The bicameral legislature of the United States
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Lonnie G. Bunch III will leave the Smithsonian Institution by year’s end. The departure follows a White House report criticizing Smithsonian leadership and a broader push from the Trump administration to realign how American history is presented in national museums. The move comes as the institution faces renewed calls for changes to exhibits and leadership amid partisan pressure.
Former president Barack Obama has urged House Democrats to build a public framework for AI safety and economic impacts after researchers warned of existential risks. Top AI executives including Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman have pledged steps to slow frontier work, while lawmakers remain split over emergency action ahead of midterm campaigning.
Representative Thomas Massie has filed privileged articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House to consider the measure within two legislative days. Speaker Mike Johnson has moved to end the pre-election session early, delaying any vote past the midterms and complicating Massies parallel effort to force release of Epstein-related files.
The Kennedy Center has closed its main building for renovations as a fight over renaming the center to include President Trump continues. Courts have blocked the Trump-aligned board from adding Trump’s name, while the center faces bankruptcy concerns and potential shutdown amid ongoing legal battles.
The House has found Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The full House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent after the Oversight Committee voted 41–0 to recommend the action. The matter has been referred to the Justice Department for possible criminal review.
The Trump administration has notified Congress of a proposed $2.8bn arms package to Israel that includes 40,000 2,000‑pound bombs. Rep. Gregory Meeks has said he will not clear the transfer, citing "grave, unresolved concerns" about use in densely populated Gaza and Lebanon, but the administration can bypass Congress by declaring an emergency.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a state visit and a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss extending a trade truce, AI safety and the fate of Americans detained in China. Preparatory talks have produced limited deliverables; officials are expecting targeted, incremental agreements rather than a broad breakthrough.
The Oversight Committee has moved to refer the Epstein-related contempt against a private-equity chief to the Justice Department. Black has refused to hand over nondisclosure agreements or appear for deposition. The committee’s action comes amid bipartisan support and follows an earlier voluntary interview; a deposition was delayed but ultimately not attended.
The State Department has notified Congress about a proposed sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, part of a broader package that could include engines and support. The deal aims to strengthen Saudi defense capabilities and interoperability with US forces, while lawmakers warn it could expose sensitive technology to China and disrupt regional balance.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has cleared both houses, expanding sanctions on Russia and Iran and allowing tariffs of up to 100% on the top buyers of Russian energy. The bill carries broad support and highlights tensions with China and India, while drawing scrutiny over potential domestic costs.
Laws passed in California and the US Congress have strengthened claims to artwork looted during the Holocaust. Two lawsuits have been filed in Los Angeles—one against the Norton Simon Museum for Cranach’s Adam and Eve, and another on behalf of the late Dinah Gottliebova Babbitt’s heirs for watercolors from Auschwitz—arguing for restitution.
Multiple outlets have been barred from White House access as President Trump argues the coverage is biased. News organizations vow to challenge the bans in court, asserting a constitutional right to report. The White House has referred to Trump’s Friday comments announcing the bans.
The president has updated the plan for a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery to serve as a military complex, housing drones and snipers. The move is framed as national security, with critics warning it could disrupt sightlines and raise legal challenges. Courts have yet to rule, while the FAA confirms no immediate aviation danger.
The incident has prompted a Pentagon investigation into how cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door parts from an Australian F-35 ended up in Hong Kong. Australia says it is assisting in the inquiry; there is no public evidence of deliberate Chinese diversion, and officials stress the parts are not considered highly sensitive.
Sen. John Curtis has asked the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. over his business ties, foreign gifts and a Russian oligarch-funded wedding party. Curtis has demanded the same scrutiny for Hunter Biden and cited reporting that Umar Kremlev paid substantial costs for Trump Jr.'s Bahamas celebrations in May.
California and New York attorneys general have filed lawsuits over the Trump administration's plan to buy back offshore wind leases, arguing the deals divert taxpayer money to fossil-fuel projects and raise electricity costs while hindering clean-energy progress. The actions involve Invenergy and Bluepoint Wind, with multiple states joining New York in blocking the moves.
US ambassador to China David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons. The State Department has reiterated that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to sell. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan.
The F-35 Joint Program Office has confirmed a shipment issue with unserviceable components. A cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door have ended up in Hong Kong during transport from Australia to the United States. Officials are retrieving the components and reviewing safeguards as legislators scrutinize the incident.
The Senate has rejected a War Powers Resolution that would require President Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran absent congressional approval. The vote follows prior House action and reflects ongoing debate over constitutional authority and war powers as the administration faces mounting public concern over the conflict.
The South African government has addressed Washington’s five asks on sanctions and refugee policy; the US is reassessing its stance as Pretoria says it has fulfilled parts of the demands while others remain under discussion. New travel sanctions remain disputed as both sides push for a resolution.
The White House has used a pocket rescission to cancel funding across 11 programs and agencies, arguing some spending is no longer necessary. The Government Accountability Office says the tactic is illegal if Congress has not approved the action, raising constitutional questions and prompting Democratic and Republican lawmakers to weigh next steps.
Hegseth has announced a 20% reduction in flag and general officer positions across the U.S. military by January 1, 2027, following last year’s 10% cut. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline leadership and reduce bureaucracy, with critics warning of consequences for readiness and leadership turnover.
The president has traveled to Ohio to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, highlighting data-center policy and energy costs while facing questions about the economy and Iran-related tensions. The trip underscores concerns about inflation and turnout in key battleground districts.
