Senate Republicans are trying to end the two-month shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They worry that Democrats might cause a larger government shutdown in October, so they are planning ways to avoid that.
Key Facts
The DHS has been shut down for two months.
Senate Republicans want to end this shutdown.
They fear Democrats could cause a bigger shutdown in October.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) wants to pass a budget plan in the Senate.
The Republicans are working on strategies to prevent future shutdowns.
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Representatives Cory Mills and Nancy Mace, both Republicans, are involved in a public dispute that has escalated to threats of expulsion. Nancy Mace filed a resolution to expel Cory Mills, accusing him of dating violence and breaking campaign finance rules.
Key Facts
Cory Mills represents Florida and Nancy Mace represents South Carolina.
Both lawmakers are members of the Republican Party.
The disagreement between them has grown heated and public.
Nancy Mace filed a formal request to remove Cory Mills from office.
The expulsion request cites accusations of dating violence and violations of campaign finance laws.
The conflict involves public attacks on each other’s character.
The situation is escalating with each side threatening to expel the other.
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Two progressive groups started a $500,000 ad campaign on Earth Day to criticize Republicans about gas prices and electric vehicles (EVs). The ad comes during a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran have increased costs for gas buyers.
Key Facts
Two groups, Progressive Action Fund and Energy Everywhere, are behind the ad campaign.
The ad targets Republican policies related to gas prices and electric vehicles.
The campaign began on Earth Day.
The ad budget for this campaign is $500,000.
Rising gas prices are linked to conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
The ad was first shared with the news site The Hill.
The groups describe themselves as progressive.
The timing connects environmental issues (Earth Day) with current economic concerns (gas prices).
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Several Social Security Administration (SSA) offices across the U.S. are temporarily closed or limiting in-person services this spring due to construction, safety issues, or other problems. People who need help can use phone or online services, but in-person visits require appointments, which may delay some benefit requests.
Key Facts
Some SSA field offices are closed or have phone-only service between March and May 2026.
Reasons for closures include construction, safety limits, and operational difficulties.
Most SSA offices remain open and provide normal services.
Phone and online options are available to handle many issues without visiting in person.
Appointment scheduling is required for in-person visits at affected offices.
Affected locations include places in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The SSA has not shared specific details for each office’s closure.
People can check the status of their local SSA office by entering their ZIP code on the SSA website.
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Voters in Virginia approved new congressional maps that could help Democrats gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This result may encourage Republicans in Florida, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, to redraw their own state election boundaries, possibly increasing GOP seats.
Key Facts
Virginia voters approved new congressional district maps that favor Democrats, potentially adding up to four seats in the House.
The vote occurred amid heavy spending: over $64 million supporting the maps and about $30 million opposing them.
Former President Barack Obama supported the new maps with TV ads, while Republican former Governor Glenn Youngkin campaigned against them.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries warned Florida Republicans that redrawing maps could backfire and help Democrats gain seats.
Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature is set for a special session to consider new district boundaries, possibly adding three GOP seats.
The redistricting battle is a response to Republican-led efforts, started by President Trump, to redraw maps in some states to increase their party's advantage.
Under the new Virginia maps, Democrats are likely to win 10 out of 11 congressional districts, improving from six seats currently held.
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FBI Director Kash Patel’s defamation lawsuit against former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi was dismissed by a U.S. judge. Patel has also filed a separate $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, which reported allegations about Patel’s conduct, including excessive drinking and unexplained absences.
Key Facts
Kash Patel sued Frank Figliuzzi for defamation over a statement made on MS Now about Patel being seen in nightclubs more than at FBI headquarters.
A judge dismissed this lawsuit, saying Figliuzzi’s statement was an exaggerated comment, not a factual claim.
Patel denies all allegations made by The Atlantic about his behavior, including claims of excessive drinking and missing work without explanation.
Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit in response to The Atlantic’s article.
The Atlantic’s report was based on interviews with over twenty current and former officials.
Patel has been criticized for mixing official travel with personal trips on government aircraft.
