Judge blocks move to place 2,200 USAID employees on leave

Washington — A federal judge said Friday that he will prevent the Trump administration from placing 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, on administrative leave, siding with unions representing the employees for now. Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who President Trump named

Senate GOP releases budget plan, moving forward despite delay in House

Washington — Senate Republicans are moving forward with their own budget plan to fund President Trump’s agenda despite a request from House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold off and let the lower chamber take the lead.  Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, released a 61-page budget resolution on Friday, setting the groundwork for the

Trump says Nippon will “invest heavily” in U.S. Steel and drop ownership bid

Washington — President Trump said Friday that Japan’s Nippon Steel will drop its $14.1 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel and instead “invest heavily” in the company without taking a majority stake. Mr. Trump announced the development in a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House. “[Nippon’s] going to be

Trump says Musk will review “just about” every federal agency

Washington — President Trump, in a news conference with the Japanese prime minister, indicated that Elon Musk will have wide latitude to go into federal departments and agencies as he aims to slash federal spending by $2 trillion. He said he’s asked Musk to review “just about” every federal agency. “Pentagon, Education, just about everything,”

Watch Live: Trump holds press conference with Japanese prime minister at White House

Washington — President Trump is holding a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, following a meeting with him at the White House Friday. While he praised Ishiba and had warm words for the prime minister, Trump indicated that he had not ruled out tariffs on Japan. “I made clear that the United States

Democratic FEC chair says Trump fired her. She says she’s not leaving

Ellen Weintraub, the current Federal Election Commission Chair and one of three Democratic members on the committee, posted a letter on X Thursday night from President Trump that says she has been removed as an FEC member.  The brief letter, dated January 31, 2025, reads, “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission.”