Six Republican senators joined Democrats to support a proposal that would stop the building of President Trump’s large White House ballroom unless Congress approves it. The plan would prevent the use of federal money or private funds for the project without Congress’s permission.
Key Facts
Six GOP senators voted with Democrats on the proposal.
The proposal was sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon.
The project involves building a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House.
The amendment requires Congress to authorize any new White House ballroom construction.
It forbids using federal funds or private money for the ballroom without Congress’s approval.
The proposal aims to give Congress sole control over the ballroom’s construction.
The vote shows some Republicans opposing President Trump’s ballroom plan.
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Six Democratic senators asked two tobacco companies for information about their contacts with President Donald Trump’s administration after the FDA relaxed rules on vaping products. The FDA recently approved marketing for four flavored vape items and gave new instructions that affect vaping regulations.
Key Facts
Six Democratic senators sent letters to two tobacco companies.
The letters requested details about the companies’ interactions with the Trump administration.
The inquiry follows the FDA’s decision to ease vape product restrictions.
The FDA recently approved marketing for four flavored vaping products.
The FDA also issued new guidance that changes how vaping products are regulated.
The senators want to understand the tobacco firms’ lobbying efforts during this policy change.
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John Bolton, who served as President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, is expected to plead guilty to one count related to mishandling classified documents. He will pay a $2.25 million fine and may avoid jail time, but the final sentence will be decided by a judge.
Key Facts
Bolton was indicted last year on 18 counts for improper handling of classified documents.
He will plead guilty to one count of retention of national defense information.
Bolton is expected to enter his plea on June 26 at a court hearing.
The charge could have led to up to 5 years in prison, but the plea deal recommends no jail time.
The classified documents involved included highly secret “diary-like” entries from Bolton’s time as national security advisor (April 2018 – September 2019).
Some documents were passed to relatives while Bolton was writing a book about his time in the Trump administration.
Bolton’s case differs from others involving Trump critics because he has admitted guilt and accepted responsibility.
The Department of Justice must approve the plea deal, and a judge will issue the final sentence.
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Two former police officers, Christi Hill and another, have gone into hiding after being wrongly identified on social media as involved in the arrest of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Bodycam footage shows Henry being handcuffed while saying he couldn't breathe, but Hill had left the police force over a year before the incident and the other officer was out of the country.
Key Facts
Christi Hill is a former police officer who has left the force more than a year before Henry Nowak’s arrest.
Another officer, PC Tristan Parsons, was not in the country during the arrest.
Social media users wrongly identified Hill and Parsons as the officers who arrested Henry Nowak.
Henry Nowak is an 18-year-old who was handcuffed by police while saying he couldn’t breathe.
Because of the mistaken identity and misinformation, Hill and another officer feel unsafe and have gone into hiding.
The bodycam footage of the arrest was released recently.
The misinformation spread on social media caused serious personal safety concerns for the officers wrongly named.
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Steve Bannon, who advised President Trump in the White House, said he thinks the Republican Party will lose its control of the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections this fall. He said on his podcast that he has noticed less enthusiasm among Republican voters as the election approaches.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon was an adviser to President Trump in the White House.
Bannon made his prediction on his Thursday “WarRoom” podcast.
He expects the Republican Party to lose the Senate majority in the midterms.
The midterm elections will be held this November.
Bannon noted a drop in interest or excitement from Republican voters.
The Senate is one of the two chambers of the U.S. Congress.
Controlling the Senate gives a party more power to pass laws.
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A new study shows that wildfires have stopped the progress the US made in reducing ground-level ozone pollution since 2015. Wildfire smoke releases gases that increase ozone, harming air quality and causing hundreds of premature deaths every year.
Key Facts
Wildfires in the US have increased pollution that forms ground-level ozone, which harms health.
Before 2015, ground-level ozone levels were decreasing, but since then, they have started to rise again.
Wildfire smoke spreads far from where fires burn, affecting air quality hundreds of miles away.
The study links increased ozone from wildfires to about 318 premature deaths annually since 2013.
Monitoring data for ozone levels is limited, so researchers used satellite data and computer models to study the trend.
California has experienced deadly and destructive wildfires, including a fire in 2025 that killed 31 people and destroyed over 16,000 buildings.
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles (PM2.5) that can enter lungs and blood, causing serious health problems.
Scientists say fighting climate change and preventing wildfires can improve air quality and public health.
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President Donald Trump has announced his plan to formally nominate Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Blanche, who is currently acting Attorney General and was once Trump’s personal lawyer, may face a tough Senate confirmation process because some Senate Republicans oppose him due to his role with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting Attorney General and a former personal attorney for President Trump.
