The bicameral legislature of the United States, shaping federal law.
Over 53 million taxpayers have claimed new deductions introduced by President Trump’s tax law, resulting in an average refund increase of 11.1%. Many workers report receiving thousands of dollars more, but confusion and delays have caused some to miss filing deadlines and increased scam risks. The IRS is also facing staffing challenges.
Congress has approved a short-term extension of a FISA surveillance authority, sending the temporary patch to President Donald Trump after negotiations stalled over warrant protections and unrelated provisions. Lawmakers have been holding marathon overnight sessions and face a fraught path to a longer-term renewal that Republicans and the Senate are disputing.
Since April 20, 2026, Donald Trump has posted increasingly erratic messages on Truth Social, including threats to destroy Iran and bizarre images depicting himself as Jesus. Experts suggest his behavior indicates a mental decline, prompting calls for the 25th Amendment. Tensions with Iran and internal political pressure are rising.
Recent reporting has shown the Iran war has significantly drained US missile and interceptor stockpiles, forcing the Pentagon to reallocate munitions from other regions and ask Congress for emergency funding. At the same time, militaries are increasing investment in low-cost drones, counter-drone systems and battlefield robots — including Ukrainian systems and US-funded autonomous drone programs.
ICE has completed a hiring surge, adding 12,000 officers to support Trump’s deportation efforts. Concerns are rising over the backgrounds of new hires, including financial issues and past misconduct, amid rapid recruitment and limited vetting.
Prediction markets like Polymarket are facing increased scrutiny after betting on sensitive events, including military rescues and international conflicts. Congress is considering bipartisan bills to regulate these platforms, citing concerns over insider trading, market integrity, and offshore operations. The White House has warned staff against using private information for trading.
The Pentagon has requested roughly $54 billion for a newly formed Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) in its 2027 budget, a more than hundredfold increase from about $226 million this year. The money would buy and test autonomous and remotely operated systems, expand drone logistics and counter-drone defenses, and accelerate AI-enabled strike and support platforms.
The King’s Washington state visit has been a focal point for strained UK–US ties. Reports show a mixed reception of President Trump’s comments and ongoing discussions on defence, trade, and Iran. The visit includes a private tea, an Oval Office meeting, a Capitol Hill address by Charles, and events commemorating 250 years since American independence.
New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean has missed over 50 votes since March 17 due to unspecified health issues. He has posted a social media message thanking supporters for their patience, but has not provided details or a timeline for his return. His absence raises concerns ahead of a competitive reelection race.
The number of missing or dead scientists has grown to at least 12, with FBI and congressional investigations underway. Experts caution against drawing connections amid online speculation, while lawmakers and officials review potential links and motives behind the cases.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in Washington for a four-day state visit that will mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The trip has included a private meeting with President Donald Trump, an address planned to Congress, a White House state dinner and stops in New York and Virginia; security has been reinforced after a shooting at a Washington gala.
The king has delivered a speech to both houses in Washington, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. He has acknowledged recent strains in UK-US relations, referencing shared history and values, and emphasizing the importance of trade, security, and mutual understanding. The trip proceeds after a security review following a shooting at a Washington dinner.
King Charles has completed a four-day state visit to the United States, delivering a speech to a joint meeting of Congress that has praised US–UK ties, urged "unyielding resolve" for Ukraine and pushed back on NATO and climate scepticism. He has held private talks and formal events with President Donald Trump and attended a White House state dinner.
A string of court decisions has kept Temporary Protected Status in play as the Supreme Court weighs termination actions for Haiti and Syria. Rulings have required due process reviews amid broader political battles over humanitarian protections.
Secret Service agents have shot a suspect near the Washington Monument on Monday afternoon after approaching a person who appeared to be carrying a firearm; the suspect fired at agents, who returned fire and wounded him. A juvenile bystander has been grazed and treated; the suspect has been hospitalized and no agents were injured.
House Republican leaders have pulled a scheduled vote on a Democratic war-powers resolution to compel President Trump to seek congressional authorization for the Iran campaign after defections and multiple absences made it clear they lacked the votes to block the measure. The Senate has recently advanced a similar resolution as some Republicans have joined Democrats.
