{"id":13036,"date":"2026-05-21T20:14:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T20:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/21\/live-updates-trump-says-it-looks-like-ill-be-the-one-to-intervene-in-cuba-after-castro-indictment-ap-news\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T20:14:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T20:14:58","slug":"live-updates-trump-says-it-looks-like-ill-be-the-one-to-intervene-in-cuba-after-castro-indictment-ap-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/21\/live-updates-trump-says-it-looks-like-ill-be-the-one-to-intervene-in-cuba-after-castro-indictment-ap-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates: Trump says \u2018it looks like I\u2019ll be the one\u2019 to intervene in Cuba after Castro indictment &#8211; AP News"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-module data-gtm-region=\"Here's what we're following: President Donald Trump on Thursday said past U.S. presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but \u201cit looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it.\u201d He\u2019d suggested the opposite a day earlier, however, saying further escalation isn\u2019t necessary after federal prosecutors announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Ra\u00fal Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles. Senate Republicans appear increasingly unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline to pass a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement bill this week, derailed by questions about White House security funding and the Trump administration\u2019s $1.8 billion settlement fund. Republicans were already expected to abandon $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and Trump\u2019s ballroom amid backlash from members of their own party \u2014 the settlement fund only added to some senators' concerns. Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday approved the design for the triumphal arch that Trump wants built at an entrance to the nation\u2019s capital. The proposed arch is one of several projects Trump is pursuing to leave his imprint on Washington.\" data-align-center id=\"blogBody\">\n<p><b>Here\u2019s what we\u2019re following:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul id=\"rte-de18f872-5502-11f1-927a-f79665be3758\">\n<li>President Donald Trump <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/live\/trump-administration-updates-05-21-2026#0000019e-4b5e-da77-a59e-5bdfc01d0000\"><u>on Thursday said<\/u><\/a><\/span> past U.S. presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but<b> \u201cit looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it.\u201d <\/b>He\u2019d <b>suggested the opposite a day earlier,<\/b> however, saying further escalation isn\u2019t necessary after federal prosecutors announced <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-indictment-trump-cuba-c04030a07c1b72442e61e72ad6d78604\"><b><u>criminal charges against<\/u><\/b><\/a><\/span><b> former Cuban President <\/b><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/raul-castro\"><b><u>Ra\u00fal Castro<\/u><\/b><\/a><\/span> in the 1996 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-brothers-to-rescue-cuba-planes-shootdown-270f3dda10944a815cde94dc22c7a09f\"><b><u>downing of civilian planes<\/u><\/b><\/a><\/span><b> flown by Miami-based exiles. <\/b><\/li>\n<li>Senate Republicans appear increasingly <b>unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline <\/b><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\"><b>to pass a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement bill<\/b><\/a><\/span> this week, derailed by questions about White House security funding and the Trump administration\u2019s $1.8 billion settlement fund. Republicans were already expected to abandon $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and Trump\u2019s ballroom amid backlash from members of their own party \u2014 the settlement fund only added to some senators\u2019 concerns. <\/li>\n<li><b>Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, <\/b>the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-arch-review-commission-cc2ac43358b652005a108bbd9786c01c\"><b><u>approved the design for the triumphal arch<\/u><\/b><\/a><\/span><b> that Trump wants built <\/b>at an entrance to the nation\u2019s capital. The proposed arch is one of several projects Trump is pursuing to leave his imprint on Washington.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">                      <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4be1-d33f-abbe-4fe3ed0b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779391347551\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4be1-d33f-abbe-4fe3ed0b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump has again raised the specter of U.S. military intervention in Cuba.<\/p>\n<p>The renewed threat Thursday takes on greater weight a day after the administration <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-indictment-trump-cuba-c04030a07c1b72442e61e72ad6d78604\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announced criminal charges<\/a><\/span> against former Cuban President Ra\u00fal Castro.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said previous U.S. presidents have <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/castro-cuba-trump-tensions-a8f111c9188a29241743f647e75476e2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">considered intervening in Cuba<\/a><\/span> for decades, but that \u201cit looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Rubio told reporters separately that the Trump administration wants to <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/cuba-trump-rubio-energy-blockade-26b89fa6c057eb419d099a39e38d5b98\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">resolve differences with Cuba peacefully<\/a><\/span>, but is doubtful the U.S. can reach a diplomatic resolution with the island\u2019s current government.<\/p>\n<p>The Castro indictment has led many to believe that the administration is following the same playbook it did when it ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6<span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\"> <\/a><\/span><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-rubio-cuba-castro-intervention-a7a470404229ce2cf89b10501e8692b7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Cuban government tightens control over telecommunications and tech equipment\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4bde-df27-a5ff-dffffb4b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779389556441\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4bde-df27-a5ff-dffffb4b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Cuban government tightens control over telecommunications and tech equipment         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Cuban government on Thursday made regulatory changes that tightened its control over telecommunications and technological equipment, including routers, radios and drones.<\/p>\n<p>The regulations published in the country\u2019s Official Gazette now require prior \u201ctechnical authorization\u201d for the import, use and sale of a wide range of equipment such as Wi-Fi systems, walkie-talkies, doorbell cameras and baby monitors. Some equipment will also be subject to inspection.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, \u201cthe use, import, export, manufacture, and sale\u201d of drones requires prior authorization from the Ministry of Communications \u201cregarding the use of frequencies and power levels.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The rules maintain Cuba\u2019s ban on the import of cellphone signal amplifiers, or repeaters.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Republican progress on immigration bill stalls out over Trump\u2019s ballroom, DOJ settlement\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4bcb-d33f-abbe-4febb0850000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779389363908\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4bcb-d33f-abbe-4febb0850000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Republican progress on immigration bill stalls out over Trump\u2019s ballroom, DOJ settlement         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Senate Republicans appear increasingly unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline to pass a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement bill this week as questions about security funding for the White House and the Trump administration\u2019s $1.8 billion settlement fund effectively derailed progress.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans were already expected to abandon $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-ballroom-construction-east-wing-275f8034ad3817ca78aa085d1c202c32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">President Donald Trump\u2019s ballroom<\/a><\/span> amid backlash from members of their own party.<\/p>\n<p>But then questions about the settlement fund added to some of the senator\u2019s concerns. They are questioning the timing of the request and who would get the money.<\/p>\n<p>Republican Senators who emerged from a meeting on Thursday with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to hash out the bill\u2019s details were tight-lipped. They indicated that lawmakers would not hold a vote on the package before leaving Washington for a Memorial Day break, risking failure to meet Trump\u2019s June 1 deadline.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6<span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Companies join a deep-sea mining rush after Trump executive order, as regulators fast-track permits\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b83-d6ae-a9bf-ff9f9e710000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779388099030\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b83-d6ae-a9bf-ff9f9e710000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Companies join a deep-sea mining rush after Trump executive order, as regulators fast-track permits         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>In the year since Trump <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/climate-deep-sea-mining-ores-minerals-trump-bd8c98390b3711439c055023b77e31b5\">signed an executive order<\/a><\/span> to create a deep-sea mining industry, businesses have raised millions from investors, stock prices have soared, and federal regulators have raced to fast-track a permitting process.<\/p>\n<p>At least nine companies are in talks with the government for access to seabed minerals, according to an Associated Press review. Sections of the seafloor from American Samoa to Alaska could be auctioned for offshore mining this summer and through the fall. <\/p>\n<p>But a close look at some of the companies involved reveals uncertain track records and histories spattered with legal disputes, while major questions about how the minerals would be processed and refined remain unanswered.<\/p>\n<p>Environmental groups <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/climate-deep-sea-mining-ores-minerals-trump-bd8c98390b3711439c055023b77e31b5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decried the order<\/a><\/span> when Trump signed it in April 2025. They said it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems and ignores an ongoing process to adopt international rules for the practice.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-deepsea-mining-executive-orders-oceans-environment-399faab6fc32922b4c533d3bad9c1ca5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Republican progress on immigration enforcement bill stalls amid disputes over Trump\u2019s ballroom and DOJ settlement\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4bc7-dd14-a39e-5fe768180000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779387864216\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4bc7-dd14-a39e-5fe768180000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Republican progress on immigration enforcement bill stalls amid disputes over Trump\u2019s ballroom and DOJ settlement         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump, facing a Senate Republican mutiny, says, \u2018I don\u2019t need money for the ballroom\u2019\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b73-d908-a9df-eff76f780000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779383375575\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b73-d908-a9df-eff76f780000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump, facing a Senate Republican mutiny, says, \u2018I don\u2019t need money for the ballroom\u2019         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump, facing a Senate Republican mutiny, says \u2018I don\u2019t need money for the ballroom\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Asked about Senate Republicans dropping a proposed $1 billion for White House security and his ballroom project, Trump said, \u201cI\u2019m making a gift of the ballroom.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump says the ballroom will be paid for by himself and donors \u2013 though much about its financing remains mysterious.<\/p>\n<p>Trump drew distinctions between the ballroom and proposed White House security improvements. He said the ballroom was being built \u201cin conjunction\u201d with the military and the Secret Service and that \u201ca tremendous amount\u201d of the project \u201cis for national security.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The president also said that the changes were \u201cnot for me because I\u2019ll be gone,\u201d even though he\u2019s repeatedly mused about remaining in office after his term.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump says he hopes to finish his revamp of the Reflecting Pool by Independence Day\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b6b-d215-afbe-ebeb480f0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779382315473\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b6b-d215-afbe-ebeb480f0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump says he hopes to finish his revamp of the Reflecting Pool by Independence Day         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump says he hopes to finish his revamp of the Reflecting Pool by Independence Day<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe key is to have it done before July 4,\u201d the president said. \u201cWe want to see if we can have it done before July 4.