A Pentagon Nomination Fight Reveals the New Rules of Trump’s Washington

Elon Musk and his team's efforts to permanently shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development were found to likely violate the Constitution by a federal judge. The judge ruled that Mr. Musk acted as a U.S. officer without proper appointment by President Trump, ordering agency operations to be partially restored and prohibiting further shutdown work. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was noted to have assumed control of the agency, canceling programs and contracts, leading to...

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, but Putin did not support a broader 30-day ceasefire. The White House sees this as a step towards peace, hoping to include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and ultimately end the fighting. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is open to proposals for peace but emphasizes the need for transparency in discussions, as air...

President Donald Trump's Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights found the Maine Department of Education, Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School in violation of Title IX for allowing trans athletes to compete in girls sports, prompting a response from the MPA defending their policy in accordance with Maine State Law. DHHS gave Maine 10 days to resolve the issue or face action from the U.S. Department of Justice, sparking a...

The Chicago Teachers Union increased pressure on the school district in contract talks, with a looming budget vote and concerns of a potential strike. Yolanda Talley becomes the first Black woman to serve as first deputy superintendent in the Chicago Police Department, emphasizing the need for common ground on police misconduct reviews. Danish people boycott US goods amid tensions, the Chicago Cubs face a loss in their opening day game, and Lollapalooza 2025 lineup includes...

A Seattle man was mistakenly declared dead by the Social Security Administration, leading to the loss of his Social Security and Medicare benefits. The Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk, has been focusing on reducing Social Security fraud, with millions of allegedly dead recipients still receiving payments. Due to the mistake, the man has been struggling to rectify the situation and receive his benefits, highlighting potential issues with the agency's processes and the...

Conservative nonprofit Consumers Research has launched a campaign exposing Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) for hiding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments behind password-protected web pages. VUMC has been accused of deleting and concealing references to DEI and climate activism, prompting questions about transparency. The campaign includes a mobile billboard and a letter to Health and Human Services, urging an investigation into VUMC's use of federal funds and commitment to patient care over political activism....