President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress, with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson expected to sit behind him. The seating includes Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, military leaders, and former lawmakers, with other seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. About two dozen guests will be seated in the gallery, and the designated survivor, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, will remain in a secure location.
President Donald Trump is set to deliver the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson seated behind him. In front of the president, high-ranking officials including Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be seated, while other senators and representatives will be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. The address typically includes about two dozen guests in the gallery, and the designated survivor during this event is Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins.
Comedian Tim Dillon, a former supporter of Donald Trump, criticized the current state of the United States, stating that it is "not doing great" and highlighting issues such as the national debt and international tensions. He also mentioned that some conservative voices, including Fox News personalities and Ben Shapiro, are encouraging overly positive narratives about the country’s situation. Dillon has previously expressed critical views of Trump’s policies and actions.
Psychiatric researchers have refuted claims by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that a Harvard doctor cured schizophrenia with a ketogenic diet, emphasizing that existing evidence is limited to two case reports and does not prove efficacy. While some studies suggest keto may benefit mental health conditions through impacts on mitochondrial function, more controlled clinical trials are ongoing to assess its safety and effectiveness. Experts caution that long-term adherence and practical challenges of the diet remain concerns for wider implementation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to address unresolved issues regarding the military's use of Anthropic's AI model, Claude. The Pentagon seeks full access to the model for all lawful uses but faces resistance from Anthropic, which wants to restrict certain applications like mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. The meeting is expected to be tense, with the Pentagon considering actions including declaring Anthropic a "supply chain risk," potentially forcing the company to lower its safety safeguards or risk losing military contracts.
The US Supreme Court ruled last week that President Trump overstepped legal authority in imposing tariffs, leading the Biden administration to cease collection of certain tariffs from Tuesday onward. Trump denounced the court's decision and suggested tariffs could be used more aggressively in the future. The move has created uncertainty among UK and EU businesses, with some officials calling for urgent clarity on trade deal implications, while the EU and UK continue negotiations and seek further details.
The Tampa City Council has approved the expansion of school zone safety cameras, making it the 48th Florida municipality to deploy RedSpeed USA cameras since 2023. These cameras aim to reduce speeding in school zones, with data showing a decrease in repeat violations and a positive impact on driver behavior. Violators receive notices by mail, with fines directing revenue toward public safety, education, and local initiatives, none of which are funded by taxpayers.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Food and Drug Administration will review the safety of ultraprocessed foods, including whether ingredients like corn syrup should remain classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This follows a petition by former FDA Commissioner David Kessler to revoke the safety status of certain refined carbohydrates, citing concerns about their impact on health and obesity. Kennedy emphasized the need for greater transparency and informed consumer choices regarding processed foods.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman’s recent support for voter ID legislation, traditionally associated with Republican policies, has prompted a reevaluation of the issue. Critics argue that voter fraud is not a significant problem, questioning the need for voter ID requirements. The debate highlights ongoing disagreements over election security measures in Pennsylvania.
Nebraska's all-Republican congressional delegation had mixed reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that President Trump's tariffs, issued under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, are illegal, affirming that Congress holds the power to tax. Rep. Don Bacon called the ruling a victory for constitutional checks and balances, while others emphasized the importance of congressional authority and ongoing trade efforts. President Trump criticized the decision, indicating plans to impose new tariffs, though the ruling restricts the president's unilateral tariff authority.
Sen. Mark Kelly advocates for practical, commonsense regulations to protect families and foster innovation as AI rapidly transforms industries, emphasizing the need for accountability, transparency, and safety. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders warns against concentrated corporate control over AI decisions and emphasizes public oversight, while investor Kevin O'Leary criticizes strict European regulations for hindering innovation and advocates for attracting global talent and investment.
Marco Rubio has stated he will not challenge Vice President J.D. Vance for the Republican nomination, suggesting he is supporting Vance’s 2028 bid, but some GOP insiders believe Rubio may still keep his options open. Rubio has established influence within the Trump-era GOP and maintains a politically dormant nonprofit, America 2100, which could serve as a potential launchpad for a future presidential run. The current Republican landscape favors populist candidates like Vance and Rubio over traditional conservatives, reflecting the party’s shift following Trump’s influence. Inside the party, there is a preference among traditional conservatives for Rubio, viewed as more appealing to general voters than Vance.