President Trump announced Blanche’s nomination during a White House dinner.
Blanche served as deputy Attorney General before becoming acting Attorney General in April after Pam Bondi left the position.
Blanche faces opposition from some Senate Republicans, especially because of his association with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
The Senate Judiciary Committee must approve Blanche’s nomination before the full Senate votes.
Blanche likely can only afford to lose one Republican vote on the Judiciary Committee to be confirmed.
Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, both Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, have expressed concerns about Blanche’s nomination.
Senator Tillis said Blanche’s chances might improve if the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" issue is resolved, but he remains undecided.
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The Senate voted 50-49 against a proposal to permanently ban President Donald Trump's $1.776 billion fund for people who say they were unfairly treated by the Biden administration. Only three Republican senators supported the ban, while most opposed it. Discussions on this fund and other Homeland Security funding continue in the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump created a $1.776 billion fund to support people claiming unfair prosecution by the Biden administration.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed banning this fund permanently.
The Senate voted 50 against and 49 in favor of Schumer’s proposal, so it did not pass.
Three Republican senators—Susan Collins (Maine), Jon Husted (Ohio), and Dan Sullivan (Alaska)—voted for the ban.
Most Republican senators voted against the ban, staying with their party’s position.
The fund relates to the Department of Homeland Security budget debate.
The acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the fund has been put on hold for now.
The Senate is also discussing a $70 billion budget for immigration enforcement agencies, with more votes expected.
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The Obama Presidential Center will open on June 19 in Chicago, featuring a museum with campaign and presidential items. The campus also includes a basketball court, library, playground, and gardens.
Key Facts
The project costs about $850 million, paid for by private donations, rising from an initial $350 million estimate.
The museum tower is 225 feet (70 meters) tall and sits on nearly 20 acres (8 hectares).
Around 600,000 people are expected to pay to visit the museum each year, with up to 1 million visiting the free outdoor areas.
The public library on site has approximately 3,500 books personally chosen by the Obamas.
There are 440 campaign buttons on display from Obama’s previous elections.
The center features 28 pieces of art made by 30 different artists.
One beehive is part of the gardens, supporting the campus landscaping.
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Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania said he will not support Todd Blanche for attorney general. Fetterman spoke to other lawmakers about his decision, joining others who have concerns about Blanche’s possible nomination by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman is from Pennsylvania and belongs to the Democratic Party.
Fetterman announced he would vote against Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
Blanche is currently the acting attorney general.
Several lawmakers have expressed criticism of a possible nomination of Blanche by President Donald Trump.
Fetterman shared his view outside the U.S. Capitol.
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The New World screwworm fly was found in south Texas for the first time in decades, threatening the cattle industry. Officials have set up a quarantine zone and say the affected calf can recover with proper treatment.
Key Facts
The screwworm fly was detected in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas.
La Pryor is about 50 miles from the Mexico border.
This is only the third time in decades the fly has appeared in the U.S.
A 12-mile quarantine zone was established to stop the spread.
No other cases of the fly have been found in the U.S. so far.
The larvae feed on living flesh and can harm livestock but do not infest food.
Officials emphasize that proper treatment can cure affected animals.
Pets and other warm-blooded animals cannot leave the quarantine zone without inspection.
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Senator Ron Wyden has called for public transparency about a planned ICE detention center for families and children in Alexandria, Louisiana. Documents show the facility will hold families for about 72 hours before deportation, but details about its operation and contractors have been kept secret.
Key Facts
The detention center is planned in Alexandria, Louisiana, at an old military barracks site.
It will have space for 528 beds and hold families and unaccompanied minors temporarily (about 72 hours).
The project is linked to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement plans.
Senator Wyden raised concerns about conflicts of interest, environmental risks, and lack of public involvement.
The facility will be run by Compass Connections, a Texas child welfare non-profit, and LaSalle Corrections, a private prison group’s charity.
Compass Connections already receives over $1.6 billion in federal funding for child care services but also works within a deportation system.
Local officials confirmed no lease contract for the land has been signed yet.
The government has not publicly explained why the new family detention center is needed or how it will be managed.
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The New World screwworm fly, a harmful parasite, was found in a calf near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Authorities are working quickly to stop the parasite from spreading in the United States.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm fly is a parasite that harms animals by laying eggs in their wounds.
It was discovered in a calf close to the Texas-Mexico border.
The parasite is not normally found in the U.S. because of ongoing prevention efforts.
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is leading efforts to control and stop the spread of the screwworm fly.
