President Donald Trump is funding a $250 million ballroom project at the White House, which involves demolishing part of the East Wing. The construction has not been formally approved by the National Capital Planning Commission due to a government shutdown. The project is facing criticism due to its timing and cost.
Key Facts
President Trump is building a $250 million ballroom at the White House's East Wing.
The project is expected to fit 999 people, up from an initial estimate of 650.
The National Capital Planning Commission has not yet approved the project's plans.
The government shutdown has temporarily closed the agency responsible for area building approvals.
A Maryland-based contractor, Aceco, is involved in the demolition process.
Criticism has arisen from Democrats and the public about starting such a project during a government shutdown.
Trump administration's response emphasizes modernization and preservation of historical elements.
Similar renovations at the White House have faced backlash in the past under other presidents.
President Donald Trump has begun construction on a $250 million ballroom at the White House. The project involves demolishing part of the East Wing to build a 90,000-square-foot space. The funding is private, and no public money will be used.
Key Facts
President Trump is building a new ballroom at the White House.
Construction costs $250 million and will not use taxpayer money.
The ballroom will be twice the size of the main White House, holding 999 people.
Funding comes from private donors, but the full list isn’t released yet.
Part of the East Wing is being torn down for the new construction.
Some $22 million from the funding is from a settlement with YouTube.
The project proceeds without approval from a key planning commission.
The new ballroom resembles Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
President Donald Trump's nominee for a federal watchdog position, Paul Ingrassia, withdrew his nomination after offensive text messages were revealed. These messages led to a lack of support from some Republican senators, prompting his decision to step back.
Key Facts
Paul Ingrassia was nominated by President Trump to lead the Office of Special Counsel.
He withdrew from consideration after offensive text messages he sent were made public.
The text messages contained racist and inflammatory content.
These revelations led to backlash from Republican senators.
Ingrassia was supposed to have a confirmation hearing with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
He announced his withdrawal due to insufficient Republican support.
Lawyers are asking a US appeals court to keep a previous decision that freed Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestine solidarity activist, from immigration detention. The US government is trying to deport Khalil due to his activism at Columbia University, citing an immigration law related to foreign policy. Khalil is appealing his immigration case, which is still ongoing.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil was released from immigration detention by a lower court; lawyers want this decision upheld.
The US government seeks to deport him over his activism, using a law related to foreign policy.
Khalil, a legal resident, is the first well-known activist in the US to face deportation for campus activism.
President Trump’s administration targets students for deportation, accusing them of supporting terrorism.
ACLU argues the government is misusing broad deportation powers and that expressing ideas should not be punished.
Khalil was arrested in March and missed the birth of his child while detained.
Khalil’s immigration case involves claims he hid UN work on visa and residency applications.
His case is appealing through the Board of Immigration Appeals and may move to a circuit court.
The Trump administration's Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. They argued that the President's power to use the National Guard is not something courts should oversee, and emphasized that this power is a core presidential authority.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to approve using the National Guard in Chicago.
They argue that the President's power to deploy the National Guard is not subject to court review.
This issue could impact how much authority the President has to use military forces within the U.S.
Lower courts blocked the deployment, saying the administration overstated the threat level.
The Department of Justice cited a past Supreme Court case supporting presidential authority in emergencies.
There is concern from some that unchecked presidential power over state military forces could undermine state rights.
The situation involves decisions made during domestic protests around federal facilities.
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner faced accusations of having a Nazi symbol tattoo after a video showed a skull design on his chest. Platner explained that the tattoo was a drunken choice during his time in Croatia and denies any racist affiliations.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine.
A video showed a skull tattoo on Platner's chest, resembling a Nazi symbol.
Platner said he got the tattoo while intoxicated in Croatia during military deployment.
The Anti-Defamation League noted the tattoo's Nazi resemblance is "troubling" if true, but acknowledged misunderstanding of such symbols is possible.
Platner has apologized for past offensive Reddit posts.
He denied being a Nazi and stated he has security clearance from the Army National Guard.
Bernie Sanders supports Platner, despite the controversy.
Some Democrats criticized Platner's past comments as unacceptable.
President Trump’s nominee for the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, is receiving criticism. This is due to comments he made in texts that included racist statements and self-described "Nazi streak."
Key Facts
Paul Ingrassia is nominated by President Trump for the Office of Special Counsel.
Politico obtained text messages where Ingrassia made offensive comments.
Ingrassia mentioned having "a Nazi streak" in the messages.
He suggested that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be eliminated.
