Browsing: US politics

A federal judge has reinstated Roger Rogoff as the U.S. attorney for Seattle, blocking President Trump’s attempt to dismiss him. U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian ruled that the president cannot unilaterally remove an attorney appointed by a district court. The Justice Department plans to appeal.

The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as the new head of the Department of Labor in a 47 to 41 party-line vote, following his tenure as acting secretary since April. Sonderling’s nomination was endorsed by the president after the departure of Lori Chavez-DeRemer amid scrutiny over her management.

President Trump has announced plans for South Korea to invest in a natural gas pipeline project linking Alaska’s North Slope to a liquefied natural gas export terminal. The project, advocated by Senator Dan Sullivan, aims to lower energy costs and is part of broader South Korean investments in US infrastructure.

A Republican-backed stock trading bill failed in the Senate with a 53 to 47 party-line vote, lacking the 60 votes needed to advance. Democrats opposed the measure, citing insufficient restrictions and highlighting a photo ID voting requirement as an obstructive element.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo instructing military academies, including West Point and the Naval Academy, to cease granting tenure to civilian faculty. He stated this aims to enhance educational focus on warfighter preparation and reduce perceived ideological biases in the curriculum.

President Trump and major AI company leaders have established voluntary safety standards for artificial intelligence technology, following a White House meeting. The accord includes commitments to robust internal controls and audits, alongside plans for a 10-person oversight committee and potential future legislation to solidify these measures.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, former Special Counsel Jack Smith denied attending a February 2024 NBA game in Atlanta, despite Senator Eric Schmitt suggesting text messages indicated otherwise. Smith acknowledged attending a women’s college basketball game in Maryland around the same time, highlighting a potential mix-up by Schmitt.

President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson will meet with leading AI executives on Tuesday to discuss regulation and innovation in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Attendees include Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, among others.

Kurt Olsen, previously with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, has resigned from the Justice Department amid ongoing investigations into alleged election irregularities. His departure follows that of prosecutor Joe diGenova, as the department faces scrutiny over its handling of related cases.

President Trump confirmed a private dinner with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, discussing AI regulations amid concerns about the industry’s rapid growth. This meeting follows a prior agreement between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish an AI safety channel. Amodei is scheduled to attend a White House luncheon on Tuesday.