The Atlantic stands by its reporting and plans to defend against Patel’s lawsuit.
Patel stated publicly he has never been intoxicated on the job and challenges critics to confront him legally.
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A recent poll shows that nearly half of Republicans do not approve of how President Donald Trump is handling the cost of living. Overall, most Americans disapprove of his performance on affordability and the economy, and his approval ratings have dropped recently.
Key Facts
A new poll by AP-NORC found that 47% of Republicans disapprove of President Trump's handling of the cost of living.
51% of Republicans approve of his performance on this issue.
Among all voters, 23% approve and 76% disapprove of how Trump is managing the cost of living.
The poll was conducted from April 16 to 20 and is the first this year to include cost-of-living approval ratings.
Trump's approval rating on the economy dropped from 38% in March to 30% in April.
Only 32% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s leadership on Iran, which has stayed the same since last month.
The poll results come as gas prices are rising due to the conflict in Iran.
These approval ratings could impact the Republican Party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
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Virginia voters approved a new map to redraw the state’s congressional districts by a narrow margin. The new map is designed to favor Democrats, potentially increasing their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from six to as many as ten out of eleven. Legal challenges to the map are still ongoing.
Key Facts
About 51.5% of Virginia voters approved the new congressional district map, with roughly 48.6% against it.
Virginia currently has 11 seats in the U.S. House: 6 held by Democrats and 5 by Republicans.
The new map makes 8 districts safely Democratic, 2 lean Democratic but remain competitive, and only 1 is safely Republican.
Democrats could win 8 to 10 of the 11 seats under the new map, up from 6 currently.
This vote is part of a larger national fight over redistricting that influences control of Congress.
Other states like Florida and Texas are also involved in redrawing maps to benefit Republicans, while California has made moves favoring Democrats.
The Virginia Supreme Court will review legal challenges about whether Democrats used the proper process for this redistricting plan.
The final impact depends on the court’s decision and voter behavior in upcoming elections.
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The US Department of Justice charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with fraud and conspiracy for paying informants inside extremist hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan. The DOJ says the SPLC used donated money to fund these informants, accusing the group of misleading supporters about how funds were used; the SPLC denies wrongdoing and says it will defend itself.
Key Facts
The DOJ charged SPLC with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The SPLC paid over $3 million to informants linked to violent extremist groups from 2014 to 2023.
Some informants infiltrated groups including the Ku Klux Klan, National Alliance, and National Socialist Movement.
SPLC gave $270,000 to a person involved in the 2017 Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally and over $1 million to another who stole documents from a hate group.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said SPLC was not dismantling hate groups but creating extremism by paying sources to increase racial hatred.
SPLC’s interim leader said the organization has fought white supremacy for 55 years and will vigorously defend itself.
The FBI ended its relationship with SPLC in 2023, calling it a "partisan smear machine."
Republicans have accused SPLC of unfairly targeting conservative groups and individuals aligned with President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has expressed regret for supporting President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, citing disagreements over Trump's decision to involve the US in a war in Iran. Carlson, once a strong Trump ally, argues that Trump has betrayed the "America first" ideals that originally drew their support.
Key Facts
Tucker Carlson apologized for misleading people by supporting President Trump in 2024.
Carlson disagrees with Trump’s decision to engage in a war in Iran, which conflicts with his non-interventionist views.
Carlson previously criticized Trump but supported him against Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Carlson echoed Trump’s false claims about a stolen 2020 election.
The relationship between Carlson and Trump has been complicated and changed over decades.
Some conservatives see the MAGA movement as ideological, while others view it as centered mainly on Trump’s personality.
Carlson’s recent criticism may signal his intent to lead the conservative movement independently.
The issue of Israel’s influence on Trump is a key concern for Carlson and other far-right figures.
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President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve. Warsh supports lowering interest rates despite inflation, but he may face challenges convincing other Fed members. The current economic and policy environment differs from past times when lower rates were justified by technological growth and strong fiscal management.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair.
Warsh is seen as supportive of Trump’s views and favors lowering interest rates now.
