  We won't do a stupid deal. The third option we have is to continue to do what we do now," Rubio said, according to three people in the room. Rubio went on to say that the U.S. is imposing devastating costs on Iran's economy, making it harder for it to fund terrorist organizations or rebuild its military. And there's no end date. "T

Controversial far-right congressman defied 2022 subpoena from Capitol attack panel and was accused of ignoring sexual abuse as college wrestling coach The election of Jim Jordan on Tuesday to lead House Republicans elevates a combative Donald Trump ideologue who defied a congressional subpoena over the 6 January attack, as the party tries as it tries to adjust to life out of power. Jordan will lead a diminished Republican conference, as its ranks shrink to one of the smallest in decades. But it is a triumph for the Ohio Republican who was pushed out of the contentious House speakership race three years ago after his Republican colleagues repeatedly voted against his bid for the gavel in the chaotic aftermath of Kevin McCarthy’s ouster. Continue reading...

House Republicans voted Tuesday evening to block an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , shielding a top Trump administration official from a politically embarrassing rebuke. Why it matters: The vote marks a victory for Hegseth, the Trump administration and Republican leaders, who were bracing for the prospect of a rebellion within their own ranks. But the reprieve is probably short-lived: Democrats are all but guaranteed to force the issue again when they retake majorities in the House and Senate in January. The vote to refer the impeachment measure back to committee passed 211-204, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the measure's sponsor, the lone "no" vote. Driving the news: Massie forced a procedural vote on his resolution to impeach Hegseth, alleging he has defied Congress and illegally continued the U.S. war in Iran. The Trump administration has been vehemently defending Hegseth , including through a statement opposing the impeachment effort issued shortly before the vote. "Has Pete Hegseth committed impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not," Vance said Tuesday on X . "Like so much of Congress , impeachment has become a ridiculous show that stands in for actual policymaking. Congress has so many tools for registering its policy disagreements," Vance added. Axios' Marc Caputo and Alex Isenstadt previously reported that Hegseth is on " thin ice " with Trump officials. Between the lines : Republican leaders protected their members from having to go on record on the politically difficult issue before Election Day after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent lawmakers home early to campaign. What's next: Tuesday's vote effectively kills any effort to impeach Hegseth this Congress.

Defense secretary calls impeachment effort a ‘farce’ and praises president in press conference for audience of one There was no talk of “weirdos or beardos” – two among several categories whom Pete Hegseth has made it known are unwelcome in the US armed forces under his watch. But a man with a beard had to be uppermost in his mind for him to meet journalists in the Pentagon at the ungodly hour of 8am on Tuesday. Continue reading...

House Republicans elected Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their new leader Tuesday, handing the reins of the battered GOP conference to one of its most prominent conservative firebrands. Why it matters: Jordan's victory marks a major shake-up in House Republican leadership, elevating a founding member of the hardline Freedom Caucus who campaigned as an alternative to the leaders who presided over the GOP's crushing midterm defeat . Jordan bested Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who had served as the No. 2 House Republican since 2014, in the conference-wide secret ballot for minority leader. His victory signals an appetite among House Republicans for a more confrontational approach as they prepare to enter the minority. State of play: Jordan and Scalise entered Tuesday's election locked in a tight race, with both camps expressing confidence in their chances of winning. Jordan drew public support from some of the conference's most conservative members, who argued Republicans needed a change in direction after their devastating midterm losses. Scalise leaned on his longstanding relationships across the conference and his decade-plus of experience in leadership. The big picture: Jordan's ascent represents a remarkable turnaround for a conservative agitator who spent much of his career challenging the Republican establishment before becoming one of President Trump's most vocal allies. He'll be tasked with uniting a fractured Republican conference and leading the party's efforts to reclaim the House majority in 2028.

Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said that the vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "isn't about Iran," but rather his willingness to take on challenges at the Pentagon. Why it matters: It's the latest instance of the Trump administration backing the embattled Cabinet member, who is facing the possibility of enough GOP members defecting for the impeachment effort to succeed. The Iran war is at the center of the allegations against Hegseth, with three of the eight articles of impeachment specifically concerning the conflict. Other allegations include that Hegseth illegally initiated military conflict in Venezuela and Yemen. What they're saying: "Has Pete Hegseth committed impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not," Vance said Tuesday on X . "Like so much of Congress, impeachment has become a ridiculous show that stands in for actual policymaking. Congress has so many tools for registering its policy disagreements." Vance added that Congress was choosing to impeach Hegseth as they did President Trump. "Legislation is hard. Impeachments are easy (and ultimately, inconsequential)." "The irony is that legislators are most angry at Pete on the issues where he's most correct: repositioning forces away from Europe/Ukraine and reorganizing the general officer corps," he continued. "This isn't about Iran, this is about the fact that Pete took on the bureaucracy at the Pentagon." Go deeper: Hegseth faces impeachment resolution from GOP member with little to lose Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Several U.S. military aircraft were relocated from a U.K. airbase amid a security threat linked to Iran. NBC News’ Keir Simmons reports on the latest developments and President Donald Trump’s strategy of a naval blockade.

The rule would limit a policy that allows states to authorize participation in the program if a person qualifies for a different type of assistance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted Rep. Thomas Massie 's (R-KY) push to oust him, likening the impeachment effort to Democrats' successful impeachments of President Trump . The big picture: As the possible first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary during the second Trump era and a Democratic-led Congress loom, Hegseth isn't going down without a war of words. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Computer records reveal College Republican Patriot Coalition’s web domain in account registered to Fuentes-managed company A college Republican coalition claiming 31 affiliated student groups in 14 states that attacked the Trump administration from the right routed its email through the same Microsoft 365 account as a company controlled by white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Until Monday morning, Microsoft’s public sign-in records put the College Republican Patriot Coalition (CRPC)’s web domain in an account registered to NJF LLC, a Fuentes-managed company that also runs his personal website and online store . Continue reading...

Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden offer extra support to solo-parent households. In its latest pronatalist push, the Trump administration aims to shift funds away from them When news broke that the Trump administration planned to pay married couples to have one parent stay home with their kids , everyone from policy wonks to Redditors bemoaned what they saw as a new front in the mommy wars. The proposal would shift funds that subsidize childcare for low-income working parents – the majority of them single parents who rely on childcare providers – to low-income married couples with one earner. Given that most single parents and stay-at-home parents are women, and both groups would be applying for the same limited funds, it seemed almost designed to pit moms against each other. Continue reading...

Congressional investigations are only part of the solution. A civic project will do needed legal legwork The Democrats’ midterm victory was resounding, but it will not be enough to re-establish the rule of law in the United States. The basic principle that even the president and his officials and cronies are subject to the law has been profoundly undermined by Donald Trump through unchecked ICE violence , apparently large-scale official corruption , and frequent defiance of the law. Continue reading...

Trump backs Nvidia’s Jensen Huang as the DOJ investigates his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

The potential presidential contender has misread the electorate – and that’s just the start of his problems The good news is that the dramatic results of last week’s midterm elections mean that Donald Trump and his administration will be much less able to immiserate and impoverish the American people for the next two years, that newly competitive states are likely to see an influx of investment from Democrats, and that states that were once under seemingly unbreakable regimes of Republican control now have Democratic state governments that will hopefully pursue more just, or at least less cruel, policy agendas. The bad news is that the 2028 presidential cycle has already begun. Continue reading...

Donald Trump said war in Iran would end soon as he played down concerns US would escalate military campaign against Tehran after midterm elections. During a White House press conference, Trump said Israel and Gulf allies in the region were well protected from Iran and an escalation was not needed Trump says US war in Iran ‘effectively over’ as he plays down escalation concerns Continue reading...

President Trump, with the clock ticking and congressional investigators closing in, plans to govern even more imperially , hell-bent on stretching executive power, targeting those on his enemies list, pardoning allies, and daring the courts and Congress to slow him down. Why it matters: Trump and his allies are exploring executive action on new tariffs and immigration restrictions, and asserting greater control over spending. On X over the weekend, Trump discussed targeting and perhaps jailing Democrats who investigate administration officials. He claimed politically motivated harassment . Trump is retooling his White House by elevating the one official who's synonymous with his all-gas-no-brakes style: Stephen Miller, who took over for Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff on Monday. Watch Miller and Russ Vought , the White House budget director, to understand how this approach will unfold. Both are architects and advocates of vastly expanding presidential power, believing there are virtually no restraints on what Trump can do as president. The Swamp can expect tougher sledding: Miller, unlike most of his predecessors, is driven more by ideology than by meetings with lobbyists or industry groups. "Stephen gives zero f*cks what K Street thinks," a Trump confidant told us. Between the lines: Midterm losses pushed Presidents Clinton and Obama to the center. Trump's instincts are the opposite: Assert maximal power. The playbook: Restore MAGA. Two years ago, MAGA — mostly its network of podcasts , YouTubers and online activists — was a powerful, united force in media and politics. Today it's a hot, divided mess. Trump's attention to his base drifted. Now Vice President Vance and Miller desperately want to rebuild and rev up MAGA. That's why ending the Iran war , curtailing aid to Israel and pushing harder on RFK Jr.'s MAHA agenda are suddenly top-tier topics. Rule by pen. Miller, Vought and White House lawyers have been drafting executive actions to govern without C

Stephen Miller is an ideologue on a mission to reshape the world. But his appointment has a silver lining for Democrats Has the midterms bloodbath made Donald Trump go all woke? Has his party’s historic rebuke finally made him reflect on his actions and forced a road to Damascus moment? Of course not; this is the world’s least introspective man we are talking about. However, for about 30 seconds on Sunday, the usually incoherent president managed the amazing feat of speaking a little bit of sense. Continue reading...

Calley Means quickly rose from wellness entrepreneur to senior Trump health adviser — and now he's attacking the White House and suggesting top aides undermined the president's health agenda. Why it matters: His scorched-earth campaign — which continued Monday in comments to Axios — marks a stunning turn for a figure who was the administration's most vocal advocate of the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. It also raises questions about what the escalating fight between Means and former White House officials will accomplish for the movement. Driving the news: Means told Axios he's going public with his allegations of corruption — especially by former White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — because of the high stakes. "It is existential to the survival [of] America that we rid DC of Susie's brand of politics," Means said in a text exchange. Means' initial comments on Friday's episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" went viral , and he continued the campaign with an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday. Asked if he's worried about lawsuits after comments from a Wiles spokesperson and former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair — who Means has also accused of wrongdoing — Means pointed to his X post warning them and other parties to "immediately preserve all potentially relevant records and communications." Means has kept up a steady stream of X posts about his allegations and the way he claims the officials have responded to them. "Susie - I'm not intimidated and you will not scare me. Again, please stop sending me emotional texts. This is not personal - this is civilizational," Means posted Monday . White House spokesperson Allison Schuster said in a statement the Trump administration has won "extensive victories for the MAHA Agenda." The Department of Health and Human Services and a Wiles spokesperson didn't respond to requests for comment. The big picture: After hitching their wagon to President Trump ahead of the 2024 election, MAHA leaders have b

Democrats swept into power last week as voters also embraced tougher criminal penalties and restrictions on bail. Why it matters: Six years after the George Floyd protests, Democrats won big without promising a return to sweeping 2020-era reforms. Some even adopted border-security rhetoric associated with Republicans. Democrats gained at least 12 state legislative chambers and won governorships in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas. By the numbers: Voters approved all six statewide ballot measures Ballotpedia tracked that proposed tougher sentences, criminal penalties or bail restrictions in 2026. Five passed Nov. 3 in Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee and Colorado. Alabama approved the sixth in May. Four expanded when courts could deny or restrict bail. Two increased penalties, including for fentanyl offenses and child sex trafficking. The shift: Some Democratic winners embraced tougher border-security language while opposing Trump's immigration crackdown. Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico called himself a "border security Democrat ," criticized former President Biden for failing to secure the border and said there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform. Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed , a progressive, said days before the election : "We needed tougher border security." He also criticized Trump's use of ICE. Zoom in: Colorado voters backed Democrats, tougher penalties and limits on federal immigration enforcement. That included electing Phil Weiser (D) as governor and approving tougher fentanyl penalties and life without parole for child sex trafficking. They rejected a measure requiring police to notify federal immigration authorities in certain cases involving violent crime suspects or people with prior felony convictions whose immigration status was unlawful or uncertain. Weiser and state Democrats are now weighing changes to the fentanyl measure, arguing it falls short on promised addiction treatment. Yes, but: Virginia voters approved automatically resto