These comments have led to calls for Ingrassia to be withdrawn as a nominee.
New York Democratic Representative Dan Goldman expressed concern over the rhetoric used by mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and did not endorse him. Mamdani's comments, especially related to Israel and antisemitism, have sparked debate as Election Day nears. This has become a significant issue among Jewish communities and within the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Dan Goldman is a Democratic Representative from New York.
Goldman expressed being "very concerned" about Zohran Mamdani's rhetoric.
Mamdani is a candidate for mayor of New York City.
The controversy focuses on Mamdani's past comments and views related to Israel and Jewish communities.
New York has the largest Jewish population in the United States.
During a debate, Mamdani faced criticism from opponents Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
Goldman has not yet decided if he will endorse or vote for Mamdani.
Antisemitism and public safety are key concerns in the ongoing discussions.
The White House has a long history of remodeling and renovations by different Presidents, including President Trump. These changes sometimes include big projects like new wings or facilities. Recent updates include President Trump's plan to create a new ballroom in the East Wing.
Key Facts
President Trump is adding a brand-new ballroom to the East Wing of the White House.
The White House has been remodeled many times by different Presidents over the years.
In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt added the West Wing to replace old conservatories.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt added an indoor pool for therapy in 1933.
In 1952, President Harry Truman carried out a major renovation, gutting most of the White House but leaving the exterior.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw a restoration of the White House interior during John F. Kennedy's presidency.
President Barack Obama added a basketball court by modifying an existing tennis court.
Several universities have decided not to accept a funding offer from President Trump. This offer would have given them priority access to federal money if they agreed to certain terms. Seven out of nine schools have turned down the deal.
Key Facts
President Trump offered nine schools a deal for priority access to federal funds.
Schools had to meet specific demands to qualify for this funding.
Seven universities have refused President Trump's offer.
The decision is part of a broader pushback against pressure from the Trump administration.
The American Council on Education is involved in discussing these issues.
The New Jersey governor's race is one of two major state elections happening this year and is considered a sign of what might happen in the national midterm elections next year. Both candidates focus heavily on minority voters, especially after President Trump gained more support from these groups in the last election.
Key Facts
New Jersey is holding a governor's race this year.
This race is one of only two major state elections happening this fall.
The election is seen as an indicator for next year's national midterm elections.
Both candidates are focusing on winning minority voters.
President Trump increased his support among minority voters in the last election, influencing this race.
Karine Jean-Pierre, known for her work with the Democratic Party and previous presidential administrations, has announced her departure from the party. In her new book "Independent," she explains her reasons for leaving, suggesting that the current two-party system is not effective. Amna Nawaz interviewed her to discuss these points.
Key Facts
Karine Jean-Pierre wrote a new book called "Independent."
She has worked on four presidential campaigns as a Democrat.
Jean-Pierre served in both the Obama and Biden administrations.
She is no longer a member of the Democratic Party.
Her book argues that the two-party system in the U.S. isn't working.
Amna Nawaz interviewed her about her book and reasons for leaving the party.
A video showing Pastor Marvin Winans criticizing a church member for her $1,200 donation stirred strong reactions online. Darrell Scott, a self-identified adviser to President Trump, defended the pastor on social media. The situation has sparked discussions about appropriate behavior in churches and the expectations around donations.
Key Facts
Pastor Marvin Winans was criticized in a viral video for his reaction to a woman's $1,200 donation.
In the video, Winans suggested the donation was insufficient during a church event.
Darrell Scott, a supporter of President Trump, defended Winans, calling the video "out of context."
Winans leads Perfecting Church in Detroit and is part of a Grammy-winning gospel group.
The incident prompted widespread online backlash, with calls for churchgoers to find new pastors if treated similarly.
Filmmaker Robby Starbuck criticized Winans' behavior on social media.
Winans' son has visited the White House several times since 2017 in support of President Trump.
House Republicans are preparing a report about their investigation into former President Joe Biden and allegations of misuse of a device called the autopen. This report will focus on claims that Biden's mental capacity declined during his presidency, leading to unauthorized use of the autopen for signing documents. However, specific instances of misuse have not been detailed yet.
Key Facts
House Republicans are working on a report about former President Joe Biden's use of the autopen.
They claim Biden's mental decline allowed unauthorized actions by his staff using the autopen.
The autopen is a device that replicates a person's signature.
The House Oversight Committee has conducted interviews with Biden's former aides.
Details of alleged autopen misuse are expected in the upcoming report.
No specific examples of autopen misuse have been shared so far.
