White House Acts to Cover DHS Paychecks While Congress Remains Stuck on Funding Deal

President Donald Trump said he would soon sign an emergency order to pay Department of Homeland Security employees who have been working without pay since the partial DHS shutdown began in mid-February. The move is designed to address one of the most visible and politically damaging effects of the prolonged funding standoff, which has left […]

U.S. Trade Deficit Widens as February Import Rebound Outpaces Record Exports

The U.S. trade deficit widened in February as a rebound in imports more than offset a surge in exports that reached record highs, adding to concerns that trade could weigh on economic growth in the first quarter of 2026. The overall trade gap increased 4.9% to $57.3 billion, compared with a revised $54.7 billion in […]

Trump Draws Cheers and Boos at Kennedy Center as His Overhaul of the Venue Deepens

President Donald Trump attended the opening night of the musical Chicago at the Kennedy Center on March 31, in a visit that highlighted both his growing control over the institution and the deep controversy surrounding its future. Trump drew applause as he arrived, though some members of the audience also booed. The mixed reaction reflected […]

New Proposal Would Shut Chinese Carmakers Out of the U.S. Market Entirely

A Republican senator is preparing legislation that would significantly expand the U.S. ban on Chinese automobiles, taking a much harder line than current rules by targeting not just imported vehicles, but also the software, hardware, and business partnerships tied to Chinese carmakers. Senator Bernie Moreno plans to introduce the bill next month, arguing that Washington […]

Trump Says White House Ballroom Project Is Ahead of Schedule Despite Legal Challenge

President Donald Trump said the new White House ballroom project is moving faster than expected and costing less than planned, even as the construction faces legal and political opposition. Speaking aboard Air Force One on March 29, Trump said the ballroom was “ahead of schedule and under budget,” and pointed to new renderings as he […]

Democratic Lawmakers Demand Data on U.S. Gun Exports Tied to Cartels and Criminal Violence

Two senior Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Commerce Department for detailed information about U.S. exports of semi-automatic firearms, arguing that legally approved American gun sales may be helping fuel cartel violence and broader criminal activity across the Western Hemisphere. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Gregory Meeks of New York asked Under Secretary of […]

Homeland Security Funding Deal Collapses as Airport Disruptions and Pay Crisis Deepen

A new congressional effort to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security failed on March 27, 2026, leaving thousands of federal employees without pay and raising fears of worsening travel disruptions across the United States. Congress could not break a six-week deadlock over immigration enforcement funding, even after a day of dramatic […]