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The president has spent weeks promising to improve the Reflecting Pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. He says the project has been delayed by rain and other factors, but when completed, \u201cIt will be something special.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, a Washington-based nonprofit has sued, attempting to force the Trump administration to stop work on the Reflecting Pool and restore historic elements.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump returns to more definitive tone on controlling Iran\u2019s uranium\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b66-d1e6-a3df-7fef08380000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779381780714\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b66-d1e6-a3df-7fef08380000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump returns to more definitive tone on controlling Iran\u2019s uranium         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Last week, Trump suggested that he might be OK with some 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium believed to be buried beneath Iranian nuclear facilities that were targeted by U.S. military strikes last year remaining entombed under those sites.<\/p>\n<p>But speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump reverted to a more definitive tone about the U.S. taking control of the uranium as part of any potential peace agreement with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will get it. We don\u2019t need it. We don\u2019t want it,\u201d Trump said. \u201cWe\u2019ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we\u2019re not going to let them have it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last week, Trump told Fox News\u2019 Sean Hannity he\u2019d \u201cjust feel better if I got\u201d the uranium, but that \u201cit\u2019s more for public relations than it is for anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump says he didn\u2019t like the AI executive order he was supposed to sign\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b62-d6ae-a9bf-fffe6f3c0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779381342707\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b62-d6ae-a9bf-fffe6f3c0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump says he didn\u2019t like the AI executive order he was supposed to sign         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-220000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/86fa48b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8311x5541+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4d%2Ffe%2F492ded80475ea7f515f6af61d94a%2Fap26141586857232.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>Trump called off a Thursday signing ceremony for a new order on artificial intelligence because he worried it could dull America\u2019s edge on AI technology.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he was postponing the signing because he didn\u2019t like what he saw in the order\u2019s text. He announced the change hours before the event was scheduled to take place in the Oval Office.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re leading China, we\u2019re leading everybody, and I don\u2019t want to do anything that\u2019s going to get in the way of that lead,\u201d Trump told reporters at an unrelated Oval Office event.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump suggests U.S. presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but \u2018it looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it\u2019<br \/>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b5e-da77-a59e-5bdfc01d0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779381201185&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b5e-da77-a59e-5bdfc01d0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump suggests U.S. presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but \u2018it looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it\u2019<br \/>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cOther presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something,\u201d Trump told reporters during an unrelated environmental event in the Oval Office, when asked Thursday about Cuba. \u201cAnd, it looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it. So, I would be happy to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that the U.S. wants to open Cuba \u201cup to Cuban Americans, where they can go back and help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump didn\u2019t answer questions about the aircraft carrier Nimitz having reportedly entered the southern Caribbean on Wednesday. Nor did he clarify exactly what he meant.<\/p>\n<p>Still, the president\u2019s comments deviated from Wednesday, when the president was asked about a possible U.S. escalation in Cuba and suggested one wasn\u2019t coming.<\/p>\n<p>He called Cuba a failed country and said, \u201cThey don\u2019t have electricity. They don\u2019t have money. They don\u2019t have really anything,\u201d before adding, \u201cWe\u2019re going to help them along.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Trump says he is postponing signing an executive order on AI because he was concerned it would hurt the AI industry<br \/>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b59-de94-a5fe-df7fe7470000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779380959075&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b59-de94-a5fe-df7fe7470000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Trump says he is postponing signing an executive order on AI because he was concerned it would hurt the AI industry<br \/>         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump falsely accuses Maryland of election fraud\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b57-d908-a9df-efd7303c0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779380641765\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b57-d908-a9df-efd7303c0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump falsely accuses Maryland of election fraud         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump claimed that Maryland \u201cgot caught with 500,000 mail-in ballots that were corrupt,\u201d an allegation he has repeated multiple times in recent days.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not true. The Maryland State Board of Elections said some voters received a primary ballot for the wrong party ahead of the state\u2019s 2026 gubernatorial primary due to a vendor error.<\/p>\n<p>Voters who may have been affected will receive a replacement ballot and any original ballots already sent to election offices will be voided. Voters have been instructed to destroy their original ballots if they have not yet returned them. Safeguards such as unique identifiers on ballot envelopes ensure that each voter can only vote once.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Lindeman, policy and strategy director at Verified Voting, a nonpartisan group focused on election technology, said the error isn\u2019t expected to have much impact given how quickly it was discovered.