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March 27, 2026
Senate unanimously moves to fund most of DHS, except ICE and border patrol, in rare overnight session
(CNN) The Senate unanimously moved to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and part of Customs and Border Protection, in a rare overnight session. The agreement would fund other DHS components, such as the Transportation Security Administration and US Coast Guard, but the House will still need to act before funded agencies within the department can reopen. After negotiations fell apart earlier Thursday evening, senators focused on moving the funding they were able to agree on by unanimous consent.
Go to discussionEpstein survivors sue Trump administration and Google over release of private information
(NBC News) A group of Epstein survivors filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration and Google on Thursday over the disclosure of personal information found in the release of files related to the late sex offender over the past several months. “The United States, acting through the DOJ, made a deliberate policy choice to prioritize rapid, large-volume disclosure over protection of Epstein survivors’ privacy,” the plaintiffs said, adding that the Justice Department “outed approximately 100 survivors of the convicted sexual predator, publishing their private information and identifying them to the world.”
Go to discussionPentagon Weighs Sending 10,000 More Ground Troops to the Middle East
(Wall Street Journal) The Pentagon is looking at sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give President Trump more military options even as he weighs peace talks with Tehran, Department of Defense officials with knowledge of the planning said. Trump earlier said he was pausing strikes on Iran’s energy sector for 10 more days, to April 6, so peace negotiations can take place beyond his previous Friday deadline. Peace talk mediators said Iran didn’t ask for the additional time. Trump said the extension was at Iran’s request.
Go to discussion'Very Special Boy' Trump Mercilessly Mocked As Republicans Give Him A New Trophy
(Huff Post) Another day, another made-up honor for Donald Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) drew swift mockery on Wednesday after he awarded the president the first-ever “America First Award” at the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser, which he claimed would now be given “annually from this point forward.” “We could think of no better title for what that is,” Johnson said of the golden eagle statue. “That’s this beautiful golden statue here. Appropriate for the new golden era in America.”
Powerful House Republican Joins Retirement Wave
(Political Wire) Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, is pulling his plans to seek re-election for his Missouri seat, joining dozens of other lawmakers who are retiring from Congress at the end of this term, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Go to discussionAntony Blinken pushes back against Trump comments suggesting he supported Iran attack
(The Hill) Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected President Trump’s characterization this week that the Biden administration official had wanted to launch military operations on Iran during his time in the White House. “I’ve heard that today Blinken made a statement that he should have done it,” Trump said during a speech to Republican members of Congress on Wednesday evening. “Thanks a lot, Blinken, I appreciate it,” the president continued.
Go to discussionHegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List
(NY Times) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is blocking the promotion of four Army officers to be one-star generals, a highly unusual move that has prompted some senior military officials to question whether the officers are being singled out because of their race or gender. Two of the officers targeted by Mr. Hegseth are Black and two are women on a promotion list that consists of about three dozen officers, most of whom are white men, senior military officials said.
Go to discussionTrump says "military wanted" White House ballroom: "That was supposed to be secret"
(The Hill) President Trump says there’s a national security component to the construction of the White House ballroom that was “supposed to be secret.” “Now it’s no secret, the military wanted it more than anybody,” Trump said of the construction of the ballroom Thursday during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “It was supposed to be secret, but it became unsecret because of people that are really unpatriotic saying things,” he said.
Go to discussionSenate Republican busted violating stock law she helped pass
(Raw Story) Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been caught violating a congressional stock trading disclosure rule that she played a big part in advocating for over a decade ago. According to Dave Levinthal of NOTUS, "Collins’ husband, Thomas Daffron, purchased a Pfizer corporate bond worth from $15,001 to $50,000 on February 3, but Collins didn’t disclose the purchase to the Senate until Wednesday."
Go to discussionMyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Served With Legal Documents During Live TV Interview
(Huff Post) Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO, a candidate for Minnesota governor and a notorious ally of President Donald Trump, was served with legal documents during a live TV interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Gaylord, Texas, on Thursday. Lindell was speaking with a reporter from the far-right news outlet One America News when a woman interrupted the interview. “Hi, sorry to interrupt,” the unidentified woman said. “We’re on TV here, please,” Lindell repeatedly said while trying to shove the women out of frame.
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