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.
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.
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.
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.
Phillip Grillo, a former Queens Republican district leader and convicted Jan. 6 insurrection participant, filed to run for the State Assembly in Eastern Queens, less than a year after being pardoned by President Trump. He will compete in a primary against Robert J. Speranza before potentially facing Democratic incumbent Ed Braunstein. Grillo, convicted of multiple charges related to the Capitol riot, previously ran for other public offices and was pardoned despite his convictions. The Queens Republican Party supports Speranza for the seat.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic's CEO a deadline to open the company's AI technology for unrestricted military use or face potential contract termination and other penalties. The meeting highlighted the company's ethical stance against fully autonomous military targeting and domestic surveillance, amid broader concerns over AI’s role in national security and ethical use. The Pentagon has awarded AI contracts to several companies, including Anthropic, with ongoing tensions regarding compliance and ethical considerations.
The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is impairing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delaying the release of $625 million in federal funds designated for security activities and information sharing. Host cities like Kansas City and Miami expressed concerns about staffing, planning, and coordination due to the funding delay, which also affects technology interoperability, threat analysis, and drone detection efforts. Stakeholders warn that these issues could weaken security and hamper effective response during the event.
A Financial Times analysis warns that Trump's MAGA allies' flattery is impairing his understanding of real-world risks, increasing the danger of reckless decisions and potential global instability. Experts cited concerns about Trump's psychological state, particularly regarding threats like a possible military strike on Iran, and criticized the influence of sycophantic advisers who reinforce his inflated self-assessment. The article suggests that this environment of false praise may hinder Trump's ability to receive honest guidance, raising concerns about future catastrophic actions.
The US Senate may soon vote on the SAVE America Act, a bill promoted as a voter ID law but criticized as being more harmful than it appears, potentially threatening voting rights for various groups. Mehdi argues that the bill is misleadingly presented and addresses a non-existent problem of non-citizen voting, raising concerns about its impact on fair elections.
