Browse articles by month.
3227 articles
President-elect Donald Trump has named vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to chair a commission on vaccination safety, a move that has alarmed medical professionals. Kennedy is known for his controversial stance linking vaccines to autism, a claim that has been widely discredited.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators resumed talks in Geneva amid accusations from U.S. officials, including Rubio and Vance, that Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, threatening regional and U.S. security. Iran's President Khamenei and officials deny pursuit of nuclear weapons, emphasizing a ban on WMDs. Meanwhile, some U.S. policymakers suggest that Israel may strike Iran first, potentially prompting retaliation and raising concerns about U.S. casualties and political risks. Iran reportedly offers financial incentives to reach an agreement, including investments in oil and gas industries, in an attempt to influence negotiations.
Fifteen U.S. states, led by California and Arizona, have filed a lawsuit against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule and appointments to a vaccine advisory panel, claiming the changes were unlawful and could undermine vaccination confidence. The states argue that Kennedy’s actions bypassed established scientific and legal procedures, while the Department of Health and Human Services defends the revisions as protective and internationally aligned. This legal challenge is part of ongoing lawsuits concerning the legality and safety of Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes.
Indirect US-Iran nuclear talks have resumed in Geneva, mediated by Oman, with both sides showing unprecedented openness to new ideas. The negotiations come amid ongoing US accusations that Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons program, while Iran insists its efforts are solely for civilian purposes. The talks are the third session this year and are taking place amid heightened regional tensions and a continued US military build-up in the Middle East.
President Trump’s State of the Union speech omitted several key health topics, including scientific research, Medicaid and ACA subsidy cuts, abortion, rural health initiatives, and actions related to vaccine policy and Autism/Make America Healthy Again efforts. Despite White House claims of discussing his health care agenda, critics noted the absence of discussions on these significant issues, with some speculating it indicates a shift away from certain health policies and initiatives. The speech notably lacked references to ongoing health policy changes and scientific advancements.
The Trump administration announced a temporary halt on $259.5 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over concerns about fraud, including unsupported claims and individuals lacking legal immigration status. The move prompts Minnesota to develop a corrective action plan within 60 days, amid accusations from state officials that the action is politically motivated. This decision is part of a broader federal crackdown on healthcare fraud and comes after recent high-profile fraud cases and political tensions involving Minnesota.
Nick Shirley, a YouTuber promoted by Republicans like JD Vance, posted a video claiming to expose daycare fraud involving Somali Americans in Minneapolis, which gained significant attention among right-wing media. He responded to a post about a documentary titled "Jewish Invasion" in New Jersey with "EXPOSE IT ALL," prompting reactions from far-right figures. Shirley’s activities have contributed to heightened anti-immigration sentiments and policy actions, including efforts to cut Medicaid funding in Minnesota.
The FBI has fired about 10 agents involved in investigations related to former President Donald Trump, including the probe into his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. These dismissals are part of a broader personnel purge under FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump appointee, which has faced criticism from the FBI Agents Association for allegedly weakening the agency. The firings came amid reports that Patel's phone records were subpoenaed by prosecutors as part of ongoing investigations.
A grand jury in Texas declined to charge a federal immigration agent in the shooting death of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, during a traffic stop in March 2025, citing insufficient probable cause. The incident involved Martinez allegedly attempting to run over an agent and striking another officer with his vehicle, leading to the agent firing multiple rounds. The case remains under investigation, and Martinez’s family and their attorneys seek transparency, with calls for a public hearing and full disclosure of the investigation.
CAPAC Chair Grace Meng and Rep. Tim Kennedy issued a joint statement condemning the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, criticizing U.S. Border Patrol agents for leaving him injured and unable to communicate near his home without notifying his family. They called for a comprehensive investigation and accountability from the Trump Administration, DHS, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A Department of Homeland Security official assured election administrators that federal immigration agents will not be stationed at polling places during the November midterm elections, countering fears of election interference. Heather Honey, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity, stated that claims of ICE presence at polling sites are untrue. The reassurance follows concerns among Democratic secretaries of state about possible election interference amid broader tensions over federal election security efforts and claims by then-President Trump of widespread election fraud.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded a $250,000 public relations contract to American Made Media Company (AMMC), a GOP-aligned consulting firm with ties to former Trump campaign officials and Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The contract was awarded shortly after a solicitation that explicitly favored firms promoting Trump administration policies and partisan loyalty, with a rapid procurement process raising concerns regarding transparency and fairness. Critics, including watchdog groups and legal experts, have questioned the integrity of the process, which appeared to bypass standard procurement safeguards and favored politically aligned contractors. DHS officials stated that the procurement process complies with federal laws and emphasizes alignment with the agency’s mission.