The Pentagon is appealing a court order that prevented Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from punishing Senator Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders, citing free speech rights. U.S. Court of Appeals officials are set to review the Feb. 12 ruling by Judge Richard Leon, who found that Kelly’s free speech was protected and that the Pentagon's actions violated his rights. Kelly sued to block his January 5 censure related to the video, which included other veteran lawmakers and urged soldiers to uphold the Constitution.
During congressional hearings, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the use of National Guardsmen and Marines in Los Angeles to handle protests, asserting that all actions were under presidential authority and lawful. Senator Jack Reed challenged this, arguing that law enforcement is a civil function and criticizing the military's involvement as potentially illegal and distracting from military readiness.
During his lengthy State of the Union address, Donald Trump emphasized economic achievements, claiming that inflation and gas prices have fallen significantly, though some statements, such as gas prices below $2.30 per gallon, are not supported by current data. He also highlighted reductions in illegal border crossings and drug flows, but evidence for some claims, including the effectiveness of military campaigns against drug traffickers, is limited or contested. Additionally, Trump promoted his new child savings accounts and several policy initiatives, but experts noted that some assertions, such as potential investment growth, are overly optimistic or exaggerated.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt answered questions ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address, which included a speech lasting nearly two hours during which Trump highlighted the economy and criticized Democrats. The event coincided with positive earnings reports from the stock market and coverage of various events and trends.
Rep. Ilhan Omar shouted "you have killed Americans" at President Donald Trump during a debate over funding the Department of Homeland Security, referencing the deaths of two US citizens in Minnesota linked to federal immigration enforcement. Trump criticized Democrats' demands for reform and defended his policies in a broad speech, while various other news reports covered topics including severe flooding in Brazil, a racist incident at a school in New York City, and the release of files revealing Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with Deepak Chopra.
In his State of the Union address, President Trump expressed a preference for diplomatic solutions to the crisis with Iran but also outlined reasons for considering military action, including Iran's support for terrorism, missile development, and attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. Trump emphasized that he would never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and highlighted the ongoing military buildup in the Middle East, raising concerns among some lawmakers about the possibility of imminent war. Iranians indicated they would resume talks with the U.S. in Geneva, stressing their commitment not to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger criticized President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, asserting that his policies have not made life more affordable for Americans, particularly regarding health care and housing. She emphasized that Democrats are focused on addressing affordability issues and accused Trump of failing to deliver on that front. Spanberger rejected Trump's claims of progress on affordability and highlighted ongoing economic challenges faced by ordinary Americans.
The Justice Department announced it will seek review by the U.S. Court of Appeals of a federal judge's order that blocks the Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that military officials violated Kelly's First Amendment rights and threatened constitutional liberties. Kelly sued to prevent his censure following a video with other lawmakers advocating for upholding the Constitution, which led to accusations of sedition by former President Trump. The Pentagon's attempt to enforce punishment remains halted pending the appellate review.
During President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, a Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Ilhan Omar, publicly accused him of killing Americans by federal agents in Minnesota, prompting shouts and protests. While Republicans applauded, Democrats expressed dissent, and Trump criticized Democrats for not standing. The speech occurred amid various political challenges, including legal setbacks and ongoing investigations, with polls indicating that a majority of Americans believe the country is worse off compared to a year ago.
In his nearly two-hour State of the Union address, President Trump expressed confidence in claims of sweeping victories in crime reduction, border security, and economic growth, despite low approval ratings and political challenges. He highlighted achievements such as military actions, economic improvements, and border security, while also proposing policies including replacing income taxes with tariffs and initiating a "war on fraud." The speech was marked by strong partisan divisions, with Trump criticizing Democrats and the Supreme Court, and calling for legislative action on various issues.
The article reports that Trump's new tariffs are deemed illegal, similar to his previous tariffs, but this issue is largely omitted in mainstream media coverage. Additionally, FedEx is suing the U.S. government for a refund and interest on duties paid on Trump-era tariffs following a Supreme Court decision. The article also highlights various other current topics, including political approval ratings, surveillance concerns, technology developments, and changes in cultural trends.
President Donald Trump delivered a 108-minute State of the Union address, emphasizing his administration's economic accomplishments and foreign policy efforts, while sparing mentions of immigration policies and recent controversies. Democratic leaders criticized the speech as lacking truth and solutions, and the speech broke his own record as the longest in history. The address was politically charged, with reactions from both sides reflecting ongoing partisan divides.
