Stories from Washington · United States

A former CIA counterterrorism official has alleged that Donald Trump demanded access to nuclear codes during April. The claims were made during an appearance on a libertarian legal analyst's podcast. If verified, the incident would represent a significant breach of protocol regarding nuclear command and control. Currently, about $25 billion is being spent on Operation Epic Fury, primarily for ammunition and equipment. A supplement will be formulated through the White House once all cost data is finalized.

The Pentagon has requested $54 billion to pivot toward AI-powered warfare capabilities. This massive funding request aims to integrate artificial intelligence into military operations and strategic defense systems. The move signals a significant shift in US defense priorities toward automated and intelligent combat technologies. The US Department of Defense intends to make the MAVEN system, which analyzes data from drones, satellites, radar, and intelligence sources, a permanently funded core program. Palantir products are positioned as essential within this framework. This request represents an increase from the previous $1 trillion budget. Hegseth's testimony comes as the war with Iran has cost $25 billion to date. The hearing addressed the Pentagon's record budget request and related defense spending.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning that it may run out of funds to pay airport security workers in the coming weeks. The Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration, responsible for security at the event, showed serious flaws or loopholes in their duties. The Secret Service engaged in a close-range firefight with the gunman. An Office of Management and Budget memo states that failure to pass legislation could lead to airport disruptions and national security concerns. Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen stated that the emergency fund used to pay hundreds of workers is exhausted. The department is currently only covering payroll and cannot cover other expenses. Workers are expected to begin missing paychecks after the end of the month. This situation places pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to secure votes for DHS funding.

A new Department of Justice report has surfaced alleging that the Biden administration weaponized federal government powers to target political opponents. The findings are causing significant political shockwaves in Washington D.C. as investigations into the scope of these actions continue. This development adds to the ongoing legal and political scrutiny surrounding federal law enforcement practices. Last week, the DOJ charged the Southern Poverty Law Center with misleading donors regarding informants used to infiltrate hate groups. Additionally, a former aide to Dr.

The U.S. House of Representatives is voting on the ESA Amendments Act (H.R. 1897) on Earth Day. The legislation aims to weaken the Endangered Species Act by decreasing protections for threatened and endangered species. This move could significantly alter federal conservation efforts and environmental regulatory frameworks. This would mark the third time the resolution has been taken up since the conflict began nearly two months ago. Observers noted that the invasion of Ukraine highlighted inadequacies in peacetime weapons production. The 60-day mark for the war in Iran is expected on May 1.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that military escalation will follow if negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program fail. The threat comes as Washington proposes a gradual compliance path, though Iran continues to reject any restrictions on its enrichment rights or sovereignty. This tension heightens the risk of conflict in the Middle East as diplomatic efforts remain fragile. Senator Marco Rubio highlighted risks regarding Iran's control over international waters during a recent referendum. Rubio stated that allowing Iran to normalize its maritime presence could lead to global actors extracting tolls or fees in those waters. The commentator noted that the United States seeks to prevent a precedent where international waterways are subject to such control. This discussion follows recent tensions regarding Iran's assertion of rights to protect its territorial waters.

Robert F. This development is significant as it shapes the future fiscal priorities of US public health. US Secretary of Defense Pete XF and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain are scheduled to testify before the House of Representatives today. This marks the first parliamentary hearing regarding the Middle East conflict since its inception. Representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties are seeking explanations from the administration. The hearing follows criticisms of the Donald Trump administration regarding a lack of information provided to Congress. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questions from the House Armed Services Committee for the first time since the start of the Iran War. The hearing is expected to focus on the Trump administration's $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027.

New prediction market data indicates Donald Trump's RCP approval rating has fallen to approximately 40.3% as of April 22, 2026. He aims to reassert control over key issues that are currently prominent. A recent poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe Democrats would perform better than Donald Trump on economic matters. This is the first time since 2010 that such a majority has been recorded. Trump's previous positioning as a successful businessman is contrasted with the current Iranian conflict, suggesting the opposite of his economic promises is occurring. This figure is a decrease from the 36 percent recorded in early April. The Sao Paulo Stock Exchange closed down 0.51 percent. Donald Trump's approval rating in the United States has reached its lowest level of his term at 34 percent. The report was broadcast on CBN São Paulo.

The EPA, FBI, CISA, and NSA have issued a joint cybersecurity advisory regarding Iranian-affiliated cyber threats targeting water systems. The advisory highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced state and local government defenses. The US Treasury is calling for banks to increase due diligence regarding transactions involving discounted Iranian fruit to avoid being blacklisted. This follows last week's sanctions against the major refiner Hungly Petrochemical. The move includes reported sanctions against approximately 35 entities tied to Iran's shadow banking network. The US has also issued warnings against paying tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory aims to mitigate risks to critical infrastructure. The advisory focuses on protecting operational technology from these specific threats.

The U.S. Specific charges have not yet been disclosed by officials. The investigation may involve an interstate threat. The post in question contained the numbers 86-47. The source noted the possibility of charges regarding an interstate threat against President Trump. A US federal court had dismissed those charges after determining the lead prosecutor's responses were unlawful. This follows President Trump's recent dismissal of Attorney General Bondi earlier this month. Former FBI Director James Comey is being indicted, according to a source familiar with the matter. A federal judge also cleared the way for a wrongful termination case filed by the FBI earlier today. The latest charges are reportedly connected to a social media post featuring the message 8647. Some critics have characterized the message as a call to assassinate Donald Trump.