State Department officials have quietly raised objections to El Salvador's gang-fighting efforts in Haiti — even as President Trump has offered his full support, according to diplomatic notes and informed sources. On Monday, El Salvador issued a formal rebuke that questioned the "credibility" of the top U.S. diplomat in Haiti. Why it matters: The controversy exposes the tension between Trump's MAGA foreign policy objectives and the professional diplomatic establishment in the State Department. "There is a class of bureaucrats who don't want to see the change in the Western Hemisphere that POTUS wants," a U.S. official told Axios. Zoom in: Haiti is a failed state racked by extreme corruption and gang violence despite years of international efforts, including the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) that El Salvador and other nations have backed. Four Salvadoran aviation technicians supporting medical evacuations were captured Oct. 18 by gangs that refused to heed the entreaties of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele to return the men or their bodies. Bukele responded by surging special forces units to Haiti after receiving the blessing of Trump, an ally, on Oct. 27, Axios first reported . "You have to do what you have to do," Trump told Bukele, who proceeded to launch military operations that resulted in firefights with gangs in the streets of Port-Au-Prince. Friction point: Tensions between State Department officials and El Salvador erupted after an Oct. 31 gang attack on a Salvadoran convoy of five armored personnel carriers near the U.S. embassy, which was struck by gunfire. On Nov. 3, Salvadoran attack helicopters repelled gangs attacking GSF soldiers from Chad, Bukele posted on X . The next day, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires David Howell complained in a text message to Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé that El Salvador wasn't "coordinating" with the GSF. "They took at least three casualties. They don't have a medical plan. They nearly killed GSF troops as

Democrats will charge into January with a sweeping mandate — but as President Trump has repeatedly noted, his veto power can deliver a robust roadblock to his opponents' agenda. Why it matters: Democrats may be forced to compromise to get legislative priorities through. Trump will have to decide how frequently he'll use the power — and whether he'll strike down bills popular among Americans. State of play: Democrats have secured 54 seats in the upcoming Senate, per the AP's projections , and are leading in two tight races in Mississippi and Alaska that have yet to be called. In the House, they've won 254, per AP , with several race calls still to come. Neither majority will be large enough to cross the two-thirds threshold Democrats would need to override a presidential veto on their own. Friction point: Trump knows that — and has teased his plans to impede Democrats' progress by using the power liberally. On Tuesday night, as election results rolled in, Trump posted an image of a red MAGA-esque hat that read "VETO" in all caps. A similar hat was displayed on the Resolute Desk during a Thursday signing ceremony. Asked on Fox News how he'd work with a Democratic Congress, Trump pointed to the veto: "They're in control, but they're really not in control because they can send over, you know, 50 different great bills that they're all excited about and I send them back with a nice stamp, veto." White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement provided to Axios that Trump is "willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans." She added, "If Democrats choose to pursue radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people." Worth noting: Lawmakers secured enough support to override a Trump veto across party lines during his first term on the National Defense Authorization Act in 2021. Yes, but: While Trump could use veto threats to force lawmakers to negotiate or to halt legislation altogether, vetoing popul

Sustained not by public opinion but by billionaire media owners, British rightwing commentators will embrace a Maga successor, not moderation Hallelujahs and hosannas have been echoing around the democratic world over the last few weeks. The White House madman is a loser. Rejoice at Serbia, Hungary, Brazil and hold our breath for Israel. Take heart from our best historians’ encouragements. Margaret MacMillan wrote in the Observer : “And now we can hope these elections will bring an end to cruelty, naked greed, contempt for decency, and the relentless vulgarity that tries to pass for boldness and authenticity. What a difference an election can make.” Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Sport has long been regarded as great unifier but there is evidence that this era of hyper-partisanship may change that Over the weekend, President Trump floated his latest wild idea: that the man behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Power Slap, the ethically dubious “sport” where competitors take turns smacking each other with an open palm, could be his new White House press secretary. Trump’s post on Truth Social was about as subtle as a slap to the face. He Trump wanted the UFC chief executive, Dana White, whom he hailed as a “violent Fighter and Warrior”, to take the job . And for six of his fighters to join him “to defend us against the Lunatic Left”. But it also carried a certain logic. The UFC is Maga’s sport of choice. Why couldn’t it also be its praetorian guard? Continue reading...

