The U.S. Supreme Court decided that Representative Mike Bost from Illinois can challenge a state law about counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. The law allows these ballots to be counted if they were mailed by Election Day but arrive up to two weeks later.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court voted 7-2 to let Rep. Mike Bost challenge the Illinois mail ballot law.
The law in question allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive up to two weeks late.
President Donald Trump has targeted this type of mail ballot law.
Bost won his election easily, but he argues that the vote tally shouldn't limit his right to challenge the law.
Illinois state officials feared the lawsuit might lead to a surge in election-related court cases.
Over a dozen states and Washington, D.C., have similar laws regarding late-arriving mail ballots.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson voiced her concern about a Supreme Court ruling that lets a lawsuit proceed against counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day. The ruling enables Representative Michael Bost from Illinois and others to continue their legal challenge, arguing the vote-counting method violates federal law. Jackson and Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, warning about potential increased election-related lawsuits.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled a lawsuit contesting mail-in ballots received post-Election Day can proceed.
Representative Michael Bost, a Republican from Illinois, brought the lawsuit.
Illinois allows counting of mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks after.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed concerns about this decision leading to more election lawsuits.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion supporting candidates' interests in election rules.
The decision overturns a lower court ruling that dismissed the case for lack of standing.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett agreed with Bost's standing but disagreed with the Court's reasoning.
Jackson and Sotomayor warned the ruling could bring more election disputes.
The Trump administration is urging states to stop taking Social Security benefits from foster children. These benefits are intended to support children whose parents have died. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wants states to make sure these funds go directly to the children.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is highlighting a problem where states take Social Security benefits from foster children.
These benefits are meant for children who have lost parents, to help with living costs like housing and food.
The Administration for Children and Families has reached out to governors, asking them to stop this practice.
New Jersey has passed a law to prevent this practice.
Around 27,000 children in foster care receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
A representative payee can manage these benefits if the child cannot do so directly.
The idea is for the child to receive their entitled support without states using it for other costs.
A video showing federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pulling a woman from her car in Minneapolis has gained attention. The incident occurred during an ICE operation where they were executing an arrest warrant. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the situation, stating that a crowd interfered with their operations.
Key Facts
The video captures agents dragging a woman from her vehicle while she claims she is disabled and heading to a medical appointment.
A similar incident of an ICE-related shooting had previously increased tensions in the Minneapolis area.
DHS said agents were executing an arrest warrant and detained four individuals during the operation.
The detained individuals include a 20-year-old Ecuadorian national said to have entered the U.S. illegally in 2019.
A crowd surrounded the agents, which DHS described as interfering with law enforcement duties, a federal crime.
Six people were taken into custody for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers during the incident.
Federal agents used tear gas and other crowd-control measures.
The Minneapolis Mayor questioned the ICE agent's use of force, while Vice President JD Vance defended their actions as part of federal duties.
The wife of a Ford factory worker showed support for her husband after he heckled President Donald Trump during a tour in Michigan. The worker, TJ Sabula, shouted at the President and was later suspended from his job pending an investigation. Sabula expressed his concerns about potential political retaliation but stated he has no regrets.
Key Facts
TJ Sabula is a Ford worker who heckled President Trump during a factory tour in Michigan.
Sabula was suspended from his job at the Ford plant after the incident.
The heckling involved Sabula shouting about Trump's handling of an investigation connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sabula’s wife supported her husband through a social media post.
Sabula identified as an independent voter who has not supported Trump but has backed other Republican candidates.
Sabula’s Facebook page shows posts critical of President Trump.
The heckling interaction gained attention on social media platforms and news channels.
Six federal prosecutors reportedly resigned after being directed to investigate Rebecca Good following the shooting of her wife, Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The shooting occurred during a traffic stop, and the incident has led to differing views from government officials, with some calling the response excessive.
Key Facts
Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a traffic stop in Minneapolis on January 7.
Rebecca Good was present at the scene and is now under investigation for possible federal charges.
The Justice Department's directive to investigate Rebecca Good led to the resignation of at least six federal prosecutors.
The shooting was captured on video from multiple angles and shared widely on social media.
President Trump described Renee as an agitator and justified the ICE agent's actions as self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the ICE agent's actions, calling them reckless.
Rebecca and Renee ran a business called B. Good Handywork LLC and had moved to Minnesota recently.
More than 50 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives support articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. The move follows an incident where an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Over 50 Democratic House members support the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
Representative Robin Kelly from Illinois introduced the impeachment articles.
The impeachment effort is in response to an ICE agent shooting a woman named Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security has called the impeachment efforts "silly."
The shooting has led to more attention on how ICE carries out its operations.
This is ongoing news, and more updates are expected.
