Justice Department tells judge to reject bipartisan congressional request for independent monitor overseeing Epstein files release, saying lawmakers lack standing to intervene.
Trump’s ambassador nominee to Iceland apologizes after joking to House colleagues that the country would be the “52nd state” and he would be its governor.
Eleven Democrats ask FTC to investigate Trump Mobile for collecting deposits six months ago on phones never delivered and dropping “Made in USA” claims days after launch.
ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan resigns to run against Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, in a race that could become referendum on immigration crackdown.
Trump unveils “Great Healthcare Plan” on final day of ACA enrollment, proposing health savings accounts and drug pricing changes after federal subsidies expired.
Supreme Court rules 7-2 that GOP Rep. Mike Bost can challenge Illinois law allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to two weeks later.
Senator Slotkin says she’s under federal investigation over November video advising troops they can refuse illegal orders, which Trump called “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”
Federal judges uphold California’s Prop 50 congressional maps 2-1, rejecting claim that Democrat-favoring lines drawn to counter Texas gerrymandering violated Voting Rights Act.
Senate defeats Venezuela war powers resolution 51-50 after two Republicans who supported it last week flipped under Trump pressure, with Vance casting tiebreaker.
House Oversight chair launches contempt proceedings against Bill Clinton after he defied subpoena to testify on Epstein ties, threatens Hillary Clinton if she skips Wednesday hearing.
Sen. Mark Kelly sues Hegseth and Defense Dept. over attempt to demote him and cut retirement pay for video telling service members they can refuse unlawful orders.
Plaintiffs seek emergency hearing after Noem secretly reinstated ICE visitor restrictions one day after Minneapolis shooting, blocking three House reps from facility Saturday.
DHS issues new policy requiring 7-day notice for congressional ICE visits, using OBBBA funding to bypass December court order that blocked identical restriction.
Justice Department threatens Fed Chair Powell with criminal charges over congressional testimony about building renovations; Powell calls it ‘pretext’ for resisting Trump on interest rates.
Three Minnesota members of Congress kicked out of ICE facility 30 minutes after being admitted, two days after Noem issued new directive defying court ruling on oversight visits.
Jim Jordan commits to public hearing for Jack Smith after 8-hour closed-door session failed to produce damaging testimony; Smith’s lawyers had requested open forum for months.
House Oversight votes to subpoena journalist Seth Harp over reporting on Delta Force commander in Venezuela operation, with bipartisan support despite First Amendment concerns.
House fails to override two Trump vetoes of unanimously-passed bills, including Lauren Boebert’s Colorado water project vetoed after she signed Epstein files discharge petition.
White House tells planning commission East Wing demolition was “most economical” option as architect says new 90,000 square foot ballroom “will match exactly” the mansion’s height.
House passes three-year extension of ACA subsidies 230-196 after 17 Republicans join Democrats to force vote via discharge petition over Speaker Johnson’s opposition.
Senate advances Venezuela war powers resolution 52-47 after five Republicans break with Trump, who responded they “should never be elected again” as Vance called the law unconstitutional.
DOT proposes banning all automated traffic cameras in Washington DC, eliminating program that generated $267 million for the city last year.
Trump announces plan to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, triggering 5% drops in Blackstone and Invitation Homes stock. 21 words
Trump calls for $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, up from $901 billion, claiming tariffs will fund “dream military” days after invading Venezuela and threatening multiple countries.
Senate confirms former Fox News contributor Sara Carter as drug czar by 52-48 vote despite no government, public health, or law enforcement experience.
Trump tells House Republicans at Kennedy Center to be “flexible” on abortion funding restrictions, drawing immediate rebuke from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
California Rep. Doug LaMalfa dies unexpectedly at 65, one day after Greene resignation and with another GOP member hospitalized, leaving House at 218-213.
Pentagon moves to downgrade Senator Mark Kelly’s Navy captain rank and retirement pay after he told troops they can refuse illegal orders.
Top intelligence Democrat says two-hour classified briefing on Venezuela “posed far more questions than it answered” as war powers resolution heads to Senate vote this week.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting board votes to dissolve 59-year-old organization five months after Congress clawed back $1.1 billion in allocated funds.
Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expire overnight, with 20 million subsidized enrollees facing average 114% premium increases in 2026.
Trump issues first vetoes of second term, rejecting bipartisan tribal land bill because the Miccosukee Tribe sued over his Everglades detention facility and a Colorado water pipeline bill a senator called part of a “revenge tour.”
Kennedy Center revised bylaws in May to strip congressional trustees of voting rights, months before Trump appointees “unanimously” voted to add his name to the building.
Jack Smith testified that Trump’s 2020 election scheme has “no historical analog,” that Trump caused and exploited Jan. 6 violence, and that one tweet endangered Mike Pence’s life.
Senate Democrats ask Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to explain under what authority she accessed Epstein files after telling Vanity Fair she read them.
DOJ now says 5.2 million pages of potential Epstein files require review, up from “over a million” last week, with 400 lawyers working to meet January 20 target after missing December 19 deadline.
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) appeals partial denial of motion to dismiss assault charges from May ICE detention facility visit, citing selective prosecution and legislative immunity.
New reporting reveals cannabis CEO’s 18-month lobbying campaign and seven-figure donations led to Trump’s marijuana rescheduling, overriding Speaker Johnson and 22 senators.
Trump previews marble armrests for Kennedy Center, calling them “unlike anything ever done or seen before,” while lawsuit challenges disputed unanimous vote to add his name.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) calls on British royal family to personally compensate Epstein’s victims after new photos show former Prince Andrew lying across women’s laps at royal estate.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) becomes only Republican among 12 lawmakers asking inspector general to investigate whether Justice Department violated Epstein transparency law Trump signed in November.
Trump urges Justice Department to release names of any Democrats in Epstein files to “embarrass them,” while complaining DOJ is “forced to spend all of its time” on the release he signed into law.
Justice Department says it has “over a million more” Epstein documents to release weeks after deadline, hours after co-author of transparency law threatened contempt proceedings.
Federally indicted Rep. McIver and two House colleagues visit Newark migrant jail after detainee death, find 950 held with sick inmates waiting weeks for care.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) demands answers from unlisted White House ballroom donors including Roblox CEO who allegedly gave $5 million while company faces child safety lawsuits.
Second trove of Epstein files briefly appears on DOJ website then vanishes without explanation, including references to memos on co-conspirators prosecutors considered charging.
Four Illinois representatives tour Broadview ICE facility with court order after being denied entry in June, find two detainees where 150 were held at peak in building with 125 capacity.
Khanna and Massie threaten Attorney General Bondi with impeachment and inherent contempt after DOJ’s partial Epstein files release violates law they co-sponsored.
DOJ restores Trump photo to Epstein files after bipartisan outcry, claiming it was removed “to protect victims” before admitting no victims were depicted.
At least 15 Epstein files vanish from Justice Department website one day after release, including photo showing Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