Current and former House Democrats, flush with victory following their landslide midterm wins , are already looking at potential opportunities to run for Senate in 2028, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Democrats' 2026 romp — with wins in Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and possibly even Mississippi — has some party members reevaluating what were once considered impossible targets. A source close to Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) — who was reelected by 21 percentage points in a district former Vice President Harris carried by four points in 2024 — did not rule out her running against Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). "All options are on the table," the source said, adding that Davids' "focus right now is on delivering actual results and overcoming the chaos from these extreme policies we're seeing." Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) was defeated by Democrat Adam Hamilton last week, marking the first time in nearly a century a Democrat has been elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas. North Carolina: Rep. Don Davis is "taking a look at" a run against Republican Sen. Ted Budd, a source familiar with his thinking told Axios. Davis won a third term on Tuesday after defeating his GOP opponent in a district President Trump carried by 12 points in 2024. Republicans redrew the district with the express goal of ensuring Davis' loss. Former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who was elected Wake County district attorney on Tuesday, would consider a Senate run if state Attorney General Jeff Jackson doesn't, a source close to him told Axios. The two served together in the House. Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper won North Carolina's other U.S. Senate seat last week in a nearly 20-percentage-point landslide over Republican Michael Whatley. Pennsylvania: A huge field of Democrats is gearing up to potentially run for the seat held by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman. Fetterman, who has morphed from a populist firebrand to an arch-centrist, has angered much of the party by siding with Republicans on key votes. Rep

Donald Trump defended defense secretary Pete Hegseth, who is facing an impeachment resolution from Republican senator Thomas Massie, saying Hegseth 'won two wars'. The president, who said he had spoken to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, said he was 'amazed' by claims Huang conducted an affair with an alleged Chinese spy, and that the FBI was now looking into the issue Jensen Huang’s image has been shattered. Could he be pushed out at Nvidia? Republican Thomas Massie moves to force vote to impeach Pete Hegseth Continue reading...

A car jumped the curb outside the White House, ramming into a pedestrian area, while the president was at home. President Trump also spoke with reporters on Monday, and Nancy Cordes asked him about his immigration policy. She reports from Washington, D.C.

President, after talks with Qatari PM, suggests end to war coming ‘fairly soon’ and military escalation not needed Donald Trump has said that the war in Iran is “effectively over” as he played down concerns that the US would escalate its military campaign against Tehran after the midterm elections. During a White House press conference, Trump said that Israel and Gulf allies in the region were well protected from Iran and that an escalation was not needed. Continue reading...

Under a proposed federal rule, Americans seeking unemployment aid would have to conduct more job searches each week.

President Donald Trump said that he had spoken to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang earlier in the day Monday, after Nvidia revealed late Sunday that it had launched an investigation into his extramarital affair with an alleged Chinese spy.

President Trump said Monday that a renewed military campaign against Iran is "quite unlikely" and "doesn't seem to be necessary." Why it matters: Trump stopped short of saying the war was over, but his comments on Truth Social and at an impromptu press conference were the most forward-leaning in that direction since February. Trump made his comments less than a week after conceding that the war was one of the reasons for the Republican defeat in the midterm elections. This is a breaking new story. Check back for updates.

The Trump administration filed an emergency relief request with the high court earlier in October asking for the construction to continue while a lawsuit over the plan moves forward.

Days after saying he was “absolutely willing” to accept the massive Republican losses in the midterm elections, President Donald Trump suggested Monday on social media the Democratic victories weren’t “honest.”

Democrats in Congress are gearing up to challenge President Donald Trump's education policies, including the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department

