Stories

Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

Apr 15, 2026

Fight Over Clean FISA Section 702 Reauthorization

A conservative revolt in the House derailed President Trump's push for a clean 18-month reauthorization of FISA Section 702, the warrantless surveillance authority set to expire April 20. After Speaker Mike Johnson pulled the procedural rule vote on April 15 when it became clear he couldn't hold his caucus, leadership tried again on April 16 — but roughly 20 Republicans joined Democrats in tanking both a 5-year and the 18-month extension. In a chaotic late-night session, the House passed a 10-day stopgap extension through April 30 via voice vote at 2 AM on April 17. Rebels demanded warrant protections for Americans' communications and attachment of the SAVE America Act. Trump called FISA 702 vital for "SUCCESS on the battlefield," while civil-liberties critics from both parties — Raskin, Davidson, Wyden, Massie, Boebert, Luna — argued the administration had dismantled oversight safeguards. The fight resumes before April 30.

House Passes $70 Billion ICE and Border Patrol Funding Bill 214-212, Sending It to Trump's Desk

The House narrowly passed the Secure America Act (S.2) 214-212 on June 9, 2026, sending the $70 billion immigration enforcement package to Trump's desk. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who caucuses with Republicans, was the only non-Democrat to vote against it, citing concerns about bypassing the bipartisan appropriations process. The bill funds ICE ($38.6B) and CBP ($26B) through fiscal year 2029, locking in immigration enforcement funding through the remainder of the Trump term. The Senate had passed the bill 52-47 on June 5.

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee as Unlawful Tax

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston struck down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee on June 8, 2026, ruling it an unlawful tax that only Congress has the power to impose. The fee — announced in September 2025 and raising costs from roughly $2,000–$5,000 to $100,000 per application — was challenged by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. The ruling drew bipartisan praise from lawmakers citing impacts on healthcare and education staffing; the White House vowed to appeal.

Trump Claims California Primary Is Being "Stolen"; AG Bonta Calls Claims "Unhinged"

Following California's June 3, 2026 primary elections, President Trump repeatedly posted on Truth Social claiming Democrats were "stealing" the vote as mail ballots continued to be counted — a normal process in a high-mail-vote state. The US Attorney's office in California opened "multiple" election fraud investigations at Trump's urging with no specific evidence provided. California AG Rob Bonta called Trump's claims "truly embarrassing, unhinged, wild-eyed, dangerous, reckless, desperate," and Gov. Newsom's press office mocked the president. Analysts warned the episode previewed midterm election denial tactics.

Iran and Israel Trade Missiles for First Time Since April Ceasefire; Trump Claims "Total Victory" Near

Iran fired approximately 30 ballistic missiles at Israel on June 7–8, 2026 — the first such attack since an April 8 ceasefire — after Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon. Israel retaliated with strikes on central and western Iran before both sides announced a halt to hostilities on Day 100–101 of the Iran war. Trump publicly called for an "immediate ceasefire" while privately warning Netanyahu he might be "left alone," and declared "total victory" would come within two weeks. JD Vance acknowledged that US and Israeli interests had "diverged" in the conflict, and Trump told the Financial Times "I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn't call the shots."

Senate Passes $70 Billion ICE and Border Patrol Funding Bill 52-47

The Senate voted 52-47 early on June 5, 2026 to pass a $70 billion immigration enforcement package funding ICE ($38.6B) and Customs and Border Protection ($26B) through the end of the Trump administration. The bill also includes a $5 billion DHS enforcement allocation and a $1.776 billion DOJ "anti-weaponization" settlement fund that had sparked weeks of internal Republican backlash. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote against the bill, which all Democrats opposed. The final vote came just before 5 a.m. after a 19-hour session that saw Republicans defeat multiple Democratic and GOP amendments to eliminate the settlement fund. The bill now heads to the House, where Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated he wants quick passage.

