The U.S. State Department announced a special edition passport to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. This passport includes President Donald Trump’s name or image, continuing his effort to put his name or likeness on many official U.S. items.
Key Facts
The State Department rolled out a “limited edition” passport for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
President Donald Trump’s name or likeness is featured on these new passports.
This is part of a broader effort by President Trump to have his name or image appear on federal buildings, government documents, and other official items.
The special passports are one of the most common documents used to prove U.S. citizenship.
The initiative includes a variety of items beyond passports, such as battleships and online government services.
The announcement was made on a Tuesday (exact date not specified).
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A lawsuit filed to stop President Trump’s face from appearing on a gold commemorative coin has been delayed due to missing paperwork. The case challenges the coin’s design, saying a sitting president’s image can’t be on U.S. currency, and now waits on proper legal service to proceed.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by James Rickher in March in Portland.
Rickher claims that U.S. law prohibits placing a president’s face on currency.
The coin shows a photo of President Trump approved by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
Production of the coin began after the approval on March 20.
The lawsuit was delayed because Rickher did not properly serve legal papers to the U.S. Attorney.
Judge Karin J. Immergut, appointed by Trump during his first term, ordered proper service for the case to continue.
The lawsuit also wants to stop issuing coins with any living person’s image, including President Trump.
The case must now be properly served by April 5 to move forward.
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The suspect, Cole Allen, planned the attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner for weeks before carrying it out. Prosecutors detailed his online research, travel, and movements leading up to the event, where he allegedly attempted to attack President Trump.
Key Facts
Cole Allen began researching the White House Correspondents' Dinner three weeks before the attack.
President Trump announced on March 2 that he would attend the dinner, the first time as president.
On April 6, Allen booked a hotel room at the Washington Hilton, where the event was held.
Allen traveled by Amtrak train from California to Washington, D.C., taking notes and researching the event during the trip.
Prosecutors say Allen took a selfie in his hotel room armed with multiple weapons just before the attack.
He checked the president’s schedule on the day of the event using a civic tracker website.
Allen is charged with multiple counts, including attempting to assassinate President Trump.
Prosecutors described the attack as premeditated political violence aimed at the democratic process.
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The Supreme Court heard arguments about the Trump administration's plan to stop protections that prevent the deportation of Haitian and Syrian nationals living in the United States. This case focuses on whether these individuals can be removed from the country under current rules.
Key Facts
The case involves Haitian and Syrian nationals in the United States.
The Trump administration wants to end special protections that have kept these groups from being deported.
The Supreme Court is deciding if the administration has the right to stop these protections.
These protections were originally set to keep certain people safe from deportation for humanitarian or safety reasons.
The court's decision will affect immigration policy and the status of these nationals in the U.S.
The case was heard recently by the Supreme Court justices.
The outcome could impact future deportation actions for people from similar countries.
This issue is part of broader debates on immigration and government policy enforcement.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested over 300 samples of infant formula from 16 brands and found that most formulas are safe from harmful contaminants. The tests checked for heavy metals, pesticides, and long-lasting chemicals between 2023 and 2025.
Key Facts
The FDA tested more than 300 infant formula samples purchased from stores.
These samples came from 16 different brands.
Tests checked for heavy metals, pesticides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are chemicals that last a long time in the environment.
The FDA concluded that the infant formula supply in the U.S. is generally safe.
The testing period covers the years 2023 through 2025.
The announcement about the safety of infant formulas was made on a Wednesday.
The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of food products like infant formula in the U.S.
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The US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates the same despite President Donald Trump’s calls to lower them. The Fed cited high inflation, slow job growth, and global uncertainty as reasons for this decision, while preparing for a possible leadership change soon.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady after its recent meeting.
President Trump has been urging the Fed to cut interest rates to boost the economy.
High inflation and slow job growth were given as reasons for holding rates steady.
Brent crude oil prices rose sharply due to worries about conflict in Iran.
Kevin Warsh was approved by the Senate banking committee to become the new Fed chair.
Warsh may support rate cuts, but he needs backing from other Fed board members to do so.
Current Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s future with the Fed after his term ends in May is uncertain.
Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, with recent figures showing 3.3% increase.
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The U.S. Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey with a crime for the second time. The details of the case and its strength are being discussed in the news.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed a new indictment against James Comey.
This is the second time Comey has been charged by the DOJ.
James Comey previously served as the FBI Director.
The news coverage is provided by CBS News and reporter Katrina Kaufman.
The article briefly mentions how strong the DOJ's case might be.
No details about the specific charges or evidence are given in the article excerpt.
This is part of ongoing legal actions involving important government officials.
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The Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates the same during its recent meeting. Meanwhile, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, is getting closer to being officially approved.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve chose not to change interest rates at its latest meeting.