Many Federal Reserve members may not agree with Warsh’s call to cut rates given ongoing inflation.
Warsh compares his approach to former Fed chair Alan Greenspan’s 1990s policy during the tech boom.
Greenspan believed technology led to higher productivity, allowing lower interest rates without inflation.
Current U.S. policies, such as tariffs and stricter immigration, are raising costs and shrinking the labor force.
Inflation recently rose above 3%, unlike the below 2% inflation in the late 1990s.
There is little clear evidence yet that artificial intelligence is boosting overall productivity.
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Medigap insurance premiums, which help cover costs not paid by traditional Medicare, are rising quickly in many parts of the United States. Some people saw increases of 10% to over 40%, making it harder for consumers to find affordable coverage.
Key Facts
Medigap premiums rose by 45% last August for over 80 customers of one Illinois broker.
Double-digit increases for Medigap policies are becoming common nationwide.
About 12 million people, or 43% of those in traditional Medicare, buy Medigap plans.
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan, with average monthly premiums around $164 in 2023, now increasing.
Rate hikes in early 2026 filings range from 12% to 26% among major insurers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare.
Premium changes vary by state, age, and plan type; some states now see yearly increases of 10%-15% instead of the usual 3%-5%.
Rising medical service use, population aging, higher labor and medical costs, and state rules all contribute to premium increases.
Insurance companies say higher claims costs and Medicare’s changing deductibles also affect premiums.
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President Donald Trump’s strong approval rating among Republicans fell to 52 percent in an NBC News poll from early April 2026. While overall GOP approval remains high at 83 percent, the drop in strong approval could affect Trump’s influence within his party and voter turnout for the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted online from March 30 to April 13, 2026, with over 32,000 adults participating.
52 percent of Republicans strongly approve of Trump’s job performance, down from 58 percent earlier in the year.
Overall, 83 percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s job, but many give only moderate support.
Strong approval is linked to higher voter turnout, activism, and donations.
Lower intensity of approval may reduce Trump’s ability to mobilize voters in the 2026 midterms.
Nationwide, Trump’s approval rating is 37 percent, with 63 percent disapproving.
Economic concerns and opposition to the war with Iran contribute to lower approval.
About one-quarter of Republicans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos responded to questions from the county board about his past work history and the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. He provided a 22-page report defending his record after reports said he misrepresented his employment history and faced criticism over the ongoing missing person case.
Key Facts
Sheriff Chris Nanos submitted a 22-page report to the Pima County Board of Supervisors addressing questions about his past work history and conduct.
Questions arose after news reports said Nanos misrepresented his work history, including when he resigned from the El Paso Police Department.
Nanos resigned from El Paso PD in 1982 after disciplinary issues, two years earlier than he had publicly said.
His attorney said these discrepancies were administrative and not meant to mislead.
Nanos has faced criticism for handling the Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation. Guthrie went missing near Tucson on January 31, and the FBI released footage of a suspect.
Investigators have not yet identified a suspect or made major progress in the case.
The board required Nanos to answer questions under state law that could lead to his removal if he refused.
Nanos’ attorney said his past disciplinary actions at the El Paso Police Department occurred decades ago and do not affect his current duties.
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Virginia voters approved a 2026 amendment allowing lawmakers to redraw congressional districts, potentially increasing Democratic seats. This change reverses a 2020 bipartisan reform and highlights how both parties use map drawing to influence election outcomes ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
Virginia’s April 2026 ballot approved an amendment letting lawmakers redraw congressional districts before 2031.
The amendment could change Virginia’s congressional delegation from 6 Democrats and 5 Republicans to up to 10 Democratic-leaning seats.
This effort reverses a 2020 vote that created a bipartisan commission for fairer map drawing.
The Supreme Court of Virginia allowed the vote but said the process might still be legally challenged.
The amendment was backed mainly by Democrats and funded heavily by dark-money groups.
The current U.S. House is narrowly divided, with 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats, making small seat changes critical.
Other states like Texas, California, and Ohio are also redefining district maps before the 2026 midterms.
