The Hill

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) in a recent interview said he believes its good the Democratic Party “doesn’t have a standard bearer” despite plummeting popularity and mounting frustration from its base, claiming it provides an opportunity for diverse opinions. “You may think that’s a bad thing; I disagree, I … Democratic rep: Party not having standard bearer ‘a good thing’Read more

President Trump is proposing massive cuts to education in his Friday budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2026, including reduced funding for preschools, adult learning and the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. “The President’s Skinny Budget reflects funding levels for an agency that is responsibly winding … Trump education budget hits preschool funding, civil rights, but boosts charter schoolsRead more

GasBuddy, a company that tracks fuel costs across the country, is refuting President Trump’s claims in a Friday morning social media post touting record low prices at the pump. “Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment … GasBuddy pushes back on Trump price claimRead more

President Trump unveiled the White House budget request for fiscal 2026 on Friday, a set of proposals that would make steep cuts to nondefense programs including in education, health care and foreign aid. In a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), Office of Management and … Trump proposes steep cuts in first budget request of second termRead more

A federal judge on Friday declined to block the enforcement of key provisions in President Trump’s executive orders involving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and gender in a challenge by three civil and human rights organizations.  U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly denied the advocacy groups’ request for a … Judge declines to block parts of Trump gender, DEI executive orders  Read more

While the Trump administration has put a pause on many proposed new tariffs, some — like the 25 percent tariff on aluminum — are still in play. Coca-Cola chief executive James Quincey said that Coke may increase its use of plastic to mitigate price hikes, as it imports … With Trump’s tariffs in play, it’s the perfect opportunity for a national bottle bill Read more

CNBC reporter Steve Liesman mocked President Trump on Thursday over his blaming of the current state of the economy on former President Biden. “Well, he tried yesterday to blame the stock market on Biden,” Liesman said during an appearance on MSNBC. “And I think there was a lot of … CNBC’s Liesman: Trump blaming Biden for GDP report sparked ‘a lot of laughter’Read more

President Trump has crossed that traditional marker of 100 days in office. So, how much chaos are Americans willing to tolerate if their money is in the crosshairs? Yes, the MAGA faithful — the ones who would jump off a cliff if the president told them to take … Voters will put up with a lot from Trump, but not a tanking economyRead more

President Trump touted Thursday the newfound support he has received from major technology leaders in his second term, claiming they are now “kissing” his “a–.” “If you look at some of these internet people, I know so many of them, Elon [Musk] is so terrific,” Trump said during … Trump: ‘Internet people’ who once ‘hated me’ now ‘kissing my a–‘Read more

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) is slated to travel to Pennsylvania and South Carolina this month amid speculation he’s considering a 2028 presidential bid.  Moore will deliver at the commencement address at Lincoln University, a historically Black university in the swing state of Pennsylvania, on Sunday. Later this … Wes Moore to travel to Pennsylvania, South Carolina amid 2028 speculationRead more

Americans haven’t felt this bad about the economy since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and major companies are taking notice, slashing financial forecasts. Consumer confidence fell for the fifth straight month in April, reaching its lowest level since May 2020 amid growing concerns over President Trump’s … Major brands flag consumer anxiety: McDonald’s, Chipotle, P&GRead more

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said the Trump administration’s minerals deal with Ukraine isn’t a fully fleshed out agreement. “If you look at this Ukraine minimal deal, there’s no deal here,” Smith told NewsNation.  “There’s no specific ‘We get this, we get that.’ It’s really just sort of a … House Democrat on Ukraine minerals deal: ‘It’s really just sort of a framework’Read more

President Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping, are engaged in a monumental struggle over tariffs and trade — will Barbie determine the outcome?   Xi is betting that Americans are too spoiled to abandon the cheap imported goods — like the iconic Barbie doll — that have filled the shelves … China underestimates Trump and his trade war — America is ready for battle Read more

Our nation’s top health officials are sounding the alarm on federal nutrition policy. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary both recently criticized the government’s longstanding dietary advice — particularly the USDA “Food Pyramid,” now called MyPlate — for failing to promote … US dietary guidelines have made us ill — let’s change them alreadyRead more

China’s leaders seem to be softening on their resistance to trade talks amid President Trump’s tariff war but stressed that negotiations must be rooted in “sincerity.” “China has noticed that the senior leadership of the United States has repeatedly stated that it is willing to negotiate with China … China signals openness to trade talksRead more

