The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into Ohio State University College of Medicine’s admissions policies, requesting detailed applicant data amid heightened scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action. Led by Harmeet Dhillon, a conservative activist heading the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the inquiry reflects a broader crackdown on DEI policies at several universities. Separately, the DOJ and Department of Homeland Security are finalizing a controversial agreement to share sensitive voter registration data for immigration and criminal investigations, raising privacy and legal concerns.
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A Senate amendment requiring photo identification for voting failed to advance after a 53-47 vote, amid heated debate over the broader SAVE America Act, which seeks to impose stricter voter ID and citizenship verification measures. Democrats opposed the amendment, citing concerns about voter access and ballot secrecy, while Republicans argued it was necessary for election integrity and reflected public opinion favoring voter ID laws. Additional election-related controversies include fears of ICE presence at polling places and a lawsuit demanding transparency over a voter data sharing agreement involving Social Security Administration staff, highlighting ongoing tensions ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The House Ethics Committee will hold a rare public hearing to investigate Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida for allegedly misappropriating $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds and using some of the money to finance her 2022 congressional campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick denies the charges, which include theft, money laundering, and illegal campaign contributions, stemming from an indictment related to overpayments made to her family’s company holding a FEMA contract. The bipartisan committee will determine if she violated House rules, with potential penalties including censure or expulsion, despite her legal team's request to delay and close the hearing until her criminal trial concludes.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are set to appear in a Manhattan federal court facing charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, which they deny. Since their January arrest, Maduro has been held under strict conditions in a high-security unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, while their legal team argues that U.S. sanctions have hindered their ability to pay for defense counsel. The U.S. Attorney’s Office disputes these claims and has sought protective measures to safeguard witnesses, with the case currently pending before Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has entered its 41st day, causing severe delays at TSA checkpoints and increasing pressure on Senate lawmakers to reach a funding agreement before their upcoming recess. Negotiations remain deadlocked over funding and reform of ICE, with Republicans opposing Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms and Democrats insisting on them as part of any DHS funding deal. Meanwhile, internal GOP divisions and calls from former President Trump to end the filibuster complicate efforts to pass a resolution, leaving the shutdown unresolved as the Senate prepares for another vote.
As the U.S. military campaign in Iran nears one month, bipartisan lawmakers have expressed frustration over the administration’s lack of clear strategy, objectives, and transparency regarding funding, with the Pentagon preparing to request an additional $200 billion to support operations. Congressional officials criticized the absence of definitive answers on the war’s goals and the potential deployment of ground troops, a move some view as a “red line” that could jeopardize support. Despite the White House’s claims of ongoing briefings and commitment to dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, lawmakers continue to demand more detailed information amid escalating costs and strategic uncertainty.
A Trump administration official has made new criminal referrals against New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleging possible homeowner's insurance fraud related to two properties in Norfolk, Virginia. The referrals claim James falsified occupancy information on insurance applications, but her attorney denounced the actions as politically motivated and part of a vendetta by the Trump administration. These allegations follow previous unsuccessful attempts to prosecute James on mortgage-related charges amid her ongoing legal battles with Trump and his organization.
President Donald Trump has avoided officially calling the military conflict with Iran a "war," citing constitutional limits on presidential war powers and the need for congressional authorization, though he has occasionally referred to it as such. The legal and political debate continues, with Democrats pushing to restrict the president’s military actions without congressional approval, while Republicans largely oppose these measures. Meanwhile, Ukraine is aiding Gulf nations against Iranian drone attacks by deploying anti-drone specialists, and Senate Republicans are advancing a budget reconciliation bill focused on conservative priorities, including military funding related to the Iran conflict.