President Trump said that Bill Pulte will be a temporary director of national intelligence (DNI). Pulte, who now leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was described by Trump as smart and honest amid concerns from both political parties about his appointment.
Key Facts
President Trump chose Bill Pulte to be the director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Trump said Pulte’s role as DNI will not be permanent.
Both Democrats and Republicans expressed concerns about Pulte’s nomination.
Trump praised Pulte’s intelligence and honesty during a news event.
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The House of Representatives voted against a resolution introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib that would require President Trump to remove U.S. troops from Lebanon within seven days. The vote was 92 in favor and 324 against, with Democratic leaders opposing the measure, saying no U.S. forces are currently engaged in combat in Lebanon.
Key Facts
Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced a resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from Lebanon within seven days.
The House voted 92 to 324 against the resolution, with two members voting present.
Democratic leaders said no U.S. servicemembers are currently involved in combat operations in Lebanon.
A revised war powers resolution by Tlaib, with support from House Foreign Affairs Democrats, was introduced after this vote to limit President Trump's military actions in Lebanon.
The resolution came amid recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group in southern Lebanon.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced as fighting escalated.
Republican members argued U.S. forces are not in conflict in Lebanon, opposing Tlaib's resolution.
The House also recently passed a related war powers resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions against Iran.
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Andy Burnham said he would try to join any Labour Party leadership race if he wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18. Other candidates and politicians made comments about the election and the party’s leadership situation.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is currently the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Burnham wants to run for Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election.
He would seek to become Labour leader if he became an MP.
Keir Starmer is the current Labour Party leader and Prime Minister.
No formal leadership challenge has started against Starmer.
Wes Streeting, a former Health Secretary, has said he plans to run for Labour leader.
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon opposes career politicians and criticizes Burnham.
Other candidates in the by-election include Conservative Michael Winstanley, Green Party Sarah Wakefield, and Liberal Democrat Jake Austin.
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A recent poll by Quinnipiac University found that 22 percent of Americans do not consider themselves proud Americans. The survey was conducted just before the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary.
Key Facts
The poll was released on Thursday.
22% of Americans said they do not feel proud to be American.
73% of Americans said they do feel proud to be American.
The poll was conducted shortly before the country's 250th anniversary.
The survey reflects varying levels of patriotism among the U.S. population.
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The House Oversight Committee shared the transcript of its private interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi. In the interview, Bondi refused to answer some questions and said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was responsible for handling records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released the transcript on Thursday.
The transcript is from a closed-door meeting with Pam Bondi.
Pam Bondi is a former Attorney General.
The meeting lasted about four hours.
Bondi declined to answer several questions during the interview.
She said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was responsible for handling Epstein files.
The interview focused on how Epstein-related documents were managed.
Epstein refers to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
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Hunter Biden criticized CNN anchor Jake Tapper for his negative review of Jill Biden’s new book about her time in the White House. Tapper questioned Jill Biden’s claims about President Joe Biden’s health in his review.
Key Facts
Hunter Biden expressed strong disapproval of Jake Tapper’s review.
The review focused on Jill Biden’s memoir titled "View from the East Wing."
Jill Biden’s book discusses her experiences in the White House.
Tapper criticized Jill Biden’s statements on President Biden’s physical and mental health in 2024.
President Joe Biden’s health and fitness have been topics of public interest.
The article centers on the Biden family and media coverage of them.
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A Colorado appeals court has reversed the homicide convictions of two paramedics involved in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died after police restrained him and paramedics gave him ketamine. The court ordered new trials because of problems with jury instructions, while upholding one assault conviction.
Key Facts
Elijah McClain died in 2019 after police restrained him and paramedics injected him with ketamine.
Paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec were found guilty in 2023 of criminally negligent homicide; Cichuniec was also convicted of felony assault.
Cooper was sentenced to 14 months in jail with work release and probation; Cichuniec received five years in prison.
The Colorado appeals court reversed the homicide convictions and ordered new trials due to faulty jury instructions.
The court kept Cichuniec’s felony assault conviction.
Cichuniec was released early in 2024 after his sentencing was reduced to probation.
The judge noted Cichuniec had to make quick decisions during the incident as the top paramedic on the scene.
The case is connected to broader public discussions about police treatment of Black individuals.
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Sarah Kellen, a former assistant to Jeffrey Epstein, told the House Oversight Committee that she was sexually abused by Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and two other men. Lawmakers have asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations against Philip Levine, a former mayor of Miami Beach, and celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai.