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump begins Oval Office event as he loosens federal rules on grocery store cooling equipment\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b55-d6ae-a9bf-ffdd4e900000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779380463913\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b55-d6ae-a9bf-ffdd4e900000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump begins Oval Office event as he loosens federal rules on grocery store cooling equipment         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-be0000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c83cc85\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5534x3690+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F04%2Fe9%2F535c09484893bebd377834ee1c9c%2Fap26141575801486.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>The president gathered leaders of grocery store chains and retail companies as he moved to loosen a federal rule requiring grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cooling equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said terminating regulations from former President Joe Biden\u2019s administration will \u201clower costs for consumers, protect hundreds of thousands of jobs, and save Americans well over $2 billion a year.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Rubio says Trump\u2019s preference is a diplomatic solution with Cuba, but US must preserve its interests\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b50-d22e-a1ff-4f5d08ec0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779380292279\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b50-d22e-a1ff-4f5d08ec0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Rubio says Trump\u2019s preference is a diplomatic solution with Cuba, but US must preserve its interests         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration is keen to find a diplomatic solution to its differences with the Cuban government, but is not particularly optimistic that one can be achieved.<\/p>\n<p>His comments leave open the option of military action against Cuba, particularly after the indictment this week of former President Ra\u00fal Castro on terrorism charges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe president\u2019s preference is always a negotiated agreement that\u2019s peaceful,\u201d Rubio told reporters before leaving Miami for a trip to Sweden and India. \u201cThat\u2019s always our preference. That remains our preference with Cuba. I\u2019m just being honest with you. You know, the likelihood of that happening, given who we\u2019re dealing with right now, is not high.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that \u201cour preference in Cuba and anywhere in the world is a negotiated diplomatic settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"US Commission of Fine Arts approves Trump\u2019s Washington arch design\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b41-dd14-a39e-5fe75f8f0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779379929112\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b41-dd14-a39e-5fe75f8f0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             US Commission of Fine Arts approves Trump\u2019s Washington arch design         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-940000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Arlington Memorial Bridge, over the Potomac River, leads to the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/22f2f21\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8640x5760+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F25%2F5a%2F467fddb74b6c9850641c16fe6dc8%2Fap26139614798418.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>The Arlington Memorial Bridge, over the Potomac River, leads to the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States\u2019 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>The Arlington Memorial Bridge, over the Potomac River, leads to the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States\u2019 250th anniversary is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>The commissioners, all appointed by Trump, approved the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-triumphal-arch-washington-42228fefe4e8c97820daabc3b268103d\">triumphal arch<\/a><\/span> design despite overwhelming opposition from the public.<\/p>\n<p>It is one of several projects Trump is pursuing, along with a huge new <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-ballroom-white-house-commission-vote-judge-dd72eed062fd385380d8b8ce90511cd1\">White House ballroom<\/a><\/span>, to leave his imprint on Washington. The arch itself would stand 250 feet tall (76 meters) from its base to a torch held aloft by a Lady Liberty-like figure on top, flanked by two eagles, all gilded. A proposal for gilded lions to guard the base was dropped.<\/p>\n<p>The vast majority of people submitting public comment complained about the design. The arch would dwarf the nearby Lincoln Memorial.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\" https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-arch-review-commission-cc2ac43358b652005a108bbd9786c01c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Despite opposition, US Commission of Fine Arts approves design for Trump\u2019s arch, a key step for the project\u2019s process\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b40-d630-a39f-ffc01a720000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779379032105\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b40-d630-a39f-ffc01a720000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Despite opposition, US Commission of Fine Arts approves design for Trump\u2019s arch, a key step for the project\u2019s process         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>UN council is urged \u2018to use every means at its disposal\u2019 to press Hamas to disarm<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b3b-d630-a39f-fffbb39c0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779378951215&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b3b-d630-a39f-fffbb39c0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>UN council is urged \u2018to use every means at its disposal\u2019 to press Hamas to disarm<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Nickolay Mladenov, who is overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, warned the Security Council Thursday that every act of violence there risks \u201cunraveling\u201d the ceasefire. He said Hamas must accept the roadmap to peace and Israel must uphold its obligations.<\/p>\n<p>The high representative for the Board of Peace said the choice before Hamas and Israel is \u201ca deteriorating status quo\u201d or a new beginning for two million Palestinians, now waiting \u201cin desperate conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no third option,\u201d Mladenov stressed. \u201cThere never was, and the people of Gaza should not be made to wait while some pretend there is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He went through the 15 points in the roadmap, stressing that the board is not a substitute for Palestinian governance of Gaza.