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Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

May 18, 2026· Updated

Moody's Strips U.S. of Last AAA Credit Rating

On May 16, 2026, Moody's downgraded the U.S. government's long-term credit rating from Aaa to Aa1, becoming the last of the three major credit agencies to strip the U.S. of its top-tier rating (following S&P in 2011 and Fitch in 2023). Moody's cited over a decade of growing federal deficits, rising debt-to-GDP projections reaching 134% by 2035, and repeated failures by successive administrations and Congress to address the fiscal trajectory. The downgrade came as Congress debated the "One Big Beautiful Bill" reconciliation package, sending the 30-year Treasury yield surging past 5%.

“I think that Moody's is a lagging indicator. I think that's what everyone thinks of credit agencies. And just like Sean Duffy said with our air traffic control system, we didn't get here in the past 100 days. It's the Biden administration and the spending that we have seen over the past four years. If we go back to your initial question on the Moody's downgrade, who cares? Qatar doesn't. Saudi doesn't. UAE doesn't.”
Scott Bessent (R-SC) · May 18, 2026

House Discharge Petition Forces Ukraine Aid Vote, Bypassing Speaker Johnson

A discharge petition introduced by Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY) reached the required 218 signatures on May 13, 2026, forcing a House floor vote on the Ukraine Support Act (H.R. 2913) — bypassing Speaker Mike Johnson, who had blocked the legislation. The bill would authorize $1.3 billion in military aid and other assistance to Ukraine, up to $8 billion in loans, and impose new sanctions on Russia. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) provided the decisive 218th signature. All 215 House Democrats signed, joined by Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) and Don Bacon (NE). The vote is expected to be scheduled for early June. Even if the bill passes the House, it faces significant headwinds in the Republican-controlled Senate and from the White House. The development marks the sixth successful discharge petition of the 119th Congress — an extraordinary number for a maneuver that had succeeded only a handful of times in the previous quarter-century.

“Recent Ukrainian gains have created an opportunity for peace, but the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed. Congress can act now, in a bipartisan way, to strengthen that leverage and advance a durable peace that protects the interests of the United States and our allies. We must also send a strong message that Russian support for Iran's targeting of U.S. military assets will not be tolerated.”
Kevin Kiley (R-CA) · May 13, 2026

Senate Confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair in Closest Vote in Modern Era

The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as Chairman of the Federal Reserve on May 13, 2026, in a 54-45 vote — the narrowest margin for a Fed chair in the modern era of Senate confirmations (since 1977). Warsh replaces Jerome Powell, whose term expires May 15. The confirmation came in two steps: the Senate first confirmed Warsh as a Fed Board Governor (51-45) on May 12, then as Chairman (54-45) on May 13. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to cross the aisle in both votes; Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) voted yes on the governor confirmation but not the chair vote. President Trump has repeatedly pressured the Fed to lower interest rates and once declared that "anybody that disagrees with me will never be the Fed Chairman." Democrats warned the confirmation would give Trump effective control over the central bank. Warsh pledged at his April 2026 hearing to be "an independent actor" and said the president never asked him to commit to any specific rate decision.

“The Senate should not be aiding and abetting Donald Trump's illegal takeover of the Fed by installing his chosen sock puppet as chair. At this unprecedented moment in the Fed's history, he is uniquely unqualified to lead the agency.”
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) · May 13, 2026

Trump Forces Out FDA Commissioner Marty Makary After 13 Months

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary resigned on May 12, 2026 after President Trump signed off on his ouster — ending a turbulent 13-month tenure marked by conflicts with the White House, anti-abortion groups, and the vaping industry. Makary was caught in crossfire from multiple directions: Trump was furious that Makary tried to block FDA approval of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, citing their appeal to children. Anti-abortion groups including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America demanded his removal for slow-walking a safety review of the abortion pill mifepristone. Pharmaceutical industry allies were also critical of his leadership style. Trump praised Makary as a "wonderful man" who would "lead a good life." Kyle Diamantas, the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Food, was named acting FDA chief pending a permanent replacement requiring Senate confirmation. Democrats praised Makary as someone who resisted White House pressure on vaping, while several Republican senators — unhappy about the mifepristone delay — welcomed his departure and called for a more explicitly pro-life successor.

“Dr. Makary was part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues. I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well.”
Bill Cassidy (R-LA) · May 12, 2026

Trump and Xi Hold High-Stakes Beijing Summit; China Warns Over Taiwan

President Trump traveled to Beijing on May 13-14, 2026 for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping — the first U.S. presidential state visit to China in years. Xi placed Taiwan at the center of talks, calling it "the most important issue" and warning that if it is "mishandled," the two countries "will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy." The two leaders agreed on a framework for "constructive strategic stability," that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, and that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. Trade, tariffs, AI, and rare earths were also on the agenda. A major pre-summit flashpoint: Trump had not formally notified Congress of a $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan that Congress pre-approved in January 2025. A bipartisan group of eight senators — led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) — sent Trump a letter urging him to proceed with the sale. A second bipartisan letter, led by Sens. Bennet (D-CO) and Curtis (R-UT), urged Secretary Rubio to reaffirm U.S. commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act.

“The way you respond to a China flex is with a flex. China needs to stop being a personal trainer for our adversaries.”
Thom Tillis (R-NC) · May 11, 2026

Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down Voter-Approved Redistricting Amendment

On May 8, 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court voted 4-3 to strike down a voter-approved constitutional amendment that would have redrawn Virginia's congressional map to give Democrats an advantage in 10 of the state's 11 seats. The court ruled that Democratic lawmakers violated procedural requirements by holding the first vote on October 31, 2025, after early voting had already begun — with roughly 40% of ballots already cast — depriving over 1.3 million Virginians of the opportunity to weigh the issue when choosing their representatives. The ruling leaves the existing 6-5 Democratic congressional map in place for the 2026 midterm elections. Virginia Democrats immediately appealed to the US Supreme Court, asking the high court to reinstate the congressional map.

“Virginia Democrats' corrupt scheme to rig the map has been crushed in court, restoring fairness and protecting the future of the Commonwealth. The NRCC was proud to lead and fund this fight to uphold the Virginia Constitution and protect fair representation, and this win is yet another sign Republicans have the momentum heading into November. We're on offense, and we're going to win.”
Richard Hudson (R-NC) · May 8, 2026

Tennessee Republicans Unveil Map to Eliminate Lone Democratic Seat

On May 6-7, 2026, Tennessee Republicans introduced, passed, and sent to Gov. Bill Lee a congressional map that splits the Black-majority 9th District — held since 2007 by Democrat Steve Cohen of Memphis — across three Republican-leaning districts, giving Republicans a potential 9-0 sweep. The House passed the map 64-25 and the Senate 25-5, largely along party lines. Lee signed a repeal of the state's 50-year-old prohibition on mid-decade redistricting less than an hour after it cleared the chamber, paving the way for the map to take effect. The effort was called explicitly by Trump and follows the Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that dramatically weakened the Voting Rights Act and cleared states to draw maps on partisan grounds.

“Tennessee is a conservative state, and I submit its congressional delegation should reflect that. By passing this map, Tennessee is doing its part to advance common-sense leadership in Washington.”
John Stevens (R-TN) · May 7, 2026

Commerce Secretary Lutnick Testifies Before House Oversight on Epstein Ties

On May 6, 2026, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — the highest-ranking Trump cabinet member named in the Epstein files outside the president himself — appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a closed-door, four-plus-hour transcribed interview about his evolving account of his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick appeared voluntarily and admitted to a 2012 family lunch on Epstein's private island, contradicting his earlier claim that he had cut ties in 2005. Democrats called him a liar and demanded his resignation; GOP Chairman Comer said Lutnick was "very transparent" but also conceded he "wasn't 100% truthful."

“Of these millions and millions of documents, there may be 10 emails connecting me with him… over a 14 year period. I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person.”
Howard Lutnick (R-NY) · May 6, 2026

Trump Ousts Five Indiana Republicans Who Blocked Redistricting Push

In Indiana's May 6, 2026 state Senate primaries, Trump-backed challengers defeated five incumbent Republican state senators who had voted against Trump's redistricting push last year. The redistricting bill had failed 31-19 in the Indiana Senate, with 21 Republicans joining Democrats to reject it. Trump vowed in November to primary any Republican who voted against the measure, and groups allied with him spent over $12 million across the seven contested races. The victories — including the defeat of 30-year veteran Travis Holdman, the chamber's third-most powerful Republican — cemented Trump's grip over the GOP and sent a stark warning to any Republican who crosses him on redistricting or other issues ahead of 2026 midterms.

