US Politics

President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers aimed at offsetting losses tied to tariffs and trade tensions, particularly with China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will administer the program through direct payments, commodity purchases and trade promotion efforts, focusing on producers of soybeans, corn, pork, dairy and other key crops. Farmers, lawmakers and analysts are examining eligibility rules, timing and potential effects on exports, prices and rural economies as the federal government rolls out this temporary relief measure.

A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress seeks to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement an evidence-based suicide-prevention model at VA medical centers nationwide. The legislation mandates standardized screening, staff training, data tracking and crisis response protocols to address veteran suicide risk. The bill directs the VA to coordinate with other federal agencies and veteran organizations, expand access to mental health services and report regularly to Congress on implementation and outcomes.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Washington said he plans to involve himself in the decision on Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., warning the streaming company already has a “very large market share” and the deal “could be a problem,” as he spoke to reporters at the Kennedy Center Honors.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a major case on presidential power involving the Federal Trade Commission. The dispute examines whether the president can remove the FTC’s leadership at will, challenging long-standing protections for independent agency officials. The outcome could reshape the balance between the executive branch and independent regulators and affect how key agencies enforce antitrust and consumer protection laws. The ruling will apply to future presidents and may redefine the structure and independence of federal commissions.

Colin Allred announced that he ended his campaign for the United States Senate from Texas and will instead seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, setting up a primary contest against U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson.

The Trump administration has proposed rolling back federal fuel economy standards for vehicles that were set under President Biden in 2024. The draft rules would slow the required pace of fuel efficiency improvements for new cars and light trucks, affecting future model years and national energy use. The proposal enters a formal regulatory process with public comment and review by federal agencies.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched “Catahoula Crunch,” a new immigration enforcement crackdown in New Orleans under the Trump administration. The operation focuses on federal immigration law enforcement in the New Orleans region and involves multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials have released few operational details, citing security concerns, and no timeline has been given for the initiative. Local authorities, legal aid groups, and community organizations are monitoring the impact on residents and seeking information about potential arrests, detentions, and changes in immigration proceedings across the greater New Orleans area.

House Democrats on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee obtained banking records tied to Jeffrey Epstein and released new, previously unseen photos of his private island, Little Saint James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lawmakers are reviewing the records to track financial flows, examine bank compliance practices and connect money movements to activity on the island. The committee is combining the images, financial documents and witness testimony to build a detailed factual record of Epstein’s network, assets and transactions, while coordinating with other government investigations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been directed by the Trump administration to focus on undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, according to a New York Times report. The article explains the scope of the reported directive, the size and background of the Somali community in Minneapolis–St. Paul and the broader context of federal immigration enforcement. It outlines how ICE operates, notes local community and advocacy group responses and describes the legal and policy framework that shapes immigration actions in the region.