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Rubio says despite \u2018good signs\u2019 in Iran talks, \u2018other options\u2019 remain on the table<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b37-d22e-a1ff-4f3f0d220000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779378427950&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b37-d22e-a1ff-4f3f0d220000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Rubio says despite \u2018good signs\u2019 in Iran talks, \u2018other options\u2019 remain on the table<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Being careful not to sound overtly optimistic, Rubio told reporters Thursday that while Pakistan and other regional allies are hard at work to bring a diplomatic resolution on Iran, with some officials traveling to Tehran today, Washington remains ready with alternative plans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe president\u2019s preference is to do a good deal. That\u2019s his preference. It\u2019s always been his preference. If we can get a good deal done, that would be great,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if we can\u2019t get a good deal, the president\u2019s been clear he has other options.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Rubio says Iran\u2019s plan to toll Strait of Hormuz would make deal \u2018unfeasible\u2019<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b35-d1e6-a3df-7fff26070000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779378357816&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b35-d1e6-a3df-7fff26070000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Rubio says Iran\u2019s plan to toll Strait of Hormuz would make deal \u2018unfeasible\u2019<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Talking to reporters on the tarmac in Florida, Rubio once again blasted Tehran\u2019s effort to financially benefit from its chokehold on the critical waterway.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo one in the world is in favor of a tolling system. It can\u2019t happen. It would be unacceptable,\u201d he said. \u201cIt would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible if they were to continue to pursue that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-970000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/364f5f2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F60%2Fa2%2Fc147db6d463aaacd3a601064d350%2Fap26141565772576.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>But the secretary of state added that there were \u201cgood signs\u201d in the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran despite weeks of back-and-forth on a sustainable end to the war between the longtime adversaries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t want to get ahead of it &#8230; I think we\u2019ve made some progress,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cBut obviously we\u2019re dealing with a system that itself is a little fractured.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"GOP senators huddling with Blanche on Trump \u2018anti-weaponization\u2019 fund\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b06-dac7-adff-ebf66b420000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779378231331\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b06-dac7-adff-ebf66b420000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             GOP senators huddling with Blanche on Trump \u2018anti-weaponization\u2019 fund         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Republican senators have some questions for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as they finalize the text of a <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/pronto\/be294d74e3b197d469f43b902e707580\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$70 billion bill<\/a><\/span> to restore funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. The Trump administration wants it to include a <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-lawsuit-irs-leak-3729de38770b558be01712a143437bf8\">$1.776 billion \u201canti-weaponization\u201d fund<\/a><\/span> as part of a settlement that also <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-treasury-irs-tax-records-e3a79e1bfdc94a663504754af80ce183\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">absolves Trump and his family from any potential tax law<\/a><\/span> violations. <\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune said before their meeting with Blanche began Thursday that his fellow Republicans want to make sure the fund is \u201cfenced in appropriately.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Democrats have an opening because Republicans are trying to pass the bill through a complicated budget process that requires a long series of amendment votes. Among other things, Democrats want to ban any payments to Trump supporters who <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/capitol-riot-book-excerpt-trump-32429c15e05de5b1de34fe799ba89882\">harmed law enforcement officers<\/a><\/span> in the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/2021-united-states-capitol-riot\">Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more:<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Marco Rubio says Cuba has \u2018always\u2019 been a national security threat\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b30-df27-a5ff-dfbbdacd0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779378180447\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b30-df27-a5ff-dfbbdacd0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Marco Rubio says Cuba has \u2018always\u2019 been a national security threat         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-560000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1b2cc90\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fea%2Fdb%2Fdf6bd4b2480f923928ca6015dd40%2Fap26141565599703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding his plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Rubio is traveling to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>The U.S. secretary of state says Cuba has \u201calways\u201d been a national security threat to the United States.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCuba hosts a Russia and Chinese intelligence presence in their country,\u201d he told reporters before leaving Miami for a trip to a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden and then India.<\/p>\n<p>Rubio would not discuss how the U.S. might move to implement the indictment against Castro, which has led many to believe that military action against the island is potentially imminent, after similar charges against former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro were invoked to justify his ouster in a military operation in January.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases post-election autopsy\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b1d-dcf1-a59e-ebfd81310000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779377348921\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b1d-dcf1-a59e-ebfd81310000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases post-election autopsy         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin released a critical study of the party\u2019s performance in the 2024 campaign on Thursday after frustrated party operatives publicly demanded the release of the post-election autopsy.