The White House is "cautiously optimistic" as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resume in Abu Dhabi this week, U.S. officials said on Monday. Why it matters: The talks on Tuesday and Wednesday will be the first time the parties have met with U.S. mediators present since February, when they were suspended due to the war in Iran. White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have worked for weeks to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to restart negotiations. President Trump and his team hope Putin will be more willing to compromise after the U.S. lifted sanctions on Russian diesel sales and took other steps welcomed by Moscow. "The relations we have built with Putin will be instrumental in these negotiations," a U.S. official said. After the meetings in Abu Dhabi, Witkoff and Kushner may travel to Moscow and Kyiv to speak directly with Putin and Zelensky, a U.S. official said. Yes, but: The parties remain far apart, particularly over potential territorial concessions by Ukraine. Russia's escalating attacks on Ukrainian cities and Putin's refusal to agree to a ceasefire have cast doubt on prospects for meaningful progress. Behind the scenes: Over the last two weeks, Witkoff and Kushner had daily phone calls — sometimes multiple times a day — with Russian and Ukrainian officials to prepare for the upcoming talks, U.S. officials said. What they're saying: U.S. officials who briefed reporters on Monday struck a positive tone despite skepticism in Europe and Ukraine about Putin's willingness to end the war. "There is a shot to make significant progress towards a deal and to try and bridge the gaps," a U.S. official said. "Getting the parties back to the table wasn't easy to do and we see promising signs as mediators." The official added that Witkoff and Kushner want to use the talks to "crystallize" the decisions Putin and Zelensky will have to make. Driving the news: The talks in Abu Dhabi will focus on two tracks: A military working group led by the comm

The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to resume border wall construction in the Big Bend region of Texas for now

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday over his handling of the Iran war and other alleged misconduct. Why it matters: The coming vote could mark the first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary during the second Trump administration and signal what's to come when Democrats take control of Congress next year. What they're saying: Hegseth "will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law," Massie said Monday while reading the articles of impeachment on the House floor. "Secretary Hegseth knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation… thereby substituting unlawful executive action for the constitutional and statutory judgment of Congress." The other side: Hegseth dismissed the impeachment push as politically motivated "noise" Monday, telling reporters that he and his team aren't worried with the push. The Department of Defense didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. Catch up quick: Massie first introduced the articles of impeachment prior to the House going into recess so members could campaign. He reintroduced the resolution Monday, restarting a two-legislative-day clock for House leaders to act. Massie and other members of Congress accuse Hegseth of defying Congress by continuing the unpopular war in Iran despite legislative efforts to shut it down. Three of the eight articles accuse Hegseth of violating congressional war powers in Iran. The others allege misconduct involving civilian casualties, strikes on suspected drug boats, retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly, the capture of Nicolás Maduro and military operations in Yemen. Hegseth has reportedly been among the most ardent supporters of the war, telling Trump that the conflict would be easy to win. Eight months later, that doesn't appear to be true. Between the lines: Republican

Republicans are returning to work this week, facing the prospect of an especially lame lame-duck session after a bruising midterm election that set off a countdown clock on their control of Congress. Why it matters: Democrats have little incentive to help Republicans advance their agenda before January, while departing GOP lawmakers could complicate matters further by skipping votes or defying party leaders. As a result, most of the items on their to-do list could get kicked to the new Congress. That's aside from a few items House GOP leaders would rather avoid altogether: another Jeffrey Epstein bill and an impeachment vote . Lawmakers also have just over a month before another potential government funding lapse. Driving the news: Rep. Thomas Massie — who GOP voters kicked to the curb in favor of a more Trump-aligned Republican — is pushing another Epstein-related vote, an additional headache for the administration and GOP leaders. He also plans to try to force a vote this week on his impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Republicans lose their House and Senate majorities Jan. 3, ending their ability to set both chambers' legislative agendas. Reality check: Trump still wields the presidential veto power. Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist and former communications director for the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said Democrats may postpone some legislative fights until January, when they'll have more negotiating leverage. "I think there's some things that Democrats would be happy to kick down the road," he said. Yes, but: Congress still faces major legislative hurdles. Lawmakers need to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, potentially setting up a fight over the Iran war as some Republicans grow more willing to criticize the conflict. A bipartisan permitting bill could overhaul how energy and infrastructure projects are approved. Senate Republicans are also racing to confirm more Trump administration officials

