U.S.
Senate Judiciary Vote on Todd Blanche's Attorney General Nomination Postponed as Two Republicans Seek Written Assurances on Trump-IRS Settlement
Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis say they want a written commitment that a Justice Department "anti-weaponization" fund will not return; President Trump says he may pull the nomination and resubmit it after both senators leave office in January.
Missing 10-Year-Old Girl's Body Recovered From Passaic River as Northeast Storm Sets Albany-Area Rain Records
A slow-moving storm dropped record rain on eastern New York and New Jersey in late July 2026, killing at least three people — including two children swept into the Passaic River — and reopening a national argument over flood warnings, weather-agency staffing, and aging drainage systems.
Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence in 51-47 Party-Line Vote
Clayton takes over an Office of the Director of National Intelligence that shrank again hours before the vote, under acting director Bill Pulte.
Epstein Survivors and AG Nominee Todd Blanche Give Opposing Accounts of Meeting Held to Secure a Republican Senator's Vote
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein at the demand of Sen. Thom Tillis; survivors called the session unproductive while Blanche's Justice Department called it productive, days before a committee vote on his confirmation.
Trump Declassifies China Intelligence in Primetime Speech, Renewing 2020 Election Claims and Pushing Voter-ID Bill
In a July 16, 2026 East Room address, President Trump released documents he says show Chinese interference in U.S. elections and urged Congress to pass the SAVE America Act; Democrats and the intelligence record dispute his conclusions.
Pentagon Says National Guard Anti-Crime Mission in Washington Could Run Through January 2029 as Some States Pull Out
Federal officials confirmed the D.C. deployment has no fixed end date and costs more than $3 million a day, while several Democratic-led states withdraw their troops and courts weigh its legality.
Graham Platner Formally Withdraws From Maine Senate Race; Democrats Move to Pick Replacement by July 27
After a rape allegation and a second misconduct allegation he denies, Platner filed withdrawal paperwork, triggering a Maine Democratic convention as Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and others enter the race to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Aspen Acres Fire Reaches 28% Containment as Colorado Downgrades Some Evacuation Orders
Officials eased evacuation orders in Fremont and Pueblo counties as the human-caused blaze topped 97,000 acres, though hot, dry, windy weather still threatened progress.
Babylon Fire Reaches 103,000 Acres and 25% Containment in Southeastern Utah
The largest active U.S. wildfire is burning through Bears Ears National Monument days before the Trump administration is expected to move to shrink the monument.
House Fails to Advance Defense Bill After 14 Republicans Join Democrats to Block Procedural Rule Tied to SAVE Act
A dispute over how to attach President Trump's voter-ID and proof-of-citizenship bill to the defense measure froze the House floor and sent members into their July 4 recess early.
Justice Department Misses Court Deadline on Epstein File Redactions, Defends Them and Seeks 60-Day Delay Before Appeal
A federal judge ordered the DOJ to unredact names in Epstein-related records by July 2 or explain why not; the department instead defended its redactions, asked for more time, and said it will appeal.
Supreme Court Rules Border Officers Need Only 'Reason to Believe' to Reclassify Returning Green Card Holders at the Border
The 6-3 ruling in Blanche v. Lau holds that border officers need only 'reason to believe' a crime was committed — not clear and convincing proof — before shifting the burden of admissibility onto a returning permanent resident.