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has won the Republican primary runoff, supported by President Trump, defeating incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton now advances to the general election to face Democrat James Talarico. The result signals continued Trump influence in the party ahead of November, while Cornyn has pledged to back the GOP ticket.
President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of his term, ending a months-long impasse that began after two civilians were killed during January immigration operations. Republicans passed the measure through budget reconciliation after Democrats demanded enforcement safeguards and blocked funding earlier this year.
Progressives win key primaries in New Jersey and California, led by Adam Hamawy in NJ-12 and Analilia Mejia in NJ-7, with other candidates advancing in California. The results reflect growing support for left-leaning, anti-war platforms and Palestine advocacy, while facing scrutiny over past ties to controversial figures. The broader national trend shows progressives expanding their influence in blue districts ahead of November.
A federal judge has ruled that only Congress can change the Kennedy Center’s name. The center must remove Trump references from official materials and signage by June 12, while renovations and potential future actions are paused. Ongoing disputes involve lawsuits and board actions tied to the President’s name and leadership at the venue.
The Section 702 surveillance law is set to lapse this week. President Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting DNI, triggering bipartisan concern and stalling renewal talks while lawmakers debate guardrails and timing. A Senate gridlock persists as Republicans and Democrats clash over the scope of surveillance and the president’s chosen interim leader.
A wave of local and state actions is shaping the data-center boom. New rules aim to curb power use, water consumption and cost pressures, while critics warn of overreach and uneven economic impacts.
A group of U.S. lawmakers has renewed calls for a formal congressional investigation into the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty, arguing that the official account as a routine mistake remains contested by survivors and some officials. The speech comes on the 59th anniversary.
Bill Gates has appeared for a closed-door transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee about his past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has said he never witnessed criminal conduct, denied visiting Epstein-owned properties and called meeting Epstein a "grave error in judgment." The committee is probing Justice Department handling and released files.
A funding measure for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has cleared the Senate, moving to the House and then to President Trump’s desk. The package secures funding for ICE and CBP through Trump’s term and builds on last year’s broader DHS windfall. Democrats warn of insufficient oversight amid ongoing enforcement clashes.
The expansion of AI data centers is meeting increasing resistance from communities, with regulators considering moratoriums and bans while tech giants defend efficiency gains and transparency. New disclosures show progress toward water-use goals, but concerns about environmental impact persist.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo has exonerated Lander after a one-day trial, concluding prosecutors failed to prove obstruction of an elevator during a September 2025 protest in lower Manhattan. Lander has challenged Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary.
Taiwan has launched a secure website for Chinese nationals to provide intelligence information, citing growing discontent amid China’s economic and political pressures. The move mirrors practices by the U.S., U.K., and Israel and follows a broader pattern of cross-strait distrust and security measures.
AP News reports a widening probe ties multiple Puerto Rico officials to alleged corruption and interference in a key agency, prompting resignations and fresh scrutiny from Congress while the island battles outages and recovery delays.
Multiple investigations into former Rep. Eric Swalwell have intensified as California’s 14th district special election watch tightens. Wahab leads with about 42% of ballots counted; Hernandez is second, with Singh in third. The FEC has demanded Swalwell return campaign funds after suspending his gubernatorial bid amid misconduct allegations. Runoff on August 18 remains possible.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to explain why scaffolding and a tarp remain on the Kennedy Center after workers removed President Trump’s name under a court order. The judge has demanded a status report by 31 July and has blocked the center’s planned two‑year closure while legal appeals proceed.
The UK government has announced plans to block children under 16 from major social media platforms and to restrict livestreaming and stranger contact on gaming services, following Australia’s model. Legislation is expected before Christmas with protections due to take effect in spring 2027; Ofcom will design "highly effective" age checks.
A Jackson County Circuit Court ruling largely sides with abortion rights advocates, finding many state abortion restrictions conflict with Missouri’s 2024 constitutional amendment that guarantees reproductive freedom. The decision allows Planned Parenthood to resume certain services and sets up further appeals and ballot debates.
Washington, D.C. faces a pivotal mayoral race as candidates push back against federal intrusions under President Trump. Janeese Lewis George leads Kenyan McDuffie in the Democratic primary, positioning herself to become the city’s first socialist mayor. The contest now centers on affordability, public safety, and the city’s autonomy from federal oversight, with ranked-choice voting in play for the first time.
