Stories from Washington · United States

Solicitor General John Sauer told the Justice Department regarding President Trump's efforts to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. Jackson noted that the DHS secretary had not mentioned race in the context of the decision. The response follows descriptions of the situation as discriminatory. Justice Kagan noted that a president described Haiti as "filthy, dirty, and disgusting" and claimed illegal immigrants associated with TPS were "poisoning the blood of America." Justice Jackson, the only Black justice on the court, responded to concerns regarding race in the case. Lawyer Jeffrey Pipely described the administration's review of individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as a sham. Pipely stated that people from Haiti and other non-white countries have been described as killers and leeches.

The United States intends to proceed with mass deportations of more than one million foreign nationals. The decision determined that the previous electoral map drawn for Louisiana was unconstitutional. President Donald Trump stated in a White House news conference and on Truth Social that the ruling is the right result. The decision may require the Louisiana state legislature to redraw congressional district maps ahead of a primary in approximately two weeks. Chief Justice John Roberts previously described the 6th congressional district as a 200-mile stretch linking Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge. Justice Kagan noted that a statute requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to consult with the State Department regarding conditions in home countries of displaced persons. The court's decision addresses whether the Secretary fulfilled these consultation requirements.

The first US Marine Corps MQ-58 Valkyrie Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones are scheduled to arrive in 2029.

Jerome Powell plans to remain on the Federal Reserve's governing board for a period of time after his term as chairman expires in mid-2026. One analyst suggested the Fed needs to implement rate cuts from the current position. The Federal Reserve's interest rate decision is impacting small businesses and middle-class consumers in the U.S. Analysts suggest even small adjustments to the cost of money could assist these groups. Powell made the announcement following criticism from President Trump. The committee vote was divided, with one member voting for a rate cut and three others leaning in the opposite direction. Powell noted that interest rate policy is set by a committee of 12 and can be contentious during economic uncertainty. The source cited the war on Iran as a factor causing sharp jumps in energy prices.

President Trump is directing the Justice Department to treat specific beliefs, such as anti-Americanism or anti-Christianity, as akin to domestic terrorism. The directive aims to treat certain thoughts as crimes, despite beliefs not being illegal.

Federal employees are expressing concern regarding the government's request for medical records. The agency has not yet published a final decision. The Office of Personnel Management has requested detailed medical records from federal workers, postal workers, and retired members of Congress. This request affects approximately eight million people nationally, including nearly 750,000 residents in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The request has caused concern among the affected workforce. Advocates from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association state there is no valid reason for the Office of Personnel Management to hold personally identifiable health data. Members expressed concerns regarding both data breach security and potential misuse of the information by the agency.

Legal health experts and executives expressed reservations regarding a new policy change, stating it is overly broad and raises HIPAA compliance issues. The source noted that the scope of the policy includes retired members of Congress.

Rob Sikata has been confirmed as the new Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The confirmation vote was 59 to 39. Six Democrats voted in favor of the appointment. The confirmation occurred in Washington, D.C.

The FDA stated that the United States infant formula supply is safe following an investigation into potential contaminants. Outside experts stated that any level of these compounds could be concerning and recommended continued monitoring of formulas. The agency purchased and tested more than 300 samples across 16 brands at retail stores. Samples were analyzed for contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, and forever chemicals. Most samples contained undetectable or very low levels of these contaminants, though the FDA did not check for botulism. is a safe option for parents and caregivers following first-of-its-kind testing. An updated algorithm identified 49 extreme cases of masking and 25 safety signals in reported data. The inventor of the algorithm and a female researcher reported these findings to senior FDA officials.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress for the first time in several months. Senator Jack Reid of Rhode Island accused Hagseth of providing bold assurances of success that serve as a disservice to the Commander-in-Chief and troops. The US Secretary of Defense suggested during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the CECC-Le-Feu, in place since April 8, might make the requirement for Congressional authorization for strikes obsolete. Under current terms, Donald Trump must request Congressional authorization to continue strikes in the Middle East involving the US, Israel, and Iran after a 60-day period. The White House is reportedly seeking to bypass parliamentary validation for these operations. US Secretary of Defense Hegseth is scheduled to hold a joint press conference on May 5, 2026. He will appear alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane.