Stories

Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

May 5, 2026· Updated

Trump Administration Claims Iran War "Terminated" to Dodge 60-Day War Powers Deadline

On May 1, 2026, the Trump administration declared that the Iran war has been "terminated" for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution — a legal maneuver designed to avoid the law's requirement that Congress authorize military action within 60 days of its start. A senior administration official stated that "the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated," pointing to the US-Iran ceasefire agreed on April 7 and its subsequent extensions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the ceasefire effectively paused or stopped the 60-day clock entirely. Trump separately sent a letter to congressional leaders formalizing the declaration and called the War Powers Act itself "totally unconstitutional." On May 5, Secretary of State Rubio formally declared Operation Epic Fury — the offensive bombing campaign — concluded, with the US transitioning to the defensive Project Freedom mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Critics and legal experts continued to reject the administration's interpretation. Democrats noted that Senate Republicans had blocked a war powers resolution for the sixth time, while moderate Republicans including Susan Collins and Rand Paul broke with leadership to demand congressional authorization. Congress then left town for a week recess without taking action.

“Operation Epic Fury, as the president notified Congress, we're done with that stage of it. We achieved the objectives of that operation. Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb — that issue has to be addressed in the negotiations.”
Marco Rubio (R-FL) · May 5, 2026

Trump Signs Bill Ending Record 76-Day DHS Shutdown

On April 30, 2026, President Trump signed a bipartisan bill funding most of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest agency shutdown in US history at 76 days. The partial shutdown had begun February 14 after Congress failed to pass DHS appropriations, leaving agencies including the TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA without routine funding. The bill funds most DHS operations but notably excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, whose funding remains unresolved. Democrats had blocked immigration enforcement funding in an effort to secure reforms including body-worn cameras for federal agents and restrictions on face coverings by law enforcement. Immigration funding is expected to be addressed separately through the $70 billion budget reconciliation process, with Trump demanding final passage by June 1. The Senate had passed the same bill unanimously five weeks earlier, but the House had delayed. Speaker Johnson credited "patience and prayer" for getting members to the finish line. Democrats countered that the prolonged shutdown was manufactured and unnecessary.

“Sometimes when you have a small margin as we do, people have different ideas, different priorities about very contentious pieces of legislation, but we got it done because ultimately we just used patience and frankly prayer. Democrats got absolutely nothing for their political charade and shenanigans.”
Mike Johnson (R-LA) · Apr 30, 2026

Apr 30, 2026· Updated

Hegseth Grilled by Congress on Iran War Costs; Pentagon Reveals $25 Billion Price Tag

On April 29-30, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced congressional testimony for the first time since the US went to war with Iran in late February. The hearings — first before the House Armed Services Committee, then before the Senate Armed Services Committee — were contentious, with Democrats attacking the war's legality, strategy, and cost. The Pentagon disclosed for the first time that the Iran war has cost approximately $25 billion to date. Democrats argued the figure dramatically understates the true cost, which they said includes surging oil prices, increased consumer goods prices, and long-term strategic damage. Hegseth defended the operation as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and attacked critics as defeatist. The hearings came on the same day the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline arrived, with the Trump administration separately claiming the ceasefire had "terminated" hostilities and thus the legal clock. Several Republican senators said they still expect a war authorization vote, while Democrats called for an immediate end to the conflict.

“$25 billion is probably less than half, maybe less than a quarter of the total cost of this war. And there's no pause button in the Constitution or the War Powers Act.”
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) · Apr 30, 2026

Fired AG Bondi Agrees to House Oversight Interview on Epstein Files

On April 29, 2026, the House Oversight Committee announced that former Attorney General Pam Bondi has agreed to sit for a transcribed interview on May 29 as part of the committee's investigation into the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The agreement comes after months of conflict: Bondi had been subpoenaed for a deposition, skipped the scheduled appearance, and Democrats had introduced a contempt resolution. The format changed from a sworn deposition to a transcribed interview — meaning Bondi will not be under oath, but will be reminded at the start that making false statements to Congress is subject to criminal prosecution. Bondi was fired as Attorney General in early April 2026 amid criticism that she had over-redacted and withheld Epstein-related documents required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Democratic and Republican lawmakers had pushed for her testimony even after her ouster. House Republicans scheduled the May 29 date without initially informing Democratic members of the committee, drawing complaints from Democrats.

