A federal judge has permanently blocked the release of a report by special counsel Jack Smith regarding President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, cited concerns about "manifest injustice" and legal privilege, ruling that releasing the report would violate constitutional principles and the presumption of innocence. The decision has been criticized by watchdog groups and legal advocates who argue it violates First Amendment rights, while Trump's attorneys praised the ruling, asserting Smith's appointment was unlawful.
Fox News viewers have criticized Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for making inaccurate claims about the economic impact of the Biden administration, with some labeling her a "paid liar." During her appearance on Fox & Friends, Leavitt stated that Biden "created the affordability crisis one year ago," contradicting previous Trump administration claims that the crisis was a "Democratic hoax." Viewers highlighted the lack of evidence attributing the crisis solely to Biden and pointed out that global and systemic factors have contributed to rising costs.
President Donald Trump is delivering his 2026 State of the Union address, focusing on the economy, affordability, foreign policy, and his administration’s achievements, despite facing low approval ratings on the economy. The speech is being boycotted by more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers and several groups opposing Trump’s policies, while NBC News provides live coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET. The event follows recent political developments, including forthcoming tariffs, international tensions, and a decline in public confidence in Trump’s handling of economic issues.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that while he is committed to releasing classified government files on extraterrestrial life in response to President Trump’s order, he did not initially anticipate this task when assuming his role. He affirmed that efforts are underway to comply with the executive order, but characterized the process as ongoing and did not offer a detailed timeline.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided an update on the Trump administration’s efforts to release government files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life, stating that his department is actively reviewing relevant documents in compliance with an executive order from President Trump. While he did not specify a timeline, Hegseth indicated that more information would be forthcoming and acknowledged the public and governmental interest in the subject. He also remarked that he is reviewing the matter alongside the public and did not definitively believe in the existence of aliens.
President Donald Trump prepared for his upcoming State of the Union address, signaling it would be a lengthy speech due to the many topics he planned to discuss. He reviewed his speech with advisers and practiced mimicking the chamber setup, despite his usual reluctance to rehearse aloud. The address comes at a challenging time for Trump, with declining approval ratings, concerns over potential losses in Congress, a Supreme Court ruling against his tariff policy, and considerations of military action against Iran.
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board criticized Donald Trump for reimposing tariffs in response to the Supreme Court nullifying his previous tariffs, calling his approach "bull-headed" and warning that it could harm businesses and hurt Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The editorial also condemned the Trump administration's handling of tariff refunds as a "bait and switch" and suggested that Trump's focus on tariffs is a "losing wager" politically. The piece is part of a broader critique of Trump's actions during his presidency, with the Journal often opposing his policies.
President Donald Trump indicated that his upcoming State of the Union address would be lengthy due to the many topics he plans to cover. He has been preparing the speech with a small advisory team, including speechwriter Ross Worthington, and has practiced mimicking the setup of the House chamber. The speech comes at a challenging time for Trump, with declining approval ratings, fears of losing congressional control, a Supreme Court ruling against his tariff policy, and considerations of military action against Iran.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch lacks the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, prompting President Trump to implement a 15% tariff as a temporary measure. The ruling could lead to tariff refunds for paid tariffs, with legal disputes expected regarding the process. The administration may respond by invoking other legal authorities, such as Section 232 and Section 301, to impose tariffs, particularly on China. The future of U.S. trade policy remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about USMCA negotiations and potential shifts toward bilateral agreements.
According to PolitiFact's MAGA-Meter, President Donald Trump has fulfilled approximately 19% of his campaign promises, including signing a tax law extension and pardoning Jan. 6 defendants, while many promises remain unfulfilled or stalled due to congressional inaction, court rulings, or lack of initiative. Notably, he promised to end the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours but has not achieved a peace deal. Several promises related to voting requirements and reducing the cost of goods are still in progress or stalled.
During a February 19 visit to Rome, Georgia, President Trump focused on alleging that the 2020 election was stolen and criticized the FBI raids in Fulton County, while also discussing proposed voter ID requirements. His visit coincided with early voting for a special election to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene’s former district, and he endorsed candidate Clay Fuller, avoiding comments on Greene's recent social media posts.
According to PolitiFact's MAGA-Meter, President Donald Trump has kept about 19% of his campaign promises, including extending tax cuts and saving TikTok, while around 45% are in progress and 31% are stalled due to legislative or judicial hurdles. Some promises, such as ending the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours, remain unfulfilled. Overall, many of his commitments have seen partial progress or remain unachieved.