The interest rate range stayed between 3.5% and 3.75%.
This meeting is likely the last one chaired by Jerome Powell.
Kevin Warsh is President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve.
A Senate committee is reviewing Kevin Warsh’s nomination.
The confirmation vote for Warsh is approaching soon.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the group that sets interest rates.
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The Supreme Court has weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which protected voting power for racial minorities. This decision puts Black congressional districts in Alabama at risk and may lead to changes in voting maps that reduce the influence of Black voters.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Louisiana v. Callais, weakening section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This section previously required states to create majority-minority districts to prevent racial discrimination in elections.
Alabama’s two Black congressional representatives, Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures, are at risk of losing their seats due to possible redistricting.
Sewell has represented Alabama’s 7th district since 2011, a district shaped by the Voting Rights Act to give Black voters a voice.
Figures won a newly created 2nd district after a 2023 ruling found Alabama’s prior maps diluted Black voting power.
The ruling may lead Alabama Republican lawmakers to redraw district maps, likely after the 2026 elections.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion, while Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Brown Jackson dissented, disagreeing with weakening the law.
The decision reduces protections against racial discrimination in how voting districts are created.
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A U.S. judge denied Sam Bankman-Fried’s request for a new trial and to remove himself as the judge. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for financial fraud involving his company FTX. The judge said Bankman-Fried’s claims about new evidence and government intimidation were unsupported and would waste court time.
Key Facts
Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024 for leading a large financial fraud case.
He was convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy for securities and commodities fraud, and money laundering.
Bankman-Fried requested a new trial, claiming new witnesses and evidence were influenced by the Department of Justice.
The judge ruled the witnesses were not new and there was no proof of government threats or retaliation.
Bankman-Fried also asked for the judge to step down, but the judge denied this request.
The judge called the defense’s claims “wildly conspiratorial” and contradicted by trial records.
Three key witnesses were known during the trial and Bankman-Fried never forced them to testify before.
The judge said one witness who recanted under suspicious circumstances was not credible.
The judge denied the motion partly to avoid wasting court resources after Bankman-Fried delayed withdrawing his request.
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Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna said she has seen information suggesting objects of "nonhuman origin." She plans to hold a press conference to share these findings amid delays by the Pentagon in releasing videos of unidentified aerial phenomena, also known as UAPs or UFOs.
Key Facts
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna chairs the House Oversight Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets.
Luna claims to have seen evidence in a secure briefing room that she believes is of nonhuman origin.
The Pentagon is delaying the release of many UAP videos due to classification and security reviews.
The Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is coordinating with federal agencies and the White House to review and release UAP information.
Congress and the White House have ordered disclosures of UAP material, which some lawmakers say the Department of Defense is slow to provide.
Luna does not confirm that these objects are aliens but says she cannot explain what she and other members of Congress have been briefed on.
Congressional hearings have discussed UAP incidents but officials have found no verified proof that the objects are extraterrestrial.
AARO was created to investigate unexplained aerial encounters, but many sightings turn out to be ordinary explanations like sensor errors or airborne clutter.
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James Comey, former FBI Director, turned himself in to face a charge that an Instagram post he shared threatened the life of President Donald Trump. The post showed seashells arranged to spell "86 47," which prosecutors say is a coded call to harm the president, but Comey denies any intent to threaten and says the case is politically motivated.
Key Facts
James Comey was charged for sharing an Instagram photo with seashells arranged to read "86 47."
"Eighty-six" is slang for "get rid of," which prosecutors say signals violence against President Trump.
Comey says he did not understand the meaning of the numbers and denies wrongdoing.
The charge carries a maximum of five years in prison, a fine, or both.
This is the second criminal case brought against Comey by the Justice Department during President Trump's current term.
Comey’s previous charges for lying to Congress were dismissed because of a problem with the prosecutor’s appointment.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges are not politically motivated and emphasized threats against the president are serious.
Some lawmakers and legal experts express doubt about the strength of the case, saying the evidence is thin.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s voting map, which created two Black-majority districts, was unconstitutional. The court's decision changes how the Voting Rights Act is interpreted, requiring proof of racial intent to challenge election maps, a shift expected to help Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana’s map creating two Black-majority districts was unconstitutional.
Louisiana’s Republican-led legislature drew the map after the 2020 census, making only one of six districts Black-majority despite Black residents being 33% of the state.
A federal judge initially found the map likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which protects minority voters from having their voting power reduced.
The court ruled that lawsuits under Section 2 must now prove officials had racist intent, changing previous interpretation that didn’t require intent.
Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion clarifying that the law targets intentional discrimination.
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan and two other justices dissented, warning the new rule makes it easier to weaken minority voting power legally.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the ruling weakens key legal protections for voters of color.
