A lawsuit alleges that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and the Trump administration violated First Amendment rights by using facial recognition software and surveillance technology to identify, track, and intimidate citizens documenting federal actions in Maine. The complaint claims that federal agents collected biometric data, license plates, and other personal information from citizens, often threatening them with labels such as "domestic terrorists," to deter their constitutional activities. The plaintiffs seek a declaration of the violations, restrictions on such surveillance practices, and the expungement of collected records.
The article criticizes the nomination of Casey Means, a wellness influencer and lifestyle blogger, for the position of Surgeon General, citing her lack of qualifications and accusing her of spreading misinformation and undermining modern medicine. It claims her appointment would serve to undermine public trust in healthcare and aligns her with controversial figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The article suggests her role would be to promote misinformation rather than provide reliable health guidance.
President Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address amid reports that a majority of Americans disapprove of his handling of immigration and the economy, according to an ABC/Post/Ipsos poll. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, the highest-ranking House Democrat, announced she will not attend the speech, citing concerns over what she describes as the president's dishonesty and disrespect toward the American people.
U.S. Olympic hockey players Jack and Quinn Hughes expressed support for the women's team amid backlash over President Trump's comments suggesting they join the men's team at the State of the Union. The men's team, which recently won gold, accepted the invitation to attend the address, while the women's team declined due to scheduling conflicts. The Hughes brothers emphasized their positive relationship with the women's team and their pride in representing the U.S., amid social media criticism of their reactions to Trump's remarks.
The designated survivor is a government official, typically a Cabinet member, chosen to remain in a secure location during major events like the State of the Union to ensure continuity of government in case of a catastrophic incident. The practice, believed to have started during the Cold War, has no official selection process and is usually decided by the President or Chief of Staff, with recent years also involving congressional lawmakers. For the 2026 State of the Union, California Rep. Mike Thompson was announced as the nominated designated survivor for the Democrats, although he will watch the address from a secure location.
Senator Mark Kelly and colleagues filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to defend birthright citizenship, arguing that President Trump's executive order aimed at altering these rights violates the Constitution. The case, Trump v. Barbara, is scheduled for oral arguments on April 1, 2026. Kelly emphasized the importance of maintaining constitutional protections for individuals born in the U.S.
A group of U.S. senators and House members, including Senators Mark Kelly, Jacky Rosen, and Dick Durbin, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to defend birthright citizenship and oppose President Trump's efforts to revoke it. They argue that Trump's executive order violates the Constitution and longstanding legal precedents, emphasizing that children born in the U.S. are American citizens. The case, Trump v. Barbara, is scheduled for oral arguments on April 1, 2026.
New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander criticized President Trump for threatening her and five other Democrats over a video encouraging military members to refuse illegal orders, calling Trump's comments an incitement to violence. A Washington grand jury declined to indict Goodlander and the others, and the case was dropped by U.S. Attorney Jeanne Pirro. Additionally, a judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the Pentagon from disciplining Senator Mark Kelly, another former Navy captain who participated in the video.
Economist Peter Schiff criticized U.S. trade policy, stating that no country has been ripping off America and that the U.S. effectively exploits the rest of the world through its fiat currency. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled that the president does not have the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, prompting President Trump to announce a new 10% global tariff. This escalation occurs amid recent U.S. inflation data showing a decline to 2.4% in January.
JPMorgan Chase acknowledged in a court filing that it closed bank accounts tied to Donald Trump and his businesses after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, a fact central to Trump's $5 billion lawsuit against the bank. Trump argues that the account closures were politically motivated "debanking" influenced by the Biden administration, while the bank maintains the accounts were closed in February 2021. The lawsuit and JPMorgan's statements highlight ongoing debates over political bias and banking practices related to account closures of high-profile individuals.
Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee accuse the Justice Department of potentially withholding FBI documents related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor, including interviews and notes. Representative Robert Garcia stated the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld this evidence and announced plans for a parallel investigation. The allegations stem from a woman who accused Trump of abuse when she was 13, with the FBI interviews reportedly involving around 50 pages of material that have not been publicly disclosed.
Rep. Meeks discussed the GOP-led DHS shutdown, criticizing Republican opposition to reforms aimed at overseeing ICE, which he says hampers disaster response and security efforts. He also called for investigation into the Trump family's cryptocurrency dealings, citing national security concerns, and highlighted a Supreme Court decision that blocked Trump's tariffs, affirming Congress's authority over import taxes. Additionally, he received the William C. Thompson, Sr. Award in honor of Black History Month.
