Browsing: US politics

President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard at the end of the month. Pulte’s controversial background includes allegations of mortgage fraud against political opponents, prompting scrutiny from the Government Accountability Office.

Graham Platner, the likely Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, faces criticism following reports of sexually explicit text messages sent to at least six women after his marriage in 2023. The situation is drawing significant attention as further details emerge. Caitlin Huey-Burns reports.

Rapper Vanilla Ice confirmed his participation in the Freedom 250 concert series in Washington, D.C., despite several artists withdrawing. He stated that the event is about celebrating American independence, clarifying that he has no political motives and would perform for anyone, including controversial figures.

The Justice Department has halted work on the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund following a temporary court ruling. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema’s order prevents any actions related to the fund while she reviews a lawsuit challenging its establishment. A hearing is scheduled for June 12.

The Trump administration is advancing a regulation enabling U.S. immigration officials to swiftly reject asylum applications submitted more than a year after arrival, bypassing interviews. This measure aims to manage the substantial backlog of cases, reflecting ongoing efforts to tighten the asylum system, according to internal documents.

Germany is rearming and modernising its military in response to shifting geopolitical tensions. Concurrently, egg freezing is being explored by women seeking future options, although it presents financial and ethical considerations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated his government possesses evidence of Russian forces abducting Ukrainian children to train them for combat. This allegation, which may constitute a war crime, expands on existing reports of state-sponsored programmes aiming for “Russification” of these children.

The latest episode of CBS Sunday Morning, hosted by Jane Pauley, explores multiple topics, including Marilyn Monroe’s centenary, an interview with former first lady Jill Biden, and the opening of the Undercroft beneath the Lincoln Memorial. The programme also covers the plight of children at the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas, living “books” at The Human Library, and pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters.

California voters will head to the polls next week to select new leaders, with the mayoral race in Los Angeles particularly competitive. The election is centred on several key issues, notably crime, as candidates outline their differing approaches to public safety. Adam Yamaguchi reports.

President Trump will inaugurate the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 24, following the withdrawal of several scheduled musical guests due to concerns over the political nature of the event. Freedom 250 confirmed his participation despite calls for cancellation amidst artist cancellations.