Stories from Washington D.C. · United States

Supporters of the 'Making America Healthy Again' (MAHA) coalition are expressing disappointment with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding health reform delivery. The coalition includes vaccine skeptics, nutrition-focused parents, and anti-pesticide activists.

Kamala Harris stated she welcomes all steps forward in the ongoing police investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Police announced that three women and one man have been interviewed under caution.

The United States Senate is scheduled to vote today on President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve. The nominee's previous selection is expected to hold a final meeting in charge before the transition. Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed concerns regarding potential presidential pressure on the Federal Reserve during the process. Thirteen Republicans supported President Trump's nominee, Bondid, in a recent Senate vote. Eleven Democrats voted against the nominee. The decision has been passed to the full Senate for final approval, which must occur before May 15, 2026. This deadline coincides with the expiration of current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's term. The nominee previously worked at Morgan Stanley from 1995 to 2002 and served as an economic advisor to George W. The nominee also served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors during the 2008 financial crisis.

Defense Secretary Heg Seth arrived on Capitol Hill to face questioning regarding the Iran conflict. The mission aims to convince lawmakers to vote for this budget allocation. The testimony is occurring in Washington D.C. The testimony highlighted that extended deployments and equipment issues like plumbing and fires are hitting readiness significantly. The source noted the USS Ford will not be sent to the Indo-Pacific to fill gaps. A committee member noted that the USS Gerald R. Ford's readiness is being impacted by fires, plumbing problems, and extended deployments. The carrier is not currently deploying to the Indo-Pacific to address regional gaps. Secretary of Defense is expected to testify before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington D.C. regarding the war in the Middle East.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi will appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 29. The Metropolitan Police previously announced in March that three women and one man were interviewed under caution for offenses including human trafficking for sexual exploitation and facilitating rape. Additionally, Harris noted that more than 70 civil claims have been settled so far. Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia has introduced a resolution to hold Bondi in civil contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena. The deposition follows the House's ongoing investigation into the matter. This development follows discussions regarding the Rights Act of 1965. Democratic Representative Garcia, the ranking member of the committee, is demanding that Pam Bondi adhere to a legal subpoena to testify under oath before the Oversight Committee.

Clay Show was released after a trial following a two-year investigation and numerous delays. The defendant was released after less than one hour of jury deliberation. The proceedings failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the assassination of the president.

President Trump could move forward with the deportation of people living legally in the United States if he prevails in two specific legal cases. The report was delivered by NPR News in Washington.

The EPA, FBI, CISA, and NSA issued a joint cybersecurity advisory regarding Iranian-affiliated cyber attacks targeting water systems. The advisory focuses on mitigating risks to critical infrastructure through enhanced cybersecurity management. Cyber criminals have stolen money and data from towns in South Carolina. The advisory highlights that the current Federal Cyber Strategy lacks sufficient detail for state and local government implementation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking $7.4 billion to fund drug addiction treatment programs across the United States. The funding is intended to support various treatment initiatives nationwide. Brian Mann of NPR reported on the proposal.

US authorities have introduced expanded background checks for all applicants seeking political asylum, green cards, or citizenship. Officials stated that the review process will now take longer to allow for more cautious screening of potential future offenders. Reuters reports that the new measures aim to identify individuals who may commit crimes in the future. The US immigration service is now analyzing social media activity to identify individuals seeking publications with anti-American views. Many asylum applications in the US have been temporarily frozen. Additionally, entry for citizens of 39 countries is now either limited or completely prohibited. The US State Department has issued a new order for consular officers to screen non-immigrant visa applicants regarding potential persecution.