“Bondi's removal as Attorney General doesn't erase her obligation to testify and does not end Congressional oversight.”
Nancy Mace (R-SC) · Apr 29, 2026

King Charles III Addresses Joint Session of Congress, Urges Ukraine Support and NATO Unity

On April 28, 2026, King Charles III became only the second British monarch in history to address a joint session of the United States Congress, receiving 12 standing ovations. The address, delivered during a state visit timed to the 250th anniversary of American independence, was widely read as a pointed but diplomatically careful message to the Trump administration on several of its most contentious policy departures. The King called for "unyielding resolve" in support of Ukraine and urged Congress to stand firm with NATO allies, drawing a bipartisan standing ovation — notable given deep Republican divisions over continued military aid to Kyiv. He praised diversity and interfaith cooperation, highlighted the importance of checks on executive power, and invoked the shared history of the US-UK alliance through two world wars. He also referenced the WHCD shooting from three days prior, saying acts of political violence "will never succeed." While careful not to name Trump or any policy directly, analysts noted that Charles's emphasis on alliance commitments, Ukraine, and democratic norms carried unmistakable relevance to current US political debates. Trump called the speech "fantastic."

“King Charles gave a fantastic speech. He loves our country and I love him. It was a great honor to have him here.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Apr 28, 2026

Rep. Tony Gonzales Resigns Amid Affair and Ethics Probe

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced his resignation from Congress on April 13, 2026, hours before a bipartisan expulsion vote was expected. The House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation on March 5 into an affair Gonzales had with a staff member who later died by suicide after setting herself on fire. Gonzales initially denied the affair for months before admitting to it on a podcast, stating both he and the staffer had been married at the time. His resignation came the same day as Rep. Eric Swalwell's (D-CA), as Congress confronted dual sexual misconduct scandals across party lines.

“I support expelling both Gonzales and Swalwell. This is not a partisan issue. When members of Congress abuse their power over the people who work for them, they must face consequences regardless of party. We cannot have different standards for different parties.”
Nancy Mace (R-SC) · Apr 13, 2026

2026 DHS Government Shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown on February 14, 2026 after Congress failed to agree on DHS funding, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE and CBP operations following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. The shutdown — the longest in US history — left over 100,000 DHS employees working without pay, caused TSA staffing crises, and triggered competing House and Senate funding bills.

“I will soon sign an order to pay ALL of the incredible employees at the Department of Homeland Security. Help is on the way for our Brave and Patriotic Public Servants who have continued to work hard, and do their part to protect and defend our Country.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Apr 2, 2026

Government Shutdown Showdown Over Immigration

With six appropriations bills unfunded and a January 30 deadline looming, Senate Democrats are blocking the $1.2 trillion spending package unless restrictions are placed on ICE enforcement operations. The standoff follows the longest shutdown in US history (43 days) that ended in November 2025 and centers on immigration policy disagreements amplified by the Minneapolis killings.

“We saw what happened in the last government shutdown in regards to how it hurt real, hardworking Americans”
Katie Britt (R-AL) · Feb 2, 2026

House Votes to Hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in Contempt

The House Oversight Committee voted on January 21, 2026 to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in criminal contempt of Congress after they defied subpoenas issued as part of the committee's investigation into the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The subpoenas had been approved unanimously and issued more than five months earlier. The vote on the former president was 34-8 with two members voting present, and a number of Democrats joined Republicans in support — a bipartisan margin Chairman James Comer (R-KY) singled out afterward. The matter was referred to the full House. The standoff ended without prosecution: both Clintons subsequently agreed to sit for transcribed, filmed depositions, with Hillary Clinton scheduled for February 26, 2026 and Bill Clinton for February 27, 2026.

“I'm very happy that we had a bipartisan vote today to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress, and this shows that no one's above the law.”
James Comer (R-KY) · Jan 21, 2026

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