The AI chip boss’s actions raise urgent questions about corporate influence, national security and the US president’s willingness to listen to intelligence warnings It could be the plot of a spy thriller. One of the most powerful figures in the AI revolution admitted to having an affair with a Chinese businesswomen said to have passed intelligence to Beijing. When Donald Trump was briefed about the Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang’s liaisons with Alice Huang, he took no action. Perhaps he thought only marriage vows had been broken. Or perhaps Mr Trump was willing to overlook the conduct of a friend who championed his unpopular datacentre expansion, whose company donated to his White House ballroom and who echoed his opposition to AI safeguards against expert advice. Nvidia became the cornerstone of AI by supplying brute computing power. As tech giants scrambled for the firm’s graphics processing units (GPUs), Mr Huang sold the picks and shovels for the AI gold rush – and amassed a $160bn fortune. When China joined the race for tech supremacy, Nvidia’s microchips became a national security issue. In October 2022, the US slapped export controls on GPU sales to China. Thirty months later, Nvidia was effectively banned from selling to Beijing. Mr Huang lobbied for looser controls. Such was his sway with Mr Trump that the White House scrapped Biden-era global AI chip restrictions and then permitted sales of Nvidia’s prized H200 processors to Chinese customers. Continue reading...

Donald Trump told the DOJ to investigate Elissa Slotkin. Her lawyer is lawyer warns Todd Blanche not to obey.

Democrats won seats on anti-datacentre tickets and Musk wasted nearly half a billion dollars. Big tech may be losing its grip, but it won’t go quietly Photos That Precede Unfortunate Events: a couple of months back, Donald Trump hosted some of the world’s most powerful tech executives at the White House for a “ Super Intelligence luncheon ”, which by coincidence is also how my mum described her tuna sandwiches in a forlorn attempt to get me to eat them. Sitting either side of the president were Elon Musk, making a rare offline appearance in daylight hours, and Jensen Huang, the Nvidia chief executive carving out a precious slot in what we now know was an extremely busy schedule. Over a delicious meal of microchips and rare-earth metals, the billionaires sketched out a utopian future of an AI industry unencumbered by regulation or safeguards, powered by their heroic strongman leader, a political genius effortlessly able to impose his will upon an entire nation. And perhaps it should have been apparent even at the time that these (mostly) men were putting their faith in a guy who had recently been defeated by pond algae . But as the drinks and the good times flowed, it was still possible to believe that the sun would never set on the thousand-year American superintelligence empire. Jonathan Liew is a Guardian columnist The Guardian’s year in review 2026 . On Tuesday 1 December 2026, join your favourite Guardian writers for an evening of candid conversations, witty remarks and surprises as we look back on the year-defining stories of 2026. With Zoe Williams, Lucy Mangan, Jonathan Liew, Heather Stewart, Pippa Crerar, John Crace and host, multi-award-winning comedian Suzi Ruffell. Book tickets here or at guardian.live Continue reading...

“Does anybody really believe that this ‘Election’ was honest,” President Trump asked about last week’s midterms on social media. He had initially said he was willing to accept the results.

Trump says Air Force pilots told him a round, non-aerodynamic object flew past an F-22 at three times its speed during a mysterious encounter.

The US president sees Europeans as the mirror image of his ‘woke’ domestic foes. They should brace for further betrayal this winter Europeans have greeted the blue wave that crashed down on Donald Trump and his Republican party with jubilation and relief . Jubilation, because Trump’s second presidential administration has been the most destructive in the history of the transatlantic relationship. His disdain for Europe and his evident delight in attacking its governments – in particular that of Ukraine – have been hard to swallow. Relief, because the midterm election results confirm that Europeans are not unique in being appalled by Trump’s actions: a large majority of Americans are too. I was in Washington immediately after the vote, and the mood was one of excitement and a newfound confidence. And like many Americans, in these results Europeans see hope that US democracy can be saved, American foreign policy moderated and the transatlantic partnership revived. Nathalie Tocci is a professor of practice at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Europe, and a senior fellow at Bocconi University’s Institute for European Policymaking Continue reading...

Tuesday was a victory for equity and inclusivity and a rejection of hate and fear. The biggest losers? Megadonors and Super Pacs Rather than regurgitate the particular wins and losses that occurred on Tuesday, I thought it more useful, at this point, to look at the big picture and identify the largest overall winners and losers for the country as a whole. Biggest winner: a diverse, equitable and inclusive America. It’s Donald Trump’s DEI nightmare. Georgia voters elected Keisha Lance Bottoms, the first Black female governor in the country. Texas chose Gina Hinojosa, the state’s first Latina governor and first Democratic governor in more than 30 years. California elected Xavier Becerra, the state’s first Latino governor. New Mexico chose Deb Haaland, the country’s first female Native American governor. Florida elected Byron Donalds, the first Black governor in Florida’s history (a Republican). Continue reading...