Containing the fly is important to protect livestock and the farming industry.
The finding shows how close the threat is to U.S. agriculture near the border.
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E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, said she did not lie while testifying under oath. She made this statement after news of a Department of Justice investigation involving her.
Key Facts
E. Jean Carroll accused President Trump of sexual assault.
The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating her.
Carroll denied committing perjury, which means lying under oath.
She addressed this issue on her Substack newsletter.
Carroll’s statement came shortly after news about the DOJ probe.
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A shooting occurred outside a high school graduation ceremony in Fairfield, California, killing an 18-year-old and wounding three others, including an 11-year-old. Police said there is no ongoing threat, and investigations are underway.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 7:15 p.m. on June 3, 2026, in the parking lot outside Fairfield High School.
The event was a graduation ceremony for Sem Yeto High School graduates.
Four people were shot: an 18-year-old who died, and three others aged 11, 20, and 25 who were injured.
It is not clear if the 18-year-old victim was a graduate.
Police are interviewing witnesses and following leads to investigate the shooting.
About 1,000 people attended the graduation, providing many potential witnesses.
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District expressed sympathy for those affected.
Police have not released information about any suspects or ongoing threats.
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Jill Biden said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris remain friends a year and a half after leaving office. She shared this while promoting her new book in Washington, D.C., mentioning that Harris recently called President Biden.
Key Facts
Jill Biden spoke at an event at the Sixth & I synagogue in Washington, D.C.
She was promoting her new book during this event.
Jill Biden said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are still friends.
Harris recently called President Biden.
This friendship continues about 18 months after they left office.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order that removes job protections for nearly 8,000 senior federal employees, making their positions "at-will," which allows faster dismissal. This change affects key roles in many agencies, including those handling national security, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, and is expected to cause workplace disruption and legal challenges.
Key Facts
The order changes the status of about 8,000 senior federal employees to "at-will," allowing quick dismissal without the usual appeals process.
It revives parts of Schedule F, a classification from President Trump’s earlier term aimed at shifting policy-influencing roles to at-will employment.
Affected positions include IT leaders like chief information officers, chief technology officers, and senior managers responsible for cybersecurity and AI.
Most impacted employees are at the GS-15 level, a senior federal pay grade, with many earning close to $200,000 a year.
The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Department of Health and Human Services have large numbers of employees affected, risking disruption in security, military, health, and technology work.
White House officials say the change helps senior staff implement the administration’s goals without resistance.
Critics warn it may politicize roles meant to be nonpartisan and cause rapid turnover and instability.
The Office of Personnel Management supports the change, stating these roles should be filled by those who fully support the administration’s policies.
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The family of a six-year-old girl who was left brain-damaged at birth due to mistakes by an NHS hospital trust accepted a £28 million payout. The settlement came after the hospital admitted it failed to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate during labor, causing severe brain injury. The girl will need lifelong care for her disabilities.
Key Facts
The girl was born in July 2019 at Queen’s hospital in Romford, east London.
NHS trust failed to monitor the baby’s heart rate or call a specialist during labor.
The girl suffered severe brain damage from lack of oxygen at birth, leading to epilepsy and loss of mobility.
The family received a £28 million payout to cover lifelong care costs, with an expected lifespan to age 83.
The settlement was made out of court after a high court lawsuit.
NHS maternity care has faced multiple scandals and calls for urgent reform.
Two reviews on maternity care safety are due to be published soon.
The Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust apologized and said it has improved maternity services since 2019.
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The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was emptied recently to allow workers to repaint the floor and fix damages. After the repairs, water has started to fill the pool again.
Key Facts
The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial was drained.
Workers used this time to repaint the floor of the pool.
Repairs were made to address any damage.
Water has now begun to refill the pool.
The project involved cleaning and restoring the pool area.
The pool is an important landmark in Washington, D.C.
The repainting and repairs help maintain the pool’s appearance and condition.
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The U.S. Senate voted against a plan by Senator Thom Tillis to change the use of a $1.8 billion fund. The fund was originally meant to stop the misuse of government resources for weaponization, but Tillis wanted to use it to fight fraud against taxpayers instead.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina and is a Republican.
He proposed an amendment to redirect $1.8 billion from an anti-weaponization fund.
The money was planned for the Justice Department to prevent weaponization.
Tillis wanted to use the funds to improve efforts to stop fraud targeting U.S. taxpayers.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly to reject this amendment.
The rejected plan would have prohibited federal funds from being used for certain claims.
The vote keeps the original purpose of the fund intact.
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