<\/p>\n<p>The 192-page report was concluded last December and authored by Democratic consultant Paul Rivera. It calls for \u201ca renewed focus on the voters of Middle America and the South.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMillions of Americans are suffering from poor access to healthcare, manufacturing and job losses, and a failing infrastructure, yet continue to be persuaded to vote against their best interests because they do not see themselves reflected in the America of the Democratic Party,\u201d the report says.<\/p>\n<p>Martin is confronting <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/democratic-national-committee-martin-democrats-midterms-9caf0c6b0e5e7c1c7a716ae1263908ae\">a crisis of confidence<\/a><\/span> among party officials amid increasing concerns about the health of their political machine. \u201cWhy not say this in 2024, or bring in more people to finish it, instead of turning this into the dumbest media cycle for 7-8 months?\u201d Democratic strategist Steve Schale wrote in response.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/democratic-national-committee-autopsy-2024-ken-martin-a4f67256b4c56ba076aece23c22728ad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Democratic National Committee releases long-awaited autopsy of the 2024 election\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4b1c-dac7-adff-ebfee0cf0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779376683082\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4b1c-dac7-adff-ebfee0cf0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Democratic National Committee releases long-awaited autopsy of the 2024 election         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Democrats rally at Capitol against GOP funding bill<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4b02-d630-a39f-ffc27d1e0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779375170211&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4b02-d630-a39f-ffc27d1e0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Democrats rally at Capitol against GOP funding bill<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>House and Senate Democrats gathered on the Capitol steps in opposition to Republicans\u2019 funding bill for immigration enforcement. <\/p>\n<p>Democrats are trying to draw a sharp contrast with the upcoming votes by highlighting how the White House has proposed including $1 billion for security for the White House complex and President Donald Trump\u2019s ballroom. Republicans are abandoning that proposal, but Democrats said Congress should be focused instead on making life affordable for everyday Americans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBallroom Republicans are not working for you, they are busy fighting for Trump,\u201d said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. \u201cThe American people are watching and in November, they will be watching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, for his part, said \u201cImmigration enforcement in this country should be fair. It should be just, and it should be humane.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Cuban government points to US airstrikes on boats in Latin American waters\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4ad5-dcf1-a59e-ebfd349d0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779374899560\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4ad5-dcf1-a59e-ebfd349d0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Cuban government points to US airstrikes on boats in Latin American waters         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Cuba is accusing the Trump administration of hypocrisy for <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-indictment-trump-cuba-c04030a07c1b72442e61e72ad6d78604\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">indicting former President Raul Castro<\/a><\/span> in the downing of civilian planes near its coast 30 years ago, noting that the U.S. president is responsible for many more killings of civilians in international waters this year. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is highly cynical that this accusation is made by the same government that has murdered nearly 200 people and destroyed 57 vessels in international waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific, far from the territory of the United States,\u201d the Cuban government response said, adding that the killings \u201cqualify as extrajudicial executions, in accordance with International Law, and murders, according to US laws.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump has <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e\">justified the attacks<\/a><\/span> as necessary to stem the flow of drugs, while offering little evidence that \u201cnarcoterrorists\u201d are in the boats.<\/p>\n<p>The Pentagon inspector general announced a review of whether the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-cartels-boat-strike-pacific-f1afd0c815a729d6eebbf2e122671924\">attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats<\/a><\/span> followed an established targeting framework, but said it would not probe the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642\">legality of the strikes<\/a><\/span>, which have <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pete-hegseth-boat-strike-admiral-congress-521606d39c04dcc040ea232dc9cfeeda\">drawn intense scrutiny<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/boat-strike-pentagon-inspector-general-evaluation-targeting-72e9006c57aa2c695744402934e4ca66\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more:<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump will ease refrigerant rule in effort to address surging grocery costs\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4ac9-d33f-abbe-4feb6bbd0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779373495444\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4ac9-d33f-abbe-4feb6bbd0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump will ease refrigerant rule in effort to address surging grocery costs         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Trump administration is set to <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/newsreleases\/epa-proposes-reforming-biden-technology-transitions-rule-lower-costs-american-families\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">loosen a federal rule<\/a><\/span> that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, said American families will see lower grocery prices as a result. Trump is scheduled to be joined by executives from Kroger, Piggly Wiggly and other grocery chains for Thursday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n<p>Just how much or how quickly loosening the refrigerant rule might ease grocery prices is unclear. The 2020 law reflected a broad bipartisan consensus on the need to quickly phase out domestic use of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, that are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide and are considered a major driver of global warming.