Some Republican senators are disagreeing with President Trump on two major issues. One issue is about military action in Venezuela; the other involves an investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. These disagreements show growing tensions between President Trump and some members of his party in Congress.
Key Facts
Five Republican senators joined Democrats to advance a measure to stop military action in Venezuela without Congress's approval.
The Senate plans to vote on the Venezuela military action measure, which is expected to pass, potentially impacting other Senate activities.
President Trump has criticized the five Republican senators who support the measure, but they have not changed their stance.
The Trump Justice Department is investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a move that has drawn criticism from some Republicans in Congress.
Senator Thom Tillis questioned the credibility of the Justice Department's investigation into Powell.
Senator Lisa Murkowski called the investigation an attempt at coercion and requested a separate investigation into the DOJ.
Thom Tillis said he will block any Trump nominees for the Federal Reserve until the investigation is resolved.
Senators plan to debate and vote on the Venezuela issue and monitor the situation with Powell's investigation closely.
President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was reportedly vandalized with offensive words. The image of the defaced star gained significant attention on social media. Past incidents have shown that Trump's star has been a frequent target for vandalism since he began his political career.
Key Facts
A photo shows President Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star vandalized with four offensive words.
The image was widely shared on social media, receiving over 109,000 upvotes on Reddit.
The Reddit user, who posted the photo, claimed it was taken on January 8.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has a policy of not removing stars regardless of the controversies surrounding the honorees.
Trump's star has been vandalized multiple times since he entered politics, including incidents involving spray paint and even physical destruction with tools like pickaxes.
It has cost the Hollywood Historic Trust over $20,000 to repair the star due to repeated vandalism.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame aims to preserve the stars as part of its historic fabric, regardless of public sentiment.
A new poll in Michigan shows Republican candidates leading in two major races for the 2026 midterm elections. The survey indicates uncertainty among voters, highlighting closely contested races for the Senate and governor positions in the state.
Key Facts
The Glengariff Group conducted the poll and published it in The Detroit News.
Michigan is considered a battleground state, having shifted political support in recent elections.
Former GOP Representative Mike Rogers leads against potential Democratic opponents in the Senate race.
The poll indicates that when counting only "definite" voters, Democrats have an edge.
For the governor's race, Republican John James leads slightly over Democrat Jocelyn Benson, with Mike Duggan running as an independent.
In hypothetical two-way matchups, Benson leads against some Republican contenders.
The poll was conducted among 600 likely voters and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
Hillary and Bill Clinton did not attend a scheduled deposition by the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons argue that the request for their testimony is not legally valid and is biased. Rep. James Comer mentioned possible contempt charges for their refusal to testify.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton ignored a House subpoena on Wednesday.
The House Oversight Committee wanted her to testify about Jeffrey Epstein.
Bill Clinton also missed a scheduled deposition on Tuesday.
Both Clintons sent a letter to Rep. James Comer opposing the request.
The Clintons claim the investigation is biased against them.
Rep. James Comer warned of potential contempt charges for not attending.
A conflict has arisen between the Trump administration and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding the resignation of six federal prosecutors in Minnesota. These resignations occurred amidst an investigation into the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer. The situation highlights tensions over the handling of the investigation and the subsequent actions of the Department of Justice.
Key Facts
Six federal prosecutors resigned in Minnesota.
Their resignations happened while the Department of Justice was investigating the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer.
Governor Tim Walz called the resignation of one prosecutor, Joe Thompson, a "huge loss."
Joe Thompson reportedly disagreed with DOJ's investigation decisions about Good's widow and actions involving the ICE officer.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated Good attempted to run over a law enforcement officer.
The incident has led to protests in the city and ongoing tensions regarding federal power use.
Resignations may impact fraud investigations previously uncovered by the DOJ in Minnesota.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche criticized Governor Walz's understanding of the law on social media.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sent a large number of federal agents to Minnesota, which could make the federal force there larger than local police forces combined. This action follows the shooting of a woman by a federal immigration agent, leading to tension and protests in the state.
Key Facts
DHS has deployed about 2,000 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other groups in Minnesota.
DHS plans to send more officers, potentially increasing the number to 3,000.
The local police in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have a combined total of 2,482 officers.
The recent deployment follows the shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent, which has sparked protests.
There are around 130,000 immigrants without legal status in Minnesota.
Minnesota officials have criticized the actions of ICE and the presence of federal agents in the state.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in cases about whether laws in Idaho and West Virginia, which restrict transgender women from participating in women's sports, violate the 14th Amendment or Title IX. The cases address whether legal protections for biological women in sports clash with recent interpretations of gender identity rights. The Court's decision will impact how laws related to gender and sports are applied.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering cases called Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.
These cases question if state laws barring transgender women from women's sports violate constitutional rights.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, and Title IX, passed in 1972, are central to the legal arguments.