The decision may lead other states to alter voting maps and reduce minority-majority districts that often support Democratic candidates.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from Democrats during a House hearing about the war in Iran, the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget proposal, and his removal of senior military leaders. Representative Chrissy Houlahan and others challenged Hegseth on these issues, leading to a tense discussion.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in a House committee hearing.
The hearing focused on the war in Iran and the Pentagon’s budget.
The Pentagon requested $1.5 trillion in funding.
Hegseth had recently fired some top military officials.
Democrats, including Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, questioned Hegseth about these actions.
Rep. Houlahan is a former Air Force officer and member of the Armed Services Committee.
The discussion was marked by disagreements and sharp exchanges.
The hearing took place on a Wednesday.
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President Donald Trump’s administration is reviewing the broadcast licenses of several ABC channels following calls by Trump and Melania Trump to fire ABC host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke. Critics and some politicians say this investigation threatens free speech and accuse the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of using political influence to target Trump’s critics.
Key Facts
The FCC launched a probe into eight local ABC channels, requiring early license renewals over potential “unlawful discrimination” related to diversity measures.
The investigation came shortly after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke he made about Melania.
Critics, including free speech groups and politicians, say the probe is politically motivated to punish Trump critics.
Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International condemned the FCC’s actions as threats to press freedom.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, also opposed the FCC review, saying the government should not censor speech.
Jimmy Kimmel defended his joke as a “light roast” and denied it was a call for violence.
ABC has not taken any action against Kimmel following the controversy.
This is not the first time Trump’s administration or allies have targeted Kimmel and ABC over his comedy.
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A recent YouGov poll shows that less than half of Republicans would choose a U.S. passport featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, which will be included on new passports to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. Overall, most Americans, including a large majority of independents, do not want the passport with Trump’s image.
Key Facts
The State Department will include President Trump’s portrait on new passports for the U.S. 250th anniversary.
Only 40% of Republicans said they would choose the passport with President Trump’s image.
37% of Republicans prefer a passport without Trump’s portrait, and 23% are unsure.
Just 18% of all Americans would choose the passport with Trump’s image, while 67% would not.
Only 10% of independent voters want the passport with Trump’s portrait, and 73% do not.
19% of Americans approve of the Trump passport, while 62% disapprove.
The poll surveyed 4,559 adults on April 29, 2026.
The news comes amid a decline in President Trump’s approval rating.
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Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has asked state lawmakers to redraw congressional district lines to create a district in Memphis that is entirely favorable to Republicans. She made this request publicly on social media with an example map showing the proposed change.
Key Facts
Senator Marsha Blackburn represents Tennessee and is a member of the Republican Party.
She wants the Tennessee legislature to redraw the congressional map.
The goal is to create a district in Memphis that favors Republicans.
Blackburn shared her request and a map on the social platform X (formerly Twitter).
Redistricting means changing the boundaries of voting districts.
This move is part of the political process that happens after each census.
The request aims to increase Republican representation in Tennessee’s congressional delegation.
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President Donald Trump's administration plans to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget by half. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testified before a Senate committee to support the budget cuts and defend changes made under his leadership.
Key Facts
The EPA budget proposal calls for reducing funding by 50 percent.
Lee Zeldin is the current EPA Administrator leading the agency.
Zeldin has reduced EPA staff to the lowest numbers in decades.
He canceled major climate change programs.
Zeldin promoted what he called the largest deregulation efforts in U.S. history.
Billions in environmental justice grants from the Biden administration were canceled.
Zeldin criticized Democratic senators during the hearing, questioning their preparation and concern.
The hearing was part of three budget discussions held in the Senate that week.
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California is becoming important in national politics with upcoming elections. The governor's race, control of the U.S. House, and the 2028 presidential election all involve key California figures like Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Key Facts
California has an active race for governor underway.
The outcome affects control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Governor Gavin Newsom is a leading figure in this political scene.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is also a key contender.
Both Newsom and Harris may run for president in 2028.
California’s political status impacts all Americans.
The state plays a major role in national politics.
The upcoming elections could shape political power in the U.S.
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Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court after being charged with threatening President Donald Trump. The charges relate to a social media post with an image of seashells arranged as "86 47," which some interpreted as a threat, although Comey says he opposed violence and removed the post.
Key Facts
James Comey was indicted for making threats against President Donald Trump.
He appeared in court but did not enter a plea.
The charges are two counts: threatening the president's life and transmitting a threat via interstate commerce.
The case is based on a photo Comey posted on Instagram showing seashells arranged as "86 47."
Comey said the post was meant to send a political message and that he removed it after people thought it was violent.
A judge denied the Justice Department's request for release conditions on Comey.
Legal experts say this case is unusual because it involves symbolic speech and may involve First Amendment defenses.
Comey was previously indicted on other charges, but that case was dismissed due to an issue with the prosecutor's appointment.
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