<\/p>\n<p><i>\u25b6 <\/i><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/refrigerants-epa-hfc-air-conditioners-trump-eb0ffc23a65b42171d834c3700585123\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more:<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Timeline of relations between the US and Cuba\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4a9d-dac7-adff-ebff634c0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779368840597\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4a9d-dac7-adff-ebff634c0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Timeline of relations between the US and Cuba         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump has been escalating talk about regime change in Cuba ever since he sent the U.S. military to capture Venezuelan <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e\">President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/a><\/span> in January. Now a federal indictment of <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"http:\/\/apnews.com\/former Cuban leader Ra\u00fal Castro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">former Cuban leader Ra\u00fal Castro<\/a><\/span> is raising questions about whether Trump might try something similar in Havana. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/castro-cuba-trump-tensions-a8f111c9188a29241743f647e75476e2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">timeline<\/a><\/span> of U.S. relations with the communist-run island, including repeated meetings with Ra\u00fal Guillermo Rodr\u00edguez Castro, the grandson of Castro known as \u201cRa\u00falito.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"China opposes US sanctions and pressure on Cuba\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4a82-dd14-a39e-5ea7e66b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779366706904\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4a82-dd14-a39e-5ea7e66b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             China opposes US sanctions and pressure on Cuba         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cChina always firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have no authorization from the United Nations Security Council and the abuse of judicial measures, and we also oppose external forces exerting pressure on Cuba under any pretext,\u201d Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiankun said Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. should \u201cstop wielding the stick of sanctions and judicial measures\u201d against the country, Guo added. \u201cChina firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity and opposes external interference.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump\u2019s proposed Washington arch gets another review\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4a3d-da77-a59e-5bbd5c210000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779362118819\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4a3d-da77-a59e-5bbd5c210000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump\u2019s proposed Washington arch gets another review         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump\u2019s plan to build <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/donald-trump\">a triumphal arch in Washington<\/a><\/span> is getting a second look from a federal agency that suggested changes before it approved the concept last month.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed 250-foot (76 meter) arch is one of several projects the Republican president is pursuing <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-ballroom-white-house-commission-vote-judge-dd72eed062fd385380d8b8ce90511cd1\">alongside a White House ballroom<\/a><\/span> to leave his imprint on Washington. Critics of the project, including an overwhelming number of people who submitted public comment in April, said the arch would be taller than any other monument in the capital city and dominate the skyline.<\/p>\n<p>He has said some of his other projects, such as adding a blue coating to the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-trump-997dd3be8d5f33d67c1dbef5ac4ae271\">interior of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool<\/a><\/span>, will beautify the city in time for July 4 celebrations of America\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-trump-997dd3be8d5f33d67c1dbef5ac4ae271\">approved the concept for the arch<\/a><\/span> at its monthly meeting in April. Commissioners are set to consider and possibly vote on updated plans when they meet again on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-arch-review-commission-cc2ac43358b652005a108bbd9786c01c\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>At one Kentucky bar, young Republicans wrestle with their disappointment in Trump and their party<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4a39-d215-afbe-eab9ebbd0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779361993309&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4a39-d215-afbe-eab9ebbd0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>At one Kentucky bar, young Republicans wrestle with their disappointment in Trump and their party<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-420000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Republican State Rep. TJ Roberts, 28, talks during a meeting of young Republicans at a bar in Covington, Ky., Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jesse Bedayn)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9407386\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5609x3739+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff6%2F69%2F7934385d914f33232ec13340cc77%2F9be79de98a924e59ba92c8409dce3fb3\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>Republican State Rep. TJ Roberts, 28, talks during a meeting of young Republicans at a bar in Covington, Ky., Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jesse Bedayn)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>Republican State Rep. TJ Roberts, 28, talks during a meeting of young Republicans at a bar in Covington, Ky., Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jesse Bedayn)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>On a recent evening in northern Kentucky, over a dozen young Republicans gathered with beers and brightly colored cocktails at a bar called dEcORa, ribbing each other and picking apart the presidential administration they welcomed with high hopes last year.<\/p>\n<p>By now, their enthusiasm for Trump had curdled into frustration.<\/p>\n<p>What poured out that night under the bar\u2019s low lights was a sense that the Republican establishment \u2014 which they initially applauded Trump for disrupting, but which some now see him sustaining \u2014 had forsaken them. That festering feeling has widened a generational gap between younger and older conservatives as the party slowly begins to consider a future without Trump in charge.<\/p>\n<p><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/massie-gallrein-trump-kentucky-republican-primary-03a658b1a45593ad04ebf6283a3fdb47\">The defeat<\/a><\/span> of Republican <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/donald-trump-thomas-massie-9561ac5dcf4dc3af932b2e8f781264da\">Rep. Thomas Massie<\/a><\/span> \u2014 who had earned a younger and anti-establishment following <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/massie-trump-gallrein-kentucky-primary-republican-election-ea4731167f8d7eade91a6b5d612dca9f\">while feuding with Trump<\/a><\/span> \u2014 in Tuesday\u2019s primary cost them one of their strongest allies in Congress.