President Donald Trump endorsed Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. Whatley won the Republican primary with 64.4% of the vote and will face Democrat Roy Cooper in the general election. Trump continues to influence Republican politics, especially in North Carolina.
Key Facts
President Trump endorsed Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.
Michael Whatley won the Republican primary with 64.4% of the vote.
The endorsement is part of Trump's effort to help Republicans keep control of the Senate.
The North Carolina Senate seat is considered a key battleground in the 2026 election.
Democrat Roy Cooper, backed by his party, will face Whatley in the general election.
Surveys suggest Cooper is currently leading Whatley in voter support.
North Carolina has a history of voting for both Republican and Democrat candidates.
Michael Whatley is a former chair of the Republican National Committee.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has agreed to give testimony to a congressional committee about his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick lived near Epstein in New York and has come under scrutiny for his interactions with Epstein over the years. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is seeking details about these ties.
Key Facts
Howard Lutnick is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Lutnick agreed to give a transcribed interview to a congressional committee about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick lived next door to Epstein in New York for over 10 years.
There is scrutiny over Lutnick's interactions with Epstein, especially after 2005.
Lutnick visited Epstein's private island in 2012 despite a past claim of cutting ties in 2005.
The committee is also seeking testimony from other notable individuals linked to Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was awaiting sex trafficking charges when he died in 2019.
Former President Bill Clinton and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also testified about their connections to Epstein.
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2025. This announcement came during a busy political period, as Ken Paxton is running for a U.S. Senate seat. Allegations against Ken, including an affair and impeachment for abuse of office, have become topics in the campaign.
Key Facts
Angela Paxton is a Texas State Senator and first won her seat in 2018.
She filed for divorce from Ken Paxton in July 2025, citing "biblical grounds."
Allegations of adultery and the couple living apart since June 2024 were mentioned in court filings.
Ken Paxton was impeached in 2023 on charges like abuse of office and bribery.
The divorce announcement coincides with Ken Paxton’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat.
The Republican primaries in Texas are on March 3, with runoffs on May 26, and polling times vary by region.
Dallas police detained a man outside a hotel where Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton planned to hold a watch party for his race in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. There is no clear connection between the man's detention and Paxton's event. Police found ammunition in a car connected to the man, but no firearms were found.
Key Facts
A man was detained by Dallas police outside a hotel where Ken Paxton planned a watch party.
The event was related to Paxton's race in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.
It is unclear if the detention is tied to Ken Paxton's event.
Police found ammunition in a blue car outside the hotel.
The man was seen with a camouflage face mask, sunglasses, a hat, and gloves.
No firearms were found during the police search.
The situation is still developing, and more details may come later.
Michael Whatley won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. He will face Roy Cooper, a former Democratic governor, in the general election. This Senate race is significant because it might influence which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Key Facts
Michael Whatley won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Roy Cooper, a former Democratic governor, will be his opponent in the general election.
The Senate seat is open because Republican Thom Tillis is not seeking reelection.
This race is important for determining control of the U.S. Senate.
Whatley is supported by President Donald Trump and aligns with his agenda.
Roy Cooper has never lost a statewide election in North Carolina.
Trump endorsed Whatley early and publicly encouraged him to run.
The seat has been held by Republicans for over 50 years, but Democrats hope to win it.
Minnesota is investigating possible misconduct by federal immigration officers during an enforcement operation. The inquiry looks into several incidents, including the use of force against protesters and an incident involving students. The investigation is led by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and focuses on events in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Minnesota prosecutor Mary Moriarty is investigating federal officers for possible misconduct.
The investigation includes 17 cases, such as using smoke canisters and chemical irritants.
One reported incident involved students during an arrest near a high school.
The Department of Homeland Security claims federal officers cannot be prosecuted by states.
Greg Bovino, a Border Patrol official, is specifically named in the investigation.
Bovino previously used aggressive tactics in various cities, including Minneapolis and Chicago.
Moriarty's office is collecting evidence and may sue the federal government for additional data.
The investigation includes the deaths of two individuals during federal enforcement actions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. attacked Iran because Israel was planning a strike on Iran, which could have led to Iranian attacks on U.S. assets. President Trump offered a different explanation, stating the attack was to prevent an imminent threat from Iran. The statements have sparked debate about U.S. motivations and its relationship with Israel.
Key Facts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the U.S. strike on Iran to an expected Israeli attack on Iran.
Rubio's comments suggested that Iran's response would have threatened U.S. assets in the region.
President Donald Trump claimed the strikes were to prevent an imminent Iranian attack.