Editor’s note: The Hill’s Morning Report is our daily newsletter that dives deep into Washington’s agenda. To subscribe, click here or fill out the box below. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Morning Report … Morning Report — Waltz out, Rubio in, Hegseth up in the airRead more

Three years ago, the Biden administration, backed by big bipartisan majorities in Congress, launched the CHIPS and Science Act to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing. After decades of outsourcing that reduced the U.S. production share of advanced chips from 37 percent to 10 percent, this “industrial policy” investment was justified as necessary … Without qualified workers, our CHIPS investments could be money down the drain Read more

In his inaugural address, President Trump boldly declared the beginning of America’s “Golden Age.” Instead, with news and headlines that screamed “lowest 100-day approval in 80 years,” Trump’s Golden Age appears to be founded on “fool’s gold.” Those minerals with gold color that “flake, powder or crumble” aptly … The words and phrases defining Trump’s first 100 ‘daze’Read more

Senate Democrats are trying to pick up the pieces after Republicans were able to kill off an attempt to scrap President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs because of attendance issues, depriving them of a rare opportunity to make a dent in the GOP’s trade efforts. Democrats were on the … Senate Democrats lament missed chance after tariff vote tumultRead more

A group of freshman House Democrats called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to prioritize bringing legislation to the House floor that would lower costs for Americans.  Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) led 32 Democratic House freshmen in writing the letter, which was exclusively obtained by The Hill.  “Congress should … Freshman House Democrats call on Johnson to prioritize lowering pricesRead more

On the menu: That Musk-y aroma; warning signs for GOP in Virginia; Dems clash over high-profile post; former Atlanta mayor eyes governorship; you’re calling from where? “Political capital” is one of the most abused ideas in Washington because it so often is thought of as a savings account … Whole Hog Politics: How Trump misspent his political capitalRead more

Attorney Abbe Lowell is striking out to launch a new law firm dedicated to representing “those facing politicized investigations” and other legal actions from the Trump administration. Lowell, a longtime white collar defense attorney, has represented figures on both sides of the aisle, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka … Lowell launches firm for those ‘unlawfully and inappropriately targeted’ by TrumpRead more

Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), a former Army intelligence officer, criticized former national security advisor Mike Waltz’s “brazen disregard” for the U.S. military over his use of the Signal group chat to facilitate talk about an attack. Ryan joined CNN on Thursday, just hours after it was revealed Waltz … Pat Ryan slams Waltz’s ‘brazen disregard’ for military over Signal useRead more

President Trump used his commencement speech at the University of Alabama on Thursday to take a victory lap over his administration’s first 100 days into his second term. “This week, we’re celebrating the most successful first 100 days of any presidential administration in the history of our country, … Trump takes 100-day victory lap at University of Alabama commencement speechRead more

Former national security adviser John Bolton said chaos is “embedded” in President Trump’s DNA after national security adviser Mike Waltz was dismissed from his position. Bolton wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal Thursday just hours after it was revealed Waltz would no longer be national security … Bolton on Trump after Waltz exit: ‘Chaos is embedded in his DNA’Read more

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said Mike Waltz’s senate confirmation hearing for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations role will not be taken lightly.  Waltz, who was moved from his original post as national security advisor, will have to answer to Pentagon leaks and address his continued use … Top House Armed Forces Dem: Waltz confirmation will be an ‘in-depth look at Signalgate’Read more

President Trump has threatened sanctions on countries that are purchasing from Iran. “ALERT: All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW! Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions,” Trump said Thursday … Trump threatens sanctions on countries that buy oil from IranRead more

The head of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) Spirit of Virginia PAC, Matt Moran, has stepped down from his role amid the controversy surrounding the governor calling on the GOP lieutenant governor nominee, John Reid, to suspend his campaign, according to a source familiar with internal deliberations.  The … Top Youngkin aide steps down amid controversy over lieutenant governor nomineeRead more

Apple CEO Tim Cook said President Trump’s tariffs could tank the company’s profits in the second quarter during a Thursday earnings call. “For the June quarter, currently we are not able to precisely estimate the impact of tariffs, as we are uncertain of potential future actions prior to … Tim Cook says Trump tariffs could cost Apple more than $900M in June quarterRead more

Vice President Vance said he supports President Trump’s Thursday decision to nominate national security adviser Mike Waltz to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  Waltz had been at the center of a controversy involving a group chat on the Signal app in which national security and … Vance backs Waltz move, says he will ‘make a better ambassador’Read more