Key Facts
Sarah Kellen testified in a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 21, 2026.
Kellen said she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein for over ten years and also by Ghislaine Maxwell.
She named Philip Levine and Frédéric Fekkai as additional alleged abusers.
Philip Levine was a wealthy businessman and later became mayor of Miami Beach.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, requested the Justice Department investigate these allegations.
Both Levine and Fekkai have denied the accusations.
Kellen was included in Epstein’s 2007 non-prosecution agreement without being interviewed by law enforcement until after Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
Kellen voluntarily appeared before the committee but limited her answers to her own experiences and did not discuss other victims or details about Epstein’s recruiting scheme.
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Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to stop President Trump from creating a $1.8 billion fund to pay his allies. The proposal caused disagreement within the Republican party, and the issue remains unsettled as debates continue over related immigration funding.
Key Facts
Democrats tried to add a rule to a bill to stop President Trump’s $1.8 billion fund for paying allies.
The vote failed narrowly, 49-50, with three Republican senators joining Democrats to support the rule.
The fund is linked to paying people connected to the January 6 insurrection.
The fund is part of a larger $70 billion bill to finance immigration enforcement agencies ICE and CBP through 2029.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration would not move forward with the fund.
Senate Republican divisions on this fund complicated agreements on immigration enforcement funding.
Senator Thom Tillis proposed a different amendment to block the fund and redirect money to fight fraud, but it also failed.
The debate is ongoing, with Democrats pushing for a permanent law to block the fund’s money from being spent.
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President Donald Trump announced that his administration is investing nearly $700 million to support the coal industry. He described this action as a major step to lower energy prices and reduce living costs for Americans.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is providing close to $700 million to the coal industry.
President Trump made the announcement during a speech in the Oval Office.
The funds include money authorized under wartime powers.
Coal is one of President Trump’s preferred energy sources.
The investment aims to lower energy prices for Americans.
This move is part of broader efforts to reduce the cost of living.
The funding supports coal production and related activities.
The announcement highlights the administration’s focus on energy policy.
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Rep. Andy Ogles said that a staff member sent an offensive post about homosexuality to his social media account. He did not clearly state if he agreed with the post, which said homosexuality should not be accepted in America.
Key Facts
Rep. Andy Ogles represents Tennessee as a Republican.
A staffer sent him a post about homosexuality that Ogles called inappropriate.
The post was shared during Pride Month, a time that celebrates LGBTQ+ people.
Ogles posted a message saying “Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.”
He did not clearly say if he personally agreed or disagreed with the post.
The incident raised questions about Ogles’s views on homosexuality.
The matter was discussed publicly after the post was shared on social media.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to build a walkway called a "promenade" that will connect the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River. He mentioned that some people want to name it the "Trump Promenade," but he has not decided on the name yet.
Key Facts
The project is intended to create a promenade linking the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River.
President Trump made the announcement while speaking in the Oval Office.
The name "Trump Promenade" has been suggested, but the president has not confirmed it.
The Lincoln Memorial is a famous monument located in Washington, D.C.
The announcement was made on June 4, 2026.
The plan is part of President Trump's administration efforts to enhance the area around the memorial.
The article is from ABC News and reflects ongoing developments.
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Lawyers at the Kennedy Center told staff to start removing President Trump’s name from the building after a federal judge blocked plans to rename the center in his honor. Staff were given a deadline of June 12 to complete the removal from things like email signatures and letterhead.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center planned to rename itself to include President Trump’s name.
A federal judge stopped this renaming from going forward.
Following the judge’s decision, Kennedy Center lawyers instructed staff to remove President Trump’s name.
The removal includes email signatures, letterhead, and other official items.
Employees were given a deadline of June 12 to finish removing the name.
The details came from an internal memo seen by CBS News.
The action happened under the current administration of President Donald Trump.
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The Justice Department charged four people in Ohio with a $30 million fraud scheme involving false health claims for behavioral health services. The money from the fraud was used to buy luxury cars and fund lavish lifestyles. Additionally, the Justice Department announced a list of top fraudsters and highlighted cooperation with local authorities to fight fraud.
Key Facts
Four people, including two Ohio state employees, were charged with fraud involving $30 million.
The fraud targeted the state's behavioral health department by submitting false claims for services never provided.
Two defendants owned businesses that claimed to serve young adults in summer camps and church groups.