The Kennedy Center has confirmed the 49th annual Honors will proceed at the downtown Washington arena. A federal judge has barred adding Trump’s name without congressional approval, despite substantial funding for repairs. The board has voted to close the venue, and honorees for 2026 will be announced later this year.
The White House has announced a one-time $90 payment to about 20.8 million Medicare Part B enrollees, paid from the Medicare Improvement Fund. Most eligible beneficiaries will receive direct deposits in early October; others will get mailed checks later in the month. Millions of Medicare Advantage enrollees and those with Medicaid premium assistance or IRMAA surcharges are not eligible.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a months-long deployment diverted to the Middle East to support operations against Iran. The carrier, part of a strike group, faced extended at-sea duty, combat operations, and reports of food shortages and mental-health strain before returning home.
The Justice Department has opened an antitrust inquiry into whether the five-network White House TV pool violated the Sherman Act after the pool paused coverage in protest of the administrations temporary ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A federal judge has restored the outlets White House credentials, but CNN says the White House is still excluding it from Air Force One and pool duties and has warned it will return to court. (As of Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:39:50 +0000)
Homeland Security Investigations has executed a court-authorised search of Representative Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence on 12 October as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Agents have seized phones, notebooks, a passport and other items; grand jury subpoenas have been issued to some relatives. No charges have been announced.
Elon Musk has given roughly $366m this cycle to Republican groups, including $158m to the Senate Leadership Fund and about $76m to his own America PAC, filings show. Much of the money is financing heavy advertising and turnout operations in Texas and other battlegrounds, reviving vulnerable campaigns and freeing national GOP resources for other contests.
President Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the Dec. 3 firing‑squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan after bipartisan domestic and international outrage. The administration has said the execution will proceed at Fort Hood and that immediate family members of victims may attend in person; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced criticism for announcing the broadcast plan.
Voters across the United States show a strong desire for change ahead of the midterm elections, with polls indicating concerns about the economy, prices, and the direction of policy. Democratic enthusiasm is rising while Republican backing remains uneven across key races. The polling landscape suggests the outcome could hinge on local dynamics and turnout.
A federal lawsuit filed in Orlando accuses Matt Gaetz, relatives of Joel Greenberg, and linked businesses of exploiting financially vulnerable women in their early 20s, with drugs and sex payments, echoing a House Ethics probe that derailed his bid for attorney general.
Democrats have intensified ads tying Republican candidates to the president as affordability and Iran policy dominate voters’ concerns. Republicans are defending deep red districts, while Democrats see opportunities in rural areas previously considered safe for the GOP.
Katie Zacharia has left the White House press secretary post five days after taking it, following a troubled debut briefing and scrutiny over her legal credentials. President Donald Trump told reporters he had advised her to "reconsider" the job; the White House has not named a permanent replacement.
Voters across the United States show a clear priority for lowering living costs and ending war in Iran, with support for investigations into the Trump administration waning among moderates. AP-NORC polling highlights varying Democratic and Republican standpoints as the next Congress faces a crowded agenda.
Jeffries has mobilized Democrats across more than 50 cities, signaling a bid to become House speaker if Democrats win the House. He emphasizes a 100‑day agenda to lower living costs and hold the Trump administration accountable. The race centers on key House districts in the Midwest, including Toledo, where Rep. Kaptur is a longtime figure in the district.
The Supreme Court is set to decide whether the 1868 prohibition on home distilling can stand as an exercise of Congress’s taxing power. Lower courts have split: the Sixth Circuit upholds the ban; the Fifth Circuit finds it unconstitutional. The Court will determine if a private home can host distilled spirits under federal law.
Recent polls indicate a Democratic edge in the generic congressional ballot, with disapproval of Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and rising fuel costs contributing to Republican challenges ahead of the midterms.
The US midterm elections are shaping the final years of Donald Trump’s term, with control of Congress and key states at stake. Democrats seek to seize the House and Senate, while Republicans defend majorities. Early voting and spending highlight intensity as voters prepare for November 3.
The government has argued that Big Bend warrants swift construction to deter illegal entry, while opponents say waivers and environmental concerns must be heeded. Court injunctions have halted work, and the administration is appealing to higher courts to resume progress. The dispute centers on waivers and the environmental protections surrounding Big Bend National Park.
The Department of Justice has dropped two appeals of a June ruling on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, with both sides agreeing to cover their own fees. Advocates say the move preserves a program that forgives loans for government and nonprofit workers after a decade of qualifying payments.
Washington has long accused Confucius Institutes of being Chinese propaganda tools and has stepped up action against them. The Pentagon says 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities had popped up under different guises, with a mission to steal IP and influence students. The latest move adds these centres to the national security threat list as part of a broader, multi-agency effort.
Donald Trump has intensified rhetoric linking Abdul El-Sayed to Muslim extremism at a Port Huron rally, claiming he would be a security risk if elected to the U.S. Senate. Opponents dismiss the claims as unfounded, while Michigan voters weigh a high-stakes race between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers with national implications.
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration overstepped executive authority by firing inferior officers without cause. Maurene Comey has been granted back pay and retroactive reinstatement, while the case challenges the president’s power to dismiss federal prosecutors under court-imposed limits.
The Federal Election Commission has identified the issue affecting its electronic filing system and is implementing a fix, but the outage continues to block 24- and 48-hour reporting windows ahead of the midterm elections. An official warns of a bad actor attempting to breach the system, while spending trackers show record political ad activity in the closing days.