President Donald Trump delivered the 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress with the theme “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected,” highlighting his administration’s accomplishments and emphasizing issues such as the economy, military, and immigration reform. At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers boycotted the speech to participate in a counterevent, while others, including Epstein survivors and prominent guests, attended. A recent CNN poll indicated declining approval for Trump among independents and doubts about his policies' effectiveness. The address also featured remarks from guests related to issues like national security and housing, and responses from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger for Democrats.
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.
US President Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, outlining his accomplishments and policy agenda ahead of the midterm elections. The speech, scheduled for 9:00 PM EST at the US Capitol, will include high-profile guests and be followed by a Democratic Party rebuttal. Attendees will include lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, military leaders, and members of Trump's family, while some Democratic lawmakers have chosen to skip the event. The address is expected to cover topics such as immigration, trade policy, foreign relations, and recent government actions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Pentagon is actively working on identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life, following President Donald Trump's directive. Trump announced in February that federal agencies should begin releasing such files amid widespread public interest. While the White House and Department of Defense have not provided further details, Hegseth indicated there would be more updates, and the process is being conducted in compliance with Trump’s instructions.
Peter Attia has resigned from his role as a CBS News contributor amid scrutiny related to his emails with Jeffrey Epstein, which were released in a Justice Department file. Attia stated that his contribution was newly established and had not yet begun, and he emphasized that he was not involved in any criminal activity or Epstein's alleged crimes. The resignation follows the release of Epstein files showing Attia's interactions with Epstein in the 2010s.
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 Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that President Trump's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) exceeded executive authority, reaffirming Congress's constitutional power over taxation and tariffs. The decision affects existing tariffs related to the fentanyl and reciprocal orders, voiding their legal validity, and directs refunds for duties paid under those tariffs. However, it leaves other tariff powers under IEEPA and related statutes largely unaffected and does not address refund mechanisms or the implications for ongoing trade policies, including the Section 122 tariffs imposed shortly after the ruling. The ruling signals a significant legal reinforcement of congressional authority over trade measures but maintains the current tariff landscape's complexity.
The U.S. Supreme Court declared President Trump's IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional, ruling that only Congress has the power to impose tariffs during peacetime. Consequently, the tariffs imposed under IEEPA are now void, with the White House ending their collection and CBP guiding importers on refunds. In response, the administration has introduced a temporary 10% import surcharge under the Trade Act of 1974, which may be increased to 15%, creating a new tariff framework. Rimon's Tariff Resource Center continues to monitor and advise on further developments.
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.