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/young-republicans-trump-leadership-future-kentucky-0b059c220c65c95ac8766e454c183d1a\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Republicans expected to abandon $1B security proposal for White House and Trump\u2019s ballroom<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4a38-dd14-a39e-5ebf21940000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779361768552&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4a38-dd14-a39e-5ebf21940000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Republicans expected to abandon $1B security proposal for White House and Trump\u2019s ballroom<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Senate Republican leaders are expected to abandon a proposal for $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-ballroom-construction-east-wing-275f8034ad3817ca78aa085d1c202c32\">Trump\u2019s ballroom<\/a><\/span> on Thursday after members of their own party questioned the timing and the lack of detail in the Secret Service request.<\/p>\n<p>Pressured by the White House, Republicans have tried to add the money to a roughly <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ap.org\/detail\/pronto\/be294d74e3b197d469f43b902e707580\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$70 billion bill<\/a><\/span> to restore funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. But the security proposal met with backlash from some GOP lawmakers who are questioning the cost and how the taxpayer dollars would be used.<\/p>\n<p>The bill\u2019s text has not yet been released, but the Senate hopes to pass it this week and send it to the House before leaving for a weeklong Memorial Day recess. <\/p>\n<p>Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the effort to add the security package to the bill was a \u201cbad idea\u201d and he does not think there is enough backing to pass it, even if the cost were reduced.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/congress-billion-ballroom-trump-funding-bill-republicans-d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"WATCH: This is how Cuba reacted to the US indictment of Ra\u00fal Castro\" data-post-id=\"0000019e-4a35-d33f-abbe-4fb7b4fe0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1779361650687\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019e-4a35-d33f-abbe-4fb7b4fe0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             WATCH: This is how Cuba reacted to the US indictment of Ra\u00fal Castro         <\/h2>\n<div data-align-center data-video-orientation=\"landscape\">\n<p>Cuban officials reacted angrily on Wednesday after U.S. prosecutors charged former Cuban leader Ra\u00fal Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. (AP Video: Ariel Fern\u00e1ndez)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>US raises pressure on Cuba with indictment of former leader as island\u2019s president condemns charges<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019e-4a33-d33b-a7ff-cbb38b600000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1779361492260&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019e-4a33-d33b-a7ff-cbb38b600000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>US raises pressure on Cuba with indictment of former leader as island\u2019s president condemns charges<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-060000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"491\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"491\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"470\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"470\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"367\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"367\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"FILE - Cuba's President Raul Castro listens to the Cuban and Venezuelan national anthems during his welcome ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace, March 17, 2015, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo\/Ariana Cubillos, File)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/3834e69\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2646x1623+0+0\/resize\/599x367!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F54%2F58%2Fc51e7e82408eb805af0eb469b55e%2Fap26138599439703.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>FILE &#8211; Cuba\u2019s President Raul Castro listens to the Cuban and Venezuelan national anthems during his welcome ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace, March 17, 2015, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo\/Ariana Cubillos, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>FILE &#8211; Cuba\u2019s President Raul Castro listens to the Cuban and Venezuelan national anthems during his welcome ceremony at the Miraflores presidential palace, March 17, 2015, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo\/Ariana Cubillos, File)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced criminal charges against <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/raul-castro\">former Cuban President Ra\u00fal Castro<\/a><\/span> in the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the island\u2019s socialist government.<\/p>\n<p><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-cuba-doj-indictment-trump-40939c6644185652649bc90d4e445394\">The indictment<\/a><\/span> accuses Castro of ordering the shootdown of two small planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, who turns 95 next month, was Cuba\u2019s defense minister at the time. The charges, which were secretly filed by a grand jury in April, included murder and destruction of an airplane. Five Cuban military pilots were also charged.<\/p>\n<p>Asked to what lengths American authorities would go to bring Castro to face charges in the U.S., acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said: \u201cThere was a warrant issued for his arrest. So we expect that he will show up here, by his own will or by another way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The charges pose a real threat, observers said, following the capture by U.S. forces in January of <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/nicolas-maduro\">former Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/a><\/span> to face drug charges in New York.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/raul-castro-indictment-trump-cuba-c04030a07c1b72442e61e72ad6d78604\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post>               <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s what we\u2019re following: President Donald Trump on Thursday said past U.S. presidents have mulled intervening in Cuba for decades but \u201cit looks like I\u2019ll be the one that does it.\u201d He\u2019d suggested the opposite a day earlier, however, saying further escalation isn\u2019t necessary after federal prosecutors announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Ra\u00fal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13036"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13036\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}