AP and partner outlets reveal that DEA agents monitored but did not seize fentanyl shipments in New Mexico to build cases against traffickers. Whistleblower testimony has sparked investigations from the inspector general and state authorities, while New Mexico’s governor and attorney general demand accountability.
China has placed 10 US companies, including rare‑earth producers MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, on its export control list and has barred Chinese government procurement from 46 US firms. Beijing has said the moves respond to a recent Pentagon blacklist of Chinese companies and has ordered immediate suspension of Chinese-origin dual‑use exports to the named firms.
The US Supreme Court has rejected President Trump’s executive order that would have denied automatic citizenship to nearly all children born on US soil. In a 6-3 ruling written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court has affirmed that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to those born in the United States, while three justices dissented.
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental spending, primarily to replenish Pentagon munitions and operational costs tied to the Iran war, and to fund farm aid, Ebola response and domestic projects. OMB Director Russell Vought has urged Congress to act quickly; lawmakers in both parties are questioning whether to approve tens of billions more for the conflict.
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed former Apollo CEO Leon Black to produce nondisclosure agreements and to return for a sworn deposition on July 16 after he declined to answer questions about NDAs during a closed-door interview. Committee chair James Comer says the NDAs may connect Black to Jeffrey Epstein; Black denies wrongdoing.
Alibaba has filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the DoD’s 1260H designation labeling it a Chinese military-society link is baseless. The suit seeks removal from the list and challenges the process as unfair. Several other Chinese firms face similar actions as the government moves to tighten tech controls amid U.S.-China tensions.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Land Command, is relinquishing his post on July 2 as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s drive to trim senior ranks. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will oversee duties in the interim. Donahue’s departure follows praise for his Afghanistan evacuation leadership and comes as the Army weighs downgrading Europe/Africa from four-star to three-star command.
Federal judges in multiple courts have halted President Trump’s efforts to tighten mail‑in voting. A D.C. judge has sided with the NAACP to block a USPS rule that would return ballots unless states hand over voter lists; a Massachusetts judge has barred key parts of an executive order that would force federal citizen lists and limit post‑Election Day ballot delivery.
Turkish President Erdogan has urged the EU and NATO to integrate Turkey into Europe’s defence and security programs, citing Turkey’s role in European security. The push comes as the EU weighs the SAFE initiative and Greece signals possible veto ahead of a July NATO summit in Istanbul.
The New York Times, Bloomberg and the New York Post report on Dutch PM Mark Rutte briefing President Trump with charts titled “The Trump Trillion” and “The Trump 47 Effect,” highlighting increased NATO defense spending since 2017 and Trump’s Iran stance. Rutte’s attempt to align European allies with Trump’s Iran policy is met with resistance; Trump cites mixed European support and ongoing concerns.
The Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 that federal pesticide law bars state failure-to-warn lawsuits over Roundup, overturning a $1.25m jury verdict and imperilling thousands of similar claims against Bayer. The decision follows the EPAs position that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer and clears the way for dismissal of many pending suits.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, with broader implications for about 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. The ruling signals potential deportations and reshapes humanitarian protections in the United States.
A federal judge blocks the Trump administration's rule redefining qualifying employers for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, while another judge rules the rule is contrary to law. The ruling preserves PSLF benefits for workers in government and nonprofits and prompts Education Department review. The litigation spans multiple states and advocacy groups.
A Catholic nun detained by ICE near McAllen, Texas, has been released after intervention by South Texas lawmakers. The incident occurred as part of a broader immigration crackdown at sensitive sites, prompting faith leaders to adjust attendance and support for affected parishioners.
Buffett has postponed his annual Berkshire Hathaway stock donation to the Gates Foundation while awaiting the outcomes of an external review into past ties between the foundation and Jeffrey Epstein. The Gates Foundation has engaged WilmerHale for the probe, and findings are expected this summer; Buffett’s decision may align with the review’s results and the broader scrutiny surrounding Bill Gates.
California has expanded the Hollywood tax credit but a new cap has cast doubt on the program’s reach, risking job losses in film and TV production. Lawmakers and studios are calling for a fix as the state faces ongoing budget negotiations and questions over funding for Prop. 36 and other priorities.