The 14th Amendment originally aimed to protect civil rights after the Civil War.
Title IX was enacted to ensure equal educational opportunities, including in sports, for women.
The Idaho and West Virginia laws aim to keep women's sports limited to biological females.
The debate involves whether gender identity can override biological distinctions in legal terms.
The outcome could affect women's sports and related legal interpretations in the U.S.
Tomas Escotto, a Secret Service agent, has been placed on leave after allegations that he leaked sensitive information about Vice President JD Vance's security. The incident has raised concerns due to recent political violence, and the Secret Service is investigating.
Key Facts
Tomas Escotto is accused of leaking security details about Vice President JD Vance.
A video shows Escotto giving out sensitive information regarding Vance's security and travel.
The Secret Service has put Escotto on administrative leave.
There are ongoing concerns about threats to public figures and their security.
Earlier, an intruder attempted to break into Vance’s home, increasing security concerns.
Escotto was reportedly hired during the Biden administration.
Deputy Secret Service Director Matthew Quinn stated the agency is investigating the incident.
President Donald Trump proposed a one-year limit of 10% on credit card interest rates, a plan supported by some Democrats but facing opposition from many Republican leaders. Credit card use is widespread in the U.S., and total debt has reached $1.23 trillion as many struggle to pay their bills. Some Republicans warn that this cap might reduce the availability of credit.
Key Facts
President Trump proposed a 10% cap on credit card interest rates for one year.
Many Democrats support the cap, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Republican leaders, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, oppose the proposal.
U.S. households have a total credit card debt of $1.23 trillion.
Credit cards are used for about one-third of all purchases in the U.S.
Some Republicans worry that the cap could limit access to credit for people.
74% of Americans own at least one credit card, as per a Federal Reserve report.
A few Republicans, like Senator Josh Hawley, support Trump’s proposal.
House Republicans have introduced a plan with 15 steps to make it easier for more Americans to own homes. The plan aims to tackle the high costs of buying a home, which became more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal includes changes to federal housing programs and taxes to help first-time buyers and others struggling with current prices.
Key Facts
The U.S. homeownership rate was at 65% in mid-2025, a drop since late 2019.
President Donald Trump has mentioned plans for aggressive housing reforms.
The "Pathway to Homeownership" is part of a proposed second reconciliation bill by House Republicans.
One measure involves "The Don Payment Program," offering low down payment options through the FHA.
Another measure proposes selling or leasing unused federal properties at low rates to boost affordable housing.
The plan includes removing capital gains tax for first-time homebuyers.
It suggests imposing taxes on foreign nationals buying U.S. properties for investment.
The proposal seeks to end the Child Tax Credit marriage penalty.
Justice Elena Kagan sided with the conservative majority in a Supreme Court case about Illinois' mail-ballot rules. The court ruled 7-2 that the candidates did not have the right to challenge the deadline for receiving ballots. This decision means that late-arriving ballots in Illinois will continue to be counted under the current rules.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court case is called Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections.
Justice Elena Kagan, usually aligned with liberal justices, joined the conservative majority in the decision.
The court ruled 7-2 that the candidates did not have legal standing to challenge Illinois’ ballot-receipt deadline.
Illinois’ practice involves counting certain ballots even if they arrive after the official deadline.
Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, formed the majority opinion.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote a separate opinion that Justice Kagan supported.
Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with the majority decision.
The ruling confirms that Illinois can continue counting late-arriving ballots under existing rules.
FBI agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter in Virginia as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of taking secret documents. During the search, they took a phone and a watch belonging to the reporter, Hannah Natanson.
Key Facts
The FBI carried out a search at reporter Hannah Natanson's home in Virginia.
This search is linked to an investigation into a government contractor accused of taking government secrets.
The FBI took Natanson's phone and a Garmin watch during the search.
Hannah Natanson writes about changes in the federal government under the Trump administration.
Searching a reporter's home is unusual and shows the government's strong focus on stopping leaks.
The Washington Post reported this search as part of their news coverage.
President Trump's administration has made changes to improve the NEPA permitting system in the U.S. The goal is to speed up building projects and reduce delays. These changes are part of efforts to make energy and infrastructure development faster and more efficient.
Key Facts
The U.S. aims to build critical infrastructure and secure energy more efficiently.
The Trump administration took steps to simplify the NEPA permitting process.
NEPA originally required federal agencies to report on the environmental impact of major actions.
Over time, the permitting process under NEPA became slow and cumbersome.
President Trump issued an Executive Order to make the process faster and less complicated.
CEQ issued new rules that cut back on regulations, starting in 2025.
The Supreme Court emphasized that courts should respect agency expertise in environmental reviews.
These changes align with the BUILDER Act, which set deadlines and limits for NEPA processes.
