Browsing: US politics

Senate Republicans are poised to advance a funding package for the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration agencies as early as Wednesday, despite ongoing concerns about the Justice Department’s “anti-weaponization” fund. Following acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s testimony, Republicans seek clarity to mitigate internal dissent.

Voters in San Francisco have advanced state Sen. Scott Wiener in the race for California’s 11th Congressional District, which was previously held by Nancy Pelosi. The election features eight Democrats and two Republicans, with the top two candidates proceeding to the November ballot.

The Supreme Court has allowed Alabama to proceed with a congressional map deemed favourable to Republicans for the upcoming midterm elections, despite a lower court’s finding of intentional discrimination against Black voters. The decision permits one majority-Black district in a seven-district configuration.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Justice Department will not proceed with the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, following a district court’s temporary block. This decision comes amid mounting Republican opposition and uncertainty regarding the related IRS settlement involving President Trump and his family.

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.