Breaking news and analysis on the Trump administration, executive orders, cabinet appointments, policy decisions, and political developments.
Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney announced immediate reciprocal tariffs after President Trump imposed 50-percent levies on $20 billion of Canadian goods. New duties targeting US steel, electronics, and other products take effect September 8, while US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated no new talks are planned as Washington moves forward with measures responding to the retaliation.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas invalidated the Trump administration's policy suspending immigrant visas for applicants from 75 nations, ruling it violated a 1965 law barring nationality discrimination. Immigration advocates praised the decision as a critical victory for the rule of law and family reunification.
The US Supreme Court issued a temporary order allowing the $400 million White House ballroom project to continue, freezing a lower court injunction. President Trump expressed gratitude on Truth Social, claiming the project is under budget and ahead of schedule, while the Justice Department cited national security necessities following recent assassination attempts.
The Trump administration finalized a plan imposing 1.25 million acre-feet in annual Lower Basin delivery cuts for 2027-2028, with Arizona bearing the largest reduction at 760,000 acre-feet. Upper Basin states face no mandatory cuts as Lake Powell and Mead hit record lows. Neighboring Mexico will also reduce its intake by 250,000 acre-feet under a U.S.-Mexico treaty.
President Donald Trump confirmed that Pardon Attorney Ed Martin is departing his Justice Department role. A DOJ review found he improperly handled grand jury materials regarding Senator Adam Schiff, and records show he made over 150 appearances on Russian state media between 2016 and 2024.
Outgoing Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed she will join President Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC following her departure from the White House. The youngest person to hold the role, Leavitt cited family reasons for leaving in August and plans to attend the upcoming Republican convention in Dallas.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to leave his Pentagon role by the end of 2026 following a months-long turf war with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The friction includes conflicts over personnel decisions and strategic direction, notably after Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April.
President Donald Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum allowing vetted U.S. private companies to conduct cyber operations against foreign criminal groups under federal oversight. Approved firms can collect intelligence and disrupt digital infrastructure used by these organizations, addressing $21 billion in cyber losses reported in 2025.
President Donald Trump announced a 90-day tariff halt on up to 300,000 metric tons of beef imports to lower consumer prices amid a severe cattle shortage. U.S. cattle inventories are at their lowest in 75 years following droughts and suspended imports from Mexico. The move has drawn criticism from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and lawmakers.
President Trump's approval rating has dropped to 33% as his foreign policy agenda stalls ahead of the November midterm elections. Diplomatic efforts have failed, with Jared Kushner leaving Gaza peace talks empty-handed and economic warfare replacing military strategies against Iran. Trump recently renewed threats to bomb Oman, an ally negotiating with Iran, after calling off direct talks with Tehran.