Politics news summaries — Page 21
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Merkley bill would require congressional approval before Kennedy Center demolition
Sen. Jeff Merkley plans to introduce a bill as early as next week requiring congressional approval to demolish presidential memorials designated by Congress, including the Kennedy Center. Trump has threatened to demolish the center if a court blocks adding his name. -
Texas court ends state's challenge, leaving Crystal Mason acquitted
Texas’ highest criminal court left Crystal Mason’s acquittal intact Thursday, dismissing the state’s challenge 5-4 because it should not have agreed to review it. It did not decide whether she knowingly voted while ineligible; her 2016 provisional ballot was rejected and never ? -
Trump reportedly asked about cameras after barring three White House outlets
MS NOW’s Jonathan Lemire said he was told Donald Trump asked aides, “Where are the cameras?” Thursday, after Trump barred MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House. A judge restored the outlets’ access for two weeks that morning, but reporters were initially kept out. -
Trump adviser Jason Miller takes a senior White House messaging role
Longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller has taken a senior White House messaging role as officials manage a temporary press operation. Nearly a month after Karoline Leavitt left as press secretary, the White House has not named a successor. -
Judge grants Boebert order keeping David Wheeler at least 100 yards away
Rep. Lauren Boebert received a temporary protection order against David Wheeler, who filed an ethics complaint alleging affairs with three staffers. A judge ordered him to stay at least 100 yards away, citing risk of harm; she denies the claims. -
Judge's temporary block brings live TV back during Trump-Xi summit
A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration's ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, and the White House television pool resumed live coverage of presidential events Friday, on the final day of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump's three-day summit. -
Stevens bill proposes full Social Security benefits at 60 for some workers
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) introduced a bill to let eligible workers in physically demanding jobs receive full Social Security benefits at 60. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67; reduced benefits are available from 62. -
Section 301 drafter says Trump administration misuses tariff law
Alan Wolff, Section 301’s drafter, says the Trump administration is misusing it to impose 10%–12.5% tariffs on goods from 60 countries. He says it was intended to address individual trade violations; the Court of International Trade will hear a challenge Sept. 30. -
Fico warns SNS infighting could cost Slovak coalition its three-seat majority
Slovak PM Robert Fico said infighting in SNS could cost his government its three-seat majority. SNS leader Andrej Danko wants Environment Minister Tomas Taraba replaced; Taraba has hinted he may form a new group with other government deputies if he leaves the cabinet. -
Sherrill gives New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell until Friday to resign
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill gave Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell until Friday to resign after a 61-page independent inquiry found evidence of ethics violations and inappropriate conduct. Caldwell’s attorney disputes the findings; Caldwell had not indicated he would resign. -
Trump pool coverage set to resume Friday after judge lifts ban
TV networks plan to resume pooled coverage of President Donald Trump Friday after a blackout prompted by his ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A judge lifted the ban Thursday, but CNN and MS NOW said their reporters were denied entry to Xi Jinping’s state dinner that night. -
CNN says TV pool will cover Trump events again Friday
CNN reporter Kristen Holmes said U.S. networks would resume pool coverage of President Donald Trump’s events Friday: CNN will cover his National Archives tour with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while CBS is scheduled to provide White House footage. -
Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks in seven days if U.S. meets terms
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks in seven days if Washington lifts its naval blockade, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire including Lebanon, an attendee said. -
Pezeshkian says Iran is ready for a deal with Trump to end war
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not want to continue the war and that Washington must decide whether to end it. In a Fox News interview aired Thursday, he said Iran was ready to reach a deal with President Donald Trump. -
India protests demand Gyanesh Kumar resign as police use tear gas
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse Congress and other opposition protesters in India on Friday. They demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, accusing the election commission of manipulating voter lists to benefit the ruling BJP. -
Hinojosa makes economic concerns central to her Texas governor bid
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa says her bid to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott will prioritize economic issues and working families over culture-war disputes. She told Politico that Democrats should follow that approach. -
CBS stations carry second U.S.-funded ad praising Trump, featuring Maduro operation
CBS stations aired a second U.S.-government-funded ad praising President Donald Trump on Thursday. It featured the military operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, drawing accusations of propaganda and questions about taxpayer spending. -
Analysis calls for validation of Hegseth’s Joint Warfighting Evaluation
Pete Hegseth announced a new test for colonels and Navy captains seeking a first star. It adds written work and computer-assisted wargaming, sometimes with AI, to promotion boards; the analysis says its aims and measures remain unclear and urges validation before use. -
Eisenkot’s security set to pass to Shin Bet Unit 730 in coming days
Shin Bet Unit 730 is set to take over Gadi Eisenkot’s security in coming days, after a committee recommended protection through election day. Police raised his threat level to 4 of 6 and urged armed protection, but cited no information indicating an immediate danger to life. -
CNN barred from White House again as Ellison attends Trump-Xi dinner
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison attended President Donald Trump’s state dinner for China’s Xi Jinping Thursday, while CNN and MS NOW were barred from covering Xi’s arrival despite a Wednesday court order granting access to them and Politico. -
Tuberville claims many airline workers are furries, without evidence
Sen. Tommy Tuberville criticized furry culture in a Sept. 22 Senate speech, claiming without evidence that many airline workers are furries. The fandom centers on fictional animals with human traits and does not necessarily involve costumes or sexual activity. -
Perdue says Trump told Xi any Chinese aid to Iran would be unacceptable
US Ambassador to China David Perdue said President Donald Trump told Xi Jinping at the White House that any Chinese assistance to Iran would be unacceptable, whether direct or indirect, including intelligence, parts or military equipment. -
Haley Stevens bill would let some workers claim full Social Security at 60
Rep. Haley Stevens introduced a bill to let workers in physically demanding jobs claim full Social Security retirement benefits at 60—seven years before the current full-benefit age of 67 for people born after 1960. The measure is a proposal, not current law. -
Federal funds back Trump ad touting his record to a “Love me” refrain
The White House confirms federal funding for an ad touting Trump’s record and resilience as a choir sings “Love me.” It calls the spot a public service announcement; Democrats say it illegally uses taxpayer money and demand its removal before the Nov. 3 midterms. -
Judge orders White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico
CNN, MS NOW and Politico regained White House access Thursday under a judge’s 14-day order after being turned away. CNN and MS NOW later said the White House denied their reporters access to cover Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival for a state dinner. -
Hegseth’s 2026 filing reports a bank account above $1 million
Pete Hegseth’s 2026 disclosure lists a bank account above $1 million, compared with the same account’s $15,001–$50,000 range in his 2024 nominee filing. It reports $16,000–$65,000 in bitcoin and records defense-stock sales and family ETF purchases. -
Report: White House asks OpenAI and Anthropic to delay UK model sharing
According to a Politico report, the White House asked OpenAI and Anthropic to hold new AI models back from British safety testers pending a U.S. review. Reuters reported that the aim is to ensure the systems are secure before they are shared with partners. -
Trump and Xi project warmth as summit yields few concrete results
Trump and Xi Jinping struck a cordial tone during Xi’s Washington visit, but Thursday’s talks yielded few concrete results amid divisions over Taiwan, trade and the Iran war. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a two-month extension of the trade truce. -
Fake NYT videos falsely show four actors backing “All Democrats Are Criminals”
Videos bearing a New York Times logo falsely show Leonardo DiCaprio, Eric Braeden, Annie Potts and Patrick Fabian backing the “All Democrats Are Criminals” campaign. They combine Cameo and MTV News footage with fabricated audio and captions; the Times did not publish them.