A young photographer from Massachusetts is capturing images of salt marshes to raise awareness about their rapid decline due to rising sea levels. These wetlands, found on every U.S. coast, are threatened by climate change impacts.
Key Facts
Salt marshes are wetlands located on the coasts of the U.S.
Rising sea levels are causing these marshes to disappear.
Climate change is the reason for rising sea levels.
A young photographer from Massachusetts is taking pictures of these areas.
The goal of the photography is to inspire people to take action to protect the marshes.
The story is part of a journalism training program with PBS News Student Reporting Labs.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit to have Adelita Grijalva sworn into Congress, claiming that House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed this process unlawfully. Grijalva, elected in a special election, has not yet been sworn in, leaving her district unrepresented. Johnson cites a government shutdown as the reason for the delay.
Key Facts
Kris Mayes, Arizona's Attorney General, filed a lawsuit to swear in Adelita Grijalva as a new member of Congress.
Grijalva won a special election on September 23 and would represent over 800,000 residents in Arizona's 7th Congressional District.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is accused of delaying her swearing-in, leaving the district without representation.
Johnson attributes the delay to a government shutdown.
Democrats argue that the delay may be politically motivated since Grijalva's presence would add a Democratic vote in Congress.
Grijalva is the first Latina elected to represent Arizona in Congress.
The lawsuit seeks to allow another official to administer the oath if Johnson continues to delay.
President Trump is starting a project to build a new ballroom at the White House, which involves demolishing a part of it. The project costs $250 million, and there is discussion about whether President Trump has the authority to order such extensive work.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump plans to build a ballroom at the White House.
The project involves demolishing part of the White House.
The estimated cost of the ballroom construction is $250 million.
The Trump administration states that past presidents have also made changes to the White House.
There are questions about the extent of President Trump's power to make such changes.
BBC Verify reporter Jake Horton is examining the details of this project.
President Donald Trump has mentioned he may consider having the federal government pay him compensation for investigations carried out against him before his second term. A report suggests he is seeking $230 million from the Department of Justice, though Trump claims he has not talked to officials about it. He also hinted he might donate any compensation to charity or use it for a project at the White House.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the government to possibly pay him for investigations conducted before his second term.
A report suggests he might be seeking about $230 million from the Justice Department.
Trump has not confirmed the exact amount or had discussions about it with officials.
He mentioned simply knowing that the government would owe him money.
Trump suggested he might donate any received money to charity or use it for a new ballroom at the White House.
He stated he would be the one to ultimately decide if the government pays him.
The news about the compensation request is based on a report from The New York Times.
New Democratic polls show competitive races in two Republican-held congressional districts in Arizona and Wisconsin ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. President Trump's approval has declined, and Democrats aim to regain a House majority, although they face a smaller lead compared to past elections.
Key Facts
Democrats target Arizona’s 6th and Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional Districts for the 2026 midterms.
In Arizona’s 6th District, Republican Juan Ciscomani faces Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza; polls show a near tie.
Wisconsin’s 3rd District is currently led by Republican Derrick Van Orden, with Democrat Rebecca Cooke slightly leading in polls.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped since his re-election.
Historically, the president’s party loses seats in midterm elections, adding pressure on Democrats.
Democratic polls show less lead over Republicans now compared to the 2018 midterms.
Generic ballot polls indicate Democrats have a narrower advantage than in 2017.
The Cook Political Report rates both district races as "toss-ups," meaning they could go to either party.
North Carolina Republicans have proposed a new congressional map that could give them one more U.S. House seat, following President Donald Trump's call for more GOP-led redistricting. Democrats oppose the map, saying it unfairly targets a Democratic lawmaker and involves racial gerrymandering, but they recognize they cannot stop it immediately. Republicans, who control the state legislature, are likely to pass the map soon, with possible legal challenges from Democrats citing unfairness.
Key Facts
North Carolina Republicans proposed a new map to add a GOP seat in the U.S. House.
The map aims to unseat Democratic Rep. Don Davis, who is one of three Black representatives in the state.
President Trump encouraged Republican-led states to redraw districts to favor Republicans.
The map would increase Republican-held seats from 10 to 11 out of the state's 14 districts.
Democratic Governor Josh Stein cannot veto the redistricting plan due to state law.
Democrats plan to challenge the map legally, alleging racial gerrymandering.
The map needs final approval from the Republican-majority state legislature.
Around 300 protesters and Democratic officials gathered to oppose the plan, claiming it would have long-term negative effects on the GOP.
