FDNY Adds 39 Names to 9/11 Memorial Wall in 2025 Ceremony
Written By Lexx Thornton The September 11 terror attack on the World Trade Center is still killing New York City firefighters, 24 years later. On Tuesday, the FDNY remembered the 39 members who have died in the past year of illnesses related to their work during the rescue and recovery efforts at what was then known as The Pile. Their names were added to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall in an afternoon ceremony at the department’s Brooklyn headquarters. The inscription reads: “Dedicated to the memory of those who bravely served this department protecting life and property in the
House Democrats Split on Shutdown Strategy, ACA Funding
By Sahil Kapur When House Democrats gathered behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss strategy to avert a government shutdown, they agreed on one thing: They must use the leverage of the Sept. 30 deadline to advance their priorities. But the party has yet to agree on what those priorities should be. In the House meeting, lawmakers voiced anxieties about the nearing deadline, proposing a wide variety of ideas, multiple sources with knowledge of the discussion said. And they questioned whether their Senate counterparts would have the stomach for a fight after Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other key
Trump Asks Supreme Court to Withhold $4B Foreign Aid Funds
By Lawrence Hurley The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to allow the government to withhold $4 billion of spending on foreign aid that was approved by Congress. The move came in response to a federal judge’s ruling last week that requires the administration to spend the funds despite President Donald Trump notifying Congress that he intends not to. The case marks a showdown over to what extent the president can refuse to spend money that Congress has appropriated, a brewing issue as Trump has embraced a sweeping view of presidential power since taking office again in January. In
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Rules Out 2028 Presidential Run
By Megan Lebowitz Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday that he was ruling out a presidential run in 2028. Asked by moderator Kristen Welker whether he had ruled out a run for president, Moore confirmed that he had. “Yeah, I’m not running for president,” he said. Asked a second time to confirm he was ruling out a presidential run, he reiterated “yes,” listing his accomplishments as Maryland’s governor and emphasizing his interest in serving another term. “Our population is growing, Maryland is moving, and so I’m really excited about going back in front of
DOJ Eyes Gun Ban for Transgender Americans After Shooting
Written By Lexx Thornton The Justice Department is discussing proposals to potentially block transgender Americans from buying firearms. In the wake of the deadly Minneapolis Catholic church shooting conducted by Robin Westman, who identified as a trans woman, DOJ officials are mulling options the Trump administration can take to restrict the 2nd Amendment rights of some Americans, sources familiar with the talks said. Some DOJ members believe the move can be approved as a follow-up on Trump’s executive order barring military service by transgender people. One option could see Trump formally declare that people who identify as transgender are mentally
Trump Ends Secret Service Protection for Kamala Harris
Written By Lexx Thornton President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, a senior White House official said on Friday. Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents do so for life. But then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive that had extended protection for Harris beyond the traditional six months, according to another person familiar with the matter. The people insisted on anonymity to discuss a matter not made public. Trump, a Republican, defeated Harris, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year. The move
Cassidy Clashes With RFK Jr. Over Covid Vaccine Stance
By Sahil Kapur, Brennan Leach and Gabrielle Khoriaty Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy on his skepticism of vaccines Thursday, arguing that his actions fly in the face of one of President Donald Trump’s biggest achievements. Cassidy opened his questioning at a Senate hearing by asking Kennedy if he agrees Trump should get a Nobel Prize for the development of the Covid vaccine in the throes of the pandemic during his first term, known as Operation Warp Speed. Kennedy replied quickly: “Absolutely, senator.” Cassidy was skeptical. “But you just told Sen. [Michael] Bennet that the Covid vaccine
Durbin Urges Hearing on Trump’s Military Threats to Cities
By Zoë Richards and Frank Thorp V The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee is calling on the panel’s Republican chairman to hold a hearing on President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy military forces to Chicago and other cities. “Domestic deployment of the military into American communities raises serious issues within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee that warrant an immediate hearing,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., wrote in a letter Wednesday to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. “Of particular relevance for this Committee is that the men and women serving in our Armed Forces are trained primarily for warfighting, not community policing
Sen. Cassidy Calls for Oversight After CDC Shake-Up
By Sahil Kapur, Brennan Leach and Frank Thorp V Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., the chair of the health committee, is holding his cards close to the vest, declining to elaborate after he said he will conduct “oversight” of the country’s top health official and a recent shake-up at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cassidy, a doctor who has been supportive of vaccines, is in a delicate position as the top Republican on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee who provided a pivotal vote to confirm Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he secured assurances about vaccines. Cassidy
Congress Returns: Shutdown Fight, Epstein Files, Stock Ban
A government shutdown deadline, a standoff over President Donald Trump’s nominees and a renewed clash over the Jeffrey Epstein files await Congress as it returns Tuesday after a month-long August recess. The top item on the agenda is the government funding deadline of Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown. An unusual Republican and Democratic pairing says they believe they’ll have the support they need to force a House vote requiring the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. And Republicans are hatching plans to change Senate rules to speed up confirmation of Trump’s personnel, amid drama over the firing and exodus of top public