“There are eight Great Patriots running against long seated RINOS — Let's see how those RINOS do tonight!”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · May 6, 2026

Trump Brokers 3-Day Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Ahead of Victory Day

On May 8–9, 2026, President Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a 3-day ceasefire (May 9–11), coinciding with Russia's Victory Day commemorations, along with a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. Trump called it potentially "the beginning of the end" of the four-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The ceasefire largely failed to hold — both sides accused the other of violations, with Russia's Defense Ministry claiming over 23,000 Ukrainian violations and Ukraine reporting Russian drone and artillery strikes on civilian areas of Kharkiv and Kherson that killed at least two people on May 11. The Congressional Ukraine Caucus — co-chaired by Reps. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Quigley (D-IL), Kaptur (D-OH), and Wilson (R-SC) — had backed Ukraine's ceasefire proposal in the days before the announcement, calling on Russia to demonstrate good faith.

“In a joint statement, the Congressional Ukraine Caucus co-chairs said: 'Ukraine has extended an olive branch: an immediate, temporary ceasefire grounded in the protection of human life and the pursuit of a just peace. In the face of Russia's continued aggression, this proposal reflects the moral clarity of a free people: willing to seek peace, unwilling to surrender sovereignty, and determined to defend the dignity of their nation. We stand united—Democrats and Republicans—in support of Ukraine's sovereignty, in defense of international law, and in recognition of the immense sacrifices already made by the Ukrainian people.'”
Joe Wilson (R-SC) · May 5, 2026

Ohio and Indiana May Primaries Test Trump's Midterm Influence

On May 5, 2026, Ohio and Indiana held primary elections that served as early tests of both Trump's hold on the Republican Party and Democratic enthusiasm heading into the 2026 midterms. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy — the former biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate — won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face Democratic nominee Amy Acton, the former state health director who gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the marquee US Senate primary, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown secured his party's nomination to challenge Republican Senator Jon Husted in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle. Pre-election data showed Democratic primary turnout outpacing Republican turnout by roughly 11%, a potential indicator of elevated Democratic enthusiasm. In Indiana, Trump invested heavily in ousting state Senate Republicans who had voted against his redistricting agenda, and at least five of seven Trump-backed challengers defeated incumbent GOP state senators — a striking demonstration of Trump's continued primary-election dominance within the party. $13.4 million was spent on Indiana state Senate primary advertising, up from $280,000 in 2024.

“The Republican Party is united heading into the fall. We have a strong record to run on and Ohioans know that the policies coming out of Washington are working — on border security, on the economy, on keeping America safe.”
Jon Husted (R-OH) · May 5, 2026

Iran Attacks UAE Amid Ceasefire as Rubio Declares Operation Epic Fury Over

On May 4-5, 2026, Iran launched missiles and drones at the UAE's Fujairah oil port — the first Iranian attack on a US Gulf ally since the April 7 ceasefire — while the US Navy sank seven small Iranian military boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes injured three Indian nationals and sparked international condemnation. Despite the attacks, the Trump administration insisted the ceasefire remained intact. Defense Secretary Hegseth said the ceasefire was "not over," and Trump warned Iran it would be "blown off the face of the earth" if it targeted US ships escorting commercial vessels through the strait under Operation Project Freedom. On May 5, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Operation Epic Fury — the 66-day US-Israel offensive bombing campaign against Iran — had officially concluded. The US was now operating in a defensive posture only. Rubio acknowledged that Project Freedom, the effort to escort commercial ships through the strait, would not "solve the whole straits problem": only two ships had successfully transited under US protection since the operation began, compared to roughly 130 per day before the war. Trump separately paused Project Freedom, citing progress toward a deal.

“The ceasefire is not over. Iran's attacks on shipping and the UAE are completely illegal, completely illegitimate and completely unacceptable — but they do not constitute a termination of the ceasefire between US forces and Iran.”
Pete Hegseth (R-MN) · May 5, 2026

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