President Trump has stated he will maintain a naval blockade on Iran until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal that meets Washington’s demands, rejecting Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz first. The blockade is seen as a more effective leverage point than military strikes, with Iran’s oil infrastructure reportedly suffering under the pressure. While U.S. Central Command has contingency plans for strikes, Trump has not authorized military action, opting for intensified economic pressure to force Iran to dismantle its nuclear program. Iran has warned of “practical and unprecedented action” if the blockade continues, indicating that patience is wearing thin.
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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will remain on the Fed’s Board of Governors beyond his term as chair, citing unprecedented legal attacks by the Trump administration that threaten the central bank’s independence. Powell expressed concern that these actions could politicize monetary policy and stated he would stay until ongoing investigations are definitively concluded. This decision effectively blocks President Trump from immediately appointing a more dovish nominee to Powell’s board seat. Powell clarified his continuation on the board was not political but a response to these external pressures, and he intends to maintain a low profile as a governor.
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The ICE agent who fatally shot protester Sarah Good in January has been reassigned to a different state and remains employed by the federal government. Jonathan Ross fired shots into Good’s vehicle as she attempted to leave an area, an incident that subsequently led to widespread protests. Reports indicate that the FBI’s stalled investigation into the shooting is allowing the agent to avoid ICE’s internal accountability processes. The Trump administration had reportedly initiated and then terminated a civil rights investigation into the shooting, with the FBI stating that the facts did not support such an investigation.
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Former FBI Director James Comey faces charges of threatening the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, according to an indictment filed in North Carolina. These charges come days after an alleged assassination attempt on former President Trump, which his administration has attributed to “incendiary rhetoric” from Democrats. Comey denies all charges, asserting his innocence and vowing to contest them in court, while critics and legal experts condemn the indictment as a politically motivated “weaponization” of the Justice Department against a perceived enemy of Trump.
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The U.S. Senate voted 51-47 to block further debate on a resolution that sought to prevent President Trump from engaging in hostilities against Cuba without Congressional authorization. This procedural vote effectively halted efforts by some senators to curb the President’s war-making powers, as previously attempted for other nations. Opponents argued that a conflict with Cuba would be costly and unnecessary, with one senator stating that the U.S. people prioritize domestic issues over foreign wars. This action comes amid heightened economic pressure and military threats from the Trump administration towards Cuba, exacerbating the island’s existing humanitarian crisis.
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The news of the acting US ambassador to Ukraine stepping down over disagreements with President Trump has certainly sparked a lot of discussion, and it’s understandable why. It paints a picture of a complex situation, where personal convictions clash with the demands of a high-pressure diplomatic role, especially in a conflict zone.
The core of the reporting suggests that this decision stems from significant differences in approach and perhaps philosophy between the ambassador and the President regarding Ukraine. It seems the ambassador felt increasingly frustrated by the direction of US policy, or perhaps the perceived lack of consistent support for Ukraine, as dictated by Trump.… Continue reading
The Trump administration is preparing to implement a rule change that would penalize disabled adults who live with their families. This new policy would deduct the value of a disabled adult’s bedroom from their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) allotment, even if the family is also struggling financially and receiving aid like food stamps. This change could significantly reduce or eliminate the benefits for up to 400,000 low-income and disabled individuals nationwide, despite experts agreeing that living at home is more humane and cost-effective than institutional care. The administration claims the policy is about efficiency, though critics argue it will create immense administrative burdens and harm vulnerable populations.
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The Trump administration awarded a no-bid federal contract to Clark Construction for a project near the White House, substantially increasing its value from the original estimate. The contract, for the repair of two fountains in Lafayette Park, was granted without public disclosure and saw its cost balloon from $3.3 million to over $17.4 million. Officials cited “urgency” and inflation to bypass competitive bidding and justify the inflated price, measures deemed arbitrary by the original cost estimator.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is facing a federal lawsuit for allegedly violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The suit, filed by lawyer Katie Phang, demands the Justice Department release all required documents and provide explanations for any redactions, asserting that the ongoing failure to comply has hindered journalistic efforts. This legal action follows accusations that the Justice Department may be orchestrating a cover-up for President Donald Trump, a known associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche himself recently stated that all releasable documents have been provided, a claim contradicted by the number of papers reviewed versus those released.
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The Trump administration reportedly allocated a reduced security detail for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner compared to other events featuring senior officials. This decision was made despite the presence of the President and numerous Cabinet members at the gathering. Officials familiar with the security arrangements confirmed this lowered level of protection.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
ICE Agent Who Fatally Shot Renee Good Relocated, Continues Work
The ICE agent who fatally shot protester Sarah Good in January has been reassigned to a different state and remains employed by the federal government. Jonathan Ross fired shots into Good’s vehicle as she attempted to leave an area, an incident that subsequently led to widespread protests. Reports indicate that the FBI’s stalled investigation into the shooting is allowing the agent to avoid ICE’s internal accountability processes. The Trump administration had reportedly initiated and then terminated a civil rights investigation into the shooting, with the FBI stating that the facts did not support such an investigation.
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