There has been little evidence provided for the claimed Iranian threat.
The U.S.-Israeli action has faced criticism for possibly violating U.S. and international laws.
The U.S. has provided over $300 billion in military aid to Israel since 1948.
Rubio later stated his comments had been taken out of context.
The situation has prompted discussions about U.S. and Israeli interests and legal justifications for war.
House Democrats expressed dissatisfaction after a briefing by Trump administration officials about the situation in Iran. The Democrats plan to push forward a resolution to limit President Trump's ability to engage in military action against Iran without Congressional approval. While Republicans found the briefing productive, Democrats felt their concerns were not addressed.
Key Facts
House Democrats attended a briefing on Iran given by Trump administration officials.
Democrats were unhappy with the briefing and plan to introduce a resolution to limit the President's military actions.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez stated that the briefing did not change his stance, supporting the resolution.
Rep. Jim Costa supports both a main resolution and a softer alternative.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials conducted the briefing.
Some Republicans viewed the briefing as informative, while Democrats felt ignored.
Republicans and Democrats asked about plans to evacuate Americans from the Middle East.
Democrats accused Republicans of supporting President Trump without addressing key issues.
A new poll from YouGov shows that 50% of Americans now support abolishing ICE, marking the first time this level of support has been recorded. The poll also reveals differences in opinion among political groups, with a significant number of Democrats and Independents favoring the idea, while most Republicans oppose it. The survey also found widespread agreement on requiring ICE agents to wear uniforms with identification, though opinions vary on agents wearing face coverings.
Key Facts
50% of Americans support abolishing ICE, according to a YouGov poll.
This is the first time in YouGov's history that support for abolishing ICE has reached 50%.
52% of Independents support abolishing ICE, while 68% of Republicans oppose it.
23% of Republicans now support the idea, a record high for this group.
75% of Americans believe ICE officers should wear uniforms with identification.
59% of Americans think ICE agents shouldn't wear masks covering their faces.
The poll included 1,515 U.S. adults, conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, with a margin of error of about 3.4%.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify before Congress in an investigation related to Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick admitted visiting Epstein's private island in 2012, despite cutting ties with Epstein in 2005. The testimony is part of a broader inquiry that has involved other high-profile individuals.
Key Facts
Howard Lutnick is the US Commerce Secretary.
He will voluntarily testify before a congressional panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
Lutnick admitted to visiting Epstein’s private island in 2012.
He claimed he cut ties with Epstein in 2005.
Lutnick is not accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's victims.
His visit details appeared in documents released by the US Justice Department.
There are calls for Lutnick to resign due to his visit to the island.
Bill and Hillary Clinton also testified in the inquiry recently.
Support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached a record high, according to a new poll. The poll indicates increased scrutiny of ICE, partly due to recent incidents involving U.S. citizens being shot. Debates over ICE funding have led to a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
A new poll from YouGov and The Economist shows 50% support for abolishing ICE, compared to 39% who do not support it.
This marks an increase from a previous poll where 47% supported abolishment, and 42% opposed it.
The poll surveyed 1,515 adults between February 27 and March 2 with a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
Democrats showed the highest support at 77%, while 52% of independents also favored abolishment. Among Republicans, 23% supported ending ICE.
Two incidents in January, where American citizens were fatally shot by officers, have increased focus on ICE and related agencies.
The Department of Homeland Security is currently shut down due to disagreements over ICE funding.
Democratic leaders have made several demands, such as targeted enforcement and stopping operations at sensitive locations.
The shutdown continues as debates over these demands stall progress toward reopening the agency.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended immigration enforcement tactics during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. Some senators from both political parties criticized these tactics as too aggressive. The discussion happened while Congress is stuck on decisions about funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Homeland Security Secretary.
Noem defended her immigration tactics before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties criticized these tactics.
The criticism focused on the methods being too aggressive.
The meeting took place amid ongoing debates in Congress about Homeland Security funding.
Concerns about national security are increasing due to conflict in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has not changed much since the start of the conflict with Iran, with some polls showing slight variations. The attacks, involving U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, have resulted in casualties and led to warnings from U.S. embassies for Americans to leave the Middle East. Trump's recent military actions have sparked discussions about his foreign policy and its alignment with his "America First" platform.
Key Facts
President Trump’s approval ratings show little change overall, despite some small dips in individual polls.
The conflict with Iran involves U.S. and Israeli military actions that started last Saturday.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the airstrikes have killed at least 787 people.
Six Americans have died in the conflict, as reported by the U.S. military.
