Residents and activist groups in Cary, North Carolina plan to confront town officials at Thursday's State of Cary Address over reports that ICE is expanding its local office presence at 11000 Regency Parkway. The concern follows a WIRED magazine report about ICE expanding office space nationally, including in Cary, where a GSA database shows a 25,000-square-foot lease at the building running through at least 2030. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht acknowledged receiving dozens of emails about the potential move but noted the town lacks authority to stop it, while a town spokesperson confirmed that federal agencies can operate without local rezoning or municipal approval. WRAL News has not independently verified the WIRED reporting, and a GSA spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Congress is debating the use of war powers resolutions to check President Trump's authority after he launched a joint U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," without a formal declaration of war or congressional approval, resulting in at least six U.S. military deaths and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Democrats argue Trump acted unilaterally and has failed to provide a clear rationale or exit strategy, while House Speaker Mike Johnson called efforts to limit Trump's authority through the War Powers Act "dangerous." Both the House and Senate have prepared war powers resolutions for votes, though any such measure would likely face a presidential veto that Congress lacks the votes to override. The Republican-controlled Congress, which recently approved $175 billion in new Pentagon funding, largely supports Trump's actions, making legislative intervention unlikely.
Fox News host and Marine Corps veteran Johnny "Joey" Jones urged Americans, including Trump supporters, to ask questions about the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the deaths of three U.S. service members. Jones argued that questioning the administration's decisions does not undermine support for the president or the military, stating that "the American people should ask questions and demand answers when our blood is shed." Trump acknowledged the casualties in a video address and said more deaths were likely, while claiming the mission aimed to eliminate "imminent threats" from Iran and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. Critics, including Sen. Mark Warner, have called for greater clarity and consistency from the administration, particularly regarding the decision to initiate military action without congressional approval.
The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), while remanding other issues for further review, prompting questions about customs bond implications for brokers and importers. Despite the ruling, CBP has confirmed that bond sufficiency reviews are continuing as normal, collateral requirements remain in place, and bond premiums cannot be returned mid-term, as exposure continues until entries liquidate. New tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 took effect February 24, 2026, and CBP has directed brokers to cease collecting IEEPA duties while awaiting further official guidance before filing Post Summary Corrections. Sanctions programs and the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment remain fully in effect regardless of the Court's decision.
Democratic senators, including Colorado's Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, have introduced the Direct File Act to restore and make permanent the IRS's free online tax filing program, which the Trump administration canceled following lobbying efforts by tax preparation companies. The program, piloted in 2024, received high satisfaction ratings from users and was projected to save Americans up to $23 billion annually in fees, time, and tax credits. The legislation would require the IRS to operate a free online tax filing service, prohibit agreements limiting such services, and facilitate integration with state tax systems. The bill is cosponsored by over 150 lawmakers and endorsed by more than 115 organizations and unions.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced an investigation Monday that could result in criminal charges against federal immigration officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, for alleged misconduct during Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis area. The investigation is examining 17 cases, including incidents where federal officers deployed chemical irritants near a high school and at protests, and the fatal shootings of two women by federal agents in January. Moriarty's office is also investigating the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and she has threatened to sue the federal government if evidence she has requested is not provided by Tuesday. The Trump administration has defended federal officers, while the DOJ and FBI have faced criticism for limiting state investigators' access to evidence in the cases.
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has claimed that President Trump launched military action against Iran to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein files, alleging that Trump and his wealthy allies — whom he calls the "Epstein class" — are willing to sacrifice American lives to protect their political interests. The Trump administration maintains the military action was necessary after negotiations to halt Iran's nuclear program failed. The "Epstein class" label has gained traction among Democrats, with Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff amplifying it at a recent rally, though the term was notably also used by former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after she broke with Trump over the Epstein files.
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig publicly stated she regrets her vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which expanded requirements for detaining undocumented immigrants arrested for certain nonviolent crimes, in an editorial published by The Minnesota Star Tribune. Craig, who was the only Minnesota Democrat to support the bill, said witnessing immigration enforcement actions in her state led her to question the decision, stating that "supporting any bill that gives ICE new authority in this administration was the wrong decision." The reversal comes as Craig campaigns for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who has repeatedly criticized Craig's original vote. Flanagan responded to Craig's statement by arguing that regret cannot undo the harm caused by the legislation.
The Trump administration is developing a nationwide network of immigration detention centers, including plans to convert private warehouses and manufacturing facilities into holding facilities for those detained during immigration raids. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy has been covering the story, which has drawn opposition from both Republican and Democratic local officials concerned about the placement of these facilities in their communities. Some communities are conducting public campaigns to discourage property owners from cooperating with the administration's plans, and legal challenges are anticipated.
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must permit unannounced oversight visits by lawmakers to ICE detention facilities. The ruling comes after the Department of Homeland Security implemented a policy requiring one week's advance notice before members of Congress could access detention centers.
A federal court has ordered the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to restore Congress members' ability to conduct unannounced oversight visits to immigration detention facilities, reaffirming their legal authority to inspect conditions. The ruling came after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem secretly reinstated a prior-notice requirement through an undisclosed memo, which was discovered only after multiple members of Congress were denied entry to a Minnesota facility despite holding a valid court order. The case, *Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al.*, was brought by more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers who argued the denial of entry interfered with their duty to investigate reported abuses, including overcrowding, denial of medical care, and lack of access to counsel.
Georgia state Sen. Jaha Howard has introduced two bills — Senate Bill 517, which would temporarily prohibit the establishment of ICE detention centers in Georgia from 2026 to 2028, and Senate Bill 549, which would ban state funding or support for such facilities. At the city level, South Fulton Councilmember Helen Zenobia Willis introduced a resolution to prevent warehouses from being converted into ICE detention centers through zoning regulations, which passed in a 5-2 vote. The measures come in response to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement push and reports that ICE and Homeland Security are purchasing industrial warehouses in multiple states, including Georgia, for use as detention facilities.