When one organization's accreditation was invalid, they allegedly conspired to submit false claims anyway.
The fraud money funded expensive items, including 14 luxury vehicles worth $800,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche promised strict action against fraudsters.
FBI Director Kash Patel encouraged the public to help by providing any information about fraud.
The Justice Department also charged five people in a separate $15 million romance fraud targeting elderly Americans, involving AI-generated false stories to gain their trust.
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Two senators from different parties asked a court to keep blocking the Justice Department’s $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund" because they believe it threatens the Constitution and could pay people involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. The Justice Department created the fund as part of a deal to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump, but some lawmakers oppose it strongly.
Key Facts
Senators Bill Cassidy (Republican) and Cory Booker (Democrat) filed a legal brief asking a court to continue blocking the fund.
The fund is meant to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted by government actions, including some connected to the January 6 attack.
A judge temporarily stopped the Justice Department from moving forward with the fund while deciding whether to extend that block.
The senators say the fund violates parts of the Constitution related to government spending and appointments.
The Justice Department announced the fund as part of settling President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
The settlement allows five people appointed by the Attorney General to decide who receives money from the fund.
Some people convicted of January 6 crimes and Trump supporters have said they want to apply for money from the fund.
The Justice Department said it would pause work on the fund and follow the court’s block but has not formally written this down.
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A federal appeals court stopped an order that would have forced the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to testify about tariff refunds. The Trump administration argued that the judge’s order was too strong and should be reversed.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court paused an order for the CBP chief to testify next week.
The testimony request relates to tariff refunds. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott was ordered to appear in a New York City court.
The Trump administration challenged this judicial order.
They said the judge went too far in forcing the commissioner to testify.
This is part of a bigger legal dispute over tariff refund issues.
The appeals court's decision means the testimony is delayed for now.
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A bill called the Block the Bombs Act aims to limit the U.S. from sending certain weapons to Israel. Support for this bill has grown from 21 to 73 Democratic members in the House, but it has not yet reached a majority or received a vote because Republican leaders are blocking it.
Key Facts
The Block the Bombs Act was introduced by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez in June 2025.
The bill seeks to restrict the shipment of heavy bombs and artillery ammunition from the U.S. to Israel.
Initially supported by 21 Democrats, the number of co-sponsors has increased to 73 within one year.
The bill challenges the long-standing bipartisan support for Israel in Congress.
Republican leaders in the House have blocked the bill from advancing to a vote.
Public opinion polls show declining U.S. support for sending weapons to Israel without restrictions.
Supporters say more lawmakers should follow voters’ views and reduce unconditional aid to Israel.
Critics argue U.S. resources should be invested more in domestic priorities like healthcare and housing rather than foreign military aid.
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A recent poll by Quinnipiac University found that 57 percent of Americans think the U.S. democracy system is not working well. Meanwhile, 37 percent believe it is working, and 7 percent did not give an opinion.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Quinnipiac University.
57% of Americans feel the democratic system in the U.S. is not functioning properly.
37% of Americans believe the democracy system is working.
7% of people surveyed did not express an opinion on the matter.
The survey reflects public opinion on how well democracy is working in the United States.
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The article explains the history and meaning of the song "This Land is Your Land." It shows how the song has inspired many Americans and is part of a series celebrating 250 years of American history and culture.
Key Facts
"This Land is Your Land" is a well-known American song.
The song has a story behind its creation and message.
It is highlighted in a series called "USA to Z."
The series marks 250 years of American history.
CBS Mornings shared this information about the song.
The song is seen as inspiring to many people in the United States.
The article is part of CBS News coverage.
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The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will open to the public on June 19, 2026. It is a nearly 20-acre museum and campus that highlights President Barack Obama’s life and presidency using digital exhibits, a replica of the Oval Office, and community spaces like a basketball court.
Key Facts
The Center is located on Chicago’s South Side and cost about $850 million to build.
It will be the first fully digital presidential museum with no physical papers on display.
Visitors can explore campaigns, key presidency moments, and life at the White House through high-tech and interactive exhibits.
A life-sized Oval Office replica allows visitors to sit behind the Resolute Desk and see personal items like Obama’s BlackBerry phone.
The museum includes spaces for reflection and encourages visitors to think about how they can make changes in their communities.
The campus also features a library, basketball court, and picnic area with grills.
The Center is expected to attract up to 1 million visitors each year.
The opening day, June 19, is also Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
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