The practice of redrawing districts, called gerrymandering, is becoming a key election strategy for both parties.
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Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have asked FBI Director Kash Patel to provide information about claims that he frequently drank too much alcohol while leading the FBI’s counterintelligence unit. They are concerned about what these reports might mean for his ability to do his job.
Key Facts
House Judiciary Committee Democrats sent a request to FBI Director Kash Patel.
The request asks Patel to share information about his alcohol use.
The report says Patel regularly consumed excessive alcohol.
Patel was leading the FBI’s counterintelligence agency at the time.
Democrats see the allegations as potentially troubling for an FBI official.
The request comes after a report by The Atlantic about Patel’s alcohol use.
The committee is conducting oversight of the FBI’s leadership.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to some of the lowest levels seen during his second term, according to four national polls conducted in April 2026. Voter dissatisfaction is mainly linked to concerns about the economy and the war in Iran, which may affect the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Four national polls in April 2026 show Trump’s approval rating hitting new or matching second-term lows.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found 36% approve of Trump’s job performance, while 62% disapprove.
Economic concerns and opposition to the Iran war are key reasons for declining approval.
In the Reuters/Ipsos poll, 63% of Americans rated the economy as weak, including 40% of Republicans.
Approval ratings in the low to mid-30% range signal challenges for the president’s party in midterm elections.
Democrats see an opportunity to gain votes by focusing on issues like the economy, national security, and immigration.
Despite low approval for Trump, some voters still prefer Republicans over Democrats on the economy, immigration, and crime.
A White House spokesman said the 2024 election victory shows Trump has strong public support and progress on key issues.
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Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its AI chatbot ChatGPT after a deadly shooting at Florida State University in 2025. Authorities are examining claims that the chatbot gave the shooter information about guns before the attack.
Key Facts
A shooting at Florida State University in April 2025 killed two people and injured six others.
The shooter was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.
Florida’s Attorney General said ChatGPT advised the shooter on gun types, ammunition, and usefulness of guns at short range.
The investigation aims to find out if OpenAI is criminally responsible for ChatGPT’s role.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution has subpoenaed OpenAI for information and records.
OpenAI said it shared the suspect’s ChatGPT account info with law enforcement and denied responsibility.
OpenAI stated ChatGPT only provided factual answers based on publicly available internet information and did not promote illegal acts.
The case highlights concerns about AI technology being used in harmful ways.
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Labour leader Keir Starmer is facing questions in Parliament over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, who was not fully vetted for security clearance, to a sensitive diplomatic role. Olly Robbins, the former senior civil servant who was dismissed by Starmer, gave evidence that he judged Mandelson could handle the job despite concerns, and some officials believe Robbins should be reinstated.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson to an important diplomatic post without completed security vetting.
Olly Robbins, sacked by Starmer, testified to Parliament about the Mandelson vetting process.
Robbins decided Mandelson’s issues could be managed for him to access secret intelligence.
Some Labour MPs are unhappy and think Starmer’s leadership is at risk because of this scandal.
Mark Sedwill, a former cabinet secretary, supports Robbins and says he should get his job back.
Starmer denies lying to Parliament about the appointment but has faced tough questioning.
The issue remains a significant topic at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
Other planned events include debates on children’s wellbeing and school bills, and a speech by Nigel Farage.
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A Navy veteran named Olaolukitan Adon Abel, charged with a series of shootings near Atlanta that killed three people, died in jail. Authorities found him unresponsive in his cell and are investigating his death, which they say does not appear suspicious.
Key Facts
Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was charged with shootings near Atlanta that left three dead.
Victims included Prianna Weathers, Lauren Bullis (a Department of Homeland Security auditor), and Tony Mathews, who died later from injuries.
Abel was found unresponsive in his jail cell and later pronounced dead.
Officials are reviewing his death but do not suspect foul play.
Abel was a U.S. Navy veteran and became a U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving.
He lived with six others and had a recent argument before the shootings.
Authorities have not stated a motive or whether the victims were known to Abel.
The Trump administration noted concerns about Abel’s citizenship during the Biden presidency.
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