U.S. embassies across the Middle East have urged Americans to leave, citing safety concerns.
An Economist/YouGov poll has Trump's approval at 38 percent, while 59 percent disapprove, showing minor shifts in ratings.
Trump's actions in Iran are named "Operation Epic Fury" following "Operation Midnight Hammer."
Discussions are ongoing about how these military actions align with Trump's "America First" policy.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attended her first congressional hearing since two U.S. citizens were killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. During the hearing, there were calls for her resignation, and she discussed the impact of a government shutdown on her department.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Homeland Security Secretary.
Noem faced calls for resignation during a Senate hearing.
The hearing was her first since the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis involving immigrant agents.
The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement.
Noem said the partial government shutdown affects her department.
The shutdown is led by Democrats, according to Noem, and she believes it harms U.S. national security.
Investigators are looking into new details about a backpack linked to the case of Nancy Guthrie, who is missing. Sheriff Chris Nanos said they are re-evaluating where the backpack might have been bought, and are working with the FBI to solve the case, which has been ongoing for over two months.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie is missing, and she is the mother of Savannah Guthrie from the TODAY show.
Investigators have new information about a suspect's backpack in the case.
Sheriff Chris Nanos mentioned reconsidering earlier thoughts about the backpack's purchase location.
The backpack model is sold exclusively by Walmart.
Authorities are checking surveillance footage and other evidence.
The FBI is assisting local detectives in the investigation.
The case has been active for more than two months.
Investigators believe they are getting closer to solving the case.
A new poll by The Economist and YouGov shows that President Donald Trump has a disapproval rating of 59%, the highest in his second term. The poll interviewed 1,515 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 3.4%.
Key Facts
President Trump's disapproval rating is 59%, a record high for his second term.
His approval rating is 38%.
The poll was conducted between February 27 and March 2 with 1,515 U.S. adults.
The poll has a margin of error of 3.4%.
In a previous poll, Trump's disapproval rating was 57%.
51% of those surveyed strongly disapprove of Trump's job performance, the first time it's over 50%.
The poll is relevant to upcoming primary elections in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas.
Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly overcharging a housing program meant for lawmakers. The Office of Congressional Conduct claims she may have misused funds for lodging expenses. Mace strongly denies the accusations and criticized the investigator involved.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.
She is being investigated for allegedly overcharging a housing program.
The Office of Congressional Conduct reported that Mace may have claimed more money than allowed for lodging.
Mace denied misconduct and argued that the investigation is politically motivated.
The Ethics Committee has not yet made a final decision on the allegations.
Omar Ashmawy, linked to the investigation, has been previously accused of misconduct.
Mace used both her official and personal social media accounts to speak out against the investigation.
A group of centrist Democrats in the House has introduced a new resolution on war powers that offers the Trump administration more flexibility in handling military actions with Iran. This proposal allows the U.S. military 30 days to end any hostilities and lets them keep troops in the area for defense. Key Democratic leaders still support a different, more restrictive resolution.
Key Facts
Centrist Democrats introduced a war powers resolution about Iran.
This proposal allows the Trump administration 30 days to stop military actions with Iran.
U.S. troops can stay in the region for defensive reasons under the new resolution.
The resolution was introduced by Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Greg Landsman, Jim Costa, Jared Golden, Henry Cuellar, and Jimmy Panetta.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports the original, stricter resolution by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie.
The new resolution aims to avoid a hasty withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Some Democrats are undecided and await more information before making a decision.
Two new bills could change the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for millions of Americans. One bill aims to improve security for SNAP benefit cards, while the other seeks to include Puerto Rico fully in the program.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman and other lawmakers propose two bills related to SNAP.
The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act focuses on improving security for SNAP benefit cards to prevent theft and fraud.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General estimates that $555 million in SNAP funds are vulnerable to theft.
The bill would require SNAP cards to have anti-fraud technology similar to credit cards.
States would need to issue chip-enabled SNAP cards and stop using magnetic stripe cards within four years.
The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act would let Puerto Rico fully join SNAP, addressing food insecurity on the island.
Over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance.
Around 1.4 million people in Puerto Rico depend on its current nutrition assistance program.
Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Tillis criticized Noem's decisions on immigration enforcement and her response to incidents in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina.
Kristi Noem is the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The questioning took place during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.
Tillis criticized Noem for her handling of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
He mentioned a lack of accountability in the Department of Homeland Security's actions.
Two U.S. citizens were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, prompting concerns.
Tillis emphasized that mistakes should be corrected and not ignored.