Trump Nominates Acting AG Todd Blanche for Permanent Attorney General

President Trump announced on June 3-4, 2026 his intent to permanently nominate Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Blanche, Trump's former personal criminal defense attorney, has been serving as acting AG since Pam Bondi was fired in April. His tenure as acting AG has been marked by controversy: pursuing indictments against Trump critics, rolling back gun control enforcement, and most recently announcing the DOJ would not move forward with the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund — the same day Trump said he'd "have to ask the lawyers" about its status. Critics say Blanche continues to act as Trump's personal lawyer rather than the nation's chief law enforcement officer, and his Senate confirmation battle is expected to be contentious.

Iran Fires Missiles and Drones at US Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain Despite Nominal Ceasefire

Iran launched seven ballistic missiles and multiple one-way attack drones at US military installations in Kuwait (Ali Al Salem Air Base) and Bahrain (5th Fleet headquarters) on June 2–3, 2026. All missiles were intercepted or missed their targets; no US personnel were killed. Iran said the strikes were retaliation after the US disabled an oil tanker heading to an Iranian port and struck a communications tower on Qeshm Island. US Central Command conducted "self-defense strikes" on Iranian radar and ground control sites. Kuwait International Airport was also struck, killing one Indian national and injuring 63, with significant damage to a passenger terminal. The attacks occurred while a nominal ceasefire from April remained nominally in effect, with Secretary of State Rubio insisting Operation Epic Fury was "over" even as exchanges of fire continued. The escalation accelerated congressional war-powers pressure; the House passed a war powers resolution 215–208 days later.

House Passes Iran War Powers Resolution 215-208, First Successful Vote Since War Began

The House passed a war powers resolution on June 3, 2026, directing President Trump to end military hostilities with Iran — the first time such a measure has cleared either chamber since the conflict began more than three months earlier. The 215-208 vote saw four Republicans cross party lines: Reps. Thomas Massie (KY), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Tom Barrett (MI), and Warren Davidson (OH). Every Democrat voted in favor, including Rep. Jared Golden (ME) who had opposed three previous attempts. The resolution is largely symbolic — Senate passage is unlikely and Trump would almost certainly veto it — but it represents a significant bipartisan rebuke of the administration's handling of the war.

Supreme Court Allows Alabama to Use GOP-Drawn Map That Eliminates Majority-Black District

In a 6-3 ruling on June 3, 2026, the Supreme Court reversed a lower-court block and cleared Alabama to use its 2023 Republican-drawn congressional map for the 2026 midterms — a map three Republican-appointed judges had previously found to be the product of intentional racial discrimination. The ruling effectively eliminates the majority-Black 2nd congressional district won by Democrat Shomari Figures in 2024, giving Republicans an opportunity to reclaim the seat. Justice Sotomayor dissented sharply, writing that the majority "debases the democratic process." The decision has already been seen as an extension of the Court's 2023 Allen v. Milligan ruling's erosion and a signal to other states engaged in racial gerrymandering fights.

Trump Strips Civil Service Protections from 8,000 Senior Federal Workers

President Trump signed an executive order on June 3, 2026 reclassifying approximately 8,000 senior federal workers — nearly all at the GS-15 pay grade — into a new "Schedule Policy/Career" category that makes them at-will employees who can be fired without cause. The affected positions include policy directors, chiefs of staff, senior advisers, public affairs officials, and grant managers. The administration framed the move as accountability reform; critics called it a politically motivated purge designed to replace qualified career officials with loyalists. The order is already subject to legal challenges, and Democrats introduced the Saving the Civil Service Act to block the reclassification.

DOJ Creates $1.7B "Anti-Weaponization Fund"; Trump Drops IRS Lawsuit

The Trump administration's Justice Department announced the creation of a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" on May 18, 2026, as part of a deal in which President Trump agreed to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns. The fund — formally called the "Truth and Justice Commission" — draws from the Treasury's permanent Judgment Fund and requires no new Congressional approval. It would compensate anyone claiming they were targeted by Biden-era "weaponization," including roughly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack.

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